Is Bill Cosby’s case headed to the Supreme Court? It’s not his criminal conviction but one of his civil cases. A California court ruled that Supermodel Janice Dickinson’s defamation case against the long time TV star can move forward. Dickinson claimed Cosby raped her in 1982. When Cosby’s lawyer issued a denial, including referencing Dickinson's contrary story in her memoir, she sued stating Cosby defamed her as a liar. The same court dropped Cosby’s former Lawyer Marty Singer, who issued statements of denial on Cosby’s behalf, from the case. Singer’s being dropped is being appealed by Dickinson’s lawyers. Meanwhile, published reports say Cosby’s legal team is petitioning the Supreme Court to review Dickinson’s case. This could impact all the defamation suits Cosby is facing nationwide. Because some states have held Cosby had the right to an opinion that his accusers are liars, he won those cases. If the Supreme Court finds the same applies, all his defamation cases could be dismissed.
Meanwhile, police were called out to Cosby’s Pennsylvania home where he remains under house arrest until his sentencing this fall. Apparently, neighbors called police about the noise and jazz music being heard from the property all day in celebration of Cosby’s 81st birthday. Spokespeople for Cosby say police are always in the neighborhood anyway and never had to enter the property during his celebration with Mrs. Cosby, his children and other family and friends. Cosby’s sentencing hearing begins Monday, September 24th.
The 20th annual edition of Forbes list of highest paid entertainers is out. Floyd Mayweather edges out George Clooney for the number one spot. Mayweather’s August 2017 fight against Conor McGregor was the main reason Mayweather took home an estimated $285 million. Clooney sold the tequila company he co-founded and that allowed him to bank $239 million. Others on the list include Dwayne The Rock Johnson (#5 at $124), Lebron James (#17 at $85.5 million), Steff Curry (#24 at 76.9 million), Jay-Z (#25 at 76.5 million), Sean “Diddy” Combs (#32 at $64 million), Beyonce (#35 at $60 million); Kevin Hart (#39 at $57 million), WDAS Morning Man Steve Harvey (#63 at $44 million) and Will Smith (#71 at $42 million) just to name a few. The latest edition with Forbes complete list is on newsstands now.
Congratulations to Faith Evans because she jumped the broom again. The Soon As I Get Home singer tied the knot in Vegas with Reality Star/Music Producer Stevie J. Stevie is a bit controversial as he reportedly narrowly escaped being jailed for not paying child support, and he’s still in a custody battle for another child. This makes Faith Evans’ third marriage. Number two, to Todd Russaw, ended in divorce. And, of course, Faith is the widow of The Notorious B.I.G., who was shot to death in 1997. At presstime, the only statements coming from the couple are tweets of I Love You one to the other. The duo will release a music video for their new single A Minute due out July 27th.
Congratulations to Actor/Photographer Lance Gross and his wife Rebecca. They welcomed a son, Lennon Lorin, who joins big sister Berkeley Brinn. Gross is best known for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and is currently cast in Lee Daniels’ Star, which returns to FOX this fall.
Destiny’s Child Singer and Actress Michelle Williams has gone public about her health. The 37-year old has publicly announced that she’s under the care of mental health professionals. Williams shared with her fans that she’s chosen to take the advice she’s given to others for years. She took to social media to explain her personal battles with depression and even feeling suicidal at one point. Now, Williams points out that her outlook is good and she will continue to lead by example. Williams is engaged to Pastor Chad Johnson who took to social media to publicly support his fiancée. Also giving her support, former Destiny’s Child Group Stylist and Mentor Tina Knowles-Lawson commending the bravery of Michelle and giving her love.
