To kick off his huge debut mogul Magic Johnson hosted a star studded
event at Cipriani's 42nd St. in NYC for his brand new network
ASPIRE. Magic Johnson hosted a big celebrity bash to kick off his new Atlanta
based ASPIRE cable tv network recently. The network combines a unique mix of
original and groundbreaking programming aimed at African-American viewers. The
network will launch with inaugural distribution partners Comcast and Time Warner
Cable. Joining the network as hosts of its
primetime programming blocks are award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne, who
will host "Groundbreaking Movies"; actor and comedian Jonathan Slocumb (Meet the
Browns, "The Steve Harvey Show"), host of "Groundbreaking Comedies"; Actor Omari
Hardwick (Sparkle, I Will Follow), host of ASPiRE's first original series, "ABFF
Independent"; and Grammy Award®-winning musician Esperanza Spalding, host of
"Groundbreaking Music."
Actress Tika Sumpter and June Ambrose partied it up together
Actress Tika Sumpter and June Ambrose partied it up together
June rocked a cutesy grey floral frock and
sparkling heels. And made nice with Rocsi.
Tika posed with some friends in a gold
bandage dress.
Fab.
Magic and Carmelo Anthony hit the
carpet.
Russell Simmons made a beeline--of
course--to Miss Universe Leila Lopes.
She looked gorge in a beaded and sparkling
cocktail dress.
Eric Benet made
his way to the event...after rolling out of bed apparently.
D-Nice hit the turntables to
DJ.
Model Jessica White rocked her shades and a
slit-detailed jumpsuit for the occasion:
I think the red hair is growing on
us.
New Edition took the stage as the
entertainment for the night.
Former "Apprentice" star Kwame Jackson was
there.
Actress Lynn Whitfiled made a colorful
appearance in this dress. Her face looks softer these days....
Oh hey Rev. Al.
VH1's Janelle Snowden and Dr. Michelle
Callahan partied it up.
BJ Coleman snapped a pic with Natalie Cole.
She's still battling several debilitating illnesses so it's good to see her out
and about.
Erica Reid was there.
And actor Omari Hardwick--who has a role on
the new network--was there to support of course.
Fab times for Magic & wife
Cookie.
And Mr. Johnson dishing on what to expect
from his new network:
In case you didn't know....this is BIG. And
necessary. Congrats to Magic Johnson!
ANDERSON COOPER…”YES,I AM GAY”
The television journalist Anderson Cooper, the biggest star on CNN, on
Monday publicly identified himself as gay. He was concerned, he said, that his
long-held silence on the matter had led some to believe that he was
uncomfortable or ashamed of his sexuality.
Mr. Cooper came out in an e-mail message to Andrew Sullivan, the openly gay blogger for The Daily Beast, which was republished in full with his permission. The e-mail affirmed what had been an open secret, but had never been addressed publicly by Mr. Cooper.
“Even though my job puts me in the public eye, I have tried to maintain some level of privacy in my life,” Mr. Cooper wrote. In part, he wrote, that has been for professional reasons: “I have found that sometimes the less an interview subject knows about me, the better I can safely and effectively do my job as a journalist.”
Mr. Cooper came out in an e-mail message to Andrew Sullivan, the openly gay blogger for The Daily Beast, which was republished in full with his permission. The e-mail affirmed what had been an open secret, but had never been addressed publicly by Mr. Cooper.
“Even though my job puts me in the public eye, I have tried to maintain some level of privacy in my life,” Mr. Cooper wrote. In part, he wrote, that has been for professional reasons: “I have found that sometimes the less an interview subject knows about me, the better I can safely and effectively do my job as a journalist.”
He continued, “Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the
unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional
principle. It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects
of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that
I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed
or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true.”
Mr. Cooper said he had been “reminded recently” that there was value in standing up and being counted. “The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud,” he wrote to Mr. Sullivan.
Mr. Sullivan said he had asked Mr. Cooper for feedback on an Entertainment
Weekly cover story, “The New Art of Coming Out,” about the understated ways in
which some celebrities now self-identify as gay. Weeks earlier, The New York
Times had described how Jim Parsons, a star of “The Big Bang Theory” on CBS, had
casually identified himself as gay during an interview in a “no-fuss manner”
that “demonstrated how, for some gay stars, a new normal exists that avoids the
choreographed tap dance out of the closet.”
Mr. Cooper hosts a prime-time show on CNN, “Anderson Cooper 360,” and a daytime talk show on local stations, “Anderson,” reaching several million viewers a day through the combination of the two. He is also a contributor to “60 Minutes” on CBS. The announcement on Monday makes him the most prominent openly gay journalist on American television.
