NEW PICS: CELEBS (USHER, DIDDY, TAMEKA, KIM, WILL & JADA) AT VICTORIA BECKHAM'S BIRTHDAY BASH.

American soccer player David Beckham threw his wife Victoria a.k.a. 'Posh Spice' a grande birthday celebration at Via Veneto restaurant in Santa Monica, California last night. The celeb-royal couple partied alongside some of Hollywood's A-list celebrity couples including: Will and Jada Pinkett Smith (who sported an all-new 'do), Usher and his ball and chain Tameka, Diddy and his 'on-again' girlfriend Kim Porter, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria sans her hubby Tony Parker and more.

PEEP THE PICS BELOW & CHECK BACK DURING THE DAY FOR NEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS.



CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS STAR-STUDDED EVENT AFTER THE JUMP!

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NEW PICS: JILL SCOTT AND GABRIELLE UNION POSE NUDE IN ALLURE MAGAZINE'S NUDE ISSUE (MAY 2008).

Last January, I told you all that Jill would be posing nude in Allure magazine's May 2008 issue The purpose of the photo spread is to celebrate various shapes of the female body. "Here I am, naked in a magazine at size 16 ... We are all beautiful, each and every one of us. I don’t think that I am a particularly big girl, clearly I am not a small girl, but I think I am an average-sized American woman. I have been blessed with family and friends who appreciate all sides of me. My nude photo shoot for Allure, was so empowering and after it was all done, I was congratulated by staff members of Allure for breaking the mold,” said Scott.

Gabrielle Union and Scott are among the five celebrities chosen by Allure magazine to go completely naked for a pictorial. Actress Angie Harmon, also featured in the pictorial, reaffirms that the photos are not about selling sex. "It's about showing the female body in a positive, beautiful way," she says.

Celebrities featured in past nude issues of Allure magazine include: rapper Eve, Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas of TLC, Aisha Tyler, Kelly Rowland, Serena Williams
Pics courtesy of URBAN-HOOPLA
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KESHIA KNIGHT PULLIAM TO PLAY IMPRISONED PROSTITUTE IN TYLER PERRY'S 'MADEA GOES TO JAIL' FILM.

I knew it was just a matter of time before Keshia Knight Pulliam landed a role in an upcoming Tyler Perry film. How? She's made more than one guest appearance on Perry's TBS sitcom series, House of Payne. And sooner or later, the folks who either star or have guest starred on House of Payne almost always end up in a Perry film (i.e. Lance Gross, China Anne McClain, Lamman Ruker....). Anyhoo, Pulliam, best known as little Rudy Huxtable from the sitcom The Cosby Show, will play a major role in Perry's film adaptation of his popular stage play Madea Goes to Jail. This marks Pulliam's first major big-screen role ever. The 29-year-old actress will portray an imprisoned prostitute who comes to learn valuable life lessons from new inmate Madea, the gun-toting grandma played by Perry himself. Madea arrives on Candy's cell block after her arrest for stealing gas and leading police on a freeway chase. During her incarceration, Candy convinces Madea to take custody of her wayward daughter Toni once she is set free. Actor Derek Luke will play an attorney who has a past with Candy.

The film will also star husband and wife team, David and Tamela Manning and is scheduled to begin filming next month in Atlanta for an early 2009 release. Pulliam, who earned a sociology degree from Spelman College, is currently launching an Atlanta-based production company for film and television projects that she has in development. I just hope her performance in Madea Goes to Jail is better than her performance in Beauty Shop.
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SERENA WILLIAMS & BOYFRIEND COMMON DENIED ENTRANCE TO MIAMI CLUB.

Rapper-turned-actor Common and his rumored girlfriend, tennis ace Serena Williams were recently spotted clubbing in Miami. 'So what?' you ask? Well, the two--who still won't confirmed as to whether they are indeed a couple--apparently turned heads when they arrived at Miami's hot Prive Nightclub--hand in hand--only to be denied entrance because Common was inappropriately dressed and did not meet the venue's strict dress code. Rumors of their courtship began late last year (2007) after the two appeared together in Common's video I Want You. Soon after, they were caught holding hands and getting all lovey-dovey and whatnot at a party at hotspot Tenjune in Manhattan.

