The Daily Roundup for May 9

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Mary J. Blige Covers Essence Magazine June Issue

R&B queen Mary J. Blige covers the June issue of Essence Magazine. Mary, will be a headliner at the 2012 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Mary talked about everything, from tips on fashion, relationships, managing money and her secrets for spiritual renewal. She says, “I was never really able to look at myself in the mirror until I began to hear God telling me I was beautiful. Suddenly, other people started telling me I was beautiful, too, because I had started believing it…”

WHY MARY MATTERS…ESSENCE readers have had a long love affair with Mary J. Blige. From the first time she came on the scene with What’s the 411?, Mary’s journey has been our journey. She’s been a lover and a fighter. A mogul and an artist. She aspires and inspires. And when the “Queen of Hip Hop” visited ESSENCE’s offices as guest editor (of her twelfth ESSENCE cover!) — she blew us away once again. Rolling up her designer sleeves, Mary got to work and left her imprint throughout the magazine on everything from fashion, relationships, money management and more. Plus, in the introspective story, "Take Me As I Am," Miss Mary reminds readers that the woman who’s most irresistible to a man is the one who loves herself.

Azealia Banks Is REALLY ON HER WAY TO BECOMING THE Femail 50 cent of Rap and that’s not a GOOD THING either!

"212" rapper Azealia Banks is in some mess.....AGAIN. It seems as though lil Kim reached out to do a song with her. At some point the -ish went left and now Azealia is popping off....as usual.
What's interesting is that in her tweets, she alleges that Lil' Kim does not (and never did) write her own rhymes and that Kim's folks even asked her to write a "reference" verse for her. And then got mad when she actually did it. MESSY!

Here are the tweets.....

DAYUM Azealia I like you but this isn’t cute!

Brandy in UPSCALE Mag, Talks about her comeback

R&B starlet Brandy dishes on her comeback and how she feels about the media attacking Ray J in the May 2012 issue of UPSCALE Magazine. See highlights inside PERFORand get the deets on a NEW beef between Azealia Banks and Lil' Kim.

Brandy covers the May 2012 issue of UPSCALE Magazine as she promotes her upcoming album Two-Eleven. In the magazine, Brandy talks about her musical comeback and addresses the negative press directed towards her brother Ray J. 
She says,

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. This is a man who loves his mama and his sister and his niece.

Pick up the issue now.

Nicki Minaj Lives In The Moment For New Extended PEPSI NOW COMMERCIAL

Nicki Minaj is one of the new ambassadors of PEPSI NOW. And the soda company posted her new Pepsi: Now In A Moment extended commercial.
The pink haired rap Barb remixed her "Moment 4 Life" track for Pepsi's new "Live For Now" ad campaign, shot in Buenos Aires Argentina, for their Pepsi Now product.
The drink company states, "Imagine all that's happening right NOW around the world. Then imagine if you could experience it all at once. Pepsi and Nicki Minaj invite everyone to LIVE FOR NOW."

Check out Nicki and groups of young wild kids get shaken out of their frozen moment after popping open a can of Pepsi. Be sure to catch the famous Betsy Johnson in the commercial as well!

Commercial: 

Okay Onika..cute

Lil’ Mo 7 Month’s Pregnant Performs For Maya Angelou In DC “The Greatest Love Of All”

Li’l Mo is pregnant! Blackcelebkids reports Mo is 7-months pregnant and was spotted in Washington, DC for a Maya Angelou Tribute. Lil’ Mo, who is also a radio personality, songwriter and record producer, was recently spotted backstage before her performance at a Maya Angelou Tribute in DC. 

The performance was part of a gala that Dr. Maya Angelou and Common were hosting on behalf of the See Forever Foundation’s annual fundraiser supporting the Maya Angelou Schools.

Watch Lil’ Mo perform “The Greatest Love Of All” here:

Lil’ Mo, performed Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All,” at the tribute. Just so yall know This will be baby number 4 for Lil’ Mo. She is already mother to Heaven Love’on, God’Iss, and Justin McKenzie. Did yall know she had all them kids? This will be her second child with husband, gospel singer, Phillip Bryant.

Mark Wahlberg strips down to his underwear Just for you!

