The Daily Roundup for Oct 11

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The All Abouts of Paris Fashion Week: Dior has to find its wild side in a post-Galliano world

Prissy collection shows fashion house needs a designer it believes in after recent controversies
"It was an amuse-bouche; a palate cleanser," muttered one soignee guest in French as she left the Dior show at the Musée Rodin in Paris.

As cuisine-meets-couture analogies go, this was pretty accurate. This was the first Christian Dior ready-to-wear collection designed without input from John Galliano – the designer found guilty of racism and anti-semitism.

The purpose of this show was to remind the industry and wealthy customers that beautiful, tasteful clothes are at the heart of the brand, not scandal. As a result, the collection was inspired by the Dior classic shapes of the past. In fashion parlance this is known as "respecting the house codes": in layman's terms it means sticking to what you're known for.

Dior's famous "bar" coats with nipped-in waist, full bouncy gazar knee skirts, slim belts and embroidered silks were all give airtime on the catwalk. But the end result was a little too prissy, a little too Miss Dior walking her manicured miniature pooch up the Avenue Montaigne. All a bit too beautifully tame.
The collection was designed by Bill Gaytten, Galliano's long-time collaborator. For Gaytten – charged with producing a collection for one of the world's most recognisable fashion houses in the full knowledge he isn't going to get the top job (although he has been appointed designer at the John Galliano label) – this was a tough gig.

His couture show for Dior in the summer, when he again played substitute designer, had been panned by the critics. What Gaytten's beautifully crafted clothes did on Fridaywas serve as a reminder of the potential for great fashion Dior has. What the label needs now is a designer to believe in, because believable clothes aren't enough on the catwalk.

Gaytten attempted to modernise the shapes so the look was not too retro: buttery leather skirts in red and beige looked more "now", with leather having enjoyed a fashion renaissance in recent seasons. There were leather cloche hats too - but these looked too clumsy for the catwalk.
The silk and organza dresses were as elegant and flattering as any Dior collection, while the eveningwear in pale mint and oyster was delicate and beautifully executed, if a little lacking in spirit.Off the catwalk, rumours had long been swirling that a successor to Galliano would be announced during Paris fashion week. But the brand's chief executive officer Sidney Toledano said an announcement is still "weeks away". After such a turbulent six months, Dior is keen to control the timing.

Despite the silence from the suits, the gossips continues. Marc Jacobs, the superstar designer with the power to turn imagination into hard cash and the personality to take on fashion's most watched role, remains the favourite.
Jacobs, who currently designs for Louis Vuitton (a brand which, like Dior, is also owned by the LVMH conglommorate), has reportedly been in talks with Dior, along with his business partner Robert Duffy. But sources have told industry paper Womenswear Daily that these talks have been tough and are now at a standstill.

Other names who have been mentioned for the Dior job seem now to have been discounted. Haider Ackermann was judged too edgy for the brand and Riccardo Tisci, the designer at Givenchy which is also part of the LVMH group, was doing too well in his current job to move.

Despite the apparent difficulties in finding a successor, the label can only tread water for so long.

OH MAMA MIA!!! Pregnant Nia Long Graces Ebony Cover

*Nia Long is nude and very pregnant on the cover of Ebony magazine’s November issue.

Inside, the expectant mom “shares her very personal pregnancy diary, the shocking news that made her knees buckle, and how she and her partner, Ime Udoka, are handling the changes and bracing for a new chapter in life,” notes Ebony in a press release.

“Long also opens up to Ebony for the first time ever about her humble roots, reconnecting with family in the West Indies, raising her son, finding her life mate–and about the pregnancy that wasn’t supposed to happen.
Long says: “The medical profession tries to tell every woman, ‘Have your babies before 40…’ Society tells us ‘Get married before 30…’ I think if we just take our time as women, and do what comes natural to us and for us, we would make fewer mistakes.”

BEAUTIFUL GIRL!!!

