The ho-hum catch that tickled his teammates, the behind-the-back snag that looked so easy. Cliff Lee could have been clowning around with his kids. Hard to believe it was Game 1 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, of all places. Lee outdueled CC Sabathia, Chase Utley homered twice and the Philadelphia Phillies kept rolling through October, beating New York 6-1 on a misty Wednesday night in the…
Filed under: Movies, Television, Theater, Celeb Updates
With eight consistent films under his belt, Tyler Perry has overcome the odds of not only his upbringing but also setting the bar as one of Hollywood’s most relentless and profitable directors. As his dear friend and mentor, Oprah Winfrey recently stated, “Do not play him small, because he is not some lucky rich negro!” This and much more was all discussed on tonight’s episode of the long-running newsmagazine show ’60 Minutes,’ where the critically acclaimed director-actor discussed an array of topics including being abused by his father, Emmitt, as a child to firing back at Spike Lee‘s controversial comments comparing Perry’s body of work to “coonery and buffoonery.”
Check out a video clip of Tyler Perry’s reaction to Spike Lee below.
Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
In just three years, Tyler Perry has become the toast of Hollywood. Could you name another director black or white who can boast of having released six feature movie projects within a three year period? Nope. Not only did the New Orleans native write all of the storylines for the films, he starred in four. Combined, five of the films have grossed upwards of $250 million worldwide, some within budgets below $6 million. And with the major money train also comes associating with some of the biggest names in and out of the entertainment business. BlackVoices.com takes an introspective look at how a former homeless man turned chit’lin circuit theater czar has connections to the likes of Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Will Smith, to name a few. Check out Six Degrees of Tyler Perry.
Tyler Perry
The best-selling playwright turned Hollywood hot-shot (real name: Emmitt R. Perry, Jr.) was born Sept. 14, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ray Nagin
Another New Orleans native, Ray Nagin, Jr. was elected into the office of Mayor of the Crescent City on March 6, 2002.
Labelle
Known as the music capitol of the Gulf Coast, New Orleans was also the setting for ‘Lady Marmalade,’ a hit song from 1970s glam-soul trio Labelle, comprised of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sara Dash.
Lenny Kravitz
Modern day rock & roll demigod Lenny Kravitz is one of the top-notch talents chosen to produce Labelle’s long-awaited reunion album, ‘Back to Now,’ due out later this year via Verve Records.
Lisa Bonet
‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘A Different World’ star Lisa Bonet eloped with Lenny Kravitz in November 1987. Their daughter Zoe Isaballe Kravitz was born the next year. The couple separated in 1991.
Gary Dourdan
‘C.S.I.’ actor Gary Dourdan played Cree Summer‘s character’s love interest Shazza Zulu on the NBC sitcom ‘A Different World,’ which was originally developed as a spin-off vehicle for Lisa Bonet. The Philadelphia native appeared on 13 episodes from 1991 to 1992.
Janet Jackson
Gary Dourdan also played the love interest of Janet Jackson in the music video for her chart-topping ballad, ‘Again,’ in 1993.
Tyler Perry
Janet Jackson starred in the lead role of Tyler Perry‘s box office smash, ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ The twice divorced pop star won an NAACP Image Award for her performance.
Ruben Cannon
One of the most respected executives in Hollywood, Ruben Cannon has served as a casting director of film and TV projects dating all the way back to 1977. He co-executive produced Tyler Perry‘s ‘Why Did I Get Married?’
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Cliff Lee sprinted off the mound after throwing his final pitch, nearly breaking a sweat for the first time. Heck, he almost outhustled the Phillies' newest speed demon, Ryan Howard. With their ace and slugger leading the way, the defending World Series champions got back their swagger. Lee dominated the Dodgers, Howard and Jayson Werth provided the big swings early and Philadelphia cruised past…
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Kimora Lee Simmons, hubby Djimon Hounsou and her two daughters – Ming Lee, 9, and Aoki Lee, 7 – rocked the red carpet at the opening night of Kooza, the new Cirque du Soleil show in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday (October 16).
