REALGOSSIP 101

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

CROSS COUNTRY CANDIDS: THE ROCK IN NYC; MEL B. IN SANTA MONICA

Melanie 'Mel B.' Brown was seen strolling the streets of Santa Monica late last week with her new hubby, Stephen Belafonte and her daughters Phoenix and Angel.

Wrestler-turned-actor, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson leaving his hotel in New York City earlier this week.

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TRINA ON BEING 'SINGLE AGAIN,' LIL WAYNE & HELPING INNER CITY KIDS--TRINA DOES LUV THE KIDS!

SOHH recently spoke with Trina about her new single and Lil' Wayne. On September 26, 2007 Trina confirmed with SOHH that the song, Single Again, has now been officially released. "The first single is dropping today (September 26)," Trina told SOHH. "I've been working on this album over the past year and I think it's a great reflection of my growth musically, lyrically, production-wise. I wanted to try different things. I wanted people to say, 'Wow that is a different kind of record for her.' I see a whole level of difference with myself and I'm excited about that."

Asked whether she is indeed "single again," Trina laughed before responding, "I knew that would be the next question. I am in a very great place in my life. I am very happy." While Trina was previously romantically linked to Lil' Wayne, the self-proclaimed "Baddest Bitch" was tight-lipped when questioned about the New Orleans rapper. "He's a great person, he's a great guy," Trina said before adding that Weezy is "definitely" a friend.

Trina says her fourth album Da Baddest Chick Reloaded will be hitting stores on February 12, 2008. The album includes production from Cool & Dre, Scott Storch and The Runners, among others.

Find out what Trina and Checkers Drive-In restaurants have in common after the jump!

In related news, Checkers Drive-In Restaurant, the largest double drive through restaurant chain in the United States, has teamed up with superstar rapper Trina and her Diamond Dolls Foundation to grant two inner city kids the chance to go on a shopping spree with the talent lyricist. As part of their guest appreciation days from October 1st to October 6th, Trina will appear at the Checkers location at 8000 N.W 7th Ave, in Liberty City Florida, from 1pm to 2pm on Saturday, October 6th. During her appearance, Trina will sign autographs, take pictures and conduct a drawing in which she will take two deserving kids shopping at a local mall the very same day. The day will also feature a myriad of activities including bounces houses, face painting, live music, a burger eating contest with $250 being the grand prize, ticket giveaways to the Homestead Motor Speedway and a Miami Heat 6 game pack giveaway to be done at 6:30 PM.

The shopping spree drawing is one of two new endeavors for Trina, who is preparing to launch a series of lifestyle brands. The brands, which will consist of designer jeans and fragrances, will be unveiled in 2008.

SOURCE: SOHH.com

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MO'NIQUE NEWS: JOINS CAST OF 'UGLY BETTY.'; SAYS THE WORD N*GGER IS A TERM OF ENDEARMENT.

I almost forgot how much I missed seeing Mo'Nique on sitcom television until I saw her guest-star on The Game's second season premiere on the The CW on Monday night. I was even more surprised after learning that the phat girl has joined the cast of ABC's instant primetime hit, Ugly Betty. According to the BV Newswire, the former star of UPN's The Parkers, has signed on to play the role of L'Amanda, a weekend receptionist at the fictitious Mode magazine. According to a production source, Mo'Nique will be immersed in a storyline involving her lust for Betty's would be love interests Henry (played by Christopher Gorham).

It may be just me, but this sounds like a petite role for the plus-size actress.

Ugly Betty, which stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater, airs Thursdays from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET, on the ABC.

In related news, the comedian/author has defended black musicians who use the word n*gger in their lyrics, insisting it is a term of endearment. The comedienne believes African-Americans have a responsibility to banish the negativity surrounding the word and is keen to reclaim it as an accepted term among the black population. She says, "Do I use the word n*gger? Yes, in my comedy routine and in life because it's our word. Here's the thing. We need to stop giving people the power over that word. We take it and turn it around to make it beautiful. You see, they gave us that word back then. They called us n*gger back then. So yes, I hold on to it. And I say it to the n*ggers, keep doing your thing with pride and honor. Look how we overcame. Her name is Oprah Winfrey. His name is Shawn Carter. Her name is Condoleezza Rice. Look at them n*ggers."

Woooooooooooooooooooooow, right?

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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

TYLER PERRY WANTS US TO GIVE 'HOUSE OF PAYNE' ANOTHER CHANCE; SAYS SHOW IS GETTING MUCH BETTER.

