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Mary J Blige spoke emotionally about her friend Heavy D and his legacy.

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Morning News 01.18.2011

1. Tunisia Forms New Government
   But is it enough of a change to satisfy protestors?
   Read original story in BBC | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

2. Giffords Gives Husband a Neck Rub
   She may still be in the ICU, but Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is showing signs of a swift recovery.
   Read original story in The Los Angeles Times | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

3. Obama Targets "Excessive" Regulation
   The president took to the pages of the businessman's bible, the Wall Street Journal, to roll out his effort to cut away regulations that "stifle job creation."
   Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

4. Steve Jobs Taking Medical Leave
   Apple's leader sent an e-mail to employees Monday saying he will remain as the company's CEO and continue to be involved in major strategic decisions. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook will be running the daily operations.
   Read original story in | Monday, Jan. 17, 2011

5. Goldman Scraps Facebook Offer in U.S.
   The investment bank's exclusive share offer went bust after a media frenzy threatened to put Goldman in violation of U.S. law.
   Read original story in The Guardian | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

6. Palin Defends "Blood Libel" Remark
   She also admitted her infamous map's "surveyor symbols" were really crosshairs.
   Read original story in Politico | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

7. Starbucks Introduces New Drink Size: The "Trenta"
   Fans of the coffee chain's nonsensical drink size names can now order a 31-oz "Trenta" iced coffee.
   Read original story in The National Post | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

8. Americans' Views on Guns Unchanged After Arizona
   For America's gun control debate, it's plus ca change...
   Read original story in CNN | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

9. Study: Undergrads Learn Nothing for First Two Years
   Professors just want to research. Students just want to party. The result is an education fail for U.S. universities.
   Read original story in USA Today | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

10. Loughner Trial Will Probably Take Place in California
    It seems almost certain that the alleged gunman who killed six people and wounded 13 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, will be tried somewhere other than Arizona. Doctors upgrade Giffords' medical condition.
    Read original story in | Monday, Jan. 17, 2011

11. The Meanest Golden Globes?
    The Social Network and Glee were the big winners of the night but all anyone can talk about is host Ricky Gervais and whether he went too far in his jokes aimed at the stars and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
    Read original story in | Monday, Jan. 17, 2011

12. First Challenge for RNC Leader: Tea Party
    Reince Priebus will have to figure out how to best strike a balance between the conservative activists and the party.
    Read original story in | Monday, Jan. 17, 2011

Rihanna Opens Up About Brief Fling With Drake

The recent onscreen romance, between Rihanna and Drake, in her new video for "What's My Name?" has sparked rumors that the two are an item ... as they were rumored to be last year.

(Watch the video for Rihanna's "What My Name?" right here )

While these days, the pair's relationship is platonic -- she's currently dating Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp -- Rihanna opened up about their brief romance in the past during a recent interview with Hot 97's Angie Martinez.

In May 2009, reports surfaced that Rihanna and Drake were spotted making out during a night on the town in New York, while the pair were hanging with friends at Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge.

While Drake addressed the relationship in the song, "Fireworks" off his debut Thank Me Later, Rihanna never really spoke publicly until now.

"We weren't really sure what it was," Rihanna told Martinez when asked if they once dated. "We just went out -- my friends, his friends."

Although Rihanna says she was attracted to the young rap star, due to the recent break-up with Chris Brown, she wasn't ready to take on a new relationship. "I definitely was attracted to Drake, but I think it is what it is, like it was what it was," Rihanna explained. "We didn't want to take it any further. It was at a really fragile time in my life, so I just didn't want to get too serious with anything or anyone at that time."

She later explained that today, however, things between the two are great, but they are just friends.

As far as her athlete boyfriend, Rihanna says he saw her steamy new video with Drake and didn't seem to have a problem with it. "[He] never said it out loud, but I don't know what he's thinking," she laughs. "He watched it the other day and he was like, 'I love that video. It's a great video, babe.' I don't know how true that really was, but he seemed to like it."

Actress Eva Longoria Files For Divorce From Spurs' Star Tony Parker

Actress Eva Longoria has filed for divorce from San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker recently, citing "irreconcilable differences."

