What’s good everybody? Five days gone and we made it through to tell another tale. From the massive earthquake in Chile to Rep. Charles Rangel temporarily stepping down as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee amid questions amid ethics questions to the U.S. demonstrating Winter Olympic supremacy, it’s been one for the books.
Congratulations to Keyshia Cole and her fiancé, Cleveland Cavaliers star Daniel Gibson, who became the proud parents of their first child, Daniel Jr. The-Dream and Christina Milian, who welcomed the arrival of their daughter Violet and Jim Carrey who became a grandfather with the birth of his grandson Jackson Riley Santana.
Shout out to the sounding boards for being grown enough to do what is necessary for the greater good of all.
So strike up the band. It’s time for… the Last Word for the week ending March 5, 2010.
1. Wesley Snipes Not Ready to Revisit Nino but Wants to Play James Brown
Although he may be on familiar ground in the new film Brooklyn’s Finest, Wesley Snipes is quick to say that his return to the big screen is not a retread of his work in New Jack City. In fact, the similarities between him famous character, Nino Brown, and his new role as Caz, a paroled drug dealer, end with sharing a lifestyle of danger.
“That was actually one of the reservations. I didn’t want to do a Nino Brown part two,” Snipes told Black Voices. Com as he welcomed the chance to work with fellow entertainers Don Cheadle and Brooklyn’s Finest director Antoine Fuqua. “Didn’t want to perpetuate the stereotype we see in movies of brothers being drug dealers and criminals… I had reservations, but Antoine worked it out for me. He talked to me about how the character was iconic and how the character would be Nino after incarceration and rehabilitated. So I thought that would be a different angle because that’s not endorsing the game; it’s a reflection of the futility of the game.”
The chance to expand further prove his acting skills served as motivation for Snipes, who weighed in on a desire to do a love story, reunite with his White Men Can’t Jump co-star Woody Harrelson and bring justice to the life story of a soul pioneer.
“Of course, I want to do the James Brown story. That’s for me. That’s the baby. I’ve been and lived in Georgia. I’m very familiar with the culture,” the entertainer stated.” I had meetings with Bobby Byrd and all these cats. I had met James a number of times, and the daughters have signed off on me playing the role. I’m very interested in the showing the range of what I can do. I can be physical. I can sing and dance.”
2. Personal Trainer Sues Rihanna Over Work Out Sessions
Oh the price of looking good. Unlike a look of us, who have to make time to work out, celebrities tend to get paid for maintaining a desirable physique for a film role or concert tour. After all, it should be nothing to drop a few $100’s on the person responsible for getting you to that point.
So says Cindy Percival, a personal trainer who allegedly stiffed by Rihanna. In a lawsuit filed against the singer last week, Percival claims Rihanna owes her $26,144.14 for work done in 2009. The suit details that Percival was hired to perform “exclusive personal training services” for Rihanna for $1,500 per day between September and October.
The conflict over funds marks the first time Percival experienced this sort of thing with the songbird. The trainer’s attorney, Scott Fischer, tells E! News that she worked with Rihanna for two years prior to the suit and never had any problem getting compensated.
“There’s no explanation whatsoever,” Percival’s attorney, Scott Fischer, said. “Her management got a hold of Cindy and informed her there would be no further need for her services; but, in the meantime, Cindy had submitted invoices for payment and they weren’t honoring the invoices. We sent the demand letter to them a month ago and they sent a response letter essentially ignoring the agreement. It’s a shame that Rihanna won’t honor her payments to her trainer.”
In addition to the $26,144.14 she says she’s due, Percival wants $2,644.14 in travel expenses in light of claims that she had to travel all over Europe to meet with Rihanna for their training sessions.
3. OJ’s Acquittal Suit Gets Rejected by the Smithsonian
It goes without saying that if you’re looking to reconnect with significant events in history, visit the Smithsonian Intuition. But one thing you won’t see at the famed facility is the suit worn by one OJ Simpson when he was acquitted in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife and her friend.
Despite garnering major exposure at one of the most watched moments in TV history, the suit didn’t measure up to the Smithsonian’s standards as it deemed the carefully tailored tan suit, white shirt and yellow and tan tie OJ sported as being inappropriate for their collection.
“The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will not be collecting O.J. Simpson’s suit,” the museum announced on its website. “The decision was made by the museum’s curators together with the director.”
According to a Smithsonian spokeswoman, several factors determine whether the museum accepts a donation. These include whether an item has historical significance, whether it is needed to complete a collection or is needed for research.
As it turned out, “in this case, they knew it was not appropriate for the collection,” the spokeswoman said.
In case you’re wondering, OJ was consulted about the Smithsonian donation by phone on Monday and ultimately gave his approval as long as no one made any money.
OJ is currently serving time in Nevada for unsuccessfully trying to take back items of his memorabilia from a Las Vegas hotel room.