As a former Calvin Klein model, Mark Wahlberg isn’t shy about being spotted in his underwear.
So the actor happily stripped to his briefs as he enjoyed some down time on the balcony of his Miami hotel.
The 40-year-old had been sporting a pair of grey swimming trunks before he whipped them off to reveal his black underwear – and his impressive physique.
Mark showed off his muscular shape as he took in the scenery from his balcony during a break from filming his upcoming black comedy film Pain and Gain.

He was spotted admiring the view before changing into his tight-fitting briefs and relaxing in the fresh air.

The star then received a phone call and was seen getting to grips with a hands-free device as he made his way back inside his hotel room.

Pain and Gain stars Mark and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as 'a couple of Florida steroid-abusing knucklehead bodybuilders who become criminals involved in an extortion ring and a kidnapping plot that goes horribly awry'.
The comedy, directed by Michael Bay, also stars Ed Harris, Ken Jeong, and Tony Shalhoub and is based on a real-life events.

Mark was a rapper when he was signed to become the face of Calvin Klein underwear in the early Nineties.

In an interview a few years ago, the actor admitted his manhood still received a lot of attention in public toilets due to his Boogie Nights role.
He said: 'It’s always a little embarrassing when I take a p**s in a bar, because guys are trying to check me out.

'That’s always a little weird. People are still obsessed with my size.'

50 Cent Talks New Album, Ending Beef With Game

50 Cent is ready to get back in full promotional mode. The G-Unit head is gearing up for the release of his The Lost Tape mixtape, and new album, the latter of which is out July 2. In a new interview, the rapper revealed that although the album is nearly done, he still has lots more work to do. "My project is pretty much done, but I'm not done writing," he told Bootleg Kev of Las Vegas radio station Hot 97.5

The Queens rapper, who was in town to watch his buddy Floyd Mayweather defeat Miguel Cotto, explained that unlike Before I Self-Destruct, the new release will not be a reflection of vintage 50 Cent records. "When you say 'take it back,' you're not leaving any room for growth," he said. "For me, it has that energy that they were attracted to on Get Rich or Die Tryin,' all across the board. I just think the way I articulated things on this project, my choices, are better, I think I'm better. I'm thinking it out a little more. They'll get a chance to see where I am."

Taking his time to put together the new album, has also made 50 have a change of heart in regards to his beef with Game. Although he's not completely over the long-standing disagreement, he has vowed not to rehash any old beef. "You look at all the disrespect that was displayed over the years, ask yourself--would you be inherently uncomfortable with the concept of associating yourself again with someone where, you don't even know where it came from? If I did something wrong, I can accept it...But if I didn't do anything at all and it turns into what that turned into, I'ma just stay away from it."

While the Game rift is still not completely dead, the good news is that the public will be able to judge 50's lyrical growth, when The Lost Tape drops May 15.

Madonna Covers Vanity Fair Italia, Drops ‘MDNA’ Tour Trailer

‘Vogue’ vixen Madonna strikes quite the pose on the latest issue of ‘Vanity Fair Italia’. The magazine, which has seen Madge as its covergirl eight previous times, hit newsstands yesterday. But, while the promoting her first fragrance ‘Truth Or Dare’, the singer’s hasn’t shed her clothes in years past, that hasn’t veered the 53-year-old pop queen from pressing forward promoting its accompanying tour.
A tour, mind you, which had already grossed over $200 million in pre-sales in mid-April. Ka-ching!

Check out the trailer and more pics from the Vanity Fair set below

TOTAL OVAHNESS!

Orlo Salon Sued For Discriminating Against Black and Hispanic Clients

Orlo is one of the most expensive salons in New York City—charging $800 a haircut—and boasts celebrity clients like Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, and Kirsten Dunst, put it appears they have a nasty little secret—not liking minority clientele. Zandra Bennett, a former stylist there, has filed a lawsuit claiming that she was berated for bringing in black and Hispanic patrons instead of white ones and wants compensation for working in the hostile, discriminatory work environment.

According to Bennett, George Casson, a part owner of the salon, told her:

“Black hair doesn’t pay the bills in here.”

We wonder if he said that to Naomi Campbell? When black clients came in the salon, Casson reportedly directed them all to Bennett and told her she “doesn’t know how to do white hair,” on top of calling her own hair “nappy.” Receptionist Alfred Malavo has also been brought into the suit for making racial comments alongside Casson, including calling Bennett a blackie, n*ggerette, and slave.
Bennett started as an assistant at Orlo salon in April 2010 and was promoted to stylist within five months. But in January 2011, she was hospitalized for job-related stress and then subsequently fired—via text message. If these allegations are true, we know one salon that can count on missing out on some “unwanted” minority business in the future.