While Eva is the one who filed the legal documents, sources are saying she's "devastated," because word is, Parker was involved with another woman.

"Extra" host Mario Lopez told TMZ that the actress confirmed to him that she found hundreds of text messages from another woman on Parker's phone.

That woman is rumored to be Erin Barry, who is currently in the middle of a divorce from former Spurs player Brent Barry. Lopez said Eva confirmed that rumor to him.

Since the news, Longoria tweeted (@EvaLongoria) the following: "It is with great sadness that after 7 years together, Tony and I have decided to divorce. We love each other deeply and pray for each other’s happiness."

And Parker also publicly address the divorce, saying before his game on Wednesday (November 17) that "This is a difficult time right now for me and Eva."

As far as rumors of another woman, Parker responded: "Everything else is our private life. That's my private life."

According to the documents, Longoria and Parker entered into an prenup agreement prior to their wedding, and also signed a post-nuptial agreement back in 2009.

However, she is asking the court to restore her pre-marriage name and drop the "Parker" from her surname, is seeking spousal support from Parker.

The couple tied the knot on July 2007 in Paris.

Judge Orders Rapper T.I. Back to Prison for 11 Months

ATLANTA (CBS/AP) Rapper T.I. will soon be heading back to jail.

A federal judge ordered the Atlanta native back to prison for 11 months after revoking his probation.

The multi-platinum rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., appeared in court Friday in Atlanta following his arrest last month in Los Angeles on suspicion of drug possession.

T.I., 29, begged the judge not to send him back to prison, saying he needed to get help for drug addiction. He told the judge he "screwed up" and pleaded for mercy.

U.S. attorney spokesman Patrick Crosby said Harris will voluntarily surrender.

The action comes just days after th rap star helped police talk a man out of jumping from a 22-story building n downtown Atlanta.

Officer James Polite says the hip-hop star joined the crowd outside the office building Wednesday and told officers he wanted to help. Police said the man agreed to come down in exchange for a few minutes face-to-face with T.I.

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys Engaged and Expecting

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys are engaged and expecting their first child together. Alicia Keys is an international superstar, and Swizz Beatz (often misspelled as Swiss Beats, born Kasseem Dean) is a highly sought-after producer who has worked for Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Beyonce, and J-Lo; as well as Alicia Keys. Swizz Beatz' divorce was finalized two weeks earlier.

Swizz Beatz Sued by Mashonda Tifrere

Swizz Beatz has two children from previous relationships; this will be Alicia Keys' first child, and first marriage. Swizz Beatz is currently being sued by his ex-wife, singer Mashonda Tifrere, for $334,000 in alimony and child support for their thirteen-year-old son.

NBA Vet Eric Snow, Wife DeShawn of 'Real Housewives' Divorce

It looks like we'll be adding Eric and DeShawn Snow to the long list of celebrities calling it quits.

According to Access Atlanta, the former NBA player filed for divorce on Wednesday. He and his soon-to-be ex, who appeared on 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta,' would've celebrated their 13-year anniversary in July.

The college sweethearts -- who had been together since their freshman year -- are separated with "no hope of reconciliation," according to court papers. The two celebrated their 10th anniversary three years ago by renewing their vows in a lavish ceremony in Atlanta.

Snow, who played for the Seattle SuperSonics, the Philadelphia 76ers and most recently the Cleveland Cavaliers before retiring due to a knee injury, is requesting joint custody of the couple's three sons, Eric Jr., Darius and Jarren.

You may remember DeShawn from her brief stint on Bravo's 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta.' After the first season, she was asked to leave by producers because, as she put it, she was "too human for a circus show." She was replaced by former Xscape member Kandi Burruss.

DeShawn, a self-described businesswoman and philanthropist, still resides in Atlanta. SOURCE

Kobe Bryant's 'White Hot' LA Times Fashion Spread Spawns a Meme

It's hard to understand why basketball superstar Kobe Bryant signed off on an all-white fashion spread in the LA Times—one that would see him sporting an American Apparel headband beneath a Quaker-licious white hat, no less. But the gods of unintentional humor have smiled on us, thankfully, and now Kobe's the star of a terrific new photoshop meme.Kobe posed in a series of fashion-forward pieces by the likes of Kris Van Assche and Rick Owens at Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel last month, apparently unfettered by forethought. And now he's a star! Deadspin has rounded up some of the best photoshop humor inspired by Kobe's high fashion moment. It's a whole lot funnier than Tony Parker's French rap album.

