The Daily Buzz For Dec 8

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Keke Palmer On BEING "Cinderella", The Cell Phone Hacking Scandal And Why She's OK As a SINGLE Lady

It's been an amazing year for Keke Palmer. First, she became the youngest talk show host in television history when "Just Keke” premiere on TV and a few months later, she because the first Black actress to star as Cinderella on Broadway.

Now, the 21-year-old singer/actress is talking to ESSENCE about her road to success, how she's becoming a voice for her generation, discovering who she is outside of a man and standing up against online judgments.  The article is titled "Sugar & Spice" and also delves into her decision to focus on her

On pushing boundaries and going beyond race:“

I know that the role of Cinderella is primarily for a Caucasian girl, but it didn’t stop me from going in and it didn’t stop them from seeing me.

Thriving under the pressure of Broadway:

"There is a bit of intimidation. You think about Denzel, Viola Davis, and you think, Only great people can do Broadway. That was the scariest thing about it, but I’m the type who thrives on pressure…”

On the single life and putting career first:

"I realized that I'm a lot freer of a spirit. That was the beginning of me standing up for myself. I would love to have somebody but this is such a great time in my life, in my career. I really am liking myself."

On Cell Phone Hacking

“People think they can just put their hands in everything and it’s like, No, no, no. The fact that so many celebrity pictures were out there and everybody is elating in the fact that they’re a Peeping Tom? You’re all Peeping Toms. Everybody that’s commenting. In real life, if anybody went to somebody’s house and looked at them naked, they would go to jail…”

On Relationships

“What you’re ready for, you attract. So I think I have to do some introspection on why I’m attracted to people that can’t give me what I want…Maybe I’m not as ready for a serious thing as I think I am. The guys I end up getting involved with, they’re into the idea of me, but they really can’t handle what I’m about…”

The January 2015 issue of ESSENCE hits newsstands December 5th.

Montana Police Puts a Warrant Out for Jeremih’s Arrest

It seems that R&B singer Jeremih is in hot water with the Billings police department! They are asking for an arrest warrant for the singer due to the Fuddrucker’s incident!

Check out the details: Things just got real for R&B singer Jeremih as a result of his Fuddrucker’s debacle! The Billings police department has gone to prosecutors to get an arrest warrant. The arrest stems from an incident at the restaurant in November, in which Jeremih and his crew threw beer bottles and caused a commotion after hitting on an employee and being asked to leave by management. In the days after the incident, Jeremih accused the restaurant manager of being racist.

Just when we thought Jeremih had escaped the law, it looks like he will be paying thousands out of his pocket for what happened that day. If it goes through, the charges will likely be criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. Jeremih says this all was just an “unfortunate situation” caused by “blatant racism” from the staff.

STORY STILL DEVELOPING

Mama Joyce Expresses Sadness Over The DEATH Of Todd's Mom, Says She'll Send Flowers To Funeral...But Won't Be There 

Earlier this week, I delivered to you sad news about the passing of Todd Tucker's mother, Miss Sharon.  Now, Mama Joyce, who engaged in several fights with Miss Sharon on "RHOA", is expressing her regrets about the life lost and her own behavior.

Shortly after the death was announced, Mama Joyce spoke to TMZ, saying she was sorry about attacking Sharon and repeating gossip (which was later proven untrue). She also said she wished they could have patched things up before her death.

Having said that, Mama Joyce does not plan to attend the funeral (because of their history) but she WILL send flowers. Also, she told TMZ that she wants to have a better relationship with Todd.  We hope she follows through and becomes someone Todd can turn to.

RIP Miss Sharon.

Lil Wayne Wants Off of Cash Money, Blames Birdman For Album Delay?

Lil Wayne sent out some interesting tweets today in regards to his home and Label Cash Money…. He apologized to his fans about his album being pushed back and that it’s not his fault and blames Baby for everything… I guess Tyga was right speaking against Cash Money and their business dealings. Check his tweets inside.

In a series of candid tweets Weezy revealed that his long-awaited album Tha Carter V, which was due December 9, won’t be released because Birdman and Cash Money refuse to put it out.

He claims that he’s been a “prisoner” and apologized to his fans for making them wait.

Subliminally, He tweeted this a month ago.

I thought I would never see the day where Lil Wayne goes against Baby…. Times is truly changing…

‘Suicide Squad’ Cast Revealed: Jared Leto to Play the Joker, Will Smith is Deadshot

Jared Leto, Will Smith, Tom Hardy, Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney and Cara Delevingne will make up the all-star cast of Warner Bros.’ supervillain tentpole “Suicide Squad,” it was announced on Tuesday.