Stella McCartney at Paris fashion week

Stella McCartney showed her latest collection Paris fashion week. It was a show of sharp contrasts. One moment we saw bright bolts of colour twisted into sculptural jackets and dresses;

the next, faded, vintage-looking floral prints appeared on billowing gowns

Stella used a lot of fabric, whether this was in loose, long shirt-dresses

And faded-looking florals

There was the odd bit of denim thrown into the mix

In a palette of mostly faded hues, there was the occasional bolt of vibrant orange or blue

Some of the pieces were more sculptural than usual

Stella's blazers were shorter, more fitted and with a bolder shoulder this season

While tiny lace tops didn't leave much to the imagination

A diifferent look for Stella!

Awww..I’m hurt :-( Adele Cancels US Tour Due To Vocal Illness

Set to embark on a U.S Tour that was suppose to kick this past Sat in Atlantic City, Adele announced on Tuesday that she was canceling all of 10 her performances due to a vocal illness.

The Grammy winner, who sold out all ten of those shows, released a statement on her website, excerpted below:

Guys, im heartbroken and worried to tell you that yet again im experiencing problems with my voice. its ridiculous i know! i cant believe it myself. i follow all the advice im given and stick to regimes, rules and practices to the best of my ability but it seems to simply not be enough. i want you to know the full story about my voice troubles so bare with me in this long blog.
the fact is i have never been able to fully recover from any of the problems that ive had and then continue to rest even once im recovered, because of my touring commitments. ive been offered the chance to not tour at all to save anything like this from happening again, but i simply hate letting you down. although now im having to let you down once again through no fault of my own really. if i continue to pick up everything before i have properly conquered these problems and nipped them in the bud. i will be totally and utterly fucked. singing is literally my life, its my hobbie, my love, my freedom and now my job. I have absolutely no choice but to recuperate properly and fully, or i risk damaging my voice forever. i have great confidence in believing you know how much this upsets me, how seriously i take it and how truly devastated and annoyed i am by this.
i apologise from the bottom of my heart, sincerely i do. i know its not only disappointing because of the show, but its plane tickets, hotel bookings, birthdays, anniversaries and time wasted. but please have faith in me that this is the only thing i can do to make sure i can always sing and always make music for you to the best of my ability. truly yours and yours only forever, adele xx

You can read the rest at her website by clicking Here

Get Better Adele…We’re still “Rolling In The Deep”

Nas Confirms That Amy Winehouse's "Me and Mr. Jones" Was Indeed About Him

While there has always been speculation about whether or not Amy Winehouse's "Me and Mr. Jones" was about emcee Nas has always been a mystery, Nas is coming clean with the truth.
Rumor has it that Winehouse once had a crush on Nas, but interpretations on the song vary.

Nas clears up the rumors in a recent interview with XXLMag, stating,

“I don't really remember if Salaam, who was really close to her, who introduced us, if he told me about it or not,” Nas told XXL. “I don't remember right now. But, I heard a lot about it before I even heard the song.”
Nas also confirmed that in "Mr. Destiny, 9 and 14," Winehouse sings, referencing Nas's daughter, Destiny, and the September 14 birth date she shared with the rapper. "Nobody stands between me and my man/'Cause it's me and Mr. Jones."
Winehouse and Nas were planning a joint birthday celebration before the singer's untimely death his past July.

IN THE MEANTIME……………… Mitch Winehouse To Sing For The Amy Winehouse Foundation

Mitch Winehouse will perform to raise funds for charity (and to publicize his new album) for the second time since Amy’s death – Mitch will be singing to benefit The Amy Winehouse Foundation at a charity brawl.

The father of Amy Winehosue, who died at her London home in July at just 27 years old will sing some songs from his new album ‘Rush of Love’ following the charity fight at Proud2 in London’s The O2 on October 22.
Mitch sang at the Big Reveal charity show at the Hilton hotel in Park Lane, London, in September where he struggled to hold back tears during the emotional show.
Amy’s father launched The Amy Winehouse Foundation on what would have been the late singer’s 28th birthday last month to help a number of causes close to Amy’s heart including providing support for young people especially those in need due to “ill health, disability, financial disadvantage or addiction.”