Halle Berry Single Again, Breaks Up With Model Boyfriend After Five Years

Uh oh! One of Hollywood's hottest actresses is back on the market again ... it's Halle Berrrrrryyy, as Hurricane Chris would say.

That's right. According to RadarOnline.com, the 43-year-old actress has broken up with 34-year-old model boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, with whom she's been dating for five years.

Apparently, the couple quietly split months ago and have been working out a custody agreement for their daughter.

"Gabriel just felt it wasn't working anymore," a source told RadarOnline. "When they were first together, the nine-year age difference between them didn't phase him, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever dated and he was totally in love.

"But as time went on he started feeling it more and more. Also, Gabriel started noticing other women, and being attracted to others, and he felt it just wasn't right to stay with Halle in those circumstances."

They met at a Versace store opening in Manhattan in February 2006. Two years later, they had a daughter together.

The break-up is the latest in a series of failed relationships for the Oscar-winning actress. Her first marriage, to former baseball player David Justice, ended acrimoniously after five years amid accusations from Berry of domestic abuse. Then, Halle married singer Eric Benet ended, but called it quits after four years when she discovered he had cheated on her. Benet went into treatment for sex addiction, but Halle filed for divorce.

After two failed marriages, Halle publicly stated that she was over the marriage thing. When she met Aubry she stated that her "life was already complete without the need for a marriage." SOURCE:BALLERSTATUS.COM

iphone Weekend Blog Buzz 04.23.10

After 32 years as a morning radio personality in Washington, D.C., Donnie Simpson bid an emotional farewell to his listeners. According to the Washington Post, Simpson wept as he played Lionel Richie's "Jesus Is Love," his traditional closing song. This followed a parade of calls from celebrity well-wishers and other supporters. His four-hour show on WPGC-FM (95.5) spilled over an extra two hours to accommodate the phoned-in farewells from Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Wyclef Jean and other musicians whom Simpson has championed during his decades on the radio and as host of Black Entertainment Television's 'Video Soul.'....Simpson, who will be 56 on Saturday, was gracious and warm throughout his final program on the air. He thanked his listeners repeatedly, as well as his wife, Pam, his producer-son, D.J., and his colleagues.... Following the show, he treated fans and friends to lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl, the same popular diner visited by President Barack Obama days before his inauguration.SOURCE: Washington Post

lyvain White's latest film, 'The Losers,' which stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Idris Elba, Columbus Short, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, Holt McCallany, Oscar Jaenada, Jason Patric, and Peter Macdissi, has debuted online.Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo comic books, 'Losers' centers around a Special Forces team, who are set up and betrayed by their enigmatic handler, Max, who soon discovers that you should never leave a bunch of black-ops commandos for dead. The Losers regroup for revenge, and to get their names off a pesky CIA death list. For issue after issue, they conducted covert operations against the CIA, and sought to uncover the plans and conspiracies of the powerful, secretive Max. Warner Bros. will release the film in theaters on April 9.Somebody in Lil Kim's camp must've had a come to Jesus convo with the hip-hop surged "I used to be afraid of the d*ck" poet. Kim recently appeared in public looking less like a Disney villain and more like an African-American woman with facial features that are movable. I must say, Kim is looking normal and damn good!Apart of Nightline’s “Face off” series, the much talked about debate “Why Can’t A Successful Black Woman Find A Man” airs tonight on ABC at 11:35pm (ET). Hosted by Vicki Mabrey and Steve Harvey, the panel features Sherri Shephard co-host of the “The View,” Jacque Reid co-star of VH1’s “Let’s Talk About Pep,” Jimi Izarel, author of “The Denzel Principle” and “CSI” star and author, Hill Harper. Umm…we can’t imagine what kind of new information will be shed on the issue. We’re all pretty exhausted with the topic. Are you watching? Check out some snippets her