Mr. Cooper did not immediately respond to an interview request. A CNN
spokeswoman said he was on assignment for “60 Minutes” and would not be
anchoring “360″ on Monday night.
Mr. Cooper’s written statement about his sexuality surprised some in the television industry who suspected that he might come out on his daytime television show, a more natural setting than his newscast. The talk show had some ratings stumbles in its first season; its second season begins in September.
Mr. Cooper’s written statement about his sexuality surprised some in the television industry who suspected that he might come out on his daytime television show, a more natural setting than his newscast. The talk show had some ratings stumbles in its first season; its second season begins in September.
But Mr. Cooper never considered coming out on either his newscast or his
talk show, according to several of his colleagues, who insisted on anonymity to
preserve professional relationships.
Mr. Cooper, according to his colleagues, was bothered by news reports of bullying and other forms of discrimination against gays — reports that he has covered extensively on his shows. Those incidents, along with the fact that being publicly gay “just isn’t a big deal anymore,” contributed to his decision to speak publicly about his sexuality, one of his former producers said.
Mr. Cooper, according to his colleagues, was bothered by news reports of bullying and other forms of discrimination against gays — reports that he has covered extensively on his shows. Those incidents, along with the fact that being publicly gay “just isn’t a big deal anymore,” contributed to his decision to speak publicly about his sexuality, one of his former producers said.
Because of his stature on television, “he feels that it will make a
difference,” the person added. “He wanted to help.”
Mr. Cooper’s sexual orientation was known to his colleagues, just as it was to friends and other journalists. Network publicists sometimes tried to impose ground rules on interviews of Mr. Cooper to ensure that he wasn’t asked what he called on Monday “the gay question.” But he was asked occasionally, nonetheless, and wasn’t willing to answer directly until now.
“He told me many years ago that he didn’t want to be known as ‘the gay
anchor,’ ” said Gail Shister, a columnist for TVNewser.com, who says she had a
private conversation with Mr. Cooper about the subject. “He didn’t want his
sexuality to be connected to his profession.”
Ms. Shister, who is openly gay, observed, “He’s been under increasing attack from lots and lots of gay people by continuing the perception that he’s somehow ashamed.”
Out magazine has identified him as gay for years, most recently in April, when it called him a “silver-haired heartthrob to countless Middle-American housewives.”
Ms. Shister, who is openly gay, observed, “He’s been under increasing attack from lots and lots of gay people by continuing the perception that he’s somehow ashamed.”
Out magazine has identified him as gay for years, most recently in April, when it called him a “silver-haired heartthrob to countless Middle-American housewives.”
Some people close to Mr. Cooper had speculated over the years that he had
kept his sexuality a sort-of secret to avoid alienating some of his fans. But he
did not indicate any concern about this in his e-mail message to Mr.
Sullivan.
And he said he did not mention his sexual orientation in his 2006 memoir,
“Dispatches From the Edge,” “because it was a book focused on war, disasters,
loss and survival.”
Many of the immediate reactions were of the “duh” variety, but others said that his public statement would further propel the acceptance of gays and lesbians in American society, a trend that has been evident in polling data for decades. Over the last two decades, television has reflected the growing acceptance of gays — and, perhaps, in the process speeded that acceptance, whether through its representations of gays in sitcoms like “Ellen” and “Modern Family” or in news programming.
“The visibility of gay people is one of the core means for our equality,”
Mr. Sullivan wrote in the blog post that included Mr. Cooper’s response. And Mr.
Cooper wrote that he agreed. Although he said he would continue to preserve his
privacy — and did not mention any partner — he wrote, “I do think visibility is
important, more important than preserving my reporter’s shield of
privacy.”
The proprietor of Gawker, Nick Denton, who over the years has published gossip that Mr. Cooper is gay, wrote on Monday, “It’s awesome that the calculation has changed this much: that it’s now more embarrassing to remain in the closet than it is to come out.”
The proprietor of Gawker, Nick Denton, who over the years has published gossip that Mr. Cooper is gay, wrote on Monday, “It’s awesome that the calculation has changed this much: that it’s now more embarrassing to remain in the closet than it is to come out.”
Two months ago, President Obama indicated his support for gay marriage,
heightening gay rights as an issue in the presidential campaign. That night, May
9, Mr. Cooper started his CNN show by saying, “the most recent Gallup poll says
50 percent of Americans say yes, same-sex marriage should be legal; 48 percent
say no. So half the country supports same-sex marriage and tonight that half
includes the president of the United States.”
