The Daily Roundup for Sept 9

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WELL IT HELPED ITSELF TO 100,000,000.00

'The Help' Crosses $100 Million Mark. Tate Taylor's The Help has crossed the $100 million mark in box office grosses in less than three weeks in release in a notable victory for DreamWorks and Participant Media.
The HelpThe Disney-distributed movie hit the milestone Tuesday night, and has now earned $100.8 million domestically.
Based on Kathryn Stockett's novel about Southern white women and their black maids, The Help has stayed at No. 1 the past two weekends; the film opened Aug. 10.

“We never imagined this film, which began its journey inspired by the enthusiasm of a small group of Mississippi friends, would ever even get made. Now to have it seen and embraced by so many people is just beyond our wildest dreams," Taylor said in a statement.

The film -- which is drawing early awards attention for its performances -- stars Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney and Sissy Spacek. Ahna O'Reilly, Cicely Tyson, Aunjanue Ellis and Mary Steenburgen also star.

The Help was produced by Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan.

SHE’S ROLLING IN THE DEEP: Adele covers Vogue UK, says her weight “has just never been an issue”

Adele is the cover girl for the October issue of Vogue UK. Aren’t these shots pretty? She is just so beautiful, but I’m getting slightly tired of the way magazines treat Adele’s pictorials. They’re always covering her up in the photo shoots, and then they just put a head shot on the cover. I mean, her face is gorgeous and she’s very photogenic, but I feel like magazine editors don’t want to show Adele’s figure on the cover because she isn’t a size zero.

The editor of Vogue UK, Alexandra Shulman, says in her editor’s letter: “Our cover girl, Adele, has won over the world with her heartbreaking voice and her ability to seem as if she very much herself… One of the interesting facts of celebrity is that we, the admirers, usually find some particular aspect of our favourite stars to focus on and that generally become ‘the point of them’. We like them to be a certain way, and often take a long time to accept any change. So Adele’s very normality, her down-to-earth determination not to compromise herself, has become as much a part of her USP as, for example, Madonna’s constant, deliberate reinvention.” The Mail has some excerpts from Adele’s interview:
While many young singers are obsessed with staying slim there is one star that makes no apology for her fuller figure. And in a revealing interview singing sensation Adele says she is happy just the way she is and her voluptuous shape has never been an issue.
Speaking to Vogue the 23-year-old who also posed for a series of stunning portraits said: ‘I enjoy being me; I always have done. I’ve seen people where it rules their lives, you know, who want to be thinner or have bigger boobs, and how it wears them down. And I just don’t want that in my life.’

And it seems the people she surrounds herself with ensure she maintains a positive self-image.
She explained: ‘It’s just never been an issue – at least, I’ve never hung out with the sort of horrible people who make it an issue. I have insecurities of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.’

Adele, who was forced to cancel the first two dates of her U.K. tour yesterday because of a severe cold and chest infection, has also revealed why you won’t see her as the face of a brand anytime soon, no matter how high the offer is.
She told the magazine: ‘I don’t want to see me plastered everywhere,’ before adding, ‘If they offered me £10million, I’d be like f*** off. Besides if I was going to be the face of anything it should be the face of full-fat coke.’
Adele’s star just keeps on rising her second album 21 has sold over 3.5million copies and broke the solo female artist record for staying at number one for eleven weeks. But while she is currently in higher demand than ever the singer has been forced to cancel the first two dates of her U.K. tour because of ill health.
In a blog post to her website she explained: ‘im as useless as a slug right now, ive had a rotten cold,’ before adding: ‘id rather not do a show, then not do a good one for you. (sic)’

[From The Mail]

See, I never know with English people - is Adele being typically English and self-effacing, or is she just bringing up her weight because it’s better to be the first person to make a joke about it, because she’s so used to being criticized? I want to believe her, I want to think that she surrounds herself with cool people who think she’s beautiful (she is), but I worry about her. I don’t get her answer to the question about modeling and endorsing brands - unless she’s worried that she’ll bring a lot of criticism on herself about her body.