No new baby…except for the one that Aoki is holding…Enjoy your weekend!
Power forward David Lee is staying with the New York Knicks for a one-year deal Thursday worth about $8 million. Lee sought a multiyear contract. But with the Knicks hoping to save salary cap room for the summer of 2010, he had to settle for the chance to become an unrestricted free agent next year. Lee averaged 16 points and 11.7 rebounds last season.
Filed under: Music, Movies, Television, News, Photos, Theater, Celeb Updates
She may have been a no-show at the Toronto International Festival earlier this week, but Mo’Nique partied it up with the likes of Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley at the Sugar Bar last night. The incredibly shrinking funnywoman dined on buttery shrimp, sidestepped to the live music (with a bodyguard standing shielding her = insane to observe), cut up on the microphone and welcomed the black media with open arms at an exclusive soiree celebrating her upcoming BET late-night talk show, which premieres Oct. 5.
Aside from the new show, which we hear may draw comparisons to Arsenio Hall’s groundbreaking 1990s chat fest, the former star of ‘The Parkers’ is looking forward to a busy season. Her performance in the Oprah Winfrey/Tyler Perry-produced drama ‘Precious: Based on the Novel Push’ has garnered early Oscar buzz. It has also brought a tinge of scandal, too. This week, a source told Roger Friedman of the Hollywood Reporter that the 41-year-old actress asked for $100,000 at one point to show up to the festival with the rest of the cast. Of course, a rep for Lionsgate (the studio will release the film on Nov. 6) downplayed that tidbit with talk of “scheduling conflicts.” Hmmm. Winfrey, Perry and the diva Mariah Carey all showed up. And no one could possibly be busier than those three. They were all in New York City last night, too, but were nowhere near the Sugar Bar. When probed about the movie’s shining star, the film’s director told a room full of Toronto Festival journalists, “She’s at home eating some potato chips with her kids.” Ummmmm. Okay.
Last night, however, Mo’Nique seemed to be in her own mode at the Ashford & Simpson-owned hot spot. She wasn’t talking about Toronto drama. Actually, come to think of it, she didn’t say much at all in the watering hole’s tight quarters. The ‘Original Queen of Comedy’ did commend ‘Precious’ filmmakers for believing in her, along with BET honchos Debra Lee, Stephen Hill and Loretha Jones.
Spike Lee
Besides Woody Allen, no other filmmaker has had more films on the big screen in the last 20 years than Lee. From ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ to ‘Jungle Fever’ to the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated ‘Do The Right Thing,’ Lee’s production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983. In 2008, the Atlanta native released his latest film, ‘Miracle at St. Anna,’ a story about blacks fighting in WWII that stars Derek Luke and Michael Ealy.
Oscar Micheaux
As the pioneer of Black filmmakers, this Metropolis, Illinois, native revolutionized the film industry when he formed his own movie production company and, in 1919, became the first Black to make a film. He wrote, directed and produced the silent motion picture ‘The Homesteader’ and then introduced the film world to Paul Robeson in ‘Body and Soul.’ In 1986, the Directors Guild of America honored Micheaux with a Golden Jubilee Special Award, and today the Oscar Micheaux Award is presented each year by the Producers Guild.
Robert Townsend
Primarily known as a comedian, this Chicago native established himself when he wrote, directed, produced and starred in the comedy ‘Hollywood Shuffle,’ his 1987 film about struggling black actors. He also created and produced the CableACE award-winning ‘Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime’ for HBO. His best film to date is the 1991 musical ‘The Five Heartbeats.’ Townsend recently directed the documentary ‘Why We Laugh,’ a story on black comedians and their impact in America.
