MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD AT AGE 50: Friends, colleagues, celebs left stunned and saddened.
*Michael Jackson, the child singing prodigy who became the single most famous entertainer in the world, died Thursday afternoon at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Bel Air home.
Jackson had been in Los Angeles rehearsing for a 50-date comeback tour set to start within weeks at London's O2 arena.
He went into cardiac arrest at about 12:30 p.m. PST at the home he was renting in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. He was not breathing when paramedics arrived, according to reports. The singer was transported to UCLA Medical Center with paramedics administering CPR throughout the approximately 7-minute ride.
"Entertainment Tonight" has what is perhaps the last photo taken of Jackson, as he was being placed in an ambulance. Click here to view:
http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/06/75724/
A source inside the hospital told TMZ.com there was "absolute chaos" after Jackson arrived, as people who were with the singer were screaming, "You've got to save him! You've got to save him!"
He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:26 p.m. PST, announced Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office. He leaves behind his mother Katherine, father Joe, brothers Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine and Randy; and sisters Rebbie, LaToya and Janet. Jackson is also survived by three children - Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.
Crowds of hundreds had already been gathering at the hospital and were playing his music and keeping vigil while cable news channels and media outlets were reporting conflicting accounts of his medical status. TMZ.com was the first to report of his death based on sources. Their posting went up at 5:20 p.m. EST, several minutes earlier than his reported time of death.
By the time news of Jackson's passing was being confirmed by the Los Angeles Times and CBS News, radio stations had ditched their normal playlists to play Jackson's songs, celebrities had taken to Twitter to express their thoughts, BET's "106 & Park" audience was in tears and MTV was airing the entire 13 min 41 sec "Thriller" video in his memory.
An Associated Press reporter who happened to be in New York's Times Square's said there was a noticeable "loud moan" reaction when the Jumbotron announced that Jackson was confirmed dead.
TMZ reported that Elton John was in the midst of his annual "White Tie and Tiara Ball" when he was informed of Jackson's death. He reportedly dedicated his song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to Michael, as guests Liz Hurley, Hugh Grant, Lily Allen, and Kelly Osbourne looked on.
Rev. Al Sharpton stepped outside of the Apollo Theater in Harlem to talk about Jackson's legacy. Above him, the venue's world iconic marquee was changed to mark Jackson's death. Behind him, a crowd of several hundred had gathered.
"Incredible Hulk" star Lou Ferrigno, recently Michael's trainer for his upcoming tour, and his wife, Carla, were both distraught upon hearing the sad news. Carla, crying, told TMZ: "He was so great and we all loved him. Lou can't even form words right now -- he's in total shock ... he thought he was going to be training Michael tomorrow. He was planning on flying back to Los Angeles to do it. He's very shocked right now. Michael was so cute and sweet -- he didn't deserve this."
MiJac's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame had been covered up most of the day Thursday by red carpet in preparation for the premiere of Sasha Baron Cohen's new movie "Bruno," so fans began leaving flowers at the star belonging to British talk show host Michael Jackson.
Debbie Rowe, the mother of two of Jackson's three kids, was said to be "inconsolable" according to TMZ. The Web site noted that she gave up all parental rights to the two children -- Paris and Michael Jr. Therefore she is not legally in line to take custody.
Meanwhile, the following statements have been released regarding Jackson's death:
. Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson's legendary "Thriller" album: "I
am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 80's. To this day, the music we created together on "Off The Wall," 'Thriller" and "Bad" is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all...talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
. Jackson's former publicist Michael Levine: "As someone who served as
Michael Jackson's publicist during the 1st child molestation incident, I must confess I am not surprised by today's tragic news. Michael has been on an impossibly difficult and often self-destructive journey for years. His talent was unquestionable but so too was his discomfort with the norms of the world. A human simply can not withstand this level of prolonged stress.'
. Longtime friend Liza Minnelli: "He was a kind, genuine, and
wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived.
I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life."
. The Recording Academy CEO/President Neil Portnow: "Rarely has the
world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim. A 13-time Grammy recipient, Michael's career transcends musical and cultural genres, and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news, and our hearts go out to his family and to music lovers around the globe who mourn this great loss."