Sistas sure do spend plenty of time putting our men in their places. Checkin’ them. Givin’ them the business. Letting them know when they’re wrong, how wrong they are and how quick they ‘betta’ get done with that wrongness. We have an arsenal of friends, sisters, Sorors and co-workers to dog them out with, ready to co-sign on black men’s trifling, no-good-doin’ ways. And we have a dozen or more media outlets we use to vent about their shortcomings and failings, their problems and issues, their failures and faults. (Essence for one, has a tumultuous love/hate relationship with them, always willing to dedicate a good amount of real estate vocalizing our collective complaints about black men and then giving us 12 instructional pages on how to find one.) SOURCE...CLUTCH MAGAZINE

Shocking news as the principal of Woodland Middle School in Henry County, New Jersey, has come under fire over rapper T.I.‘s recent appearance. Parent we offended that T.I. spoke to their children and were not notified. Clifford Harris is a great father and family man, he just happens to be the rapper T.I., it sounding like the parents just wanted to see the rapper. but the appearance has cause and huge issue at the school now.

According to AllHipHop, T.I., born Clifford Harris Jr., appeared at the school on March 5th and spoke to students.Parents of some students took issue with the fact that they were not notified of who would be speaking to their children. T.I., who was recently released from a halfway house to house arrest with a curfew, served a year in prison for attempting to buy multiple machine guns with silencers. As part of his probation, the rapper was sentenced to 1,500 hours of community service, 1,000 of which were completed prior to his prison sentence.He flew around the country visiting middle schools, recreational centers and various Boys & Girls Clubs, where he encouraged teens to stay away from drugs, violence and gangs.

Well FORBES Magazine just released the 10 wealthiest Black Americans in the US. Wow, this is shocking though guess who dropped off the top 10. No 50 Cent? And Jay Z jumps up…no Diddy and Russell Simmons doesn’t make the top 20 cut.

Flip it to get it….

1. Oprah Winfrey – Net worth of $2.7 billion

2. Tiger Woods – Net worth $600 million

3. Robert Johnson – Founder of BET – Net worth $550 million (he took a hit during the recession)

4. Michael Jordan – $525 million

5. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr. – $500 million

6. Bill Cosby – $450 million

7. Sheila Johnson – Robert Johnson’s ex-wife – Net worth $400 million

8. Don Peebles – Runs Peebles Corp. a real estate development company – Net worth $350 million

9. Berry Gordy – Founder, Motown Records – Net worth $350 million

10. Quintin Primo III – Founder of real estate financing company Capri Capital – Net worth $300 million.

11. Don King – Net worth $290 million

12. Janice Bryant Howroyd & Family – Net worth $250 million

13. Herman J Russell – Net worth $200 million

14. Ulysess Bridgeman Jr. – Net worth $200 million

15. Tracy Maitland – Net worth $150 million

16. Alphones Fletcher Jr. – Net Worth $150 million

17. Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter – Net worth $150 million

18. Kobe Bryant – Net worth $140 million

19. Shaquille O’neil – Net worth $130 million

20. Kenneth Chenault – Net worth of $125 million

Below the line: (the ones who didn’t make the top 20 this year)

Russell Simmons – barely misses the cut with a fortune of $110 million.

Daily Blog Buzz Feed 03.16.10

Jackson’s estate signs $250M contract
Nine months after Michael Jackson’s death, his estate has signed one of the biggest recording contracts in history, giving Sony, Mr. Jackson’s longtime label, the rights to sell his back catalog and draw on a large vault of unheard recordings. The deal, for about 10 recordings through 2017, will guarantee the Jackson estate up to $250 million in advances and other payments and offer an especially high royalty rate for sales both inside and outside the United States, according to people with knowledge of the contract who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. It also allows Sony and the estate to collaborate on a wide range of lucrative licensing arrangements, like the use of Jackson music for films, television and stage shows and lines of memorabilia that will be limited only by the imagination of the estate and the demand of a hungry worldwide market. (Continue Reading…)

Wyclef paid mistress with Yele Haiti funds?

