NEW CELEB COUPLE CANDIDS: REGGIE & KIM PARTY & KISSY-FACE IN MEXICO....AGAIN; JANET & JERMAINE SPOTTED LEAVING THE FOXTAIL.

For someone who claims to want to keep her relationship with her boyfriend as private as possible, Kim Kardashian sure is doing a lousy job. Below are pictures of her, her boyfriend (who she says hates the paparazzi) Reggie Bush arriving at LAX after spending a weekend long 29th birthday celebration for her big sister Kourtney in Punta de Mita, Mexico at the home of Girls Gone Wild founder and CEO Joe Francis. Kim's mother and her 'baby' sister Khloe tagged along. One of Reggie's New Orlean's Saints teammate's joined in on the celebration as well. How much you wanna bet ol dude knows exactly what his running back teammate's girlfriend looks like under her clothes? Mmmm-hmmm.

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Janet Jackson and her boo Jermaine Dupri were spotted leaving the Foxtail nightclub in West Hollywood Thursday night. Check out the pics below.

MORE GOO-GOO, GAH-GAH PICS OF KIM & REGGIE AND JANET & JERMAINE AFTER THE JUMP!


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KIMORA LEE SIMMONS' DEMAND MATTEL TO USE FAUX-FUR ON HER BARBIE DOLLS.

Although model-turned-fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons' admits she was thrilled when toymakers Mattel decided to model a Barbie in her likeness, she had one recommendation: the new Barbie doll had to don a faux-fur coat, in a bid to show young girls they can look "fabulous" without skinning animals. The designer and reality TV star says, "She has a faux-fur chinchilla coat, because I want to show kids that synthetic fur can be fabulous, too. She's everything a Barbie is supposed to be."

According to the company's website, the Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie® doll epitomizes the Baby Phat founder and designer’s hip, street-glam flair! Created under the direction of Simmons, a former model turned fashion/lifestyle entrepreneur, this dark-haired diva is dressed in a fabulous hot pink outfit, topped with a full-length faux chinchilla coat. Upping the cool quotient are bold, over-the-top accessories like pink thigh-high boots, chunky earrings and a designer bag. But the cutest accessory of all? Kimora’s adorable little dog, Zoe!

Simmons isn't the only celebrity to inspire a modern Barbie - a Hilary Duff doll has also been created recently.

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EARTH, WIND & FIRE FOUNDERS TO RECEIVE HONORARY DOCTORATES FROM BERKLEE SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

Earth, Wind and Fire founders and frontmen Phillip Bailey and Maurice White will receive honorary Doctor of Music degrees at Berklee College of Music next month (May08). Roger Brown, the president of the revered Massachusetts music school will hand out the top accolades and Bailey will give the commencement address to more than 800 Berklee graduates and invited guests. The honorary doctorate recipients are being honored for their achievements in the world of music, and for their enduring contributions to American and international culture. Past recipients include Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Patti LaBelle, Steven Tyler, Aretha Franklin and David Bowie.
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ICE-T TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE GODFATHER OF PIMPING, URBAN NOVELIST ICEBERG SLIM.

Rapper-turned-actor Ice-T is set to uncover the secrets behind the man who inspired his hip-hop stage pseudonym; he is producing a documentary about urban novelist and Godfather of Pimping, Iceberg Slim. Ice-T (real name Tracy Marrow) has credited the acclaimed author and former pimp as his reason for seeking fame and fortune, prompting him to adopt his stage name in honor of his hero. He is now planning to document the tale of the Trick Baby writer, spanning from his 35 years as a career criminal to his rise as one of black America's most revered writers. And Ice-T believes fans will be as intrigued by the enigmatic man's biography as he is. He tells the New York Post's gossip column PageSix, "Iceberg Slim has been one of the most influential people in black culture. Few people know the story behind the man and it's time that story is told."

CONTINUE READING MORE ABOUT ICEBERG SLIM BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!'

