NEW PICS: JENNIFER LOPEZ (WITH HER HUBBY, MARC) ARRIVING AT HER BABY SHOWER IN NYC (1.19.2008)

Celeb couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony celebrated the upcoming arrival of their baby (or babies, as rumored) with a shower, hosted by producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, yesterday (January 19) on the rooftop of the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City. According to PEOPLE magazine, guests were seen arriving with presents that were topped with pink ribbons and some with blue, which adds to the speculation that Jennifer and Marc are expecting twins. Recently, Jennifer's sister Lynda Lopez gave the couple a set of pink and blue onesies from Tuni & G. The 38-year-old actress is rumored to give birth in March (or perhaps January or February...) to the couple's special arrival(s).

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NEW CANDID PICS: DIANA ROSS IN LOS ANGELES (1.18.2008)

Ms. Diana Ross. The woman who put the 'D' in diva was spotted leaving a medical center with her doctor in Los Angeles on Friday (January 18, 2008). Damn, does she look tired or what? Bless her heart.

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CANDID PICS: ERKYAH BADU STOPS BY MTV IN NYC + NEW MUSIC NEWS.

Here's someone we haven't seen in a long time...well, at least I haven't. I still bump my Erykah Badu Live cd regularly. As a matter of fact, she's the reason why I enjoy listening to neo-soul today. I love her to the point where nothing she wears (hairstyles, wardrobe, henna tattoos, head scarfs/turbans) surprises me anymore. What other person you know can rock a mile-high, 70s-inspired afro (I wonder does she keep it moisturized with only juices and berries) and YSLs at the same time without looking loony (a la Lauryn Hill) as hell? FYI: Expect to see Erykah on an upcoming cover of Essence magazine. The singer will conduct a photoshoot for her featured cover story on January 25th and January 26th. Then, be on the lookout for Erykah's new double-disc album entitled Nu AmErykah which drops February 26, 2008. Listen to Nu AmErykah's first single, Honey by clicking here.

Below, peep the pics of Erykah Badu arriving at MTV's TRL in New York City on January 15, 2008.

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NEW PICS: CAN YOU SAY INKED UP 'FANATIC'? KATT WILLIAMS & ICE CUBE CAN.

Rapper/actor Ice Cube was left speechless recently - when he met a fan with his name tattooed on his face. The frightened star decided it was probably best not to ask why the man had decided to have 'Ice Cube' permanently inked on his forehead. Cube says, "I met a fan that had my name tattooed on their forehead. I was pretty much speechless. I wanted to ask them why they'd do that, but then I thought it would just open up a big old can of worms. It scared me." BLOGGER'S NOTE: Sorry folks. There isn't a picture. You're just gonna have to take Cube's word for it.

In related news, no one can tell Katt Williams he's skimpin' on his pimpin'. He recently discovered that he too has a fan who didn't mind inking up her back in honor of his pint-size highness. After his stand-up comedy show at the South Beach Comedy Festival in Miami Beach last Thursday, Williams was photographed outside of his tour bus with an unidentified woman who proudly (well, I guess you really can't say 'proudly' considering the fact that she didn't show her face) donned a large tattoo of the comedian on her upper-left side of her back. But she wrong as hell for putting that ashy-ass elbow of hers on display though. That is not the business nor is it a good look. It ain't like it's cold down there in Miami. Peep the pics below.

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REAL OR RUMOR: JAMIE FOXX TO TURN 'I LOVE NEW YORK' REJECTS FROM Gs TO GENTS IN VH1s CHARM SCHOOL 2.

