Why did Oprah’s family sell her out? The long awaited unauthorized biography on Oprah by Kitty Kelley is out. Kelley is known for her exposés on Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, The Bushes and Elizabeth Taylor, and now she is doing The Mighty O. I didn’t think anything new would come out of this book because Oprah has always led her life like an open book. So what didn’t we know….well, she dated John Tesh, the musician and former anchor of Entertainment Tonight. He couldn’t deal with the interracial pressure, so he left her in the middle of the night. Oprah never knew her biological dad. She was raised by Vernon Winfrey. Vernon held nothing back. He can’t stand Oprah’s best friend Gayle King. He called her a street heifer. He talked about Oprah’s longtime boyfriend Stedman Graham. Referring to Stedman as a fixture and window dressing, Vernon says they are not in love. He also says the Oprah he knows is not the woman on screen. He talks about her strained relationship with her mother, and says Oprah doesn’t know Jesus. Vernon claims she lied about being poor growing up because he provided very well for her. Former boyfriends of Oprah’s were paid thousands to keep quiet, but that didn’t stop their girlfriends, who revealed to Kelley about past lesbian flings. So far, Oprah has had no comment on the book. Sources say she is just waiting for the storm to pass over. In the meantime, her media friends have been loyal to her. Kelley has been having a hard time getting booked on major shows (Letterman, The View, 20/20, Leno, Good Morning America). Why would Oprah’s stepdad bite her back out? Apparently, she and Vernon had a falling out years ago, and she stopped him from writing a tell-all of his own, so he gave all his dirt to Kitty Kelley.
In other news, she will be doing a nightly show on her Oprah Winfrey Network. In this show, she will travel the world conducting interviews with notable figures from around the world. Oprah’s daytime talk show ends September 2011.
Is Vivica A Fox getting turned out by her new boyfriend? Fox, 43, has been dating Slimm, a 26-year old promoter. She just spent a ton of money on a birthday party for him. During the party, he wasn’t paying attention to her so she started spazzing out. Her youngin’ was checking out the other ladies who were there to steal her man. Auntie Viv, the number one rule of a cougar…..if you are going to date the youngin’s, you can’t let them see you sweat, especially in this day and age of the video camera…aauugghh!!! Don’t let yourself get played. Remember how it was when you dated 50 Cent. C’mon, everybody is watching you with this young man. Be careful.
Shaquille O’Neal has a warning for his ex-wife. Don’t Clown Me Or Talk About Me On Your Reality Show! Shaunie O’Neal has a reality show on VH1 called Basketball Wives. The show is funny because only one of the ladies is married. The other women are divorced or ex-jumpoffs/girlfriends/side jawns….anywho… Shaq sees his ex-wife’s show as televised revenge. For years, Shaq cheated on Shaunie, and now, he is getting his lawyers after her. In other Shaunie news, the mother of five is dating 23-year old Model Marlon Yates. Shaq is not happy about this either. He’s been leaking stories about his ex-wife. Telling anyone who’ll listen how she used to be married to one of his business partners, but dumped that husband to hook up with him. Hmmmmmmmm!
Houston! We’ve Got A Problem! Whitney Houston has resumed her European tour, but she can’t hit the high notes…. and it’s embarrassing! She looks haggard, and she sweats profusely while performing. According to Houston, despite battling an upper respiratory infection, she is in good health. This tour has turned into a disaster. She needs money because she never wrote or produced her own music. Right now, the only way she can make money is by touring. Now she could write a book, but there’s the question: will she tell the truth? Will it be an honest book about her life with Bobby Brown and the years of drug abuse?
The King children are getting along. Dexter, Martin, III and Bernice have settled their differences and are getting ready to continue the legacy of their parents. The King siblings will be doing work for The King Center with Martin, III being placed in charge. For years, the siblings were embroiled in controversy ranging from charges of theft to mishandling of funds. A judge had to step in to restore order. After a car accident nearly killed Dexter, the siblings realized life was too short to continue feuding. Plus, it was embarrassing to the family.