Previously, Common's most high-profile romance was with R&B star Erykah Badu, while Williams enjoyed a fling with director Brett Ratner as well as ATL co-star Jackie Long.

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'THE GAME' ACTRESS TIA MOWRY MARRIES LONGTIME BOYFRIEND IN SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA.

Congratulations are in order for one half of Sister, Sister (on the now defunct WB network) (un)identical twin duo (at least in my eyes), Tia Mowry. The actress who currently plays the role of Melanie Barnett on The Game on the CW, was joined in holy matrimony on Sunday to her longtime boyfriend of seven years, actor Cory Hardrict. The beautiful ceremony took place at the Four Seasons Resort Santa Barbara in front of 170 guests. Instead of strolling down the aisle to the traditional Wedding March, Mowry was serenaded as she walked down the aisle to a live performance by R&B singer Kenny Lattimore, who sang For You. "You can tell they're really in love," says wedding planner Robyn Goldberg of the newlyweds. "[Hardrict] wanted the wedding to be her dream come true." Mowry, 29, wore a couture wedding gown by Kevan Hall. Tamera, who wore an aubergine gown by Tadashi, served as maid of honor. The 30-minute outdoor ceremony was followed by a Midsummer Night Dream-style reception in the hotel's ballroom. Florist Jennifer Katz of Fiori Design created tall iron centerpieces covered in moss and decorated with flowers in different shades of pink. The wedding cake was a four-tiered vanilla and red velvet cake by Cake Divas. Guests danced to the tunes of DJ Michael Hayes.

Mowry and Hardrict, 28, were engaged on Christmas Day, 2006. Of her relationship with Hardrict, Mowry once said, "Cory and I, we really built a foundation for ourselves. He's my best friend. We work really hard at balancing our schedules. A perfect example -- I had a really hard day at work the other day, and he surprised me with flowers and then a romantic dinner. We've been dating seven years, and we still do stuff like that. We let each other know, 'Yes, we're working hard, doing what we've got to do, but I love you.' He actually coached me for The Game, pushed me to go out for it. I didn't think I could do it. It was such a different role for me, I really had to work hard."

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I guess she did, considering she went behind her sister's back (Tamera, had originally auditioned and snagged the role of Melanie Barnett first after winning over the producers) and auditioned for the role leaving producers with the difficult task of choosing which twin to give it to. It eventually worked out for best because needless to say, Tia most definitely owns that role in every way.

SOURCE

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NEW CANDIDS: WHITNEY & DAUGHTER, BOBBI KRISTINA @ LAX; TRACEY EDMONDS LEAVING THE FOXTAIL CLUB IN LOS ANGELES.

Tracey 'I'm single again' Edmonds was all smiles as she left the Foxtail Club last Friday night. Coincidentally, Eddie Murphy's ex-girlfriend and mother of his youngest child, Melanie Brown, was also there with her husband, Stephen Belafonte. Talk about having the last laugh! That whole karma thing ain't no joke.

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Whitney Houston and her baby girl Bobbi Kristina were spotted strolling through LAX this weekend. In true diva fashion, the mother/daughter team donned Jackie-O shades while yipping and yapping on their cell phones. Whitney let it be known once again that she still hates being followed by the paparazzi as illustrated in a couple of photos below. Click on pics to see them in their full image.

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ASHANTI DENIES NEW VIDEO, 'WAY THAT I LOVE YOU' IS A WARNING OF CAUTION TO NELLY.

There's no truth whatsoever to the rumors suggesting Ashanti's new music video, Way That I Love You serves as a warning to her rapper boyfriend of 5 years, Nelly. The R&B singer. In the video, Ashanti is seen wielding a knife and seeking revenge on a cheating ex-lover. But Ashanti--who refuses to confirm her longterm relationship to Nelly--insists the track isn't aimed at him. She tells People.com, "It's not! I wrote that record last summer... The song is just about real life. It's for every woman who has gone through it. It's a rude awakening when you get used to being happy, but it's a part of life. I didn't kill the person!" However, she does confess to doing some investigating of her own on a previous partner she suspected of infidelity: "Of course I've snooped! Before (Sidekick pagers) came out, I was snooping through regular cell phones, everything! Whatever he had out, I was all in it!"