NoBody Will Miss Meeka Claxton

*“Basketball Wives” is a whole enclave of drama and then some for both viewers and the cast.

Executive producer Shaunie O’Neal recently revealed that she’s beginning to question Meeka Claxton (pictured)although many have already signed her off as a troublemaker. She said it wasn’t until the cast trip that she began to notice what everyone else has.
“The most time I spent with her was in Rome and that’s when I figured out that she was a little sketchy. Before that, there were a few question marks, like ‘Why did you just say that?’ or ‘Why are you talking about that person?’ but I still gave her the benefit of the doubt,” Shaunie told VH1, “but when we got to Rome and things started catching up to her and she was mixing up what people said, it was like, this friendship is not gonna work. “I just didn’t find her to be an honest person at all and I think her intentions-I don’t know exactly what they were,” Shaunie continued.

But there is a glimmer of positivity reveling in the corners of Meeka’s dark soul. Shaunie confirmed the reality star was telling the truth about her friend.
“We have a mutual friend outside the show who let me know that she wanted to come on and be this star and shine, but the way she chose to do it, not so much,” said Shaunie who doesn’t seem upset at all that Meeka won’t be returning to the show for season 4. “All of us could probably take a vote right now and never want to see Meeka again and that’d be just fine. After Rome, none of the girls would film with her,” Shaunie confirmed.

Others on the show aren’t sobbing for the loss. Evelyn Lozada blames the girl for her own misfortune, stating it was Meeka’s rapacious lust to fit in and be on television.
“Meeka just came on as a fan of the show. She sent her picture in. She really wanted to be on the show. The producers didn’t search for her. She tried so hard to fit in instead of just being herself, and that’s where things backfired,” Evelyn said.

OH WELLS!

Dorinda Clark Cole’s ‘I Survived’ Is One Of Her Best To Date

The incomparable Dorinda Clark Cole has returned to the marketplace with her fourth solo album, I Survived (Light Records). Dorinda’s powerhouse vocals meet expert production (Asaph Ward and Warryn Campbell) and skillful songwriting, to make I Survived a winner.
The album opens with the high-energy praise & worship “Holy One.” The band hits are absolutely infectious, punctuated by Dorinda scatting and soaring like only she can. The momentum continues with excellent production and performance on “God Will Take Care of You,” which showcases Dorinda’s unique ability to drive a song.

The next cut, “He Brought Me” is (in my opinion) THE standout of this album. It’s the type of song that Dorinda does, and does well. It’s where she shines brightest, and her performance on it is evidence of that. It also appears to be poised as her next single– good choice!
Other great tunes on the project include ”We Believe” and “For My Good,” as well as ”Welcome,” which serves as a nice departure from the high energy and excitement of much of the other tracks on the album. It’s a sweet and simple congregation-ready invitation for God to be among His people.
No solo album from one of gospel’s famed Clark Sisters would be complete without at least one track featuring one or more of her siblings. And I Survived comes through on “Thank You,” written by (and featuring) Twinkie Clark. It sounds a bit more “Twinkie” than “Dorinda,” but I don’t think most Clark Sisters fans will mind.

If I had any contention about the project, it would be that its last two tracks– “This Is Why” and “Don’t Give Up”– don’t seem to be the strongest songs. They’re a bit less high-energy than the other tunes (they’re studio tracks amidst a bunch of live/”live”-styled ones), so I Survived doesn’t have the strongest finish. I might have placed the hand-clappin’, foot-stompin’ “For My Good” here instead. Regardless, Dorinda’s vocal performance on each is undeniable, so they’re worth a listen for that reason alone.
All in all, I’m more than pleased with this project. Again, it’s one of my faves to date because of how well it showcases Dorinda Clark Cole at her best, in her element. It’s worth adding to your collection, and I’ll probably bump it up to high “Dorinda rotation,” just under her debut album.

Did Ciara Come for 50 Cent?