Speaking of Tina Knowles-Lawson, guess who stole the show at The On The Run II show in Paris, France? Was it Jay-Z? Was it Beyonce? Nope!! It Was Tina Knowles-Lawson and Michelle Obama!!! The two ladies broke the internet when Beyonce’s Mama was spotted dancing up a storm front row with the Forever First Lady. While former President Barack Obama traveled to Kenya and then South Africa and got his dance on to celebrate the late Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday, Mrs. Obama, decked out in her white short-set, took youngest daughter Sasha to see Jay & Bey. While Sasha was largely out of sight, it was those two famous moms who got their dance on when Jay-Z took to the stage. The ladies rule!
Trouble for my guy and in the words of Charlie Brown…Ugh!!!! El DeBarge was arrested last weekend. My husband in my head was picked up for felony vandalism. DeBarge, allegedly, got into an argument with a guy, chased him out of the house and then took a wrench and bashed in the guy’s car windows. The 57-year old Love Always singer spent the night in jail before posting up $20,000 for his bail. At press time no comments from DeBarge’s reps.
Tyrese is ready to make up with The Rock. Tyrese says he was immature, foolish and made a bad move when he bad mouthed the idea of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson getting his own Fast & The Furious spinoff. Tyrese says lets patch it up, but Johnson says he’s not interested. So what’s the spinoff? Hobbs And Shaw and it will co-star Idris Elba, who’ll play a villain. Hobbs And Shaw will hit theaters in July 2019.
In more Rock news, is Dwayne Johnson over exposed? His new movie Skyscraper opened below expectations. Johnson’s had five movies out so far this year and he has four coming up. Now The Rock is popular, and he had a huge hit with Kevin Hart, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, which took in over $960 million at the box office. Will The Rock make some adjustments in his movie release schedule going forward? Hmmmmm!
Sade has new music coming, but only when she’s ready! The Smooth Operator herself has a new album she’s working on. It will be her first since the platinum selling Soldier Of Love in 2010. A songwriter and original Sade band member, Stuart Matthewman, confirmed to the press there are a bunch of songs being worked on, but Sade will take her time until they’re right. Sade’s last single was Flower Of The Universe, for the Ava DuVernay film A Wrinkle In Time and its soundtrack.
The MTV Video Music Award nominations are out and brand new mom Cardi B leads all nominees with 10 nods. Beyonce & Jay-Z, The Carters, have eight nominations for A***hit off their album Everything Is Love. Drake and Childish Gambino have 7, and 6 nominations go to Bruno Mars. The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards air Monday, August 20th at 9pm on MTV.
Playing in theaters now is The First Purge, which has grossed nearly $50 million in one week. The film is an action thriller set in the 21st century and finds America with new founding fathers who have overthrown the previous government. The new government allows a purge of behavior in which crimes are legal for a day. The cast features Lex Scott, Y’lan Noel, Mo McCrea, Steve Harris (Diary Of A Mad Black Woman; The Practice), Lauren Velez (New York Undercover) and Oscar Winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinnie; A Different World).
The NFL’s Odell Beckham, Jr. splits a cover with NHL Royalty PK Subban and his girlfriend Olympic Gold Medal Skier Lindsey Vonn for Sports Illustrated’s Fashionable 50 issue. Also featured inside are Venus Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Russell Wilson, Marcedes Lewis and Russell Westbrook.
Janet Jackson is on the cover of Essence magazine’s Sizzling Summer Styles issue for the July/August edition.
Omari Hardwick, the Star of Power, is on the cover of Ebony magazine’s July/August issue. Power airs Sundays at 9pm on Starz, and Hardwick’s new Tyler Perry movie, Nobody’s Fool with Tiffany Haddish, opens November 2nd.
The ESPN Body issue is out. Among this year’s most notable models 54-year old NFL Legend Jerry Rice, who says he has more muscle now than when he was playing. Soccer Player Crystal Dunn, Sprinter and three-time Olympic Medalist Tori Bowie, NY Giants Saquon Barkley, Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns and the L.A. Dodgers Yasiel Puig are all featured.
Creed II starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone will be in theaters this Thanksgiving.