According to reports, former Fugee Wyclef Jean paid his mistress a six-figure salary using funds from his charitable organization, Yele. The alleged mistress, Zakiya Khatou-Chevassus, was paid $105,000 as an independent contractor, working on the charity in 2008. “She worked for Wyclef on all Wyclef matters,” a source, told website Gawker. “She did whatever Wyclef needed that day, whether it was related to Yele or not. She would do things like book flights, and she wasn’t very good at it. It’s a shame that she made that much money.” (Continue Reading…)

African Americans get fewer heart-protecting drugs
Even within the Veterans Affairs health system, where everyone should have the same access to care, African Americans are less likely than their white counterparts to be prescribed heart-protecting medications or undergo bypass surgery to treat blocked heart arteries, a new study finds. The findings, based on data for nearly 475,000 VA patients, found that African Americans had lower rates of prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering statins, as well as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart problems. They were, however, more likely than white patients to be on aspirin. (Continue Reading…)

Me, Campaign? Just Go to the Film

IT is a convention of the Oscar season that when an actor is among the hopefuls, a phalanx of promoters, publicists and managers go to work, making sure that the star is dolled up and walks miles of red carpets to tell anyone who will listen that she would be “thrilled just to be nominated.”

Mo’Nique has never been much for convention. A stand-up comic from Baltimore, she defined her own version of plus-size beauty, drawing belly laughs along the way by pointing out that it is O.K. to have one. Along with her busy stand-up career, she starred in “The Parkers” for five years on UPN and had movie parts here and there. But it was her role in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” that turned heads. As Mary, the baleful, hellacious mother of Claireece Precious Jones, the illiterate teenager who serves as her punching bag, Mo’Nique created a movie monster who seemed all too real. Her ability to step inside a character of monumental menace has made her a favorite in the best supporting actress category.

Mo’Nique, 42, says she cares deeply about “Precious” and is thrilled to be among the mentioned, but she is not about to reorganize her life or her priorities to get her mitts on an Oscar. “The Mo’Nique Show,” her daily talk show on BET, just began in October, and while other hopefuls are criss-crossing the country for all manner of events, chatting up Oscar bloggers and making sure that everyone knows that they want it, Mo’Nique is mostly here in Atlanta, tending to her show.

She was here at the end of November, in a building in an industrial part of town, getting ready with her “Precious” co-star Gabourey Sidibe for a photo shoot for the Vanity Fair Hollywood issue. In that sense the Oscar race has come to her, a tribute to the magnetic performance she gave this past year.

It is yet another convention of the Oscar season that the star look casually elegant for any news-media opportunity, but when Mo’Nique met with this reporter, she was simply accessorized by a bathrobe, a headband and the “Precious” director Lee Daniels. She looks great — as she herself often affirms in her stand-up and talk show — but there is no artifice, no fluffing for a newspaper interview. (That will come later for the magazine photo shoot.)

Mo’Nique and Mr. Daniels are a pair, cracking each other up into near helpless laughter at the smallest provocation, and are particularly amused by the keening of the Oscar press because she hasn’t paid proper tribute to the needs of the Oscar-industrial complex. “Deny her a nomination and teach her a lesson,” harrumphed Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood Elsewhere.

Mo’Nique can’t really get with that. Her campaign, if there is such a thing, was her performance, simple as that.

“Anytime I’ve been given an award, it has been because of the performance; what else goes into it?” she said, appearing genuinely mystified. “Look, it makes me appreciative any time someone says they may want to honor your performance. I’m appreciative at any talk in reference to any award, but there’s not much I can do about it now. The performance is done.”

It was, without a doubt, one of the most memorable performances of the year. A. O. Scott, a film critic for The New York Times, wrote that Mo’Nique played Mary with “operatic fervor.”

But isn’t she worried that “they” will think she doesn’t want the Oscar?

“I’ve been asked the question before,” she said, “and it’s like, guys, I also have this show called ‘The Mo’Nique Show’ where I tape six shows a week. I have twins who are 4, so I have babies, I have an amazing husband and a son who’s 19. What I can participate in I’m more than happy to.”

Mr. Daniels makes it clear that the support he needed from Mo’Nique for this film came on the set.