Bill Duke
Known for his imposing 6-foot-6-inch figure and action films such as 1987’s ‘Predator,’ the Poughkeepsie, New York, native began directing feature-length films in the 1990s with the crime dramas ‘A Rage in Harlem,’ ‘Deep Cover’ and ‘Hoodlum.’ In 2007, Duke directed ‘Cover,’ which starred Vivica A. Fox, and most recently ‘Not Easily Broken,’ which is based on a T.D Jakes novel and stars Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson.
Ossie Davis
As a pioneer in the film business and a legend in the Black community, Davis was an actor, director, poet, playwright, writer and social activist whose career spanned nearly 50 years. Davis directed numerous films during the blaxploitation era, including 1970’s ‘Cotton Comes to Harlem’ and 1973’s ‘Gordon’s War.’ Along with wife Ruby Dee, the Georgia native starred in many movies, including several of director Spike Lee’s films such as ‘Do The Right Thing,’ ‘Jungle Fever’ and ‘She Hate Me.’
Melvin Van Peebles
This Chicago actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer is most famously known for his contribution to the blaxploitation era with the independently financed and critically acclaimed film ‘Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.’ The 1971 film was written, produced, scored, directed by and starred Van Peebles and tells the story of a deprived Black man on his escape from the white authority. The father of actor/ director Mario, in 2008, Melvin completed the film ‘Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha,’ which played at various film festivals.
Julie Dash
In 1991, this Queens, New York, native’s film ‘Daughters of the Dust,’ which tells the story of three generations of Gullah women at the turn of the 20th century, was the first full-length film with general theatrical release in the United States by an Black woman. In 2004, the film was included in the National Film Registry.
F. Gary Gray
Having directed more than 30 music videos for artists such as Ice Cube, Queen Latifah, TLC, Dr. Dre and Mary J. Blige, and winning several awards for his work, the New York native moved into the film world with the cult favorite ‘Friday,’ starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. He then followed that film with another fan favorite, ‘Set It Off,’ with Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Jada Pinkett Smith, before moving on to big budgeted films such as ‘The Negotiator,’ ‘The Italian Job’ and ‘Be Cool.’ His next feature is slated to be ‘Marvin: The Life Story of Marvin Gaye.’
Forest Whitaker
An Academy Award winner for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film ‘The Last King of Scotland’, the Longview, Texas, native has directed many films, including the fan favorite 1995’s ‘Waiting to Exhale,’ based on the Terry McMillan novel of the same name. Other directorial films from Whitaker include ‘Hope Floats’ and ‘First Daughter.’
Lee Daniels
Beginning his career in entertainment as a casting director and manager, the Philadelphia native worked on projects such as ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ and ‘Purple Rain,’ both of which starred Prince, before hitting the jackpot with his production of ‘Monster’s Ball’ in 2001. That film garnered Halle Berry a best actress Oscar, making her the first Black woman to do so. In 2006, Daniels made his directorial debut with ‘Shadowboxer,’ which starred Oscar winners Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Helen Mirren. Just recently, in January 2009, his latest directing gig, ‘Push,’ won three awards at the Sundance Film Festival, including best film.
Mo’Nique
Everyone and their mother (and even the P.O.T.U.S.) seemed to have some sideways comment about Kanye West’s messy spectacle at the MTV Video Music Awards — as if he was videotaped urinating on underage girls; as if he was accused of sexual assault by a Colorado hotel employee; as if he lumped up his beautiful Cover Girl model girlfriend on the streets of Los Angeles … but I digress.
Joining in the fray is Angelo Ellerbee, an esteemed public relations veteran.
In an eyebrow-raising interview with Out magazine, the New Jersey native – who has worked with virtually everyone in black entertainment from, Dionne Warwick to DMX, spoke his piece about the highly publicized debacle: “This is a problem! You can talk about how it’s liquor, but liquor just makes you do what you want to do. It’s an excuse. His mother dying, the liquor — they’re all excuses. You need to go and get some help. You need to come to me for a week. That’s what you need to do!”
