Janet Jackson….abused?!!! According to big brother Randy Jackson, his baby sister was verbally abused in her marriage to 42-year old Qatari Billionaire Businessman Wissam Al Mana. Randy, who has become Janet’s confidant, says his sister and the Jackson family have been through a lot because of this painful divorce. The 51-year old Janet and Wissam welcomed their son Eissa in January, but quickly found themselves in the courts of London working out divorce and custody issues. So what about the abuse? Randy Jackson says Janet felt like a prisoner and was verbally abused throughout her marriage. Randy accused his soon to be ex-brother-in-law of harassing Janet as she tours with the couple's son. The final straw big brother Randy said is that no one should go through their pregnancy being called B**ch every day. Wissam Al Mana released a statement that he wouldn't dignify such accusations with a response. Meanwhile, Janet Jackson broke down into tears at her Houston concert. Some thought it was because of Hurricane Harvey because she vowed to perform and be there especially for the hardship currently going on for the residents of Texas. Randy thinks it's all the drama from the divorce. By the way, Randy has moved himself into a favored place with the money-making Jackson (Janet). This leaves Jermaine, who's been feuding with Randy since the two share a babymomma, out in the cold.
ESPN Anchor Jemele Hill went in on Donald Trump, but is her job in danger as a result? Hill took to her social media and criticized the current POTUS. She called him ignorant, offensive and a bigot among other things, and said he relies on white supremacy. ESPN’s PR team released a tweet from their own account apologizing and calling Hill’s comments inappropriate and said they met with her on the issue. The White House responded by suggesting Hill should lose her job. In between embattled NFL player Colin Kaepernick tweeted his support of hill, and Rev. Al Sharpton says he’ll lead a boycott of ESPN if they fire Hill. Hill went back to her twitter but not to apologize. She expressed regret that her tweets from her independent account were associated ESPN.
Speaking of politics, is Omarosa Manigault out? Manigault went from reality show villainess on The Apprentice to director of communications for the office of public liaison for The Trump Admiration. But, it seems there may be another staff ouster in the works. New White House Chief Of Staff John Kelly has limited her contacts directly to President Trump and other high ranking operatives in the administration. Manigault is thought to be off target too often in her counsel and her style is reportedly giving her the same rep she had on The Apprentice: Villainess!!!! Will there be an exit out of the Trump Administration sooner than later for Omarosa?!!!!!
Let’s Talk Love’s Joy and Pain: First The Joy
Rapper/Actor/Oscar Winner Common won an Emmy this past weekend, and he revealed the new lady in his life when he attended the ceremony. It’s none other than Angela Rye, the young and dynamic political media personality and activist. The two, who have appeared together on media platforms, kept the personal under wraps for the longest. Because of their political and community activism, they’re being called the super woke couple.
Is love in the air for Actor Idris Elba again? Who stole the 45-year old heartthrob’s affections? It’s Somali Supermodel Sabrina Dhowre, and she’s a 29-year old former Miss Vancouver. Meanwhile, Elba teams up with Oscar Winner Kate Winslet (“Titanic”) for the upcoming The Mountain Between Us. Elba plays a doctor and Winslet, a journalist. Circumstances have them both taking a private plane that crashes, killing the pilot (Beau Bridges) and leaving the doctor and journalist to battle the elements to get back to civilization. The Mountain Between Us opens Friday, October 6th.
Now The Pain:
Mel B is being investigated for witness tampering in her divorce proceedings. Published reports say the former Spice Girl is being accused of texting a potential witness in her divorce proceedings to dissuade her from negative testimony. Rapper Sia was apparently prepared to testify as a close friend of Mel and her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte that abuse never took place. Sia has filed a police report and the investigation is ongoing. Mel B and Stephen Belafonte split up this year, and their divorce proceeding are shrouded in abuse allegations, infidelity accusations and alleged drug use. Mel is currently paying Belafonte $45,000 a month in temporary spousal support by a judge’s order.
Meanwhile, Mary J. Blige divorce proceedings aren’t going that much nicer. Reportedly she believes her estranged husband and ex-manager Kendu Isaacs is hiding money during their divorce proceedings. Blige’s lawyers filed court papers that state Isaacs hasn’t worked in a year despite the couple owing over a million dollars to the I.R.S. The court documents also accused Isaacs of traveling to Australia, Laguna Beach, CA and Mexico at a cost of over $82,000, and shopping sprees for his alleged girlfriend’s company in Beverly Hills and at Ermenegildo and Chanel totaling over $21,000. Isaacs’ team fired back that those charges should be thrown out since Blige’s lawyers would have no way of knowing those expenses and that paperwork was improperly filed. When Blige and Isaacs split, a judge ordered she had to pay him $30,000 a month in temporary spousal support.
