THROWBACK PICS: MAIA CAMPBELL IN KING MAG; ACTRESS DISHED ON SUGE, SHAQ & JAY-Z.

This girl! Bless her heart. I've always been a fan of her and her mother. But for her to be such a beautiful girl, the craziness she once embraced wasn't a good look at all. I just want her to get better....to get the help her mother so desperately wanted for her before she passed away. Here I was thinking her mental illness had gotten worse within the past couple of years, but low and behold I find this excerpt from her 2002 King magazine interview which proves, at least to me, she'd been a bit off for a while now.

However, that was then, these days, from my understanding, Maia has pulled herself together since the death of her mother, best-selling author Bebe Moore Campbell. Moore Campbell died at the age of 56 on November 27, 2006 from complications related to brain cancer...just one day after Maia's 30th birthday. It's no secret that Maia, who scored the biggest role of her career as 'Tiffany Warren' on UPN's In the House, privately battled drug abuse. Soon as the hit sitcom was canceled, rumors of Maia's drug abuse and erratic behavior around Hollywood began to swarm around the Internet and beyond. In the July 2004 issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine, Maia candidly admitted to abusing drugs while vehemently denying rumors that she's a certified nut job. 'I am not a psycho. There's a rumor going around that I'm a psycho,' Maia told the magazine. The actress's rapid decline into drugs and whispers of the beauty being bi-polar is what some believed was the catalyst that strained her relationship with her mother. And some speculate Bebe's last novel, 72 Hour Hold, was loosely based on her relationship with her daughter.....

CLICK ON THE PIC BELOW to read what Maia had to say about Jay-Z, Shaq and Suge Knight. And don't forget to CHECK OUT THROWBACK PICS OF MAIA'S PHOTOSHOOT IN KING MAGAZINE BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!' ON THE BOTTOM LEFT.

...Whatever the case may be, Maia says she was able to make peace with her mother before she passed away.And I know from from personal experience (I lost my father to bone cancer in 2005) that a moment like that is a truly welcoming comfort as well as one of the most precious privileges God can ever bestow upon you. Some say Maia has gotten herself together and has become stronger since her mother's untimely death. Maia says she now finds happiness from the love she feels for her family, true friends, her profound belief in God and everything else that makes life worth living, bless her heart. It's true what they say: Loosing a loved one can have one of two effects on a person. Either you'll fall by the wayside something terrible OR you'll get your dusty ass up, brush yourself off and get back on the right track in order to move on with your life.

These days Maia is busy taking care of her young daughter, Elizabeth Elisha Gutierrez (who is named after Maia's mother) and operating her production company, MCC which is a multi-tasked business that provides today's film and television culture with quality entertainment.

It makes me feel good to be able to write such a positive story on her because Lord knows there aren't too many out there. I just hope in the future I can continue to post more inspiring stories involving her.

Let's continue to hope and pray for the best for her.

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DIDDY DODGES ANOTHER JAIL SENTENCE; NEW YORK D.A. DECIDES NOT TO PRESS CHARGES.

Hip-hop mogul Sean Combs will not be charged with any offenses relating to an alleged attack on a New York partygoer. The rapper was involved in an altercation with Steven Acevado at the city's Kiosk nightclub on October 13, 2007. Combs was accused of hitting Acevado twice, leaving him with a bloodied nose and swollen lip. Combs has since claimed the incident was a misunderstanding between friends. And now the local district attorney has decided not to press any charges in relation to the incident.

Combs' lawyer Benjamin Brafman tells website TMZ.com, "I've been informed by the Manhattan District Attorney's office that after a thorough investigation, they have made a decision not to authorise any arrests in connection with the incident involving Mr. Combs and Steven Acevado on October 13."

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NEW PICS: SANAA LATHAN ON THE COVER (& INSIDE) MONARCH MAG (FALL 2007 ISSUE).

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WORD AROUND THE WEB: ACTOR BRYTON McCLURE TO EXIT 'Y&R' IN APRIL 2008.

Bryton McClure who plays 'Devon Hamilton', the adopted son of 'Neil (played by Kristoff St. John) & Drucilla Winters' (played by Victoria Rowell), will leave The Young & the Restless when his contract expires in April (2008). McClure, who some of you may remember as 'Lil Richie' from one of the longest running Black sitcoms in television history, Family Matters, says one of the reasons why he will not renew his contract is because he wants to go to college. Can't knock the dude for wanting to elevate his academic goals, bless his heart. Although the 21-year-old won an Daytime Emmy for Younger Actor in a Drama Series earlier this year, as far as his character is concerned, he hasn't had any strong and/or interesting storylines since his character lost his hearing while being named as a suspect, along with 'Drucilla', in 'Carmen's' murder.

I truly dig this dude's talent. And I ain't gon lie, I literally cried after when 'Devon' adoption was finalized. But I was fire-engine-red-hot when the writers possessed the absolute gall to incorporate a storyline that involved 'Devon' developing romantic feelings for his adopted sister, 'Lily.' Now, that shit put the lid on the jar for me!

I felt a lil better once they finally gave 'Devon' a 'romantic interest' (played by Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Tatyana Ali). But still, they should've given him more. All it takes is a stroke of a pen. I mean really! He was only in 2 episodes in October. Kay's maid, 'Esther' has gotten more screen time than him.

What sort of impact McClure's departure will cause for the only Black family in daytime soaps is anyone's guess. Victoria Rowell is gone...for now...and there's no telling if and or when she will ever return to Y&R. And there's no word on if McClure's character will be recast.