Over the years on his CNN newscast, Mr. Cooper has reported extensively on
subjects like the bullying of gay children; the status of gays in the military;
and, as recently as last month, religious leaders who preach against gays and
lesbians.
“Since my early days as a reporter, I have worked hard to accurately and fairly portray gay and lesbian people in the media — and to fairly and accurately portray those who for whatever reason disapprove of them,” he wrote in the e-mail message to Mr. Sullivan. “It is not part of my job to push an agenda, but rather to be relentlessly honest in everything I see, say and do.”
“Since my early days as a reporter, I have worked hard to accurately and fairly portray gay and lesbian people in the media — and to fairly and accurately portray those who for whatever reason disapprove of them,” he wrote in the e-mail message to Mr. Sullivan. “It is not part of my job to push an agenda, but rather to be relentlessly honest in everything I see, say and do.”
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, a media advocacy group,
said in a statement that “even prior to coming out publicly, Anderson’s terrific
work has raised awareness of inequalities facing L.G.B.T. people.” Herndon
Graddick, the president of the group, added: “I’m proud to call him my friend.
He’s a role model to millions and now will inspire countless others.”
.
Is Shaunie O’Neal’s Man ‘Marlon Yates’ Creeping With Draya?
Looks like Shaunie O’Neil’s young lover,
Marlon Yates has a wandering eye with Miami castmate for a member of the LA cast
because rumor has it, he may have something going on with
Draya.
Well the suspicion is based on a few odd tweets that Draya sent out which are a smidge cryptic, but if you wanted to read through the lines you could pull together a heck of a story, like a lot of sites are. Draya said:
“@MarlonYatesJr lol. No I’m chillin. Impatient if anything. Never mad.”
“@MarlonYatesJr marlon I’m confused. What am I mad
about?”
The thing is Marlon’s tweets to her aren’t
visible, which means either Draya decided to tweet responses to him rather than
DM him back or he deleted the messages he sent in the first place, and we all
know deleted tweets means you were sending something you had no business
tweeting in the first place. There was also another message that seemed a little
shady. Draya retweeted one of Marlon’s tweets and added her own seemingly
sarcastic message:
RT @MarlonYatesJr: I Love My Woman………
<<— #thingsamansays
What do you think?
Terrell Owens Cyber Sex Partner Tells All
The jump-off peddling naked pictures of
Terrell Owens pleasuring himself over Skype details her experiences with T.O.
and explains why she's putting him on blast...
From Philly Gossip
T.O.’s Skype buddy said she met him on Twitter when she complimented his appearance and they began direct-messaging there before moving to Skype.
During their first Skype encounter, the woman claims, Owens was already naked and erect when the video call began. She estimates watching Owens pleasure himself on 10 separate occasions during which she denies exposing herself or talking dirty.
She says Owens would “tell me things he wanted to do to me.”
We asked why she was trying to sell the pictures and brief video clip, and it turns out it’s because Owens stopped responding to her on Skype, she says.
“He was getting back with his girlfriend and sent a few replies like, ‘Who is this? I don’t know you,’” she said. “The money is a bonus, but he needs to know not to do stuff like this.”
T.O.’s Skype buddy said she met him on Twitter when she complimented his appearance and they began direct-messaging there before moving to Skype.
During their first Skype encounter, the woman claims, Owens was already naked and erect when the video call began. She estimates watching Owens pleasure himself on 10 separate occasions during which she denies exposing herself or talking dirty.
She says Owens would “tell me things he wanted to do to me.”
We asked why she was trying to sell the pictures and brief video clip, and it turns out it’s because Owens stopped responding to her on Skype, she says.
“He was getting back with his girlfriend and sent a few replies like, ‘Who is this? I don’t know you,’” she said. “The money is a bonus, but he needs to know not to do stuff like this.”
WOW!
Stevie J Love & Hip Hop Atlanta Wages Garnished By Baby Momma # 1
Sources exclusively tell HSK that’s because those reality television wages are being garnished by the government before going straight into the pockets of his first baby momma (who birthed two of Stevie J’s children).
HSK reports that Joseline Hernandez
said:
“Stevie J. got like four kids, and he don’t pay shit. His first baby momma knew he was going to star on ‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta‘, so she reported it to the authorities.
Now, all of Steve’s money is going to child support”.
“Stevie J. got like four kids, and he don’t pay shit. His first baby momma knew he was going to star on ‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta‘, so she reported it to the authorities.