Yall ain't heard this from me, but word around the web is that VH1 is bringing Charm School back for a second season but with a little twist. Charm School 2: From Gs to Gents (The NY Boys) will start taping next month in Los Angeles. Very much like the first season of Charm School VH1 will rack up 15 of the most unfit, rowdy, and crazy contestants from the first 2 seasons of its #1 rated show, I Love New York which is a spin- off of Flavor of Love. The host of this season is said to be Oscar winning actor, Jamie Foxx. Foxx, who has signed a two-year production agreement to develop reality shows for MTV and VH1--will host the 11 episode series. The makeover show that will center on a group of men who are put through social makeovers in the hopes of turning them into strong, positive gentlemen. There's no telling what kind of mental and emotional abuse those guys suffered and endured while having to have to play kissey face with a woman who resembles an adult-size Muppet. Each week Foxx will test the men through various mental and physical challenges until one gentleman is left to win a $50,000 grand prize.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

Former contestant rejects rumored to appear on Charm School 2 are: Mr. Boston, Chance, Heat, Buddah, Wolf, Midget Mac, Tango, Trendz & Mr. Wise. Charm School 2: From Gs to Gents (The NY Boys) is set to premiere in June. Take this as a rumor, folks, until stated otherwise. Even if it's not true (particularly the rumored rejects part), it sure would be entertaining to watch.

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SLIM SHADY BALLONS TO A WHOPPING 200 POUNDS; SLIM FAST COMES A CALLING.

Remember Eminem? Just four years ago he was the biggest star in music. He sold seventy million records...and even won an Oscar for best song. So what happened to the notorious bad boy rapper? His weight has reportedly ballooned to more than 200 hundred pounds and was recently hospitalized with a bout of pneumonia. Nathan Brackett of Rolling Stone told Inside Edition, "Eminem has had a brutal last couple of years...his best friend was shot in a bar fight, he was reportedly on suicide watch, he's had this up and down relationship with his ex-wife Kim..." The rapper’s estranged mother Debbie Nelson has admitted that her son has ballooned in weight. She said: “His face has broken out in pimples and he’s put on so much weight that he’s causing all sorts of other health problems for himself.”

Now Slim-Fast want to help him to once again become the Real Slim Shady by taking on its diet plan. The deal would be for Eminem to then be a spokesman by showing the world how it helped him drop the pounds. Slim-Fast is a program that can really work for someone like Eminem,” a spokesman for Slim-Fast said. “It’s a doable and flexible approach. Slim-fast would love to offer Eminem product and assistance to help him become a potential S-F success story.” But Eminem is hoping for a comeback - he's back in the recording studio and has a new album in the works.

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RUMOR OR REAL: NICOLE & JOEL AT ODDS ON DECIDING IF PARIS SHOULD BE THEIR CHILD'S GODMOTHER.

New parents Nicole Richie and Joel Madden are battling over who will be their baby daughter Harlow's godmother. Richie wants pal Paris Hilton to act as the tot's guardian, while rocker Madden would prefer to name his future sister-in-law, Aussie actress/model Sophie Monk, godmother. A source tells Globe magazine, "Joel doesn't think Paris is up to the task... He's lobbying for Sophie." Monk will become part of the Madden family when she weds fiance Benji Madden, Joel's twin brother and Good Charlotte bandmate. Richie and Madden welcomed baby Harlow into the world in Los Angeles last Friday (January 11,2008).

Note to Madden: Fight like bloody hell!

In related news, Richie's father, Lionel has broken his silence about his daughter's newborn baby, admitting he's struggling with the idea he's a grandfather. The singer released a statement last Tuesday (January 15, 2008), saying he's "extremely happy and proud" of the new mommy and her partner, Joel Madden. But he admits, "It may take me a moment to adjust to being called grandad." He added, "Harlow Winter Kate Madden, the newest and most beautiful addition to the Richie clan, is a lucky little girl. She was surrounded by a great deal of love at that hospital as she entered the world. Nicole and Joel are going to be wonderful parents."

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EXPECT NEW MUSIC FROM MYA, CHRISTINA MILIAN, TONI, LETOYA LUCKETT & AVANT IN 2008

Christina Milian is ready to give singing another go. The singer/actress has inked a new recording contract with MySpace's new record label, done in partnership with Interscope Records. ilian, star of films Be Cool and Love Don't Cost a Thing, was previously signed to Island Def Jam. The 26-year-old star, who had a high profile relationship with actor/rapper Nick Cannon, released three lackluster CDs-though only two were available in the U.S.-beginning with 2001's self-titled CD, 2004's It's About Time and 2006's So Amazin'. Milian currently dates producer Dre of the producing duo Cool & Dre. The production team produced the majority of her last album on Island Def Jam and reports claimed that since Milian only wanted her boyfriend to produce the album, the label decided to drop her once it performed poorly.

