Magic & Cookie Johnson Talk Past Marriage Trouble & More In EBONY’s July 2014 Issue
Magic and Cookie Johnson grace the over of EBONY magazine’s July 2014 issue. Inside the issue, the couple talks past problems in their marriage that they were able to work through, as well as the highly publicized Donald Sterling controversy.
“We had our ups and downs. We had a period where we were about to separate,” Cookie admitted to the magazine. “There was a point where I was home all the time; he was working. Sometimes you start growing apart a little because he’s seeing new adventurous stuff. He’s out in the world. He’s growing. [But] I’m stagnant.”
Magic agrees there was a strain of their marriage, but says that they are now connected: “We just look at each other and say how blessed we are.”
“If I had kept going [that way] and the kids left, we would probably be divorced,” added the NBA legend. “Now we’re so connected to each other, but it took that situation to bring us back. I’ve always told Cookie, ‘The only thing I wanted was to grow old with you.’ [Now] we just look at each other and say how blessed we are.”
When speaking on the Donald Sterling incident, Magic said he was glad that he was able to stand up for our people and be the voice, and also revealed that the media frenzy surrounding the scandal brought out his competitive side.
Read the full story in EBONY magazine’s July issue!
Brittny Gastineau Steps Out With Black Eye After Attack
Finding herself in a scary situation, Kim Kardashian's best pal Brittny Gastineau was recently involved in a vicious attack.
According to reports, the reality TV star was staying at the London Hotel in West Hollywood with a male companion when the pair started up a vicious fight, leading the man to hit Britt. The attack was reportedly so violent that Britt rushed to the hospital.
The man was not identified, but TMZ said that he is famous.
Not letting the drama get her down, Brittny stepped out sporting a bloody, black eye in West Hollywood.
TMZ added that she hired an attorney to pursue legal action against her alleged assaulter.
Jim Jones Allegedly Had Near Death Experience After A Run In With Drug Kingpin Ronald “Ra Diggs” Herron
The drug and racketeering trial of Ronald “Ra Diggs” Herron is getting more interesting by the day. According to the testimony of his former driver, the reputed drug czar almost gave Diplomats founder Jim Jones that work after a dispute.
According to The Daily News, Herron’s former driver Algenis Caraballo testified in a Brooklyn court that CAPO kicked out Diggs after barging into one of his studio sessions in 2010. Caraballo alleges that Diggs, who was also an aspiring rapper, was told by Jones to “take that Bloods s— outside!” Jim is a reported member of the Bloods’ Nine Trey set.
Diggs reportedly felt disrespected by Jim and smashed a glass door upon his exit. Still feeling in a serious ways, Herron linked up with a couple of his armed goons later that night to track down the “We Fly High” rapper at the infamous Suez Rendevouz gentleman’s club in Mount Vernon, NY.
“The DJ shouts out, ‘Ra Diggs is in the building!’ and Jim Jones observes Ra there and it’s like he’s seen a ghost, scared,” Caraballo explained to the prosecutor.
He stated that Tremaine “Cakes” Patterson, a now deceased gunman for Diggs, was “looking for an eye signal from Ra” to shoot Jones.
The witness went on to say that Jim left promptly in an orange Camaro; “his whole entourage left.”
Do you believe his story?
Atlanta Celebs Hit Up ‘Live In The Park’ Showcase In Atlanta
“R&B Diva” Meelah Williams, Musiq Soulchild, “RHOA” co-star Marlo Hampton and Jhene Aiko’s older sister Mila J all trekked to Midtown's Park Tavern in Atlanta for a laid-back, chill type evening of live musical performances as they sipped on a little bubbly.
The live music showcase offered the folks some good eats, cocktails and live R&B music performances by old and new school artists as they overlooked a scenic backdrop of the city.
New “R&B Divas” star Meelah Williams landed a spot on the roster to perform some of her classic 702 tracks and also some of her newly released material. Meelah has a new track titled “Give It To You” featuring her son’s father Musiq Soulchild and we’re actually feeling the track. You can download it from iTunes here. She debuted a new blonde bombshell ‘do dressed in a black laser top and black skirt.
Musiq Soulchild was also in attendance to support his son’s mother Meelah, lending his vocals to assist the “Diva” with their new track. Meelah and Musiq seem to have this co-parenting thing down pat. The two teamed up earlier this year to host a star-studded benefit concert for Autism, a disease their son Zac lives with.
