THE BLIND SIDE

With all the hype surrounding New Moon and Precious, i was starting to wonder if any other good  films would be hitting theaters this holiday season.  Then, the trailer for The Blind Side came on during Nip/Tuck and i immediately added it to my MUST-SEE list. Peep the trailer, and tell me what you think.

imagery| 20th Century Fox

CATCHING UP W/→ KELLY ROWLAND RELAXING IN MIAMI

Kelly Rowland has been a busy woman as of late.  Not only has she been working hard on her third solo album (due out in 2010), she has been touring with David Guetta to support their international smash "When Love Takes Over," and she just played Fiddy Cent's love interest in his "BABY BY ME" VIDEO.

Rowland was spotted relaxing on a Miami beach earlier in the week.  She is as fit and beautiful as ever, and i personally can't wait to see how her music performs under new management.

imagery| bauer-griffin

AUDIO: KIM ZOLCIAK'S 911 CALL AFTER BEING CHOKED BY LINNETHIA (NENE)

In a preview of tonight's Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 2 reunion show, we get the actual 911 call Kim made after being choked by NeNe in Atlantic Station:

I can't wait to behold this reunion, because it looks like the women are going to be respectful.  No snapping wrists and popping fingers tonight folks.  

AN OLSEN IS A FEMALE VERSION OF A HUSTLA

Ashley Olsen hustlin' an unsuspecting fan

...of a hustla, of a of a hustla. Pardon me, but i had to finish the line.  Anywho, Mary-Kate (my favorite) and Ashley Olsen have been hustling since they were 6, and they don't plan on stopping anytime soon.  YAHOO reports:

..."the duo is gearing up to launch their fourth clothing collection. This time around, it's a junior line for JCPenney called Olsenboye (the Olsen's Norwegian family name), which will be inspired by teens from around the world. It's also fairly affordable. Pieces will range in price from $20 to $50."

Alright, Tia & Tamera it's time to step the game up (no pun intended)! Where are your foreign manufactured clothes being sold?  There is ALWAYS room for celebrity products in Wal-Mart, and if all else fails, do something groundbreaking and design a line for Citi-Trends. 

PROACTIVE ISN'T ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE

Alicia Keys tried to shield her pimples from the flashing lights as she made her way through LAX earlier in the week.  I remember her Proactive endorsement, and i'm assuming her contract with the company is up if she's walking around like this.

Either way, many people tend to break out when they are stressed (i know i do).  Maybe her skin situation has been brought on by HER ALBUM PUSH BACK or by the possibility that as Kim Zolciak is to Big Poppa, Alicia Keys is to Swizz Beatz.  Then again, i was never that great at analogies, AND we don't know the full story so i digress.

imagery| nachofoto

FRESH MUSIC ♫| MISSY ELLIOT''S "PUT IT ON YA" FT. PHARRELL & TEYANA TAYLOR

♪"PUT IT ON YA"♪

Missy Elliot has been having a hard time finding her way back into the music scene.  Her seventh studio album, Block Party, has been pushed back numerous times.  The initial lead singles from the album, "Ching-a-ling" and "Shake Ya Pom Pom" were released in January of 2008.

Now the album is set to hit stores in January of 2010, and the new lead-in single is "Put it on ya" featuring Pharrell Williams and Teyana Taylor.  Props to DAJAZ1 for the link!

MARIE CLAIRE ADDS PLUS-SIZE COLUMN + SUPERMODEL ARLENIS SOSA GIVES BACK

Marie Claire magazine recently tapped a 5′2,″ 220 pound Latina named Ashley Falcon to author “Big Girl in a Skinny World,” a column which gives fashion advice for plus-size women.  Her beauty, style, and confidence are obvious, and I can see why they choose Falcon to prove that fashionistas come in all shapes and sizes.

