What’s goin’ on people? It’s good to be back in the land of the free
and the home of the brave after making a memory or three in Canada last
week. This week proved to be an active one as Owen Wilson became
hospitalized after an apparent suicide attempt, Michael Vick found
Jesus and apologized for his dogfighting error, Sen. Larry Craig denied
being gay amid heat from the Republican Party, and frustration still
remains as we mark two years since Hurricane Katrina.
Crazy shout outs to Kathy for being kind enough to keep the Word alive
during my intermission and Illseed for being the sounding board on
duty. Shouts also go out to Joan, the Isenbergs (Charlotte and Steven),
Becky, Erica and Giancarlo and last but definitely not least, the T-dot
superstar and Q.O.N. (Queen of the Night) Stevie Nicks for helping me to cherish old friends and appreciate new allies in my adventures up North.
And as always, recognition to my sounding boards for doing what they do
best, which is keep me grounded no matter what location I lay my head at.
Now that I’ve gotten my two cents in, here we go….the Last Word for the week ending Aug. 31, 2007.
1. Chris Brown Chooses Regular Girl Over Ciara
Ciara may catch the eye of a lot of guys, but don’t count Chris Brown
among her admirers. The singer revealed that he’s in the market for an
ordinary Jane during an interview for the upcoming issuing of Vibe
magazine, which noted that Brown’s face “curls up as if he’d just
noticed a foul odor,” when he was asked about the Crunk-n-B Queen.
“I don’t want Ciara,” said Brown, who graces the cover of the new issue
when it hits newsstands on Sept. 11. “I don’t want any industry girl.”
Although he prefers a “regular girl” — that is, provided she’s also “a
model,” the crooner admitted that he isn’t in a position to be tied
down to one lady.
“I’ve had girlfriends, but it’s different,” Brown told Vibe. “Not
jumpoffs! Like, you don’t be like, ‘That’s my girl,’ but you know when
you hang with her, it’s like…friends with benefits. If I’m singling
out one girl, think about all the other girls who are falling in love
with me in that club. What they gon’ think? So it’s like, I have a
relationship with every girl. It’s like every girl is my girlfriend.”
While it’s good that he’s spreading the love around, all you really
need is one girl. Is that so hard? For us average Joes, an “industry
girl” would be just fine. No need to say good bye at all.
2. Scared Straight: The Winehouse Edition
First it was her mother-in-law. This week Amy Winehouse’s father-in-law
weighed in on the singer’s recent troubles Tuesday (Aug. 28) on British
Broadcasting Corp. radio. Giles Fielder-Civil is spearheading efforts
to administer some tough love to Winehouse by urging fans to quit
investing in her music.
According to him, the songbird and his son Blake Fielder-Civil, had
used cocaine, crack, and heroin and were in “abject denial”
about their problem.
“Perhaps it is time to stop buying records,” said Fielder-Civil, who
thinks fans should send a message to Winehouse “that her addiction and
her behavior are not acceptable.” “It’s a possibility, to send that
message.”
And what message would that be? Just say no…no…no!
3. John Singleton Earns Responsible Driver Badge
Despite being involved in a fatal car wreck last week, director John
Singleton can take comfort in knowing that he has been cleared of any
charges related to the fatality. According to reports, Singleton struck
and killed Constance Russell after she stepped into the path of the
film maker’s Lexus SUV.
Singleton remained on the scene as he waited for police and paramedics
to arrive and transport Russell to a nearby hospital, where she was
pronounced dead.
“This is being treated as an unfortunate accident,” said LAPD spokesman
Jason Lee. “There will be no criminal charges. Mr. Singleton stopped
and identified himself as required by law and was not under the
influence of drugs and alcohol. He was questioned and released.”
Case closed.
4. President Carter Makes Rihanna an Offer She Couldn’t Refuse
With another summer anthem and a hit album on her hands, life is
looking pretty good for Rihanna. Nevertheless, all the fame would not
have been possible had it not been for some creative deal making with
Def Jam president Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter.