. Reverend Al Sharpton: A friend of Michael's for the last 35 years, I
call on people around the world to pray for him and his family in the hour.
I have known Michael since we were both teens, worked with him, marched for him, hosted him at our House of Justice headquarters in New York, and we joined together to eulogize our mutual idol, James Brown. I have known him at his high moments and his low moments and I know he would want us to pray for his family.
. Dick Clark, host of the old "American Bandstand": "I knew Michael as
a child and watched him grow over the years. Of all the thousands of entertainers I have worked with, Michael was THE most outstanding. Many have tried and will try to copy him, but his talent will never be matched."
. Russell Simmons: "Michael Jackson was my generation's most iconic
cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He'll be missed greatly."
. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: "Michael was a pop phenomenon
who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity. Though there were serious questions about his personal life, Michael was undoubtedly a great entertainer and his popularity spanned generations and the globe."
. Dionne Warwick, singer and Jackson's friend: "We have lost an icon
in our industry and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and children in this hour of sorrow that they are now going through. He will live on in my memory and most definitely through the music he shared with so many."
. Madonna: "I can't stop crying over the sad news. I have always
admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."
. Lisa Marie Presley, who was briefly married to Jackson in the
mid-1990s: "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me."
. Brooke Shields, who briefly dated Jackson: "My heart is overcome
with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing."
. Gary, Ind., Mayor Rudy Clay: "Michael Jackson was born in Gary,
Indiana, and our hearts are heavy, heavy here. Michael Jackson was the world's greatest entertainer but more than that, he was a great humanitarian and a great, humble individual. The people of Gary, our hearts are full of tears because of the loss of Michael Jackson."
. Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson's closest and longstanding friends,
was "too devastated" to issue a statement, her rep tells People.com She rushed to the singer's side at UCLA Medical Center when she was called Thursday about his grave condition.
CELEBRITY TWEETS
. John Mayer: Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA
has left us. RIP MJ. I think we'll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player.
. Miley Cyrus: michael jackson was my inspiration. love and blessings
. Ludacris: If it were not for Micheal Jackson I would not be where or
who I am today.His Music and Legacy will live on Forever.Prayers to the famR.I.P.
. MC Hammer: I have no words.. I loved Michael Jackson.. RIP.. [A
second tweet stated., "I will be mourning my friend, brother, mentor and inspiration... He gave me and my family hope. I would never have been without him."]
. Kelly Rowland: Michael you left such a legacy on this earth, have
touched SO MANY!!! We thank you for such a driving inspiration in music & our lives!! This has got to be one of the saddest days in music history!!
Michael Rest In Peace! WE miss you!
. Demi Moore: "I am greatly saddened for the loss of both Farrah
Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Especially for their children!"
. Ashton Kutcher:"Pray for his kids."
. Wyclef Jean: "he lives forever in my heart i will never forget the
day he came to see me in the studio and i played him music... R i p to Michael Jackson my music god ... Some lost Elvis Presley and we lost Michael Jackson... I cried today because Michael Jackson was a Father that we all lost!"
BEYONCE SHOUTS OUT FIRST DAUGHTERS IN CONCERT: Michelle Obama and the girls attend Verizon Center show Wednesday night.
*Malia and Sasha Obama got a special shoutout from Beyonce Wednesday night during her concert at DC's Verizon Center.
Michelle Obama brought the kids, as well as her friends from Chicago and some of her White House staff to Beyonce's "I Am…" tour stop in the Nation's Capital, reports the Washington Post.
Before the singer ripped into "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," Beyonce yelled "This is for Sasha and Malia -- and all my single ladies!"
This isn't the first time Beyonce has performed for the Obama family. She sang the classic song, "At Last," for the First Couple during their first dance on inauguration night in January.
Shortly after the inauguration festivities, Beyonce told Vogue magazine that Michelle considered her a role model for her girls.
"She told me she was very happy that her girls have someone like me to look up to," Beyonce said. "And I'm like, 'Oh, my God.' You have to feel fortunate to be one of the people whom parents don't mind their children looking up to."
