MICHELLE WILLIAMS TO DEBUT HER 1st SOLO NON-GOSPEL ALBUM THIS AUGUST.

Can someone please tell me why folks, specifically Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Solange Knowles insist on keeping Mathew Knowles as their manager when it's clearly evident the only person's career he has ever continued to give his undivided attention to is Beyonce? But I'll digress for now. Kelly's--whose last two solo albums couldn't even reach gold status combined (of course I'm being facetious...at least until I'm able to verify it)--former band mate Michelle has made an 'unexpected' decision to record a new album tentatively titled Unexpected....and it's not gospel-related. It's a straight R&B/dance joint. The title is perhaps a nod to her first solo project outside of the gospel genre. Due in August from Music World Entertainment/Columbia Records, the album is full of "synth-y, driving bass samples, electronic keys and bopping drums," according to Billboard.com.

Unexpected marks the follow-up to 2004's Do You Know and 2002's Heart to Yours, with which Williams returned to her church roots. However, Music World CEO Mathew Knowles insists Unexpected isn't that much of a stretch, considering Williams spent the bulk of 2007 playing the raunchy character Shug Avery in Oprah Winfrey's Chicago-based cast of The Color Purple. "Destiny's Child fans bought Michelle's last album (which sold about 78,000 copies)," said Knowles. "So now those fans are in their late 20s and early 30s. With Unexpected, she'll be able to appeal to those fans and reach back to the 16-year-old audience and hit mainstream pop radio."

We Break the Dawn is the first single, set for release in April, while Stop This Car, which leaked on the Internet earlier this year, is the second.
....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

KIMORA WILL SOON BECOME A DIVORCEE; MODEL OFFICIALLY FILES DIVORCE PAPERS; WANTS RUSSELL TO HAVE 'REASONALBLE VISITATION.'

According to People magazine, Kimora Lee Simmons has finally filed divorce papers to end her marriage to Russell Simmons yesterday (3.25.2008) in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The couple announced that they had split up in March 2006, but said they had already been separated "for some time." In court papers, Kimora, 32, cites irreconcilable differences and asks for legal and physical custody of the couple's two daughters, Ming, 8, and Aoki, 5. She requests that Simmons, 50, get "reasonable child visitation … to be accompanied at all times by the children's nanny and security personnel.

At the time of their initial separation in 2006, Simmons said in a statement: "Kimora and I will remain committed parents and caring friends with great love and admiration for each other." Kimora has been dogged recently by rumors that she is expecting a child with boyfriend Djimon Hounsou. At an appearance in Chicago earlier this month, she told reporters. "I'm in the paper every single week – that I had a fight with my ex-husband, or that I was mad at one of his girlfriends, or that I'm pregnant, or that I demand Fiji water … Lies upon lies upon lies

......

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

CANDID PICS: USHER WALKS THE DOG; JOHN WITHERSPOON W/HIS SON; MARY J. WORKS OUT; LIL KIM IN MANHATTAN.

Rapper and Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious panel judge, Lil Kim took a windy stroll through midtown Manhattan on Easter Sunday.

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

Actor John 'You have to coor-di-nate' Witherspoon and his son were spotted outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre for an appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman in New York City last night (3.25.2008).

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

Usher was seen walking his dog...and no, I'm not referring to his two-legged dog Tameka. I'm talking about his other dog who goes by the name Mr. Scottie Benson. Flanked by a bodyguard, the master seemed to have a bit of trouble keeping his mutt in line. I'll keep my mouth shut on that last comment. I have more than my share of emails in my inbox from Usher fans claiming they gon kick my ass for talking about Usher and Tameka when and/or if they ever see my ass in the street. Some people can be so damn mean *snicker* sometimes.

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

Mary J. Blige was spotted getting her workout on at a sandy beach in Miami last week alongside her trainer as her husband, Kendu, looked on.

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

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

KIM KARDASHIAN ON HER ATTENTION-GETTING ASS: 'I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THIS ATTENTION CAME FROM.'