Former “RHOA” star Marlo Hampton and a friend posed it up during the event. Marlo was channeling her wild side with a cheetah print top and snakeskin skirt.
And Jhene Aiko’s older sister/R&B singer Mila J came out for the festivities with an L.A. style type tease rocking a R.I.P. Tupac jersey shirt and ripped denim shorts. The “Smoke, Drink, Break-Up” singer has a new remix to Usher’s “Good Kisser” that you can check out here. Mila's currently gearing up to release her debut album MILA.
Fun times!
Stevie J Released from Jail with Wife Joseline Hernadez By His Side!
Love and Hip Hop Starlet Joseline Hernandez was spotted outside the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in Atlanta GA paying $100,000 bail to get her man Stevie J out of jail for failure to pay child support. You better stand by your man like the country song Joseline!
Check out the details below.
Wednesday morning Joseline Hernandez was escorted by her team of attorneys as she made her way to the Richard B. Russell Federal building to pay $100,000 bail to get her man out of jail. Stevie J was arrested for failure to pay child support allegedly since 2001 for two of his children with ex-girlfriend Carol Antoinette Bennett. The child support demanded that he pay $6,600 in 1999 the payment increased to $8,500. Those coins have racked up to a whooping $1,107, 412.
As you know we saw him his walk of shame to the jail house on Monday.
Project Child Support an agency that helps children get the financial support they deserve has been helping Antoinette Bennett by subpoenaing people in the singer’s life, including Joseline Hernandez, to get info on his finances and more, as he has failed to show up to hearings at Family Court in NYC.
We hope that the couple can work things out and have a happy Father’s Day weekend.
What do you think?
Kelly Rowland Confirms She’s Pregnant
The internet has been abuzz with rumors that Kelly Rowland may be pregnant. While at Rhythm On The River music festival in Oklahoma over the weekend, the “Gone” singer’s attire (a crop top and matching high waist pants) sparked talks that she may have a bun in the oven.
She also shared pics of her stepping out to the Think Like a Man Too Hollywood premiere on Monday, in which she rock’d a black pantsuit, and semi-tucked blouse.
But, it looks like Kelly’s confirming the rumors with a photo she posted to Instagram of two pairs of Jordan sneakers. One adult size and a second pair of baby Js. She captioned the pic with – “I’ll be stuntin like my daddy.”
The Destiny’s Child diva married Tim Witherspoon in an intimate ceremony in Costa Rica last month.
If the news is indeed true, Congrats to Kelly and Tim!
Ice Cube, Channing Tatum & More Stars Goof Off At 22 Jump Street Premiere
22 Jump Street is a fun and lighthearted comedy, so it only comes natural that its stars would be able to unwind when they reunited at the film’s premiere. Ice Cube, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and more sold their forthcoming sequel with all sorts of antics on the red carpet during the Los Angeles premiere.
Tatum, especially warped into his character as when he hopped on a railing and used a fake bazooka to shoot swag out to fans. Stars including Busy Philipps and James Franco’s brother, David, even broke the seriousness of red carpet photos and even took camera phone pics with fans.
Through all the hysteria, Ice Cube managed to divulge a bit of exclusive information useful to Hip-Hop fans. He told Entertainment Tonight’s Rocsi Diaz (who also stunned on the carpet) that his son would be starring as him in the N.W.A film Straight Outta Compton, set to hit theaters next year.
Check out all the hilarious photo-ops from the 22 Jump Street premiere in the gallery below. Juicy J, Travis Barker and Kevin Durant were there too.
Paula Deen Announces Her Own Online Network!
She got kicked off of the Food Network for using a racist word 20 years ago, but now Paula Deen is back with her very own media company.
The southern-fried chef will launch Paula Deen Ventures in September 2014, including an online network accessible by computer, tablet, smartphone and online streaming.
Deen declared, "Guess who's going digital, y'all! I'm so excited about my new online Network and can't wait to show everyone what we've been working on.”
"We're going to have so much fun being together and cooking up some wonderful new and classic dishes. Y'all can get my recipes, tips and cooking anytime you want—this is for you. I can't wait to crank up the oven and get cooking for the people I love: my family, my friends and my fans!"