In other Beyonce news, the artist will perform at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN on July 16 to benefit the Charles & Phyllis Newman Foundation and the Knowles Family charitable organization, The Survivor Foundation.
Beyonce will be joined by her sister and fellow singer, Solange, as a special guest. Concert tickets range from $39.00 to $1,000.00 and are available now at Target Center's Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or call 1.800.745.3000. Doors open at 5:30 PM on July 16.
FOXY BROWN DENIES RECENT NY POST REPORTS: Rapper says she never received preferential treatment while serving time.
*Foxy Brown is firing back against a report in the New York Post this week that claimed she received preferential treatment while serving a nine month prison sentence at Riker’s Island.
The Post said prison officials were acting like “fawning valets,” allowing her unlimited TV/phone use, makeup accessories, luxury clothing, and outside meals.
The Brooklynite, born Inga Marchand, released a statement Wednesday through her publicist to refute every allegation made in the Post article.
“In response to the sensationalized front cover article and erroneous allegations made by the NY Post, NO special privileges were afforded Foxy Brown at Riker’s Island,” said Brown’s publicist. “In fact, due to her celebrity status, many basic privileges were denied by the Warden and rules over-enforced. Her meals were served off the tray, she wore prison garb, and had the same phone time allotted her as any other inmate.”
The NY Post also claims the rapper’s special treatment was due to the work of prison Imam Umar Adul-Jalil, who networked with the prison’s warden to make sure Brown had the resources to continue interviews and photo-ops.
To this, Foxy’s team says: “Once again hip hop is on blast, denouncing our brand and depicting our culture as having an irreproachable ‘sense of entitlement. There was no valet service, meals from Mr. Chows, makeup, or C.O. gatherings in her cell. It was incarceration, not a vacation. These invidious allegations, obviously made by an envious corrections employee are clearly fabricated.”
J.LO'S SWEETFACE HAS GONE SOUR: Singer temporarily scraps fashion line due to recession.
*Jennifer Lopez is temporarily ending sales of her 6-year-old fashion line Sweetface due to the bad economy, according to WWD.com.
The last of the line's collection of sportswear and accessories for now will be its spring 2009 collection, which is currently in stores.
"In light of new company strategies, we have decided to put the Sweetface line on hiatus while we prepare to reintroduce the brand in the near future with new messaging points and an entirely new fashion point of view," the company said in a statement.
This bit of strategy takes the actress-singer-businesswoman out of the fashion business in the U.S. Her JLO by Jennifer Lopez line is currently only sold internationally.
USHER RECORDS SONG ABOUT DIVORCE: Plus, Tameka's longtime friend speaks to Essence.com about rumors surrounding split.
*An as-yet-untitled track from Usher's forthcoming album, "Monster," is all about the end of his marriage to Tameka Foster, according to the song's co-writer Sean Garrett.
"Sean Garrett called me to the studio," producer Zaytoven, who's worked on songs for Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman, told MTV News last week in Atlanta. "He called like, 'You've got to come hear this song. I've got a hit.' " Zay went to the studio and heard Garrett's reference vocals on the track, and soon after heard the finished version with Usher's vocals.
"This was awhile ago," Zay said. "This is before there were any reports about Usher's marriage in the news. So I was thinking to myself, 'Is he trying to say something?' I don't know what Usher is going through, but Sean Garrett made a song about filling out papers, divorce papers. The beat, it's got a bounce to it. It's outta here."
Meanwhile, Tameka's friend of 20-plus years Nyeisha DeWitt, an educator and doctoral candidate, was interviewed by Essence.com to set the record straight on all the rumors surrounding the couple's breakup.
ESSENCE.COM: Many are probably wondering why you're choosing to speak now after Tameka endured a hailstorm of criticism for years.
NYEISHA DEWITT: Let me first say that I hope Tameka and Usher can salvage things as a couple. I've known Tameka since I was in middle school and she was in high school, and we've been friends since. It's not that I have to defend her or speak on her behalf as if she's done something wrong, but I simply want people to know everything they read about her isn't true. It hurts me to read the lies that people write and say about her.