And she is still remaining coy over her rumored relationship with Nelly, saying of the hip-hop star: "We're really, really good friends."
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KEYSHIA COLE RETURNS TO B.E.T. FOR A 3rd SEASON, WHILE JERMAINE DUPRI'S REALITY SHOW, 'BRUTHA' & '106 & PARK GOSPEL' MAKE THEIR DEBUT.

BET announced its new and returning television series for the 2008-2009 season at its recent upfront presentation in New York City. Up first: Jermaine Dupri's new docu-reality series Brutha will make its debut on the network this year. Brutha revolves around an R&B group of five 'bruthas' who relocate from California to Atlanta and learn just what it takes to navigate the treacherous terrain of the music industry while discovering who they really are along the way. Hunger for a record deal, stardom, loyalty to family and love for the craft all take center stage. The show was previously aired on Atlanta's Peachtree TV under the name Jermaine Dupri Presents: Brutha.

In addition to Brutha BET will also debut a 106 & Park spin-off. 106 & Gospel is the flagship brand extension you've been clamoring for: an all-new 90-minute weekly music event this growing genre so righteously deserves. In addition to the incredible performances for which the 106 brand is known, 106 & Gospel features a top 20 countdown of contemporary gospel videos, news segments with Tye Tribbett, church fashion and roof-raising youth choir battles. The air date of 106 & Gospel is early next year.

Brutha and 106 & Gospel will premiere in the fourth quarter.

The two most popular reality shows in cable TV among black households will most definitely return. Never one to hold back with her music or her life, platinum-selling R&B superstar Keyshia Cole reveals all about fame and family in season three of Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, the #1 series in BET history. Season six of College Hill will also return to BET’s schedule in 2009.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP! AND FIND OUT WHAT OTHER SHOWS ARE RETURNING AND PREMIERING ON B.E.T. THIS YEAR.
Other series debuting on B.E.T. include:

JUDGE KAREN - There's a refreshing new judge in town who's about to set it off: Judge Karen! She's uncompromising, smart, and quick to cut through the clutter. Judge Karen was born to hold court on BET, and she's taking no prisoners. Premieres in B.E.T.'s third quarter.

THE BOOT - Narrated by MC Lyte, The Boot is a half-hour dating show filled with twists, turns and eliminations. The daily strip show begins with six sexy singles (for example, two girls and four guys). First, the girls meet with all four guys individually. The ladies discuss their personalities and eliminate two guys. The two remaining men and two women are then paired off and sent on dates. Halfway through their date, they swap. The girls collectively decide which of the two guys to eliminate, and then they send one guy packing. With two girls and one guy remaining, suddenly the power shifts. Now the guy has the chance to decide which one of the girls is right for him. Premieres in B.E.T.'s fourth quarter.

ALL-NEW COMIC VIEW - It's the standout of standup, the show that broke the biggest names in comedy. The legendary series returns for a 10th consecutive term completely transformed for 2008. Premieres in B.E.T.'s third quarter.

Other returning shows include the biographical reality series American Gangster, the soap opera Baldwin Hills, the boardroom-reality show Interns and the gospel-music show Sunday Best. And the BET Awards, perennially the highest-rated show each year on the network, will be back for another year.

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NEW CANDIDS: DIDDY & (EX-GIRLFRIEND?) KIM PORTER SWARMED BY PAPARAZZI IN BEVERLY HILLS.

