The Daily Roundup for May 4

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Brandy & Monica Beam Bold For ‘EBONY’

They may have sparred about a “boy” on their much-loved hit ‘The Boy Is Mine’, yet Brandy and Monica unite as stunning young women on the cover of Ebony magazine’s June issue.

The duo up their respective and collective diva in the striking shot, which is accompanied by an insightful interview. One which sees Brandy dish on boyfriend Ryan Press and brother Ray J.

Peep excerpts below…
Brandy On Her Boyfriend Ryan Press

I wish we were engaged. He’s taking a little long on the ring side of things, but I’m patient. I wanted to impress him. I wanted him to be proud of me; I was inspired by him. So making the record and his being there, it’s just all a part of it. Him and my daughter. I want him to love my songs. I want him to love my voice.

On Her Brother Ray J
I know who he is. And I”m pissed off about some of the things I’ve been hearing. It really bothers me that [those are] the kind of things that people do for money.

He’s misunderstood. It’s one thing to have this image of [a ladies' man], but it’s another to become this other type of person that they’re trying to make my brother out to be. I know who he is. This is a man who loves his mama and his sister and his niece. Ray J loved Kim Kardashian. They were irresponsible with their–you know–but he loved her. For five years, he was with her. In his mind and in the world’s mind, he was in my shadow for such a long time. To watch his sister become whatever I became and to not have that same path or that same way it happened for me; to be called ‘Brandy’s brother…’ To finally break out of it, you’re going to brag; you’re going to feel something about yourself. It’s not coming from a bad place, and I can tell you: Some of the shoesRay J’s walking in, you’d take off immediately. You wouldn’t be able to handle the type of shoes he’s in.

Look out for the full interview when the issue hits newsstands in the next few weeks.

In the immediate, Monica’s latest LP ‘New Life’ is out now, while Brandy’s new single ‘Put It Down (ft. Chris Brown)’ hits iTunes on May 8th with album ’2/11′ following this Summer.
Your thoughts?

WELCOME MAXWELL DREW JOHNSON! Jessica Simpson has finally had her Baby!

It has been a long time coming, but Jessica Simpson has given birth to her first child.
The 31-year-old star today welcomed a baby girl, Maxwell Drew Johnson, into the world, announcing the happy news via a banner on her official website.

Jessica wrote: 'Eric and I are elated to announce the birth of our baby girl, Maxwell Drew Johnson.
'We are so grateful for all the love, support and prayers we have received. This is been the greatest experience of our lives.'

Maxwell weighed in at 9lbs 13oz, and apparently takes her middle name from Jessica's mother Tina, whose maiden name is Drew.
While Drew pays tribute to Jessica's side of the family, Maxwell is Eric's middle name.

Jessica’s mother and sister Ashlee, and the parents of her fiancé Eric Johnson, were seen at the hospital with excited looks on their faces.

Ashlee told People magazine: 'Bronx and I are in love with Maxwell already! Jessica has wanted to be a mom since we were little girls and I couldn't be more excited for her and Eric!'
Jessica was last spotted out and about on Sunday, when she went for a drive with her fiancé.
She has looked ready to pop for several weeks now and the star’s due date was April 21.
The singer and actress must have been feeling the pressure as last weekend her dad, Joe, gave fans a major hint that his daughter was due soon.

'Still counting down the days til I am a grandpa again. Keep Jess in your prayers,' he tweeted.

Soon afterwards Katy Perry and Chelsea Handler also took to their Twitter pages to wonder why Jessica still hasn't given birth.
Katy Perry tweeted: 'Has Jessica Simpson had that baby yet?! I'm getting anxious.'
And Chelsea Handler echoed the sentiment when she posted on her own page: 'How has jessica simpson still not given birth to this baby? I'm getting frightened.'

The Fashion Star mentor even had to take to Twitter herself recently to end speculation that she had already given birth in secret.

Jessica tweeted: 'To everyone who keeps congratulating me on the birth of my baby girl…I’m still pregnant!! Don’t believe what you read ladies and gents.'
Last month, the star threw a lavish Texan-themed baby shower that was attended by celebrity guests including Jessica Alba and Ellen Pompeo.

Throughout her pregnancy, Jessica was upfront about the cravings it brought about, revealing in a series of interviews that she was indulging in her favourite childhood foods.
Unlike some expectant mothers, Jessica said she was not concerned about watching what she ate and would happily 'give into my cravings.'
She is said to have put a grand baby weight loss plan in place after giving birth and is rumoured to be the next face of Weight Watchers for the post-baby slim down plan.
Jessica, who became engaged to Eric in November 2010 after six months of dating, was previously married to Nick Lachey, from 2002 to 2005.

