The Daily Roundup for Jan 19

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Beyonce Whitens Up for 4 Promo?

Beyonce is under fire for her appearance on a recent promo release for her last album '4'.
She faced controversy back in 2008 when her skin appeared shades lighter in an advertisement.

But it appears Beyoncé - or her producers - have not learned their lesson.
A promotional picture has emerged of the pop princess looking much paler than her usual colour.

The new photo, taken before the 30-year-old fell pregnant with her newborn daughter, are being used to re-advertise her fourth album, 4, which was released last year.
In the seductive pose, Beyoncé dons a blonde wig and lies on a leopard-print couch, wearing a skimpy black crochet monokini. She also wears suspenders and a lashing of dark red lipstick.

Experts said the appearance may have been down to lighting used in the studio. However this is not the first time the wife of rapper Jay-Z has accused of appearing to 'lighten' her skin.'
It has been alleged that in the early days of award-winning band Destiny's Child her father Mathew Knowles had persuaded her to use skin treatments to remain the lightest-complexioned member of the successful girl group.

WHAT IS SOPA? 5 Things To Know About The Controversial Law (And Why People Of Color Should Care)

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) has got the entire Internet up in arms today. Media justice advocates say the bill is anathema to basic functioning of the Internet; for a system that’s based on relative freedom and connectivity, SOPA would work as the online world’s stingy gatekeeper, giving government the power to shutdown websites altogether.

Today, hundreds of websites are joining in a day of action to SOPA’s threat to freedom of expression on the Internet. Several civil rights and racial justice organizations are joining in what’s been called an “Internet strike,” by closing their websites from 8 am to 8 pm eastern time. Colorlines.com’s Jamilah King, who covers media policy, explains why:

The Internet’s been an important space for communities of color to tell their own stories and advocate for issues they don’t often see in film or on television. SOPA puts that independence in jeopardy. It’ll add yet another barrier to how and what we can communicate.
So, here are the basics on what you need to know.

Who’s behind SOPA? Rep. Lamar Smith, a Texas politician who’s been known mostly for his anti-immigrant stances in recent years. Smith’s got big industry backers, namely: The Recording Industry Association of American, the Motion Picture Association of America (now led by former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

What’s the justification for SOPA? Supporters of the bill claim that it’ll help copyright holders (think big record labels) protect their content. Rep. Smith has criticized the bill’s opponents and explained that SOPA would only target foreign websites that put American businesses at risk.

But opponents argue that the definition of “foreign infringing sites” is too vague. As it’s written now, they argue, the bill will fundamentally alter the relative freedom with which the Internet currently operates. What’s certain is that it’ll add a level of supervision to the Internet that’s never existed before.

Who’s opposed to SOPA? Basically, every website that you visit regularly. Most notably, Wikipedia, Craigslist, and Reddit, along with at least 200 other websites, have chosen to go dark in opposition to the bill and to help educate users about its potential impact. But the list doesn’t stop there: Google, Yahoo, YouTube, and Twitter have also publicly opposed the bill. The White House has also announced that should the bill reach President Obama’s desk, he will veto it.

How would SOPA work? It allows the U.S. attorney general to seek a court order against the targeted offshore website that would, in turn, be served on Internet providers in an effort to make the target virtually disappear. It’s kind of an Internet death penalty.

More specifically, section 102 of SOPA says that, after being served with a removal order:

A service provider shall take technically feasible and reasonable measures designed to prevent access by its subscribers located within the United States to the foreign infringing site (or portion thereof) that is subject to the order…Such actions shall be taken as expeditiously as possible, but in any case within five days after being served with a copy of the order, or within such time as the court may order.

How would it impact me? If you create or consume content on the Internet, under SOPA the government would have the power to pull the plug on your website. If you’re a casual consumer, your favorite websites could be penalized and shut down if they seem to be illegally supporting copyrighted material.

This is especially important for human rights groups and advocates in communities of color, who could faced increased censorship if the bill is passed. The language of the bill makes it easy for the US Attorney General to go after websites it simply sees as a threat.

Hat Tip Colorlines!

OH FANTASIA GURL…KARMA IS A BEOTCH!

According to reports Fantasia's married baby daddy has been cheating on her...

From Radar Online
Just one month after Fantasia had a baby with boyfriend Antwaun Cook, a pal close to the former American Idol winner exclusively tells RadarOnline.com that he's been cheating on her — even before she was pregnant!