Could there be an on-again romance back up in the air for this habitual on-again/off-again couple? Or are these two--or at least Kim--discussing and/or negotiating increased child support payments?! I swear I crack myself up sometimes. But really though, whatever reasons Diddy and his second and fourth baby mama Kim Porter had for hooking up for a leisure day of lunching at Trilussa in Beverly Hills on Friday (4.18.2008), was quickly disturbed. As they exited the restaurant, the on-again/off-again couple were swarmed by the paparazzi who were more than eager to capture a money shot of the two...which is quite understandable considering the fact that these two haven't been publicly lensed together in a while. I wonder if Kim has ever been successful dating other men? Peep the pics below.

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*EDITED* USHER'S 'HERE I STAND' PROMOTIONAL PICS + NEW ALBUM COVER ART: USHER'S 'HERE I STAND.'

I have edited and bumped this post (originally posted 4.18.2008 @ 6:01 AM) to add three HQ promotional photos of Usher because I tire at the notion of making a brand new post about him. Thanks to Ericka, the Admin over on USHERFOREVER.COM for supplying me with these pics. Click them to view their full image.

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What you see below is the cover of Usher's new album Here I Stand. I'm pretty sure the license tag on the car in the photo has some significance to it, but right about now, I'm too lazy to go out and figure what it is. Moving on. Now, if you're wondering about the title, just let me inform you that there's a track on the album of the same name...this song is also the song dude wrote for Tameka (as well as performed for her) at their wedding. So, at least to me, it sounds like this album is more of a dedication to her than anything else. And ain't nobody, especially me, trying to hear all that. She already got the man, so what does she need my money for--to maintain her weekly luxuries? I truly think not! Therefore and thus and such, I'll wait on the bootleg copy of Usher's album to hit my local flea market or hair salon. Yeah, I said it! Besides, the last time I brought an Usher album was on 8707, literally. Anyhoo, look for his second single to be Moving Mountains. He's also the featured cover story for Vibe magazine's May 2008 issue.

Peep the pic below. And am I the only person wondering what the business is with his top lip?! Looks like it belongs on one of Jim Henson's Muppets.

ETA: I've just been told that the license plate in the photo is in honor of his first born son: CINCO (Usher V) and 11.26 (the day his son was born). Nice! Thanks carmen and 'anonymous' for that tidbit...although I'm still waiting for someone to tell me why his upper lip looks the way it does!

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FOXY FLEES FROM PRISON. NEXT STOP? TO THE CHURCH HOUSE. + PIRISON RELEASE PICS.

Foxy has left the (prison) building. And just like any other typical freed inmate, the first place she wants to go is to the church house. To God be the glory. After serving a grueling eight months behind bars...mostly in solitary confinement because she couldn't seem to act right, the 29-year-old Brooklyn rapper finally saw the light of day when she was released from the Rose M. Singer facility at Rikers Island around 12 noon before being greeted by a swarm of photographers and fans. Outside waiting were a fleet of luxury cars: three Rolls Royce Phantoms, a Mercedes Maybach and two Cadillac Escalades. "I feel good," she said to the crowd. "I'm back home." Brown, wearing a brown leather blazer, a gold cross, blue jeans, and a brown Fendi head scarf cried as she hugged friends. She even singled out a couple people, saying, "These are my two number one fans. They are like family." After the teary reunion, Brown's entourage went to LaGuardia Inn so the rapper could talk to the press. "My family never missed a visit in eight months, ever. I cried coming out. I didn't cry coming in. There's a big difference. I believe that God put me there for a reason, Incarceration is serious," she told Access Hollywood. Adding that the first place she wanted to go after her "learning experience" was church. "He got me through," she said.

Later Friday Brown was spotted buying a pocketbook and two pairs of shoes at a store called Signature in Harlem near the Apollo Theater, where she was again mobbed by fans and photographers. Well, I hope she's satisfied. She got the media circus she craved for and them some. Now, if she can learn how to keep her hands (and BlackBerry) to herself and her big mouth shut she won't have to go through this again. But hold up: she's due in court next month on charges that she assaulted her neighbor. The court date had been postponed dude to the rappers incarceration.
PEEP PICS OF FOXY'S PRISON RELEASE. SHE KILLING WITH THE BABY HAIR & CORAL LIPSTICK, AIN'T SHE?

