Finally a decent photoshoot on ANTM! They have been really corny this season...

So here are the shots from the show last night!



Melrose & Eugena

Labels: ANTM

"We are just thrilled to have Beyonce join us for our 'Coming Home' party as one of the headliners of the Essence Music Festival with what we know will be a one-of-kind performance at the Louisiana Superdome," said Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc. "As a groundbreaking artist with peerless talent, Beyonce is leading what is certain to be an exciting and unique Festival line-up ... what better way to welcome Festivalgoers back to New Orleans!"

Taking the music world by storm with her mega-star girl group, Destiny's Child, Beyonce made her mark in 2003 with the success of her solo debut, Dangerously in Love. Widely lauded as one of the world's biggest R&B stars, her appearance marks the first time Beyonce hits the Essence Music Festival stage as a solo artist. Her multi-platinum super group, Destiny's Child, performed for a sold-out crowd at the last Festival in New Orleans in 2005.

"I have performed at the Essence Festival with Destiny's Child and remember it as one of our best concerts. I am so honored to perform at the Essence Festival as a solo act upon its return to New Orleans, post Katrina," commented Beyonce. "Essence has been a true believer in the rich heritage of this amazing city and its wonderful people. My family's roots are deep in this area so this will be a wonderful reunion for us as well."

Beyonce will "Come Home" with ESSENCE to celebrate the 13th annual Essence Music Festival's return to its original home of New Orleans, after relocating temporarily to Houston in 2006 following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. More exciting and talented performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the evening concerts are on sale immediately at ticketmaster.com, (800) 488-5252. For updates on performers, hotel accommodations, ticket prices and weekly promotions log on to http://www.essence.com.

The 2007 Essence Music Festival is produced by Essence Festivals in association with Festival Productions Inc. - New Orleans and AEG Live. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI). ECI is also the publisher of ESSENCE magazine. ESSENCE, after 36 years, continues to be the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women.

Labels: Beyonce

Eva Longoria and Tony Parker are engaged, according to People Magazine.

“Eva and Tony are officially engaged,” Longoria’s rep told People. “The couple have never been happier.”

Eva, 31, and Tony, 24, a point guard for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, met in November 2004 in the team’s locker room following a game, after Eva told a local news reporter that Tony was her favorite player on the team.

Mya is featured on the double-sided cover of Rap-Up’s Winter 06/07 issue, on sale now! Pick up the issue to see the rest of Rap-Up’s all new photo shoot with Mya where she rocks different hair styles and designer outfits by Valentino and YSL. The R&B songbird is single, sexy, and freely speaking about her alter ego (wait till you hear her name), relationship with Game, and beef with 50. Plus, find out what landed Mya in the hospital.

Labels: Mya

Lady B [I think that is what I'll call her now!] was in Florida to tape a television segment for the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, which will air on Christmas day on ABC.


Doesn't she just fall in line with all the other princesses? LOL...F-A-B white gown!

Labels: Beyonce

Labels: Fantasia

LeToya Luckett covers the Dec/Jan 2007 issue of Sophisticate's Black Hair Magazine





[CLICK IMAGE TO SEE FULL SCAN]

She also had a shoot with Derrick Santini



These two are my favs...love the first one with the fir coat, very sexy!

More shot from the Santini shoot under the cut!

Labels: Letoya Luckett

Here are some new promo shots, spotted at her revamped Official Website.

JENNIFER HUDSON ONLINE





[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

Jennifer is also featured in the December issues of Essence and Vibe Vixen!

Essence


Vibe Vixen






MORE UNDER CUT!

Labels: Jennifer Hudson

Labels: Beyonce, Dreamgirls

**UPDATED**

First Prize: Autographed CD from Monica, Fantasia, or John Legend!

Second Place: A CD from Monica, Fantasia, or John Legend!

Third Place: John Legend T-Shirt

1. Justin Timberlake has been nominated for 7 Grammys...How many has he won?
2. Martin Lawrence's ex-wife Patricia Southall is now married to which dancing celebrity?
3. In the classic movie "Friday," what was on Smokey's license plate?
4. Beyonce's "Resentment" was recorded by two other people, name them.
5. What was Nicky's full name on "The Fress Prince of Bel Air"?
6. Destiny Child toured as the opening act for which group in 1999?
7. What curvy girl group diva is featured in the video for Lloyd's "You"?

Labels: CONTEST

Someone got to Ashanti's eyebrows and sideburns!


BEFORE


AFTER



She looks F-A-B during her visit to MTV's TRL...the make up is gorgeous!

Labels: Ashanti

Rap mogul SHAWN ‘JAY-Z’ CARTER has reclaimed his crown at the top of the US album charts but sales of his comeback album KINGDOM COME fell just short of the 700,000 estimate.
The album opened with 680,000 copies sold, giving Jay-Z his biggest sales week ever and the biggest of 2006 by any artist.

It’s the ninth time he has hit the top of the US charts - a statistic that ties with THE ROLLING STONES for the third most number ones.

Only THE BEATLES (19) and ELVIS PRESLEY (10) have had more chart-topping albums.

SNOOP DOGG scores his ninth top 10 album with THE BLUE CARPET TREATMENT, which debuts at five and late rapper TUPAC SHAKUR returns to the top flight - new release PAC’S LIFE enters the chart at number nine.

Labels: Jay Z, Snoop, Tupac

Listen to "Black Republican" Feat. Jay Z

Listen to "Hip Hop is Dead" Feat. Will.I.Am

Also don't forget to tune in to BET's Access Granted tonight, November
29, 2006, at 8pm to catch the premier of Nas' brand new video "Hip Hop
Is Dead"!


