celebrity report.....8-11-08

With his wife and daughter by his side, Bernie Mac struggled to hold on. The actor/comedian had been sick for a while. He suffered from a lung condition caused by sarcoidosis. Over the past few weeks, he battled pneumonia. The family didn't want anyone to know how sick he really was, but according to associates, Mac's health has been on the decline over the past two years. Samuel L. Jackson worked with Mac on one of his final projects, the movie Soul Men. Jackson said neither Bernie Mac nor the late Isaac Hayes appeared to be healthy. (More on Hayes later on). Why was his family so quiet about Mac's health? They wanted to protect the man they loved, and they truly felt he would get better. Mac was known for his comedy, TV, and film work, but he was also a devoted family man who cherished his wife of 30 years and his daughter. A private service is happening on Friday for the family, and a public memorial is taking place on Saturday in Chicago. Macs final projects, Soul Men, Old Dogs and Madagascar II, where voiced the role of "Zuma," are all due out next year.

Despite his financial problems at the end of his life, the young widow of Isaac Hayes and his 11 children will be taken care of. The past two years of Hayes life were held in a cloak of secrecy. Hayes was a scientologist, and his health was not good. Three years ago, Hayes married Adjowa Hayes and they had a son. Despite the age difference, Adjowa was in love she had met the man of her dreams. The world knew "Black Moses" as a singer, Oscar winner, actor, composer and a chef, but Mrs. Hayes knew the man as her husband, Isaac Hayes. Shortly after they got married, Hayes suffered his first stroke and it left him immobilized. It took him a while to regain his speech and mobility. Friends of Hayes say he was in no condition to go on the road, but he was broke. In 1977, Hayes lost the rights to his music catalog, and he only made money from touring. He did stints in radio and acting, but his big income came from touring. As a scientologist, he was also required to give them a big portion of his income. Thank goodness for the recent songwriters act that will allow his family to regain the rights to his music. Hayes young wife is said to be devastated over the loss of her 65-year old husband. She will now have to raise their two-year old son without him. Last week was a tough one in the entertainment world as we lost two giants, Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. A memorial service is taking place on Monday in Tennessee for Hayes.

The Marriage Is Over! These were the horrifying words Actress LisaRaye McCoy Misick had to hear from her husband Michael Misick, the prime minister of the Turks & Caicos Islands. What Do You Mean It's Over? I'm Ready To Take My Place As The First Lady Of The Islands! Despite the scandals and cheating, the prime minister pulled the plug on the marriage. The Misicks were married two years ago in a fairytale setting, and it's been rocky ever since. It was just last week that LisaRaye announced she was going back to her husband. The former star of All Of Us and the cult classic film The Players Club realized she loved the status and perks that came along with the title of first lady. She was willing to brush aside her husband's flaws and continue with the marriage. The prime minister has gone public with his romance with BET Host Rocsi, and now he wants to be with her. Rocsi is younger than LisaRaye. LisaRaye was caught blindsided with the divorce news. She feels humiliated since she decided to return to the marriage. What will LisaRaye do now? How about write a book or maybe Players Club II or go back to road doing plays?

Now that he's been served divorce papers, what's next for Actor Morgan Freeman? The Dark Knight star is going to take the rest of the year to recuperate from his injuries suffered in a car crash. The jaws of life were brought in to save the 71-year old Oscar winner. His passenger, a much younger woman, only suffered minor cuts and scratches. Freeman's 24-year marriage to his wife Myra has been rocky for a while, but his getting caught with another woman was the last straw for Freeman's long suffering wife. She has long suspected that her husband was up to no good and his recent accident confirmed things. Friends of Freeman say the actor is relieved that all is out in the open. Now he can go on with his life, and his 64-year old wife can go on with her hers. The Freemans did not have children together.

Get Ready for the Tranny! For the new season of America's Next Top Model, a transsexual will be a part of the cast. Tyra Banks, the show's creator and executive producer, wants to shake things up for the new season which kicks off September 3rd. Meanwhile, is Tyra getting ready to tie the knot with her rich boyfriend? For the past two years, Banks has been dating Jon Udentahl, a millionaire investment banker. He's tall and good looking. Banks is crazy about him. She immediately moved her show to New York to be with him. Lawyers on both sides are working on pre-nuptial agreements just in case a wedding happens.

What kind of woman has our son married? Nick Cannon's parents are worried that their son may have gotten in way over his head with his recent marriage to Mariah Carey. Cannon's parents feel too much partying and drinking is going on. This was not how they raised their son. Plus, Carey is demanding that Cannon get a high profile job to bring in money. Why does she care she has money why is she pressuring our son. So far the honeymoon continues for the cannons. They recently were feted at a party in the Hamptons and they appear very much in love despite what the naysayers says.

KeKe Palmer has a new movie, Long Shots with Ice Cube, hitting theaters August 22nd. Palmer plays a female quarterback. She's on a roll because this fall, Palmer will also be starring in the Nickelodeon show, True Jackson, V.P. Next year, she'll also play Roxanne Shant� in the hip hop film Vapors. Now speaking of Ice Cube, he told me exclusively that he is the front runner for the role of "B.A. Baracus," in The A-Team movie. This was the role made famous by Mr. T. Sorry Tyrese, I know you're being considered for the role too but, like me, what Ice Cube wants, he gets. Cube's good buddy John Singleton is directing this big screen version.