Another nugget from Ellerbee, who has garnered praise for media coaching and teaching celebrities proper etiquette: “It angers me to think that we’ve come so far and then our black president is shouted at and called a liar and nobody wants to do anything because no one wants to ruffle any feathers. You know what? I’ve got nothing but feathers to ruffle. I’m tired of this. When I worked with Mary J. Blige, people said it was the hardest thing to do and it would never happen. But life is not a cup of instant coffee. It’s brewed coffee. It’s brewed over time. Look where she’s at today!”
Before Wanda Sykes starts hosting her late-night show on FOX this fall, audiences will get to see her on HBO. The Emmy Award-winning comedienne returns to the network for her second solo special, ‘Wanda Sykes: I’m a Be Me,’ debuting Oct. 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Taped last month before a live audience at the Warner Theatre in Washington, 
D.C., the special will feature the brazen funnywoman performing material featured in her national stand-up tour. She addresses such topics as having a new “cool” black president, coming out as a lesbian, the real Michelle Obama, being a new mom, getting her first bikini wax, health care town halls, pirates and working as an entertainer on a gay cruise. Named one of Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America,” the ‘New Adventures of Old Christine’ star recently hosted the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Grammy-Award winning neo-soul powerhouse Jill Scott, Obie Award-winning actress Yvette Freeman and Emmy Award-winning producer Shonda Rimes have some irons in the fire. Scott has been cast as the lead in Lifetime Television’s telefilm ‘Sins of the Mother,’ about a grad student who returns home to face her abusive, alcoholic mother. Scott, who recently helmed the critically acclaimed HBO series ‘Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency’ (now on DVD), will play the mother. According to ‘Variety,’ production began this week, and a 2010 premiere is slated.
She played nurse Haleh for 15 years on the TV drama ‘ER,’ but Freeman is a master at theater. This week, the Obie Award-winning Delaware native stars in McCarter Theatre Center‘s production of Emily Mann’s ‘Having Our Say,’ based on the memoir about civil rights pioneers Sadie and Bessie Delany. The multiple-award-winning play officially opened Sept. 17 and will continue at the Princeton University venue through Oct. 18.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ creator Rimes will produce a Miramax Films project adapted from journalist Helena Andrews‘ upcoming memoir ‘Bitch is the New Black,’ a satirical look at the new generation of young, successful black women in Washington, D.C. Andrews, a culture columnist for TheRoot.com, has been tapped to pen the screenplay.
Roxanne Shante, who was recently embroiled in a sordid scandal about whether Warner Bros. Records financed her alleged college education, sounded an alarm about a serious women’s health issue earlier this week. Via her Facebook page, the Queens, N.Y., native wrote: “Sisters, it is very important that you get mammograms. I am not 
going to put my personal business out here. But just know I am speaking from a place and situation that I don’t want to see any of you in. If anyone here is a breast cancer survivor I would love to hear from you. Life Begins at 40.”
When reached for comment, the former Cold Chillin’ Records rap diva (nee Lolita Gooden), who many consider the “First Lady of Rap,” did not respond. But today, she wrote: “Okay, let me explain. I wanted to share my situation because someone reading this needs to know they are not alone. Or they need to go and get a mammogram. We always put ourselves on the back burner for family, work, friends, etc. Put your health 1st today. As for me, I will be fine. God is good and has given me a guarantee. Plus, to worry is a sin, and I have committed enough of those so I don’t worry. Lol.” Her 40th birthday is Nov. 9.
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Filed under: Music, Movies, Television, News, Theater, Celeb Updates
Video clips have surfaced of actress Maia Campbell. The former ‘In the House’ star became a top 10 trending topic on Twitter yesterday after the Web site WorldStarHipHop.com posted a video allegedly showing the actress-turned-prostitute on a drug-induced rant in Compton, Calif.