Iceberg Slim was born Robert Lee Maupin and has a career as a pimp before turning to writing. Born in 1918, he began pimping at age 18 in the brutal Chicago underworld, soon becoming rich and successful in the trade. In his writings, he later traced the motive behind and tradition of black pimping to the days when American slaves noticed their white owners' physical attraction to and exploitation of black women. Slim concentrated most of his efforts in the Chicago area, but he worked women throughout the Midwest. He served a total of seven years in jail for various offenses--including time at the Leavenworth federal penitentiary in Kansas, the Cook County House of Corrections, and Waupun State Prison in Wisconsin.

His books have stood the test of time. Pimp: The Story of My Life, Trick Baby, and The Naked Soul of Iceberg Slim are a few of his works. Slim died of liver failure on April 28, 1992, one day before the 1992 Los Angeles Riots erupted.

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TONE-DEAF B.F.F.'s LIL AL B. SURE & LANDON BROWN BOTH GET 'ROCKED' FROM MTV'S 'ROCK THE CRADLE' IN DOUBLE ELIMINATION EPISODE.

*Shout out to elle for making me aware of that serious typo in the blog post title!*

What did I tell yall? I'll tell yall what I told yall. Three weeks ago, I told yall Bobby's oldest boy Landon wouldn't last too long on MTV's semi-celeb talent show Rock the Cradle. Isn't that what I said? Yeah, I said it. Now, I also said I could see Al B. Sure's son, Lil Al, lasting in the competition longer than his B.F.F., Landon. But what did he go do? He went and made a liar out of me. Both of their tone deaf selves were 'rocked' from 'cradle' in a double-elimination episode of the show last night due to their horrendous, murder-on-the-ears, slaughtering editions of their fathers biggest hits from back in the day. Up first: Lil Al attempts to master his daddy's falsetto-laced late-80s single Nite and Day by making it sound more hip-hop to show off his vocal range. Final result? Duuuuuuuuuude? In week two, he struggled through his performance of Maxwell's A Woman's Worth. So, how in the hell did he think he'd pull off singing Nite and Day?

And little Landon mucked up the biggest hit of his father's entire life My Prerogative so much, you would've thought Bobby was beating his ass plantation-style with the looks he gave to him from the VIP area. I laughed my ass off (click here to see my expression when he tried to make up for his off-key singing and off-rhythm dancing by showing the crowd his chest! Again, duuuuuuuuuuuuude? And in true Bobby Brown form, after telling a camera man to get out of his face, he singer later revealed he didn't want Landon to perform his 'signature song' (guess he didn't want his own son attempting to take his shine...but hell, he even threw a bitch-fit when Britney released her remake of the song...which I can kind of understand). Anyhoo, what really put the lid on the jar last week was when Landon made Rock the Cradle history when he garnered the lowest scores of the season, ranging from 2.5 to 4.5.

YES, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TO SAY ON THIS SUBJECT. JUST CLICK 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!' ON THE BOTTOM LEFT.

In the end, they came in together. They left out together. Then they had the nerve to act as if they were surprised at being eliminated together. And it's because of their eliminations, along with Akeiba's from last week, that I have no other reason whatsoever to watch another episode of that show again. Therefore and thus and such, this is my last Rock the Cradle review. What the future holds for their musical career remains to be seen...let's just hopes it stays that way.

Watch Landon's and Lil Al's performances encore performances here.

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REMEMBERING LISA 'LEFT EYE' LOPES: MAY 27, 1971-APRIL 25,2002.

Today, April 25, 2008 marks the 6th anniversary of the death of Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, a founding member and creative force behind TLC, the most successful-selling R&B/Hip-Hop female group of all-time. The singer was killed as she was driving on a Honduran road on that fateful Thursday evening six years ago. Seven other people, including Lopes' brother, Ronald, and sister, Raina, were in the Mitsubishi Montero sports utility vehicle when the crash happened near Jutiapa, 150 miles north of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital. The vehicle rolled several times, throwing Lisa out of the window. She died instantly from severe head injuries. She was 30-years-old. Her funeral was held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. Over 30,000 fans came from all over the world to bid her farewell. Engraved upon her white casket was her verse from Waterfalls: "Dreams are hopeless aspirations, in hopes of coming true, believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you."