Based on the DC comicbook, the story centers on the team of supervillains who are given a chance at redemption by the government. The catch: Their mission will probably kill them all.

The actors’ names had long been rumored for the high-profile movie, which opens Aug. 5, 2016, but their deals and characters hadn’t been finalized.

Here’s the official cast/character list:

Jared Leto – The Joker

Will Smith – Deadshot

Tom Hardy – Rick Flag

Margot Robbie – Harley Quinn

Jai Courtney – Boomerang

Cara Delevingne – Enchantress

“Suicide Squad,” directed by David Ayer and produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle, will begin shooting next April in Toronto.

According to insiders, Jesse Eisenberg is also in talks to play Lex Luthor in the film, a role he will first play in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” though the status of his deal is unknown.

“The Warner Bros. roots are deep on this one,” Warner Bros. president Greg Silverman said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble, under David Ayer’s amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero.”

Warners has long viewed this project as the “Ocean’s Eleven” of comicbook movies and has been looking to load up the roster with top tier talent.

Warners still has the role of Amanda Waller, the character who oversees the team (similar to Nick Fury in the Marvel universe), to cast before the film goes into production. The studio’s shortlist of actresses being eyed for the role includes Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Oprah Winfrey, whom sources say would be WB’s first choice for the part.

Leto, who is making his first pic since winning the Oscar for “Dallas Buyers Club,” is repped by CAA and Untitled.Smith can be seen next in Warner Bros.’ “Focus” which also stars Robbie. Both are reppped by CAA, with Robbie also repped by Management 360 and Aran Michael Management, and Smith repped by Overbrook Entertainment.

Hardy is currently filming “The Revenant” opposite Leonardo DiCaprio which bows next Christmas. He is repped by CAA.

The WME-repped Delevingne, an English model-turned-actress, can next be seen in Warner Bros.’ “Pan.”

Courtney appears in the upcoming “Terminator” reboot as well as Universal’s “Unbroken” and Lionsgate’s “Insurgent,” and is repped by UTA and Silver Lining Entertainment.

Tyra Banks and Her Boo Erik Asla Land in Sydney

Tyra Banks and her man Erik Asla were spotted arriving in Australia. Ty-Ty was down under to film an episode of Australia’s Next Top Model.

She looks good, don’t you think? The 40-year-old recently launched her very own Tyra Beauty cosmetics line. You can find out more about that here.

Tyra also recently signed on for a 22nd season of the US version of ‘America’s Next Top Model’.

Work, Ty!

Kim & Kanye Reportedly Want Another Baby To “Save The Marriage”

If you let the media tell it, every celebrity couple is on the rocks every single day, but there’s no telling with Kim Kardashian’s not-so-great track record. Reports are saying that she and husband of less than a year, Kanye West, are on the rocks, and they think that giving their daughter North a brother or sister will save the struggling marriage.

Reports IFWT: “Kim is determined to make this work because she does not want to ever have to go through what she is watching her mom and Bruce go through,” a source close to the reality star said.

It seems like there really may be trouble in paradise, as Kim recently spent quite some time in Abu Dhabi without Kanye, then returned to L.A. as he left to Paris, where he spent Thanksgiving. It’s definitely a red flag when your husband chooses to spend such a family-oriented holiday thousands of miles away from his!

Kim reportedly thinks that “one more baby” (she’s “done” after that) will save their marriage, so we just might be seeing a baby bump in the near future! Time will tell!

Find Your Love: Drake Proposes Marriage To Tracee Ellis Ross (Instagram)

Drizzy Drake is a well known ladies’ man, and Tracee Ellis Ross is the definition of classy sex appeal. Seems like a perfect couple, right? Well, Drake agrees and decided to let Ross know just how incredible he thinks she is by proposing that they tie the knot, saying “I Will Marry You” in response to an Instagram video of Ross reciting the Canadian emcee’s lyrics.

Reports Vlad: Unfortunately for the “From Time” rapper, Ross has been dating record exec (and Akon’s brother) Bu Thiam for over three years, so chances are slim of this going anywhere. That being said, this is Drake we’re talking about, so you never know.

Tyler Perry Welcomes Son Aman Tyler!

Tyler Perry is a new dad!