Now, all of Steve’s money is going to child support”.
A lot of entertainers have child support and
tax problems.
Mary J. Blige Breaks Silence On ‘Burger King’ Controversy
As fans well know, Hip Hop Soul Queen Mary
J. Blige caused a royal uproar when she teamed with Burger King for the
unveiling of their crispy chicken wraps. Unwrapping what was then a very
unexpected backlash, the singer immediately went into damage control – claiming
the burger monarch did not portray her in the light she
expected.
Now, to clear the air, ‘I’m Going Down’ diva
has taken to radio queen Angie Martinez to dish on what really went down with
she and the King of Whoppers.
Making her rounds in support of the new Tom Cruise-led musical ‘Rock of Ages’, get into what Mary had to say about the heat that followed that crispy commercial and more
Making her rounds in support of the new Tom Cruise-led musical ‘Rock of Ages’, get into what Mary had to say about the heat that followed that crispy commercial and more
Watch:
The buzz from the incident has well died
down. And, while we applaud Mary for getting it out in the open, we do recognize
that this will probably be the first of many times she has to address the issue
given it being her first time publicly speaking on it.
Be that as it may, Mary’s career has
sustained her in a way that this incident will probably be under-rug-swept in a
few months time. It’s just unfortunate that such a good song had to go to waste
over the mistake of an ill-planned commercial.
Usher’s Stalker Might Be The Scariest One Of All
Poor Usher has got 99 problems and a b*tch
is definitely one. The singer is being stalked by a woman who among other things
claims that she is his wife.
According to TMZ, Usher fears that his life
may be in jeopardy and has secured a temporary restraining order against
26-year-old Darshelle Jones-Rakestraw who is listed standing at 5’2″ and
weighing in between 140 and 180 lbs. Court documents say that Rakestraw
allegedly showed up without an invitation to Usher’s Georgia home on June 23rd
to harass him and his family. She apparently pounded on his door and demanded to
be let in, according to Hot 107.9.
Usher called the cops who showed up to tell
Rakestraw to leave and not come back. She obeyed, but it didn’t end there. She
came back the next day, prompting Usher to call the cops yet again. When they
arrived, Rakestraw told them that she was Usher’s wife and had misplaced her
keys. Cops didn’t buy it and arrested her. Afterwards, Usher immediately got a
temporary restraining order, saying that his faux-wife “placed [him] in
reasonable fear for his own safety and/or the safety of his immediate
family.”
Usher is hoping to make the arrangement more permanent in a hearing next month.
Usher is hoping to make the arrangement more permanent in a hearing next month.
Rakestraw took to YouTube, putting up a
video claiming that Usher has been handing her cash under the table since last
year, promised to provide her with comfortable living arrangements, and that
he’d help her launch her music career. She insists that “I’m not a stalker …
[Usher] has officially slandered me and defamed my character,” and is planning
on filing defamation charges against the singer soon, if only to be close to
him.
Strangely, Usher’s reps haven’t commented on the video, which you can watch below
Strangely, Usher’s reps haven’t commented on the video, which you can watch below
Video:
Do you think Rakestraw’s story about Usher
measures up or is she a classic case of celebrity stalker?
Strange Things: Lip Tatts && All… Ke$ha Has A Lip Tatt
I guess you shouldn’t really be amazed about
this… but, your girl Ke$ha who is known for doing things that are not normal has
a lip tatt… Telling you all what to do! LMAO!!!
Lisa Raye Slams ‘Hollywood Exes’; “Another show with fighting…WTF Man!”
One actress, by the name of Lisa Raye McCoy,
is over reality shows. Specifically, she’s not a fan of VH1′s new show,
“Hollywood Exes”. The show premiered this week and features the ex-wives of
Prince, R.Kelly, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy and Jose Canseco. And if you’re
wondering how Lisa Raye feels about it, well….check her twitter. She
tweeted:
“For real??…Another show with fighting,
scrapping, throwing….WTF man. Say it aint so HOLLYWOOD exes”
Meanwhile, one of the show’s cast mates says
the show is not a typical reality show.
Sheree Fletcher, Will Smith’s ex-wife,
explains to MTV:
“The exes were the common denominator but not the show; they wanted to focus on us. They wanted to see us in our many facets of life, be it moms or businesswomen or artists, what have you, and life after divorce. It’s got a lot of different dynamics, and I think it’s a very relatable show.”
