Lupita Nyong’o speaks out on Harvey Weinstein. The 12 Years A Slave Oscar winner called out the one-time all powerful but now disgraced film executive. Nyong’o says Weinstein, who faces allegations from more than 50 women, invited her to various secluded places like his home, insisted on her drinking alcohol, even after she would refuse, asking her for a massage and wanting to take his clothes off in front of her. The last straw was when Weinstein insisted on taking off his pants during a private business meeting and Nyong’o told him no. That was her last private meeting with him the actress says. Nyong’o is joining the many women who are fighting the culture of silence when it comes to sexual harassment and abuse of women in and out of the entertainment industry. Nyong’o will be seen in Marvel Comics big screen adaption of Black Panther on February 16th, 2018.
Speaking of a culture of silence, another woman has come out and accused R Kelly of an abusive relationship. Former Radio Personality Kitti Jones says her relationship with Kelly lasted two years from 2011 to 2013. Despite knowing the past allegations with the late singer Aaliyah and the child pornography charges, Jones says she left her family and burgeoning radio career behind to live with Kelly and join his concert entourage. Once at his place, Jones says Kelly became physically, verbally, emotionally and sexually abusive. Jones says this includes slapping, making her have sex with other women and even restricting when she and the two other girlfriends (yes they were all living together) could eat. Jones left after two years. Kelly’s reps deny all wrongdoing and say Jones’ past public statements back up Kelly’s claims of an entirely consensual relationship. At this point, the public is starting to notice the two different scenarios when the alleged victims are white (Harvey Weinstein; Bill Cosby) and when the alleged victims are black (R Kelly) and the more relaxed outrage, if any, for those of color. Hmmmmmmm.
Justin Timberlake is back for the Superbowl halftime show in 2018, but what about Janet Jackson? Miss Jackson caught so much flack after the “wardrobe malfunction” revealed her nearly topless on CBS during the 2004 Superbowl. Despite her and Justin Timberlake publicly apologizing, Jackson’s career took a super hit. Meanwhile, Timberlake, who actually pulled down Jackson’s top during that faithful performance, continued to soar. He was criticized for not coming to Jackson’s defense. He even made another raunchy song for Saturday Night Live called My D**k In A Box, which at the time couldn’t be played on primetime TV, and won an Emmy for it. Timberlake and the industry got the side-eye from many of Jackson’s most loyal fans on why Timberlake got preferential treatment. Now Timberlake is set to be back at the big game. Will he invite Janet? The NFL claims Jackson is not banned, so Timberlake could use this as a kiss and make up moment if Jackson is interested. Hmmmmmmmmm! The Superbowl airs on NBC Sunday, February 4th 2018.
Tamar Braxton files for divorce! The singer/songwriter/reality star wants to split from her husband and manager Vince Herbert. Was her firing from The Real the final straw? Braxton and Herbert were executive producers in the show’s premiere season before things went south and Braxton was removed. Herbert has worked magic for Lady Gaga as her manger and she’s remains a hot commodity today. Meanwhile, Braxton’s new album, which she said is her last, has not been doing well. Braxton and Herbert have been married almost nine years and share a four-year old son. Braxton is on her way to Philly on the Xscape tour December 19th at the Liacouras Center.
Speaking of The Real, Braxton’s former castmate Jeannie Mai, who is still with the show, is divorcing her husband after a decade of marriage. The 38-year old actress/TV personality and Freddy Harteis are splitting. Mai confirmed the divorce during a taping of The Real saying she wanted to be as honest as she was when The Real first started. She also explained there’s no big bombshell of betrayal, lies or cheating. She also expressed how much she loved her fans and her friends.
Kendu Isaacs says those songs from Mary J. Blige's new album, Strength Of A Woman, are about him and he should be paid. Isaacs was once Blige's manager and spouse. Now, he’s her soon to be ex-husband. Isaacs returned to court asking for an increase from his temporary court awarded spousal support from $30,000 a month to $65,000. He claims The Queen Of Hip Hop Soul is using their married life in her latest music, and he should be compensated. He says his reputation is taking a hit from those songs and he can’t find work. For now, the judge denied the request. But with no official ruling, the issue could be revisited later. This is a sign that the No More Drama singer may be in for a longer fight than previously thought.
In more divorce news, 20 Sex Tapes allegedly starring Mel B and her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte are scheduled to be entered into the record for their divorce hearing. Mel B claims her estranged husband was abusive to her, had an affair with the nanny and forced the nanny to get an abortion as a result. Now Mel’s lawyers say those sex tapes were made without her consent, and Belafonte drugged the former Spice Girl on multiple occasions throughout their marriage. Belafonte’s legal team called the accusations a smear campaign.