Another King is having his own problems. Talk Show Legend Larry King filed for divorce from his seventh wife Shawn. She filed her own papers the same day. Shawn’s been married three times before Larry. The Kings have two sons together, Chance, 11, and Cannon, 9. Larry is denying published reports of an affair with his wife’s sister. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
How long will NBC keep Tiki Barber around? The former Giants football great made headlines for all the wrong reasons last week when it was revealed he dumped his wife Ginny, who is 8 months pregnant, for a 23-year old intern. Barber and Ginny had been married for 11 years with two sons, but apparently he has been carrying on with the intern for the past two years. He’s been showering her with expensive gifts, clothing, jewelry, designer handbags and trips around the world. The young intern didn’t care who knew about their relationship. She would put daily posting on Facebook wearing Barber’s jersey. Her parents thought she was the babysitter for Barber’s children, but the fact is she was having an affair with him. Barber’s career is in jeopardy. He was recently dropped from the Sunday night NFL games on NBC. He was also paid $2 million by The Today Show, but he was disappointing and dull on screen. What man turns his back on his pregnant wife? No one likes a jerk. Now NBC has a reason not to renew his contract.
Speaking of jerks, Hollywood Agent Mike Nilon has been busted for cheating. Nilon is married to Actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon. Garcelle played “Fancy” on The Jamie Foxx Show and a D.A. on NYPD Blue. The Nilons are the parents of two-year old twin boys. When Garcelle found out her husband was cheating, she sent an email blast letting everyone know about Nilon’s five-year affair with another woman.
Actress Stacey Dash is headed to divorce court. The former Clueless star is divorcing husband number three, Emmanuel Xuereb. They had been married for two years, and she claims he beat her and has a drinking problem.
At the movies, it’s Death At A Funeral. It’s an all-star cast with Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Danny Glover and Kevin Hart. Speaking of Martin Lawrence, he’s going to start work next month on Big Momma’s House III: Like Father, Like Son. The new movie will also star Faison Love and Brandon T. Jackson. In the new installment, Lawrence recruits his son to help solve a crime. Lawrence will also be teaming up with Jamie Foxx in the Sheneneh And Wanda movie, based on their popular characters from In Living Color and the Martin show.
Get ready for the return of The Dell East. Yes, The Dell East at 33rd and Ridge Avenue! After a two-year absence, The Dell East is returning with a new season. The kickoff is July 12th. As soon as we find out the lineup, we will let you know. There will be 8 shows this season.
Trey Songz and Monica are gearing up for a summer tour. Songz also has a new reality sow debuting on BET on June 27th.
Does Tyler Perry have a gay problem? According to Writer/Columnist Rob Smith, Perry does. He claims there are no positive gay role models in any of Perry’s movies. Smith says this is probably done so that Perry’s predominately African American church-going audience won’t be offended.
Former 76er Derrick Coleman is broke. Coleman owes his creditors $4.7 million, and he has filed for bankruptcy. In 1991, Coleman was the NBA’s Rookie Of The Year, and he was a standout player for Syracuse. During the course of his NBA career, he made millions, but lost it due to bad business deals.
Singer Jaheim had a run in with the police last week. Jaheim was stopped for speeding, and police found marijuana in his car.
Actor Quinton Aaron, who played NFL Player Michael Oher in the movie The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock, has been dropped by his talent agency. They claim they couldn’t find him any work.
The legendary Pam Grier is coming to Philadelphia. The original “Foxy Brown” is telling all in her new book Foxy: My Life In Three Acts. The book comes out April 28th, and she is doing a free book signing at The African American Museum, 7th and Arch Streets, on Thursday, May 6th from 6pm until 8pm. At 60, Grier still looks fabulous, and I will be the hostess for the evening. Make plans to join us. Grier has a lot to tell, including her romances with Richard Pryor, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and the late Comedian Freddie Prinze, Sr. from The 70’s show Chico And The Man.
Philly’s own Patti LaBelle is getting a new honor right here in town. LaBelle will be receiving an Honorary Doctorate Of Humane Letters at Temple University’s 123rd Commencement on May 13th.