First and foremost, Tyler Perry wants fans who stuck with his TBS sitcom House of Payne to let their friends know that the show has gotten much better, and to please give it another try when it begins reruns this week. "This is the last week of all new episodes of House of Payne," Perry tells fans in his latest e-mail. "This week there will be three episodes that will air back-to-back and then the show goes into reruns until December."

He adds: "And may I ask this to all of the people that gave up on the show early on and now have come back to it and are loving it (and I know that you're back because the ratings are amazing!) Could you just pass on to others how much the show has grown and how good it is now? Could you do it for me? I know it was rough in the beginning but its getting better and better. A lot happens in these last three episodes so check it out if you can."

Well, Tyler, I'll tell you this: you add Lamman Rucker (CLICK HERE to read more news on LAMMAN RUCKER ON BLACKCELEBRITYMEN.BLOGSPOT.COM!)to the cast and I will watch House of Payne every week. Fair exchange, no robbery, brother! LOL!

Perry's e-mail also addressed a situation in Buffalo, NY where a woman was scammed by someone posing as the entertainment mogul. The fake Tyler Perry tricked her into entering a bogus writing contest and eventually bilked her out of $1,700. Perry explains: "I listened to the story and was heartbroken because someone posing as me told this woman that she had won a writing contest and that I was sending several limos to pick her and her family up and I was going on BET to announce that she had won and I was going to use her script as my next play. I was reading the message board later and I saw a message from one of the woman's family members so I called her. She was distraught--apparently this person who was online told her that she had to send $1,700.00 for airfare and hotel accommodations. This is what I'm talking about with people posing as me online. I DO NOT HAVE A MYSPACE PAGE, OR ANY OTHER WEBSITE OTHER THAN TYLERPERRY.COM. Please pass that on."

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PICS: CELEB DADDIES & DAUGHTERS: DIDDY, RICK FOX, WYCLEF & MORRIS CHESTNUT

Doesn't your heart just melt when you see Black fathers interacting with their daughters? Makes you wanna say, 'Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!' And isn't it even better when those Black fathers (i.e. Boris, Coby, Morris and Rick...no offense to Diddy and Wyclef, but I'm just saying) happen to be sexy and handsome at the same time?

Check out pics of Morris Chestnut and Rick Fox with their daughters after the jump.

Diddy and his off-again girlfriend, Kim Porter paused to pose for pics with their twin daughters Jessie James and De'Lila Star at Diddy's recent annual 'White Party' in the Hamptons last month.

Actor Boris Kodjoe with his 2-year-old daughter Sofie and son, 7-months-old son Nicholas in Essence magazine's June '07 issue.

The Game's Coby Bell with his 4-year-old twin daughters, Jaena and Serrae in Essence magazine's June '07 issue.

Wyclef Jean with his 2 and a half year-old adopted daughter, Angelina Claudinelle out and about in NYC last week. She's beautiful!

Actor Morris Chestnut with his wife Pam and their son and daughter at the premiere of The Game Plan in Los Angeles last week.

Baller-turned-actor Rick Fox and his and Vanessa Williams daughter, Sasha at the
premiere of The Game Plan in Los Angeles last week.

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WHEN DOWN & OUT...FIND GOD. THAT'S WHAT BOBBY'S DOING

I think it's safe to say that Bobby Brown is indeed at the lowest point in his life: he's broke, his meal ticket a.k.a. Whitney has kicked in the balls, he's fighting tooth and nail to win joint custody of his Bobbi Kristina...which will probably never happen. Bravo network told him, 'No Whitney, no third season.' As far as finding a record label to sign him, he'll have a better chance of asking someone and receiving change for a nickel. Hell, even Karrine 'Superhead' Steffans kicked in out of her house for his menacing ways. Needless to say, there's no other person he can turn to but God.

Let the church say, 'Amen!'

Brown is reportedly seeking a new path. The one-time R&B superstar and husband of Whitney Houston has "spent many Sunday hours at the Agape International Spiritual Center in West Los Angeles," according to TMZ.com. The center was founded by Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, one of the main contributors to the international self-help phenomenon, "The Secret."
According to TMZ, Beckwith's church has been "holding him in prayer." The one-time New Edition member has had his share of backsliding – from drug use and numerous child support infractions leading to stints of incarceration.

Pic peeked at: tmz.com.

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SOLANGE ON: DIVORCE, COMPETING W/ BIG SIS BEY, LIL WAYNE, MOTHERHOOD....OH, AND NEW ALBUM

Solange Knowles talks exclusively to Essence.com about motherhood, her music and the mystery surrounding her marriage. For the record, Solange Knowles, 21, is more than just Beyoncé’s younger sister. She’s more than the daughter of the mastermind behind arguably the biggest girl group in musical history. And yes, she's more than the rising teen star who married and became a mother in less than a year. Miss Solange wants it known that she’s also outspoken, artistic and fearless. Here Essence.com chats one-on-one with the songwriter-musician-actress-model-mother about those plastic surgery rumors, her relationship with Lil Wayne and why big sis “B” is no competition.