TLC, formed in 1991 (with remaining surviving members Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins and Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas) in Atlanta was signed to LaFace Records and produced by super-producer Dallas Austin. Some of the trio's biggest award-winning hits include: What About Your Friends, Baby, Baby, Baby, Creep, Red Light Special, Unpretty, Waterfalls and No Scrubs.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF THE LATE SINGER BELOW. CLICK 'EM TO SEE 'EM.


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GARY COLEMAN & WIFE HEADING TOWARDS DIVORCE COURT....LITERALLY!

Looks like Star Jones and her sugar-pie Al aren't the only celeb-couple heading toward divorce court. And I mean that literally. Little Gary Coleman, the former real-life version of a 40-year-old virgin, and his wife of several months, 22-year-old Shannon Price will appear in a two-part episode of Divorce Court next Thursday, May 1st. I knew when I saw those two on the Tyra Banks Show, that they weren't going to last. Hell, who am I kidding? I knew they wouldn't last when it was revealed that they'd gotten married! Anyhoo, here's a description of the episode(s) from the show's official website:

Today on a special two-part session of Divorce Court, 80’s child star Gary Coleman and his new wife Shannon have come to Divorce Court seeking Judge Toler’s advice on their troubled marriage before it’s too late. Gary says he met Shannon on a movie set and was glad to know Shannon did not know who he was when they first met. Shannon proposed a year later after an argument. Gary is in love with Shannon and calls her his star protector. Shannon says she is tired of Gary’s anger issues and blames her for anything that goes wrong and is sick of playing the blame game.

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NEW PICS: CHILLI'S ROLLING OUT MAG PHOTOSHOOT + NEW PROMO PICS & DETAILS ON WINNING A CHANCE TO DANCE WITH CHILLI ON HER PROMO TOUR.

R&B singer Chilli is featured on the latest cover of Atlanta's Rolling Out magazine on stands now. She's on her grind for real this time! Now, it was just yesterday when I told you all that Chilli had chosen a title for her new solo debut album which is Bi-Polar. When I say she's so serious about this project, please believe me. Now, yes, a couple of years ago when she was featured in a couple of urban magazines and her tracks Gameproof and Straight Jack 'Em had leaked onto the Internet...it got quite a bit of buzz going suggesting she was indeed about to do the damn thing. But in the end fans got nothing. This time around, however, the singer has finally got the molasses out of her ass: she's hired an entire new PR team, freed herself from TLC's former manager Bill Diggins (for trying to pull a fast one over on them), recorded a hot new track, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb which will be the first single from Bi-Polar and last but not least, Chilli is currently gearing up for an upcoming promotional tour (read about that after the jump) to support her new LP.

In her feature story for Rolling Out magazine, Chilli dished on why she made the decision to stand out on her own and reveals the celebrity, who also hails from Atlanta, who inspired her: “Probably three years ago, I was kind of at a crossroad[s] with everything,” she admits. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I just got on my knees and asked God, ‘what is it that you want me to do?’ I was definitely born to be a Mommy and an entertainer — it’s all I could think about since I was a little kid. Listening to radio, I started to miss good messages — [songs] that young people can listen to and their parents can be happy. It inspired me to go back into the studio and make music like that. I did some [rapping] on our first [TLC] album, and that was a lot of fun for me. [This time] I definitely stepped outside the box. André 3000 was my inspiration. He stepped outside the box to sing and pulled it off. I wanted to tap into that."

CHECK OUT PICS FROM CHILLI'S 'ROLLING OUT' MAG PHOTOSHOOT + PROMOTIONAL PICS FOR CHILLI'S NEW SINGLE 'DUMB, DUMB, DUMB.'




VIEW MORE PICS FROM CHILLI'S ROLLING OUT MAG PHOTOSHOOT AS WELL AS PROMOTIONAL PICS. ALSO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN WIN A CHANCE TO DANCE WITH THE SINGER ON HER UPCOMING PROMO TOUR...CLICK ON 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP! ON THE BOTTOM LEFT TO FIND OUT!