ESSENCE.COM: Is it true she first learned that Usher filed for divorce after reading about it?
DEWITT: She didn't know that he was going to file. Of course, she knew that there were challenges in their relationship and had been some discord since March and was aware there were some things that needed to be worked through. But did she know that divorce was imminent? No. It was a total surprise.
ESSENCE.COM: To your knowledge, is it true that they've been separated for the past year?
DEWITT: That's not true and there's proof of that if people would take the time to do their research. I was at her birthday party that he hosted in Las Vegas this past January and he flew in all of her family and close friends to celebrate. When I read that people were reporting they'd been separated for a year I'm thinking, That's insane!, because that would mean he left her when she was two months pregnant with Naviyd, and Usher Raymond, V, was only five months old.
ESSENCE.COM: Was Tameka also caught off guard by the images of Usher and Def Jam's Grace Miguel?
DEWITT: I don't know what it is or isn't. What I admire about Tameka is that, despite all the gossip, she isn't bitter or hardened by it. I don't know how she does it especially with children [from a previous relationship] old enough to read the lies that are written. It's like having to keep your hands at your side while someone repeatedly punches you in your face.
ESSENCE.COM: Despite owning her business and a successful career as a stylist, Tameka is often perceived as a gold digger. Why is that?
DEWITT: I have no idea. I know how hard she worked to build her business. She was pulling in at least a quarter of a million dollar salary working with Usher, Lauryn Hill and others, so to negate her personal success as an entrepreneur is wrong. After marriage she chose to be a mother and wife and focus on doing more charity work.
ESSENCE.COM: Is it true she flew to Brazil to have liposuction and subsequently went into cardiac arrest during surgery?
DEWITT: Yes, she went to Brazil with friends but decided to have the surgery on a whim. And yes, she did go into cardiac arrest but she never had the surgery. What she had was an allergic reaction to the anesthesia which prevented her from going through with the surgery.
ESSENCE.COM: Do you think she still loves him?
DEWITT: You're married until the divorce is official. Just because she's going through this process doesn't mean that the loyalty and love she has for him is gone. It would be dishonest to say that she doesn't still love him and isn't hurting. Again, the idea that people are excited to see her in pain and going through this with her children is so beyond my comprehension. These bloggers talk about her as if she has personally harmed them. They don't know the woman I know, and to discredit her as a mom or wife is insane. My hope is that people will not rejoice in anyone's failed marriage and allow Usher and Tameka to go through their process privately.
PEREZ APOLOGIZES FOR GAY SLUR TOWARD WILL.I.AM: Blogger says he also reached out to Isaiah Washington.
*Perez Hilton has issued an apology for calling will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas a gay slur during an altercation in which he ended up allegedly punched by the rapper's tour manager.
GLAAD had called upon the blogger to apologize after he admitted to using the slur, but Hilton initially refused, saying GLAAD should apologize to him for suggesting that will.i.am is the victim.
On Thursday, however, Hilton had changed his tune. He said in a statement:
"I am apologizing to the gay community, to anyone who was hurt by my my [sic] choice of words," adding "the 'F' word will never be uttered from my lips again."
Perez also said, "I have reached out to Isaiah Washington, someone I incorrectly labeled a homophobe, despite his own public statements that he was not."
FOX VIEWERS SOAR IN OBAMA AGE: Right-leaning news network coming off of its most-watched year ever.
*Fox News Channel is on a ratings tear, likely due to the presidency of its favorite political target, Barack Obama.
The 24-hour news channel has had its most-watched year ever, showing significant ratings growth despite having just come off a highflying election year.
At the close of the second quarter, the network averaged about the same number of viewers as the top three other cable news networks combined. And while rivals including CNN (down 22 percent) and MSNBC (down 18 percent) took hits following last quarter's inauguration-fueled boost, Fox News (down 3 percent) remained nearly steady.