He said: “I was in New York when I received the terrible news about Amy. It was almost instantaneous, this feeling that we need to help people she cared about. Amy was very generous and we kept coming back to the thought of how much she loved children. It seemed appropriate that the focus of our work should be with young people, those who are vulnerable either through ill health or circumstance. Amy touched millions throughout the world and I know she will continue to, through the foundation.”
Mitch is now a full-time entertainer – much in demand – but he was a taxi driver before Amy hit the big time.
Not to be cynical but Mitch is suddenly releasing records? Along with his latest CD comes an 11 page family photo album so it is pretty clear that Mitch is playing the Amy card… .

We quote from the JazzTimes blog as they pan Mitch’s recording: “Sadly, his musical gifts are comparatively meager. Winehouse attacks songs like an ill-trained boxer, punching too hard and demonstrating little in terms of finesse. His range is limited, his ability to sustain notes spotty at best. Perhaps most troublesome is his failure to achieve much, if any, emotional substance.

Obviously the daughter did not get all her talent form the father – nobody in recent times sang with more emotional depth than Amy Winehouse.

Rihanna's Nozomi Night in the UK

Taking advantage of a rare day off from her constant performing duties, Rihanna treated herself to a night out in London, England
The "What's My Name" singer looked ever-so-chic in a sleeveless turtleneck sweater with tattered jeans and shades as she visited personal favorite Nozomi Knightsbridge for some delectable Japanese cuisine.
The outing comes as RiRi is gearing up for a concert on Wednesday night (October 5) at London's O2 Arena before heading off to Liverpool for a show at Echo Arena on Friday (October 7).

Causing quite the high level of excitement, the Barbadian beauty also just announced the name of her forthcoming album as "Talk That Talk" - with the sure-to-be hot disc due out on November 21st.

Tone Loc Pleads No Contest

Remember last summer when Tone Loc got arrested on Father's Day for beating the crap out of his baby mama and then got caught up on an assault weapons charge
Tone just pleaded no contest to one count each of possession of an assault weapon and corporal injury to a spouse and was sentenced one day in county jail, three years of probation, 30 days community service and 52 weeks of anger management counseling.

Tone just pleaded no contest to one count each of possession of an assault weapon and corporal injury to a spouse and was sentenced one day in county jail, three years of probation, 30 days community service and 52 weeks of anger management counseling.

Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kelly Price, and Angie Stone Doing R&B Reality Show

I think this will be something that I would want to watch!! Some of R&B’s biggest female voices are beginning work on a new reality series. Faith Evans, Syleena Johnson, Angie Stone, and Tweet are just some of the artists taking part in “Diary of a Diva.” Johnson says the show will be like an R&B version of Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise, but adds that fans shouldn’t expect a lot of wild drama.

Johnson tells Soultrain.com that everyone participating in the show has a career and life to focus on, so they “don’t really have time to sit around and argue.” Filming for “Diary of a Diva” will begin this month. While a network has yet to be announced, Johnson says she expects “Diary of a Diva” to make its debut in January.

Cast includes Keke Wyatt, Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert from Brownstone, Syleena Johnson, Tweet, Kelly Price, and Angie Stone.

Idris Elba COVERS The 2011 November Issue Of "ESSENCE" And Talks About Loving A Woman's Skin

He's a model, an actor, a producer, a DJ and now Idris Elba is the cover subject for the 2011 November issue of "ESSENCE" Magazine. Find out what the actor said turns him on most about a woman inside...
If you have a crush on sexy-British born actor Idris Elba, the best way to attract his attention is to use a great moisturizer. In the latest issue of ESSENCE, on newsstands, Oct. 12, Idris revealed, in his cover story written by Dream Hampton,
“Skin, I love beautiful skin. I’m tactile, very tactile. A woman who has really nice, looked-after skin is such a turn-on for me. It’s always sexy…”