“The audition definitely went well,” the songstress told
FemaleFirst.com about negotiations for her record deal. “[Def Jam]
locked me into the office – till 3a.m. And Jay-Z said, ‘There’s only
two ways out. Out the door after you sign this deal. Or through this
window…’ and we were on the 29th floor. Very flattering.”
A message to any aspiring Def Jam artist: Don’t forget your parachute.
5. Bobby and Whitney Engage in Kiddie Combat
Divorced and still making news together. Bobby Brown and Whitney
Houston are going head to head over the custody of their 14-year-old
daughter Bobbi Kristina.
People.com reports that the battle has reached a new level, as Brown claims he hasn’t spoken to the teen since June.
“Since Whitney has been awarded sole legal and physical custody of
Bobbi Kris, she has attempted to eliminate me from Bobbi Kris’ life,”
according to newly released legal papers filed last month and obtained
by People.com. “I did all I could to see my daughter…I also paid
approximately $10,000 for Whitney and Bobbi Kris to live in a nice
hotel while Whitney was going through rehab…I basically lived out
of my car,” Brown states.
As if Brown’s side of the story isn’t heart-wrenching enough, Houston
counters his argument by saying her ex has been “almost totally
uninvolved in taking care of Bobbi Kristina” and warns, “Bobby is going
to try to get child or spousal support from me…Bobby is fully
capable of working and earning substantial sums of money if he would
control his personal behavior.”
Wasn’t this the same couple that was getting along so well over dinner recently and even posing for pictures with fans? So much for having something in common. Why can’t they just get along?
After all, the children are our future. Teach them well and let the
lead them way.
6. Keyshia Cole Gears Up for National Anthem, Lands in the BDS Books
Congratulations go out to Keyshia Cole for becoming the first female in
the history of the Nielsen BDS-based Urban chart to have three
consecutive number one singles as a lead artist. The singer achieved
the feat with her new Missy Elliott and Lil’ Kim-featured single “Let
It Go.” The song, which rose from number three to number one, follows
Cole’s 2006 chart topper “Love” and her 2005 number one “I Should Have
Cheated.”
As if that wasn’t enough, fans can catch the diva when she performs the
national anthem Sept. 6 before the Indianapolis Colts take on the New
Orleans Saints.
7. Jordin Sparks Follows Jessica Simpson’s Lead
American Idol winner Jordin Sparks is taking a page out of Jessica
Simpson’s book by promising to abstain from sex until her wedding
night. The vow was made when the 17-year-old singer was 13, years
before she belted her first tune for Simon Cowell.
“My parents gave me a purity ring and talked to me about waiting until
I’m married to have sex,” Sparks revealed to the World Entertainment
News Network (WENN). “It wasn’t forced; it just made perfect sense.
It’s going to be awesome to say to my husband that I waited my whole
life for him.”
Sounds like a good deal for whoever the lucky guy will be.
8. Jamie Foxx Comes to Michael Vick’s Defense
Michael Vick may have outraged pet lovers with his dogfighting
operation, but the Atlanta Falcons quarterback has found a sympathetic
observer in Jamie Foxx.
The Oscar winner came to Vick’s defense as he told Access Hollywood,
“It’s a cultural thing… I used to see dogs fighting in the
neighborhood all the time… Mike probably just didn’t read his
handbook on what not to do as a Black star. I know that cruelty to
animals is bad, but sometimes people shoot people and kill people and
don’t get time…I give Mike the benefit of the doubt.”
Needless to say the folks at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals) weren’t too happy with Foxx. “It is cheap and dirty and wrong
to call this a cultural thing, unless Foxx believes that cruelty is a Black thing – when it isn’t. It may be his thing, but it is not a Black
thing,” said the animal rights organization’s president Ingrid Newkirk.
With Vick facing time in prison for his mistake, it may be best for
Foxx to let it go and not let his stock go down. What do you think? Are
two celebrities taking heat better than one?