“The exes were the common denominator but not the show; they wanted to focus on us. They wanted to see us in our many facets of life, be it moms or businesswomen or artists, what have you, and life after divorce. It’s got a lot of different dynamics, and I think it’s a very relatable show.”
Hmmmm. If you watched the first episode, do
you agree with Lisa Raye’s statement about ‘Hollywood Exes’?
Mike Tyson and Spike Lee Are The Hottest Ticket On Broadway…More Shows Added!!!
Mike Tyson and Spike Lee are making waves on
Broadway with Tyson upcoming one-man show, Mike Tyson: Undisputed
Truth.
After announcing last week Lee will direct Tyson in his upcoming one-man show, “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth,” fan response was immediate. To accommodate the demand for tickets, lead producer James L. Nederlander has announced that the show will extend its run with six additional shows. Originally slated to run for a limited six-night engagement from July 31 to August 5, the show will now play through Sunday, August 12. A limited number of tickets are still available at Telecharge
After announcing last week Lee will direct Tyson in his upcoming one-man show, “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth,” fan response was immediate. To accommodate the demand for tickets, lead producer James L. Nederlander has announced that the show will extend its run with six additional shows. Originally slated to run for a limited six-night engagement from July 31 to August 5, the show will now play through Sunday, August 12. A limited number of tickets are still available at Telecharge
Spike is sharing the news with fans via a
video released today. Link to view and download the video HERE
Tickets are on sale now with pricing from
$75 – $199.
A limited number of VIP tickets, which include a meet and greet and photo with Tyson after the show, are available for $300.
Tickets can be purchased online at TELECHARGE or over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.
Please note that tickets purchased online or over the phone may be subject to additional service fees or processing charges.
A limited number of VIP tickets, which include a meet and greet and photo with Tyson after the show, are available for $300.
Tickets can be purchased online at TELECHARGE or over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.
Please note that tickets purchased online or over the phone may be subject to additional service fees or processing charges.
Tickets are available for the following
performances July 31 – August 12:
Tuesdays – Saturdays at 8PM
Sundays at 7PM (Opening Night – Sunday 8/2 at 6:30PM)
James L. Nederlander presents MIKE TYSON: UNDISPUTED TRUTH is created by Adam Steck, CEO of SPI Entertainment and directed by Spike Lee
The one-man show is written by Kiki Tyson and Randy Johnson, executive produced by Mike Tyson, Kiki Tyson, and Adam Steck and originally directed by Randy Johnson.
Sundays at 7PM (Opening Night – Sunday 8/2 at 6:30PM)
James L. Nederlander presents MIKE TYSON: UNDISPUTED TRUTH is created by Adam Steck, CEO of SPI Entertainment and directed by Spike Lee
The one-man show is written by Kiki Tyson and Randy Johnson, executive produced by Mike Tyson, Kiki Tyson, and Adam Steck and originally directed by Randy Johnson.
New Music: Alicia Keys – ‘New Day’
Looks like Alicia Keys is BACK, with a new
summer banger called “New Day”.
Check it:
The Grammy-winning songstress celebrates life on the first release off her forthcoming fifth studio album, due later this year, which was produced by her hubby Swizz Beatz.
Check it:
The Grammy-winning songstress celebrates life on the first release off her forthcoming fifth studio album, due later this year, which was produced by her hubby Swizz Beatz.
Jennifer Hudson Headlines 4th of July with the Boston Pops
Grammy Award-Winning Artist Jennifer Hudson
will be singing along with the Boston Pops as a part of the 2012 Boston Pops
Fireworks Spectacular. The show begins at 8pm, but if you can’t make it to the
Esplanade you can see the performance on WBZ-TV. Be sure to head out early with
your blanket and lawn chairs for this family-friendly event!
Erykah Badu LIGHTS UP THE STAGE In London
Erykah Badu performed at Hammersmith Apollo
in London. And doesn't appear to be the least bit bothered by her baby's daddy
Jay Electronica getting caught up recently with a married woman, who he also
works with music wise.
The stylish diva rocked a yellow hat, a tan
trenchcoat, orange pants, black boots and numerous rings for a swagtastic
outfit.
WERK BADU!
K. Michelle Tells Tamar 'B*TCH' Bring It!!
K. Michelle is from Memphis. She jumps
gates. She is not afraid of a piece of paper...
Look:
Look:
Tamar you’re up !
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
'Diaper Sniper'
Ehh ohh, somebody call Dick Vitale cause
we’ve got ourselves a diaper dandy here!
HAVE A GREAT FOURTH OF JULY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
HAVE A GREAT FOURTH OF JULY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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