In addition to what makes a woman sexy, Idris opens up about his first big break, fatherhood…and what he loves about women (other than their skin!)
Check out more over at ESSENCE.com

Cher on the Kardashians: Those bitches should be drop kicked down a freeway

Mike Walker’s column in this week’s National Enquirer claimed that “Dancing With The Stars” execs have been pressuring Chaz Bono to get his famous alien-faced mom, Cher, to appear in the audience on the show pronto. I’m sure they’re rethinking that ratings strategy after seeing Cher’s latest tweets. Cher Tweeted some pretty negative comments about the Kardashians, later clarifying that it had nothing to do with the fact that their brother was competing against Chaz on DWTS. She wrote “I don’t watch reality ! Never saw a Kardashian but these Bitches should b Drop kicked down a freeway !Not kidding! Nos I no r this Fkn nuts.” I’m not sure exactly what she’s responding to (or exactly what she’s saying other than that the Kardashians suck), but it seems to be due to Kim’s over-the-top wedding, and not Khloe Kardashian’s recent remarks in which she called herself and her sisters “trannies.” Later on Cher apologized and tweeted something about putting her foot in her mouth.

feel like I live in a cave !Once watched J&Kate they were sweet! This shit is HARD CORE! Is true Kardashian did Porno ! I’m so Fkn outa it !

Let me be clear ! Am not Hate’n Kardashian Fam.Don’t know them! Bridezilla’s crazy Bitches!Saw Brother onDWTS & my friend told me bout girls

[Rob] Seemed Adorable on Dwts! Am not rag’s girls dont even know about em RT @pjdelcampo2attn:Rob K is a sweet doesn’t deserve bad rap Nice guy.

By lovelies! Seems I put mySize8 1/2’s in my mouth again! Isn’t the 1st time Won’t b the last !Sometimes I should run my words by my BRAIN 

[From Cher's Twitter]

Oh well, all the words and excuses she piles on top of that can never erase the image she put in my head of someone drop kicking the Kardashians one-by-one off an overpass. I’ve never even thought about that before, but now I remember that it was a minor plot point in that terrible, creepy Macaulay Culkin film from 1993, The Good Son. Remember that? I totally forgot that Elijah Wood was in it! There are people jumping off overpasses in plenty of other movies, particularly action films, but that’s what came to mind. (Update: she was probably saying the Bridezilla’s chicks should be drop kicked, as someone commented but they were super snotty about it so I deleted it. How can you tell really with the way she writes?)

‘OH NO!! The Simpsons’ To End After 23 Seasons

‘The Simpsons’ first aired in December of 1989 but the show may very well finish at the end of the next series if Fox and the star voice actors can’t agree on money.
Although the show has earned billions in profits over the years production costs have risen too high for Fox. The key cast members have offered to take a 30% cut in pay in exchange for a small percentage of the profits taken from global syndication and show-related merchandise – but Fox is asking for a 45% pay reduction.

Salary negotiations between the six main voice actors – Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer – and studio 20th Century Fox Television continue. These cast members currently earn around $8 million each for 22 weeks work.

A source told The Daily Beast: “Fox is taking the position that unless they can cut the production costs really drastically, they’ll pull the plug on new shows.”
“The show has made billions in profits over the years and will continue to do so as far as the eye can see down the road. The actors are willing to take a pay cut of roughly a third, but that’s not good enough for Fox.”
A spokesperson for Fox Television admitted the show – which was created by Matt Groening and James L. Brooks – cannot continue “under its current financial model” but insisted they have not yet called a halt to negotiations.

The representative said: “23 seasons in, ‘The Simpsons’ is as creatively vibrant as ever and beloved by millions around the world. We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model. We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the voice cast that allows ‘The Simpsons’ to go on entertaining audiences with original episodes for many years to come.”

My guess is that Fox will win this war with the actors. These people, although very talented, do not have a market value for their services commensurate with what they can earn on ‘The Simpsons,’ even with a 45% pay cut.