Hip-Hop Is Dead will hit stores on DECEMBER 19th

Check Nas' Official Site

Labels: Nas

Labels: Ludacris, Mary J Blige

Lupe Fiasco made the GQ Men of the Year list as the Breakout Man of the Year...kudos to you Lupe!

Labels: Lupe Fiasco

Snoop Dogg was arrested Tuesday for investigation of illegally possessing a handgun and drugs as he left NBC Studios after performing on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” police said.

The 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, and two members of his entourage were arrested around 6 p.m. after a search of his Diamond Bar home and car, Sgt. Kevin Grandalski said.

Police seized a handgun and some illegal drugs, Grandalski said. He did not have details.

The sergeant said the rapper was arrested for investigation of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possessing cocaine, transporting marijuana and having a false compartment in his vehicle, Grandalski said.

“He was in a car pulling out of the studio” when police stopped him, said Donald Etra, the rapper’s attorney.

Etra said he believed Broadus was booked at the jail for investigation of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He made bail of $60,000 and was released shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday, about seven hours after his arrest.

Labels: Snoop

Anyone a Real World head like me?? I am totally addicted...I guess it is my nosey nature. I just get a kick out of watching everyone else's drama...to forget about mine! LOL...

Well the new season started last month and it was a hot mess from day one...


Alex and Jenn have sex...of course after Alex made out with Colie! Plus a Black extreme conservative in the same house as a gay guy equals D-R-A-M-A!

Anyhoo...I have some cool quizzes for you to take!

Find Out Who in Real World Denver is Your Friend, Your Enemy, and Your Hook-Up.

TAKE QUIZ 1



Which Denver housemate will you Love?

TAKE QUIZ 2

Labels: Real World

Labels: Beyonce, Dreamgirls

Tracy Morgan, a former "Saturday Night Live" regular who co-stars on NBC's "30 Rock," was arrested Tuesday in Upper Manhattan on drunken driving charges, the district attorney's office said.

The 38-year-old comedian was stopped around 4:30 a.m. while driving a Cadillac Escalade on the Henry Hudson Parkway near West 158th Street, said Edison Alban, a spokesman for District Attorney Robert Morgenthau.

Police reported that Morgan smelled of alcohol and that he later failed a breathalyzer test at the 28th Precinct station house, Alban said.

On Feb. 17, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of drunken driving. He was sentenced to 36 months' probation, fined $390 and ordered to attend an alcohol education program, authorities said.

Labels: Beyonce

Labels: Chris Brown

More from Ciara in Giant Mag...

Going triple platinum, winning a Grammy, conquering the video world with her ultra-smooth dance moves – is living the dream. But is she really ready to have it all?

Labels: Ciara

Labels: Beyonce

Beyonce Knowles said she enjoyed working with Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and director Bill Condon on her new movie "Dreamgirls," and that she looks forward to more movie roles.

"I got to work with the best actors. They are so polished and so supportive. Usually, when you have Oscar-winning actors, sometimes they are not so supportive. But I could just watch and learn," she said in an interview published in the December issue of Prestige Hong Kong magazine.

Foxx won the best-actor Oscar for his performance in "Ray," and Condon won an Oscar for adapting the screenplay of "Gods and Monsters."

"It was a great vibe," Knowles said. "Everyone was just happy to be involved in the movie."

Knowles, whose movie credits also include "The Pink Panther" and "Austin Powers in Goldmember," said she looks forward to acting more.

"It's exciting to do something new and put myself out of my comfort zone. I hope there will be more roles, and deeper roles, and this one will help prepare me for the future," she said.

"Dreamgirls," adapted from a Broadway musical, features Foxx as a car salesman who worms his way into the Detroit music scene and becomes an impresario, orchestrating the crossover of black music to white mainstream culture.

Eddie Murphy co-stars as a flashy R&B singer. Knowles, "American Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose play the Dreamettes, who start out as Murphy's backup singers but become a sensation on their own under Foxx's character's management.

Knowles said one similarity between her real life and her character is that when she was part of the singing group Destiny's Child, like the Dreamettes, the trio once lost at a talent show.

"Dreamgirls" is due to be released in the U.S. on Dec. 25.

Labels: Beyonce, Dreamgirls

It's that time of the year!

Enjoy the sounds of Christmas with John Legend!

O Holy Night


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What A Wonderful World


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Winter Wonderland


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Let It Snow


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Labels: John Legend

Ciara covers the December/January issue of GIANT Magazine...

From SOHH:

Ciara is packaging her sophomore CD, Ciara: The Evolution, with a limited edition instructional dance DVD.

The bonus disc will feature Ciara teaching the dance routines for her videos "Get Up" and "Promise." "Promise," the first single from The Evolution, was written by Ciara and produced by Polow Da Don (Fergie's "London Bridge").

In related news, Ciara recently addressed her comparison to Janet Jackson. "People compare me and Janet but I don't think we are very much alike," Ciara said in the December/January issue of Giant magazine."Growing up, I was also inspired by Janet, but if you played our records back to back you'd hear the difference."

Ciara: The Evolution hits stores December 5.

Uhh...Can anyone recognize the Aaliyah comapraison? Long hair, Baggy pants, Videos heavy with dance routines...I'm saying though!

[Scans from the Giant Article]

Labels: Ciara

Recovering diva Whitney Houston returned to Los Angeles yesterday and wasn't too happy to find waiting paparazzi.

When Ms. Houston spotted photogs filming her at LAX, she immediately grabbed her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and hid her from the shutterbugs.