According to EURweb.com, the trending topics “#Maia Campbell” and “#pray4maiacampbell” were among the top five on the popular social networking portal. Actress Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) were among the many Twittering out of sadness and concern for the 32-year-old Campbell, who is the daughter of late best-selling author BeBe Moore Campbell. Robinson Peete wrote: “Hope Maia Campbell being trending topic can get her HELP IF that’s really her in that video. (Amen – that video hurt my ?!)” Previous articles written about Campbell for Black Voices also became a hot search term topics over the last 24 hours.
The national tour of Oprah Winfrey‘s musical adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’ has launched a Hurricane Katrina fundraising campaign to build as many houses as possible in New Orleans by the time the show arrives there for its run at the newly refurbished Mahaila Jackson Theater, from Dec. 1 – 6. The show currently stars ‘American Idol’ winner Fantasia Barrino in the lead role.
Starting with this week’s engagement in Chicago at the Arie Crown, the tour will allow audiences to donate at each stop along the route. ‘The Color Purple’ is partnering with a local New Orleans’ organization, the St. Bernard Project (stbernardproject.org), a grassroots, volunteer-based nonprofit that rebuilds homes in less than 12 weeks for approximately $15,000 each. To kick off the fundraising initiative, the show’s producers and Alice Walker announced that they have collectively pledged to pay for the rebuilding of the first three houses.
“[We are] honored to be part of the first theater season in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. Since our show is so much about triumph over adversity, we would like ‘The Color Purple’ to give something back to the people of New Orleans,” said Lead Producer Scott Sanders. “We love the idea of ‘The Color Purple’ putting families into new homes for the holidays this year.”
Tia and Tamara Mowry are reuniting on screen. The ‘Sister, Sister’ actresses will star in the Lifetime movie ‘Double Wedding,’ which is a story about siblings who wind up dating the same man. Production on the project begins this month, with the goal of a June premiere, reported Daily Variety. The twin actresses and their mother, Darlene, are serving as the movie’s executive producers, along with Howard Braunstein and Michael Jaffe. The former child stars have cultivated flourishing careers in their adult years: Tamera appeared on the Lifetime series ‘Strong Medicine,’ while her sister appeared on the CW’s popular sitcom ‘The Game.’
Taye Diggs and his wife, actress Idina Menzel, welcomed their first child on Sept. 2. The ‘Private Practice’ star and Tony Award-winning actress are celebrating the birth of Walker Nathaniel Diggs this week. “Mother, father and son are all doing well,” the couple’s rep said in a statement. The couple, who wed in 2003, met on the Broadway production of ‘Rent’ in 1996. Diggs currently stars on the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ spin-off, and Menzel dazzled audiences in The Great White Way’s production of ‘Wicked.’ They both revived their roles for the movie adaptation of ‘Rent’ in 2005.
With the release of the film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical ‘Passing Strange,’ director Spike Lee is returning to his roots. The ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ filmmaker will be among the presenters of ‘County of Kings,’ a show written and performed by the poet Lemon Andersen that will be performed at the Public Theater in New York City this fall. According to the New York Times, ‘County of Kings’ was featured at the Public’s “Under The Radar” festival earlier this year and tells Andersen’s story about growing up in Brooklyn during the birth of hip-hop. Jayson Jackson, who previously oversaw the careers of Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo and Tony Award winner Sarah Jones, will also present ‘County,’ while Elise Thoron will direct. It is scheduled to begin performances on Sept. 29, with an official opening of Oct. 12.
Rick Fox will be bringing the heat to ‘Melrose Place.’ The forBeBe Moore Campbell 72 Hour Holdmer-NBA-all-star-turned-actor has been tapped to play a recurring role on the new CW series, which is a resurrection of the popular 1990s FOX nighttime soap. According to Reuters, Fox will play the owner of the restaurant where all the aspiring actors on the show work. His previous acting credits include ‘He Got Game,’ ‘Oz,’ ‘One Tree Hill,’ ‘The Game’ and the movie ‘Meet the Browns.’ He even starred on ‘Ugly Betty,’ where he was featured alongside his ex-wife and series star Vanessa Williams.