Bobby Brown has a June court date. Brown is trying to get his child support payments reduced. Brown has no source of income, and he can’t afford to pay Kim Ward, the mother of two of his children, $5,500 a month. Back in 2007, Brown was jailed for falling behind on his child support payments by $22,000.
It’s official. Kevin Eubanks is leaving The Tonight Show. After 18 years by Leno’s side, Eubanks wants to embark on a different musical journey. Famed Music Director Rickey Minor is replacing Eubanks. Minor will be leaving his position with American Idol to take The Tonight Show gig. Minor is known for his work with the Superbowl, The Grammy Awards and The NAACP Image Awards.
In other late night news, Conan O’Brien is going with the money. FOX wouldn’t pay up, so Conan O’Brien will be doing a late night show for the TBS network. O’Brien’s show will air Mon-Thurs at 11pm followed by George Lopez. O’Brien will own the show and get $10 million a year.
Basketball Superstar Julius Erving is living the quiet life outside of Atlanta. Dr. J is happily married to Dorys Madden, and they have three children. The Ervings met in 2003, and have been married for two years.
Paula Deen is back with a new book about southern flair. Savannah Style is a southern style decorating book. Deen co-wrote the book with her creative director and personal assistant, Brandon Branch. Deen says she came up with the idea for the book because she wants people to dare to be different with their decorating.
Neicy Nash is dancing up a storm on Dancing With The Stars. She’s also in talks to host her own daytime talk show. In the meantime, she’s been busy with her Clean House TV show and her work on The Insider. In other Dancing With The Stars news, is Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson dating his dance partner Cheryl Burke. NO! It’s just publicity. When he finishes up Dancing With The Stars, he will start work on his VH1 dating reality show. 85 women are already lined up to date him. He is going to be sooooo tired once he starts up football season with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jennifer Hudson says she has not forgotten about her singing career. Hudson is currently the spokesperson for Weight Watchers. She went from a size 14 to a size 4. She’s also getting ready to start work on a movie based on the life of Winnie Mandela. Hudson says in between, she will be working on a new album that she says will be ready by the fall.
Congrats to 6ABC News Anchor Monica Malpass. Her twin boys, Hunter and Zeke, arrived earlier this week. The twins join their ten-year old big brother Jake. Congrats Monica!
Gabby Sidebe is headed to SNL as host. The star of Precious is hosting the show on April 24th. In other Gabby news, her mom, Alice Tan Ridley, has been chosen to compete this summer on America’s Got Talent. Ridley is a subway singer who is well known in the New York area.
The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin and The King Of Pop Michael Jackson are going to be the new inductees into the Apollo Theatre Hall Of Fame. The ceremony takes place June 14th. Past inductees include Patti LaBelle, Quincy Jones and Ella Fitzgerald. Jennifer Lopez and her hubby Marc Anthony are also going to be honored that night with a humanitarian award.
Ruben Studdard is gearing up for a summer tour with former Idol Contestant Clay Aiken. When the two competed on American Idol, Studdard won the competition. They will be performing in Lancaster on August 8th. In other Idol news, the charity show Idol Gives Back will air on April 21st. Alicia Keys will be one of the performers. So far, Idol’s charity has raised over $140 million.
Tyler Perry is coming to Philadelphia April 28th-May 2nd with his new stage production Madea’s Big Happy Family at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery. There are still tickets available, and Tyler wants to see you there. He just added the Wednesday show. The production will have video screens to support the play so everyone will have a great seat. Tyler’s new movie, Why Did I Get Married Too, is in theatres. The movie stars Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Sharon Leal, Malik Yoba and Perry himself. Tyler’s next project is an adaptation of the 1975 play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf. The play was about love, abandonment and rape. Rumored cast members include Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington and Macy Gray. Filming starts in June, and the movie is scheduled to be in theatres next January.
Check out the May issue of Essence magazine. Jill Scott is the cover girl. New Mommy Paula Patton is on the new issue Of Ebony. She and husband Singer Robin Thicke recently became the parents of a baby boy named Julian.