The actor and director, 45, and his longtime girlfriend, model and activist Gelila Bekele, welcomed their first child, son Aman Tyler Perry, on Sunday, Nov. 30, PEOPLE has learned.

“Mom and baby are happy and healthy. Tyler is so excited,” a source tells PEOPLE.

Aman means peace and represents “the true meaning of Thanksgiving and then, of course, the holiday season.”

Although Perry and Bekele found out the sex of their firstborn prior to the delivery, the new dad is ecstatic over the arrival of their son.

“He’s over the moon,” adds the source, referencing Perry’s rocky relationship with his own father.

After welcoming their baby boy, the proud parents sent out a birth announcement to family and close friends, asking that in lieu of gifts, donations be made to Charity Water, an organization dedicated to providing clean water to developing countries.

“Tyler is thrilled. He and Gelila are so excited,” a source told PEOPLE in September. “They’ve got the nursery ready and he’s ready to change diapers.”

“He will make a wonderful father,” a second source added at the time. “You will never find a more loving, patient, honorable or decent man than Tyler Perry. Any child would be blessed to have him as a father.”

Perry’s rep declined to comment on the happy news. But Gelila’s sister Anna — who spent the Thanksgiving holiday with Gelila — flooded Twitter with happy emotions resulting from the arrival of ‘the love of her life’ and admiring her new nephew.

She tweeted: In response to a question from a follower, she revealed that she couldn’t help but admire her new nephew.

LOL! Congrats!

Kendall Jenner & Cara Delevingne Create a Stir with Love Magazine Cover

They’re both masterful at building hype, and Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne have teamed up for a steamy cover shot for Love Magazine.

Earlier this week, Love released the teaser shot featuring the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star being held in the arms of the sexy English model.

Kendall and Cara have been spending a ton of time together as of late, having both walked in the Chanel Metiers d’Art Collection 2014/2015 Paris-Salzburg show in Austria on Tuesday (December 2).

Prior to the gig, both ladies arrived together at Monday’s British Fashion Awards in London, England, and they definitely seemed flirty with each other.

New Movie: Chris Rock’s TOP FIVE

Pulsing with the rhythm of his greatest stand-up, Chris Rock’s TOP FIVE takes things to the next level, reveling in the high and the low, and blending a star-studded comedic romp with an irresistible romance.

TOP FIVE digs under the surface of show business, politics, rap, and the exigencies of being black and famous today—holding it all up to the light in the way only Chris Rock can. Mingling echoes of Woody Allen and Dick Gregory with the energy of Kanye West and Jay Z, TOP FIVE is an original and radically new kind of American movie. Written, directed , and starring Chris Rock, TOP FIVE tells the story of New York City comedian-turned-film star Andre Allen, whose unexpected encounter with a journalist (Rosario Dawson) forces him to confront the comedy career—and the past—that he’s left behind. Starring Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union, Cedric The Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Anders Holm, Jay Pharaoh, Michael Che, Sherri Shepherd, Leslie Jones. The film is produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush. The Co-Producers are Shawn “Jay Z” Carter and Kanye West; the Executive Music Producer is Questlove.

In Theaters Nationwide on Friday, December 12^th

Speaking of Top Five… Where are your favorite places to shop this holiday season?

Chad Ochocinco Johnson Expecting His 6th Child?

Chad has finally moved on from Evelyn and his groupies and has been in a relationship with a woman from Miami who has four children herself.. Now she maybe carrying the former football star’s sixth child…

According to Sources, they’ve been hearing alot of whisper’s but she also kind of gave some clues via Social Media…

Your Thoughts?

Deion Sanders Files $200K Lawsuit Against Ex-Wife Pilar For Defamation Of Character

The break up, divorce and custody battle between famed former NFL player Deion Sanders and his ex-wife Pilar has been ugly from the beginning and now Deion is taking his frustrations back to court with a $20,000 defamation of character lawsuit. The news comes on the heels of Pilar publicly releasing audio recordings of their children speaking about their relationship with Deion last month.

Reports Dallas News: Broadcaster and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has filed a defamation suit against his ex-wife, Pilar Sanders, also known as Pilar Love El Dey.

The suit accuses Pilar Sanders of publishing false statements on social media that accuse him of multiple crimes, including child abuse, spousal abuse, assault and attempted murder. The suit also references defamatory statements it said she made on TV in a recent appearance on The O’Reilly Factor.