Already, her column has earned points with plus-size women everywhere for daring to call designers out for equating larger sizes to shapeless, non-flattering cuts. This column is a rarity in the fashion industry,  and a recent Predicto survey reveals that many believe that the success of Ashley's column will lead similar magazines (like Glamour) to follow suit.

THE GIVING SUPERMODEL

Supermodel Arlenis Sosa is often referred to as shy, Christian, and fierce.  The 20-year-old recently launched The Arlenis Sosa Foundation in the Dominican Republic, her birth place, to support pediatric diabetes. Head over to MODELS.COM for complete coverage of Arlenis's recent trip to the Dominican Republic.

imagery| greg kessler, mdc

BEYONCE, JAY-Z TIP BIG IN THE UPPER EAST SIDE

Beyonce and Jay-Z won't be guest staring on Gossip Girl anytime soon, but the couple were spotted dining  at Nello's restaurant in NYC's Upper East Side.

They reportedly dropped $1,200 on lunch, which included a bottle of Dom Perignion champagne, and left their server a hefty $500 tip. 

imagery| bauer-griffin

CHRIS BROWN GOES PUBLIC WITH HEARTBREAK

We all had an idea that Chris Brown regretted ruining his relationship with Rihanna, but now he's decided to go public with his heartbreak.  The singer recently TWEETED a link to a YouTube montage of he and Rihanna before he assaulted her along with the text "IM SORRY YALL. JUST HAD TO POST IT."

Chris is not allowed to go within 100 yards of Ri Ri, so i guess this is the best way he can reach out to her. Then again,  the fact that the above tweets have not been removed from his twitter page makes me wonder if this display of regret was orchestrated by his crisis management team.

I mean, it shows how sorry Brown is for the assault, and is sure to resonate well with his fan base which has not turned its back on his music.  In fact, his new single, "I Can Transform Ya," is currently #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 after only two weeks of release. 

imagery| twitter, chrisbrownweb.com

VIDEO PREMIERE|→ COMMON'S "MAKE MY DAY" FT. CEE-LO

The official video for Common's "Make My Day", be it unreleased or newly released i don't know, just hit the net.  The clip is directed by Josh Milowe and is taken from Common's 2008 release Universal Mind Control.  The song i dig, and video COULD HAVE been hot.  Common's cameos are what throws the concept off to me.  What do you think?

EVENT CATCH UP|→ LUDACRIS FOUNDATION DINNER + THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND FASHION SHOW

Over the weekend, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges was spotted on the red carpet before heading into The Ludacris Foundation's 6th annual benefit dinner in Washington, DC.  Other celebs in attendance included Quincy Jones and Common.

In NYC, both Naomi Campbell and sHeree Whitfield (Real Housewives of Atl) sat front row at the 4th annual Thurgood Marshall College Fund fashion show at the Roseland Ballroom.

READ MORE TO SEE MORE IMAGERY FROM BOTH EVENTS>>

GIRLS WITH HARMONY: XSCAPE, DESTINY'S CHILD, & EN VOGUE

We love girl groups for many reasons including their beauty, drama, vocals, and performances.  In the past few decades, there have been many groups that have marked their place in history, but i believe that Xscape, Destiny's Child, and En Vogue stand out thanks to their vocals and harmony.

#1| XSCAPE

When it comes to sangin', no other female group touches Xscpae.  Each member ([l-r] LaTocha Scott,  Tiny, Tamika Scott, & Kandi) has a "lead singer" voice, still they somehow found a way to harmonize effortlessly.  Check out this performance of  "Understanding" if you have doubts. 

#2| DESTINY'S CHILD

Though they went through many line-up changes, Destiny's Child is best know as the trio consisting of Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams.  Beyonce clearly has the most solid voice, but when combined with Kelly's sweet soprano and Michelle's raspy tones, the resulting sound is powerful and euphonious.  Their harmony is a its best during this performance of  "The Star Spangled Banner." 

#3| EN VOGUE

En Vogue was the bridge from the old school girl group to the modern version we see today.  With a funky twist, the voices of Cindy, Dawn, Maxine, and Terry are a throwback to the tones of groups like The Supremes or The Marvelettes.  Check out an amazing A Capella version of "Yesterday."

THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 3 UNDERWAY

Sinbad, Cyndi Lauper on set of The Celebrity Apprentice 3

I must admit that The Apprentice is one of my all-time favorite reality shows.  However, thanks to [Martha Stewart] and disappointing numbers from the last "regular-Joe" installment, the series now features only celebrities (A, B, C, & D-LIST) as contestants. 

The paps have been have been on the heels of the show's production, and earlier in the week both Sinbad and Cyndi Lauper were spotted filming in NYC's Flatiron District. Other celebrity contestants include Bill Goldberg,  Sharon Osbourne, Darryl Strawberry, Holly Robinson Peete, and Bret Michaels. THIS SHOULD BE A HILARIOUS, CRAZY SEASON which begins in March, 2010.

Now where's my check NBC? LOL

imagery| bauer-griffin

CANDIDS|→ JOY BRYANT, RASHIDA JONES, SHIA LABEOUF, JESSICA SZOHR, & MYA

 

Actresses Rashida Jones and Joy Bryant let photogs snap their picture before heading into the Madewell + Lucky Magazine party at Chateau Marmont in Hollywood. 

A GQ'd Shia LaBeouf was spotted on Madison Avenue during a break from filming Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps in NYC's Upper East Side.  The film is set to hit theaters April 23, 2010.

Gossip Girl beauty Jessica Szohr was seen leaving MTV Studios in New York City earlier this week after making an appearance on Alexa Chung.

Dancing With the Stars top contender, Mya, hit up STK Hollywood earlier in the week on their special Burlesque evening.

imagery| bauer-griffin, wireimage, pacific coast news

LIL' WAYNE PLEADS GUILTY TO GUN CHARGE, FACES SERIOUS JAIL TIME

Lil' Wayne entering Manhattan criminal court on October 21

Similar to industry peer T.I., Lil' Wayne may be headed to jail because of gun charges during the pinnacle of his career.  Today (Oct. 22), Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted weapon possession, and is expecting to receive a one-year jail sentence.

This charge comes behind a 2007 run-in with NYC police who pulled over his tour bus because they detected marijuana.  During the process, the officers said that Wayne tossed a Louis Vuitton bag which had a .40 caliber semi-automatic loaded gun inside.

Wayne is also set  for trial (March 2010) in Arizona on felony drug possession and weapons charges.  During a 2008 traffic stop in Yuma, police discovered 105 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of cocaine, 41 grams of ecstasy, drug paraphernalia,  AND  a handgun on his tour bus.

imagery| AP Photos

FRESH MUSIC ♫| SHAKIRA'S "GIVE IT UP TO ME" FT. LIL' WAYNE + TIMBALAND

♪"GIVE IT UP TO ME"♪

Shakira continued her reign as the Latin crossover queen with her first single "She Wolf," taken from her new album which bears the name name, and her second single ,"Give it up to me," is sure to be another massive hit.

"Give it up to me" was originally intended for Timbaland's Shock Value 2, but will now be released as bonus content on the US version of She Wolf which hits stores sometime in November. 

Some of you may be hip to another Shakira track called "Did it Again."  This song serves as Shakira's second single in the European territories.

CATCHING UP W/→ LL COOL J IN VENICE BEACH

The paps caught up with rapper/actor LL Cool J on location in Venice Beach, California filming scenes for an upcoming episode of NCIS: Los Angeles:

I have yet to watch an episode, but according to [TRUE URBAN QUEEN], it's not really all that great.  Still, it's good to see LL back on the small screen.  He had a solid run with In the House back in the '90s.

I PULLED THAT LOOK!

I try to say nice things and i choke, i try to look away but i stumble, though i try to hide it...it's clear...Macy Gray owns dreadful club gear. 

Macy Gray was the first celeb to be booted from the current season of Dancing With the Stars, and she redeems herself by hitting up Hollywood's Bardot Nightclub looking like she just got done painting her living room.

Yo Gotti i need you to put Macy on that 5-Star chick remix immediately. 

imagery| splash

AROUND THE NET

[ALL THAT'S FAB] has behind-the-scenes coverage of Trey Songz on the set of his new video for "Invented Sex."

Dwight Eubanks will not be called an unofficial housewife much longer.  [KID FURY] has the trailer for Dwight's pending reality show called Behind the Purple Door.

[MZ. VIRGO] examines: Can you claim racism if you are turned away from an exclusive night club? Or are you just NOT FLY ENOUGH to get in?

Lindsay Lohan has hit rock bottom again.  Head to [MRS. GRAPEVINE] to see photos of an aging Lindsay in court. 

The video for Alicia Keys's (my punctuation is correct! try me.) "Doesn't Mean Anything" starts well, then goes into some other sh!t (read cheap sh!t). [BROWN SISTA] examines why she felt the need to debut it on Perez Hilton off all sites.

CHRIS BROWN'S "I CAN TRANSFORM YA" VIDEO PREVIEW

Chris you already beat her down, so the least you can do on the day her new single drops is LET RIHANNA BE GREAT!!!!!!?  But no.  Today, [Pretty Chrisy] decided to post some preview photos from his "I Can Transform Ya" video on his website. 

What they really need to do is battle it out on the charts like Kanye & Fiddy did a few years back, and whoever looses will cease to be relevant (i.e. 50 Cent).  Now how's that for some Russian Roulette?

imagery| mechanicaldummy.com

FRESH MUSIC ♫| RIHANNA'S "RUSSIAN ROULETTE"

♪"RUSSIAN ROULETTE"♪

So this is what we've been waiting for?! I feel bamboozled and hoodwinked, not because "Russian Roulette" is bad, but because it is a ballad. I was thinking that Rihanna's camp with go with Tricky Stewart's club ready record as the first single from her new album titled Rated R.

All feelings aside, the Ne-Yo produced (and penned) "Russian Roulette" is very dark, but sensual at the same time.  It also showcases some vocal maturity from Ri Ri. It's a hit.

SPOTTED|→ BRANDY AND ADAM LAMBERT SHOPPING IN LA

 

Well,...not exactly.  The singers ran into each other at a 7-Eleven in Los Angeles last week.  That paps were following Lambert and his boyfriend as they made their way to a Star Magazine event, and Brandy just happended to be at the same 7-Eleven. Random. 

At least Brandy looked good, wouldn't it have been messed up if she decided to "run to the store real quick"  looking crazy? It's got to suck to be a celebrity in LA; they can't just leave the house without being camera ready.

imagery| pacific coast news

LADY GAGA ANNOUNCES 'THE MONSTER BALL' AMERICAN TOUR DATES

Lady Gaga was most recently spotted upon arrival at LAX after spending time in Washington, DC where she was lobbying for LGBT rights.

Via her official site the singer revealed, "The Haus of Gaga had been designing 'The Monster Ball' for premiere in 2010 at the O2 Arena in London, but due to diligent work and preparation, 'The Monster Ball' will begin on November 27 in Montreal. 'The Monster Ball' is a multimedia artistic experience in the style of the first-ever 'pop electro opera."

Also, rapper Kid Cudi will open for Gaga on each of the 22 dates.  READ MORE TO SEE IF THE HAUS OF GAGA IS COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU>>>

KELLY ROWLAND, 50 CENT HUGGED UP ON THE SET OF 'BABY BY ME' VIDEO

50 Cent FINALLY locked in "Baby by Me" ft. Ne-Yo as the first single from Before i Self Destruct.  But, that's not really the point of this story:

The beautiful Kelly Rowland is playing Fiddy's leading lady in the Chris Robinson directed clip, and the two musicians were looking mighty cozy on set.  I remember Kelly touching 50's leg on her way to the stage during her 2007 BET Awards performance [WATCH], and that same year, they collaborated on a [song] for ESPN football.  Maybe they have a little industry crush on each other? 

imagery| thisis50.com/ twitter

RIHANNA SPOTTED ON THE STREETS OF NYC + NEW INFO ON HER FIRST SINGLE

Saturday night (October 17th), Rihanna was spotted arriving at a music studio in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York.  The untitled first single from her upcoming album, dropping on November 23rd, is set to debut this Tuesday (October 20th).

In fact, the first single is so top secret that producer Tricky Stewart could not reveal the title nor any details about a song he produced for Ri Ri.  He told RAP-UP that her first single is "...uptempo. It’s a club banger and it’s edgy. ...It’s a superstar taking a step in a totally different direction. This album is different than her past works."

imagery| splash

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE...

 

• Whitney Houston skipped across the stage to accept her Lifetime Achievement Award during the 1st Annual BET Awards back in 2001?  [WATCH]

• TINY was considered the "fine one" in the group Xscape? [PHOTO]

• Left-Eye broke down how a group can sell 10 million albums and still be broke on Behind the Music? [WATCH STARTING @ 4:00]

• Shaq and Kobe played on the same team? [PHOTO]
  

• Michelle Williams lost her life, and tripped during "Solider" on 106th & Park? [WATCH]
  

'...THIS IS LIKE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TYRA'

When Chris Rock appeared on the Tyra Show to promote his documentary Good Hair, he commented that Tyra is looking like she did back in her supermodel days, and i agree.   The paps caught up with Banks during a New York photo shoot earlier in the week:

The Queen of the Smize has not only toned up, but according to Forbes, she is the top earning woman on prime-time TV. Though Tyra will never discuss her income, i am surprised that she hasn't addressed her recent weight loss on her talk show, but the new season JUST started so only time will tell.

imagery| INFdaily

4 YEAR OLD: "I GET PAID EVERYDAY FROM MY DADDY BITCH!"

You ever watch something only to be left in utter disbelief?  The little girl in the above video has to be between 4 and 6 years of age, but is cursing like a grown woman.  WHERE THEY DO THIS AT!!!???

VIDEO PREMIERE|→ JOHN MAYER'S "WHO SAYS" (I CAN'T GET STONED)

John Mayer and his incredible tone are back, and come bearing a video for "Who Says," the first single off his upcoming album Battle Studies (November 17th).  The clip was directed by Anthony Mandler, and shows a side of John we're not used to seeing. This track is sure to be in heavy rotation come [4/20]...but i don't know nothing about that holiday, and besides the song is meant to be inspirational. 

John is one of the key players behind the current trend of fusing hip-hop with alternative pop and rock.  With early support of rappers like Kanye West and Jay-Z, John has carved out quite a diverse fan base. 

CANDIDS |→ RIHANNA, THE BACKSTREET BOYS, KANYE WEST, CHANEL IMAN, & JESSICA SIMPSON

Rihanna looked a little annoyed with the paps as she headed into a NY recording studio last night (Oct 13th). Pon de Forehead [(c)FRESH] recently revealed that she will drop new music on November 23rd.

Backstreet Boys Nick Carter and A.J. McLean  were out in Beverly Hills shopping for jewelry at Tiffany & Co. The group recently canceled several promo appearances for their new album because lead singer, Brian Littrell, caught swine flu.  

Kanye was like the most hated man in America for awhile.  The shammed rapper was spotted balling at Pan Pacific Park gym in Los Angeles. 

READ MORE TO CATCH UP W/ CHANEL IMAN + CHESTICA SIMPSON

WHAT COMES TO MIND?

Kim Kardashian was recently spotted in Santa Monica filming episodes for the upcoming season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.  The photo below just made me realize that...

...every time i see Kim, Trina's song "Pull Over" comes to mind.  "Woop, woop!"