Your favorites raised millions for Hurricane relief this week. After the effects of Hurricane Irma in Florida and Hurricane Harvey in Texas, this week’s star-studded telethon took on a whole new meaning. Broadcast for an hour on all the major networks, Beyonce, who’ll travel to Houston in the coming days, Kelly Rowland, Stevie Wonder, who had some tough words for Donald Trump, George Clooney, Tracey Morgan, Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey and Usher helped raise more than $14 million for Hurricane Harvey Relief.
Speaking of Usher, one of his accusers is having a credibility problem. Quantasia Sharpton claimed that she had a one night stand with the Let It Burn singer and claims he exposed her to the risk of getting herpes. While Sharpton tested negative for the STD, she’s joined a lawsuit in which another woman and a man claim they did get the STD from Usher. Now Sharpton’s credibility took another hit when she did an interview that went viral claiming she has a sex tape to prove she was with Usher. Her lawyer, Celebrity Attorney Lisa Bloom, had to issue a statement that there was a misunderstanding in order to explain that a sex tape doesn’t exist. Sharpton was previously called out for her social media post including stating she needed money a week before her lawsuit, and another post hours before her press conference saying goodbye to regular life. Plus, there are posts attributed to Sharpton’s using different past alias names, and her possible involvement in naming another rapper, August Alsina, as the father of her child. Meanwhile, Usher, who continues to perform but has not commented publicly, released legal papers through his lawyers. The 38-year old singer’s lawyers deny every allegation, but also state if contact did happen there was no intent to harm and that the accusers assumed the risk of any alleged contact. Usher’s team also states the accusers have unclean hands, but didn’t elaborate. Stay tuned!
The Olympics will not only head back to the United States, but back to Los Angeles. Prior Olympic Games held in L.A. were in 1932 and 1984 Olympics. So how did L.A. make the third time the charm? A campaign that included the heads of The L.A. Lakers, The Clippers, The Dodgers The Rams and the heads of Warner Brothers and Disney is how. Plus, the campaign members included none other than Ervin “Magic” Johnson, a member of Gold medal winning 1992 Olympic Basketball Dream Team and Rapper/Entrepreneur Dr. Dre. The Olympics will return to Los Angeles in 2028.
Spike Lee and Jordan Peele are joining forces for a big screen crime thriller. Lee is the now legendary actor/writer/producer/director for some of the silver screen’s finest like Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing, Inside Man, Crooklyn and School Daze, just to name a few. Jordan Peele made his fame as one half of the Emmy winning team Key & Peele. Then, he made his directorial debut with Get Out, and became the first African American director to hit $100 million with a directorial debut. Get Out grossed $250 million worldwide. Now Peele and Lee will develop Black Klansman. It’s the true crime story/thriller of a black police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. The movie is still in development and negotiations have started with Ballers Actor John David Washington to star, who is the son of Denzel and Pauletta Washington.
Speaking of Denzel, he has let himself go…..but only for his current movie role. Washington stars in Roman J. Israel, Esq. He plays the title character, an independent activist lawyer who is stuck in the ‘60’s. Washington gained weight, got his afro back, took the caps out of his smile and let himself get a little….hmmmm….how shall I say it….scruffy. It just may pay off because the Oscar buzz has already started. Roman J. Israel, Esq. is slated to hit theaters November 3rd.
Jamie Foxx already conquered the role of Ray Charles, but can he do the same with Mike Tyson. Published reports quote Mike Tyson as saying Jamie Foxx has signed on for the bio pic of Tyson’s life that very well may make people uncomfortable. Tyson, who was convicted of and served time for rape and bit a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear off, now wants the Iron Mike Tyson story to hit the big screen. Oscar-winning Director Martin Scorsese is attached to the project. In 1980, Scorsese directed Robert De Niro’s Oscar winning performance in Raging Bull. Foxx is already said to be getting into fighting shape so Tyson can show him the ropes.
Congratulations to Sloane Stephens, she won the 2017 U.S. Open. She and her fellow finalist and good friend Madison Keys, 22, made history making not only an All-American U.S. Open Final, but an All-African American U.S. Open Final. Stephens was the victor and shocked tennis experts (critics) by defying their odds. The 24-year old is making her victory rounds in the media, including the cover of Sports Illustrated and pictures with Tiger Woods, who attended this year’s open.
New mom Serena Williams reveals the name and first pictures of her new baby. The Tennis Phenom and her fiancé, Reddit Co-founder Alexis Ohanian, welcomed a baby girl named Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. The baby girl is named after her father as they both have the unisex name that’s popular with both genders. Meanwhile, Serena also revealed she had some complications, but after nearly a full week’s hospital stay, mother and child are at home and doing fine. Dad Alexis documented Serena’s pregnancy and that video is also on my wdasfm.com-Patty TV page right HERE. Best wishes to the new family.
