celebrity report.....1-5-09

There is a lot of buzz about the new movie Notorious based on the life of rapper biggie smalls the notorious B.I.G. but one person who isn't excited is rapper Lil' Kim. Kim was Biggie's long time mistress, and she is crying foul about the way she is being portrayed in the movie. Kim says she comes across as a hood rat in the movie and not as a woman who loved Biggie. Kim says Biggie's, mom Volletta Wallace, and his widow, Singer Faith Evans, are too blame. Kim says she is going to expose Ms. Wallace and Faith. Kim says it's time for the real truth to come out because she has been quiet for too long. The movie opens in theatres January 16th. Angela Bassett will be playing Biggie's mom in the movie.

Janet Jackson is not happy with remarks made by Beyonce in the new issue of Elle magazine. Jackson feels Beyonce needs to grow up and stop trying to impress everybody. In the article, Beyonce compared her family and parents to the Jacksons, Joe and Katherine. Beyonce claims Joe and Katherine basically used their children for their own gain. Well, this did not go over well with the Jackson clan, especially Janet. Janet is proud of her family, despite their problems, and she is proud of the way they grew up.

The list is made up and the stars are getting ready for the Inauguration of President Elect Barack Obama. Two stars who won't be on the list are Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce. Hudson was asked to perform, but since the deaths of her family, she is still not ready to face the public. Beyonce tried her best to get an invite to perform, but she will have to be on the sidelines watching her hubby Jay-Z perform at an event on the 19th. Some of the scheduled performers at various events include Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, The Temptations, The O'Jays, Miley Cyrus and The Jonas Brothers.

Get ready for Tyler Perry…. Everywhere! He's gracing the cover of Essence magazine for the third time. His movie, The Family That Preys, comes out on DVD on January 13th. His new movie, Madea Goes To Jail, opens in theatres next month. And, his new TV show, Meet The Browns, just debuted on TBS. Perry is on a roll, and now he's getting ready to move. He just put his mansion in Georgia up for sale. The Georgia mansion was used in his hit movie Diary Of A Mad Black Woman. It's on the market for $6 million. The mansion has six beds, six bathrooms, a theater room, a gym and a gourmet kitchen.

In more Tyler news, he and Halle Berry will be hosting the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The show airs February 12th on FOX. Jennifer Hudson leads the pack with six nominations. Beyonce has four nominations. Cadillac Records and The Secret Life Of Bees are also leading in the nominations. Hip Hop Pioneer Russell Simmons is getting the Vanguard Award.

Former Basketball Star Charles Barkley has hired a criminal defense attorney in his latest arrest for suspicion of drunk driving. Barkley is due back in court on January 20th. It wasn't a good New Year's Eve for Barkley, who was stopped by cops after he ran a red light. Barkley told cops he chasing a woman for sex. He said he met the woman a week earlier, and it was the best sex he ever had. Barkley is married with a child. In addition to his TV commentator job, he has been vocal about his political plans. He says he wants to run for governor of Alabama in 2010. In the past, Barkley has battled a gambling problem. Even though he has never been convicted of drunk driving, this is not his first arrest. Barkley has released a statement thanking his family, fans and friends for their support during this difficult time.

Queen Latifah is going to continue being the spokesperson for Jenny Craig. Latifah joined the campaign last year and lost 20 pounds. Her focus was on healthy living and not weight loss. Latifah was more than ready to jump back into work after a bad experience during a recent vacation in Trinidad with her lady friend. Thieves broke into her hotel room and stole $10,000 worth of jewelry. Island officials claim it was an inside job.

Oprah Winfrey says this year, it's all about having a life that is brighter, healthier and more balanced. During her New Year kickoff, she talked about her 40-60 pound weight gain, and she admitted she had given up on herself. She admits she needs more balance in her life. Winfrey's advisor and fitness expert, Dr. Bob Greene, says Oprah is likely experiencing a mild form of depression. In other "Mighty O" news, she recently gave the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta a nice gift, a $365,000 donation. The students from the school became media darlings last year with their election rap which was a hit on Youtube. The students are taught through rapping, singing and drumming.