Kim Kardashian says she just may look into the possibility of insuring her store-bought ass. The socialite, best known for her role in a soft-porn sex tape with her former boyfriend Ray J, is amazed by the attention her ample silicone-enhanced butt cheeks receive when she's out in public. And Kardashian is now considering taking out insurance on her voluptuous derriere. She says, "I have no idea where this (attention) all came from. I dress the same, it's nothing new. People just started picking up on it. There's all these rumors - is it fake, is it real? The comparison to Jennifer Lopez. She's my idol (so) I'm flattered, I'm honored. I have not insure it, but I think I should look into that."

Girl, please. Speaking of attention, I guess Kim's sister Kourtney hit the nail dead on the head when she said that Kim isn't Kim unless all attention is on her and her only. Below are pictures of the reality 'star' being followed by paparazzi as she shopped at Rite Aid before treating herself to a mani/pedi at a local Beverly Hills salon. How dare she take Britney's gig!!
.....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

'THE THINGS CELEBRITIES SAY': LAMMAN RUCKER ON BEING MORE RECOGNIZABLE IN HOLLYWOOD....AND BEYOND.

'It's definitely much tougher to go anywhere nowadays than it was before. I've been blessed to have an opportunity to play some roles that have gotten a lot of people's attention. It [Sheriff Troy character in Why Did I Get Married?] was such a sweet little love story and everybody was pulling for her so much because people just love Jill anyway. I'm sure any guy in that they had in that role would have been just as appreciated. I'm lucky it was me.'

--The oh-so-humble Lamman Rucker, actor, activist, AIDS awareness spokesperson, esteemed scholar, and fine as wine in all of Rome, on being more recognizable in the streets since his big screen debut as Jill Scott's love interest, 'Sheriff Troy' in Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE NEWS ON LAMMAN RUCKER ON BLACKCELEBRITYMEN.BLOGSPOT.COM!)

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

GERALD LEVERT'S BABY BROTHER, SEAN, SENTENCED TO 22 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR FAILURE TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT.

Someone may want to use the following story as a 'this can happen to you too' scare tactic for Bobby Brown and any other dude who feels they are an exception to the rule when it comes to supporting their children. If you can't afford to take care of your kids, keep your 'safe deposit box' locked up to make it impossible to. Unfortunately for Sean Levert, the baby brother and fellow Levert band mate of the late Gerald Levert, he will have to spend nearly two years in the concrete jungle because either he refused to or just couldn't foot the bills to financially support his seeds. On Monday (3.24.2008) a Cleveland, Ohio judge sentenced the singer to 22 months in prison for failing to pay child support to his three children-- ages 11, 15 and 17. According to court records, Levert owes $85,427.68 in back child support. Sean made no comment after his sentencing.

Pray for Papa Levert. In under two years, the O'Jay's frontman has lost one son unexpectedly to an accidental overdose and another to the judicial system. Before Gerald's untimely death in 2006, initial plans were made to reunite the popular late 80s R&B group which also featured Gerald and Sean's cousin Marc Gordon. However, after Gerald's death, the remaining members made the decision to replace Gerald with Dwight Thompson, a Cleveland native and member of R&B group The Rude Boys which were discovered by Gerald. Looks like those plans will have to go back to inactive status...at least for the next two years.

...

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

IN TODAY'S EDITION OF: AS THE USHER PUBLICITY WHEEL TURNS: TAMEKA THROWS A 'BITCH ASSNESS' BITCH-FIT ON HUBBY'S VIDEO SET.

Usher, Tameka and Usher's PR team are wasting no time at all in the hopes of bringing as much he say/she say drama and utter madness before his new album drops this summer. According to the New York's Post Page Six, our favorite 21st century talking, walking version of a negro spiritual reportedly and allegedly put on a clown act on the set of Usher's new video, Love in the Club last weekend, making it apparently clear that she isn't going to let any woman step to her man...whether it's a part of that woman's job description or not. Page Six sources claim Foster was upset when she found out stunning singer/songwriter Keri Hilson was personally picked by Usher to play his love interest in the video. "It was supposed to be a sexy video shoot," our spy said. "And Tameka was there the entire time guarding like a watchdog. It was ridiculous - she knows Keri and knows she's no video ho or Karrine Steffans." Steffans, nicknamed "Superhead," wrote the book, Confessions of a Video Vixen," about her alleged flings with Usher and several other artists.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