6/1/09: Minnie Riperton
A very fitting homage will be paid to late, great songbird Minnie Riperton when a new batch of the acclaimed TV One docu-series ‘Unsung’ hits the small screen this month. Best known for her signature ballad ‘Lovin’ You,’ the Chicago-born singer/songwriter’s career and life were cut short after a three-year battle with breast cancer in the late 1970s. After Riperton’s cancer diagnosis, she went public instead of retreating, serving as a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. . She was only 31 years old when she died at the prime of her career. ‘Unsung’ premieres June 7 at 8 PM ET, repeating at 11 PM, as well as Thursday, June 11 at 10 PM and Friday, June 12 at noon and midnight.
Wire Image
6/1/09: Grace Jones
The one and only Grace Jones has been tapped to perform live at the ‘We Love’ festival in Ibiza on Aug. 9. For the first time ever, the ‘Pull Up To The Bumper’ singer will grace the Spanish island’s celebrated summer concert series, as part of the Wall Of Sound recording company’s 15th anniversary. Last year, festival organizers bought The Chemical Brothers back to the Ibiza after a ten-year hiatus. This year, they are ready for Amazing Grace, who recently released a new music project titled ‘Hurricane’ on the United Kingdom based label. “We are putting on a line-up to inspire and one that will take all lucky enough to be there on a journey they will never ever forget,” Wall of Sound founder Mark Jones said.
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5/28/09: Chaka Khan
Fresh from a headlining gig at the 2009 St Lucia Jazz Festival, Chaka Khan is ready to take on the nation’s capital. The 10-time Grammy Award winning diva will fill in for previously announce headliner Natalie Cole, who is recovering from a live saving kidney transplant surgery, at ‘The 18th Annual Capital Jazz Fest’ running June 5 – June 7. The ‘I Feel For You’ chanteuse will join a slew of noted musical acts at the lovely wooded setting of Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. According to a spokesperson for the event, the line-up includes performances by Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway, Fourplay, Norman Brown, Roy Ayers, Will Downing, Kirk Whalum, Pieces of a Dream with special guest Phil Perry, Guitars & Saxes (f/ Jeff Lorber, Euge Groove, Jeff Golub and lady saxophone newcomer Jessy J) , Regina Belle, Marion Meadows and trumpeter Joey Sommerville.
AFP/Getty Images
5/28/09: Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash will be honored with the Living Legend award at the Urban Music Awards USA 2009, set to be held at New York City’s Highline Ballroom on July 17. According to a spokesperson for the event, more than 175,000 music fans across the world have voted online for the hip hop veteran to receive the honor. “Flash is an absolute legend and he remains an inspiration to the hip hop culture all together by flying the flag from its inception to the success it has become today,” said Jordan Kensington, who is the C.E.O of Invincible Group & Founder of the Urban Music Awards. Nominees for the inaugural awards show include Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Bobby Valentino, M.I.A, Day 26, The Dream, Estelle, Kat de Luna, Akon, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo and Eminem.
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5/21/09: Jay-Z
Despite stepping down from his Def Jam presidency in late 2007, hip hop mogul Jay-Z has finally left the label as an artist. Rumors started surfacing online that the platinum-selling lyricist, who owed the label one last album, brought himself out of his contract for $5 million. “I can honestly say, working with Doug Morris and LA Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience and I respect them immensely,” he revealed to hip hop site Rap Radar. “I’ve been in the family for almost my entire career. Doug and I spoke directly and had one of the most unique ‘negotiations’ ever…I thank him for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music.”