Producer Gordon Elliot sees the move as a huge plus- "She was always bigger than a 30-minute television show and now she has the perfect medium to share her cooking, her personality and her life with fans anytime they want to watch. Whether it's a quick delicious dinner or a family feast with games and guests, she can do it all - when and how her fans want it.”
And Paula Deen Ventures CEO Steven Nanula gushed, "While Paula had several offers to return to broadcast television, she ultimately decided to launch the Paula Deen Network because it gives her a greater level of direct access to her millions of fans when it is convenient for them.”
"In addition, Paula will enjoy full creative control of the shows, recipes and content, and be able to give her fans exactly what they love most about her. With 4.2 million fans on Facebook and 1.24 million followers on Twitter, it was clear to us that an interactive digital network was the way to go.".
R. Kelly & Andrea Kelly's Youngest Child Reveals Transgender Journey, Says "“I Believe I Am A Boy"
Jaya (Jay) Kelly, the youngest child of R. Kelly and reality star Andrea Kelly, has come out as transgender and is making the transition from female to male. See what Jay says about his journey and his mom's support inside...
Jay Kelly, the youngest child of Hollywood Exes star Andrea Kelly and ex-husband R. Kelly, is speaking out about plans to transition from female to male. Born 13 years ago as Jaya Kelly, Jay (on Instagram as @mi_ylno_namuh) talks about his journey and transition on Ask.fm where he answers questions from anonymous users.
From his answers, we've learned that he's identified as a boy since he was 6 or 7, his mom Andrea is VERY supportive, his big sister shows him love and support by calling him "handsome". But (as of 3-months ago), R. Kelly is unaware of his child's new identity, according to In Touch Weekly. Also, he still has "female" organs and wears a chest binder, but plans to take testosterone and have gender reassignment surgery.
Jay on Andrea: “[My mom] was like, ‘Baby, you know I love you if you were bi, gay, [lesbian], you name it and I would still love you so much. She was very proud of me, I was like, ‘Thank you mum for accepting the fact that I’m a transgender.’
Jay on his sister: “And same with my sister, she told me that she was proud of me, and respects me by calling me handsome and calling me her little brother now, and I love her for that, so you know it was great for me.”
Jay on his transition: “I believe I am a boy and want surgery, and the medication to help me who I was supposed to be.”
Kudos to Jay Kelly on being brave
Tami Roman’s Daughter Graduates with Honors!
Reality TV star Tami Roman and former NBA Player Kenny Anderson’s 17-year-old daughter, Jazz Anderson, has graduated and is going to play Division 1 basketball at Prairie View A&M in Texas.
Congrats to Tami Roman and Kenny Anderson’s daughter Jazz for graduating from highschool with honors. The lovely athletic graduated with a GPA from Dulles High School in Texas. The graduate is heading to Prairie View A&M a great HBCU just outside of Dallas. Jazz a very talented basketball player will be bringing her A game to the SWAC Conference and it should be fun to watch her do her thing.
But before heading off to college the lovely graduate celebrated with her famous parents Tami Roman and Kenny Anderson alongside her sister Lyric.
Kevin Durant Calls The Game A Liar Regarding $20K Bet, Gets A Slanderous Response
With the NBA Finals in full swing, reigning MVP Kevin Durant has plenty of time on his hands to kill until next season. After he and his Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the Playoffs by the supposed curse of the Based God, he’s been hanging out in Los Angeles clearing his mind. Which, by happenstance, included hanging out with The Game for an alleged big money wager.
This past Friday, Game and Durant were chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool shooting hoops with Drake along with NBA stars James Harden and Demar Derozan. Somewhere down the lines, Game shot–and hit a 3-pointer which he claims was worth $20,000 to be paid out of KD25′s pocket.
“Bet Kevin Durant a.k.a. @EasyMoneySniper $20,000 that he’d have to donate to the @froggallstars & play wit #LaFamilia in the #DrewLeague if I made an NBA 3 pointer all net & my hittas @jharden13 @Demar_Derozan & @ChampagnePapi was right there to witness it all…” he said on the Instagram video which also evidenced the made basket. “I guess that’s that ! KD must ain’t get the memo….. My jumper wetter than stripper p%$$¥ !!!!!!!!!!”