Compared with last year, Fox News (averaging 2.1 million viewers, 509,000 adults aged 25-54 quarter-to-date) is up both 35 percent over last year in primetime viewers and 48 percent in the demo. CNN (805,000 viewers, 210,000 in the demo) fell both 16 percent in viewers and 29 percent in the demo. MSNBC (787,000 viewers, 259,000 in the demo) climbed 15 percent in viewers and was about on par in the demo.
The new standings are strong enough to rank Fox News third behind USA and TNT among all ad-supported cable networks for the quarter among primetime total viewers. In its core demo, Fox News had eight of the top 10 cable news shows. It had similarly sunny increases for total day, while CNN and MSNBC were roughly on par with last year.
Reuters reports:
Earning double-digit growth after an election year is quite a feat for a news network. With Fox News best known for such right-leaning personalities as Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly, one might assume having a Democrat in the White House somehow helps boost viewership.
A dominant political party indeed can fuel the popularity of opposing voices -- Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" and liberal online news hubs Huffington Post and Daily Kos came to prominence during George W. Bush's tenure, just as talk-radio conservatives like Rush Limbaugh and news sites like Drudge Report rose during the Clinton years.
But it's important to note that when Fox News took the ratings lead during the Bush era, some pundits declared that the network was winning only because a Republican was in charge. Those at the network get weary of outsiders assuming their success must be due to some fortunate external factor rather than their own day-to-day work.
"I don't look at who occupies the White House, I just look at it as news," said Bill Shine, senior vp programming at Fox News. "How well are you going to report on that news? And certainly, over the course of the last 10 years, we've done a better job at that than anybody else."
Still, Shine acknowledged that a Barack Obama presidency probably helps because viewers will "see some sides of an issue that they won't see elsewhere."
Back in January, Fox News made a trio of programming changes that also affected its numbers: launching Glenn Beck at 5 p.m., replacing Brit Hume with Bret Baier as "Special Report" anchor and having Hannity's new Colmes-free show. All of the programs are up compared with last year.
MAN INVOLVED IN KILLING OF T.I.'S FRIEND SENTENCED: Driver of the vehicle gets 17 years in Cincinnati.
*The driver of the vehicle involved in the Ohio highway gun battle that killed a member of rapper T.I.'s entourage has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, reports the Associated Press.
Padron Thomas, 41, told a judge he's a "knucklehead" and wishes he could take back what he did. He was sentenced Wednesday on gun charges and unrelated federal drug charges.
He testified in December against his younger brother, who was sentenced to 66 years in prison for shooting Philant Johnson in May 2006 after a T.I. concert in Cincinnati.
Three others were injured in the shooting. The Grammy-winning Atlanta rapper wasn't hurt.
In exchange for his testimony, Thomas received a reduced sentence for his involvement in a drug ring that shipped marijuana from California to Cincinnati.
'AMERICAN IDOL'S' SYESHA CAST IN 'DREAMGIRLS': Singer scores role of Deena Jones on touring company.
*Casting has been announced for the upcoming production of Dreamgirls that will launch at New York's Apollo Theatre before its national tour.
The cast includes "American Idol" finalist Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris with Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory as James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White and Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison.
Moya Angela will head the cast as Effie White, the role created onstage by Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday and preserved on screen by Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson.
Performances will begin at the Apollo Nov. 7 with an opening scheduled for Nov. 22. The limited run will play the Harlem venue through Dec. 6.
Dreamgirls will be directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, media design by Howard Werner for Lightswitch.
Following the Apollo Theater engagement, the national tour will play Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, Columbus, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Costa Mesa, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and more. For more information visit www.dreamgirlsonstage.com.
KELIS TRYING TO MOVE UP COURT DATE: Singer wants child support hearing sooner than July 21 because she may be in labor that day.
*A lawyer representing Kelis in her divorce from Nas has asked the judge to move up a hearing to determine the amount of his support payments because she may be in labor on July 21.
As previously reported, Kelis is seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars to make sure the baby – due next month – is accustomed to the lifestyle that her mother has enjoyed. This includes a request of $20,000 worth of items such as baby strollers and cribs for the little one, as well as $3,500 for a baby nurse.
"But here's the snag. Kelis may be in labor during the hearing. And she needs money badly. So her lawyer went to court asking to move the hearing date up," reports TMZ.com.