Over the weekend Ciara re-tweeted her followers a reminder from La La to watch La La's show 'La La's Full Court Life' on VH1. In the Tweet La La mentions that Ciara's former lover rapper 50 Cent will make an appearance on her show that night.
Now correct me if I'm wrong but I'm almost certain that what Ciara Tweeted next constitutes as shade...

Tweets are read from the bottom up!

OH MAMA BELLY BUMPIN’ BEYONCE SHOWS IT OFF!

Somebody's enjoying baring her baby bulge! Beyonce was spotted on the beaches of Croatia over the Holiday as she and her throne happy husband Jay-Z yachted around Europe to celebrate her 30th birthday. Gwyneth, Solange, and plenty others came along too. But that main attraction isn't even here yet.

The power couple and friends have been yachting around Europe all weekend. And yesterday was no different as they rolled into Croatia. Bey rocked her ruffled white bikini and belly chain to show off her baby bump:

Cute!

Chick is looking all kinds of happy these days.

Can we blame her?

And can you blame him for wanting to buy her a gift?

LOL!!

Teyana Taylor Charged In Fight With ‘Gang Of Roses 2′ Director

In case you weren't aware (hell, I wasn’t either), Teyana Taylor's shooting a new movie (pictured here on set) called Gang of Roses 2 co-starring Amber Rose, her man Wiz Khalifa, and a few other folks. And while the movie itself will likely be straight-to-DVD, the drama on the set is surely getting all types of coverage.

The director of the western “Gang Of Roses 2″ has decided to files charges against Teyana Taylor after the two had an altercation on the set last week (see here) has decided to press charges against the actress. Director Jean Claude La Marre said,
“Teyana Taylor has a history of violence and after discussing it with my family, I decided to file the charges. We have statements from over twenty crew members who witnessed her charge and violently attacked me. I was going to leave it all alone because at the end of the day she’s only 20 years old, but the truth is this young lady has a real anger problem that needs to be dealt with. I had no choice but to file charges.”

Teyana's people say they are considering legal action. La Marre says the only reason he didn't file charges is because "she's 20 years old and I'm 40 ... kids lash out."

Now, the director has supposeldy added in a twist to the movie and killed off Teyana's character. T has filed a restraining order.
Need picture proof?

What in the you-can't-take-the-hood-out-a-person ish is this??? Now, real talk, I've had a similar toothache situation and it aint your normal pain. The ish WOULD make you haul off and whoop somebody's ass if they're preventing you from making it better. But still.

What's REALLY hood?

This story is getting crazy. They both have two different stories. Which side do you believe?

The Game Kicked Out Of Restaurant Because He Is Black

After visiting Hillstone’s in Santa Monica, The Game was refused service and he says its because he’s black! The Game went into the restaurant rockin a white wifebeater and the manager refused to seat him. The manager told him that he was in violation of the dress as he didn’t have any sleeves. According to The Game’s crew, there were two white guys in the restaurant with sleeveless shirts on. The Game called out the restaurant, formerly known as Houston’s, in a recent slew of tweets saying:

A representative for the restaurant said the Game pointed out a sleeveless woman at the bar, not two men and that the sleeves are not required for women at the restaurant. The rep also said that The Game is welcome back anytime…as only as he has sleeves!

What do you think? Racist or overblown?

OH LORD! A CRANE TOPPLES OVER AT THE WASHINGTON CATHEDRAL!

Buildings and cars damaged in Washington as crane topples over at earthquake-ravaged National 

A 500-foot crane collapsed Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral amid heavy thunderstorms, damaging two buildings and several vehicles.

No serious injuries were reported.

Officials are still investigating what caused the crane to tip over.

A spokesman for the D.C. fire department, Oscar Mendez, said the crane flipped backward about 11am Wednesday.

He said the crane damaged three to five cars and cathedral buildings.

Richard Weinberg, a spokesman for the cathedral, said that the crane damaged Herb Cottage, which houses the cathedral's gift shop, and Church House, which houses members of the diocese. 