And TMZ is wondering; why is the dude picking her up wearing a running suit and beret? Was he just exercising in France?

Labels: Whitney Houston

Call it Diddy's pink party. The mogul celebrated the impending arrival of his twin girls with a lavish "Little Miss Diddys' Pretty in Pink" baby shower for longtime girlfriend Kim Porter in New York City on Sunday.

"This is the greatest party I've ever had," Diddy, wearing a cotton-candy-pink button-down shirt, told the crowd. "I'm so excited to have girls, but I know I'm in trouble now!"

Guests including rapper LL Cool J and socialite Denise Rich feasted on shrimp, pink cocktails, specially made pink M&Ms and Perrier Jouet champagne in pink floral bottles.

There were also gifts galore – a pink and white Ga Ga Designs chandelier from Denzel Washington, a custom-made changing table from Jay-Z and two cream-colored cribs from LL Cool J.

One thing still on Diddy and Porter's baby registry: an $88,000 R-class Mercedes Benz. It's "for the twins to ride in," Shalena Smith of Ga Ga Designs tells PEOPLE. "But I showed (Kim) a $17,000 diamond-encrusted pacifier and she laughed because she's down to earth. They are realistic people. Everything (on the registry) wasn't just the bling bling."

Diddy told the crowd how he found out Porter, with whom he has a son, Christian, 8, was expecting. "It wasn't something that was planned," he said. "Kim and I were sitting down at Nobu and she had told me she was pregnant and I was happy. And she was like, 'That's not it.'

"And I was like, 'What else could you possibly tell me?' And then she said she was having twins, and I was like, 'Get outta here!' ... Then she told me we were having two girls. My life just started changing right at that moment. God has truly blessed me to the fullest."

Porter, who is due in the middle of December, teared up when Diddy professed his love for her in front of their friends and family. "I just thank God that I have a woman and a friend who has been down with me with my faults and my flaws and my B.S. and all that stuff," he said. "She's my best friend. I love her with all my heart."

Having girls is going to bring out the rapper's softer side, said Porter, who last week wrapped a new show for MyNetworkTV called Wicked Wicked Games, with Tatum O'Neal.

"I see the way he's been acting," she told PEOPLE.com. "He said, 'I can't wait for them to fall asleep on my chest.' He's going to be very hands on. I don't think he's going to be able to say no to them."

Labels: Diddy

Labels: Robin Thicke

Common ft. Will.I.Am - I Have A Dream


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Labels: Common

More like Brit + Paris = Hot Mess but whatever!

It's both delicious and diabolical, and it's now official: Paris Hilton's new pet project is none other than ... Britney Spears.

Paris and Brit have been painting L.A. and Las Vegas all shades of red over the past couple of weeks, but according to Paris' rep, Elliott Mintz, it's more than just a passing fancy. He tells TMZ that the two are "really forming a bond" and that they're "becoming like sisters." Mintz says that the 24-year-old Spears "looks up to" the 25-year-old Paris and that she's "extremely grateful" that Paris has taken her under her wing. Britney's new post-K-Fed look -- the barely-there skirts, the cleavage-baring tops -- has been "inspired" by Paris, says Mintz. We'd be thrilled if Paris could just get Britney to spit out her gum once in a while.

Juicy-News posted an email [below] from Diddy's alleged mistress and she is a bit perturbed over her Diddy-less Thanksgiving!

This pic started floating around a few months ago when the rumors about a woman in ATL claiming to be preggers for Diddy hit the gossip blogs, the chick in question [Sara] is the third from the left, with the sheer top... [Thanks Juiicy]

Hello, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Now, it's back to work once again. I'm in this crazy situation and I really need help getting this person off my back.

I also need this word to reach a certain individual. Now, we all know that Diddy is a dirty old man, just straight out scandalous. That's not surprising.

How about 364 days of the year he is with me and when Thanksgiving comes around he wants to play daddy with Kim. O.K. Yes I know that Kim is his babies mother, but what about all the bullshit and drama I have to put up with when she is at home playing the rich (not wealthy) house wife.

It's not cool at all. Kim needs to keep her man at home during the wee hours of the night. If she can control him everyday like she controls him on Thanksgiving it will save us all some heartache and pain.

I am the woman who was rumored to be pregnant with his child a couple of months ago. I live in Atlanta and Yes I'm the one who Diddy comes to every night and if you ask me he came the night of that girl pink shower. It's more to the story I just don't need to go into details right now or put myself all the way out there, but it's a damn shame that she has to try and keep him in line when he knows better. It looks like to me she is bringing home the bread and better. Yeah she had his ass in line this go round. I just wish it could be like that every single day. "

Bebe Moore Campbell, whose many best sellers such as “Brothers and Sisters” touched on America’s ethnic and social divides, died Monday. She was 56.

Campbell died at home in Los Angeles from complications due to brain cancer, said publicist Linda Wharton Boyd. She was diagnosed with the disease in February.

“My wife was a phenomenal woman who did it her way,” husband Ellis Gordon Jr. said in a statement. “She loved her family and her career as a writer.

As a journalist, her articles appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Essence and Ebony.

Campbell, whose full name was Elizabeth Bebe Moore Campbell Gordon, was born in February 1950 in Philadelphia. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971.

Campbell is survived by her husband; a son, Ellis Gordon III; a daughter, Maia Campbell; her mother, Doris Moore; and two grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

Eminem collaborator Akon has admitted his record company have put a gagging order on him after he admitted to having three wives.

The rapper, originally from Senegal, told radio interviewer Angie Martinez he was “a polygamist” who could “afford to have as many wives as I can afford to have”.