Serena Williams: the tennis sensation is going out glam. If you thought she looked good on the June issue of Ebony, check her out in the new issue of Men's Fitness magazine. Williams looks amazing. She is showing the world she has a lot of sex appeal.

Has Auntie Viv found a new love? According to published reports, Vivica A. Fox has found love with Actor David Caruso. The two have been dating for a few weeks. Caruso stars on the CBS show CSI Miami. Fox recently celebrated her 40 something birthday.

Usher is hoping to get his career back on track now that his momma, Jonetta Patton, is back in charge. Last week, Usher fired his management staff. His publicity staff was also sent packing. Usher was not happy with the direction of his career, and he has rehired his mother to run his career. It was just two Mother's days ago that Usher famously fired his mom because she didn't get along with his wife. This was supposed to be Usher's year, but he found everyone raving over Ne-Yo and Chris Brown. Where was the love for him? His former management company and publicity firm have both released statements claiming they were planning to part ways with Usher and wished him the best. Inside sources say they were furious at being let go, and told Usher to go back to his momma. As for Usher's wife, Tameka Foster, she doesn't like the changes, but she is trying to have another baby with Usher so she is just being quiet. Jonetta Patton has her work cut out for her. But, she knows her son is talented and well liked. She is sure she will able to turn things around. First up for Usher, he will be performing in a free concert to kick off the 2008 NFL season before the Giants/Redskins game. Patton is going to make sure Usher's set is tight after his lackluster opening at The BET Awards and his obvious lip-synching on Good Morning America. She is going to make sure her son shines.

Is it going to be baby number three for the Bryants? While Kobe is on the quest for Olympic gold during the Beijing games, word has it his wife, Vanessa Bryant, is pregnant with baby number three.

The past week was not good for Beyonce. Hurry up with the album B, your clothing line, House Of Dereon, has been declared a major disappointment within the fashion industry. No one is buying the clothes, and L'Oreal cosmetics got busted making you look Caucasian in your ad campaign. They digitally enhanced her photos totally, erasing her color. This photo appears in the new issue of Elle magazine. She looks like herself in the same ad for Essence.

A new best of compilation featuring the music of Tina Turner is coming out. Look for 'Tina' on September 30th.

I Want To Take You Higher, The Life And Times Of Sly Stone is title of the new book about the famed musician coming out in October.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou is going to be honored along with TV Producer Norman Lear at the 2008 Annual Marian Anderson Awards. The ceremony honoring them is taking place November 17th at the Kimmel Center. Lear is best known for the TV classics All In The Family, Sanford & Son The Jeffersons, Good Times and Maude. The award is named after the famed Contralto Marian Anderson, a Philadelphia native. Past honorees include Sidney Poitier, Richard Gere, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Oprah Winfrey and Harry Belafonte. Dr. Angelou and Lear go back a ways back. The doctor is godmother to Lear's youngest children.

Singer Nancy Wilson is mourning the loss of her husband, the Reverend Wiley Burton. Wilson and Burton were married for 34 years. The Presbyterian minister passed away last week after a long battle with cancer.

Get ready for Lethal Weapon V. Another movie sequel is in the works for Mel Gibson and Danny Glover reprising their roles they created in 1987.

The LaBelle reunion is set for October 21st with their new CD Back To Now. Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash are back together after 30 years. The new CD features production from Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and Lenny Kravitz.

Who will be on Dancing With The Stars for the new season? Word has it Toni Braxton, former NFL Player Warren Sapp and Tom Selleck (Magnum, P.I.) will be a part of the new season.

Sanford & Son, the popular 70's show, is coming out on DVD. The complete series, 17 discs containing all six seasons, comes out on October 28th. The late Comedian Redd Foxx starred as the grouchy junkman and Demond Wilson played his long-suffering son, Lamont.

Oprah Winfrey may make a surprise appearance at The Emmys. Word has it she'll open the show September 21st.

Anita Baker, Jennifer Hudson, Dionne Warwick, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia will all be on hand for the all-star salute to Patti LaBelle. LaBelle is being honored at the United Negro College Fund's Evening Of Stars. The program will air in January.

Singer Al Jarreau is hard at work on a new Christmas CD, which is coming out this fall.

Tyler Perry's new movie, The Family That Preys, is set to open in theatres September 12th. The movie stars Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan, Robin Givens, Taraji P. Henson,
Rockmond Dunbar, Cole Hauser and Tyler Perry.

Singer Robin Thicke is set to release his new CD, Something Else, in September. The CD features the hit single 'Magic.'

The 5th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors takes place in October.

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

This major magazine is finding out the hard way just because you shell out millions of dollars for exclusive pictures, doesn't mean you will have a million-seller issue on your hands. Plus, everyone is starting to pick up on the fact that this magazine regularly ignores minority babies.

You can't fake a friendship a very popular entertainer is finding out the hard way you don't destroy a friendship over petty jealousy. Now, it's too late for him to apologize.