D*ckless Photos From Tupac’s Sex Tape

OK Ladies you can Yawn….

Now ya’ll I didn’t report on this earlier because I felt it wasn’t all that important. But I’m pretty sure that the folks who have Tupac’s sex tape in hand feel as though they’re sitting on bank. And while I must admit that now I’m kinda curious to see what’s going on on the tape, But why they release these grainy, d*ckless shots. I never doubted that the video existed; he was a rap superstar with many groupies, I’m sure. But come on, son….

This looks like it’s going to be foolishly funny!

Tiffany Evans looks fierce in ‘Kontrol’ (new photoshoot)…

Tiffany Evans looks foxy in her new photoshoot for Kontrol magazine. Ditching former manager Matthew Knowles also comes with a more independent and sexier approach to her career. For the vocalist really is in ‘kontrol’ with her own imprint Little Lady Entertainment. The sassy and sexy new shoot surfaces just days after the premiere of her new mixtape single, ‘Won’t Find Me’.

The Allen Cooley-directed photoshoot was shot back in July, and now here is the final result. Absolutely smoking!

Pictured for the first time... The boy born with eight arms and legs shows off new body after pioneering

Beaming with delight little Deepak Paswaan shows off his normal body for the first time since undergoing surgery to remove the legs and arms of his underdeveloped twin growing out of his chest.
For years, Deepak, 7, from Bihar, India, had to suffer taunts and bullying from other children over the appalling disfigurement.
Some taunted him as a 'devil' and a 'freak' while others even viewed him as a god.
Hindu pilgrims used to visit his home to worship him as an incarnation of the god Vishnu, who is often depicted with more than four limbs.

Last year his family for help to get the unwanted limbs removed and give Deepak the chance of a normal life

And Deepak's world was turned upside down when leading surgeons from Bangalore's Fortis Hospital agreed to operate for free.
The pioneering surgery, which was carried out last year, would normally cost around £50,000, a sum his impoverished family could never have dreamed of affording.
Happily the gruelling four-hour operation was a complete success.
Now fully-healed and looking like a healthy, normal seven-year-old, cricket-mad Deepak has been given a new lease of life.
He said: 'I can run faster than my two elder brothers - before I could never keep up. I really like my new body. It's much more fun. I am very happy.'

What every man wants…

Good skin isn’t just something that us ladies worry about, the guys also need to have a skincare regimen that works for their specific needs as well. While there are product lines that cater to the unique needs of men’s skincare, the guys can also use less specific products usually geared towards the ladies. Take a trip to your neighborhood drugstore, or walk a few steps to the lady in your life’s medicine cabinet and discover that some of the products that work for her, can work for you too.

Anthony Logistics For Men®

This line designed exclusively for men covers every aspect of men’s skincare from cleansing to moisturizing. Pictured here, is the Shave Cream, which coats your face or head with eucalyptus oil to help calm your skin, aloe vera gel to soothe, an infusion of hops to relax your skin and vitamins A, B5, C, and E to nourish. Available at Nordstrom stores Nationwide. Shave Cream $16.50 for 6oz.

Freeman® Facial Peel-Off Mask

Freeman’s has most often been marketed to the ladies in your life, but you can use this, get fantastic results and still feel like the man we all know you are. Apply the mask evenly over the face and let sit for 5 -10 minutes until completely dry. As you peel off the mask, the natural ingredients and cucumber extract will pull away impurities and leave your skin feeling smooth. Available at drugstores Nationwide.

Kiehl’s® For Men

Kiehl’s has introduced a line made exclusively for men and one of our reader favorites is the Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub. This wonderful smelling scrub is used prior to shaving to help prevent ingrown hairs, break down coarse facial hair and remove dead skin cells and impurities. Scrub gently in circular motions, rinse well and use 2-3 times a week. If you shave, this needs to be a part of your everyday routine; and even if you don’t, it never hurts to exfoliate to reveal refreshed looking skin. Available at Nordtstrom stores Nationwide. $17.00 for 3.4 fl. oz.