"Tameka is very insecure. Even in rehearsals she was weird and clearly not happy that Keri is so gorgeous. Tameka threw a lot of attitude. The day of the shoot, Tameka dressed Keri very badly - she looked like an extra. Tameka wouldn't let Keri have her hairdresser there - she had to use the hairdresser who was doing the extras." Foster also took a dislike to Usher's longtime choreographer, Jamaica, and banned her from the set. When Usher and Foster were spotted at the Beverly Hills Hotel last week, they barely said one word to each other. The two have had a choppy past. After they got engaged, Usher fired his mom, Jonetta Patton, as his manager and also axed his publicists. "Tameka was the one and only one to call the shots," spies said.

They were supposed to wed last summer at L.A. Reid's Hamptons estate - but the wedding was called off at the last minute. They wed a week later in Atlanta, and Foster gave birth to their son, Usher Raymond V, in November. Usher's album, which may be called "Regret," was supposed to have come out last year but was delayed due to his wedding and baby. It is now expected by June. Usher's manager, Benny Medina, said via e-mail: "Keri could not have been happier with Tameka's choices in the styling, hair and makeup . . . Jamaica was flown out and arrived a day late to do Keri's choreography, and was on-set at all times. The shoot itself went brilliantly."

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

MYA, ROY JONES, SHEILA E., MALCOLM-JAMAL WARNER TO COMPETE IN TALENT REALITY SHOW 'SECRET TALENTS OF THE STARS.'

Let me find out reality shows are taking over the world of television! Boxing champ Roy Jones Jr., singer Mya and singer/percussionist Sheila E. are among the celebrities who will compete in the upcoming CBS reality series, Secret Talents of the Stars. Premiering live on April 8 at 10 p.m., the show will feature actors, athletes and music artists who will compete against each other by performing an unknown talent. Like American Idol, judges will critique the performances, but viewer votes will decide who goes home each week. Roy Jones Jr. will compete as a rapper (oh, my Lord no!), while Mya attempts to earn victory as a tap dancer (I have an easier time watching her dance than I do listening to her sing. That's real talk too). Also, former Cosby kid Malcolm-Jamal Warner will perform bass guitar on an original song, Sheila E. will juggle with The Flying Karamazov Brothers and former boxing champ Joe Frazier will compete as an R&B singer.

Other celebrities slated to appear on the seven-week show include actress/model Marla Maples, Olympic medalist, Sasha Cohen, spokesmodel/actress Cindy Margolis, actor/radio DJ Danny Bonaduce, model/actress Bridget Marquardt and pop culture personality Ben Stein.

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

LIL KIM FANS CREATE PETITION FOR A RECAST OF THE RAPPER'S ROLE IN NEW BIGGIE SMALLS BIO-PIC.

There's a petition posted on the Internet that collects signatures in an effort to get actress Naturi Naughton removed from her role as Lil Kim in the upcoming feature film about rapper The Notorious B.I.G. The petition from an unknown fan states: "Myself along with others feel the casting for the role was not given enough thought and consideration and should definitely give more suitable actresses the chance to apply for it. We are outraged!!!" Naughton was a member of the R&B trio 3LW.

Depending on who you ask, the singer removed herself from the group before the release of the group's sophomore album A Girl Can Mack. Naughton made alleged she had a number of conflicts and arguments with her band mates Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams as well as their manager. Naughton later claimed she was forced out of the group. The singer can also be seen dancing, prancing and singing in a new anti-smoking commercial for thetruth.com.

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

CANDIDS:SERENA WILLIAMS & COMMON; MARIAH CAREY & DA BRAT LEAVING THE VILLA LOUNGE IN WEST HOLLYWOOD.

CLICK PICS TO SEE PHOTOS IN THEIR FULL SIZE.