Jamie Foxx reunites with the man who directed his Oscar winning performance in Ray. Foxx will play Black Panther Elmer Geronimo Pratt in the film Signal Hill. The movie centers around the L.A. County police brutality case involving the late Cal State Long Beach Football Star Jimmy Settles. Settles was picked up for speeding by the police then found hanged in his jail cell, which was ruled a suicide. His family was then represented by the now legendary lawyer, the late Johnnie Cochran. Cochran fought to get the body of Settles exhumed and a second exam proved Settles was choked to death. The police chief was forced to resign, settlement money was paid to the family and reforms were ordered. The case establish Cochran as a champion of civil rights, and now this story comes to the big screen. Directed by Ray Director Taylor Hackford, Anthony Mackie, who is co-producing, plays Cochran in Signal Hill.
Star Jones is engaged, and guess what? It’s none of our business. Jones is taking a different “View” this time around for her second marriage. Her first to Al Reynolds ended in divorce in 2008 after the couple was hounded with rumors about affairs and sexuality during their four years of their marriage. Jones initially went all out during her first engagement and then marriage to Reynolds and was labeled a Bridezilla for all her detailing of every move the couple made. Jones was then still a co-host on the ABC daytime talker The View. This time around, Jones is keeping mum. The 55-year old lawyer and television personality is engaged to long time boyfriend Richard Lugo. Jones says he’s wonderful, she’s happy and that’s all anyone outside her family needs to know. Go Star!!!!!
Is Shaq ready to jump the broom one more time? Published reports say his long time girlfriend, Leticia Rolle, has been spotted out and about with an engagement ring, and she put her ring and ring finger on social media but didn’t elaborate. Hmmmmmm! Is the 45-year old ex-NBA champ and basketball legend ready to walk down the aisle one more time? He and ex-wife Shaunie O’Neal were once one of media’s most popular power couples until accusations of both hidden money and cheating on both sides surfaced resulting in divorce. Leticia Rolle, whose been linked to Shaq for three years, is an entrepreneur with her own lifestyle and fashion blog Bluhazl.com.
We remember Antoine Dominique Domino, Jr. a.k.a. Fats Domino. The man who most accounts credit as having released the first Rock & Roll Record was also one of the first Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees. Elvis Presley, who was the only artist to out sell Domino for a time in the 50’s, called Domino The Real King Of Rock And Roll. Paul McCartney wrote a tribute to Domino on his website and called him truly magnificent. McCartney also says Domino’s music introduced The Beatles to New Orleans Rock & Roll. Domino’s piano playing to match his distinctive baritone made classics out of songs like Blueberry Hill, I’m In Love Again, Ain’t That A Shame, I’m Walkin’, Whole Lotta Loving and I Want To Walk You Home. His 1960 classic Walking To New Orleans became an anthem all over again after Hurricane Katrina devastated his native New Orleans in 2005. A lifelong resident, many feared Domino dead as a result of Katrina, but he was found alive and well. He lost his home and possessions, but he and his family were rescued by authorities. Although record labels tried to dilute Domino’s influence and success by having covers put out by white artists like Pat Boone, Domino’s then building legacy could not be stopped. His career on the charts cooled after the British invasion of the mid 1960’s, but he remained a successful live touring act until he retired from the road. Fats Domino died of natural causes at the age of 89.
We remember Acting Pioneer Robert Guillaume who passed this week of prostate cancer. Born Robert Williams, Guillaume honed his acting skills in the theater with plays like Porgy And Bess, Guys And Dolls, which brought him a Tony nomination and Purlie, which co-starred Melba Moore and Sherman Hemsley of The Jeffersons. Purlie brought him to the attention of the producers casting for the role of the sarcastic, sharp witted butler who knew no superiors named “Benson” in the 1977 ABC sitcom Soap. It was Guillaume's signature role. It proved so popular that he was the first African American to win an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor In A Comedy in 1979. That same year ABC gave him the spinoff Benson. He went from housekeeping to Lt. Governor in the course of the show's seven year run. It ran until 1986, but not without Guillaume's winning a second Emmy in 1985. This time for Best Actor, and he also became the first African American to win in that category as well. Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, is only the second African American to win the lead Emmy and that happened last month. After Benson, Guillaume returned to the stage and became the first African American to play the lead in Broadway classic The Phantom Of The Opera. He also tried three other short lived sitcoms The Robert Guillaume Show, Pacific Station and Sports Night. He suffered a stroke on the Sports Night set, but recovered enough to return and the stroke was written into the storyline. Guillaume also enjoyed memorable appearances in Julia, All In The Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, A Different World, Moesha and Carol & Company. He also starred in the movies Superfly T.N.T., Seems Like Old Times, Lean On Me, The Meteor Man, First Kid and as the voice of Rafiki, the mandrill in The Lion King. He won a Grammy for his reading on the Lion King cast album. Guillaume was 89 years old.