“We are in our bubble, and we pay no attention to any talk about what she should and not be doing right now,” he said. “We’ve been told from the start that no one would see a movie about a young black girl, that it wouldn’t make any money, on and on. Instead here we are, with all kinds of people going to see the movie, and even talking about the Oscars.”

Mr. Daniels is more interested in the opinions of Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, both of whom signed on as executive producers and supporters of the film. Ms. Winfrey, who was nominated for her 1985 supporting role in “The Color Purple,” sent an e-mail message saying that Mo’Nique is a very legit contender regardless of how busy she is.

“Her performance is so raw and so searing and without a doubt Oscar-worthy,” Ms. Winfrey wrote.

It was all the more remarkable for its audacity. Mr. Daniels said he was convinced that a large, wisecracking comic could portray a character who makes Faye Dunaway’s depiction of motherhood in “Mommie Dearest” seem almost cuddly by comparison.

“Actors want to act,” he said. “Mo’Nique doesn’t act. She saw what this role was about, and she just snatched it. She didn’t outsmart herself like so many actors do.”

Most actors tend to speak in mystical tones about roles, especially difficult ones, but Mo’Nique said her biggest accomplishment was just doing what she was told.

“I so believe in his vision, brother, I’m going there,” she said, looking at Mr. Daniels. “I’m not asking no questions, I’m not asking you why.”

During the interview the film was described as “dark” one too many times. CONTINUE READING...

'Real Housewife' Loses House, Still a Wife

Lisa Wu-Hartwell needs a "Big Poppa" of her own ... the real housewife of Atlanta just lost her real big house in Atlanta. Lisa Wu-Hartwell Atlanta just lost her real big house in Atlanta.TMZ has learned Hartwell and her husband, former Oakland Raiders linebacker Edgerton Hartwell, were booted from their multi-million dollar Georgia mansion last week -- after the bank foreclosed on the place and sold it shortly after. Hartwell's rep tells us the couple was in talks with the lender to restructure the loan because the home had lost value -- but that failed. They originally bought the place for $2.9 mil back in 2007 -- but the bank only got $1.9 mil when they resold it this month. The rep says "Ed and Lisa are fine. They have settled in their [new] home, that sits on 10 acres and they OWN it!"

BET BANNED CHRIS BROWN FROM PERFORMING?: Singer's camp denies producers pulled him after Sharpton and Jay-Z complained.

Producers of the BET Awards have been roundly criticized on blogs, Twitter, and even Facebook for the show it put on Sunday, but network execs apparently believed that booking Chris Brown would have been disastrous.The New York Daily News cites insiders who said producers pulled his performance at the 11th hour because his felony assault wrap for beating Rihanna made him too risky for a night revamped to honor the passing of Michael Jackson. One source says Brown’s absence came at the insistence of the Rev. Al Sharpton. “Al made such a fuss to the BET executives that they pulled Chris,” says the insider, who adds that Jay-Z also had a hand in the decision. “Jay is a big name in the BET community, and he was very vocal about his displeasure with Chris attending the ceremony. He didn’t want Chris anywhere near the awards so close to the court’s ruling.” As for Brown's reaction, “He’s furious,” a friend of the singer told the newspaper. “BET asked him to perform and waited until the last minute to tell him it was off. He’s pretty shocked and outraged right now.” SOURCE:EURWEB.COM