"Antwaun has been cheating on Fantasia all along, just like he cheated on his wife with Fantasia," the source said.

"She was silly to think he'd remain faithful but it was wishful thinking, I guess. She purposely had this baby with him hoping he'd be a devoted father and boyfriend."

But the source exclusively tellsRadarOnline.com, it's not happening. Not only has Antwaun cheated on Fantasia with other women, but he's even went crawling back to his estranged wife, Paula Cook, asking for another chance.

"He tries to get Paula to take him back all the time, but she wants nothing to do with him," the source revealed.
"Fantasia knows that Antwaun cheats, but she just turns a blind eye hoping for some fairytale turnout."
Antwaun is currently still married to his estranged wife, Paula — who claims Fantasia and Antwaunbegan an affair together while she and her husband were trying to patch up their marriage.

Last November, Fantasia testified during a separation hearing between Antwaun and Paula that she had previously been pregnant by him and had an abortion.

"She kept this one to keep him," the source said.

Chanel Iman Covers L’Officiel Paris Magazine

Supermodel Chanel Iman covers the February 2012 issue of L’Officiel Paris magazine. She looks nice as always. But her makeup looks a little darker neverthe less FAB!

IN TODAY’S EPISODE OF THE TAX MAN COMETH. The Dream owes $ 117,000

It's only been a few months since he wrapped his nasty, drawn-out divorce from Christina Milian, but The-Dream is already facing a new problem ... to the tune of $117,000 -- courtesy of the State of Georgia.

The Georgia Department of Revenue filed a state tax lien against the music producer -- claiming Dream failed to pay income taxes in 2007 totaling $60,578 ... with interest and fees, the sum skyrocketed to $117,401.

2007 was a big year for The-Dream -- not only did he sign a lucrative deal with Def Jam ... Rihanna released her song "Umbrella," which Dream produced. As we all know, the song was a MONSTER hit.

Calls to Dream's people were not returned. So much for telling us just a week ago. How he earned 15 mil and can’t even pay 117,000$ in taxes BOYEE STOP!

BRANDY AND MONICA DUET ‘IT ALL BELONGS TO ME’ DUE NEXT MONTH

Brandy and Monica’s fans will get to hear the divas’ new duet sooner than expected. Their first collaboration in 14 years will be released next month.
RCA Records has announced a February 6 release date for the singers’ new single, “It All Belongs to Me.” Written and produced by Rico Love, the poignant song reunites the women for the first time since they topped the charts in 1998 with “The Boy Is Mine.”

The newly-minted record picks up where the original left off. “It’s a very soulful R&B song with pop sensibilities,” says producer Rico Love. “I wanted to make sure I made it a classic R&B record, but I definitely wanted to make sure that it had enough appeal to cross over and become a Top 40 record.”

“The Boy Is Mine” held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks, won a Grammy for R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, and was declared the best-selling song of 1998.

“It All Belongs to Me” will appear on Monica’s upcoming album New Life, due March 6, and Brandy’s as-yet-untitled RCA/Chameleon Records debut, coming later this spring.

The 2012 Stellars Awards held in Nashville!

Gospel singer/composer VaShawn Mitchell swept six categories, more than any other artist, to become last Saturday night’s big winner at the 27th annual Stellar Awards, which were held at the Grand Ole Opry House and will air on television in syndication Saturday through Feb. 26 on the GMC cable network.

Mitchell collected wins for artist of the year, male vocalist of the year, contemporary male vocalist of the year, and praise and worship CD of the year for his album Triumphant, and urban/inspirational single or performance of the year and music video of the year for “Nobody Greater” from Triumphant.

Marvin Sapp and Dorinda Clark Cole hosted the show, which celebrates gospel music and is characterized on the website as a “spirit-filled, hand-clapping, foot-stomping revival.” True to the description, the program was full of soaring performances from Kirk Franklin, Earnest Pugh, Fred Hammond, Ricky Dillard & New G, Richard Smallwood & Vision and other groups as well as choir performances that frequently had people up dancing or moved them to tears.

“It’s always a blessing to be on the Stellar Awards,” Smallwood said. “I’m grateful for the Stellar Awards. It’s gospel music’s own Grammys. It’s always good to be here and see my peers and feel the love from the audience.”