Meagan Good & Fiance Devon Franklin Spotted At The Lakers Game

Actress Meagan Good spotted sitting courtside at the Lakers Game with her fiance The Right, Right Rev Devon Franklin, and of course the paparazzi peeped the ring she was rocking.

Congrats go out to Meagan once again for her movie “Think Like A Man” coming in at # 1 again for the 2nd week in the row at the box office. Last week, However wioth the release of The Avengers the party is over!

Jay-Z Shows Off The New Brooklyn Nets Logo

Jay-Z thinks the logo for the Brooklyn Nets is a good look for the rebranded NBA team. The hip-hop superstar and Nets part-owner had a hand in the design of the team’s just-unveiled black and white logo.

In a statement, Jay said “The boldness of the designs demonstrate the confidence” he and the team’s other owners have in their new direction. He added, “The new colors and logos are examples of our commitment to update and refine all aspects of the team.” The logo keeps the Nets’ old shield design but features a prominent “B,” harkening back to the letter that was on the caps of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Brooklyn Nets shirts, hats and a limited number of jerseys went on sale Monday at retailers across New York City and the Tri-State area.

The unveiling comes just months after Jay-Z and his NBA partners announced their plans to move the Nets’ from New Jersey to Brooklyn. Jay also promised to deliver a proper homecoming for the team by performing a few concerts at the team’s new home at the Barclays Center.

"Snow White and the Huntsman" Drops New Posters

Universal Pictures has just released three new artistic movie posters for its film “Snow White and the Huntsman” to rev up even more anticipation for its summer tale.

The designs showcase stars Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen, and Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman, all in a stylistic nature.

Eager fans also got a broader taste of what’s in store with the debut of a new 30 second clip from the film featuring an eerie scene in which the “Twilight” cutie’s character is poisoned by the Queen’s apple. 

Theron’s character asked the hunky huntsman, "What would you give to see her again?" and the audience is left to wait and wonder until the film’s release on June 1.

JADA PINKETT-SMITH PRESENTS “RED TABLE TALK”

This Mother’s Day, join Jada Pinkett-Smith, her mom Adrienne Banfield-Jones and her daughter, Willow, as they sit down for an intimate conversation about family, love, and relationships. In what’s being called Red Table Talk, the ladies have a shockingly candid conversation. The three generations openly talk about hurt, pain and love. In the trailer for the short film, Adrienne Banefield-Jones, admits to Willow that she “was not a good mother to Jada.” Then a tearful Willow expresses the desire to be alone with her mother and grandmother.

Watch Jada, Willow and Jada’s mom in the sneak peek of the short film: 

Be sure to watch!

Evelyn Lozada & Chrissy Lampkin PLAY TITS for TATS!

Things got VERY heated behind the scenes when Evelyn Lozada and Chrissy Lampkin did a recent photoshoot together. Drinks and glasses weren't thrown.....but there was a lot of um....."touching
During a recent photoshoot for a men's magazine, "BBW" star Evelyn Lozada and "Love & Hip Hop" fireball Chrissy Lampkin couldn't keep their hands off each other....but in a good way!

The ladies touched each others um...ladies parts with Evelyn tweeting, "Too much fun!!!"

"RHOA" star Kandi Burruss was also a part of the shoot.

On a serous note, Evelyn got her first mammogram recently and birthed a new catchphrase.......YOUR BOOBIES ARE A FACTOR!

Ray J Inks $1 Million For New Skin Care Ad Campaign

Singer Ray J and paparazzi darling Sophie Monk are the new faces of Prince Reigns shaving serum.
Ray J and Sophie each inked $1 million for their endorsement deals … which explains why they’re dripping in diamonds … literally. The two are featured embracing in a pool for a sexy new Prince Reigns billboard, which you can see above.

The two were even rumored to be a couple when she was spotted leaving his house, but I’m assuming, it was for this shoot!

Usher & Tameka Settle this now…OR THE JUDGE WILL DO IT FOR YOU!

 Usher and his former wife Tameka Raymond have been ordered to work out a temporary custody agreement in private mediation.

The 'OMG' hitmaker, who filed for divorce from Tameka in June 2009 after almost two years of marriage, has been locked in an ongoing battle with his ex after she filed court documents in Georgia last year.
Tameka asking for the singer to be stripped of joint physical custody of their sons Usher, four, and Naviyd, three, but a judge at Fulton County Court ordered they try to work things out between them.

