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Is Kobe
Bryant married to a monster? According to his former maid, he is. Vanessa
Bryant is known for her spending sprees and fiery temper. Vanessa is being
sued by her maid for physical and emotional abuse. The maid claims she was
referred to as a liar, dumb and lazy. She says one day Vanessa ordered her
to stick her hand in dog poop, and then she was charged for ruining an
expensive blouse. Spokespeople for Bryant say the maid is just looking for
attention and money, but sources close to the couple claim Mrs. Bryant is
not a pleasant person. She has been known to curse out reporters in front of
her young daughters if she doesn’t like what they wrote about her. Will Kobe
ever leave his wife? No!!! She stood by during his rape scandal, and she
never signed a prenup. In the words of Johnnie Taylor, “It’s cheaper to keep
her.
A second sex
scandal has hit The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School For Girls in
South Africa. Winfrey opened the girls’ boarding school two years ago with a
lot of fanfare. Last week, seven students were suspended for sexually
harassing their schoolmates. Winfrey released a statement this week saying
she saddened by the news, but this a private matter. She said students know
they cannot violate the Leadership Academy’s code of conduct.
Jennifer
Hudson has kicked off her national tour. Once the tour is over, she will
marry longtime boyfriend David Otunga. He is best known as “Punk” from the
VH1 reality show I Love New York. Otunga is about to embark on a career as a
pro wrestler. He stood by Hudson’s side through the good times and the bad
times. Hudson is designing her wedding dress. She’s even going to have her
three dogs in the wedding. Now the big question is will Hudson sing to her
hubby? She says she hasn’t decided yet, but she probably will.
This was an
up and down week for Queen Latifah. She recently celebrated her 39th
birthday, and she announced plans for her new movie. The Queen will play a
physical therapist who falls in love with a basketball player in the
romantic comedy. It’s kind of like a modern day Cinderella story. Latifah
was also hit with a million dollars lawsuit. A former makeup artist and
stylist claim they were never paid for their work on her Cover Girl ad
campaign or her ad campaign for her Curvations lingerie line. Spokespeople
for Queen Latifah say the lawsuit is without merit.
Taye Diggs
has been voted as having the sexiest body on TV. Diggs first burst onto the
scene with his hot bod in the movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back. He is
currently starring in ABC’s Private Practice, and he is expecting his first
child with his wife, Broadway Star Idina Menzel.
Star Jones
proclaims she is free, black and grown. She has a new blog where she gives a
fresh perspective on today’s important issues called Positively Star.
Wesley Snipes
has been ordered to stay in the United States. Snipes, who is due to start
serving a three-year prison sentence since his conviction on tax charges,
was caught sneaking out of the countries for parties. He claims he was doing
work, but a U.S. district court judge ruled that he is not allowed to leave
the country for any purpose. He may be starting his prison sentence later
this year.
Terrence
Howard is speaking out against colon cancer. Howard lost his mother to the
disease last year, and he is urging people to get tested. Colon cancer is
one of the most common forms of cancer.
The life
story of Lou Rawls is coming to the big screen. Lou Rawls, Jr. is telling
the story of his famous dad. Actor Isaiah Washington of Grey’s Anatomy fame
has signed on to star in the movie. Washington needs the work. He and his
family were just evicted from their California home. He owed over $100,000
in back rent. The Lou Rawls movie could be just what the doctor ordered.
Despite having a great career, Lou Rawls had a lot of personal problems in
his private life, including multiple bad marriages. Rawls had an amazing
voice, whether he was singing or talking. He gave us some great music,
including The Sound Of Philly classics Lady Love, See You When I Git There
and You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.
Speaking of
The Sound Of Philly, congratulations to Leon Huff. The legendary songwriter,
who is one half of the famed music team of Gamble & Huff, is getting a
street named in his honor in Camden, New Jersey. Mr. Huff was born in
Camden, and his birthday is April 8th. On that day at 12 noon Ferry Avenue
and Mulford Street is being renamed Leon Huff Way. Mr. Huff and Kenny Gamble
started The Sound Of Philly and teamed up to write many classics. And
separately, Mr. Huff’s songs include Mixed Up-Shook Up Girl, Backstabbers,
Let’s Groove, It’s Forever and I Ain’t Jivin’ I’m Jammin’.
Get ready for the movie version of the stage classic,
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.
The 70’s classic by Author Ntozake Shange was originally a book telling the
stories of women of color through a series of poems, and now it’s coming to
the big screen.
Ever wonder how much money contestants make for dancing on Dancing With The
Stars? Well, they start off contestants with $125,000. For each week, you
get an additional $10,000. If you go further, another 20 grand then 30. If
you make it to the finals, you get an additional $50,000. It really does pay
for B list celebrities to dance on the show because they will get paid.
Jill Scott is
being hailed as a breakthrough star with her role on the HBO series The No.
1 Ladies Detective Agency. The latest issue of Heart & Soul magazine
features a very pregnant Scott talking about her role as a detective on the
show. Have you seen the show yet? I love it. The stories are very good, and
I love a good mystery. Let me know what you think.
Mel B is
having family problems. The Spice Girl and Eddie Murphy’s baby momma is
having problems with her family. According to her sister, Mel has not spoken
to her mother in over five months. The sister is blaming the strife on Mel’s
husband. She says Stephen Belafonte doesn’t work and that all he does is
control Mel. Mel just got a huge payout from Eddie Murphy in a recent child
support ruling. She is being paid $52,000 a month. Mel is also promoting her
new fitness DVD. Spokespeople for Mel claim the situation with her mom is a
private matter.