The suit, filed Nov. 24 in Collin County, seeks damages of $200,000 to $1 million as well as other relief to which he may be entitled.

Pilar Sanders’ attorney, Larry Friedman, was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.

Her recent posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social media include multiple allegations that she and her children have been abused by her ex-husband. Some of the videos she posted have been blocked because of copyright issues. Some posts also have been made by others on her behalf.

On Nov. 19 before the suit was filed, she posted a link on Twitter to audio recordings of phone conversations she had with two of her children in which they allege abuse by their father.

In the suit, the former Dallas Cowboys player also accuses his ex-wife of contacting his sponsors, employers, friends and acquaintances either directly or indirectly and making similar false statements.

According to the suit, Pilar Sanders has ignored his requests to stop.

“Based on defendant’s prior conduct, Plaintiff believes that defendant’s campaign of defamation of defendant’s character and reputation will continue unabated absent this court’s intervention,” the suit states.

A hearing on a temporary injunction is scheduled for next week.

Quvenzhane Wallis All Smiles At Best Buddies ‘Annie’ Screening

Cutie Quvenzhané Wallis and her curls popped up at the Best Buddies screening of Annie held at Sony Studies in L.A

The Academy-Award nominee posed it up with Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O'Dell before sitting down for an interview.

Just in time for Christmas, the Annie star will hit the silver screen on December 19th alongside Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx.

The busy pre-teen is also on the cover of ESSENCE’s December holiday issue with co-star Jamie Foxx. When asked about his Oscar-nominated co-star, Jamie gushed about Quvenzhane sayin,

“I don’t think we could have done this movie unless Quvenzhané came along. It’s sort of like she’s tailor-made for the role in a sense. I would challenge you to find a girl who personifies ‘Annie’ better than Quvenzhané does…"

And before the screening, Q snapped a group shot with the Best Buddie volunteers and students.

Loves it.

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

‘Better Safe Than Sorry’

Because you would rather look like this than go bare ass on a Walmart toilet seat…

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!

EFREM

The Daily Buzz For May 23

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New "MILLIONAIRE" Host Terry Crews Admits To Porn Addiction & Reveals He's Partially DEAF

Now here's a hustle we're loving.  Actor Terry Crews stopped by "WENDY" to promote his new memoir, MANHOOD, and he make a shocking revelation about his battle with addiction.

Terry Crews has been everywhere lately promoting a gaggle of upcoming projects including a new book, MANHOOD, a new television gig as the host of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" and his role in the new movie with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler called Blended. 

The star of Fox's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" also revealed a lifelong addiction to pornography.  While discussing his father's battle with alcohol and his mother's addiction with religion (his words), he admitted that his addiction to porn stared around age 12.  He says it nearly destroyed his family and he didn't truly overcome it until five years ago.  His wife Rebecca BARELY took him back after she put him out of the house because of his constant struggle.  But now, they're going on 25 years strong as a married couple!

The former NFL player also revealed that he's partially deaf in one ear, and that's why he talks so loudly!

Quvenzhane Wallis Named New Face Of Armani Junior

With a sure-to-be-hit movie “Annie” out soon and plenty of industry cred to her name, Quvenzhane Wallis shouldn’t be surprised by high-profile offers, regardless of the realm.

The 10-year-old “Beasts of the Southern Wild” starlet was chosen to front the new Armani Junior ad campaign and she couldn’t be happier.

Quvenzhane shared, "I'm so happy to be chosen by Mr. Armani to be his ambassador for Armani Junior. I felt the same excitement when I got cast for a major film. Me? Wow! I was honored to wear his custom gown to the Oscars. It made me feel like a princess. When I saw Mr. Armani's Prive' show in New York, the dresses were so pretty . . . I had too many favorites. Afterwards when I met him, I realized Mr. Armani is such a nice man. I liked that that he was so thoughtful. It's fun to wear Armani Junior since I really like the clothes. It's young. It's cool. My friends are going to want to borrow all my clothes."

And Giorgio Armani is confident Miss Wallis is the perfect fit. "Quvenzhane is so talented, despite her young age. Her kindness, curiosity and openness towards others really struck me, as they are all traits I admire. It is for this very reason that I wanted her to be the face of Armani Junior. With her insatiable energy, Quvenzhane made the clothing come alive, interpreting it in her own singular way."

Psst: ‘Secret’ App is Now Available on Android and iOS

Secret is bringing its infamous confession app to Android and iOS users.

The company also announced both apps are now available globally.

