celebrity report.....11-10-08

Donald Trump has come to the rescue of Jennifer Hudson. Hudson is still reeling from the tragedy of losing her family members including her mother, brother and 7-year old nephew. Trump is letting Hudson and her family stay in one of his hotels. He says he wants to be able to protect the Hudson Family. He says he always liked Jennifer, and wants to do whatever he can to help her. Meanwhile, the mystery deepens over who was responsible for the murders. Police suspect it was a hit. They claim Hudson's brother Jason was a small time drug dealer who dealt with crack and marijuana. They believe Jason's brother-in-law, William Balfour wanted a cut of the deal, and when Jason refused he was killed. They also theorize that the killer or killers didn't know Hudson's mother and nephew were at home. When the killer(s) realized this, Hudson's mom was killed and the 7-year old was tortured before he was executed. William Balfour, the ex-husband of Jennifer Hudson's sister Julia, is in police custody, but he has not been charged. Balfour's pregnant girlfriend and her family have been talking to the press. They claim Balfour was involved in the killings. Meanwhile, tensions continue between the Hudson sisters because of Julia's strange behavior and her addiction to her MySpace page. In a recent posting, Julia was showing off her new boyfriend, and proclaiming that now she was the prettiest one in the family. There's still no word on whether or not Jennifer will be able to continue with her career. Right now, everything has been put on hold as she lives through this nightmare.

Can someone get Comedian Katt Williams into rehab? His behavior lately has been awful. His no show stunt at the BET Hip Hop Awards, arrests on weapons charges and drunken stage performances are ruining his career. In recent shows, he talks about quitting show business. Well, maybe he should before he kills himself. His concerts have been awful, and a lot of people have been saying they will never go to any of his shows again. Williams is apparently surrounded by people who are contributing to his downfall. Between the alcohol and the drugs, Williams needs an intervention. Who is going to help him? Katt Williams needs it…fast!

The Janet Jackson diet book has been put on hold. Jackson is having a rough time with poor album sales and a cancelled concert tour, and she's starting to gain weight again. Jackson was going to talk about losing 60 pounds in two months two years ago, but now that project has been put on hold. Jackson is starting to reveal what happened at Def Jam Records. She was dropped from the label after one album. According to Jackson, they wanted her to be the new Sade, but Janet still wanted to do sexy dance songs. Jackson needs to get back with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis if she wants another hit. I know it must be breaking their hearts to see what has happened to her career after all the success they had when they were all together.

American Idol Judge Paula Abdul is said to be in shock after police discovered the body of a woman in a car outside of Abdul's home. The woman in question, Paula Goodspeed, was said to be obsessed with Abdul and was a known stalker. Goodspeed auditioned for Idol during season 5 in 2006. Police are investigating to determine if it was a suicide or drug overdose.

Who killed the son-in-law of James Brown? Darren Lunar was ambushed outside of his home in Atlanta. He recently divorced Brown's daughter Yamma. Police believe it was a hit because Lunar had a lot of money on him, around $4,000.

The magazine O At Home is folding. The bad economy is affecting magazine sales, and now O At Home will be included in the regular O magazine.

There's a new Karate Kid in town, and his name is Jaden Smith. Will Smith's ten-year old son, Jaden, will be starring in the remake of the classic movie. Filming starts next year in Beijing.

Get ready for the T.D. Jakes talk show. The Bishop is coming to a TV near you next fall. Dr. Phil's son, Jay McGraw, will be producing the daytime talker. Speaking of the Bishop, his new movie, Not Easily Broken, opens in theatres early next year. The movie stars Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson and Jennifer Lewis.

Eric LaSalle is coming back to ER for its final season. LaSalle left the series in 2002. He is now an in demand director, and he will be directing episodes for the February sweeps.

Erykah Badu has a message for those who criticize her for having three babies with three different baby daddies. Badu says this is her life, and she is tired of the criticism. She says she has great relationships with the fathers of her children, and people should mind their own business.

The new issue of Jet magazine is a keeper. It features exclusive pictures of the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. The issue is on newsstands now.