The late Godfather Of Soul, James Brown, recently got a new honor. There was a street named for him right behind the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. The Apollo Theatre was like a second home to Brown during his extraordinary career.

Spokespeople for Michael Jordan deny that the sports legend is getting married soon. Jordan, 45, has been dating Yvette Prieto, a 30-year old Cuban model, and they recently moved into a new home in Miami. Friends of Jordan are concerned about how fast he is moving with his new lady love. It was just a couple of years ago that his ex-wife, Juanita, won $150 million in their divorce settlement. This was one of the largest celebrity divorce payments in history. How serious is he about his new lady? Prieto's only claim to fame is dating Julio Iglesias, Jr. There's also the issue of her mother, who has spent time in state prison for insurance fraud, racketeering and grand theft. Let's hope Jordan does his homework and protects his fortune.

The year of 2009 is going to be big for Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan. She is up for five Grammy awards with her debut album, Fearless. Later this year, she is going on tour with Ne-Yo. They'll be at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby Sunday, February 22nd.

So how is O. J. Simpson holding up in jail? Since his recent conviction, he is not doing well. Simpson has been refusing meals, and he has lost a ton of weight. He is having a hard time adjusting to prison life. Sources say he often bangs his head against the wall to get attention.

Does Michael Jackson have a special surprise in his will for Paul McCartney? 24 years ago their friendship and music relationship came to an abrupt halt when Jackson bought the rights to the Beatles' catalog right under McCartney's nose. The John Lennon-Paul McCartney song book is worth $700 million, and the 1985 bidding war tore McCartney and Jackson's relationship apart. In the 80's, they had the hit duets The Girl Is Mine and Say Say Say. But when Jackson purchased the catalog, McCartney swore he would never speak to Jackson again and he hasn't. Sources close to The King Of Pop claim there is a provision in Jackson's will that would allow to McCartney to get the remaining shares of the catalog at the time of Michael's death. Despite his problems, Jackson can be a shrewd businessman. Right now, that catalog is the only leverage he's got in his waning career. He never meant to hurt McCartney. Maybe this is his way of making up.

Mel B wants you to get fit. The Spice Girl and Eddie Murphy's baby momma has a fabulous body, and she wants to help you get in shape. Mel B has released a new, 3 set DVD of workouts called Totally Fit. Mel B says the workout DVD is fun, inspirational and motivating. She says her goal is to change your life and your body.

Get ready for three new released from Prince this year. The first of the scheduled projects will be released by this spring.

Toni Braxton is hard at work on her upcoming album. The project is coming out this spring with music from the likes of Famed Producer Rodney Jerkins.

Oscar Winner Forest Whitaker has signed onto the action film Expendables. The movie is being written and directed by Sylvester Stallone.

Steve Harvey is coming to town. Steve's got a new book chock full of advice for the ladies titled Act Like A Lady-Think Like A Man. Steve is doing a book signing Thursday, January 29th, 7:00pm at the Barnes And Noble Bookstore on Easton Road in Willow Grove. Speaking of Steve, he will be back hosting BET's Celebration of Gospel. The show will air on BET January 25th.

The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival is set for July 3rd, 4th and 5th in New Orleans. Beyonce is the first musical guest announced. 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.

The movie, Notorious, based on the life of Rapper Biggie Smalls, a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G., is gearing up for its release, which is scheduled for January 16th, 2009. Angela Bassett will be playing Biggie's mom, Volletta Wallace.

Sinbad and Yolanda Adams will be hosting the 21st Annual Stellar Awards. Gospel Sensation Marvin Sapp is leading the pack with nine nominations, including song and male vocal. The show is taking place January 17th.

WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This young Comedian is talented but out of control. He is having a hard time handling his success. He often lashes out at colleagues. And, if he keeps up with his mean-spirited comedy routine, it could hurt his career. He was recently slapped in the face by a fan after one of his club antics.

This reality TV Judge recently strong-armed her bosses for a major raise. Won't they be surprised when they find out she is negotiating to do a talk show for another network.

It's going to be an interesting Father's Day for this well known Sports Commentator. Both his jumpoff and girlfriend recently revealed their baby plans.