**I bet she won't make that stupid mistake again. Even Jermaine Dupri couldn't save Janet's last album...and he's waaaaaaaaaaaay more successful than Cool and Dre.**

Singer Avant has also landed a new recording contract. The soulful crooner will now record CDs for Capitol Records. The singer released four gold and platinum records for Geffen Records, but parted ways with the label last fall. "It feels good to sign with Capitol, they've shown that their dedicated to push their resources for my projects. I look forward to a long lasting relationship with many, many hit records", said Avant. Upon the release of his first album on Capitol this spring, Avant will head out on the road and tour with the R&B trio TGT, which consists of Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank.



Speaking of Capitol Records, the label plans to release original Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett's sophomore album, Lady Love, in July 2008. The set includes production by heavy hitters like Babyface, Teddy Bishop, Walter Milsap, Bryan Michael Cox, Dr. Dre and Rodney Jerkins. Luckett's debut record, LeToya, debuted at number one when it was released in 2006 and was certified platinum.

AFTER THE JUMP, FIND OUT WHAT PROJECTS TONI & MYA ARE WORKING ON THIS YEAR.

Singer Toni Braxton is preparing to wrap her Las Vegas show at the Flamingo Hotel and is gearing up for her next studio album. The CD is currently untitled and not attached to a record label, but Braxton hopes that she can focus on life after departing Blackground Records once her run in Las Vegas is complete. Braxton is hoping talks with J Records honcho Clive Davis pan out and can have an album in the marketplace sometime before fall.


R&B singer Mya is trying to get out of her contract with Universal/Motown according to a recent interview the Washington, DC-bred singer/actress did with Star News Online. When probed about her relationship with the record company, Mya offered: "I'll be leaving Motown Universal some time next year." Mya's fourth CD, Liberation, was delayed several times in 2007 and doesn't have a firm release date on Universal/Motown's 2008 schedule. The frustrated singer now wants to release music independently. "I don't really want to sign to another label," confessed the My Love Is Like...Woah singer. "If you end up funding most of your projects, why not distribute your own product and make 100 percent of your profits?"

**Good point.**

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PICS: MICHAEL JORDAN'S CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL RECEPTION & TOURNAMENT IN THE BAHAMAS.

Michael Jordan hosts his Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Welcome Reception presented by Jordan Brand at Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas on January 16, 2008. Celebs in attendance included: Gabrielle Union, Regina King, Boris Kodjoe and his wife actress Nicole Ari Parker and Fat Joe.

AFTER THE JUMP, PEEP THE PICS FROM MICHAEL JORDAN'S CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT.

Michael Jordan held his Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at the One & Only Ocean Club golf course Paradise Island in the Bahamas on January 18, 2008. Celebs in attendance included Boris Kodjoe, Kid Rock, Jason Taylor, Spike Lee and his wife.

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SIMON COWELL ON FANTASIA'S BROTHER'S 'A. I.' AUDITON: 'IT WAS FANTASTIC ...UNTIL HE STARTED SINGING. HE'S TERRIBLE!'

Simon Cowell was delighted when former American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino's brother auditioned on the reality talent show - until he heard his "terrible" singing voice. Ricco Barrino's audition on the current seventh series of American Idol was so bad, Cowell and his fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul were convinced he couldn't be related to Fantasia. Ricco auditioned in Dallas with the gospel standard A Change Is Gonna Come. No doubt, talent runs through the Barrino blood (K-Ci and JoJo of Jodeci fame are cousins of Fantasia's), but sadly for Ricco, his time in the spotlight was brief. The 27-year-old High Point, NC, native was cut after his first call-back.

Cowell says, "He was dreadful. He can't sing. I think I am right in saying this from memory, he was terrible. I remember thinking, 'Oh, great! Fantasia's brother.' And it was all fantastic until he started singing and then we disputed the fact that he really was Fantasia's brother because he hasn't got his sister's talent."

