CELEBS AT THE U.S. OPEN TENNIS TOURNEY ON 8.27

Before an audience that included a mixed breed of celebrities such as BET co-founder Sheila Johnson, multi-platinum artists, Janet Jackson, Gladys Knight, and rapper, Common, astronaut Mae Jemison, Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, Martha Stewart, Star Jones Reyonolds (with hubby Al), Roberta Flack, Phylicia Rashad, Whitney Houston's mother, Cissy Houston and Aretha Franklin, who sang “Respect,” Venus and Serena Williams earned some. The sisters, with their father looking on, both won their matches at the first night of the U.S. Open tennis tournament Monday, as they celebrated Althea Gibson’s legacy as the first Black woman to win the competition. In their first round of play, Venus Williams defeated Kira Nagy, and Serena Williams reached 32-0 in career Grand Slam, first-round matches, beating Angelique Kerber.

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NEW PICS: BEYONCE, HER MOTHER & DIDDY @ THE MAGIC MARKETPLACE IN VEGAS.

Beyonce Knowles, along with her mother Tina, and Diddy werer spotted at Day 1 of the Magic Marketplace on Monday, August 27, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Click on pictures to see them in full size.

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'DEAR MAMA': THE LIFE OF TUPAC'S MOTHER, AFENI IN THE WORKS

The list of the lives of celebs (and semi-celebs) that will make it to both the small and big screen has just gotten longer. So, how many biopics are we going to probably see in the following year? Let's just say you may need more than one hand to count them on. Now, according to reports, the life of Afeni Shakur, the mother of slain rapper, Tupac Shakur, is now in the works.

Tentatively entitled, Dear Mama: The Life Story of Afeni Shakur, the film, produced by Hollywood Filmz producers, Young Noble and Omar 'Ice Man' Sharif will reveal the activist's life growing up in a small North Carolina town, her reign as a devoted leader of the Black Panther organization, being incarcerated while pregnant with Tupac and her subsequent drug addiction. Additionally, the film will also dwell on Afeni's worst nightmare: loosing her infamous son whose murder remains unsolved 11 years after his death.

"This incredible lady defended herself in court while pregnant with Tupac during a bomb conspiracy trial facing 352 years and was acquitted of 156 counts against her and 20 other members of the Black Panther Party," said Young Noble. "I felt that the world needs to know where Tupac got his mind, heart, spirit and courage so I called Afeni with the idea. She was excited and gave me her blessing."

Dear Mama is being produced in conjunction with Afeni Shakur's Amaru Entertainment. The soundtrack will be executive produced by Young Buck and The Outlawz for Cashville Recordz/1nationentertainment, along with Shakur's Amaru Entertainment. Featured artists will include 50 Cent, T.I., The Outlawz, Young Buck and new comers Stormey and Begetz.

The Dear Mama story is long overdue," said Young Noble. "I'm just so blessed to be in a position to produce this movie and make sure Afeni and Pac is proud when it’s done, this movie will offer hope and be an inspiration to the millions of people who will see it."

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KEYSHIA COLE IN SISTER 2 SISTER MAGAZINE

R&B singer, Keyshia Cole covers the October 2007 issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine. In this candid interview, the Oakland, California native speaks vividly about man issues: finding her dad, understanding mean, and why she refuses to let any man control her life. And---get this---shelving her singing career to become an urban Doctor Dolittle/veterinarian. Also, in this issue, Cole's waaaaaaaaay out there sister, Neffeteria. I know some of you remember seeing 'Neffe' wild the hell out on Keyshia's reality show, 'The Way It Is' on BET. Well, she speaks her piece, too. For some reason Neffe felt the need to share with us the events that led to her nervous breakdown. Why? Who knows. Check out an excerpt from her interview below:

Jamie: Did Keyshia call you up and invite you to come over? How did it happen [that you moved in with her]?
Neffe: No, actually my mom had came to visit and I had just left my husband because I had recently found out that he had been sleeping with my first cousin for a year.

Jamie: What?!
Neffe: I was a little resentful about moving because I’ve been in California for so long and I didn’t want to come and be dependent on my sister. That’s just not me. But I needed to make that move because I was on the verge of having a breakdown. ... Everyone was thinking, oh she’s drunk, oh she’s an alcoholic. Not knowing that behind the scenes I was actually going through something.
Keyshia: I’m sure they knew you were going through something.
Neffe: I don’t think they did. Like when I’m out in the public and they go, “There’s Keyshia Cole’s sister,” or “You’re the crazy one. You have a shot of Patron today?” Who wants to hear that?

Read more of Keyshia's interview plus details of Neffe's stay in the nuthouse and when she realized she was indeed an alcoholic when the issue hits newstands on September 11.

Picture courtesy of: OnlyKeyshia.com

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USHER & CHILLI'S (FAILED) RELATIONSHIP SUBJECT OF NEW NOVEL, 'DEDICATED.'

