What’s cookin’ everybody? Another five gone by and we got a
set of octuplets coming into the world, Obama getting a reality check from
Republicans while pushing hard for a $825 billion economic stimulus package and
the Cardinals and Steelers playing this weekend in the Super Bowl.
Shout out to the sounding boards for embracing the spirit of
competition.
Next on the menu…the Last Word for the week ending Jan. 30,
2009.
1. Aaliyah Biopic Heads to the Big Screen
Gone but clearly not forgotten, Aaliyah will reemerge on the
big screen via an upcoming biopic. Media sources report that Canadian
R&B/pop singer Keshia Chante will play the songbird in the film, which will
be helmed by director Bill Condon.
Others appearing in thefeature include Aaliyah’s choreographer
Fatima Robinson, Missy Elliott, Timbaland and Ginuwine. Famed music video
director Hype Williams has also been tapped for the project to recreate
Aaliyah’s final video shoot for the hit song “Rock the Boat.”
To insure that his work lives up to fans’ expectations,
Condon is making sure his cast do their homework to become as familiar with
Aaliyah and those in her life as humanly possible.
“We are going to great extremities to make this movie
perfect. We have [Keisha] Chante in extensive training studying, speaking with
family members, watching personal footage and in choreography training with
Aaliyah’s choreographer and dear friend Fatima Robinson,” he told the New
York Post. “This movie will be seamless the
same way it was for Selena fans who enjoyed Jennifer Lopez.”
As one of Babygirl’s many fans, I really do hope they pull
out the stops and make this film a must see. I’ll definitely be in line opening
weekend to support.
2. Michael Jackson Gets Another Thrill With Broadway and
New Lawsuit
Just when you think Michael Jackson has steered clear of a
courtroom near you, they keep calling him back.
Variety reports that film director John Landis for allegedly
failing to pay him royalties from the Grammy-winner’s “Thriller” video for the
last four years is suing Jackson. Landis not only directed the 1983 clip, but
also co-wrote it.
The lawsuit, which was filed last week in Los Angeles
Superior Court through Landis’ company, Levitsky Prods., accuses Jackson of
“fraudulent, malicious and oppressive conduct” in failing to pay Landis 50
percent of the net proceeds from the video. In addition to the claims, the suit
includes the 1983 agreement between Jackson and Landis covering the video and
an hour-long documentary, which Landis also directed.
News of the suit comes amid word that “Thriller” will be
turned into a Broadway musical. According to reports, the show will feature
songs from two of Jackson’s albums.
3. Tyler Perry Gets Caught Up in Legal Nonpayment Drama
Looks like another court case for Tyler Perry. The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution states the mogul is at the center of a new lawsuit
involving his Atlanta home.
According to the suit, six construction firms claim Perry
has not paid them for work done on his 30,000 square foot residence. The contractors
noted that the mogul refused to pay their final bills either for no apparent
reason or because their work met with his arbitrary disapproval. As a result,
the contractors have put a lien on Perry’s home and new movie studio. They
claim the trouble with the work became apparent before Perry officially opened
his studio in October.
The entertainer argues that the work he did not pay for was
either shoddy or related to undocumented charges. The unpaid bills from the
work, court papers note, total slightly less than $200,000.
Despite, the legal drama, Perry did get some good news as
his hit show Meet the Browns was picked
up by TBS. The network has reportedly ordered 80 episodes of the series to be
produced for viewing.
From the looks of it, Tyler has his own real life House
of Payne. Where are Mr. Brown and Madea
when you need them?
4. Paula
Abdul, the Blueprint for Beyoncé and Rihanna?
As the nice judge who helps pick out the next music
superstar on American Idol, it seems
like it was a millennium ago when Paula Abdul commanded center stage as a best
selling artist. But don’t worry; Paula wants everyone to know that her
influence carries on in the divas of today.
According to WENN, the TV personality seems to believe that
she paved the way for Rihanna and Beyoncé to do what they do.
“My videos stand the test of time. They are like the almanac
for every performer,” proclaimed Abdul. “Even Rihanna has come up to me and
said ‘I hope you don’t mind.’ And Beyoncé. You can see the influence of what
I’ve done. It’s really fun to see that I’ve left a mark. It was my idea to
create an animated character. It takes a lot of focus, a lot time, and a lot of
money.”
A note to Paula: If you want to continue working with Simon,
Kara and Randy, stay off the drugs.
5. Raven-Symone Injects Self-Esteem with New Dove Tour
As a successful entertainer, Raven-Symone is a prime example
of what a child star can truly become while being regarded as a role model for
young women. The That’s So Raven actress
has hooked up with Dove for the soap maker’s Dove Self-Esteem Workshop Tour.
According to Symone, the 90-minute workshops will target
pre-teens age 11 and 12 as Symone and author Jess W##### and go through
worksheets, exercises, role-playing and other tools to talk to girls about
inner beauty. The outing hits home with Raven, who admitted to having her own
self-esteem issues while revealing that 41 percent of African-American teens
feel that they’re not good enough or that they don’t measure up.
“Just being who
I am in the industry and what I look like, I’ve definitely had negative
language bombarded toward me that I do not fit that specific mold that they
think beauty is,” the actress told EUR’s Lee Bailey. “But I look within myself
and I take that and I say, ‘Let me hear what my friends are telling me, let me
hear what my soul is telling, let me hear what my doctor is telling me’ and fix
what I need to fix then and fix it in a healthy manner.”
“We’re trying to get the girls to question the beauty
stereotypes. And get them to truly open up their minds,” added Symone, who
labeled herself a “thick and fabulous being” who wears a weave herself
sometimes, exercises everyday and is always looking to remain happy and
healthy. “We’re going to tell them that they’re beautiful no matter what they
look like; no matter if their hair doesn’t grow. You don’t need a weave all the
time,”
For details on the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty workshops,
visit www.campaignforrealbeauty.com.
6. Kelly Rowland Goes Her Own Way Without Mathew Knowles
The future is shaping up to be an interesting one for Kelly
Rowland as she adjusts to pursuing professional endeavors without her long time
manager Mathew Knowles.
The pair made their parting official on Wednesday (Jan. 28)
as they released a joint statement. And while the business relationship didn’t
work out, Kelly is grateful for working with Knowles as long as she did.
“Mathew Knowles has been a positive influence in my career.
I have had great success under his guidance — both as a member of Destiny’s
Child and with my solo project,” the vocalist said in the statement as she
mentioned the split will have no effect on her personal relationship with her
former manager. “Although we have decided to part ways professionally, the
Knowles family and the entire Music World Entertainment team will always be my
family.”
Ever the businessman, Mathew stated the split was amicable
while letting folks know that Music World will continue to manage Kelly’s old
group Destiny’s Child.
“We will always be family first and foremost, and as a dad I
only have love for Kelly,” he stated.
And so Kelly will truly be a solo act. Although she is
thankful for being under Mathew’s wing, you can’t help but wonder if her two
albums (2002’s Simply Deep and 2007’s Ms.
Kelly), would’ve had a longer life on the
charts if someone other than her best friend’s father managed her.
Kelly is a star in her own right, but now’s the real test.
Stay tuned…
7. Rihanna vs. Penelope Cruz for a Potential Charlie’s
Angel Spot
As if two Charlie’s Angels movies weren’t enough. Now, comes
word that a third installment of the franchise might be considered. Head Angel
Drew Barrymore has expressed an interest in bringing back Lucy Liu and Cameron
Diaz, but the real talk concerns whether or not there will be a fourth Angel
for the film.
When asked who would be her dream Angel, Drew put her choice
in as she told Popsugar.com, “Oh I’m so in love with Penelope Cruz! She’s
Aaaaahh-mazing.”
And while an Oscar-nominated actress like Penelope would
definitely be a good look, Barrymore’s production partner Nancy Juvonen has
another entertainer in mind that may make for an interesting choice.
“I’m having a Rihanna fixation myself, Juvonen told Sci-Fi
Wire after selling her motivation for brining in a fourth Angel. “I’m really into that when the show had
the four Angels on for a while, and Farrah [Fawcett]’s little sister, Cheryl
Ladd, came in. There was something fun with that, I think, that’s very iconic
of the show. So I’m a little on that.”
No question. Both of them could probably pull it off. So is
Rihanna cut out to kick butt on the big screen or would Penelope be the one to
take the Angels to the next level?
What say you?
In Other Words…
* John Legend has been tapped to perform Feb. 15 at this
year’s NBA All-Star game. The crooner, along with Latin vocalist Juanes, will
sing “If You’re Out There,” a song about leadership. The tune is off Legend’s
latest album, Evolver. Legend and Juanes
were selected to perform by NBA officials, who picked them based on their
dedication to community service.
* Congratulations to Mo’Nique who took home the Special Jury
Prize for Acting at this year’s Sundance Film Festival for her work in the film
Push. The actress/comedian received the honor for her portrayal of a welfare-swindling
mother. Push, which also stars Mariah Carey, was voted Best Drama by the
festival and audience members who saw the film.
* In case you’ve been wondering about Melinda Doolittle’s
debut album, the wait is coming to an end. The former American Idol contestant’s release, Coming Back to You, will finally hit stores Tuesday (Feb. 3).
* Ne-Yo is rebounding after rumors of collaboration with
shock rocker Marilyn Manson went south. The crooner is hoping to go in the
studio with pop singer Lady Gaga for his next album. According to WENN, Ne-Yo
is a big fan of GaGa, who is enjoying the success of her hit single “Just
Dance.”
“I really hope GaGa and I can work together. I have never
been so excited about an artist before,” the singer expressed as he admired
GaGa for carving her own niche. “Being yourself is what makes an artist. She
epitomizes to me what artistry is. She is a strange one, but it’s refreshing.
She makes no apologies for being who she is. She takes pride in being an
individual and I made it my business to tell her when we met up on the road.”**To get the latest AllHipHop Alternatives Features, follow us on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/AHHalternatives**