Well, he may not possess his sister's singing skills, but his songwriting skills were evidently enough to get him signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle record label. According to sandrarose.com, the self-proclaimed King of the South brought Ricco on to pen lyrics for his Grand Hustle artists including Young Dro and Alfamega. Ricco has already gained small town accolades with his ladies anthem, Bubble Gum.

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NATE DOGG PARA;LYZED AFTER SUFFERING A STROKE OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

Singer Nate Dogg has been left paralyzed down one side of his body after suffering a mild stroke over the festive season. The Next Episode singer - real name Nathaniel Hale, the cousin of Snoop Dogg - was admitted to Pomona Valley Hospital in California last month (Dec 2007) following the cerebrovascular accident at his home on December 20th. But the illness has resulted in the 39-year-old being unable to move the left side of his body, and he is now recovering in an occupational rehab facility.

His representative, Rod MCGrew, tells MTV.com, "Time will tell everything, obviously. The doctor can only guess what the outcome will be. But based on situations with similar people his age, and based on his health, the prognosis is good right now." According to MCGrew, Hale did not suffer any brain damage from the stroke and his vocal chords have not been affected. MCGrew also took the opportunity to hit out at people who have made fun of the supposedly relaxed 911 call, which was posted on website TMZ.com earlier this week, adding: "I'm not sure what people are tying to glean from that tape. The diagnosis is what it is, and the prognosis is what it is: He had a stroke. The media wants to create something, but I'm not sure what the point is. If you had an emergency and someone was in your presence they would call 911. I'm not in a situation to see who is doing what, but rather tending to (Nate) and making sure he gets back on track."

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HALLE PROUDLY FLAUNTS 'ETERNITY/COMMITMENT/PROMISE' RING GIVEN TO HER BY BOYFRIEND, GABRIEL.

Pregnant Halle Berry has sealed her commitment to boyfriend Gabriel Aubry by accepting his gift of a $10,000 eternity ring. The actress, 41, has previously revealed she has no desire to wed model Aubry after two failed marriages - first to former baseball player David Justice in 1992 and then to singer Eric Benet in 2001. Her second union ended in divorce in 2005. But Berry has been happy to show off her Cartier paved diamond eternity platinum ring from Aubry, a present from the 32-year-old to celebrate the upcoming birth of their baby.

According to In Touch Weekly the two lovebirds already think of themselves as a married couple, even without the legal document to prove it. "It's gorgeous. The diamonds aren't huge but they are perfectly cut and sparkle. Gabriel gave Halle the ring to symbolize their commitment," says one source.

Berry, who is due to give birth in the spring (08), has been spotted flaunting her new piece of jewelery at a Cartier event in Los Angeles earlier this month.

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MORE DETAILS REGARDING R. KELLY'S RELATIONSHIP W/FMR. PUBLICIST'S DAUGHTER & WILL SINGER MAKE HIS ALLEGED SEXTAPE VICTIM HIS NEXT 'WIFEY'?

I intended to post this last week, but I totally forgot about it! LOL! Just so you all know, the blog post is pretty lengthy.

More details have emerged regarding R. Kelly's indiscreet relationship with his former manager's stepdaughter, Maxine Daniels, as well as brand new details regarding his current relationship status with the infamous teen (now 23-years-old) from his sex tape. I swear, the higher a monkey climbs, the more his ass show. Don't it? Just when you thought you knew someone...BAM, BAM!...they do something else to convince you that they're still nine cents short of a dime. I'll explain that later on in the story. Anywhoo, as most of us know, about five months ago (on August 28, 2007 to be exact), Regina Daniels, abruptly resigned her duties as R. Kelly's publicist and family friend of over 14 years after accusing the singer of 'crossing the line'. At the time, some folks speculated that the reason for her departure was due to R. Kelly physically assaulting her. Not true at all. "...I have prided myself on loyalty, respect and professionalism. It saddens me that I was not always shown those same courtesies during my 14 year tenure as Mr. Kelly’s publicist...there are some lines that should never be crossed professionally or personally. Mr. Kelly crossed a line that forever altered the scope of our relationship," Daniels said in her official public statement.