Well, well, well. First I want to say that I would've posted this earlier, but I had the hardest time trying to decide which picture to use for this post. Usher and Chilli have taken so many pictures together and about 99.9% of them are all beyond adorable. Pictures don't lie. You can really tell how much a couple loves each other by the expressions on their faces when they're together. Really, you can. Example: Chilli used to look at Usher the way Janet looks at Jermaine...and you know they has GOT to be true love like a mug! I could go on, but I won't. Check out the story below.

Who would have ever thought (or cared enough)that the highs and lows of Usher and Chilli's infamous relationship would ever become the subject of a new novel written by a couple of nannies? I didn't. But it's true. And I know I'm not the only one who thought that the couple, who were once considered as the best looking couple in the entertainment industry, would be together forever. I could go on...but I won't.

The co-authors of bestseller The Nanny Diaries have revealed Usher's failed romance with TLC star Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas was the inspiration for their new book. Nicola Kraus and Emma MCLaughlin admit they wrote Dedication after getting caught up in the controversy surrounding Usher's famous split with his ex. Although neither party has spoken extensively about the break-up, Usher has revealed his infidelity and her wish to marry ended the two-year romance in 2004. Reports have suggested Usher, who recently wed stylist Tameka Foster, who some...well at least me, refer to as an walking negroe spirtual with a long weave, fake titties and a dimpled stomach that she obviously has no problem showing off....look at the pic. Even Usher looks disturbed by it!

used the relationship and it's fall-out as inspiration for his blockbuster 2004 album Confessions. Kraus and MCLaughlin's new book follows the fortunes of a woman who confronts her high school sweetheart after he used their relationship as inspiration for a pop music career. MCLaughlin tells internet gossip columnist Marc Malkin, "That album was ubiquitous. You could not go anywhere without it pumping out of every car, every restaurant. We couldn't stop thinking about it. "We were like, 'How is Chilli not killing herself right now?'"

Dedication movie adaptation, here they come. Hopefully, if Usher isn't offended by the tome, he'd be up for playing the pop singer, Kraus and Mclaughlin said. As for the woman ready to take on her ex-beau? “Beyoncé!” Kraus said. “Someone fabulous.”

In related news, according to Usher's record label, Jive Records has announced the singer's next album will not be release until mid-2008.

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HEY, EVERYBODY, IT'S ME AGAIN & I NEED YOUR HELP!

Hello once again. And once again, please allow me to thank you all ever so kindly again for continuing to support my blog. However, there's something that's been on my mind a lot lately...and it's the title of this blog. For some reason I'm not feeling the 'with the passion' part. What was I thinking?!! I've also have found it tedious to have to type out the entire URL at any given time AND I just realized that not only is the title not memorable, it also really doesn't make sensem at least to me...although a blog's name doesn't really have to make sense. But I thought it would be much easier to just shorten it to RealGossip.blogspot.com. It's short and straight to the point and over the past couple of days I've wanted to just back kick myself in the ass for not choosing that name in the first place. But I've also had some reservations about changing it, too. My baby is approximately 2 weeks old and has garnered over 10,400 hits; so the last thing I want to do is loose any of its readers. I just can't fathom that notion right about now.

Now, of course, if I do change it, I'm well aware that I'm going to have to bust my behind at trying to get the new URL out to everyone. I've searched around and discovered that if I were to change the title, I'd be able to keep this one so that if any of you didn't get the memo that the blog's name has been changed, once you come to this (original) page, there will be a message referring/directing you to the new URL where all you would have to do is click the link provided.

Seems easy, right? Well, I don't have to tell you all that I am not the brightest bulb when it comes to understanding blogging terms and that fact alone could make things much, more harder on me than need be.

That's why I need and would greatly appreciate the opinions and suggestions of you all. Tell me what you think. I've place a poll in the top left hand corner of your screen. Cast a vote and/or leave a comment in this post and tell me what you think I should do. I'll return on a consistent (cause that's just how serious this idea is to me) basis to check the polls and comment area.

I think that's about it, for now. If I have anything else to say, believe me I'll come back and post it!

Thanks a million, guys!
--(Pretty)SouthernBlackGurl

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REAL OR RUMOR: TIGGER PLANS TO SUE SUPERHEAD FOR SPREADING GAY RUMORS

Superhead just won't stop. I have a distinct feeling that that loose mouth (no pun intended) of hers is either going to lead to her being found dead in a ditch or getting her ass beat to the point where she's going to wish she was dead. She gon learn. That's all I'm saying. And is it me or is her mouth always open even when she isn't saying anything? Well, now, that I think about it, I guess if you made your living doing what she does/did, your mouth would become accustomed to always being partially open, too.

Read the drama below. It says it all...and then some.


Big Tigger is telling friends that he's filing a lawsuit for slander against Karrine 'Superhead' Stephans, who started the rumor that he and male model Tyson Beckford were once lovers. Also, Tyson's friends are urging him to follow suit. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this ordeal. Will Tigger really follow through?