ESSENCE.com: As you know there’s a lot of mystery surrounding your relationship with your husband, Daniel Smith, so let’s just go ahead and get that out of the way. Are you still married?

Solange Knowles: Well, I am no longer married, but I think it’s very important not to dish details. We are friends and we coparent our son. When he gets older I don’t want him to read anything about me saying anything about his father or vice versa. When there’s a child involved I think the less information given is best.

ESSENCE.com: What’s the craziest rumor you’ve heard about yourself?

S.K.: I think the craziest rumor was that my dad paid my son’s father $1 million to marry me. That was everywhere at one time, and that was really funny. I always joke that I wish we had it like that: “Here, take a million dollars, marry her…”

ESSENCE.com: So just to clear things up, how did you two meet?

S.K.: We met at a high school party through mutual friends. He was in high school and I was 13 and in middle school. We were together seven years, so it wasn’t just some random guy. We were basically high school sweethearts.

ESSENCE.com: Do you have any regrets about the situation? Did you feel forced or pressured to get married?

S.K.: No, I think every decision has made me who I am today. I’ve embraced everything because I know that only God can give life, no one else. I’m happy that I have a beautiful, wonderful, amazing child who’s made me a better person.

ESSENCE.com: Speaking of which, let’s talk about little Daniel Julez. How old is he now? Is he talking?

S.K.: Oh gosh, yes, he’s more than talking and has a smart mouth already. He’ll be 3 this month.

ESSENCE.com: What are some of the drawbacks of being in this industry?

S.K.: The lack of privacy is first and foremost. You just have to know that the more successful you get as an artist, the less of a normal life you have. It’s a trade-off. When I say I only want to reach a certain level (professionally), people look at me like I’m full of sh--. But when you get to a certain point, you can’t just go to the mall anymore, and I don’t know if I’m willing to ever give that up.

ESSENCE.com: So you don’t aspire to your sister’s level of superstardom?

No, I don’t want to get that far. (Laughs) I feel really bad for my sister. I’m always like “Oh, let’s go to the mall” or “Let’s go here” and she can’t. I enjoy having that.

ESSENCE.com: But do you ever feel as if you have to compete with her?

S.K.: S.K.: No, I think that as artists we’re totally different, and when this record comes out it will express that. But I admire my sister so much. She’s one of my role models in that she is successful and classy. She’s very diplomatic and lives her life true to self.

ESSENCE.com: She’s been known to say she doesn’t go on the Internet because of all the craziness. Do you avoid the Web and reading what’s in the blogosphere?

S.K.: People actually e-mail me the links all the time, and I’m like “Okay, thanks I really wanted to see that.”

ESSENCE.com: You’re working on a new album—how’s the record coming along and what can people expect?

S.K.: It’s titled Solange & The Hadley Street Dreams, and the sound of the record is very unique. It’s a melting pot of old sixties and seventies soul mixed with electronica. I wasn’t going to do another record because I didn’t want to be in the limelight. I liked staying home with my son and expressing myself through writing. But things happened in my life that I wanted to discuss and vent about, so that’s how the record came about.

ESSENCE.com: So have you written most of this album? Who else have you written for?

S.K.: I cowrote Upgrade U and Get Me Bodied on my sister’s record, and I have a song on Kelly’s album called Love. I also did a couple of commercial works for Wal-Mart and L’Oréal. I recently signed a publishing deal with EMI and they are definitely putting me to work. And I’ve written 80 to 90 percent of everything on my new album. The one cowrite I do have is with (R&B singer) Bilal. Other than him, I have Q-Tip on the record, who is someone I grew up admiring as an artist, and I have a song with Marsha Ambrosius from Floetry.

ESSENCE.com: Let’s address some of the rumors out there. Apparently, folks believe you left your husband for Lil Wayne. Is that true?

S.K.: (Laughs) That’s absolutely not true. Yes, we know each other but I absolutely did not leave my husband for him.

ESSENCE.com: There’s also been some buzz that you had cosmetic surgery—a nose job.

S.K.: (Laughs) Not true. I’ve heard that one, too. That one actually cracked me up. I mean if I got some surgery, I would wait until I’m older and pop out a couple more kids.

ESSENCE.com: So even if you had had cosmetic surgery, you wouldn’t be ashamed to admit it?

S.K.: No.SOURCE: Essence.com; Click here to read the interview in its entirety

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