Regina and her husband, veteran music retailer, George Daniels, severed their personal and professional ties with the R&B singer--someone they considered as their son--after learning Kelly had been having a sexual relationship with their daughter, Maxine, 21 (Blogger's note: see photo on the right). Kelly, 41, and Maxine (who the singer once referred to as his 'little sister') had been seeing each other since last June. From the looks of things, Kelly placed all of his morals, loyalty to family and common sense to the side once he noticed how 'womanly' his 'little sister' had become while attending her 21st birthday party last April at Bar One in Chicago. For weeks, Kelly aggressively pursued her and according to reports, she was a willing participant. Soon after, the 'couple' began dating on the down low and in true SugarMac Daddy form, R-ruh began lavishing his brand new boo with expensive gifts: Gucci handbags, an iPhone (oooh, what a treat! I mean, really!), designer dresses, jewels and trinkets and whatnot. He even opened up his home just so that he could kick it with her and her sorority sisters of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Needless to say, the girl is a grown ass woman who can date any man she wants to. No harm, no foul, right? Wrong. Well, sort of. I guess it depends on who you're asking. She couldn't have been too much of a grown-ass woman because she hid their relationship from her parents. As a matter of fact, while she was hiding...she was also lying.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY & FIND OUT ALL ABOUT KELLY'S NEW BOO, RASHANA AFTER THE JUMP!

Now, is that the business or what? But I digress. Anyway, Maxine--who had just broken up with her boyfriend before hooking up with Kelly--would tell her parents she was attending summer school Monday through Friday. What Regina and George didn't know was that Maxine would leave school on Thursdays to stay with Kelly before going home to visit them on the weekends. However, by July, Kelly and Maxine's courtship came to an end when Maxine felt she could no longer keep lying to her parents about her relationship with Chester...I meant Kelly. You would think her breaking things off with him wouldn't piss off the Pied Piper...but it did...but not for long though. What he did next boost his status up three notches on my Shit List...and that's a feat in itself considering the fact that he was already holding the number one spot! Think about it.

Even with his child pornography trial slated to begin in a couple of months, this dude still has the gray-haired balls to mess around with the same girl (no pun intended...well sort of...okay, not really...just a little bit...like a smidge of a little bit) from his infamous and incriminating sex tape. Yeah, you read it right. According to Jamie Foster Brown, her name is Rashana (Blogger's note: Rashana is not pictured in this blog post) and she is now 23-years-old. She also accompanied Kelly (along with his 10-year-old daughter, Joanne) on his recent Double Up tour. Kelly, who claims to 'love' Rashana and even goes as far as referring to her as his 'wifey,' has since moved her into his home once his wife Andrea (and their kids) moved out. No wonder she (Rashana) doesn't want to testify against him.

As far as where things stand with Kelly and the Daniels...well, first all, he had the nerve to be upset with Regina for giving him the silent treatment and leaving him to fend for himself. With his trial coming up, he's going to need all the emotional support he can get. It's just too bad that he betrayed and lied to, possibly, the only two people who ever had his back and believed in him the most. How you deceive and disrespect the same two people who taught you how to Step In the Name of Love? That, too, is not the business. Reportedly, George broke down and cried upon hearing the news that his daughter had been sleeping around with Kelly. And after George confronted Kelly and asked him for the truth, Kelly took the punk-ass route and proceeded to bitch up and began crying before swearing to George that he would never do anything like that because they were 'family.'

After the holy shinola hit the fan last November, George told EUR's Lee Bailey, "Bottom line is [R. 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." Brown says Kelly knew his relationship with Regina and George was over when George stopped receiving the tailor-made designer suits Kelly had been sending to him. Now, that's when you know you done f'ed up!

Regina is now back in the swing of things, doing what she does best. Just days after disassociating herself from R. Kelly, the 50-year-old publicist picked up celebrity clients Wyclef Jean, Young Dro and Fantasia. Bless her heart.

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