Freeman® Detoxifying Clay Facial Mask

This mask combines eight superfruits including Goji, Acai, Pomegranat, Mango, Mangosteen, Cranberry, Noni and Blueberry, all which help to all which help to remove impurities and unclog pores. Guys, since we know you all work hard everyday, this mask used as part of your routine will help to ensure that your stressful day doesn’t reflect on your skin.

Available at drugstores Nationwide.

Inside Fantasia & Antwaun's Baby Shower! Couple's Baby Boy's Name REVEALED?

Fantasia Barrino celebrated her bouncing-baby-on-the-way over the weekend with a baby shower in North Carolina. The baby's daddy Antwaun Cook was on hand to celebrate as well. And despite reports the shower was held on the same date of Antwaun's wedding anniversary with his wife, Paula, he has yet to divorce, the twosome seem pretty unfazed.

Plus, I may have uncovered the baby's name!

Fantasia and Cook had their friends and fam in full force--100 guests to be exact--at Villa Antonio in Charlotte, North Carolina over the weekend. Fantasia arrived in a limo with her boyfriend and child's father Antwaun. And they had their celeb friends like Anthony & Tarsha Hamilton (above) there to celebrate as well.

The shower was a Mickey Mouse theme and lunch was fully catered Italian cuisine. Fantasia's brother, Rico, did an impromptu performance for his sister with Fanny's band. And we hear the baby boy on the way has already been named "Dallas."

Fanny rocked a head ful of curls and a colorful strapless maxi dress to show off her bump. 

And posed it up with her good friend Jamie Foster Brown of Sister2Sister magazine and her manager Brian.

The "Collard Greens & Cornbread" singer's mom Diane and grandma were there.

And the couple had plenty of guests to entertain and gifts for the new baby.

We're told the baby is due in December, and people were overheard talking to Fantasia about "Baby Dallas." Sounds like Zion will have a little brother named after the Texas city.

Pharrell’s DC Launch of Qream

Music mogul, Pharrell Williams, in collaboration with Diageo Inc, launched Qream at The Decatur House on Friday. Hosted by Washington Life, attendees included celebrities such as Chuck Brown, Paul Wharton, Free and Pusha-T, along with DC’s taste-makers and socialites.
In the courtyard surrounded by 19th-century perimeter garden beds and a fountain, Pharrell was the perfect host. He mingled, greeted guests and posed for photos throughout the evening.

“Qream was created for contemporary women who work hard and want to relax with friends at the end of the day,” says Williams. “I want them to reward themselves “deliciously.” Williams added, “Women make up half the population and Qream is about celebrating that power.” The ultra-premium cream liqueur is available in Strawberry Crème and Peach Crème.

The favorite drink of the night was “La Reine Magnifique” – strawberry flavored Qream with coconut Ciroc.
P.S. - Qream has the same alcohol by volume as wine but with a lower calorie count, and is 95% lactose-free. Definitely designed for the ladies.

New Book Accuses Diddy and Suge Knight of Murder

Former LA detective Greg Kading's new book, 'Murder Rap', claims Diddy ordered the death of Tupac and that Suge Knight put the contract on Biggie...

From LA Weekly
In the pages of his potentially game-changing self-published book Murder Rap, set for release Oct. 4, former Los Angeles Police Department Detective Greg Kading reveals that LAPD has been sitting on extensive tapes and documents containing confessions from key players behind the alleged assassinations of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. LAPD higher-ups pulled Kading off the double investigation right when he was poised to drive it home, he says. Then they shut it down completely.

An informant tells Kading in a taped confession that he was offered $1 million to kill Death Row rapper Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight, the label's former CEO. The informant then tells his interrogators in plain language, albeit at a cool street clip, that Sean Combs -- then known as Puff Daddy, the ringmaster of Bad Boy Entertainment, Death Row Records' bitter cross-country rival -- commissioned Shakur's legendary murder in Vegas in September 1996.

