EtTa JaMeS rIpS bEyOnCe OvEr SoNg

WHOA! Did you not hear what singer Etta James said about pop superstar Beyonce?

 

Allegedly, Etta James is livid with President Obama, for not asking her to sing the infamous song "At Last", but instead asked Beyonce to deliver the classic rendition which was originally sung by Ms. James.

 

Recently, Beyonce played Etta James as a character in the film "Cadillac Records", which displayed the talented songstress singing her version of the baby making song.

 

Is it fair to say since Beyonce sung the song in a film, she also had the right to sing it for the President and First Lady? 

 

Although Ms. James sang the song she didn't write it, so is it fair to reprimand individuals for paying tribute to a song that was made classic by hers truly anyway? No one can EVER sing that song like Etta James, and she should take solace in knowing this. But going on a rant rave and stating that she wants to "whoop Beyonce's a**" isn't necessarily the right way to garner public attention for her accomplishments. Just saying... 

Update: Ms. James backtracked her words and apologized.
 
2009 LA

OpRaH wInFrEy To Re-InVeNt HeRsElF?

There has been speculation that media mogul Oprah Winfrey's TV ratings, have become sub par due to the popularity of the new 'Tyra Banks' show.  

Allegedly, Oprah's topics aren't as interesting anymore, giving way to Tyra's more youthful approach which clearly draws in more of a younger demographic. But even so the Tyra Banks show airs 3 hours before Ms. Winfrey's, so competition between the two shouldn't be that fierce, right?

If Oprah's ratings are decreasing should she reinvent herself?  

Like maybe she could be another Barbara Walters, but with her own "view?" Ms. Walters may not like my idea (smiles) as competition with the "Color Purple" actress could prove challenging -- but I think Oprah could do it. And when she isn't busy interviewing fascinating people, she could make a cameo on the show to give her valuable input!

2009 LA

Is TyRa BaNkS BiAsEd AgaInSt BuTcH lEsBiAnS?

Have you seen the new Tyra Banks show? 
  
Since becoming a fan of the show I often admired Ms. Banks, for the diversity of her guests; ie, the LGBTQ community. However, it caught my attention that when the former Victoria Secret model entertained gay segments -- the men and women were always both feminine in nature. 

This left me wondering if Tyra, had an issue with butch females and/or manly gay men?

It could also be that in her line of work, maybe she doesn't come across lesbians and gays from all walks of life? I only speak of this because it's most important for people to witness the many differences within our society, and in doing so, it creates the chance for fear and discrimination to become non-existent. The gay spectrum is extremely broad and shouldn't be marginalized to make others feel comfortable. 

Why should the LGBTQ community be forced to live limited lives, until others find it in ones heart to change? 

Baby steps is understandable, but the struggle has been real and long fought for so long that immediate relief seems almost necessary. It's great that Tyra makes same sex issues apart of her show and she could just be targeting her market audience regarding the guests that she has on, however, I'd love to see her address gay issues on all levels. 

Furthermore, it can begin to create an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptability for the butch lesbian that doesn't necessarily dress feminine, or the "undercover brother" that must remains "undercover" -- due to the fear and prejudices of others. 

2009 LA

LaTiNoS fOr ObAmA fUrIoUs WiTh J-lO aNd MaRc aNtHoNy

Allegedly, the 'Latinos for Obama' group are furious with actress Jennifer Lopez and singer Marc Anthony, apparently for being two-faced. 

Recently, J-Lo and her hubby Marc asked President-Elect Barack Obama, if they could perform at the inauguration. But it's been reported that originally Jennifer and Marc were never fans of Barack Obama and voted for John McCain, and only after Obama won the presidency -- did they start showing support.

Latinos complained the wealthy couple never made a donation to Obama's campaign.

And when Obama requested their presence in Orlando, Florida, to campaign and turn out the Latino vote Lopez, still refused to endorse him. Instead, they were replaced with former president Bill Clinton and Jimmy Smits.

Now that Obama actually won the election, people feel that the powerful Latin couple is trying to use the performance for a publicity stunt -- but I highly doubt that they'll be performing.

2009 LA

ThE hIt ShOw "Er"

Have you seen the hit TV show "ER"? 

Admitting that I'm not an avid watcher of this show, however, when it was set to be cancelled the backlash that ensued was so profound -- I at least had to see what all the fuss was about. ABC acknowledged the requests of millions of Americans and brought back "ER". 