And Chilli's still in business of keeping it real....especially with her fans: “What’s funny in this industry [is that] I find that a lot of people had to struggle in the beginning and once the success came they changed into someone that no one knew. I’ve been in the industry for 17 years. Because of my personality, I’ve always been the type of celebrity that if I’m eating and someone comes over and wants my autograph, I’ll [sign] — or ask politely, ‘can you wait?’ I was that way at 20 and I’m still that way today.”

In the meantime, Chilli has reached out to those same fans--both old and new. Her first solo single, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, is a pulsating club banger, with Chilli’s trademark sexy vocals over a funky Eastern-flavored digital backdrop. The infectious track has also inspired her to challenge her fans to participate in a contest to create a dance for the tune. “I thought it would be a lot of fun to incorporate the fans. I want all of the dancers out there to make up a routine. It would super-hot if we had a ‘Dumb, Dumb, Dumb’ dance!” Chilli is looking for the hottest dancers to perform with her on her upcoming promo tour. To enter, create a one minute choreographed routine to the single Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, upload the video onto youtube, and send the link to CHILLISDANCECONTEST@GMAIL.COM.

PHOTOSHOOT PICS: ROLLINGOUT.COM
PROMOTIONAL PICS: CHILLI'S MYSPACE

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RANDOM PICS OF MADNESS: NAOMI CAMPBELL'S BARELY THERE HAIRLINE.

Uh, you would think with all the bitter bouts of bitching, whining, moaning, groaning and Blackberry-throwing Naomi does on a nearly daily basis, it would release enough stress in her life where it wouldn't show on her hairline or lack thereof. Here she is at the Metropolitan Opera Opening Night Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 22, 2008.

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*UPDATED* WESLEY SNIPES SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS IN PRISON ON TAX CHARGES; CO-DEFENDANT GETS 10 YEARS BEHIND BARS.

I guess the 'good luck' message I wished for Wesley was in vain. According to the Associated Press, Snipes called on famous friends to vouch for him, highlighted his clean criminal record and even wrote the government $5 million in checks — all in an effort to convince a judge that his conviction on tax charges should cost him nothing more than home detention and some public service announcements. None of it worked. The "Blade" actor was ordered to do hard time. Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday for failing to file tax returns, the maximum penalty — and a victory for prosecutors who sought to make an example of the action star. Snipes' lawyers had spent much of the day in court offering dozens of letters from family members, friends — even fellow actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington — attesting to his good character. His attorneys recommended he be given home detention and ordered to make public service announcements because his three convictions were all misdemeanors and the actor had no previous criminal record.

Snipes apologized while reading from a written statement for his "costly mistakes," but never mentioned the word taxes. "I am an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance," Snipes said. He said his wealth and celebrity attracted "wolves and jackals like flies are attracted to meat." He called himself "well-intentioned, but miseducated." Snipes surprised the court before Hodges handed down the sentence by offering the government three checks totaling $5 million in unpaid taxes over several years, money the government first denied but then accepted. Prosecutors called it "grandstanding" to avoid jail time, and a mere down payment on the actor's still-undetermined multi-million dollar tax bill.

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Co-defendants Douglas P. Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn were convicted on both those counts. Kahn, who refused to defend himself in court, was sentenced to 10 years, while Rosile received 54 months. Both will serve three years of supervised release. Snipes will serve one year of supervised release. Snipes and Rosile remain free and will be notified when they are to surrender to authorities. Defense attorney Carmen Hernandez signaled in court that Snipes would pursue an appeal.

Wesley Snipes has enlisted a couple of his celebrity friends--Denzel Washington and Judge Joe Brown--in order to drum up support in hopes of getting a lighter sentence (if any at all...which I highly doubt due to the fact that Johnnie Cochran done gone on to glory) at his tax invasion sentencing which will be held today (Thursday, April 24). Thirty-one character references were submitted by Snipes' legal team, according to Ocala, Fla's Star-Banner newspaper. The letters are written to Senior U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges, who is scheduled to sentence Snipes today on three counts of willfully failing to file tax returns. Snipes faces up to three years in jail and possibly $5 million or more in fines. His legal team hopes letters from Washington, Brown, Woody Harrelson and others will encourage the judge to go easy. "Wesley is like a tree - a mighty oak," Washington wrote in his letter to the judge, adding he has known the actor for 20 years. "Many who know him have witnessed the fruit of his labors, have sat in his shade and even been protected by his presence. I am proud of him, proud to call him a fellow thespian and most importantly, proud to call him a friend."