The pair are set to face the court and if they have not agreed terms amongst themselves, the judge will impose a temporary order, deciding how they will split their time with the children, according to TMZ.

He will also address child maintenance payments after Tameka previously alleged Usher is behind on $34,000 worth of payments after promising her $5,000-a-month to pay for a nanny.
She has requested more child support, arguing there has been a 'substantial change' in her former spouse's income since they divorced.

Usher and Tameka married on August 3 2007 and their son Usher Raymond V was born later that year in November.
Their second child together Nviyd Ely Raymond was born on December 10, 2008.

In June 2009 Usher filed for divorce claiming the pair have been living separately for more than a year.

J. Dilla Mom Finds A His Lost Music Tapes

An accidental find is reuniting late hip-hop producer J. Dilla with his mom. Allhiphop says Maureen Yancey is now in possession of the thousands of tape recordings, notebooks and other handwritten material by the producer who died from Lupus in 2006.
Detroit record store owner Jeff Bubeck recently stumbled across the artifacts while cleaning out an abandoned storage unit and turned the items over to Ms. Yancey.
She says Dilla, born James Dewitt Yancey, wanted to sell more than 20-thousand albums from his collection before he left Detroit to record in California.

The business manager for The J. Dilla Foundation said the collection became scattered after J. Dilla’s death. Both he and Mrs. Yancey say they’re grateful to Bubeck for returning the material and not trying to profit off of it. It’s not yet known what they plan to do with the material, if anything.

J. Dilla made a name for himself in the mid-1990s rising from Detroit’s underground hip-hop scene to work with acts such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and Common. He was also a member of Slum Village and produced their breakthrough debut album “Fan-Tas-Tick (Vol. 1).” J. Dilla was 32 when he died in 2006.

Tank promotes his new CD in ways you’ll like him to be!

Tank's new album 'This Is How I Feel' comes out May 8 so what better time to release a picture of yourself standing in front of a mirror in your underwear... look below

It don’t know better than that…HUH Ladies?

John Legend Replaces Lionel Richie On Duets

John Legend is about to make some music on ABC. The network announced Monday that John is set to join the quartet of mentors that will helm its forthcoming singing competition Duets. John will join the previously announced mentors Robin Thicke, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, and Kelly Clarkson of American Idol. He will replace Lionel Richie, who dropped out of the show citing “personal scheduling conflicts,” according to a rep. The show, set to debut this summer, finds the mentors setting out in search of two protégés, who will eventually take the stage with them each week to perform in front of a live studio audience in hopes of winning a recording contract.

All you Pink Puddy Tats Minajeetwats….Her World Tour dates have been announced.

Rapper Nicki Minaj is getting ready to head out on her first-ever headlining tour, after announcing her international dates last week. Nicki has finally released her U.S. tour dates. Nicki will be offering another shot at her VIP meet and greets on the tour, where Barbz will get a chance to have early access to the venue on the night of the show, get some face time with Minaj, as well as autographs and photos.

» 7/16 – Chicago, IL @ The Chicago Theatre

» 7/17 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre Detroit

» 7/19 – Cleveland, OH @ State Theatre at Playhouse Square

» 7/22 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre Atlanta

» 7/24 – Miami, FL @ James L. Knight Center

» 7/26 – Birmingham, AL @ Boutwell Auditorium

» 7/28 – Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center

» 7/29 – Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

» 7/31 – St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House

» 8/2 – Denver, CO @ Wells Fargo Theatre

» 8/4 – Las Vegas, NV @ Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

» 8/7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre

» 8/11 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre

» 8/12 – Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Kelly Rowland Leaves ‘X Factor UK’

After much speculation, it has been confirmed that Kelly Rowland has officially opted not to return to The X Factor UK.

Statement after the jump…

After much speculation, we can officially confirm today that Kelly Rowland has decided not to return as a judge again for this year’s UK X Factor. Global commitments coupled with the show’s increasing demands this year mean that, despite weeks of deliberation with the show, Kelly has not been able to agree a deal that fits into her autumn/winter schedule, so sadly cannot accept a place on the 2012 panel.
Kelly thoroughly enjoyed her role as a judge on the show, but felt that if there couldn’t be a workable solution to scheduling issues, so that she could effectively juggle her other commitments then she couldn’t wholeheartedly commit to the show this year. Kelly says, ‘I love the UK and being part of the show last year. Mentoring the girls was such an incredible experience I will never forget. I would like to thank Simon for the great opportunity and asking me to be a judge last season.’