The following transpired on the Jamie Foxx radio show (Foxxhole). Karrine said she saw Tigger in a hotel room with another man in a compromising position. Foxx's staff called Tigger and put him on the air where he - A) vehemently said that Karinne was lying, B) that he could not understand why Karrine would say something like that when he gave her money to support her kid when she was broke, and C) that "he has never been in front of or behind any man."

Karrine's response was, "But you were lying on your back." Karrine thanked Tigger for giving her money for her son, but immediately questioned Tigger, "So you're going to lie? You don't remember Spring Break [year] when you and Tyson Beckford were in the hotel room? You're going to say that's not true Tigger?" The response from Tigger was that she had no proof and "nothing has ever been in my ass."

In Related News: A few days ago, panachereport.com broke the story that Karrine has nearly 100 sex tapes in a safety deposit box. Since then, we have been informed that a photo/video licensing agency will eventually be getting in contact with her to possibly work out a syndication deal (domestic/overseas) where they would use their media contacts to get the contents in the media and on pay-per-view sites and she will receive 60 percent in profits.

Source: www.panachereport.com

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BRITNEY SPEARS MAY BE INVESTIGATED FOR CHILD ABUSE

LOS ANGELES - As Britney Spears and Kevin Federline continue their heated custody battle, have allegations of child abuse entered the fray? Access Hollywood has learned attorneys for both sides were present at a hearing Monday in dependency court, which handles child abuse claims, among other things. Access has learned Monday’s matter takes precedence in their ongoing custody battle, with all other issues being put on hold.

If the county feels the kids are at risk, they will begin an investigation. If they find either or both parents aren’t capable or unwilling to parent the children, the county will file a petition in juvenile court, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Steve Cron told Access. If that happens, Britney and Kevin would be allowed a “full blown” hearing where they can bring witnesses and experts to testify on their behalf. The judge would then decide if the county needs to step in, possibly taking over custody over the kids, according to Cron.

However, all details from within dependency court are confidential and at this time, it is unknown if the concern is over one or both parents.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, Spears was pulled over in Los Angeles for speeding. However, after a brief conversation, she was let off with just a warning after reportedly telling highway patrol officers she was speeding because she was being chased by the paparazzi.

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JA RULE & THE GAME TO TEAM UP ON EACH OTHER'S NEW ALBUMS

With his first new album in nearly four years, Ja Rule was expected to return with The Mirror in September, but it looks like fans will have to wait a little longer -- because it's release date has been pushed back. Now slated for sometime in November, the album's first leaked single was the Lil Wayne assisted Uh Oh, which has already leaked to the net, and according to Rolling Stone, the Rule also has a collaboration with former G-Unit soldier-turned-arch-rival The Game on a track called Sunset. The Game first reached out to Ja for his One Blood remix last year, and now Ja Rule hollered right back. "I don't think people were expecting that," Ja Rule told the magazine about linking up with the West Coast rapper. "But we got a hot record on the album." Will he take shots at 50 this time around? Afterall, many feel 50 Cent ruined Ja's career. Ja says "no." "The whole industry is so focused on beefin' with each other -- it's like the WWF of rap right now," Ja said. "I'm stepping out of the arena. I don't want to be a wrestlin' rapper. Somebody's got to come in and make it positive. You have to make records that make people feel like having a good time."

According to the rapper, his album is focused on expressing himself through feel-good music, but there is also a serious side to the album -- the album's cover being an actual mirror representing the introspective nature of the album. "This record is like my confessions, I'm shedding my skins," he says. "The mirror is your only real moment of truth. It's the place where everybody can go and be honest with themselves."

The Mirror is scheduled to for release in November 13 on Mpire/Murder Inc./ Universal Motown Records.

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R. KELLY SAYS NO TOUR WITH KEYSHIA; 'FOCUSED' ON TRIAL

Despite Keyshia Cole's earlier statement, Kelly is 'currently focused on preparing for his trial and has no definite plans for anything beyond that,' according to rep. R. Kelly has denied that he's planning to go on tour in October, despite R&B singer Keyshia Cole's statement to MTV News that she was to be the opening act on the trek. "We're actually going on tour together in October," Cole said on Monday. But Kelly's representative responded with a statement on Thursday (August 23) that reads: "Reports that R. Kelly is planning a concert tour in October are not true. Kelly is currently focused on preparing for his trial and has no definite plans for anything beyond that." Neither Cole nor Kelly's representatives had confirmed when exactly in October such a tour would begin, or denied that one was being planned. The timing seemed implausible for a number of reasons, primarily because Kelly's trial on child-pornography charges begins September 17. The trial is expected to run for four weeks, but could run longer because of the unpredictable length of jury deliberations.

Also, for the past five years, when Kelly wanted to tour outside the Chicago jurisdiction, he had to ask the court for permission — in the form of a letter to the prosecutor's office — to give it time to object (which it often did). However, the state attorney's office told MTV News on Tuesday that Kelly has not yet sought permission to tour this October. Such permission will not be necessary once the trial concludes, as Kelly will either be free to come and go as he pleases, or he'll be awaiting sentencing.

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