Actress Angela Bassett played the role of Dr. Banfield, who lost her baby. She was bitter and at times very mean, then I understood her feelings came from the fact that she blamed herself for her son's death. The blame caused great pain within her marriage, and it changed who she was as a person while controlling her life. 

In one particular scene Dr. Banfield, reflected back on her son's death while she was in the middle of saving another child's life. 

Watching the death of her son play through her memory as she stood in surgery, was enough to make me burst into tears while Thanking God that she saved the little girls life. This episode allowed us to view the doctor from a warm-blooded perspective, since all she had exuded throughout the show was especially cold-blooded. 

Dr. Green (who was apart of the original "ER" cast) was reintroduced as the person who attempted to save Dr. Banfields' son's life. 

Green was dying of cancer when he tried saving the little boy's life, and skipped his own Chemo-therapy treatment to do it.
 

This episode as an emotional roller coaster ride. The last thing I watched that made me this jittery was a movie titled, 'Little Children'. I think I maybe permanently hooked on ABC's "ER". 

 

To check out scenes from the show last week click here. 

2008 LA

ChEeTaH gIrL aDrIeNnE bAiLoN eXpOsEd

Allegedly, during Adrienne Bailon's travels somehow nude photos were stolen from her laptop at an airport in New York, and the photos were sent to several media outlets.

According to reports the alleged theft of the nude photos, was a stunt devised by Ms. Bailon herself and a celebrity blogger friend in order to garner attention. Bailon's publicist felt she needed to do something different for her image and that the pictures would do the trick, although they were originally meant for Bailon's boyfriend, Robert Kardashian.

Is Adrienne following in her soon to be sister-in-laws footsteps? 

Let's not forget how Kim Kardashian became a huge superstar all from a home video, where she partook in sexual pleasures with then singer boyfriend, Ray J. 

Why would the Disney Cheetah girl pull this kind of stunt and then tell on herself? 

I respect her for having the cojones to come forward and tell the truth, although her respect within the entertainment industry may falter. In hindsight, she may get her wish of staying relevant after all, when people joke about this for years to come.

2008 LA

ThE sEcReT lIfE oF bEeS

Run quick and run fast everyone! This movie is a must see, for real for real. 

Having high expectations of this film, was in part due to the extraordinary cast. The movie exceeded my expectations and the lovely cast of women gave amazing performances.

With the current presidential election happening this movie couldn't have come at a better time. 

The film talks of the segregated past, slavery, and racism and shines a bright light on the fact that white America, did whatever they could to keep black people from the voting booths. I thought this to be significant, especially since stealing the American vote has always been an agenda among certain political figures, and still happens today.

Fourteen year old actress Dakota Fanning, had her first onscreen kiss -- and with a brotha! Singers Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson definitely proved themselves to be talented actresses, we already knew rapper turned actress Queen Latifah was gonna bring it home, and every time I think Sophie Okonedo can't get any better -- she takes it to another level.

This movie was excellent and besides the fact that I wished I was cast in it (smiles), I give the director Gina Prince-Bythewood and executive producer Jada Pinkett-Smith, HUGE props for making this masterpiece. 

2008 LA

PaRiS hIlToN'S "nEw BfF" rEaLiTy ShOw

Have you guys been watching, 'Paris Hilton's New BFF' show? 

The episode I saw, was enough to convince me not to watch it again. Paris began the show by giving adolescents challenges to compete against one another to win prizes; this didn't bother me as much, as I understand competition within a game - but the things she had them doing weren't really challenging. 

For example: One challenge was to see which contestant could party the longest; after partying all night in a club the contestant's were whisked away to a country club for another challenge. At the country club the challenge was to see which contestant, wasn't to tired to ride on the back of a buff man. 

Ooookay, she lost me. I just didn't get it. 

Next, Paris filled a closet with clothes for the contestants because as she pointed out, it's very important to always "look hot" when hanging out with her.

What is this show about again? And what do the contestants get for winning all these challenges? 

Is their ultimate prize really going to be a friendship with Paris Hilton, forever? Will they really hang out and do friend things with Paris, for the rest of their lives? Come on now, what is the point of this show?

Nothing against the girl, but I think what she's teaching children is wrong. Her show is basically about who is willing to embarrass themselves enough to win the most challenges, in order to be Paris' best friend forever. Really? 

This reminds me of those movies when the supposedly "cool crowd", will invite the "dorky crowd" to a party under false pretense - and for pure entertainment purposes only. 

But isn't friendship supposed to happen naturally and be built on love and loyalty - not superficial things?

They should change the title of the show from, "Paris' New BFF" to "Paris' Puppet Playmates".

2008 LA