Regina Hall’s career is red hot, so who better to host The VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The 90’s Game Changers. Hall is riding high off her box office blockbuster Girls Trip, that’s grossed $130 million worldwide and counting. The VH1 Honors will feature a performance from Missy Elliot paying homage to the 90’s. There’s a scheduled salute to Mariah Carey, who set a record when she achieved at least one number one song every year of the 1990’s. Also, there’s a special tribute to the 25th anniversary of the People’s Choice Award nominated sitcom Martin, which ran for five seasons on FOX and starred Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Tichina Arnold, Carl Payne, Garrett Morris and the late Tommy Mikal Ford. The VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The 90’s Game Changers airs Monday, September 18th at 9pm on VH1.
Bruno Mars has shot his performance at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem for his upcoming TV special. The special will be a mix of performances and interviews. The 31-year old, five time Grammy winner has already released a picture of his performing on top of the legendary Apollo marquee. Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo will air Wednesday, November 29th on CBS.
After six years, Larry David returns to HBO with JB Smoove for the 9th season of Curb Your Enthusiasm on Sunday October 1st.
Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a return to television. In honor of the milestone, Netflix threw a huge red carpet party/reunion. Martin Lawrence, Box Office Queen Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip), Mike Epps, Joe Torry, Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, Bill Bellamy and Kid Capri, just to name a few, were all in attendance. There was also a tribute to the late Bernie Mac. In the 1990’s, Def Comedy Jam had a five-year run on HBO, and made headlining stars out of Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, D.L. Hughley, Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan, Adelle Givens and Mo’Nique. Now, Def Comedy Jam is coming to Netflix. The anniversary show will feature Kevin Hart, Bill Bellamy, Sommore, Eddie Griffin and Tiffany Haddish. Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan and Jesse Collins will be producers. Def Comedy Jam 25 will begin streaming Tuesday September 26th on Netflix.
During the Def Jam reunion, Dave Chappelle learned he won an Emmy. The award came during this past weekend’s Creative Arts Emmy ceremony in which he and Melissa McCarthy both won for Guest Actor and Actress for Saturday Night Live. Chappelle’s controversial hosting appearance happened right after Donald Trump was elected POTUS, and was a smash. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay and Rapper/Actor/Oscar Winner Common also won Emmys for 13th, their documentary on mass incarceration in America.
Speaking of the Emmys, the larger ceremony is this Sunday night. Sterling K. Brown and Ron Cephas Jones from the breakout NBC drama This Is Us, Jeffrey Wright and Thandie Newton of the HBO freshman series Westworld are among the standouts. Previous Best Drama Actress Viola Davis is nominated again along with Leslie Jones of Saturday Night Live, Uzo Aduba of Orange Is The New Black and both Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross of Black-ish. Special shout out to Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, who has four nominations for F/X’s Atlanta in the categories of Best Actor, Writing, Directing and Best Comedy Series. The 69th Annual Emmys Awards hosted by Stephen Colbert air this Sunday, September 17th at 8pm on CBS.
Dancing With The Stars (DWS) is back. This season’s cast includes Jordan Fisher (Hamilton; Grease Live!), 80’s Pop Star Debbie Gibson, Pro Wrestler Nikki Bella, NBA Champ/Coach Derek Fisher, and NFL and Reality Star “T.O.” Terrell Owens. Season 25 of Dancing With The Stars premieres Monday, September 18th at 8pm on ABC.
Jennifer Hudson makes her debut on NBC’ singing/reality/talent competition, The Voice, this month. Hudson, an Oscar winner from the movie Dreamgirls, joins the coaches’ table with Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Miley Cyrus. The two-night season premiere begins Monday, September 25th at 8pm on NBC.
The cast of Lee Daniels Star keeps getting bigger. KeKe Palmer will join newcomers Evan Ross, Mike Epps and Luke James along with series regulars Queen Latifah and Benjamin Bratt for the second season of the musical drama. Star’s second season premieres airs Wednesday, September 27th starting at 9pm.
Nia Long is returning to TV this fall as a regular on NCIS after a successful guest starring stint on Empire earlier this year. Long will join the cast, headed by LL Cool J, as former Secret Service Agent Shay Mosley, the NCIS team’s new executive assistant director. Long is best known for her big screen work like Soul Food, Big Momma’s House, The Best Man and Love Jones, but she got her start on TV with Guiding Light, The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, Moesha and ER. NCIS returns for its ninth season to CBS Sunday, October 1st.