On May 14th, it’s Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton and Pam Grier in the movie Just Wright. Philadelphia Native Mike Elliott directs the comedy about finding love when you least expect it.
It will be the reunion of Run DMC at the 3rd Annual Roots Picnic. The event is happening June 5th at Penns Landing. This will be their first performance since the death of Jam Master Jay, who was murdered in 2002.
Babyface is doing a tour that will bring him to the Borgata in Atlantic City on September 3rd.
Toni Braxton’s new album, Pulse, has a new release date: May 4th. The album has undergone some changes, including appearances by Mo’Nique and Robin Thicke. Toni is also having major tax problems. She owes the I.R.S. over $400,000 in back taxes. Sources say it was money problems that led to the breakup of her marriage to Singer Keri Lewis of Mint Condition.
Oscar Winning Actress and Comedienne Mo’Nique is coming to Philly on May 21st with a comedy show at the Liacouras Center.
The new version of the Karate Kid hits theatres next summer with Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson and Jackie Chan.
Get ready for Sarah Jessica Parker and the girls in Sex And The City II coming out next month.
The 7th Annual West Oak Lane Jazz And Arts Festival is going to an all-jazz theme this year. Mark your calendar for June 18th -20th. Three days, two stages and it’s all free with Al Jarreau, George Duke, David Sanborn, Diane Reeves and Joey DeFrancesco, to name a few. This year will have a New Orleans theme. The location is 7100-74 blocks of Ogontz Avenue. For more info go to westoaklanefestival.com
The Bynum Brothers are back with a new venture. They own Warmdaddy’s on Columbus Boulevard and had the old Zanzibar Blue in Center City. Their latest project is called RELISH at 7152 Ogontz Avenue. It replaces Sadiki’s. RELISH features live jazz music Thursday through Sunday. For more info go to relishphiladelphia.com or call 215-276-0170. Join WDAS’ Mimi Brown on Wednesday nights for The Rising Star Talent Search. They are looking for up and coming musicians and singers to showcase their talent. For more info and to schedule an audition call 215-927-5455. The winner will get $5,000.
WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Singing Sensation broke up her fiancé’s marriage…but the joke was on her. Once he left his wife, she found out he had a jumpoff with a baby in another country. Is this man really worth all the drama?!!!!!
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Friday, April 16th- Angie Stone and Leela James in concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside for more info call 215-572-7650.
April 24th- Steve Harvey and Nephew Tommy at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.
May 1st- Bill Cosby at the Keswick Theatre for more info call 215-572 -7650.
May 1st- Corrine Bailey Rae in concert at the TLA, 3rd and South.
Saturday, May 8th- The Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley, Teena Marie and The Whispers in a Mothers’ Day concert at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Saturday, May 8th- A Mothers’ Day Gospel Celebration with Kirk Franklin, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy and Fred Hammond at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.
Saturday May 15th – Charlie Wilson and Vivian Green in concert at the Tropicana Showroom in Atlantic City.
Friday, May 21st –Mo’Nique’s Spread The Love comedy show at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.
Friday, May 21st- Diana Ross at Caesars in Atlantic City.
Saturday, May 22nd – Sunday, May 23rd -The stage play Your Girlfriend Needs To Mind Her Business! Starring WDAS’ own Mimi Brown and Yvette Money. Showtimes: Saturday, the 22nd is 8pm and Sunday, the 23rd is 7pm at The Arts Bank Theatre, 601 South Broad Street. For more info call 215-869-3509.
Friday, June 11th- Earth Wind & Fire at the Borgata in Atlantic City.
Saturday, June 19th –Maxwell/Jill Scott at the Wachovia Center.
Saturday, June 26th- Frankie Beverly & Maze and Will Downing in Concert at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. For more info go to http://livenation.com .
Saturday, June 26th- Gladys Knight in concert at the House Of Blues Showboat Casino in Atlantic City.
Thursday, July 22nd –Chrisette Michelle at the House of Blues Showboat in Atlantic City.
Friday, September 3rd – Babyface in concert at the Borgata in Atlantic City.