Secret, a smartphone app that allows users to post messages anonymously to friends on their social networks, and to their friends’ friends, is available everywhere except the few countries where it’s banned. It had previously been only in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

The Android version will offer users two streams of anonymous messages: one that comes only from friends and friends of friends, which is the crux of the iOS app; and a second stream only to show messages from users who are nearby, in the same neighborhood or city, but aren’t in your network. Secret’s founders say the new “explore” stream, not yet available for iOS, will give users insights into news, gossip or social quirks that are trending around them.

Well with Secret now open for much of the world to divulge its deepest and darkest thoughts, experts say the startup faces a greater risk that it will become the go-to platform to expose trade secrets or delicate business information — think the recipe for Coke or the specs of Apple’s next invention.

“Someone may share on Secret anonymously a company’s secret sauce,” said Joseph Lorenzo Hall, chief technologist for the Center for Democracy and Technology. “That would be misappropriation of a trade secret and (Secret) could be subpoenaed.”

I can tell you now this is going to be real MESSY!!

MAKE IT STOP! Kola Boof Joining Real Housewives of Atlanta ?

Kola Boof who was the mistress of Osama Bin Laden and also the alleged mistress of Kimora Lee’s ex Dimon Honsu.. Well it appears that she maybe appearing on the next season of Real Housewives of Atlanta. According to her Twitter.

What if and can you imagine the drama?

Rapper Fabolous SLAMS Head-On Into An 18-Wheeler,

Fabolous T-Boned an 18-wheeler! And thankfully, the rapper walking away with only a few bumps and bruises.

Fab, who recently recorded the "Who Do You Love?" remix with Trey Songz, had a bit an epiphany about his life a few moments after the accident. He shared his thoughts with fans on Instagram:

Good Morning IG...I just survived a car accident on the Van Wyck in Queens, NY. I wanna Thank God for not only letting me walk away with a few bumps & bruises but also for letting my driver Ruben & the two truck drivers involved walk away alive also. This was my 1st time being in a car accident. It's a very shocking experience & may change my outlook on how fast things can happen & you're put into a life threatening situation. Live, Love, & Celebrate Life. #Blessed

We wish everyone involved a speedy recovery!

Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Shuttle Family Around Paris

The streets of Paris, France are likely more congested than ever now that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have flown their families into town for their wedding.

On Thursday, the “Disaster Movie” actress hit up the Eiffel Tower with her BFF Jonathan Cheban before joining up with her mother Kris Jenner at L’Avenue restaurant for some delicious eats.

Elsewhere, Bruce Jenner exited the George V Hotel with daughter Kendall Jenner, who flaunted her fashion sense in a gold studded black leather jacket with leather skinny trousers.

Additionally, Kim and her sister Kourtney Kardashian paid a visit to the Baby Dior boutique to pick out some new duds for baby North West while Kanye West and his father Ray browsed the racks at the Lanvin store.

And for any disgruntled Parisians that may be out there, Kim and Kanye are slated to tie the knot this weekend at which time they’ll be packing up and letting things get back to normal!

Major Harris 6th Birthday Party!

Major Harris celebrated his 6th birthday in Super Mario World style surrounded by his mommy Tiny, his daddy T.I. and the entire Harris clan. The youngest member of the Harris clan had so much fun turning all the way up with his video games, toys, and friends.

The youngest brat of the Harris clan celebrated his sixth birthday surrounded by his family as they enjoyed good food, games, and family. Major is a big fan of video games and Super Mario World was the perfect theme for his birthday party. Major enjoyed quality time with his mommy, daddy, and his siblings alongside a convention center full of extended family and friends.

The Harris clan is doing great as a family and a brand with their hit reality show on VH1 T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle. Despite the rumors that are circulating on the internet and on the streets of Atlanta all is well with the Harris Family. T.I. and Tiny are focusing on their happiness and love for their family and the HUSTLE! As you can see all is well in the Harris camp!

After all of the celebrating he spent his evening celebrating Ambassador Andrew Young’s birthday. Ambassador Young and T.I. are great friends.

Mavs Owner Mark Cuban on His Own ‘Prejudices and Bigotries’

*Dallas Mavericks owner and “Shark Tank” shark Mark Cuban, attempting to make a nuanced point about society’s challenges dealing with racism, acknowledged having his own “prejudices and bigotries” during an interview with Inc. magazine that went viral today, according to ESPN.com.

“In this day and age, this country has really come a long way putting any type of bigotry behind us, regardless of who it’s toward,” Cuban said Wednesday. “We’ve come a long way, and with that progress comes a price. We’re a lot more vigilant and we’re a lot less tolerant of different views, and it’s not necessarily easy for everybody to adapt or evolve.

“I mean, we’re all prejudiced in one way or another. If I see a black kid in a hoodie and it’s late at night, I’m walking to the other side of the street. And if on that side of the street, there’s a guy that has tattoos all over his face — white guy, bald head, tattoos everywhere — I’m walking back to the other side of the street. And the list goes on of stereotypes that we all live up to and are fearful of. So in my businesses, I try not to be hypocritical. I know that I’m not perfect. I know that I live in a glass house, and it’s not appropriate for me to throw stones.”

Cuban’s comments come in the midst of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks and the NBA’s attempt to force him to sell his team. Sterling was banned for life and fined $2.5 million by NBA commissioner Adam Silver after the release of a TMZ recording in which he told a female friend, V. Stiviano, not to bring black people to Clippers games.

On Monday, Sterling was charged with damaging the league with his racist comments, and he has until Tuesday to respond to the charge. If Sterling does not respond by then, that would be grounds for termination. Silver’s decision of a lifetime ban for Sterling is subject to a vote by NBA owners in June, with the commissioner needing three-quarters of the vote to enforce his decision.

Speaking at the annual GrowCo convention, hosted by Inc. magazine, on Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, Cuban said he knows how he’ll vote but isn’t ready to comment on it.

“There’s no law against stupid,” Cuban said when asked how to keep bigotry out of the NBA, according to the Tennessean. “I’m the one guy who says, ‘Don’t force stupid people to be quiet.’ I want to know who the morons are.”

On the night before Silver’s announcement of Sterling’s lifetime ban, Cuban called Sterling’s comments “abhorrent.” However, he also said that forcing Sterling to sell the Clippers would be a “very slippery slope.”

Cuban pledged his full support of Silver’s ruling after the fact, but he had been guarded on his comments on the subject since then until appearing at the GrowCo convention Wednesday, when he reportedly said he hates that he might have to be hypocritical with his vote on the matter of Sterling.

The point Cuban attempted to make during his videotaped interview with Inc. magazine was the importance of helping people evolve from their prejudices and bigotries.

“I’ll try to give them a chance to improve themselves, because I think that helping people improve their lives, helping people engage with people they may fear or may not understand, and helping people realize that while we all may have our prejudices and bigotries we have to learn that it’s an issue that we have to control, that it’s part of my responsibility as an entrepreneur to try to solve it, not just to kick the problem down the road,” Cuban said. “Because it does my company no good, it does my customers no good, it does society no good if my response to somebody and their racism and bigotry is to say, ‘It’s not right for you to be here. Go take your attitude somewhere else.’”

Meanwhile, TMZ reported that African American ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith applauded Cuban’s honesty.

“I took no issue whatsoever with what Mark Cuban said … not only because he was forthright, very candid and honest … but also he happens to be correct,” Smith said.

Cuban has taken some fire for the comments, but Smith says the people attacking him are missing the point.

“Yes he spoke about hoodies and how if he saw a black individual with a hoodie he’d walk across the street because he’s uncomfortable with that imagery … obviously, he also alluded to a white individual with tattoos all over his body, his face and his head, he’d walk back to the other side of the street.”

“So if you’re gonna have a problem with what he said about the black person with the hoodie on, then you gotta have a problem with the white person he alluded to with tattoos all over.

“I’m sorry, I don’t see a problem with that whatsoever. I don’t think there’s any ethnic group in America that should take issue with it as a personal affront to them as if he was isolating them or talking about them. He was simply being honest, forthcoming and very open about some of the fears and prejudices that he may have.”

Smith concluded, “I applaud his honesty and I took absolutely positively no offense to what he had to say.”

View the reactions of ESPN’s Michael Wilbon and Bomani Jones here.

Angela Bassett to Direct Lifetime Original Movie ‘Whitney Houston’

Angela Bassett will make her directorial debut with the Lifetime Original Movie “Whitney Houston,”  a film about her late “Waiting to Exhale” co-star’s tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown.

Due in 2015, the film will follow their headline-making relationship — from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity, to their courtship and rocky marriage.

Lifetime notes, “Throughout it all, difficulties followed the superstar couple while they dealt with the overwhelming rewards and consequences of the fame and fortune created by Whitney’s meteoric rise that would soon overshadow them both.”