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DIDDY GETS A 2-FOR-1 DEAL WITH NEW ASSISTANT + A NEW REALITY SHOW ON VH1.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who has been searching for a new personal assistant since last April; and it looks like he has finally found the unfortunate soul who will most likely endure all kinds of true madness and mayhem that comes along with having the mega-mogul as their employer. Diddy and his selected one, as well as 2 other candidates who were in the running will also appear on today's episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

I wouldn't be able to work for Puff the Bucktooth Dragon. No sir-ree! I wouldn't even do it if Jesus came down from the heavens above, stood before me, and asked me Himself! I'd be like, 'Jesus, You know I'm Your child, so You above all people should know how long it takes me to spaz out on somebody.' My patience level is this *snaps finger* short. And trust, if he came at me with some idiotic kind of bullshit, I'd go caveman on his ass and be quick to tell him, 'First off, I'm not 100% in love with your tone right now.' Diddy looks like the kinda dude who would demand and command you to pick off all the sesame seeds off his hamburger bun.

Plus, there ain't no way I'd sign a confidentiality agreement (I talk too much! LOL!)..especially with all the scandalous and shiesty shit he's known for pulling. I'd develop a case of constipation of the brain and diarrhea at the mouth and telling everybody everything I've heard and/or witnessed while working with him. Trust. The bullshit he bestows upon people is unfathomable.

That's just my piece, so I'll digress.

CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE AFTER THE JUMP AND FIND OUT WHICH UNLUCKY SOUL NABBED THEIR DREAM JOB! ALSO DIDDY DISHES DETAILS REGARDING HIS NEW VH1 REALITY SHOW WHERE HE WILL SELECT 3 MORE ASSISTANTS.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, also known as P. Diddy, Puff Daddy and Puffy, has almost as many names as he does ventures—rapper, producer, designer, actor—and that's just the beginning. This hip-hop mogul has a fast-paced lifestyle and he needs assistance! "I know you all have heard all of the rumors that I'm looking for a new assistant. The rumors are true. So what better job than to have me scream at you, go crazy, keep you up late hours, have you sleep deprived?" Diddy says.

Diddy is no stranger to YouTube and decided to use his page, Diddy TV, to find his new assistant. Applicants were urged to submit video interviews explaining why they were right for the job. "One of the things about YouTube, it's a way to cut out the middle man and go directly to your community," he says. Within 24 hours, Diddy began receiving offbeat videos from around the world and realized he needed to narrow down his qualifications. "You have to have some sort of skill set. Know how to read. You've got to know how to write. I hope you know you've got to have a college degree," Diddy says.

After sorting through thousands of videos, Diddy narrowed his selection to three candidates: Heather, a confident lawyer; Cedric, a talented businessman; and Nick, an ambitious rapper.

Diddy heard their pitches, reviewed their résumés and conducted background checks on each candidate. His new assistant is… Heather! Diddy says he has several reasons for choosing Heather. "It was just her passion, it was the way she articulated herself. I think she really understood what the job entailed. She had a background that was stellar, being a lawyer and her work in the Peace Corps."

Cedric and Nick shouldn't give up hope yet—Diddy announces that he's really looking for a total of four new assistants. "VH-1 has decided to shoot a reality show on me finding the other three assistants. So you guys are still in contention. I'm still looking for assistants out there, so still post your videos on YouTube."

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NEW PICS: CIARA, RIHANNA, AKON, SHAGGY & PATTI LA BELLE AT THE 2007 WORLD MUSIC AWARDS IN MONACO

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NEW MAGAZINE SCANS: PERSIA WHITE IN URBAN INK MAGAZINE; DISHES ON 'GIRLFRIENDS', MUSIC & HER LOVE FOR TATTOOS.

Persia White is an activist, musician, and actress-best known for her role as Lynn Searcy on the #1 Black sitcom in America, Girlfriends. She's also done several independent film projects, including Red Letters and the cult horror, Blood Dolls. The multi-racial actress also works with at-risk youths, and supports animal activist groups, PETA and the Humane Society, but her true loves are music and tattoos.

PERSIA ON HER TATTOOS: I have two magnolias. They're an homage to the South and Billy Holiday's song Strange Fruit about the lynchings which occurred there--a reminder of how beauty can come from tragedy. The black bars mark change, like marks on a tree. The other is about a negative space; how we must embrace it. We must have the balance of yin and yang. My first tattoo is the cross on my back. I was in my 20s. I had it placed on my spine opposite a chakra point. It represents my life's journey; moving forward.

PERSIA ON HOW HER TATTOOS AFFECTED HER ACTING CAREER: I have lost work over my tattoos! However, I knew the risks of being inked, especially as a woman in Hollywood, and I was willing to live with them. At the same time, the writers for Girlfriends have worked my tattoos into the script. I play an edgy character, so it works. Every season the writers ask to see my new tattoos. They have also blurred the lines a bit between the real me and my character--she's a vegan and I'm a vegan. It's pretty cool! As a celebrity with tattoos, I'm promoting tattoos--like it or not. I have a responsibility to be a good role model.

PERSIA ON HOW HER PASSION FOR MUSIC COINCIDES WITH HER ACTING CAREER: Music is my first love! I was a little worried when I first started doing Girlfriends that it might be a problem, but it hasn't been a problem at all--actually they've let me write music for the show! I've also discovered the fans are not who I thought they were. I thought they would condemn me for not doing R&B or Hip Hop, but if you go to some of their MySpace pages, you'll find Beyonce, Jay-Z and my band XE03. People all over the world have XE03 listed as one of their favorite groups!

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PERSIA ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HER TATS: People draw quick judgments about those with tattoos. Putting forth the art on my body--as an entertainer is risky. I think that's one reason I got inked; to identify myself. In this business you tire of people trying to make you something you are not. My art makes me more of an individual, having something symbolic to me is important.

PERSIA ON WHAT'S TO COME: Movies! I hope to do some movies soon. As for tattoos--a piece on my thigh; probably some Polynesian-tribal. I can't wait!

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