Frank Micelott, Getty Images
5/19/09: Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige recently expanded her brand by signing with The William Morris Agency. According to Variety, the diversified entertainment agency, which also represents Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Kanye West, and Prince (to name a few), will assist the Queen of Hip Hop Soul in all areas of her career including the expansion of her entertainment company, Matriarch Entertainment. This fall the Queen of Hip Hop Soul will make her feature film debut in Tyler Perry‘s ‘I Can Do Bad All by Myself,’ scheduled to hit theaters September 11. She can be heard in the trailers for the Oprah Winfrey-presented drama ‘Precious,’ due out in November.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
5/19/09: The Dream
Following in the veins of fellow hip hop stars DMX and Tupac Shakur, singer-songwriter The Dream is planning on releasing his second album of 2009 entitled, ‘Love King.’ The R&B crooner, who recently released his certified gold album ‘Love vs. Money’ in March, revealed to Billboard magazine that he already has seven songs in the can and expects the album to hit stores in December. “I have to pace myself ’cause there’s so much time between here and then,” he said, “but the seven records I do have are timeless records. Whether they come out now or later it’s not really going to matter what kind of records they are.” In between recording sessions for ‘Love King,’ fans can now catch The Dream on tour with Keyshia Cole.
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5/19/09: The Whispers
After releasing classic hits such as ‘In The Mood’ and ‘Rock Steady,’R&B stalwarts The Whispers are set to release their first gospel album on Kingdom Records. Grammy Award-winning gospel star Fred Hammond is expected to produce a bulk of the tracks. “We’ve been wanting to do this for ten years,” explained founding member Nick Caldwell. “God has been really, really good to the Whispers. He was looking out for us even when we were ignoring Him. He allowed us to live long enough to do this inspirational CD that we want to use to inspire people to get closer to God.” The as-yet-untitled anticipated album is tentatively scheduled for release later this year.
5/19/09: Mariah Carey
On May 23, Mariah Carey is set to perform a one-hour set at the opening of the most expensive resort in Europe, The Mardan. Carey alongside legendary British soul singer Tom Jones will reportedly be paid £1 million each to perform at the exclusive £926 million Turkey development, which features five acres of fresh water swimming pools and a sunken aquarium. Actress Sharon Stone and Paul McCartney are among the many guests invited to the 560 room hotel opening.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
5/19/09: Will Downing
Overcoming his bout with the muscle disorder Polymyositis, Will Downing has set the stage to release is latest musical offering, ‘Classique.’ The balladeer’s 14th album and second Peak Records project features his signature baritone vocals over 10 smooth-sensual tracks. Vocalist Phil Perry joins the ‘After Tonight’ singer for Marvin Gaye penned ‘Baby I’m for Real.’ Other album highlights include ‘Love Suggestions,’ ‘More Time,’ ‘Something Special’ and Barry White‘s classic hit ‘I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby.’ ‘Classique’ hit stores June 16.
Verve
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Filed under: Movies, Television, Gossip, Celeb Updates, Star Quotes
“It didn’t go down the way it was reported: [They said] I was airlifted, I was beat. Honey if I’m beat, that place would have been on fire. I am a South Side Chicago girl, ain’t nobody putting their hands on me, and getting away with it – at all.”
— Actress and former First Lady of Turks & Caicos Islands LisaRaye McCoy-Misick on the publicized altercation with her ex-husband Premier Michael Misick. (Jet)
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All Time:
First off, we acknowledge that ‘sexiness’ is extremely subjective, but since when has that stopped anyone from offering their opinion? It certainly hasn’t kept us from taking note of the women who have served it up to us over and over again on the silver screen. That kind of consistency deserves recognition. That’s why Black Voices took time out to compile a list of the top 30 sexiest actresses of all time. Although many of the women on our list have excelled in various media throughout their careers, we decided to rank each actress based on their “sex appeal in feature films, roles and scenes.” Whether you agree or disagree with our rankings, we want to hear your opinion. Why not give us your own top 30 sexy actresses list? Please post your thoughts, comments and/or opinions in our community message board. Let the sexiness begin!