 

The evening’s other multiple winners included Kirk Franklin, who walked away with four trophies: song for the year for “I Smile,” and CD of the year, producer of the year and contemporary CD of the year for Hello Fear. Kim Burrell and gospel duo Mary Mary collected two awards each. Burrell won female vocalist of the year and contemporary female of the year for The Love Album, and Mary Mary won group/duo of the year for Something Big and contemporary group/duo of the year for the same album.

 

“I’m so happy about tonight’s awards because honestly I’ve been here before, but it means so much tonight because my sister wrote most of all the songs on the album,” Burrell said before introducing her sister Kathy Burrell. “She wrote our next single, ‘Open Up the Door,’ so when it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Legends honored

The Stellar Awards annually honor three of gospel music’s most celebrated veterans with specialty awards. This year a tearful John P. Kee was presented with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award. Vy Higginsen accepted the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award. Dorothy Norwood, often called the world’s greatest gospel storyteller, was given the Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award.

“I’m grateful for this feeling, this memory, and this moment to sit in the room where gospel is being celebrated and acknowledged and appreciated with some of the greatest voices of our time,” Higginsen said. “There’s something about the power of the human voice when it’s sung with feeling and spirit. I’m bedazzled by this whole experience. I’m excited.”

The Stellar Awards, which originated in Chicago but moved to Nashville in 2005, consist of 29 categories. This year recordings were eligible for award show consideration if they were released between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011, and earned at least a Top 50 spot on the Billboard charts. Nominees are determined and voted on in the first round by members of the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy, which is made up of record company executives, artists, radio announcers, gospel music industry professionals and supporters. The general public is allowed to vote in the second and final rounds to determine the four nominees in each category. Gospel music fans also vote to determine the evening’s winners.

O.J. Simpson Miami Home In Foreclosure

Talk about payback — court records indicate that O.J. Simpson is now facing foreclosure on his Miami home while he is in prison in Nevada. JPMorgan Chase filed for foreclosure on the four-bedroom, four-bath house in Kendall in September, the Associated Press reports. Simpson’s attorneys have since filed a motion to dismiss the case.

Simpson bought the house in 2000 for $575,000. It is currently assessed at $478,000, the AP says, citing Miami-Dade Circuit Court records. Simpson, 64, is serving a prison sentence of nine to 33 years on a conviction of kidnapping and armed robbery in connection with an armed confrontation in Las Vegas with a sports memorabilia dealer.
The former football player and actor was acquitted in 1995 in Los Angeles of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

Nick Cannon Details his Kidney Failure to Howard Stern

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon during the BET Honors 2012 at the Warner Theatre on Jan. 14, 2012 in Washington
*Nick Cannon and Howard Stern spoke to each other this morning in a simulcast on their respective radio shows, during which Cannon explained exactly what happened during his recent health scare, reports USA Today.”
FYI: Stern and Cannon used to be enemies. Cannon was mad at Stern after he felt the shock jock had insulted Carey and questioned Cannon’s radio skills. But now that they’ll be co-workers on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” this year, suddenly it’s all good between the two. In fact, Cannon says he’s happy Stern got “Talent” moved from Los Angeles to New York, his home.
On his first day back on 92.3 NOW radio in New York, Cannon said his doctors originally thought he had gotten acute mountain sickness while in Aspen over the holidays with wife Mariah Carey and “dem babies,” twins Roc and Roe.

Then they realized it was more serious than that. “They thought it was kidney stones … then a kidney infection,” explained Cannon. “They found out my kidneys weren’t functioning well.” But he adds, “We didn’t want to say ‘kidney failure’ so people would think I gotta get new kidneys and Gary Coleman and all that stuff, so we said ‘mild kidney failure.’ ”
Cannon told his listeners he has to drink a lot of water, and he told Stern, who was broadcasting to his SiriusXM listeners at the same time, he has a “couple more procedures he needs to undergo, but overall, I’m good. I’m feeling 100 percent.”

Meanwhile, Stern, on his SiriusXM show, grilled Cannon about his home life and the long days during the “AGT” schedule and how hard it is on a marriage, saying he wanted to “hang” with Mariah on the set.

Although Stern tried to get Cannon to dish about past loves, he sounded like he’s still madly in love with Mariah. “I’m happier than happy,” said Cannon. “Especially though this entire process, we’ve become so much closer. … I even got a chance to see a different side of my wife where she became so nurturing. I’m in debt to her forever.”