All 20 people inside the buildings when the crane collapsed were not hurt, and the cathedral itself was not damaged, Weinberg said.

The cathedral is set to host memorial events for 9/11 starting Friday and continuing this weekend. 

No decision had been made yet as to whether the events would go on as planned, according to Mr Weinberg.

He said the crane was at the cathedral to work on repairs needed because of damage caused by the East Coast earthquake on Aug. 23. 

The quake damaged the cathedral's limestone exterior towers and some interior areas.

Fire officials say the incident could have been a lot worse.

'If it had gone any other direction it would have hit another building, which would have been bad,' fire Battalion Chief John Donnelly said.

OH MISS MADGE: Madonna accused of ridiculing Lady Gaga's 'obsession' with her

Madonna's press duties at the Venice Film Festival this week are making plenty of headlines - but for all the wrong reasons.
Just hours after the cringe-worthy video of the 53-year-old mocking a fan's floral gift with her microphone switched on was leaked online, it has been claimed that Madonna gave a less-than-friendly sound bite about her one-time pal Lady Gaga.
Belgian magazine Le Soir reports that they asked the Material Girl a question about how she feels about her adoring fans, including Lady Gaga.
According the magazine, the singer-turned-director replied: 'As for Lady Gaga, I have no comment on her obsessions related to me, because I do not know if it is based on something profound or superficial.'
More...'I absolutely loathe hydrangeas': Madonna is not impressed with floral gift from fan

Madonna's spokesperson Liz Rosenberg has denied the quote, saying: 'This is not true. Madonna did not say anything negative about Lady Gaga during her press conference,' - but not before the second round of negative press for the star today went global.
Lady Gaga is outspoken on her admiration for Madonna, but the two singers have shared a chequered history.
Two years ago, Madonna appeared to give Gaga her seal of approval when they appeared in a skit together on Saturday Night Live sending up the supposed rivalry between them.
At the time, Gaga said: 'We’re both Italian-American women, we both started out in the New York underground scene - and we both became famous when we dyed our hair blonde.
'I think what Madonna and I share is that we’re both fearless, we both have a lot of nerve.'
But the relationship soured in February this year when Gaga released her single Born This Way.
Fans and critics immediately pointed out the glaring similarities between her song and Madonna's 1989 hit Express Yourself - and they weren't the only ones who noticed.
Not long after the single's release, a video of Madonna performing Express Yourself at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards was posted on Madonna's official YouTube page.
Gaga furiously denied she had copied her idol's work, telling NME magazine during an interview: 'I am not stupid enough to put out a record and be that moronic.

'I’m a songwriter. I’ve written loads of music. Why would I try to put out a song and think I’m getting one over on everybody?
She added: 'If you put the songs next to each other, side by side, the only similarities are the chord progression. It’s the same one that’s been in disco music for the last 50 years.'
During a subsequent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the 25-year-old appeared keen to smooth things over, telling the host she had been in touch with Madonna.

'I got an e-mail from her people and her, sending me their love and complete support on behalf of the single and if the queen says it shall be, then it shall be,' she said.
But Madonna's rep denied the olive branch had been offered, telling the Hollywood Reporter at the time that they were unaware of any email.

Madonna's ungracious behaviour was made public when she complained about a gift of hydrangeas a fan gave to her - not knowing her microphone was switched on.
After smiling and thanking the fan, Madonna rolled her eyes and told her assistant, ‘I absolutely loathe hydrangeas. He obviously doesn’t know that.’

Rick Ross, Maybach Music Group Cover XXL October Issue

It looks like Ricky Rozay and his MMG boys are taking the cover of XXL next month.
Rick Ross, who's had an tremendous 2011 with landing a land deal with Warner Bros., adding Meek Mill, Pill and Wale to his roster, releasing their album Self Made Vol. 1 and gearing up for his new album God Forgives, I Don't, talk about taking over Hip-Hop and becoming king of the rap game.
"I'm enjoying my last few moments at No. 2,” says Ross.