Unfortunately, the judge was on vacation and the substitute judge refused to revise the court calendar.
TATYANA ALI SUES OVER WEB SERIES: 'Fresh Prince' star said she and her sister invested in the project but it was never produced.
*TMZ.com is reporting that actress Tatyana Ali and her sister Anastasia are suing a company over using their $45,000 investment money to start a Web series, then bailing on the project.
Ali, who played Ashley Banks on the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," filed suit in L.A. County Superior Court claiming she and her sister were promised partial rights to the pilot and screenplay for "Buppies," but were left completely empty handed when the company abandoned the project, taking the $45,000 with them.
The siblings are suing for the return of their money, plus other damages, according to TMZ.
MICHAEL JORDAN'S SON QUITS B-BALL TEAM: Jeffrey Jordan leaves Illinois team to focus on life after basketball.
*Michael Jordan's son Jeffrey has announced that he will not return to the University of Illinois basketball team next year because his heart is just not into the sport.
"I loved playing for the Fighting Illini and appreciate the support I was given by my teammates, coaches and the great fans here," said Jordan. "But I have come to the point where I'm ready to focus on life after basketball. I will concentrate on earning my degree from the University of Illinois and the opportunities that await upon graduating."
Jeffrey Jordan was a walk-on before earning a scholarship spot and slightly more minutes from Illinois coach Bruce Weber in his sophomore season, reports Yahoo Sports.
Michael's youngest son Marcus Jordan is now his lone offspring playing on the collegiate level. The athlete, who led his high school to a state title last month, in April announced his verbal commitment to play at Central Florida next season.
WYCLEF, NOT ESTELLE, TO REPLACE HILL AT MONTREAUX: Organizers say the artist is booked for July 11 concert.
*Hold on a minute. Wyclef John is now being announced as the official replacement for Lauryn Hill at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and not Estelle as the Associated Press had reported this week.
Earlier this month, event organizers said Hill had canceled all European tour dates because of health reasons.
Jean, a former member of The Fugees with Hill, will perform on July 11 at the Stravinski Auditorium in Geneva, Switzerland. Estelle will remain on the bill.
“Wyclef has broken down the barriers of hip-hop and infused his music with the sounds of reggae, rock and folk,” organizers said in a statement. “His new album, which features Akon and TI, is set for release this autumn and we can expect many of the songs to be debuted on July 11th. He and his group are traveling specially from the United States for what will be his only European date this summer, after having refused several other offers from various festivals.”
Over 1,000 musicians will take part in 43rd Annual Montreux Jazz Festival this year, including The Black Eyed Peas, George Duke, Chaka Khan, BB King, Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Steely Dan, Solomon Burke, Stanley Clarke and numerous others.
The event takes place from July 3-18 along Lake Geneva.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Missick in 'Bounty Hunter'; Simmons' new lady; BET Awards on Sunday; Tyson vs. Ali on Fight Night Round 4.
*Actor Dorian Missick has been cast in the upcoming Columbia comedy "Bounty Hunter," joining stars Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis. He'll play the ex-partner of Gerard Butler, a bounty hunter sent to track down his ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston). Jason Sudeikis plays a smitten co-worker of Aniston's character.
*Russell Simmons showed up with French actress/model Noemie Lenoir at model Jessica White's 25th birthday party at New York spot The Gates and were "making out like teenagers," according to a spy for the New York Post. At an after-party at Mr. West, they even snuck off to the bathroom. "They had no shame and were kissing in front of the paparazzi," says the source.
