NEW PICS: JAMIE FOXX ON THE SET OF HIS NEW MOVIE/BIOPIC, 'THE SOLOIST.'

In 2005, Jamie Foxx became the first African-American actor to ever receive two Academy Award nods in one year for best actor (Ray) and best supporting actor (Collateral). The actor eventually took the home the gold for his riveting portrayal of Ray Charles. Next year, Foxx is hoping to make history again by becoming the first Black actor to win two best actor awards for his performance in the upcoming biopic, The Soloist. The Soloist, which also stars Robert Downey Jr., is a true story about musical prodigy Nathaniel Ayers who developed schizophrenia in his second year at Juilliard. Ayers ends up homeless on the streets of downtown Los Angeles, where he plays his cello and violin. Steve Lopez (played by Downey), a Los Angeles Times columnist, writes about Ayers and the two strike up a friendship.

According to Variety.com, Foxx, a classically trained pianist, is being taught stringed instruments by a cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, an entity that figures in the plot of the film. “Man, yeah, I’m getting into it,” Foxx said of the intense lessons he recently undertook to become an expert on the long-bowed member of the violin family. “I’m getting it down; it’s a trip when you hear the instrument starting to talk to you. It’s nice.” The film, which has no release date as of yet, will be distributed by DreamWorks Pictures.

In the below candid pics of Foxx on The Soloist set, the actor is donned in several layers of jackets, an outer layer of graffiti-stained Day-Glo vest and the hairdo reminiscent of the late Frederick Douglas.

Photos: Flynetonline.com
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JANET ON THREESOMES ('IT'S COOL') , MARRIAGE ALLERGIES & WHY SHE ISN'T MATURE ENOUGH TO BECOME A MOTHER.

Janet Jackson is in no rush to wed longterm boyfriend of 6 years, Jermaine Dupri, because she thinks she is "allergic to marriage". The sexy singer admits she has been put off the idea after two failed unions - her first marriage to James DeBarge broke down in 1985 after one year, and the second, to Rene Elizondo, ended in divorce in 1999 after 13 years together. But the 41-year-old beauty, who has been dogged by engagement rumors in recent months, insists she isn't ruling out a wedding to music mogul Dupri completely. She says, "If it's (meant) to happen, it'll happen. I like where we are, and I'm happy where I am. I've done it twice before. I'm afraid I might be a jinx. I might be allergic to marriage." And although Jackson may feel she's allergic to marriage, there's one thing the first-time NAACP Image Award winner isn't afraid to admitting is cool. Threesomes. Since her new album Discipline is about the experience of having sex with multiple partners, when Janet was asked if she was into threesomes she replied, "I think whatever you're into, as long as you both are into it, it's cool."

In related news, the star, who has been the subject of a never-ending rumor suggesting she gave birth to a daughter with her first husband, De Barge, says she's fed up with family and friends' attempts to persuade her to have a baby - because she isn't ready to become a mother. Jackson claims she eventually wants to start a family with Dupri, but isn't convinced she is mature enough to raise a child. She says, "I just have to hurry up. I get so much pressure from people I don't even know and I think, 'My God, am I missing my moment?' Even my mother mentioned something to me the other day. But now you can have your eggs frozen and there are all sorts of things you can do. I've still got time so I think I'm okay. I've got to get a little more kid out of me first before I move on and be childish with my child."

AFTER THE JUMP, FIND OUT WHY JANET HAS MADE A VOW TO STOP DISCUSSING HER BROTHER, MICHAEL IN ANY FUTURE INTERVIEWS.

Janet has vowed to stop talking about her brother Michael - because she is fed up with answering questions about his headline-grabbing lifestyle. The youngest child of Katherine and Joe Jackson's clan was just a toddler when her brother found fame with The Jackson Five refuses to discuss her infamous sibling in a desperate bid to establish herself as an artist independent to the Thriller hitmaker. She says, "I'm just done talking about my brother. I'm not going to answer questions for him. I've done it all my career."

However, before Janet made her vow, she cast doubt on her Michael's participation in a planned Jackson 5 comeback tour, because she doesn't know if he's ready to go back to singing in a group. Elder brother Jermaine Jackson has voiced plans for the ABC hitmakers to embark on a reunion tour later this year (2008), complete with the Thriller superstar - but Janet isn't convinced. She says, "I know it's been kind of tough for Mike. Maybe he just wants to continue to be a solo artist and if that's what he wants, you have to respect his wishes. But what an impact it (a reunion) would have on the world. (I'd) be the first in line to buy a ticket."

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UPDATE: R. KELLY RESPONDS TO THE 'INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP' HE HAD WITH HIS PUBLICIST'S STEPDAUGHTER

Last month, I added more sordid details surrounding the drama regarding R. Kelly sexing his former publicist, Regina Daniel's daughter, Maxine, 21. About seven months ago, Daniels (as well as her husband, George) severed her business and personal ties as Kelly's longtime publicist. At the time, the Daniels' claim Kelly 'crossed a certain line with me and my wife that you shouldn't cross. I respect his talent. You can't deny he's a talented person. But beyond that, everything else is just gone." It was later learned that the Daniels were allegedly the last ones to know that Kelly had been involved in a sexual relationship with Maxine since last June.

Now, Kelly (via his spokesman) has snapped back at these accusations and issued the following statement to TMZ.com:

"It's hard to take seriously the moral outrage expressed by George and Regina Daniels over R. Kelly's relationship with Mr. Daniels' adult daughter, Maxine. The fact is that they had no problem with the relationship -- indeed, they encouraged it -- while Ms. Daniels was on Mr. Kelly's payroll. It was Regina Daniels, then working as a publicist for Mr. Kelly, who persuaded him to attend her step-daughter's 21st birthday party. And it was Regina Daniels who shortly thereafter gave her step-daughter Mr. Kelly's private phone number, with the admonition: 'Don't tell your father.'It was only after Ms. Daniels resigned her position to avoid being fired for incompetence that her stepdaughter's relationship suddenly became an issue for her and her husband."

Ain't that a hole in the boat?

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NEW PICS: NELLY CELEBRATES 5th ANNIVERSARY OF APPLE BOTTOMS DESIGNS.

Rapper-turned-entrepreneur Nelly celebrated the 5th anniversary of his successful Apple Bottoms Designs at the annual MAGIC Fashion Trade Show at TAO in Las Vegas Wednesday night (February 13, 2008).

Launched in 2003, Apple Bottoms is a clothing line that caters to females of all shapes and sizes who are trendy and fashion forward. It's their mission to celebrate and liberate the natural curves of a woman's body. This unique brand is the mastermind of multi-platinum recording artist/superstar Nelly. He describes the intent behind the design by saying, "The clothes should fit a woman, not the woman fit the clothes." Nelly is personally involved in the design process to make sure that the fashions deliver the magic to reveal the beauty of the woman who wears them. The Apple Bottoms line include a variety of clothing styles that include mini skirts, jackets, sweat suits and an array of tops that are flexible and offer the customer a variety of choices.

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