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



MORE PICTURES OF SERENA AND COMMON AFTER THE JUMP!

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

RUMOR OR REAL: EVE INVOLVED IN GIRL-ON-GIRL PHYSICAL ALTERCATION.

Word around the web is that rapper/actress Eve was reportedly embroiled in a fight in Los Angeles on Thursday (3.20.2008) night, during which a young woman was allegedly "pushed down a flight of stairs". The raptress star was enjoying a night out with a group of friends at Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel when she was confronted by another female outside the venue. The women are said to have exchanged words before the altercation became physical - although it is unclear who instigated the violence, according to the New York Post's gossip column PageSix. However, the two parties managed to settle their differences and avoided getting the police involved. A source tells the publication, "It got physical... one of the girls Eve was yelling at was pushed down a flight of stairs either by Eve or one of her posse, but they calmed her down and cops weren't called." A representative for Eve has yet to comment on the claims.
....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

MARIAH CAREY EXPLAINS WHY SHE ONLY DATE MEN IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY.

Mariah Carey says she prefers to only date a fellow celebrity - because only a man living in the media spotlight can understand the perils of fame. The multi-platinum star has remained largely single since her 1998 divorce from former Sony Music chairman Tommy Mottola, and insists any future boyfriend would have to be famous to be able to get along with her. She says, "That's a big deal for me - feeling like somebody else can't fully understand me because they're not in show business. It shouldn't matter, but it does, because the energy it takes to be 'on' is a lot."

In related news, Carey has hit out at critics who accuse her of making music solely to enjoy the perks of fame - insisting she's far more focused on releasing good tunes than banking multi-millions. The singer says she takes offense at suggestions she only makes records to fund her pampered lifestyle and is adamant she is not interested in the fame that comes with working in the music industry. And Carey, 37, insists she is still as committed to her work now as she was at the beginning of her career, claiming, "I never really felt famous. I don't do it just because I want to make money or I want to be famous. I need to make music. If I didn't have this, I don't know where I would be."

.....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

MASTER P. & ROMEO TEAM UP TO STAR IN NEW FILM, 'THE PIG PEOPLE.'

Father and son rap duo Master P. and Romeo are teaming up to star in a movie inspired by The Blair Witch Project. The pair, who both starred in Nickelodeon TV show Romeo, has been lined up for forthcoming film The Pig People, which tells the story of five students who take a trip into a haunted forest to shoot a documentary for a school project. Master P - real name Percy Miller - is no stranger to movies having landed roles in a variety of pictures including Gone In Sixty Seconds and Dark Blue with Kurt Russell. But this will be his first silver screen outing with his 18-year-old son Romeo - real name Percy Romeo Miller, Jr. - who will take up a place at the University of South Carolina once filming is complete. The Pig People is due for release in 2009.

......

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

DIDDY SETTLES OUT OF COURT WITH MAN WHO RAN INTO HIS 'STATIONARY HAND.'

Diddy's dough has gotten him out of trouble once again. The mogul has settled a lawsuit with a man who accused the rap mogul of punching him in the jaw. As reported earlier, Gerard Rechnitzer, a real estate agent, filed a lawsuit against Diddy in March 2007 claiming the mogul punched him in the jaw outside the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles in February 2007. Rechnitzer said Diddy attacked him while he was trying to stop the Bad Boy mogul from hitting on his fiancé. He also claimed Diddy pushed his fiancé and attempted to spit on a female who was accompanying him and his fiancé. Diddy responded to the claims saying that Rechnitzer attacked him first and that ‘[He] outstretched one of his hands, which was not closed-fisted, to shield [him] self and that any contact between him and Rechnitzer was caused by the real estate agent’s forward motion against [his] stationary open hand.”

The rap and fashion mogul was scheduled to stand trial on assault charges in May (2008), even though he didn't face any criminal charges in relation to the incident because police found no cause for Rechnitzer's complaint when they investigated the altercation. However, last Friday (3.21.2008), Combs' attorney filed a legal document in Los Angeles to say the case has been settled. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, reports website TMZ.com.

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!