TMZ rolled up on Durant during a recent L.A. workout to ask whether or not he was Pete Rosing the game of basketball and he was totally taken aback on the accusations.
“That’s false. He’s lying,” said an exhausted but obviously coherent KD said to the cameras.
Of course the news traveled back to Game and he was none to pleased with Kevin Durant’s convenient amnesia.
“Now why @easymoneysniper frontin on the kids homie ?!?!?!? We clearly said….. “If I made the 3 from NBA range you’d supply the entire @froggallstars program with brand new Kevin Durant shoes”…… 120 kids, close to $200 a shoe equals about $20,000….. How am I lying ????,” asked Game on his Instagram. “Just say you a sore loser & you ain’t wanna help the kids…. It ain’t that they need it cause I bought all 120 kids Lebrons out my own pocket as you can see on their Instagram.. But I thought it would be kool for them to meet you & be able to ball in your shoes especially since they look up to you & I made the shot as WE AGREED… @champagnepapi was right there, so was @jharden13 @trim_skit & @Demar_Derozan But don’t sweat it champ, we’ll still support you & I’ll go buy them myself just cause they mean that much to me.”
Thankfully cooler heads prevailed and Game says he spoke to Durant and there was “miscommunication” that caused him to act rationally.
“Had a conversation with @easymoneysniper this morning & we both agreed that there was a miscommunication between the middle party which was “TMZ” & that the way the camera man presented it to him was as if he bet me $20,000 cash which wasn’t the case…. We agreed that if I hit the 3 point shot he would get KD gear & his kicks for all the kids in our @froggallstars organization which is close to 130 children…. 130 kids at a price of maybe $150 a shoe & gear after tax equals close to $20,000 give or take so that’s where that # came from. When I woke up & had multiple texts & calls saying KD called me a liar on TMZ, I acted immediately in clearing things up on my end on my page & didn’t have a # on @easymoneysniper to clear it up privately which is what I should’ve done because the situation that was meant to be friendly & charitable to the kids & is now blown out of proportion…. But again, after talking to KD this am he again agreed to get all the kids his kicks & KD gear & also stated he was taken back by the $20,000 cash because that wasn’t what was agreed on by us….. It was a friendly bet that was only purely beneficial to the kids in our program & I’m glad we straightened it out in the end & I personally told @easymoneysniper my bad for jumping the gun due to what I read on TMZ this am. It was truly a miscommunication.. I could’ve chose my words a bit wiser & made it a little more clear…. So on behalf of all the kids, myself & the @froggallstars organization, we want to thank him again for looking out for our kids & our fast growing program, it’s very much appreciated
Oh?
Ryan Murphy on Pres. Obama’s ‘Full Circle’ Praise for ‘The Normal Heart’
*President Barack Obama was so moved by the recent HBO movie “The Normal Heart” that he cold-called its writer-director Ryan Murphy to let him know. The gesture shows just how far this country has come from a time decades ago, when the Leader of the Free World refused to even acknowledge the disease that serves as the subject of the film – HIV-AIDS.
Set in early 80s New York City at the beginning of the crisis, “The Normal Heart” follows seven gay activists and their ally, Dr. Emma Brookner (Julia Roberts), as they struggle to expose the gravity of the burgeoning epidemic to a nation – and president – in complete denial.
“I really grew up in this period, and I really came of age in this period, and I lost a lot of friends to AIDS,” said Murphy, who is openly gay, to the TCA in January. “I’m married, and I have a child, and I feel like this movie really is a civil rights movie, and I feel like what those seven guys did and Emma did in that fight really paved the way for the life that I have today…”
The film, adapted from Larry Kramer’s Tony-winning play, is said to have left a lasting impression on President Obama. According to Deadline.com’s Nellie Andreeva:
President Obama made a surprise call to Murphy on Monday (June 9) “to tell him that he loved the film and found it incredibly moving. The two know each other — Murphy hosted a major fundraiser for Obama at his house in 2012 — but I hear the writer-director had no idea Obama had seen his HBO film. …I hear Obama asked how the movie came together. …Murphy confirmed getting the call to Deadline, adding, ‘The whole movie is about Larry trying to get the attention of Washington and 30 years later, to get a call from the President is a full-circle moment.’”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘OOOPS RED ROVER’
Red Rover, Red Rover, please don’t bend over.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
EFREM