However, the unconventional comments didn’t go down well with Universal, who have now banned him from talking about it further – which Akon claims exposes the Land of the Free’s inherent hypocrisy.

He tells AllHipHop.com, “After me and Angie had that conversation, situations started getting heated. It started affecting other people that had nothing to do with us.

“Because of that, (the label) said they don't want me to promote that aspect, and I can't talk about that too much because it's destroying other people's families and other things. I said, 'Ok, no problem.'

"I gave them the word to where I won't promote it too much, to where it won't be a topic to where it starts getting tainted into those situations. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in, people do judge you by your beliefs and how you think. It's a free country, but it's really not free."

Labels: Akon

READ THE FOUR FOUR ROUND UP


Speaking of...

Check out some promo shot from L.A. Models, presumably from before ANTM

Labels: ANTM

Check out a behind the scenes look at Dreamgirls in Giant Magazine!
[Click for a full scan]








Don't forget to catch the Premiere Nov. 29th for "Listen" by Beyonce on MTV at 3:30 pm on TRL and again at 11PM!

WATCH THE COUNTDOWN

The Oscar buzz is already in swing for Beyonce...check the Academy "For Your Consideration" Ad!

Labels: Dreamgirls

Hell hath no fury like a baby mama scorned.

Nas's ex is raking her acrylics over the rapper and his wife, Kelis, in a new tell-all book, "It's No Secret."

Carmen Bryan says he beat her, cheated on her, cut her child support, and then invited her for a threesome with the "Milkshake" singer, just before they married.

And you think your boyfriend has lousy foreplay.

Not that the self-described "hip-hop Helen of Troy" stayed home watching Oprah when her man was away. She found time to entertain Jay-Z and Allen Iverson while dating Nas.

She claims he beat her "with a closed fist" after finding out about one fling. In turn, she "pulled out my pepper spray from my back pocket and sprayed Nas down like he was some rabid pit bull," when he cheated.

Miz Bryan also claims Kelis doesn't wear deodorant, Jay-Z scrubs his butt in the shower (doesn't everyone?), and Nas once turned down a date with Beyonce because, he said, "to be honest, I can't take her breath."

Sure.

According to Nelly,"It was tempting. It almost plays on your vanity. But I like to save a little bit for the bedroom. It's something to be preserved a little bit for yourself. But that's not to say that I would never do it. As a pop star, people would love to see you naked every day."

Labels: Nelly Futado

Former American Idol star, Ruben Studdard, 28, has always been open about his weight problems -- and his success in shedding over a 100 lbs earlier this year by making extreme changes to his diet and exercise regimen. In an interview with PETA vice-president, Dan Matthews, the singer talks about the spiritual side of being a vegetarian, getting regular colonics, and how his new lifestyle is effecting his band.

Why He Became a Vegetarian:
"I actually came home, and there was a little brochure in my hometown paper -- I ain't never told nobody this -- but it was a thing about cleaning up your temple. I think it was like a Seventh Day Adventist magazine, and they were talking about 'try vegetarian.' I went online that day, and I just started reading little things from different vegetarians, and it was so much easier than I thought it would be, so I decided to try it."

His Favorite Veggie Snacks:
"My favorite dish is from PF Chang's -- the Buddha's Feast. It's hands-down my favorite dish. And the tofu lettuce wraps. McDonald's has a veggie burger now. It's not as good as Burger King. Burger King's veggie burger is off the chain."

His Colonic Guru:
"They [medical experts] talk about all the colon problems, blah blah. And I've had a hydro-colonic before, so the lady that does that for us, she eats only raw vegetables-like she won't anything but raw vegetables. And of course every time we'd go, she'd be like 'try this' and 'stop this,' but of course we weren't paying any attention -- -but now of course we do!"

How His Diet Has Changed His Bandmates:
"My band, they all complain about my rider requirements for only veggie stuff backstage, but they're learning too, like I did. There's always a better way to live if you're open to it."

Labels: Ruben Studdard

Spend $50 or more and receive this Deluxe Holiday Gift Set for only $10!

VISIT MY WEBSITE NOW!

Labels: Danity Kane

As my friend said over at A Hot Mess, Danity Kane looks all kinds of messy on the set of the Ride 4 You video shoot! LMAO @ Aubrey = Tayrn Manning in 8 Mile!

Though I am thrilled they are finally coming out with a second single!!

In other Danity Kane news...

According to Dawn, they have reached Platinum...so kudos to the chicas!

Here are some pics from the AOL Sessions videos posted a few days ago...

Labels: Danity Kane

Jennifer Holliday Says She Created Role In Dreamgirls And Doesnt Want To Be Forgotten!

Jennifer Holliday, the original Dreamgirl, who created the breakout role of Effie White twenty years ago on Broadway, says she's very disappointed at her lack of involvement in the soon-to-be-released film version of Dreamgirls.

"I'm not going to lie - I did have hopes that I would reprise the role for the screen. What I wasn't prepared for was not to even be asked to do a cameo of some sort," Holliday told INSIDE EDITION's Deborah Norville.

Holliday says the filmmakers use her voice for the hit song, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," to market the movie.

"For six months they used my voice on the trailer," Holliday told INSIDE EDITION, explaining she doesn't want people to think she's angry, but admits the resurgence of interest in the Dreamgirls story is extremely bittersweet for her.

"What the public doesn't understand is that I actually created my role. I wasn't a girl-for-hire where someone said, 'Here's the script and here's the songs - your job starts tomorrow. I actually created that role," Holliday says.

She also said, "Everything from the song "And I Am Telling You" to the end of the second act, I created. Effie was not in the second act at all. I fought for her to be there. I fought for her to come back strong. I fought for her to have more songs."