Uncle Drew Co-star Tiffany Haddish has more on the horizon. Up next, Haddish co-stars with fellow Comedian Kevin Hart in Night School coming to theaters September 28th. After that, Haddish joins Tika Sumpter (The Haves & The Have Nots), Amber Riley (Glee), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Whoopi Goldberg for Nobody’s Fool, written and directed by Tyler Perry hitting theaters November 2nd.
The stars return to the Dell Music Center, 33rd and Ridge Avenue, this summer. Tickets are on sale now and check out the lineup:
Sun., July 22nd – Ne-Yo / Lyfe Jennings
Thurs., July 26th – Charlie Wilson / Avery Sunshine
Thurs., Aug 2nd – Erykah Badu & Talib Kweli
Thurs., Aug 9th – Monica/After 7/ Tony!Toni! Tone!
Thurs., Aug 16th - Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill & Ralph Tresvant with special guest Major
Sun., August 19th – The Basement Party starring Rakim, MC Lyte, Kurtis Blow, Stetsasonic, Tracey Lee, the Alumni featuring Chubb Rock, Special Ed, Dana Dane, Monie Love and Kwame
Thurs., Aug. 23rd - Patti LaBelle & Gregory Porter
Sunday, September 2nd - Patty Jackson’s Annual Party in the Park Celebrating my 35th anniversary starring Maze featuring Frankie Beverly & The Whispers and Blue Magic
For more information log onto mydelleast.org.
Spike Lee and Oscar Winner Jordan Peele have teamed up for the feature film BlacKkKlansman. The movie is based on the life experiences of African American Detective Ron Stallworth, who so successfully infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado that he became the head of the chapter. Fresh off his Oscar winning box office hit, Get Out Writer and Director Jordan Peele teams up with Spike Lee with Lee and Peele both serve as producers and Lee taking on directing and co-writing duties. The film stars John David Washington (son of Denzel and Pauletta Washington), Topher Grace (That 70’s Show), Adam Driver and the legendary Harry Belafonte. BlacKkKlansman opens in theaters August 10th.
Speaking of Acting Icon Denzel Washington, he is set to reprise his role as “Robert McCall” in The Equalizer II coming to the big screen this Friday, July 20th.
Actress/Writer/Producer Issa Rae’s hit show Insecure returns to HBO Sunday, August 12th at 10:30pm right after the season premiere of Ballers with Dwayne The Rock Johnson at 10pm.
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Saturday, July 21st - Cedric The Entertainer comedy show at The Sugar House Casino. For tickets and information log onto sugarhouseentertainment.com
Monday, July 30th – Jay-Z & Beyoncé: 2018 On The Run 2 Tour at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com.
Sunday, August 12th – Gladys Knight and The O’Jays in concert at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd Street & Parkside Avenue. For more information log on to manncenter.org
Saturday, August 25th – Smokey Robinson in concert at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd Street & Parkside Avenue. For more information log on to manncenter.org
Saturday, August 25th & Sunday, August 26th – Stevie Wonder in concert at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For more information log on to theborgata.com
Sunday, September 2nd – Earth, Wind & Fire in concert at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. For more information log on to theborgata.com
Saturday, September 15th – The Aubrey and The Three Amigos Tour starring Drake and Migos at the Wells Fargo Center. Log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com for ticket information.
Wednesday & Thursday, September 19th and 20th – Bruno Mars and Cardi B on Thee 24K Magic North American Concert Tour at the Wells Fargo Center. For tickets and information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Saturday, October 6th & Sunday, October 7th- Mike Epps, Bruce Bruce, Jay Pharoah, Sheryl Underwood, Tony Rock and Gary Owen and more over the two days of The Atlantic City Comedy Festival on Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto boardwalkhall.com/events.
Saturday, November 24th - The Irresponsible Tour starring Kevin Hart at the Wells Fargo Center. For tickets and information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
If you would like more info please email me at PattyJackson@iHeartMedia.com or check me out with my midday reports at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm during the day.