To watch the video of her release, CLICK HERE.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

The rapper, born Inga Marchand, was sentenced to a year in prison last September for violating the terms of her probation stemming from an altercation over payment for a manicure with two employees at a New York nail salon in 2004. While on probation, she was arrested twice last year, for throwing her BlackBerry at a neighbor, and for scuffling with an employee at a beauty-supply store in Florida. Even behind bars, Foxy managed to find trouble. In October she served 76 days in isolation after getting into a scuffle with another inmate and refusing a drug test.

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RAY J. SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING BOBBY'S BITCHING REMARKS ABOUT HIM.

Ever wondered what it sounds like to read two men going at each other's throat like a couple of bitch-made females? If not, then here it is. Brandy's baby brother Ray J., has responded to the snide-ass remarks Bobby Brown has made about him regarding his relationship with Whitney Houston. Ray J. who has dated Whitney in the past says he doesn't appreciate Bobby calling him a 'little man' in his new book, Being Bobby Brown: The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But... And although he says he has nothing personal against Whit's ex-hubby, he'd appreciate it if old dude would stop dwelling on the negative about his marriage to Houston. Ray told In Touch magazine, "I think what Bobby's saying in his book is just ridiculous. He should really go back in and pray and figure out what he should do on the positive tip." Of Brown's height jibes, Ray J. says, "We're the same height, Bobby, come on!"

Also, Ray J. denies his new song Boyfriend is about his relationship with Houston and his feelings about Brown. He adds, "I don't want anybody to think I'm taking any shots at Bobby personally and spilling out my relationship or my sex life with Whitney-I would never do nothing like that. I don't kiss and tell, I don't exploit other people's business and I don't think it's cool that Bobby's doing that!"
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RAVEN SYMONE REVEALS WHY SHE INSIST ON STAYING TRUE TO HER IMAGE; ALSO CANCELS UPCOMING PROMOTIONAL TOUR.

"I have to stay true to who I am. I am not going to sing about sex, drugs and violence, that's just not who I am...When I look in the mirror and see how voluptuously fabulous I am, I can't even worry about it. My conflict in life is just making sure I remember I'm beautiful just the way I am, no matter what size I am. I am just fabulous."


--Child star-turned-entertainment mogul Raven Symone to Jet magazine on why she refuses to change for fame and why she insist on staying true to her music and staying true to her image by being comfortable with her size.

In related news, the 22-year-old actress/singer/producer has canceled her cross-country "Pajama Party" tour. Originally slated to kick off in late April (and run through mid-July), the star has decided to postpone her upcoming tour due to 'unforeseen circumstances' and apologizes to her fans for any inconvenience this may have caused. Ticket refunds will be available from the original point of purchase. How this will affect her new self-titled album (which will be released April 29th) sales remains to be seen. The announcement of the tour cancellation has tween Raven fans in an uproar to say the least. Members on one of the actress's fan sites are threatening to return their That's So Raven and Cosby Show DVD sets, they're so mad. Bless their hearts. While some fans feel Raven scrapped the tour because she grew tired of entertaining her young audience and that she now prefers to hang out with adults her own age, others have demanded the star step forth and explain the real reason as to why she backed out. Well, I say this: as long as you're getting a refund for your ticket, the 'unforeseen circumstances' reason should suffice.

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IN TODAY'S 'THIS N!GGAH, HERE' NEWS: SINGER AKON AIN'T NO EX-CON.

It's bad enough when the color of your damn lips are darker than the color on your damn nose. But it's just damn near sad when a person wants to be so accepted by the hip-hop industry that they'd take it upon themselves to make up a fake criminal past to do so. And that's just what 35-year-old convict wanna-be Akon did. Mmm-mmm-mmm. The singer is not the gangster rapper he says he is, having only served several weeks in jail rather than the years he's claimed, the Smoking Gun reports. The Web site conducted an investigation into his claims of having done three years of hard jail time in the late 1990s for his role as the "ringleader of a notorious car theft operation" and found that instead, he was arrested in 1998 for driving a stolen car in Georgia and served five months in jail before the charges were dropped.
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