Holliday was 21-years-old and an unknown talent when Dreamgirls opened on Broadway and was an immediate hit. She went on to win a Tony Award for Best Actress (Musical) for Dreamgirls, and two Grammy Awards. Shortly thereafter, her record company dropped her, she says, because she didn't have the right look.

She told INSIDE EDITION, "I had ballooned up to 340 pounds. I had been dropped from my record company, not because of flagging sales, but because of my weight. The record company said, 'You have a great voice, but it's about image.'"

At one point, Holliday says, she was so despondent over her lack of a recording career coupled with her weight gain, that she attempted suicide.

"I took an overdose of sleeping pills and, just to show you how bad my career was, I tried to take my life, and nobody even wrote about it. It was like, 'Okay, I didn't even get in the paper.' They didn't even know who I was," she says.

Holliday says she's coming forward now because she feels more optimistic and in control for the first time in years.

"I have suffered with clinical depression so, to some people, I'm a bit of a recluse but I do still sing. It's just that I'm more comfortable with working and singing than I am just out with people," she told INSIDE EDITION.

She continues, "I was only a voice for so many years, not a person. But I do feel, for the first time, that I am a person and that I am more than a voice and somehow I do want to move forward. I've chosen life, although it's still quite difficult for me day-to-day, but I do want to live."

"I want people to know that there is hope. I want people to choose life because I lost a beautiful friend. Phyllis Hyman, who was a beautiful jazz singer, took her life in 1995. Then, in 2000, Susannah McCorkle, a great jazz singer, took her life and I also tried to take mine when I was 30 years old."

Holliday says she thinks its ironic, that the performer who has the role of Effie in the film version, Jennifer Hudson, has the same first name and the same initials as Holliday. But, she says, someone recently told her that her performance on the 1982 Tony Awards, is on a popular video website and she was thrilled.

"I'm glad about YouTube showing my Tony performance because that way the public can see that I did it first and that this is being copied."

Labels: Dreamgirls

Gossip columnist Cindy Adams caught up with the woman who originated the role of "Dreamgirls" character Deena Jones on Broadway.

Beyonce may play her in the film, opening on Dec. 25, but it was Sheryl Lee Ralph who is most identified with the role of Deena among folks of a certain age.

"The film opens Christmas Day, which makes it exactly 25 years and five days after our Michael Bennett landmark musical rang up the curtain," Ralph told Adams. "We opened Dec. 20, 1981. That night was the greatest rush of excitement you can imagine. Like your wedding, prom, 16th birthday all rolled into one. I knew then my life would never be the same.

"I played this role 1,247 performances. Six years of my life doing this show. It was the best of times, the worst of times. Best because we were the toast of the town. Worst because it was when the mystery disease AIDS began wiping out the talent on Broadway."

Adams asked if Ralph had seen the film yet. She replied: "No. Seen absolutely nothing. Haven't even been invited to a screening. Nobody ever reached out to me. I guess that's just showbiz. I always said I wanted someday to do the movie, but they told me then, 'By the time Hollywood gets it hands on this it'll be too late for you to do the role.'

Ralph's thoughts on how Beyonce will fare?

"Wonderful," she replied. “What can I say but 'wonderful.' She'll be different from me. Understand, our creative process was different. We were two years in workshops, hashing it out, creating it out of improvisations like 'A Chorus Line.' The show paid homage to the Supremes but wasn't based on it. Yes, my role paid homage to Diana Ross. In the '60s, everybody paid homage to Diana Ross.

"Of the other ladies in it, Loretta Devine and I have kept a deep friendship. She was at my wedding. I'm not in touch with Jennifer Holliday. Don't even know where she is."

Labels: Dreamgirls

Hey Jay-Z, a word of advice -- don't leave a lady like Beyoncé Knowles out in the cold.

While the Jiggaman partied it up inside Area for an American Music Awards after-party, his bootylicious babe stayed in the car like a puppy patiently waiting for its owner.

After leaving Beyoncé sitting with her driver for at least 40 minutes, Jay finally emerged from the club to join his Naughty Girl in the couple's silver Mercedes.

With Beyoncé's latest single touting the lyrics, "I can have another you in a minute," Jay-Z better start being a little more attentive before he's left out in the cold.

Labels: Beyonce, Jay Z

If you have Robin Thicke's album then you'll recognize this song called Ask Myself...Here is a version as a duet with Mary J. Blige. I think there voice's compliment each other very well!


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Labels: Mary J Blige, Robin Thicke

Ashanti in an unknown Derrick Santini photoshoot spotted @ ConcreteLoop.com. She looks very sophisticated though! Love the first shot!

Labels: Ashanti

Labels: Danity Kane

Labels: Beyonce, Dreamgirls

Labels: Tyrese

The Hollywood stars seem to be aligned for Jennifer Hudson. Access Hollywood has confirmed that the former "American Idol" contestant signed a record deal with Clive Davis' J Records. Jennifer revealed her plans to Access this past Saturday at the "A Fine Romance" event in Hollywood.

"My album, I'll be recording my album! I just signed my record deal 2 weeks ago. So I'm starting on that in January."

At J Records, Ms. Hudson joins such music giants as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Barry Manilow, but Jennifer will also feel right at home with her former "Idol"-mates as the J/Arista label houses many of her "Idol" counterparts like Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks.

The J Records label is part of the Sony BMG music conglomerate.

Oprah Winfrey profiled the cast of "Dreamgirls," including Hudson, on her Monday, November 20th, 2006 show.