“It's like I'm watching the No. 1 man on stage, my legs crossed, I'm smoking big, hollering at the bitches in the crowd. And this album gonna do it. I got the formula."XXL also spoke with MMG's newest members about signing with Ross' imprint:

“I think it's a plus that everybody got their own fan base, they got their own thing rocking in their own city, and they got their own representation of what they stand for,” Pill says.
“So when everyone comes together, that's all the fan bases combined.
"It's a blessing to be able to rock with a bunch of different guys that are passionate about the craft and that know where they going and actually can foresee the future, when it comes to their music.
"I think that gives us a stronghold and a bit of longevity. And kind of an advantage also.”The October issue, which hits newstands on September 20th, also features J. Cole, Game and Odd Future.

Nicki Minaj Gets Cute for Glamour

The forever animated rapper, Nicki Minaj, recently did a spread for the October issue of Glamour Magazine. During the interview, Nicki suggests that she’s way more toned down than you think!

In my down time, I’m the most low-key person in the world. We all have insecurities, but you have to know you’re beautiful. I’m comfortable in my skin and I don’t feel the need to change for anyone.

What do you guys think of the shots?

Union Workers Protest Against Jay-Z And His 40/40 Club

Jay-Z may be on vacay right now with his pregnant wife Beyonce over in Venice, Italy but there is all types of hell being raised here in the U.S. while he’s gone. As of now Jay-Z’s 40/40 club is being remodeled and a local union is pissed because Jigga is using non-union workers to do the remodeling. To show just how upset they are, they have put up giant inflatable rats outside of the club. Why rat inflatables? A spokesperson for the group said:

“A rat is a contractor that does not pay all of its employees the area standard wages, including either providing or making payments for family health care and pension benefits. Shame on the 40/40 CLUB & Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z for contributing to the erosion of area standards for New York City carpenters.”

Well how about that for the definition of a rat? The angry union didn’t just stop at the giant inflatable rats though. They have even resulted to using racial slurs against the workers who are doing the remodeling. Perhaps they think that using racial slurs will intimidate the workers or upset the public.
Either way, a rep for the 40/40 club has come forth to speak about the situation. They say that they are not required to hire union workers because the club is located in a non-union building. The rep also said that the workers using racial slurs is a “poor tactic”. All in all, it’s not a good look for Jay-Z. I’m interested in seeing what he has to say about all of this.

What do you think about this situation? Do you think the union workers are going to far or do you think they are right for taking the actions that they have? Do you think this makes Jay-Z look like a sleazy business man?

Don’t come for Chris Brown via Twitter

Chris Brown Always Falls For the Banana in the Tail Pipe Last night a few Hollywood types were making jokes on Twitter at Chris Brown's expense.

Producer #1 Tweets that 'taking relationship advice from a single person is like taking not-beating-the-shit-out-of-women advice from Chris Brown'. Producer #2 chimes in and laughs. A Fox News correspondent joins in on the fun, and well, you know Chris...

Well sometimes, when ppl come at you crazy, u gotta grab ya nuts and go for yours (even if it means going down in a blaze of glory)….LMAO!

OMG Sheer Terror Man kills five people and unborn baby in murder spree before shooting himself after being 'rejected from military service'

Shayne Riggleman, 22, murdered five people, including pregnant woman
Also ran over elderly woman and shot seventh victim before killing himself
Facebook post by Riggleman said military rejection made him upset

Five people have been killed after a gunman went on a murder spree before fatally shooting himself while being chased by officers.
Shayne Riggleman, 22, of Morgantown, West Virginia, also ran over a woman before shooting and wounding a seventh victim.
He shot himself dead after the multiple slaying, in which he also killed an unborn baby, as he sat in a car in Kentucky following a police chase.
‘It was very horrific to see it,’ State Police Captain James Merrill told the West Virginia Metro News. ‘It was one of those things you won't forget.’
Riggleman's last Facebook post before the shooting said he was upset about being rejected from joining the military despite being ‘fully capable’.
Three of the five victims in Morgantown on Monday night were Charles Richardson III, 49, his wife Karin Richardson, 50, and Robert Raber Jr, 30.
The fourth and fifth victims were the Richardson couple’s two children - Katrina Hudson, 22, who was six months pregnant, and Kevin Hudson, 17.