“Would she ever sing to you during sex?” asked Howard.
“Yes!” said Cannon…..Ewwwwwww!

TAMAR BRAXTON TALKS WIGS, WEAVES, AND NATURAL HAIR

Everybody knows the Braxton sisters love yaki, and baby sister Tamar appears to be the most devoted wearer. For the overthetop.com reality TV star, wigs and weaves are all about versatility and fun—and most importantly, keeping her natural hair healthy, she says.

“I have become a slave to the wig and the weaves,” she told Essence.com. “I love the quickness and the fullness. Plus I would never dye my hair because it falls out like a bolt of lightning.”

She added that her number one priority, regardless of whether she rocks a weave or wig, is healthy hair. “When I do wear a weave, I don’t keep it for a long time and I make sure my own hair is braided and very well moisturized. I also don’t put any chemicals in my hair.”

Tamar makes a good point. Many women neglect their natural tresses when wearing weaves but it’s important to let your own hair breathe every once and a while and keep it conditioned as well.

So how exactly does Tamar decide which of her many wigs—which have their own special section in her closet—to wear on any given day? It just depends on her mood, she said.

“Whether I wear my hair straight or curly really just depends on how I feel. If I feel like I want to be a little more glamorous, I will wear it straight. If I’m feeling a little flirty, I’ll wear it curly but my favorite wig is the straight one with bangs and blonde highlights.”

Bruce Jenner reveals large scar on his face after serious skin cancer scare

Bruce Jenner revealed a fresh scar on his face last night after undergoing surgery to remove a skin cancer.
The former Olympian, 62, joined his family at the Staples Centre to cheer on Lamar Odom's new team, the Dallas Mavericks, as they took on the LA Lakers .
The reality TV star went under the knife on Friday after doctors biopsied a suspicious mark on his face and determined it to be cancerous, according to TMZ.

A large chunk of his right cheek was removed and he has been ordered to stay out of the sun.
Of course, Jenner has had surgery on his face before - but usually on a voluntary basis.
He most recently had a facelift in 2009 to correct previous cosmetic work he'd had done during the 1980s.
Bruce was joined at the basketball by his wife Kris Jenner and stepdaughter Khloe Kardashian, who all watched the Laker's beat the Mavericks 73-70.

Sour faces: The couple don't look too happy as they sit watching the game

Khloe looked to be enjoying herself yesterday, despite rumours that Odom, who she has been married to for two years - enjoyed a wild time at a notorious Washington D.C. strip club.
According to RadarOnline.com, the forward spent hundreds of dollars on strippers according to one eyewitness who spoke to the website.
They said at one point Lamar was seen sprawled out in a dimly lit corner of the Stadium Club strip club, which bills itself as a five star dining and premier gentleman's club experience, and was joined by Mavericks teammates Shawn Marion and Delonte West.

And if that wasn't all Khloe had to deal with, she also found out last week that the man she thought was her father may not be.
Her mother Kris apparently wrote in her latest book that she had an affair that led to her divorce from Robert Kardshian.
But she didn't reveal how long the affair lasted which raised questions over whether her lover is Khloe's father.

TEYANA TAYLOR RELEASED FROM STAR TRAK/INTERSCOPE, READIES FREE EP

Teyana Taylor is spreading her wings and forging ahead with her career. The Harlem-born singer has officially been released from her contract with Star Trak/Intercope Records and is already working on a free EP.

“I officially got my release from Star Trak/Interscope. I’ve been signed with them for six years,” Teyana announced to DJ Skee.

During her time on Pharrell’s label, the “Super Sweet 16” star was plagued by label politics, preventing her from releasing music or videos. “I was signed for six years and there’s a lot of stuff that comes with the industry,” she said.
The 21-year-old, who appeared on Kanye West’s album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and toured with Game, addressed critics who questioned what she was famous for. “They see the glory, but don’t know the story. When there’s not music being put out or you’re not moving, they automatically blame it on you, like, you’re not doing anything. What do you do, not knowing the politics of the music industry.”

However, the relationship with her former label ended on good terms. “Everybody bowed out gracefully. There was no beef. I love Interscope, I love Star Trak. It’s always love for Pharrell; that’s my big brother. Now it’s time for me to go from a caterpillar to a butterfly. I had to fly away from the nest and venture out on my own.”