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30. Thandie Newton
It’s fitting that British actress Thandie Newton got the lead slot in our countdown. After all, compiling a list like this is sort of a ‘Mission Impossible’ given the fact that sexiness is completely subjective. Still, Newton sizzles on screen when the role calls for it, whether playing the femme fatale opposite Tom Cruise or the violated wife of Terrence Howard in the 2005 drama ‘Crash.’ No matter what your taste, leaving Newton off our list would have been an injustice.
Ferdaus Shamim, WireImage.com
29. Tracy Camilla Johns
Tracy Camilla Johns first came to our attention in Spike Lee‘s debut feature, ‘She’s Gotta Have It’. The mere fact that she hasn’t left our consciousness since then is a testament to her sex appeal. Oh yeah, we forgot to mention that she played a nymphomaniac dating three men at the same time. She followed that up with a scene-stealing striptease in 1991’s ‘New Jack City.’
Island Pictures, Everett Collection
28. Vivica A. Fox
Vivica Fox managed to heat up the screen even when playing an ice queen a la Mr. Freeze’s lusty assistant in ‘Batman and Robin.’ We should’ve expected as much from a character named Miss B. Haven. It seems Ms. Fox is destined to live up to her real name, having played sexy roles in ‘Booty Call’ and ‘Two Can Play That Game.’
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27. Robin Givens
As if posing in a 1994 issue of Playboy Magazine wasn’t sexy enough! Robin Givens actually played a sex siren opposite Eddie Murphy in ‘Boomerang.’ Givens’ character Jacqueline ultimately seduces Murphy’s character Marcus Graham. Some say she played the same role in real life with her former husband, boxer Mike Tyson.
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26. Paula Patton
We can see why fellow R&B crooner Robin Thicke decided to put a ring on the finger of this sultry actress (let alone write a song about her). Of course we’re sure that’s not the only reason, but it couldn’t have hurt. Paula Patton makes the list for roles in ‘Déjà vu’ and ‘Idlewild.’ Her leading men would be lost without the light she brings to the screen.
Jim Spellman, WireImage.com
25. Nichelle Nichols
We couldn’t possibly leave the original intergalactic hottie off of this list! If Nichelle Nichols were the future of space travel, what self-respecting Trekkie wouldn’t want to get beamed up? We would mention that she was hot enough to entice Captain James T. Kirk into TV’s first on-screen interracial kiss, but that wouldn’t be saying nearly enough. In her prime Lieutenant Uhura was light years ahead of the competition.
Fotos International, Getty Images
24. Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt epitomizes sexiness. Just her name evokes the signature purr she unleashed as Catwoman. The eyes, the hands, the voice, the legs — they all add to her allure — yet her sexiness is even greater than the sum of her parts. We’ll admit we haven’t seen most of her movies, but it doesn’t take much to be convinced. Besides, have you ever seen her performance of the song Santa Baby?
Michael Ochs, Getty Images
23. Vanity
Even though she was a ‘Nasty Girl’ in Prince‘s off-shoot group Vanity 6, Vanity (born Denise Katrina Matthews) had everyone in awe over her the 1985 flick ‘The Last Dragon.’ Leroy Green wasn’t the only teenage boy in pursuit of Matthews’ character Laura Charles. Sho ’nuff! Whoever plays her role in the upcoming remake has some pretty sexy heels to fill. (That’s right, we said heels.)
Lynn Goldsmith, Corbis
22. Lauren London
When people hear the letters “L.L.” they may automatically associate them with rapper-actor L.L. Cool J. Well, not this time! Hot 24-year-old vixen Lauren London comes in at number 22 for her role as “Erin ‘New New’ Garnett” in the 2006 film ‘ATL.’ She may not have many roles to her credit, but something tells us she’ll more than live up to any future billing.
Reuters
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