Two bodies were found by police in the kitchen, two in the bathroom and one in the living room.
He then went to visit a friend in Fairchance, Pennsylvania, who ended up tipping off police.

Riggleman later ran over a woman after leaving. She is in a critical condition and was named by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review as 60-year-old Sidney Lee Bush.
He then drove on to Kentucky, but stopped at an Exxon station in Roane County, West Virginia.
There he shot pump attendant Donald Nichols in the neck - and he was also left in a critical condition, but police said he is expected to recover.
Other recent shooting spreesThe Riggleman shooting spree was not the only one in the U.S. over the last week.
Six people died over Labor Day weekend in New York after 15 separate gun incidents.
At least 48 were injured and Mayor Michael Bloomberg blamed a national gun crime crisis.

Meanwhile four people died after a gunman opened fire at a Nevada IHOP on Tuesday.
Riggleman was later pulled over police in Lewis County, Kentucky, and shot and killed himself, reported the West Virginia Metro News.
Police found two rifles and a .22-calibre handgun in the car. They believe the killing spree would have continued if he had not been pulled over.

Other Facebook posts made recently by Riggleman included: ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold and God is the chef’.
Riggleman's friends have been posting tribute messages on his Facebook page and set up a group to remember him.
Amber Christine Faulknier said: 'Omg Shayne! Why would you do this?! You had so many people to talk to and help you! I'm gonna miss you!'
'Why wouldn't they let me join the military? I'm fully capable, and there was no career for me!'
Shayne Riggleman's last Facebook post

Another friend, Rachel Legg, posted: 'What the hell happened? You were trying so hard to get your life back. I am really sad to hear this.'
Police said the crime was 'heinous' but will not reveal any possible motive, although they did confirm Riggleman was an 'acquaintance' of the victims. Riggleman's Facebook page revealed he was agnostic and a socialist.

In Spite of what you may have heard: NeNe Leakes: Still Acting A Diva To Her Fans....And She's STILL With Gregg!

And the diva antics are still in tact. With another season of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" right around the corner, NeNe Leakes' "personality" is on 100 these days. And it looks like we'll still be seeing Gregg...despite the fact they said they're splitting up...next season.
Deets on NeNe's run-in with a fan inside....
If you're a NeNe Leakes fan, beware of going to tell her such if you ever run into her in person. According to one of her fans, Mrs. Leakes on on some super-b status as if she attended Juliard to get her celebrity.
A fan spotted NeNe on a 2:30p flight from Ft. Lauderdale airport (NeNe was vacaying in Miami for the Holiday) yesterday.
And she wasn't alone. Her husband (didn't they say they were getting a divorce?) was there acting extra coupled up...and with the 2 sons.
So when the fan attempted to say "Hello" to the Gucci'd up (dress and shades) reality chick, the fan allegedly got an up-and-down glance once-over and a shrug-off from NeNe.

I use to be a big FAN of NeNe from Atlanta housewives. Well not anymore." All that has changed, the fan said. "I was so excited to see her so I spoke to her I said hi. She looked at me up and down, and in the rudest voice she could muster as if I were a peasant she said HI!"A peasant though?
And about the mysteriousness still surrounding Gregg and NeNe's "relationship," the fan is calling it out as pure fakery. Shocker.

We're told, "Both NeNe & Gregg were looking very much like a "family" to me. Maybe that's why she was so rude, because somebody had actually recognized her and blew her cover for the rude ghetto snake she actually is."
We shall see on the new season. We knew Gregg's ass wasn't going NO-WHERE....

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
“Xbox Live”

Good news, I think I found the easiest game in town. However, it is most definitely not rated “E” for everyone.

MAY YOU AND YOURS HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
EFREM