The 2017 American Music Awards will honor a former two-time host and seven –time winner who you can call Miss Ross. The Boss, Diana Ross, will be honored with the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Ross released a statement of thanks and remembrance of the many times she appeared on the AMA’s and how her relationship with AMA Creator Dick Clark went back to American Bandstand and the Caravan Of Stars in the early 60’s. Meanwhile Bruno Mars, Drake and The Weeknd are among the top nominees. Fans are asked to go to the AMA’s website to vote for their favorites. The winners will be announced live when the AMA’s take place Sunday, November 19th at 8pm on ABC.
The 2017 Marian Anderson Awards will honor the legendary Dionne Warwick. Saluting the Grammy-winning East Orange, NJ native will be Russell Thompkins, Jr. & The New Stylistics, Darlene Love, Alyson Cambridge and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. The festivities will take place at The Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce, on Tuesday, November 14th. For tickets and information log onto kimmelcenter.org
Solange and Bruno Mars lead the nominees for the 2017 Soul Train Awards. Solange leads with 7 and Bruno is right behind her with 6. Other nominees include Beyonce, Charlie Wilson, Khalid, Cardi B, Childish Gambino and Mary J. Blige. Toni Braxton and SWV will both receive The Legend Awards. The 2017 Soul Train Awards will air Sunday, November 26th on BET.
Oprah Winfrey has a new book based on the big reveals of life from her show Super Soul Sundays. The inspirational themed work is called Wisdom Of Sundays. Winfrey says the idea is to show the reader how to live a fuller life. Winfrey has interviewed everyone for President Jimmy Carter to Iyanla Van Zandt on Super Soul Sunday. Winfrey repeated that diversity for the book. Super Soul Sundays airs Sunday mornings at 11am, and Wisdom Of Sundays is available in bookstores and online now.
Shonda Rhimes and the original cast (1975-1976) of SNL are going into the TV Hall Of Fame. Writer/Producer/TV Titian Rhimes becomes only the third African American woman to receive this honor. Diahann Carroll and Oprah Winfrey are already inductees. The original cast from Saturday Night Live, including Chevy Chase, Jane Curtain, the late John Belushi & Gilda Radner and, of course, Garrett Morris, will be inducted as well. The Hall Of Fame ceremony will take place on November 15th.
Military Couple Andy and Ashley Williams premiere Flip Or Flop: Fort Worth on HGTV. The twist: they bring their military honed skills of organization and execution to the table. The husband and wife are both veterans and met in the military. Andy and Ashley saw real estate as the best way to usher their army life into civilian life. Flip Or Flop: Fort Worth premieres Tuesday, November 2nd at 9pm on HGTV.
Actress Kim Fields celebrates 40 years of acting with a new book and a new movie. First, her new book, Blessed Life: My Surprising Journey of Joy, Tears and Tales From Harlem To Hollywood chronicles her life and career up to the present. Part of her inspiration was knowing that the audience attributes some of the traits of her TV personas to her directly. Fields starred for nine seasons as “Tootie” in the NBC Diff’rent Strokes sitcom spin-off The Facts Of Life 1979-1988, and then found success again as “Regine” in the FOX hit sitcom Living Single 1993-1998. Fields has also become an accomplished director and a wife and mom. Fields also has a new inspirational movie out called A Question Of Faith. Co-starring Richard T. Jones (Why Did I Get Married; Judging Amy), C. Thomas Howell (The Outsiders; E.T.; The Amazing Spiderman) and Gregory Alan Williams (Baywatch; The Game), it’s the story of three families’ journey to faith in God after extreme tragedy strikes all of them. A Question Of Faith is in theaters now.
Gabrielle Union has written her memoir, We’re Going To Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated And True. Union is prepping a huge book tour in support, and she holds nothing back. She describes he lows like being raped at gunpoint while working at Payless. She later sued the shoe chain since her assailant, who was sentenced to 33 years, had previously robbed their other outlet. Union has since become an outspoken advocate for sexual assault victims. The 44-year old also describes how despite their recent tragedy of 8 or 9 miscarriages, Union and her 35-year old husband, NBA Champ Dwyane Wade, stand ready to welcome their child into the world if the opportunity should ever present itself. The couple is currently raising Wade’s two sons and his nephew, which convinced Union she wanted to add more children to the family. Wade’s third son lives with the boy’s mother. Meanwhile, Gabrielle Union currently stars and co-produces the BET hit drama Being Mary Jane, and her new book, We’re Going To Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated And True is available now.
Mariah Carey’s Christmas Show is coming to the Borgata in Atlantic City on Saturday, November 25th.
Mary J. Blige is the new covergirl for November’s Essence magazine. Blige also stars in the film Mudbone, which is stirring up huge buzz and will be released on Netflix Friday, November 17th.
Cicely Tyson is on Elle: The Women In Hollywood Issue.
Chadwick Boseman is on Ebony’s The October/Men's Issue and, at the movies this week, Boseman, Kate Hudson and Sterling K. Brown star in Marshall. The movie chronicles an early law case of the late Thurgood Marshall before his landmark arguments that led to school desegregation in Brown vs. Board Of Education, and before he was appointed America’s first African American Supreme Court Justice. Marshall is currently in theaters.
Speaking of Chadwick Boseman, his co-star in big screen adaption of Marvel Comics’ Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan, has another comic book project lined up. Jordan will be an executive producer on Raising Dion for Netflix. Based on the comic book story of an African American widow who discovers her young son has superpowers. Jordan will also appear occasionally as the boy’s father and the widower’s late husband. Netflix has given Raising Dion a 10-episode order. At press time, no streaming date has been announced yet. Meanwhile, look for Jordan in Marvel Comics Black Panther on February 16th, 2018.
Attention Men: Can You Cook? It’s that time again for Philly’s Men Are Cooking, and the A.K.A.’s are looking for the men of the Delaware Valley to show the ladies their culinary skills. This is the annual Philly event where the men do all the cooking, and the ladies get to walk around and sample what the men have to offer. It all benefits the A.K.A.’s charitable and community service arm, The Ivy Legacy Foundation. The festivities take place at The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, 6825-31 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, Pa. The information for Philly’s Men Are Cooking about tickets and signing up to cook can be found at ivylegacy.org.
White Famous is on Showtime. Comedian and ex Saturday Night Live Cast-member Jay Pharoah stars as a rising comedian who is maintaining the thin line of keeping his credibility in the black community while trying tom appeal more and more to the white community. Jamie Foxx, whose life the show is based on, is the co-executive producer and has a recurring role. White Famous airs on Showtime this Sunday at 8pm.
TV One’s UnSung Hollywood returns this month. This week features Tupac Shakur. UnSung Hollywood’s third season airs this Sunday at 10pm on TV One.
Smokey Robinson has teamed up with American Greetings for a new twist on greeting cards. E-cards are the Motown legend’s latest project where his classic songs are being converted into personalized greetings. Robinson used his smash composition for The Temptations, My Girl, for this past weekend’s Father-Daughter Day and coming soon are his Get Ready e-cards. This could be quite a project because aside from the hits Robinson has enjoyed as lead singer of The Miracles and a solo act, he’s had nearly 40 top 40 hits and written or co-written over 4,000 songs.
Denzel has changed his look…..again!! The two-time Oscar winner has a new movie called Roman J. Israel, Esq. He plays a lawyer who’s an advocate for the people, but his throwback style is something between a militant and Don Cornelius on the 1970’s edition of Soul Train. HE EVEN TOOK THE CAPPS OUT!!! When “Israel” wins, he lets others take the credit. Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo co-star. Roman J. Israel, Esq. opens November 3rd.
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.
Check out who’s coming to town:
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.
Tuesday, November 14th – Leela James and Tank: Savage X, The Soul Tour at the TLA, 3rd and South . For tickets or for more information log onto venue.tlaphilly.com.
Sunday, November 19th – The stage play Thugs & The Women Who Love Them starring K Michelle, Sevyn Streeter, Ray J, and Lyfe Jennings at The Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pa. For tickets and information venue.thetowerphilly.com.
Friday, December 1st – Sinbad comedy show at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Friday, December 1st – Jay-Z at The Wells Fargo Center. For tickets or for more information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Saturday, December 9th – Fantasia Christmas Holiday concert at the Fillmore Philly, 29 East Allen Street and for more information log onto thefillmorephilly.com/venue
Sunday, December 17th – Damien Escobar in concert at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Tuesday, December 19th – The Great Xscape Tour starring Xscape, Monica and Tamar Braxton at The Liacouras Center, Broad & Montgomery. Tix are on sale Friday, October 13th 2017 and for more information log onto Liacourascenter.com/events.
Thursday, December 30th – Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly in concert at The Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pa. For tickets and information venue.thetowerphilly.com.
Sunday, January 14th – The All-Stars Of Hip Hop starring Nelly, Ja Rule, KRS1, Redman & Method Man, Fatman Scoop and Three Times Dope at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ppshows.com.
Sunday, February 18th – The Soul Jam At The Tropicana in Atlantic City.
Saturday, February 24th – Katt Williams comedy show at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto boardwalkhall.com/events.
Friday, March 9th – Keith Sweat in concert at The Liacouras Center, Broad & Montgomery. Tix are on sale Friday, October 13th 2017 and for more information log onto Liacourascenter.com/events.
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.