“I’m saddened by the fact that the foremost museum in America has refused this very important item in the history of American jurisprudence,” Simpson’s attorney, Ronald P. Slates told the Associated Press. “Regardless of one’s feelings about Mr. Simpson, his acquittal by a jury of his peers on Oct. 3, 1995 was of great significance and is widely talked about to this day.”
For the Smithson to pass on this seems strange, but you never know the real story behind something until years later. Nevertheless, what do you think? Should OJ’s suit be prominently displayed in the Smithsonian or can we do with out that little ensemble the next time we visit the museum?
4. Lady Gaga Speaks on Orgasm Obstacles; Sings a Song for the Kids With Grandmaster Melle Mel
As this generation’s Madonna, Lady Gaga has a knack for giving us something to talk about. From fashion statements on the red carpet to catchy tunes that occupy most top 40 radio stations, the songstress is basking in more than her 15 minutes of fame.
You would think Gaga would be as freaky away from the mic as she is when she putting on a show, right? Apparently not this time. To hear her tell it, Gaga is not taking rides on any disco sticks anytime soon while taking a vow of celibacy after parting ways with her now ex-boyfriend, Matthew Williams.”I’m single. I haven’t got time to spend on the road to get to know anyone. Even Lady Gaga can be celibate, you don’t have to have sex to be loved,” the songstress told reporters at the MAC cosmetics’ Viva Glam event in London.
Of course it wouldn’t be Gaga without her unique view on whatever topic comes to mind. In this case, it’s orgasms, a feeling that the singer believes stands in the way of truly enjoying that special time with the one you love.
“Orgasms are the biggest obstacles for women. Sex should be fun, beautiful and colorful but women get the short end of the stick,” Gaga shared. “We’re just receivers. We can’t talk about sex, we can’t sing about sex.”
So if she doesn’t get satisfied in bed, what gives the Lady pleasure? Quite simply the answer is…her fans.
“My fans are my roommates. The thing that keeps me warm at night is my sense of self,” the entertainer shared. “When I see my beautiful fans I feel how much they protect and mean to me. It would be irresponsible if I didn’t protect them and teach young people to be self-expressive, to love yourself.”
It’s nice to know that Gaga loves her fans. And the kids, it seems, as a children’s audio book has surfaced with her vocal stylings. The book, titled Portal in the Park, was recorded before the pop diva became a fixture on radio and video channels. It tells the story of a boy who falls through a hole into another dimension.
Gaga is featured as a back up singer on the song World Family Tree, which includes Grandmaster Melle Mel as the lead vocalist. Those who wonder what a collaboration between a hip-hop icon and the current queen of the charts can buy the song, which recently became available on iTunes.5. Mo’Nique‘s Secret to a Lasting Marriage? Hairy Legs and an Open Mind
Let’s face it. Maintaining a relationship can be a challenge. Whether it’s the occasional disagreement or the temptations of those on the outside looking in, keeping your significant other can be a job in and of itself.
Especially if both or one of you is famous. But fear not. Mo’Nique has found a natural way to keep her husband Sidney by her side.
“He loves the hairy legs and if Sid likes the hairy legs, there you go,” the actress/comedian told Barbara Walters during an interview for the journalist’s final Oscar night special.
It may not turn some guys on, but Mo’Nique does have her reasons for not shaving her legs. It all comes down to not experience the pain that goes with making her legs hair free.
“I tried shaving one time, and it was so uncomfortable and painful. I said never again would I do that to myself,” Mo’Nique, revealed. “I’m 42 and I’m very hairy.”
And if Sidney were to ever get tired of the hairy love, he can always find affection from another source. With his wife’s approval.
“Could Sid have sex outside of his marriage with me? Yes,” Monique said. “That’s not a deal-breaker. That’s not something that would make us say, ‘Pack your things and let’s end the marriage.'”
“What if it’s 20 times? So what?” she continued while highlighting the foundation of her relationship with Sidney. “We’ve been best friends for over 25 years, and we truly know who we are. Oftentimes, people get into marriages and they don’t know who they’re laying next to. I’m very comfortable and secure with my husband.”
And that, good Wordians, is the way love goes.
In Other Words…
Like any good action film franchise, it eventually runs its course. Or at least the actors involved. After playing Jason Bourne for three films, Matt Damon is thinking about moving on to other things as he has reservations about continuing to portray the spy.
As a result, Damon believes the Bourne franchise should take a cue from the James Bond films and feature different actors to play the character he made famous. According to him, there are three possibilities who could more than fill his shoes as Bourne.
“I think the way to extend the franchise is to create a ‘Bourne identity’ that different actors can take on,” the actor told the New York Daily News. “I could pass the identity to Russell Crowe or Denzel Washington or Ryan Gosling.”
Get ready for the return of The Boondocks. After a two-year hiatus, the hit animated series will make its official return in two months. The third season of The Boondocks will premiere at 11:30 p.m. EST May 2 on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.
