Keepingitreal

Landon from 'Harlem Heights:' The Do Right Guy

Excerpt from Essence.com -- See scenes from "Harlem Heights" » Read our exclusive interviews with the cast of "Harlem Heights" » Enter a chance to win a weekend in NYC, attend a special viewing of "Harlem Heights" season finale and more! »

Think of every negative thing you've ever heard about Harlem men. Now, forget it. The new uptown man values education and cares about the community, according to Landon Dais, the resident politician of BET's new reality series "Harlem Heights." The son of noted community leader Larry Dais, Landon is following in the footsteps of his father and Obama by ushering in a new era of grassroots politics. The difference? He's not giving up his active social life to do it. ESSENCE.com talks with the charming Morehouse grad about the show's critics, what he really thinks about his cast mates, and why there's nothing wrong with a little drama.

ESSENCE.COM: It's refreshing that you and your cast mates were friends before the show started. Which cast member are you closest to? What is your relationship really like with each?
LANDON DAIS: I'm closest to Bridget, who I've known since college. We have a brother/sister relationship. I'm not going to lie, we fight sometimes, but it's because we care about each other. Christian and I are competitive, probably because we played against each other in basketball and football in high school. I love Briana because she'll put you in your place in a heartbeat. Pierre and I have similar community aspirations. I'm trying to help Jason get the nonprofit off the ground. And Brooke's my neighbor and Ashley and I are cool.

ESSENCE.COM: How do you respond to criticism about the show being scripted, or too focused on drama?
DAIS: People complain about drama, but the most successful reality shows always have some sort of conflict or controversy. And what relationship doesn't have drama?

ESSENCE.COM: Do you get involved in any of the said drama?
DAIS: (Laughs.) Compared to everyone else, I'm tame. Drama-free. I've had some disagreements, like heated debates about HBCU's vs. regular colleges.

ESSENCE.COM: I'm sure bloggers will have a lot to say about that episode! Do their comments ever get under your skin?
DAIS: I don't pay attention to critics. I don't read blogs. No matter what you say or do, people are going to pick you apart. If you look for dirt, you'll find it. I think the positive message will overshadow. CONTINUE READING..

Kim Kardashian accused of abusing Brandy's mom's credit card

Sonja Norwood -- the mother and manager of former America's Got Talent judge Brandy Norwood -- has filed a lawsuit alleging Kardashian and three of her siblings charged $120,636 worth of purchases to her credit card without her permission, E! News reported Tuesday. "The charges against the Kardashians are meritless," Kardashian publicist Cindy Guagenti said in a statement, according to E! News. "The Kardashian family looks forward to proving the absurdity of these claims in a court of law." According to the lawsuit, Kim used Sonja's American Express credit card to make the unauthorized purchases when she was employed as Brandy's stylist in 2006 and 2007. The lawsuit also accuses Kim of sharing Norwood's credit card information with siblings Kourtney, Robert Jr. and Khloe -- who was actually working as Brandy's personal assistant at the time.  The siblings then allegedly proceeded to charge their own unauthorized purchases to the card, according to the lawsuit. Some of the unauthorized charges took place at the Kardashian family's Dash and Smooch clothing stores, according to Sonja. Sonja claims that Kim had only been authorized to use her card for a single 2004 purchase and is seeking the return of the $120,636 plus 10% interest. "Both Kim and Khloe were employed by the Norwoods and never used their credit cards without their express authorization," Guagenti said in the statement. Kim's relationship with the Norwood family goes beyond her work as Brandy's former stylist.  An X-rated video featuring Kim with her then boyfriend William "Ray J" Norwood Jr. -- who is Brandy's brother -- hit the Internet in early 2007, causing her to file an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against porn production company Vivid Entertainment, which planned to release a DVD of the steamy footage.  Kim eventually reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with Vivid and the video was taken off the market. SOURCE OF THIS STORY