Jody Watley is set to return with a new project. The former Soul Train dancer and 80's pop diva is now 49-years old, and she still looks good. Watley was also a member of the popular music group Shalamar before she took off for her very successful solo career. Her new album, Chameleon, is due out next year.

Toni Braxton will continue with Dancing With The Stars, but not on the small screen. Braxton has joined the touring company, and their Philadelphia stop will be in February.

The new season of American Idol: Season Number 8 kicks off January 13-14th.

Is Thriller is coming to Broadway? The 14-minute video made, famous by Michael Jackson, is being considered for a Broadway musical. There's no word on whether Michael will participate.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou, an avid Hillary Clinton supporter, says she is going to write a poem for President Elect Barack Obama. January 20th is the inauguration date for the president elect as he becomes the first African American to hold the nation's highest office. In 1992, Angelou wrote the poem On The Pulse Of Morning for President Bill Clinton, and she'll be ready for President Elect Obama this January. But, before she reads for the new president, Dr. 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. Scheduled performers include Harry Belafonte, Kirk Franklin, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ben Vereen.

So who is hosting the hottest parties in Hollywood….how about Eddie Murphy and Johnny Gill? Gill lives in Murphy's guest house, and the two have been best buds for years. Word has it if you're looking for a great party, head over to Murphy's house. They host weekly bowling tournaments. Past guests included Busta Rhymes, Bobby Brown and Producer Dallas Austin.

Vanity Fair magazine is celebrating Motown's 50th Anniversary, but there are some glaring omissions. No mention of Ashford & Simpson, who wrote the Motown classics Ain't No Mountain High Enough, You're All I Need To Get By, The Boss, It's My House, and Your Precious Love. There's also no mention of Gladys Knight, who actually discovered The Jackson Five. There's nothing about former Supreme Mary Wilson or former Miracle Claudette Robinson, the ex-wife of Smokey Robinson. In more anniversary news, Motown is releasing a new box set of songs that the fans have picked. The box set is due December 9th. The 10 disc CD will feature 191 songs from your favorite Motown stars including Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells and Martha & The Vandellas, to name a few.

Rolling Stone magazine has a new title for The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin. She has been named The Greatest Singer Of All Time by the magazine.

The divorce papers will be signed any day now. Miami Heat Star Dwayne Wade is divorcing his wife Siohvaughn, despite their many years of marriage and their kids. Wade had decided to step off, but don't cry for Siohvaughn. The soon-to-be former Mrs. Wade is due to get a $30 million settlement to sign off on the divorce. Wade has been seeing actress Gabrielle Union, and close friends says they plan to get married once he is divorced.

Queen Latifah will be hosting the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards to be held January 7th on CBS.

The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards will take place on February 12th.

The movie Soul Men, with the late Bernie Mac, the late Isaac Hayes and Samuel L. Jackson, did not do well at the box office taking in a little over $6 million at press time. Hopefully, the comedy will do better with the DVD sales.

Lionel Richie is getting ready to release his new CD next year. Richie will be teaming up with Singer/Songwriter Ne-Yo for his next CD entitled Just Go.

Musiq (Soulchild) returns with his latest CD, On My Radio, on December 9th. The CD features his hit duet with Mary J. Blige, If U Leave.

Lee Daniels latest movie with Mariah Carey, Tennessee, opens in theatres December 19th

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.

The American Music Awards are set for November 23rd. Jimmy Kimmel is back as host. Alicia Keys is leading the pack with four nominations, and she'll be performing.

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.

The Whispers are coming out with a holiday DVD. The famed singing group has been performing for over 45 years. Christmas With The Whispers features holiday classic and interviews.

Cedric The Entertainer is headed to Broadway. The stage play American Buffalo, about small time crooks, also stars John Leguizamo. American Buffalo opens on November 17th.

Beyonce teams up with Oscar Winner Adrian Brody and Jeffrey Wright for the movie Cadillac Records. Beyonce is playing the Legendary Etta James. The movie opens in theatres December 5th.

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

This Superstar Singer is on a roll. She has a big movie coming out and a hot new album. Despite her media hoopla, a lot of people are surprised that she did not offer public condolences to a former co-star who has suffered a major tragedy.