And there, folks, you have it.

We had it on very-very-very reliable word that Simon Cowell did indeed want Kelly back on the panel and a deal had been put on the table by him and ITV, yet it’s clear the terms couldn’t be reached. If scheduling was indeed the issue, it’d be awesome to see Kelly take up one of the vacant seats on the X Factor USA (wouldn’t that be a swerve-ball and then some?!) However, in the event Kelly’s X Factor journey has wrapped, we hope the commitments which kept her from taking part are worth it. Interesting times and announcements are on the horizon. 

Whatever the case Good Luck Kelly!

Naomi Campbell SET TO STAR In Oxygen's "The Face"  

Naomi Campbell has been announced as one of the supermodel coaches for a new reality show headed to Oxygen. "The Face," a new reality competition series, will star female models vying to become the spokesperson for a nationally recognized brand.
Naomi will be joined two other well-known supermodels who will scout and choose their teams from aspiring young models all over the world before guiding them through assignments including photo shoots, runway shows and commercials for some of America's best known brands.

Throughout the series, the supermodel coaches will mentor these young hopefuls through the tricks of the trade while exposing them to the very best photographers, stylists and designers in the fashion world. In the end, one girl will be chosen to become 'The Face' of a major national brand, earning a real contract as the brand ambassador.

"'The Face' is a fresh new series that delivers all the elements our audience craves: fashion, beauty and drama," said Rod Aissa, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and Development, Oxygen Media. He added: "Oxygen has been looking for the next ideation in the modeling genre and this project delivers it."
"We are pleased to bring 'The Face' to Oxygen, which we believe is the perfect fit for this new competition series that will take viewers behind the scenes of the glamorous and fast-paced world of modeling," says Eden Gaha, President, Shine America, the company producing the show. "It's an incredible opportunity for these young models to work with and learn from an industry icon such as Naomi Campbell and the chance to become 'The Face' of a national brand will be an exciting and meaningful start to their career."

For her part in the project Naomi Campbell said, "I am looking forward to working in partnership with Oxygen and Shine America to discover the next beautiful face of the modeling world. With 'The Face' the audience will get a real insider's look at this exciting industry that has been so good to me. One lucky girl will become the face of a major brand."

Letoya Luckett Attacked by Her Fan Site

A few days ago one of Letoya Luckett's biggest fan sites, Letoya News Network, shut down in spectacular fashion after the stan site administrator read poor Letoya for blood...

In the final post on Letoya News Network, entitled 'Dear Letoya', site administrator Common drags Letoya for ignoring her fans and blames her for her own lack of success writing,

"Most artists would kill to have a fanbase like yours. I don’t understand this reluctance to communicate with your fans. Break the barrier already! STOP this secrecy. You have (had?) DIE HARD fans, not every artist has that. But for some reason it feels like you neither respect nor appreciate them. You make us feel like we’re trash, like we don’t count. You have said hurtful things to fans I won’t mention here. You shouldn’t forget that you’re on our payroll and that without us fans there wouldn’t be a LeToya."
You don’t understand how the new music industry works. Your mindset is still very old school. You always leave fans in the dark. As a result you’re losing them by the minute.... 

I absolutely don’t give a F about Smooth Touch, I don’t care about Gospel plays, I don’t care about any of the acting. I wanted MUSIC and most importantly for some unknown reason I wanted to witness you being successful at it. It’s not just that I want to have more tracks from you. It’s that I want to see you enjoy success like a Drake or a Keri Hilson because I know you deserve it so much....
Anyway when your album comes out, if ever, I’ll definitely download it on rapidshare. I’ll enjoy it but no more me buying hundreds of them and selling them around for you...
You just lost one of your greatest stan.

PS: If you don’t address this, it will be the proof to me that you don’t give a damn about your fans. Persoanlly I think the fan is OUT OF CONTROL, on this one!

Rihanna GOES MAKEUP-FREE In A T-shirt And Jeans In NYC

Somedays.....I guess a girl just needs to relax.

And earlier, Rihanna was spotted NYC wearing a t-shirt and jeans, no makeup AND flats!

She tweeted about her East Side stroll saying, It's.... East side!!!! We in diz bitch!!!!

Her t-shirt was an $80 Ksubi shirt (they are based in Australia) that said 'If I was riding a horse I'd wear flannel but I'm going to the disco so I wear Channel."

Being the down-to-earth diva she is, she still took time to sign autographs.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Do You Voodoo?’

This is where I start to say something about her, then catch myself before she gets pissed and does some crazy shit that shrinks my head.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM