celebrity report....1-26-09

Has the Beverly Hills Cop given up on the sistas? Can a sista get a date with Eddie Murphy? Sources close to Murphy are questioning his latest romantic conquests. Numerous African American women have let it be known they are interested in him, but Murphy turns a deaf ear as he has been seen of the company of other women, including many blondes. After numerous high profile romances with African American women, Murphy feels as though he has gotten the short end of the stick. His marriage to Nicole Murphy produced five children but ended in divorce. Then there was his baby momma drama with Spice Girl Mel B. And, there was his 17- day marriage to Producer Tracey Edmonds. Murphy feels as though he was not appreciated, and that he is targeted because of his high profile life and money. C'mon Eddie! You can love whoever you want, but don't give up on the sistas! Just be honest with yourself.

Tyler Perry is being sued by six constructions firms who claim the famous entertainment mogul stiffed them on their money. Liens have been placed against his Atlanta movie studio and new home. Perry says the work done by the firms was shoddy, and he feels as though they are extorting him. The unpaid bills total over $200,000.

When one door closes, another opens, this could very well be the mantra of Comedienne/Actress Mo'Nique. Her radio show was recently dropped in this area, but don't fret for Mo. Her acting career is about to take off in a major way. Philadelphia native Lee Daniels latest movie, Push, was the big winner at the Sundance Film Festival. In addition to walking away with the most prestigious awards, Mo'Nique won a special acting award. In Push, Mo'Nique plays an abusive mother. This is not the usual Mo'Nique we are used to seeing. Her character is horrible and mean, but her performance is getting a lot of buzz. Next year, Mo'Nique could be the buzz around Oscar time. Push could be released in theatres by late this year. The movie is full of great performances by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as the abused teen, as well as performances by Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and Sherri Shepherd. Lee Daniels directed the movie. The West Philly native brought us Monsters Ball, which won an Oscar for Halle Berry.

Patti LaBelle has been named the latest spokesperson for Rolex Watches. LaBelle is the first African American to endorse the brand. Look for the print ads and billboards soon. LaBelle has been quite busy. Her new cookbook, Recipes For The Good Life, is in stores.

Janet Jackson's Rock With U tour has run into more problems. Last year, the tour bombed in the U.S., and now, with the world wide economic crisis, the tour has run into a roadblock overseas. The Jackson camp wanted to start the European leg of the tour, but poor tickets sales have forced the cancellation of those shows.

Lisa Raye McCoy Missick, the First Lady of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is speaking out about her recent troubles. Her fairytale wedding to Prime Minister Michael Missick was seen around the world, and so was their nightmare marriage. Their headlining making- marriage was filled with fights, scandals, corruption and cheating. As Lisa Raye prepares for her divorce, she wants the world to know she is not a wild, ghetto-acting gold-digger. She believed in her husband and their marriage. She says she knows she will get through the hurt and disappointment of the past two years.

Get ready for The T.O. Show. Former Philadelphia Eagle and current wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys is getting a reality show on VH1. What is life like for the controversial wide receiver during the off season? Well, we are about to find out. With the help of his publicists, who doubles as his matchmakers and therapists, we will get to know the real T.O.

Michael Jackson's 14 minute Thriller video is coming to Broadway. Thriller, The Musical could be on Broadway by late next year. The King Of Pop has given the O.K. for a musical based on his famous video to come to the stage. The music for the musical would feature the songs of both the Thriller album as well as his 1979 classic Off The Wall.

The popular ABC comedy/drama Ugly Betty is being put on hiatus. After late March, the show will be put on hold and will return in June. The show, starring America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams, was the critics' darling when it first debuted a couple of years ago, but lately the show has suffered a rating slump.

No one is supposed to know yet, but Donny Osmond is coming to Dancing With The Stars. Osmond will follow in the footsteps of his sister, Marie, who previously did a star turn on the show. Osmond is looking to reinvent himself. His last big screen movie was College Road Trip with Martin Lawrence and Raven Symone.

Queen Latifah is always evolving with her career: rapper, actress, Oscar nominee, talk show host, model, and now, author. Next year, look for Latifah's new inspirational book.

This is going to be a huge weekend for Jennifer Hudson. Hudson will be returning to performing for the first time. She'll be at the Superbowl in Tampa, Florida. This will be her first time performing publicly since the tragic murders of her family in October. Hudson has made some major changes in her life. She recently purchased a home in Florida with her finance David "Punk' Otunga, and she is looking forward to moving on from her personal tragedy. Jennifer loves performing, and she knows her mom would never want her to let go of her career. She is currently taking medication to help her fight off depression. Hudson will be busy next week. She is performing at the Grammys, and she is taking part in a tribute to Music Legend Neil Diamond.

The 81st Annual Academy Awards are taking place Sunday, February 22nd. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader and Slum Dog Millionaire are leading the pack as best picture nominees. Congrats to Tariji P. Henson for her supporting actress nomination. She's up for her role as Brad Pitt's mom in "Benjamin Button," and Actress Viola Davis, who's also nominated in the best supporting actress category, is up for her role in Doubt.

It's going to be a boy for Singer/Actress Jill Scott. Despite her amazing career, she has longed for motherhood for some time. She's due to give birth to her first child in late April. Scott is engaged to Drummer Lil' Jon Roberts. In late March, her new HBO series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, debuts.

Jennifer Beals will be co-starring with Denzel Washington in the action thriller The Book Of Eli. It's a reunion. Washington and Beals co-starred in 1995's Devil In A Blue Dress. Beals just wrapped up the final season on the Showtime series The L Word. It was back in the 80's when she burst onto the scene in the movie Flashdance.

Spike Lee is determined to have Wesley Snipes star in his movie about the Godfather Of Soul James Brown. It is an odd casting choice, but Spike says Snipes is the man for the role. Lee is prepared to wait it out to make it happen because Snipes is facing a three-year prison sentence for tax evasion.

Tyler Perry's new movie Madea Goes To Jail arrives in theatres on February 20th. Speaking of Tyler, he and Halle Berry will be the hosting the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards, which will air February 12th on FOX. Russell Simmons is getting the night's big honor, the Vanguard Award, and Jennifer Hudson is leading the pack with seven nominations.

Donald Trump's celebrity apprentice returns on March 1st. This year's participants include Singer Brian McKnight, T-Boz from TLC, Model/Actress Claudia Jordan and Former Football Great Herschel Walker.

The TNT network has given the green light to the new Jada Pinkett Smith drama Time Heals. Smith not only stars, but she is also the show's executive producer. Smith plays a nurse in the new show, which debuts this fall.

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.

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

Why is this pregnant Fashionista not revealing that she is married to her Actor boyfriend? Sources say she is keeping quiet because she is still trying to get money from her rich Ex-husband.

Since no one guessed the first one from last week, I am reposting it...

What's the next step for many reality show contestants who appear on dating shows? For many it's a career in porn. Guess who is already going in this direction?