The Gov't Has No Faith in Her Ability to Pay Taxes

Faith Evans, the former wife of rapper Notorious BIG, is becoming quite notorious herself ... at least according to the State of California, who just issued a GIANT sized tax lien against the R&B singer.
The State of California Tax Franchise Board filed papers recently ... claiming Evans failed to fully pay her taxes to the Golden State for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 ... to the tune of $60,357.17.

If Evans doesn't cough up the cash soon, the state could go after any assets she owns -- like homes, cars and bank accounts.
Calls to Evans rep have not been returned.

Was Tyler Perry’s Studio Fire……Intentionally set?

Was Tyler Perry’s Studio Fire……Intentionally set? Well the folks in Atlanta seem to think so. While we may never know what caused the massive fire 4 alarm fire last Tuesday, at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta on Tuesday, we DO know that there was some sort of loud noise or “explosion” that preceeded the huge blaze.
Atlanta’s fire chief said on Wednesday (May 2) afternoon that the damage was so intense that officials don’t think they will ever be able to find the source of the blaze. Quote “The cause of the fire will be recorded as undetermined,” Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran said in a statement, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“The intensity of the fire in the area of origin consumed any evidence that would lead to a cause of ignition.”…HMMMMM

The fire damaged the exterior of one building in the center of the 30-acre, 200,000 square-foot complex, but thanks to the construction materials, it did not reach into the interior, which did, however, suffer some water damage from firefighting efforts.

According to Michelle Brown of Straight from the a.com; Her inside sources over at TPS say that many feel that it’s kinda odd that the set that caught most of the damage was actually scheduled to be demolished soon.
Now we’re not saying that Tyler needs insurance money or any such thing! BUT… it is a bit coincidental that the area was destined for destruction anyway.

But I digress…
Other talk on the gossip mill around town is that Tyler may be catching hell from “Karma”…
Apparently there’s some sort of rule in place where no other entities can film on the lots at Tyler Perry Studios.

“They” say many have asked but apparently only Tyler Perry projects are allowed.
“They” also say that TPS could have been a haven for up and coming independent film makers, where they could shoot movies unencumbered by the stiff protocols of securing locations or other sitcoms that shoot in Atlanta BET’s “The Game” and VH1′s “Single Ladies” could have gotten a leg up in production if perhaps they could shoot in the secluded lots of TPS.

And again… these are all RUMORS and SPECULATIONS.

LORD HAVE MERCY: The Church has admitted that they lied on Fantasia

Matthew Herman, an employee of The Harvest Family Church in Charlotte, North Carolina has issued an apology to Fantasia and her manager Mr. Brian Dickens after he accused Brian of cancelling a show AFTER taking a $15K check.

Matthew posted to his Twitter, 

I, Matthew Herman, would like to offer my most sincere and humble apology to Brian Dickens, BD Management and to Fantasia. On March 14, 2012, I posted false and harmful statements about Brian Dickens, BD Management and Fantasia to my Matthewwrites
twitter account. I repeat, these statements were false. Neither Brian Dickens or BD Management ever confirmed an appearance date for Fantasia to appear at the Harvest Family Church. Additionally, neither Brian Dickens or BD Management cancelled a scheduled
appearance by Fantasia as she was never scheduled to appear. Neither Brian Dickens or BD Management were ever paid by or took any money at any time from Harvest Family Church. Any statements by me suggesting that a $15,000.00 check was taken by Brian Dickens or BD Management simply is not true.

Well....glad that is cleared up.

Tyra Banks and Drake on a Date

Tyra Banks was spotted recently on a late night date with rapper Drake at Disney World in Orlando, Florida...

I'm guessing this means Tyra dumped the boy she met in Bali over Christmas.

SPOTTED: C-ERROR I meant Ciara HEADS To Dance Class  

Ciara was spotted heading into a Hollywood dance class.

She was heading to a dance class at a nearby studio.

And she brought her adorable pooches with her.

And as she prepares her fifth album for a summer release, she posted on her Twitter recently, "I LOVE DANCING!!!"