Farrah Fawcett Dies of Cancer at 62

Farrah Fawcett, an actress and television star whose good looks and signature flowing hairstyle influenced a generation of women and, beginning with a celebrated pinup poster, bewitched a generation of men, died Thursday morning in Santa Monica, Calif. She was 62. Her death, at a Santa Monica hospital, was announced by her spokesman, Paul Bloch, The Associated Press reported.Ms. Fawcett had been battling anal cancer since late 2006, and to an extraordinary degree the fight was played out in public, generating enormous interest worldwide. Her face, often showing the ravages of cancer, became a tabloid fixture, and updates on her health became staples of television entertainment news.  In May, her cancer battle was chronicled in an NBC prime-time documentary, “Farrah’s Story,” some of it shot on home video. An estimated 9 million people viewed it. Ms. Fawcett had initiated the project with a friend and producer, Alana Stewart, after she first learned of her cancer.  Ms. Fawcett’s doctors declared her cancer-free after they removed a tumor in 2007, but her cancer returned later that year. She had been receiving alternative treatment in Germany and was hospitalized in early April for a blood clot resulting from that treatment, according to her doctor, Lawrence Piro. Her cancer had also spread to her liver, Dr. Piro told The A.P. Ms. Fawcett’s career was a patchwork of positives and negatives, fine dramatic performances on television and on stage as well as missed opportunities. She first became famous when a poster of her in a red bathing suit, leonine mane flying, sold more than twice as many copies as posters of Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable combined. SOURCE:NYTIMES.COM

USHER DIVORCE UPDATE: Now it's officially on; Papers filed Friday.

After a flood of false online reports on Thursday that had Usher had filing for divorce against Tameka Foster, the AP is now saying that he has officially filed. Court records show singer the entertainer has filed for divorce from Tameka Foster Raymond after less than two years of marriage. The 30-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Usher Raymond IV, filed the petition Friday in Superior Court in Atlanta. The court record did not give any details about the split between the R&B star and his wife, who were married in August 2007. Here's what EUR reported earlier: Forget what you've probably heard about the word divorce and Usher and Tameka in the same sentence. Here's the bottom line as we know it. The superstar performer and his wife have not filed for divorced. At least not yet. The hub bub started yesterday when celebrity magazine In Touch, quoting anonymous sources, reported that the couple, after two years of marriage, had filed divorce papers in Fulton County Superior Court Thursday morning. However, after a check of court records, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says no such filing was found.The magazine claims the couple has been living apart for the past year, but finally decided to file papers Thursday morning in Atlanta. Usher and Tameka have two kids together: Usher Raymond V, 18 months, and Naviyd, six months. Four months ago, Usher was flying to Brazil to be by Tameka's side after she suffered cardiac arrest during cosmetic surgery. At the time, there were reports that he had no idea his wife had flown there for the procedure.“The Grammy winner has been living apart from his wife for nearly a year after almost two years of marriage" a source TOLD Us Magazine. "Usher’s primary concern is for his children. He is a great father and just wants to do what is right for them.” Despite the reported filing, sources close to Tameka say that she has yet to receive any papers. The source also adds that Tameka hasn’t spoken to Usher “in a few days.”

Rihanna's camp fighting nude pictures leaked to Internet

Rihanna's camp is reportedly ready to do legal battle over nude photos believed to be of the singer that were posted on the Internet Friday. TMZ reports that lawyers at Island Def Jam Music Group have sent a letter to at least one web site that posted the photos. The letter references "unauthorized photos purported to be… Rihanna" and demands the pictures be removed from the web site, claiming they violate "the Artist’s rights."The letter does not deny or confirm that the photos are of Rihanna. But it's sure sounding like it.On Friday, seven photos appeared on ImageHaven.net. Two apparently are of Rihanna’s face, while four of the pictures featured various body shots of a semi-nude woman suspected to be her. The woman’s face is not visible in the nude photos.The final photo features what appears to be a semi-clothed Rihanna in black underwear or bathing suit bottoms and a white robe. She's taking a photo of herself in the mirror with a Blackberry.The mirror has the words “I love you” and “I miss you,” written on it in white lettering and is signed, “Robyn,” Rihanna’s real name.The same seven photos and an eighth, with a shirtless man who looks like Chris Brown wearing pink undies on his head, was also posted on iHipHop.com.

O'Day Accuses Diddy Of Portraying Her As A 'Slut'

Former Danity Kane singer Aubrey O'Day has accused former boss Sean 'Diddy' Combs of portraying her as a "slut" on his reality TV show "Making The Band." O'Day landed a role in the band after triumphing in a previous season of Diddy's talent show, but was booted out last year, with the rap mogul blaming her poor attitude for her departure. But the star -- who recently stripped naked for Playboy magazine -- accuses the rap mogul of giving her a slutty reputation. She tells Hip Hop Weekly, "Puff (Diddy) isn't helping out (her reputation) on the new season of 'Making the Band' either. "I've heard little comments here and there about the reasons why I've become a streetwalker and why I ruined Danity Kane."