At the movies, retired NFL Player Nnamdi Asomugha has now become Actor Nnamdi Asomugha. The former Eagle and 49ner is making his debut as performer and producer in Crown Heights. Following in the footsteps of his wife, Scandal Star Kerry Washington, Asomugha plays Carl “KC” King whose efforts to help free his childhood friend from jail takes near 20 years. The friend is Colin Warner, played by Lakeith Stansfield, and he’s wrongly convicted of a Brooklyn murder in 1982 and not released until 2001. This movie has been in the works for seven years, but Asomugha and his production company attaching to the project was the boost needed it.
Also playing at the movies, Actor Columbus Short (Scandal; Stomp The Yard) returns to the big screen with Erica Peebles. True To The Game is a love story set in Hollywood between a young woman from Philly (Peebles) and a millionaire drug dealer (Short) pursuing their honest dreams while tangled in the dishonest game of dealing. True To The Game, co-starring “Auntie Viv,” Vivica A. Fox, is in theaters Friday.
Toni Braxton is preparing her next album. It’s her first since her successful duet album with Babyface hit number one in 2013. They followed that up with a successful tour. Now, Braxton is back to her solo ways with Sex And Cigarettes, which is set to drop in early 2018.
Actress Zoe Kravitz, daughter of Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz, is on the cover of Vogue.
Rihanna is on the cover of Elle, and the critics are raving over Rihanna’s new makeup line Fenty. This is a good time for Ri Ri. Next year, she’ll be a co-star of Ocean’s Eight, a female take on the Ocean’s Eleven movie franchise. Rihanna will also join the panel at Vogue’s first annual Forces Of Fashion Conference on October 11th in New York City.
Taraji P. Henson is on the cover of MarieClaire’s October issue, and she returns for the 4th season premiere in her Emmy nominated role as “Cookie Lyons” in Empire on Wednesday, September 27th starting at 8pm on FOX.
Emmy winning Filmmaker Ava DuVernay is on the cover of Time.
Tracee Ellis Ross is on the cover of W magazine and channels her mom, Diana Ross, in her full Diva legacy. Ross also pays tribute to her mom in the interview.
Ross also shares a cover with her Black-ish leading man, Anthony Anderson, on Ebony’s September issue. Both are up for lead acting comedy Emmy’s for their ABC hit Black-ish. The Emmys air Sunday, September 17th on CBS, and Black-ish returns to ABC for its fourth season Tuesday, October 3rd at 9pm.
Actress Niecy Nash, the star of the series Claws, is on the cover of September’s Essence magazine.
Actress Meghan Markle is the talk of Hollywood and England as she graces the cover of the latest issue of Vanity Fair. The 36-year old star of the USA series Suits discusses her acting career, her bi-racial background and declares that she and England’s favorite eligible bachelor Prince Harry, 33, are in love. Meghan Markle’s October cover of Vanity Fair hits stands this week.
The Philadelphia Music Alliance has just announced its Philadelphia Music Walk Of Fame Class of 2017 inductees. This year’s class members are Labelle (Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash, and Nona Hendryx), Sister Sledge (Debbie, Joni, Kim and Kathy), Philly International Legends McFadden & Whitehead, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Soul Survivors, Chris Schwartz of Ruffhouse Records, WDAS alum and Radio Personality Bob Pantano and Jill Scott. The festivities will take place on Wednesday, October 4th. An outdoor induction ceremony and a gala at The Fillmore Philadelphia are all planned. Tickets and information can be found at PMAWALK.ORG.
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Friday, September 15th at 7pm – The Art Of I Am, the stage play. One night of Jazz, Blues & Theater at the Venice Theater Of Performing Arts, 7 Lock Street in Manayunk off Main Street. For tickets and information call Valray Productions at (267) 979-3940 or email valrayofsunshine@aol.com .
This Saturday, September 16th – Boz Scaggs in concert at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Tuesday, October 3rd - Michelle Obama is the keynote speaker for The Pennsylvania Conference of Women at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For tickets and information log onto paconferenceforwomen.org.
Saturday, October 7th – The Spinners and Little Anthony & The Imperials in concert at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Sunday, October 8th – Incognito in concert at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Tuesday, October 10th – Bruno Mars in concert at The Wells Fargo Center. For tickets or for more information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Friday, October 13th – Boney James in concert at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Saturday, October 28th – Tracy Morgan comedy show at The Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pa. For tickets and information venue.thetowerphilly.com.
Friday, November 10th – Janet Jackson at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets or for more information log onto boardwalkhall.box-officetickets.com.
Saturday, November 11th – Janet Jackson at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center. For tickets or for more information log onto sandsbethlehememovementseventcenter.ticketoffics.com
Saturday, November 11th – Gladys Knight at The Tropicana in Atlantic City. For tickets or for more information log onto Tropicana.net
Monday, November 13th – Janet Jackson at The Wells Fargo Center. For tickets or for more information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Friday, December 1st – Sinbad comedy show at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Sunday, December 17th – Damien Escobar in concert at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.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.