In her show, she included the following bite from "Idol" judge Simon Cowell:

"We have our history together, don't we, Jennifer?" Simon told Jennifer via Oprah. "Now I feel my criticism has probably had a significant part in your career, because the buzz on you is huge. I heard your [version] of 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' today, and I would like to be the first to eat a massive dose of humble pie. Because there are good performances and occasionally there are extraordinary performances. That was extraordinary, Jennifer, and I feel very proud for you. I feel we had a very small part in what's happened in your life, and please thank me when you get your Oscar®."

Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and the cast of Dreamgirls will be on Oprah today! Last week she showed a behind the scenes look at the show and preparation which Oprah, after watching a private screening at her studio [gotta love this woman], called Jennifer Hudson personally to tell her what a wonderful job she'd done! So with Oprah blessing, I know Jennifer should be very confident at this point!






Beyoncé performs the song Listen.

"This is the moment where Deena finally finds her voice," she explains. "The whole movie she's been manipulated and she's kind of lost her own opinions. I think a lot of women can relate to the lyrics."

Listen to the album version of "Listen"


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Anika Noni Rose

"The shoes were absolutely killing me," she says. "I'm 5'2". Miss Jennifer is 5'9." Beyoncé is 5'6." So in order for me to be seen in the picture with the two of them … I had on some heels that were at least 4 inches, and in the finale, 5 inches. I was ready to cut my feet off and give them away!"

Eddie Murphy

In Dreamgirls, Eddie Murphy plays James "Thunder" Early, a character who's part James Brown, part Little Richard, and all Eddie Murphy. As a fan of the musical, he was excited to be cast in the film. "I'm much older than the rest of the cast," he says. "I saw the original play on Broadway 25 years ago and I loved [it]. I was blown away when they asked me to be in it."

Like the rest of the cast, Eddie does all his own singing in the film, but even he admits that the pop albums he put out in the '80s weren't a good example of what he could do. "I don't know if 'Party All the Time' gave you any [idea] of what was coming—that this was coming 20 years later," he jokes.

Jennifer Hudson

Former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson beat out 782 other hopefuls to make her film debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls—and according to Oprah, it isn't just a breakthrough, she crashes through the wall! "I think it's a religious experience listening to her sing," Oprah says. "She makes the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up."

Jennifer says that all the attention she's receiving feels like a blessing. "It's God's favor," she says. After auditioning three times in six months, Jennifer felt the decision was in the hands of a higher power. "I ended up on the church steps across the street from my house and I said, 'Lord, here I am. If it's meant for me, it's for me. Whatever your will is, that's what's best for me, and that's what I want,'" she says. "Two weeks later, they called me saying, 'Congratulations, Jennifer Hudson, you're Effie White.'"

Labels: Dreamgirls

According to TMZ, Richards, who played the wacky Cosmo Kramer on the hit TV show "Seinfeld," appeared onstage at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood. It appears two guys, both African-American, were in the cheap seats playfully heckling Richards when suddenly, the comedian lost it.

The camera started rolling just as Richards began his attack, screaming at one of the men, "Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a f***ing fork up your ass."

Richards continued, "You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now motherf**ker. Throw his ass out. He's a nigger! He's a nigger! He's a nigger! A nigger, look, there's a nigger!"

The crowd is visibly and audibly confused and upset. Richards responds by saying, "They're going to arrest me for calling a black man a nigger."One of the men who was the object of Richard's tirade was outraged, shouting back "That''s un-f***ing called for, ain't necessary."

After the three minute tirade, it appears the majority of the audience members got up and left in disgust.

With OutKast's Idlewild movie coming out on DVD next month and André 3000 working on his new cartoon series, Big Boi is setting his sights on a solo album. It is due sometime in 2007, but Big has already promised diversity, including "something from every genre, every funk, beat, loop, horn, whistle." "I got maybe 35 beats already done for it now, so I'm just diving in and trying to carve out the pie with the vocals," he told MTV.com.

The CD will be along the same lines as Speakerboxxx, Big Boi's half of Outkast's 2003 album, and his counterpart André 3000 will contribute some production to the record. It should be out sometime next year, unless "they keep pulling me back and forth with these movies," Big Boi said. He is currently shooting the flick Who's Your Caddy? with Cedric the Entertainer, Faizon Love, Andy Milonakis and Finesse Mitchell.

"It's about a music mogul who tries to play golf in this exclusive golf community," he told MTV about the movie. "I go inside this country club and buy this huge house, and the 17th hole just happens to be on my property, so they got to let me in. There's a lot of antics with them trying to get me [kicked] out and things like that. It's seriously funny."

In addition to these projects, Big Boi also runs his own Purple Ribbon imprint and he's featured on Unk's "Walk It Out" remix as well as Fantasia's new single, "Hood Boy."

Labels: Omarion

"Peace and Blessing" Jay Z ends the show leaving the same way he entered, through the crowd...

Labels: Jay Z

The Soundtrack to Dreamgirls hits stores December 5th!

Amazon.com has the 2-disc Deluxe Set

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO "ONE NIGHT ONLY!"

Labels: Dreamgirls

Britney Spears has turned to ex-lover Justin Timberlake to cope with the breakdown of her second marriage.

It has been claimed that Britney was making tearful phone calls to Justin even before she filed for divorce from Kevin Federline last week.

A source told Britain's Grazia magazine: "Justin said Britney has called him crying a number of times about her relationship with Kevin. She has gone through an excruciating time. It's very sad. She doesn't want anybody to feel sorry for her or see her as a victim. She has been trying for months to make it work for the sake of her children."