Good luck, homey.

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NEW PICS: ALICIA KEYS VISITS B.E.T.'S '106 & PARK.'

Singer Alicia Keys made a stop at B.E.T.'s 106 & Park in New York City on Wednesday (April 23). Peep the pics below.

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DEAR KHIA a.k.a. 'MISS SLEEPY TITTIES': PLEASE...PRETTY PLEASE, SHUT THE HELL UP!

"It was my perfect exit. I planned on going to the show to promote my music. My mission was accomplished. Everybody there used pre-written material, so it was like [MC] Serch was hating all along. Serch and all the rest of them will have to really accomplish something, before I have anything to say about them. The show was a joke. Now that I'm gone, the ratings will be going down. Everybody know they were watching the show to see me.....I'm such an actress, you didn't see me? I'll have my own show soon. That's what it was for. I want to do television all the way around. I screen write -- I want to get hands on with all of the sides -- as far as production and television, whether reality or sitcom. I'm a creative writer first so you'll definitely be seeing a lot of me. It was a platform. I'm independent and I don't want to be signed to a label. I like the independent money and the independent success. I'm Khia, I'm still in my same neighborhood, I'm around my people, my community, I want to uplift them and let them know you can make it no matter where you're from, or what struggles you've been through. Everybody is like 'You wish you had this, or you wish you had that,' but my wish came true. I'm successful doing what I love to do and I don't want to change anything about it. I would never want to be under the microscope. I would never want to be put up on a pedestal to be torn down. I'm comfortable and content where I am."

--Khia explains to SOHH.com her dismissal from VH1's Miss Rap Supreme, why she feels it was a joke, the hateration she has for the contestants and host, MC Serch, why she never wants to be placed under a microscope--and Khia, believe me when I say that the last thing we would ever want to see is a magnified version of your mug....that is not the business--as well as her plans to launch her own television show and the release of her new album Nasti Muzik. Ewwwwwwww.

Oh and I found more promotional photoshoot pics of the rapper. Click 'em to see 'em.


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ACTRESS TERRI J. VAUGHN & HER HUSBAND WELCOME A BABY BOY; HIS FIRST, HER SECOND.

According to Essence.com, Actress Terri J. Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show, All of Us, Daddy's Little Girls, Dirty Laundry) and her new husband Karon Riley of the Arena Football League (AFL) welcomed a baby on Monday (April 21) evening in Los Angeles. Vaughn, who spent six hours in labor, named her bundle of joy Kal'El Joseph Riley. Lil dude came bouncing into the world at 6:05 P.M. PT, weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and measuring 19.5 inches. The proud father, a defensive lineman for the Cleveland Gladiators and self-professed Superman fanatic, named his son after his favorite superhero's Kryptonian name (Kal'El), which he interprets to mean 'of God-like abilities. I think the name is very fitting for him. He's strong, cool and mellow, just perfect. I could tell even when I was carrying him inside me because he made me feel like Superwoman!,' Vaughn said from her hospital bed.

And the first-time dad wasn't short on compliments for mother and child: "Terri was amazing during the delivery, and Kal'El looks just like his daddy." Although this is the couple's first child together, the 38-year-old actress has a son, Daylen Ali, 6, from her first marriage. Daylen was excited and ready to assume his new role as Big Brother. 'He couldn't keep his hands off of him,' Vaughn said. 'I keep him loaded up with hand sanitizer!'
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Vaughn, who eloped with Riley this past January in Vegas, said motherhood the second time around is familiar territory. 'Once a mom, always a mom,' she proclaimed. 'But my sons each bring different spirits to my life. Daylen softened my heart and spirit while Kal'El strengthened my heart and soul. God knows what He's doing. I need them both. I just hope that Kal'El fulfills his God-given purpose, which will make the world a better place.'

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