Teyana is currently a free agent and is speaking with other labels. But first, she’s giving her patient fans the music they’ve been waiting on for years. “Now that I’m independent right now, I get to make music and finally create an EP and give the supporters and the fans free music.”
The EP will drop on February 29 led by the single “Make Your Move” with Wale. A second single, “DUI” featuring Jadakiss, will arrive on February 14.

Teyana has also been in the studio with Meek Mills and directed a video for Bay Area rapper Erk Tha Jerk.

TARAJI P. HENSON COVERS UPSCALE MAGAZINE

Taraji P. Henson covers the February 2012 issue of Upscale magazine and opens up about the challenges of balancing her career with being a mom to her 16-year-old son Marcel. The 41-year old actress has been putting in work over the past few years while showing Hollywood what she is made of.

In the article, she also addresses why she blasted TV Guide for not including her on the cover of an issue which featured her Person of Interest cast mates ( TV Guide responded that she was never the focus of the issue). And she talks about her new role in “Think Like A Man”

Gwyneth's New Coach Campaign Revealed

She’s the perfect example of a timeless beauty, and Gwyneth Paltrow tended to her duties as the face of Coach’s spring/summer 2012 campaign.

The “Contagion” actress teamed up with photographer Peter Lindbergh to create the warm, colorful shots for the upcoming season’s advertisements.
In the pair of newly-released shots, Paltrow - who worked with Coach last year - is seen toting the “Madison Lindsey” and the “Poppy Willis” styles.

Of the brand for whom she peddles product, the 39-year-old said, "I grew up in New York City, and I've always thought of Coach as the quintessential New York brand."

Casper Smart Gets $10,000 a Week Allowance

Casper Smart is a very lucky boy. According to reports Casper pulls in a tidy little sum for escorting Jennifer Lopez around.
Star magazine reports thatLopez is paying her former back-up dancer Casper Smart $10,000 a week so he can pretend like he has the funds to date her high-profile self. It’s like crazy Britney Spears/K-Fed all over again! A source tells the mag, “She hated having to whip out her credit card every time they go to dinner.

Jen figured it’s easier to give Casper a weekly stipend, and she thought $10,000 was a nice round number. Jen doesn’t want to go over the top, showering Casper with too much, but she also wants him to up his game. Jen is hoping Casper won’t think twice about buying presents for her kids or whisking her off for a surprise weekend getaway.” Ha. No. $40,000 a month as payment to be your boyfriend isn’t “over the top” at all, Jen! That’s totally normal and sane behavior!

Tisha Campbell & Duane Martin In it for the Long Haul so STOP with the Will Smith Foolywang!

Tisha Campbell & Duane Martin were spotted grabbing dinner at Mr. Chow’s in Beverly Hills. The reportedly happy couple who have been married since 1996 tells us in the video below, they are still happy and together! Duane is currently the owner of Impact Sports, a company that represents professional athletes and Tisha is still doing TV and film. Tisha has been working on Lifetime’s new series “The Protector.” Word is that the popular show was just cancelled after its first season, but no official word from the network yet. Either way, Tisha looked in great spirits as she grabbed dinner with Duane after 15 years of marriage. Other Gossip sites are reporting that the couples marriage was over and the love was gone after Tisha caught Duane with his best friend Will Smith!!!!

Although these rumors have been out for years sources say Duane and Will are more than friends. Apparently, in the days before Jada “shut down divorce rumors by getting it in at a Miami club,” Will was getting it in out of a country with his “long-time friend”.

From Star Magazine:
After hitting Drink!, where Will “wasn’t wearing his wedding ring,” an eyewitness tells Star, Will moved on to local hotspot 51 Degrees, where he and his male pals partied until roughly 4a.m. The next day, he enjoyed a private boat cruise with actor Duane Martin and dined with him at Chaud restaurant that night. Duane’s wife, Tisha Campbell-Martin, was also 4,000 miles away back in L.A.

Sources also are reporting that Just days later, Will and his pal were spotted together again in Miami hanging out at an Art Basel opening party on Nov. 30 and visiting Red Dot art fair on Dec. 1. As Will and Duane’s wife-free getaway raised eyebrows, Jada 40, finally flew to Miami to meet up with her husband, and she was spotted with him and famed DJ David Guetta at LIV nightclub on Dec.2.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
“THE CEREAL KILLER”

Well, you’re not quite the compelling character Dexter is, but I suppose those little Snap, Crackle, & Pop dudes deserved it.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

EFREM