One of the tracks on Justin's new album 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' appears to be a warning to an ex-girlfriend, strongly believed to be Britney, about staying with an unfaithful partner.

The lyrics to 'What Goes Around...Comes Around' read: "You spend your nights alone/ And he never comes home/ And every time you call him/ All you get is a busy tone/ I heard you found out/ That he's doing to you/ What you did to me."

Britney filed for divorce last week after allegedly catching Kevin with another woman in a New York hotel.

Check Timbaland's joint "Give It To Me" featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake.


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Word is Justin's verse is a diss aimed at Janet Jackson...

And I Quote:

I saw you tryin' to act cute on TV/ "Just let me clear the air"/
We missed you on the charts last week/ Damn, that's right, you wasn't there./

All together now...OOHHHHH!!!! LOL...But really though, it could be a pot shot at Janet, I don't know! What do you think???

Labels: Justin Timberlake

Labels: Fantasia

Labels: Snoop

Mary J. Blige's new album cover for "Reflections- A Retrsopective"

I love the white! Perfect for the winter release!

Check the new single "We Ride"


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Janet who?? Absolutely F-A-B!





Loves it!

Labels: Mary J Blige

Labels: Mya

Labels: Monica

Labels: Diddy

Labels: Real World

Labels: Jay Z

Will Smith covers the December issue of Premiere Magazine.

Will is out promoting his new feature film, The Pursuit of Happyness, which co-stars his youngest son Jaden.

Click to enlarge and read the full article

Labels: Will Smith

Reclusive pop superstar Michael Jackson made a musical comeback of sorts on Wednesday, singing the chorus line of his charity single “We Are The World” before the sound cut out as he struggled for the high notes.

The 48-year-old, performing live for the first time since he was acquitted of child molestation charges in June, 2005, had been expected to sing his seminal hit “Thriller”.

But to the huge disappointment of screaming fans, that was performed instead by young U.S. star Chris Brown.

Jackson looked uncomfortable at times as he was surrounded by excited young members of a gospel chorus on stage with him.

That did not stop supporters desperate to see their idol cheer his every move, especially when threw his black sequin jacket into the crowd.

Chris Brown and Beyonce Pics Spotted @ Juicy News

Introducing Jackson, Beyonce said: “Tonight we are celebrating 25 years of ’Thriller’,” referring to his seminal album. “If it wasn’t for Michael Jackson I would never have ever performed. I love you, we all love you.”

“Guys like me because I’m funny and have a big ass”, she says. “I’ve always been popular and always had a man”

“Stars gravitate towards each other,” she says, “and I’m way too dynamic to be with someone who isn’t a star”

“Yeah, it sucks to see your ex-boyfriend in love with someone else,” She says. “But let’s be real: our life was about him. And now my life is about me again”

Bow Wow has hopped on the grown man band wagon!

Labels: Bow Wow

Amerie, a constant on the Fab Chic list of ladies, looks great...Less is more and this simplistic look is a hit!

Labels: Amerie

EVA Pigford has given the ax to the people who put her on the map. The curvy winner of the third season of "America's Next Top Model" has booted her co-managers Tyra Banks and Benny Medina and hired a new management team headed by Jerome Martin. She's also making her last name sound like less of a barnyard animal and will officially announce Friday that she's changing it to Marcille, her middle name. "She's looking for a fresh start," an insider said.

Labels: Eva Pigford

Labels: Jay Z

Labels: Gwen Stefani

Jay Z and Beyonce celebrated the one year anniversary of Jay's 40/40 Club in Atlantic City...



Bey looked F-A-B as ususal, love the dress and color!



Fun times! Show me whatcha got...Getcha hands up!



Jay showed off the new drink of choice, Ace of Spades...

Labels: Beyonce, Jay Z

Labels: John Legend

R&B singer Gerald Levert died today (Nov. 10), after suffering a fatal heart attack. Levert, also known as “G-Bear” to his fans, is featured on Styles P upcoming album Time Is Money.

He was 40-years-old. The R&B singer was working on a reality show that featured him losing weight along with 12 of his female fans, who lived and trained with Levert for 30 days.

Gerald Levert comes from a legendary musical family. His father Eddie Levert is the lead singer of the O’Jays.

Levert scored pop success as a member of the R&B group Levert and as a member of LSG (Levert, Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill).

He later hit big with singles like “Casanova,” “Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop (Goes My Mind)”, “Mr. Too Damn Good to You” and others.

The first ever CoverCouple! Diddy and Kim Porter get cozy for the December cover of Essence Magazine...How cute! But I don't like the mustache on him...

His infidelity, the twin baby girls, and past drama with J.Lo! Can't wait to read this article...

Labels: Diddy

Snoop shot the video for his single, That's That Ish ft. R. Kelly. The video premieres tomorrow night on MTV at 11p EST.







Looks like ANTM's Monique didn't waste anytime jumping in the video game! See her ass in the back!

Labels: Snoop

• She went to Alabama State University as an English Education major but left after her second year when she became pregnant.


• She toured with the stage play All Men Can't be Dogs after being asked to join the cast, Theater was her minor at ASU.

• When asked about her "assets" she says:

  It runs in my family. I've had my behind for a while. Even when I was middle school I was skinny with a behind. I never thought it to be something outstanding because I've always had it.

• The nude pics are from a "pictorial" session from a few years ago and says she is definitely not a model.


• If she did a video, it would have to be an R&B video, she not trying to be in a Rap video though.


• She has no plans to move closer to Flav, she is going to "let everything play out and see how things go just like any other relationship."

Labels: Flavor of Love

Britney Spears filed for divorced Tuesday from Kevin Federline, officials said. The Los Angeles County Superior Court filing cites "irreconcilable differences," said court spokeswoman Kathy Roberts.

