Celebrity report.....8-18-08

What does the future hold for LisaRaye McCoy Misick? After a tumultuous week of biting, fighting, arrests and hospitalizations, LisaRaye has left the Turks and Caicos Islands. LisaRaye and her husband, Prime Minister Michael Misick got into a violent confrontation last week. LisaRaye wanted back in the mansion, but her husband, who has moved on with Video Host Rocsi from BET's 106 And Park, had other plans. He is ready to end the marriage and the island citizens are backing him up. The women of The Turks And Caicos Islands are supporting their prime minister. They feel LisaRaye has brought nothing but shame, embarrassment and scandal to their homeland. In a videotaped statement, they stated they were fed up with her. The women claim LisaRaye just wanted the title of first lady and that she never bothered to learn their culture and was a pretender using taxpayers' money. LisaRaye has moved on. She is back in Hollywood armed with a new set of wigs ready to resume her career. After her marriage debacle, she needs to figure out her next career move. She wants money from the prime minister, but sources say he has proof she was fooling around with a well known NBA player. Gary Payton of the Miami Heat recently left his wife, and he has been rumored as the player in question. What will LisaRaye do now after going "Diamond" on her husband? What's next…. Players Club II?

The Jackson brothers feud continues. The King Of Pop Michael Jackson turns 50 on August 29th, but don't invite his brothers to the party because he owes them money. Marlon, Jermaine, Tito and Jackie haven't spoken to their brother in three years, and that was when he was acquitted on child molestation charges. The brothers claim Michael owes them money for royalties dating back to the days of The Jackson Five. The brothers are being honored next month as industry icons, but Michael won't be showing up because of this money fiasco.

Dexter King (the cute one) is striking back. Dexter has filed suit against his sister, Bernice King, and his brother, Martin, III. Dexter says his siblings have misused The King Center for personal gains. As the chairman of the center, he does not want them on the property or using The King Center name. Last month, Bernie and Martin, III sued Dexter for misspending King Foundation money. They revealed his high spending lifestyle in Malibu and questioned how he could afford such a luxurious standard of living.

Has winning a Daytime Emmy gone to Tyra Bank's head? Audience members at a recent taping of her talk show went public with their complaints about the talk show host's attitude. They described her bad attitude, making audience members wait for over two hours for tapings, and how she was cold and phony.

Imagine showing up for work and realizing that your job is closed? The business has shutdown and the lights are off. This was the scene last week in Atlanta at Jermaine Dupri's restaurant Café Dupri. Dupri closed his restaurant without warning leaving workers with no money and no job. Workers had been dealing with bounced pay checks, but they never thought it would lead to this. Dupri's mom blamed the restaurant's problems on the workers stating they should have worked harder. WTH?!!! Is this woman crazy? Expect lawsuits soon. How do you blame the workers when your restaurant closes?

Meanwhile, Dupri's lady Janet Jackson is showing her business savvy with her lingerie line. The Pleasure Principle debuts early next year, and will cover sizes 32a to 44g. Yes, Janet is looking out for the big girls.

The entertainment world lost two special people this week. Pervis Jackson of The Spinners died of liver and brain cancer. Jackson was 70-years old. He was just diagnosed and died suddenly. He was touring with The Spinners as recently as last month, and he was an original member of the group. Jackson was known for his deep voice, and earned the nickname "12:45" from the number one song (They Just Can't Help It) Games People Play. He leaves behind his wife of over 40 years and four children.

Atlantic Records Producer and Executive Jerry Wexler passed away last week at the age of 91. Wexler coined the phrase "Rhythm And Blues," and he helped start the careers of the greats such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Cher, Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin.

The latest issue of Jet magazine is a special tribute issue dedicated to Bernie Mac and Soul Legend Isaac Hayes. The issue features rare photos and a look back at their amazing careers. Both men were funeralized last week. There was drama at the Hayes funeral. He had two services, and one was a scientologist ceremony. He was a practicing scientologist for the past 16 years. The other ceremony was a church service for longtime friends. Hayes left behind 11 children, 3 ex-wives, a current wife, who is 25-years old, and their three-year old son. During the eulogy, constant praise was being given to his current wife and their child. Well Hayes oldest daughter Veronica had had enough. She let everyone know when it was her turn to speak that her father had 11 other children, and they were all there to represent and mourn their father. You could hear a pin drop during her talk. One can only imagine what will happen during the reading of his will.

Six months after giving birth to twins, Jennifer Lopez is preparing for her first triathlon. Lopez is raising money for the Los Angeles Children's Hospital. The Malibu Triathlon is happening September 14th.

L.A. Reid and Babyface are reteaming for an historic all-star recording. Just Stand Up will be the featured song during the Stand Up To Cancer benefit that will air on CBS, NBC and ABC, simultaneously. The song will feature Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Keyshia Cole, Ashanti, Ciara, Sheryl Crowe, Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood and Melissa Etheridge. The show airs September 5th, and all sales from the single will benefit cancer research.

It's baby number four for Actress Lisa Bonet. Bonet has an older daughter Zoe by first hubby Rocker Lenny Kravitz, a pre-teen by hubby number two, and now two kids with current beau actor Jason Mamoa.

Human is the title of Brandy's new album, which is coming out on November 11th. Brandy says this album is her most personal to date because it showcases her as a woman, an artist, a musician and performer. Her longtime Producer Rodney Jerkins is producing the project.

Bobby Brown owes his divorce lawyers over $90,000. Brown was granted a divorce from wife Whitney Houston last year, but he has not settled the bill. Now his lawyers are suing him.

The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin will be releasing her first ever Christmas album this fall. Franklin says she loves holiday music, and realized it was about time she added this to her repertoire.

Actor Laurence Fishburne is joining the cast of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Fishburne will be stepping in as Actor William Peterson leaves the series. The show is going ten years strong, and the producers say they feel great with the addition of the acclaimed movie actor joining the show. Fishburne is best known for his movies The Matrix, What's Love Got To Do With It, Akeelah And The Bee, Boys In The Hood and Cornbread, Earl & Me.

Is she pregnant yet? Fashionista Kimora Lee Simmons is trying for baby number three with boyfriend Actor Djimon Hounsou.

Reps for Sherri Shepherd have not responded to reports that the comedienne's days may be numbered on the talk show The View. The show is currently on vacation, but look for Shepherd back in the fold at the start of the new season.

Tyler Perry and Star Jones?!!! Maybe it's a photo op or maybe she's angling to be in his latest movie?

Master P is changing his name to "P. Miller" as he gears up for his next venture. Miller is starting a family friendly cable network called Better Black Television. Oscar Winner Denzel Washington is serving on Miller's advisory board.

Tracy Morgan will be back as host of VH1's Hip Hop Honors. The show airs October 17th. This year's honorees include De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature, Cypress Hill and Too Short.

Who is going to be on the new season of Dancing With The Stars? We will find out officially on August 25th, but rumor has it Toni Braxton, The Brady Bunch Mom Florence Henderson, TV's Batman Adam West, Magnum P.I.'s Tom Selleck, Football's Warren Sapp, Boy Band Singer Lance Bass and Socialite Kim Kardashian will be a part of the new season, which kicks off in September.

Usher's mom, Jonetta Patton, and wife Tamika Foster are doing their best to get along. Now that Momma Patton is back in charge of Usher's career, both mom and wife are putting their best foot forward all in the name of Usher. His career depends on these two women getting along. Usher fired his mom as his manager two years ago when she told him she didn't like his wife.

Is love better the second time around? Shaunie O'Neal says yes! She and her hubby, basketball's Shaquille O'Neal, are officially back together. Last August, they shocked everyone with their sudden split. Shaq accused his wife of fooling around with her personal trainer and stealing his money. Shaunie accused her hubby of fooling around with numerous jump offs. They have six kids (four together). Maybe Shaq realized: It's Cheaper To Keep Her. I love the O'Neals as a couple, and I hope they stay together this time.

Vivica A. Fox is ready for her spotlight. Her new VH1 reality show, VH1's Glam God, airs on Thursday nights at 10pm. Auntie Viv looks amazing as she searches for the next top stylist in the country. She not only serves as the host of the show, but she is also the producer and judge. She's got a great cast, and she is ready to make her mark on TV.

Singer Kenny Lattimore is coming out with a new album. The CD, Timeless, is due out on September 9th.

Ellen DeGeneres says she is the luckiest girl in the world. The talk show host tells all in the new issue of People magazine. Last weekend, DeGeneres married her longtime girlfriend Actress Portia De Rossi.

Queen Latifah has been told stop losing weight. Since becoming the spokesperson for Jenny Craig, Latifah has lost 20 pounds. Executives at Jenny Craig realized after the Kirstie Alley fiasco (where she lost of ton of weight and gained it back), they want their celebrity spokespeople to lose moderately. This way if they gain it back, it won't be embarrassing for them and the company.

Mariah Carey has legally changed her named to Mariah Cannon. Mariah wanted to honor her husband. Now everyone is wondering will she changed her professional name to "Mariah Cannon" or will she just stay "Mariah Carey?"

The Queen Of All Media, Wendy Williams, is going national with her Fox talk show. I had a chance to talk to Wendy a couple of weeks ago, and she told me she was on the verge of something big. Look for the Wendy Williams television show to kick off in this area sometime next year.

As the NBC drama ER enters its 15th and final season, look for some changes. Angela Bassett is joining the cast along with her husband, Actor Courtney B. Vance.

LL Cool J is getting ready to unveil his new children's clothing line. The line debuts September 7th at Sears department stores.

Will Downing is scheduled to appear on The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Downing has been battling a form of MS and is still recovering. He will appear live via remote from New York. Downing says he learned a lot during his recovery, and he wants to be able to say thanks to those who helped him. The telethon airs Labor Day weekend Sunday, August 31st.

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.

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. Speaking of LaBelle, 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.

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.

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.

Upcoming TV and Film Events:

Actor Terrence Howard is having an album release party on Saturday, August 23rd. Howard's new CD, Shine Through It, comes out on September 2nd. Howard will be performing songs from the album at Lux Lounge, 724 Arch Street. Doors open at 9pm and showtime is at 10pm. I will be hosting. Other special guests include Joe, Tank, and Howard Hewitt. This is Howard's first album. His latest movie, Iron Man with Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, is coming out on DVD September 30th.

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

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

This R&B Singer hasn't had a hit in almost ten years. He's due to make a comeback, but he's afraid his fans will reject him because he looks different. This former sex symbol has gained a lot of weight.

Watch out for the big girls! This Famous Big Girl is tired of being a big girl. She had stomach surgery, and is denying her recent weight loss. But she has a big head and she is starting to look like a bobble head.