Rihanna is
cooperating with authorities in their investigation against Chris Brown. For
the time being, the couple has decided to take a break. Since their fight
and her beatdown on February 8th, they have been under intense public
scrutiny. Brown is scheduled to be arraigned next week.
Michael
Jackson may be joined on stage by his 12-year old son Prince Michael when
The King Of Pop takes the stage in London for his 50-night concert stand.
Jackson said he wanted his children to see what he did for a living, and it
looks like his son will see firsthand. Now everybody is not happy about The
Gloved One’s return. Jackson patriarch Joe Jackson is said to be miffed that
he has not been included in any plans. Jackson’s brothers are also not
happy. They’re broke and need financial assistance. They haven’t been asked
to join Michael on the tour, and, at this point, they can’t even tickets.
The remake of
the 1984 movie The Karate Kid is getting a redo. Jackie Chan will be
starring in the new version along with Jaden Smith, the young son of Will
and Jada Pinkett Smith. The new Karate Kid will be renamed The Kung Fu Kid.
The term “karate” is so 80’s. And, since the movie is being filmed in
Beijing, the filmmakers want to go along with the proper term, “kung fu” not
“karate.”
Wanda Sykes
is coming to late night TV. Sykes recently signed a deal with FOX-TV to do a
late night show on Saturdays. If all goes well, it could be expand.
Get ready for
the return of Destiny’s Child. In 2011, Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle will
reunite for a new album.
Nicole Richie
is not only expecting baby number two with boyfriend rocker Joel Madden, but
next year, she will be unveiling her new clothing line. In addition to the
clothing line, she’ll also present a new show collection.
Bobby Brown
with a Mohawk? At 40, many wonder if this is a mid-life crisis. He is
anxious to be a dad again. He and girlfriend/manager, Alicia Etheridge, are
expecting their first child together.
Jada Pinkett
Smith’s new TV drama about nurses, Hawthorne, debuts in June on the TNT
network.
The Norman
Lear Collection, a boxed DVD set, is coming out on June 9th. Norman Lear is
the famed producer behind the TV classics The Jeffersons, Good Times, All In
The Family, Maude and Sanford & Son to name a few. The first seasons of
those and other Lear classics will be included in the set.
Jimmy Rollins
in Playboy magazine? Yes! Rollins, a.k.a. “J-Roll,” of the Philadelphia
Phillies is doing a fashion spread with his beautiful girlfriend, Johari
Smith. Look for the issue in June.
The 2010
Grammy Awards are set for January 31st.
Denzel
Washington’s new movie, with John Travolta and James Gandolfini, The Taking
Of Pelham 1, 2, 3 hits theatres on June 12th. We have the exclusive trailer
on our website at wdasfm.com. Just go to Patty’s Page and check it out. Let
me know what you think. I can’t wait to see it. It’s a remake of the 70’s
action thriller with Walter Matthau about a trio of bad guys who take a New
York subway care hostage.
Fantasia
starts her stint in the national touring company of The Color Purple in
June. Fantasia reprises her role as “Celie.”
Access
Hollywood TV Host Shaun Robinson has a new book celebrating girls’ self
esteem with advice from America’s most successful women. The book, Exactly
As I Am, features Patti LaBelle, Queen Latifah, Oprah Winfrey, Iman, Nancy
Pelosi, Jennifer Hudson and Robinson, herself. The women all share their
journeys to womanhood while passing along advice to today’s youth.
Ruben
Studdard’s new album is produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and hits
stores May 19th.
Beyonce’s new
movie, Obsessed with Idris Elba, comes out on April 24th. Check out Beyonce
on the new issue of Vogue magazine as well as the latest edition of Ebony.
Beyonce is gearing up for a summer tour, and once again she’ll be backed by
a female band.
Poet and
Author Dr. Maya Angelou has an exciting new project. Letter To My Daughter:
Her Path To Living Well And Living A Life With Meaning. In the book, Angelou
shares her life lessons.
Producer Lee
Daniels has changed the name of his upcoming release. The long awaited
project Push will be renamed Precious. The movie is scheduled to be released
later this year and stars Mo’Nique, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey and new
comer Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe as “Precious.” Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey
have joined forces to help Lee with the promotion of this movie. The film
Precious is based on the book Push by Sapphire, and focuses on the plight of
a 16-year old who suffered years of abuse but overcomes her odds with the
help of others.
The Bynum
Brothers are back with a new venture. They own Warmdaddy’s on Columbus
Boulevard and had the old Zanzibar Blue in Center City. Their latest project
is called RELISH at 7152 Ogontz Avenue. It replaces Sadiki’s. RELISH
features live jazz music Thursday through Sunday. For more info go to
relishphiladelphia.com or call 215-276-0170.
The T.D.
Jakes film Not Easily Broken starring Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson
hits DVD shelves April 7th.
The Wendy
Williams talk show is set to debut this July. The show is going nationwide.
The 15th
Annual Essence Music Festival is set for July 3rd, 4th and 5th in New
Orleans. Beyonce, John Legend, Eric Benet, Robin Thicke, Anita Baker, Bill
Cosby and Maxwell are all on the bill. There will also be seminars featuring
Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Roland Martin. Plus, there’ll be an all-star
tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes.
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