In another stunning confession, detailed in LAPD documents reviewed by the Weekly, the mother of one of Knight's children, identified in Kading's book as "Theresa Swann," breaks down in tears, stating that the former Death Row boss gave her the money to pay Wardell "Poochie" Fouse -- Knight's close associate and a fellow member of the Mob Piru Bloods -- to kill Smalls.

Former Destiny Child Member Latavia Roberson Still Has Regrets

Latavia Roberson, who was an original Destiny Child group member still believes Matthew Knowles was a big reason why the group broke up back in 1998. She spoke recently with the UK tabloid “The Mirror” to discuss her feelings and things she still regrets after all these years. 


Excerpts from the interview inside.

LaTavia on Mathew’s management style: “We used to call him Joe Jackson. It’s not like he beat us or anything, but he was very strict. Beyonce was the only one brave enough to stand up to him. We worked really hard. It was rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. That’s what our days consisted of. Looking back, working that hard did cost us our childhood. But at the time we were just focused on living out our dreams.”

LaTavia on pay inequities among group members: “Things seemed unfair. Beyonce and Kelly had cars. I’m not saying paychecks were any different, but Mathew used to say a lot of crazy things like, ‘Y’all should be glad I’m giving you money’”

LaTavia on Mathew’s treatment of Kelly Rowland: “He was very hard on her. He bawled at her after a gig in Atlanta in 1997. ‘Where were you tonight Kelly? I watched you mess up 12 steps,” he said. Kelly was the sensitive one so she would go to her room and cry.”

LaTavia on her relationship with Kelly today: “She is an inspiration to anyone, and I am glad to call her my friend.”

LaTavia on what she regrets the most: “My one regret is that I should have spoken to Beyonce and Kelly before I sent the letter [requesting new management]. That is the one thing I would have done different. I would have gone to my sisters and discussed it with them. After that, we didn’t speak for many years.”

In December 1999, Latoya Luckett and Latavia Roberson attempted to split with their manager Matthew Knowles, claiming that he kept a disproportionate share of the group’s profits and unfairly favored Knowles and Rowland. While they never intended to leave the group, when the video for “Say My Name” surfaced in February 2000, Roberson and Luckett found out that two new members were joining Knowles and Rowland. Prior to the video premiere, Knowles announced on TRL that original members Luckett and Roberson had left the group. The new members to the group included Michelle Williams, a former backup singer to Monica, and Farrah Franklin, an aspiring singer-actress.

In March 2000, Roberson and Luckett took legal action suing both Mathew Knowles and their band mates for breach of partnership and fiduciary duties. Following the suit, both sides were disparaging each other in the media.Five months performing with Destiny’s Child, Franklin left the group after, according to the group, being asked to leave due to missed promotional appearances and concerts. According to Williams, Franklin could not handle stress.Franklin, however, disclosed that she left because of the negativity surrounding the strife and her inability to assert any control in the decision making.Her departure was seen as less controversial. Williams, on the other hand, shared that her inclusion into the group resulted to “battling insecurity”: “I was comparing myself to the other members, and the pressure was on me.”

Towards the end of 2000, Roberson and Luckett dropped the portion of their lawsuit aimed at Rowland and Knowles in exchange for a settlement, though they retained one against their manager. As part of the agreement, both sides were prohibited from attacking each other publicly.Roberson and Luckett formed another girl group Anjel but were unsuccessful in record sales and publicity. Although affected by the turmoil, Destiny’s Child’s success continued. The following years of their career were seen as the group’s most successful stretch,becoming a pop-cultural phenomenon.

Would Destiny Child be the same if the original members were still apart of the group?

And finally from “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
“Back Flossin’”

When did they start making back-thongs? This is a wardrobe innovation that I of all people needed to be appraised of. I mean, they made back butt floss and didn’t even consult me? The more I think about it, I’m just offended I wasn’t even given a heads up.

SEE YA LATER!!!
EFREM