Spears, 24, married rapper Kevin Federline, 28, in 2004. They have a 1-year-old son, Sean Preston, and an infant son who was born Sept. 12. The couple have not confirmed the infant's name, which is reportedly Jayden James.

Spears gives the date of separation as yesterday, the same day she showed off her post-pregnancy body during a surprise appearance on “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Labels: Britney Spears

Check out Ashanti over Nelly's shoulder! She looks like she is gonna cut this cheesin' white girl! LOL...

Nelly recently celebrated his birthday with a surprise party at the brand new club Mandarin Lounge in in St. Louis.

Murphy Lee was there too!

Spotted @ YBF

Labels: Nelly

Labels: Beyonce

Labels: ANTM

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the arrest occurred at 3 p.m. in Terminal 5. Williams, a popular comedian who recently starred in his own HBO stand-up comedy special, was stopped at the security checkpoint. Security officers found a concealed weapon in his carry-on luggage.

The LAPD was called and Williams, who is also a popular rapper, was arrested. Cops determined the concealed weapon was stolen. They also found three additional weapons in luggage that Williams had already checked in.

Williams, who is scheduled to host BET's first ever Hip-Hop Awards later this month, was booked on felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon and several other offenses.

"First and foremost, I find playing a seperation out in the public arena not only immature, but quite frankly in poor taste, BUT I feel I have to stand up for myself at this point. Airing dirty laundry is not a hard task, it doesn't take any skill on putting your ex's personal business or faults out in the public. It doesnt take a lot of skill to LIE to make others look bad. I do not conveniently and for my best interest edit and leave huge parts of the stories out. I have since tried to take the high road and turn the other cheek even when my soon to be ex was verbally bashing me on the Internet, in the media and flaunting his spiteful and vindictive relationships in my face. I am NOT the one running around the world with the town drug obsessed clown who is the epitome of everything I claim I am NOT! I have been forced to defend myself, my character and my morals and values all the while still not putting my ex on blast. Travis has made our marriage and all that we stood for a joke at this point with his actions and creative story telling and I will find it very hard to ever forgive him. I have no problems going to Vegas and celebrating a day that wasn't the end of my life, but the beginning, beside being mentally and verbally abused in my marriage, I sat home alone ignored and disrespected and I still wasn't the one who left because I took my vows seriously and they actually meant something to me! This is not a new concept, infact this has nothing to do with me having a party in Vegas at all and my ex knows that. I will not after this day spend another ounce of energy defending myself to a camp of people whose motives are to LIE and knock others down when they find happiness. At the end of the day, I have had many accomplishments BEFORE my marriage and I'll have many more after, I moved to california to become an actress when I was 19! I've worked hard, I feel blessed to have the opportunities that I have and I don't feel an ounce of guilt for taking them. I'm sorry that my ex feels I am beneath him as a person, as a woman and that I am not worthy of him and his band of flunkys, I guess i will have to live with that."

"SOMEBODY SENT A MESSAGE AND A FLYER WAS ATTATCHED(I POSTED IT BELOW). SHANNA IS HAVING A DIVORCE PARTY FOR HERSELF IN CELEBRATION OF OUR FAILED MARRIAGE APPARENTLY..... THIS IS THE SAME WIFE THAT EMAILED ME TO TELL ME SHE WOULD BE SLEEPING WITH HER NEW BOYFRIEND IN MY BED THE DAY OF OUR ANNIVERSARY 2 DAYS AGO SO THIS DOESN'T COME AS A SHOCK. AND THE SAME PERSON WHO IS MAKING "I LOVE SHANNA" SHIRTS FOR PEOPLE TO BUY, IN SUPPORT OF ALL THIS AND PLAYING THE VICTIM, IT SADDENS ME PEOPLE AND EVEN BRINGS ON THE URGE TO PUKE, HOPE IT DOES YOU AS WELL. IM GONNA SAY A LONG PRAYER FOR HER, SHE NEEDS IT. THERE ISN'T A PART OF SHANNA AND I AND THE FACT OUR MARRIAGE FAILED THAT I COULD BE CELEBRATING OR HAPPY ABOUT EVEN AFTER ALL OF THIS TIME IT WAS OUR FAMILY...IT WAS ALL WE HAD......I MEAN A PARTY??? WHAT DOESN'T KILL ME MAKES ME STRONGER smile GOODNIGHT AND MAY THE FORCE BE WITH U....STAR WARS IS ON AND THIS IS NOW IN THE PAST. HOPE SHANNA'S PARTY IS EVERYTHING SHE COULD HOPE 4."

"Paris and I have tongue kissed before.

"It's not unusual for me to say hello to Paris and kiss her, but it's not like we are a couple or anything. When we see each other, we say hello. That's it."

"The public eye has always been kind to me, and until recently I have been able to live a pretty normal life. Now it seems there is speculation and interest in my private life and relationships.

"So, rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love."

Labels: Snoop

Labels: Gwen Stefani

Beauty and the Beat caught up with Ciara and she gave the scoop on everything going on with her new album, Ciara: The Evolution, her style [Termed "Tomboy Chic"], and addresses the perception of her singing ability.

CHECK THE INTERVIEW

Labels: Ciara

The official album cover

Lil Bow Wow is back with another album, trying to get his grown man on...The Price of Fame hits shelves December 19th, just 2 weeks after ex-shorty Ciara's...

He says this one will be all about his experiences, something like a diary, with one song billed as an open letter to a past girl...hmm, who could that be? LOL

Labels: Bow Wow