Friday, August 17, 2007

TERRY McMILLAN'S GAY EX-HUBBY PENS NEW NOVEL LOOSELY BASED ON HIS LIFE WITH McMILLAN.

Jonathan Plummer, the ex-husband of Waiting to Exhale author Terry McMillan, has written a novel about a Jamaican man whose ordinary life was disrupted when a powerful woman crosses his path and brings him into her world. Sound familiar? Balancing Act: A Novel, to be released Sept. 4 by Simon & Schuster, is described by the company as “a sexy and satisfying novel as deliciously racy as the life he lived," reports Contra Costa Times. Although the work is fiction, the story is based on his own marriage to McMillan, which ended in a nasty divorce in 2006 after he revealed to her that he is gay. In Balancing Act, the woman owns a modeling agency and decides to sign the “handsome Jamaican man,” described in a press release as having “hazel green eyes offset by dark chocolate skin" as well as a "perfect body and defiant attitude."


Here is a more detailed description of the book: Justin Blakeman is living an ordinary life in Jamaica, when vacationing Tasha Reynolds spots him selling sugar cane on the street. He, of course, has no idea that her modeling agency is fast becoming the hottest in the business. He plans to live the island life set out for him, stepping up to head the family sugar cane enterprise in time.In the ruthless modeling world, Tasha is a great white shark with an uncanny knack for finding blazing new talent in unusual places. She always gets what she wants and she wants Justin -- whose hazel-green eyes, offset by dark chocolate skin, make her palms sweat, a sign that she is on to something. His perfect body and defiant attitude will make him a mega star.But soon, a relationship that began as strictly business crosses the line into a complex game of sexual desire and control. Their crazy, volatile bond -- littered with dark influences from their pasts, complicated by ambition, and fueled by insatiable passion -- is as combustible as relationships can get. And when Justin discovers a hidden hunger for a male model, the stakes are higher than ever.

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CELEB CLOTHING LINE PRINT MAG ADS: DANIELLE 'DANI' EVANS IN AKADEMIKS AD; BEYONCE & CREW IN HOUSE OF DEREON AD

Looks like America's Next Top Model cycle 6 winner, Danielle 'Dani' Evans is still pulling in work. The southern girl from Arkansas can now be seen in print ads for Akademiks Ladies' apparel line. Evans recently made A.N.T.M. history when she became the first winner of the series to have her Cover Girl contract renewed. Congratulations, Dani!


I have a strong feeling I've seen this ad before, but I'm not sure. Anyway, it's one of the many print ad campaigns for Beyonce's (and her mother Tina) House of Dereon clothing line launched nearly 2 years ago. In this particular print ad, Beyonce opted to share the spotlight (come on now, yall know Bey call the shots), with someone other than her baby sister, Solange.

Below, Beyonce and Solange Knowles are photographed on the stage designed for Beyonce's 2007 World Tour.

Members of the tour pictured from left to right: Alli Mexiner, dancer; Sugar Mama band members: Divinity Walker Roxx, Bebe McGill and Kimberly I. Thompson; Tyrell Washington, dancer. (Damn, he's fine! And yes, I noticed the wedding band, too!)

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SHAR JACKSON RETURNS TO THE WORLD OF SITCOM TELEVISION; ACTRESS TO GUEST STAR ON 'EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS' THIS SEASON.

Shar Jackson is in the middle of another family drama, but this time it's fictional. The mother of two of Kevin Federline's four children will guest star on the CW's Everybody Hates Chris, she tells PEOPLE exclusively.

"I am having a blast," Jackson tells PEOPLE. "The cast is absolutely amazing."

In the episode, Jackson's character Alyson is a young mother whose teenage daughter uses Chris's sister as a cover to sneak into an R-rated movie and visit a boy's house. Chris's mother Rochelle, played by Tichina Arnold, takes Alyson aside to confront her about being a better role model.

Choreographer Debbie Allen is directing the episode, which will air sometime after the third season's Oct. 1 premiere.

Jackson, whose defining role was playing Brandy's best friend Niecy Jackson on UPN's Moesha, recently co-hosted the reality show The Ex-Wives Club with Marla Maples and Angie Everhart.

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EDDIE THREATENS TO SUE MEL B. FOR EXTORTION & DEFAMATION; ACTOR SAYS SHE DEMANDED HIM TO BUY HER A $9 MILLION HOME.

World Entertainment News Network is reporting that Eddie Murphy is threatening to sue his ex-girlfriend Melanie Brown for extortion and defamation, and is demanding in a cease and desist letter that she stop using his name during interviews. In the letter, Murphy reportedly accuses Brown of "disseminating disparaging, negative and defamatory statements" and making highly "unreasonable extortionate demands" regarding the care of their daughter Angel Iris, WENN reports. According to Murphy's lawyer Marty Singer, part of those “unreasonable extortionate demands” is that Brown insisted the actor buy her a $9 million home in Malibu and allow her to live in it for the next 18 years, until Angel Iris is officially an adult.

As previously reported, Brown has discussed her child support issues on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” in People magazine and several other media outlets. She has retained famed attorney Gloria Allred in a lawsuit against Murphy over child support.

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HEINEKEN'S RED SOUL STAR EVENT: COMMON, MALINDA & D-NICE, BRANDY, FREE, OMAR EPPS & KEISHA, TRUTH HURTS

A generous handful of celebs made their presence known at Heineken's Red Star Soul concert series event in Los Angeles on August 15, 2007. Rapper Common performed as well as Raheem and Chrisette Michelle. Other celebs in attendance included: actor Omar Epps and his wife Keisha (former member of R&B group Total), who is evidently expecting ; actress Malinda Williams and her longtime boo, D-Nice; Brandy, MC Lyte, Idris Elba, Tichina Arnold, former host of 106 & Park, Free and someone who we (at least I) haven't seen in a month of Sundays also made a rare, candid appearance...that someone happens to be one-hit wonder (for the life of me I can't remember the name of her one and only semi-hit...and I'm too tired to look it up) Truth Hurts. Wild 'N Out cast members DJ D-Wrek and Affion Crockett were there as well. Was I the only one who died of laughter when Fabulous told him he looks like Toys 'R Us' mascot, Geoffry the Giraffe! LOL!

The event also recognizes a member of the local music community at each tour stop with the Heineken Independent Achiever award. The award, which was established in 2006, honors individuals who demonstrate the hustle, integrity and drive necessary to be successful while inspiring others. Eight Heineken Independent Achiever award recipients will accept their award on-stage during the Heineken Red Star Soul concert in their hometown.

"Heineken Red Star Soul was created to honor the achievements of soul and R&B musicians and others who inspire others with their talent and tenacity," said Heineken USA brand director Andy Glaser. "With our concert performances and by honoring our Heineken Independent Achievers, we salute luminaries and rising stars who continue to make valuable contributions to soul and R&B music. "The concert series comes as Common celebrates the release of his latest album, Finding Forever.













Tagged photos courtesy of: bartabz.com

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