Gabriel Aubry asks for $20k a month in child support from Halle Berry

I’m surprised how long it’s been since we’ve heard news about Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry’s custody battle. Things have been relatively quiet since Halle confirmed her engagement to Oliver Martinez in mid April. Halle has made it clear through her actions in court (and with various happy family photo ops) that she’s looking to replace Gabriel with Oliver as Nahla’s father. She’s been working to push him out, and Gabriel has been pushing back to assert his parental rights. His latest move involves asking for a “substantial increase” in his child support from Halle, to $20,000 a month. He didn’t have the right paperwork when he went to court with his request so the judge postponed a ruling on it. It sounds like a huge amount to me, but I’m far from that income bracket. I think that if the tables were turned and we were talking about a mother making substantially less than a father this wouldn’t be an issue. (Or maybe it would. This is around the same amount that Melissa Etheridge’s ex gets for two children, she’s asking for more than that, and it sounded outrageous to many of you.)

Here’s more, thanks to TMZ. Radar also has this story, but they don’t have a firm amount on the support Aubry is asking for. As I usually mention in these stories, Radar gets their information from team Gabe and TMZ is team Halle.
Gabriel Aubry is asking the judge in his custody war with Halle Berry for a half a million bucks in attorney’s fees, and $20,000 a month in child support, TMZ has learned.

Gabriel was in court this morning, expecting to argue his case for the huge increase in child support, but the case was continued because the paperwork wasn’t filled out properly. Gabriel was extremely upset the matter was put off.
Sources tell ke … Gabriel believes he’s entitled to the money because he needs a proper environment to care for 4-year-old Nahla.
As we first reported, Halle wants to move with the child to Paris, which would have a direct impact on Gabriel’s request for additional support.

[From TMZ]
During their split, it came out that Aubry made an estimated $700,000 a year working as a model. US Weekly claimed at the time, back in 2010, that Halle used to mock Gabriel and call him a “loser” for not earning multi-millions like she did. I don’t think this is about the money for Gabriel at all. He probably does fine on his own and doesn’t necessary need the extra child support from Halle. I think this is about him making sure that he’s asserting his rights as a parent, and that his daughter remains nearby. Some will call him greedy though. $20k a month is what K-Fed got for two kids and he had primary custody.

It’s customary in these type of cases for the richer parent to pay the other’s attorney’s fees. Halle Berry’s net worth is estimated at around $70 million and some reports claim she earns $16 million a year. Given the crap movies she’s been in lately, that’s probably no longer accurate.

Hot Shots: Michelle Williams Beams For B.A.P

Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams was snapped posing it up at the Black American Princess School of Charm ~ Inaugural High Tea recently.

Hosted in Williams’ home state of Chicago, the event (which also saw the singer give a speech) was mounted to benefit young girls on the cusp of womanhood.

Flo-Rida Served Legal Papers on Facebook

Australian concert promoters at the end of their rope served Miami rapper Flo-Rida with legal papers on his Facebook Wall after failed attempts to serve him in person...

Last month Fat as Butter Music Festival promoters won the right to freeze Flo-Rida's Australian assets after he bailed on a concert but kept his $55,000.00 fee

After failed attempts to serve Flo with legal documents concerning the case, Fat as Butter promoters got permission from a judge to serve the rapper on his active Facebook page.
"We tried to serve him physically on several occasions when he was out here but he got wise to it pretty quickly. We couldn't get near him in the end because he was constantly surrounded by an entourage and security, so we looked into ways of serving him via Facebook because he's very active on social media."
"We've painted him into a corner. Now we're confident the matter is coming to a close. All we've ever wanted is an explanation and our money back and an apology."
Flo-Rida has 28 days to respond.

Adrienne and Chris Bosh Welcome New Baby Boy Jackson Bosh 

Congratulations are in order for Chris Bosh and wife Adrienne Bosh. who was delivered the couple’s first child.

BlackCelebKids reports Bosh said, “It’s exciting times, trying to compete for a championship again and bring in new life. So, it’s a busy time in the Bosh household.”

Adrienne Bosh posted on her Twitter account. “From a Dream, To a Thought, To Reality, To being in our Arms Thank you all for the Positive wishes & thoughts!” Shortly thereafter, Heat owner Micky Arison, in New York with the team, posted a message of congratulations for the couple on his Twitter account…

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Bang Your Head!’

Awww, keep your chin up buddy, we all feel that way when we go to Walmart. Also, you may want to keep your chin up so when Grandma starts pushing you don’t rip your face apart.

SEE YA!
EFREM