Forget Britney; Media Outrage Hits Big Spenders

The celebrity Web site TMZ and TV shows like “Extra” and “Inside Edition” are expanding their coverage of starlets and Hollywood break-ups to include billion-dollar business scandals and the economic collapse.A camera crew for “Extra,” the syndicated entertainment show, huddled alongside the BBC and The Associated Press outside the courtroom as Bernard L. Madoff pleaded guilty on Thursday. That night, the show started by calling him “the most hated man in America.” The previous evening, “Inside Edition” profiled one of Mr. Madoff’s victims who testified in court, a 60-year-old woman who lost millions and had to go to work as a maid.The tabloid media, of course, have always peered into the excesses of the rich and famous with a mix of puritan disapproval and voyeurism. But these outlets and other news organizations are now recording troubling uses of taxpayer money at country clubs, private airports and glamorous retreats and, in so doing, explicitly tapping into a fierce populist anger at corporate America, and even pressuring Congress to hold companies accountable.TMZ, a Web site better known for unflattering paparazzi shots of Britney Spears and Rihanna, drove mainstream coverage and Congressional outrage with a blog post late last month that exclaimed, “Bailout Bank Blows Millions Partying in L.A.” The site reported that Northern Trust, a bank that received $1.6 billion in taxpayer money, had hosted hundreds of clients and employees at a golf tournament and a series of parties in Southern California. “Your tax dollars, hard at work,” the site wrote. Northern Trust never sought the bailout funds, but agreed to take them last fall at the behest of the government. Regardless, the photos of Tiffany gift bags and the grainy video clips of Chicago and Sheryl Crow performing for the group angered readers —as well as Congressional Democrats, who demanded in a letter that Northern Trust repay what the company “frittered away on these lavish events.” The bank said it would do so “as quickly as prudently possible,” news that earned four exclamation points from TMZ. SOURCE:NYT.COM

BOW WOW, NE-YO DISCUSS 'CHRIHANNA' ORDEAL: Rapper 'praying for them both'; singer says leaked photo 'hurt me to my heart.'

Bow Wow and Ne-Yo are the latest artists to speak publically about Chris Brown's alleged abuse of Rihanna. The pair spoke separately about the incident, and stressed the importance of hearing from both sides before making any judgment. "I mean, being in the business, the first thing is 'Ah, it's false, another rumor, bloggers just wanting to have traffic to their site,'" Bow Wow told OK! magazine, "but when the story was unfolding, it was kind of shocking to all. Chris is a good friend of mine. We've had the opportunity to tour together. And then Rihanna, she's just a beautiful person. Period. Never done no wrong to nobody." The rapper continued, "At the end of the day I've always believed in whatever happens with people's business... my mom always told me don't get into. And the situation is so major, I think they just need their space and I think they need to deal with it... I'm praying for them both." 

As for the photo leaked by TMZ.com on Thursday showing Rihanna's bruises, Bow Wow said it was "just shocking. I mean, we heard what happened, but we really didn't get a visual for it. But I mean hey, man. The picture speaks for itself." Ne-Yo, who said he has spoken to Rihanna since the incident, told MTV that the photo "hurt me to my heart, man. Again, I still don't know what happened, 'cause I haven't had the opportunity to talk to Chris yet. But to take it to that level really hurt my heart. All I can say is, I'm praying for both of them. They're both in my prayers. I haven't had a chance to talk to Chris yet. I just wanna sit down and talk to that dude and just explain if he doesn't understand: 'That's not something that's excusable, bruh. You have to get a little smarter about whatever it is going on in your relationship. You have to get a little smarter about how you handle certain situations.'"  Still, Ne-Yo refused to be Brown's judge and jury. "I'm not going to crucify him," Ne-Yo said. "I'm not going to do that. That's still my homeboy at the end of the day. For it to go to that level was wrong. I won't say who was responsible. I won't pick no sides. I'm just saying it was wrong [that] it had to happen like that, and I'm praying for the both of them." SOURCE:EURWEB.COM