PICS: ACTRESS MALINDA WILLIAMS' BRIDAL SHOWER BRUNCH.

Back in September (2007), I told you all Derrick Jones (former rapper D-Nice) had proposed to his girlfriend Malinda Williams. Time flies like a mug because next month, August 23, 2008 to be exact, the two, who have been dating for over three years, will officially become husband and wife. And we all know what comes before the big day: the bridal shower. Williams recently held her lavish bridal shower brunch in a "just a simple, intimate backyard get-together on a beautiful summer day." Eighteen guests were on hand, including Malinda’s mother Beverly Williams, and four of her five bridesmaids—Terri J. Vaughn, Vanessa Williams, and Malinda's sisters Leslie Dunn and Lisa Sorenson. Mingling among them were actresses Tasha Smith, Salli Richardson and Dawnn Lewis (A Different World) as well as fitness expert A.J. Johnson. The 5th bridesmaid, Nicole Ari Parker, was unable to attend. Williams, who played the bride’s big sister on Soul Food, told Essence: “I’m honored to be here as part of this [group] of gorgeous women who are surrounding Malinda with all of the love and light that she reflects.”

TO READ MALINDA'S BLOG, GO TO ESSENCE.COM

MORE PICS FROM MALINDA'S BRIDAL SHOWER BRUNCH AFTER THE JUMP!

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

TYLER PERRY SNAGS A SPOT ON TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE LIST; SALLI RICHARDSON & JUDGE MABLEAN EPHRIAM CAST IN 'MADEA GOES TO JAIL.'

Last month, I told you all Tyler Perry had been nominated to appear on Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people. Well, with your votes, Perry made the list along with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and singer Mariah Carey. Announced Thursday, the final cut includes nearly 30 celebrities whose appearance was based on votes at the magazine's Web site. Winfrey was cited alongside fellow "influential" entertainers Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Mia Farrow as “heroes and pioneers” for global goodwill.

In other Perry news, former Divorce Court Judge Mablean Ephriam and actresses Salli Richardson and Viola Davis have been added to Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail cast. Already cast in the film are Tyler Perry, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke and David and Tamela Mann. The Lionsgate comedy centers on Madea (Perry), whose penchant for trouble-making lands her behind bars. She comes to the rescue of Candy (Pulliam), a fellow inmate preyed upon by a large woman named Big Sal. Luke is on track to play Joshua, an attorney who has a past with Candy. Viola plays Ellen, a social worker who helps Keisha's character, Candy. Richardson plays the DA of Atlanta and a friend of Derek Lukes'character. Judge Mablean, who made a short appearance in Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman as well as in Madea's Family Reunion, will be reprising her role as a judge in the film.

Filming is set to begin in mid-May in Atlanta, with a tentative early 2009 release planned

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

SALLI RICHARDSON WHITFIELD & NIECY NASH W/THEIR KIDS IN EBONY MAGAZINE; ACTRESSES DISH ON MOTHERHOOD IN HOLLYWOOD.

ACTRESS SALLI RICHARDSON WHITFIELD AND HER DAUGHTER, PARKER WHITFIELD.
(CLICK PIC TO VIEW IT'S ORIGINAL SIZE)

Now that 3½-year-old Parker Whitfield is in school, she can't travel as often with her mom, Salli Richardson Whitfield, when she leaves Los Angeles to film the top-rated show sci-fi show Eureka in Vancouver, Canada. And that is the problem for the actress-mother. 'It becomes really, really hard,' says Salli, who spends 15-hour days on the set. Before Parker started school, Salli would tuck her in at night, give her breakfast and get visits on the set. Now Salli will only see her daughter and husband, actor Dondre Whitfield, on weekends. 'I'm sad just thinking of leaving her.' That is a downside of success for the actress, who landed the choice role with Will Smith in the blockbuster film I Am Legend. 'No complaints, because I am busy, whereas others are not so fortunate. I'm hitting my stride. This business is about endurance, longevity.' And motherhood is about patience and love. 'I've learned that you never know how much your mother loved you until have a child,' she says,'...and you can never love anymore as much as you love your child.'

===========================

ACTRESS NIECY NASH, CHILDREN DOMINIC, 16, DONIELLE, 13, AND DIA, 8, AND HER MOTHER MARGARET ENSLEY.
(CLICK PIC TO VIEW IT'S ORIGINAL SIZE)

While Niecy Nash was in control of her career with her top-rated Clean House show on the Style Network, she was losing control at home. She was working late and her children--Dominic, 16, Donielle, 13, and Dia, 8--were eating a lot of fast food. 'I thank God for my mother everyday,' she says. 'I called her crying, saying I was overwhelmed. She said, 'Baby, I'm on my way.' That was less than two years ago. Her mother, Margaret Ensley, sold her house in Northridge, California, retired from her job as TSA supervisor at the L.A. Airport and moved into Niecy's pool house. Now divorced, Nash had considered getting a nanny, but had imagined that 'folks would be selling my panties on eBay.' The actress spends a lot of time with 'each baby individually'--for instance, taking Dia to a movie, Donielle to her her nails done and Dominic to dinner. Motherhood, she says, is her greatest success, and her greatest love.
....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

MOVIE PREMIERE/AFERPARTY PICS: 'WELCOME HOME, ROSCOE JENKINS.'

The world premiere of Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins (which opens nationwide on February 8, 2008) took place last night at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. Celebs in attendance included: Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer (with his wife Lorna), Nicole Ari Parker (and her hubby Boris Kodjoe), Mike Epps (with his wife, Michelle), Mo'Nique (with her husband Sidney Hicks), Salli Richardson (and her husband Dondre Whitfield), Alfred Woodward, Barry Bonds, Raven-Symone, Joy Bryant, Michael Clark Duncan, Cindy Margolis and more...

THERE ARE PLENTY MORE PICTURES FROM THIS PREMIERE. VIEW THEM BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP! ON THE BOTTOM LEFT.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!