 “I have such regard for both Whitney’s and Bobby’s amazing talents and accomplishments; and I feel a responsibility in the telling of their story,” said Bassett. “Their humanity and bond fascinates us all. I’m beyond excited to have this opportunity to go behind the camera and into their world.”

Produced by The Sanitsky Company, “Whitney Houston” will be executive produced by Larry Sanitsky (Betty & Coretta). Shem Bitterman (Betty & Coretta) wrote the film’s script.

Last year, Bassett and Lifetime worked together on the Lifetime original movie “Betty & Coretta,” starring Bassett and Mary J. Blige.

EJ Johnson FILMING "#Rich Kids Of Beverly Hills"

EJ Johnson, Tyrese and Ludacris were on the set of their upcoming Hollywood projects.  Find out what they were shooting inside...

EJ Johnson was spotted decked out in designer gear and his Birkin while shopping on Robertson Blvd with co-star and multi-million dollar heiress Dorothy Wang.

The pair were filming scenes for the second season of our guilty pleasure, E!'s "#Rich Kids Of Beverly Hills."

EJ, who'll play a larger role on the show this upcoming season even while attending NYU, also signed an overall deal with E! where he will make appearances on a variety of the network’s programs including Fashion Police and E! News.

Mos Def BARRED From Entering The United States, CANCELS Planned Tour?!

We've just learned from a credible report that Mos Def has been banned from the USA!  Details are sketchy, but the ish hit the fan once concert promoters in Boston found out he wasn't allowed back in the country.  Said promoters released a statement saying,

We regret to inform you that due to immigration / legal issues Yasiin Bey is unable to enter back into the United States and his upcoming U.S. tour has been canceled, including May 15th, Together Boston’s show at The Wilbur Theatre. Individual ticket refunds for this show are available at point of sale.

No one knows what the "issues" are, but Mos Def has gone on record trashing policies of the USA.  Remember the video he shot where he called out the government for their horrible treatment of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay?  Also, in March, he told Rolling Stone that he feels more comfortable in South Africa than Brooklyn.

“Sure, [Cape Town is] a beautiful place, you got the ocean, the mountain, the botanical garden, the beautiful people, the history, the culture, the struggle and everything — maaan, let me tell you something, for a guy like me, who had five or six generations not just in America but in one town in America to leave America, things gotta be not so good with America.”

Well.....we guess someone in Homeland Security decided he could keep his ass over in South Africa. Note to celebs-don't (publicly) trash the USA while on vacation.

Taylor Swift, Katie Holmes & Alexander Skarsgard Get “The Giver” Promo Posters!

It’s going to be an intense journey filled with top-name stars and “The Giver” is already building the hype with a trio of new character posters.

Featuring Taylor Swift, Katie Holmes and Alexander Skarsgard, the new artwork sets the stage with a mysterious aesthetic and intriguingly vague taglines.

“The Giver” is slated to land in theaters on August 15th and also stars Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites and Odeya Rush.

Per the synopsis, "The haunting story of ‘The Giver’ centers on Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. The film is based on Lois Lowry’s beloved young adult novel of the same name, which was the winner the 1994 Newbery Medal and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. THE GIVER will be in theaters everywhere Aug.15."

US Sends Military Personnel to Help Search for Kidnapped Nigeria Girls

*(Via Mail & Guardian) – The United States has deployed about 80 military personnel to Chad in its effort to help find and return more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist militant group Boko Haram, US President Barack Obama told Congress on Wednesday.

“These personnel will support the operation of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the surrounding area,” Obama said in a letter to congressional leaders.

The forces are to remain in Chad until they are no longer needed, Obama added.

A senior Obama administration official said the military personnel were deployed to Chad with the consent of that government. Some will maintain the unmanned aircraft involved in the mission and the rest will provide security for the group.

The girls were taken in April from a boarding school close to Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, Niger and Chad in a sparsely populated region. Their whereabouts are unknown.

The kidnappings have generated an outpouring of concern from the United States, with Obama’s wife, Michelle, speaking out about the crisis. The president himself has resisted some calls from Republicans in Congress to send special forces into Nigeria to search for the girls.

Get MORE of this story at Mail & Guardian.

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

‘JORTS WITH A BELT’

Well giddy-up cowboy! I’m sure all the boys at the rodeo love the way you work them jorts!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!

EFREM