*The BET Awards take place on Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. hosted by triple-threat Jamie Foxx and featuring performances by the host himself, Kanye West, Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Soulja Boy, Keri Hilson, T-Pain, Mary Mary, Ne-Yo, Maxwell, Fabolous, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Young Jeezy, Johnny Gill, King of Hearts, Three of a Kind, Three the Hard Way, Travis Barker, Trey Songz and Tyrese and Jay-Z. Making appearances are Tyra Banks, Taraji P. Henderson, Idris Elba, Sherri Shepherd, Anthony Anderson, Paula Patton, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Estelle, LeToya Luckett, Dr. Floyd Feelgood, Nichelle Nichols, Keke Palmer, Ray J, Snoop Dogg, Ving Rhames, Zoe Saldana and Marlon Wayan. Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean will be recognized with the 2009 BET Humanitarian Award, and The O'Jays will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
*EA Sports' Fight Night Round 4 is the latest entry from the Fight Night franchise, and is the first title ever that will allow players to pit “Iron” Mike Tyson against “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali. An all new career mode, titled Legacy mode, challenges you to move up the ranks from an upstart amateur to become the greatest of all time. Create a boxer from the create-boxer feature, or import your own face into the game using the Photo Game Face tool and bring your virtual self into the ring. Make rivals, challenge for and defend belts as you journey to cement your name among the greatest names in boxing.
L'OREAL FOUND GUILTY OF RACISM IN FRANCE: Court rules company sought all-white team to sell Fructis in French supermarkets.
*London's Times Online is reporting that French cosmetics giant L'Oréal was found guilty this week of racial discrimination after the highest court in France heard that executives had sought an all-white team of sales staff to promote its shampoos.
La Cour de Cassation was told that Garnier, L'Oréal's beauty products division, tried to keep black, Asian and Arab women from selling its Fructis shampoo in French supermarkets.
Adecco, the temporary recruitment agency whose Districom division hired the hostesses, was also found guilty of racial discrimination.
L'Oréal expressed "disappointment" over the judgment, which ends three years of legal wrangling over the discrimination claims.
Samuel Thomas, the vice-chairman of SOS Racisme, the anti-racist campaign group, described the ruling as a "very great victory".
The court was told that a Disticom executive had sent a fax in 2000 saying that Garnier's hostesses should be aged 18 to 22, wear size 38 to 42 clothes and be "BBR". This stands for "bleu, blanc, rouge" (blue, white, red) — the colors of the French flag — and is a well-known code for white people, La Cour de Cassation was told.
Prosecutors said that Garnier wanted to exclude members of the ethnic minorities on the grounds that they would be less likely to win custom for its shampoo in French stores. The court was told that only 4.65 per cent of the hostesses hired for Garnier's campaign were black, Asian or Arab.
Thérèse Coulange, the deputy managing director of Districom, who sent the fax, said that she had merely wanted hostesses able to "express themselves correctly in French".
The Paris Appeal Court had fined L'Oréal and Adecco €30,000 each and ordered them to pay a further €30,000 each in damages to SOS Racisme.
La Cour de Cassation upheld the fines but told the appeal court judges to reconsider the damages.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening June 26, 2009
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
My Sister’s Keeper (PG-13 for profanity, sensuality, mature themes, disturbing images and underage alcohol consumption) drama about a girl (Abigail Breslin), conceived as a bone marrow donor for her leukemia-stricken sister (Sofia Vassilieva) who sues her parents (Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric) for medical emancipation when they want a kidney, too. With Alec Baldwin (brother of Stephen, William and Daniel), Joan Cusack (sister of John), Mary Jo Emily and Deschanel (mother and sister of Zooey, respectively), and Al Quinn (no relation to Anthony).
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (PG-13 for violence, profanity, crude behavior, sexuality and brief drug use) Sci-fi sequel features Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox who team with the Autobots for another epic battle againsd the Decepticons, a race of evil robots returning to Earth with revenge in mind. Cast includes John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Rainn Wilson, Anthony Anderson, Hugo Weaving and Isabel Lucas.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
Afghan Star (Unrated) Post-liberation concert flick chronicles the nationally-televised competition entered into by thousands of aspiring, Afghani pop stars including several women willing to risk incurring the wrath of the Taliban by appearing unveiled on their country’s equivalent of American Idol. (In English, Pashtu and Dari)
Cheri (R for sexuality and brief drug use) Stephen Frears directs this romance drama set in Paris in the 1920s and revolving around a spoiled teenager (Rupert Friend) who embarks on a steamy affair with a considerably-older, retired courtesan (Michelle Pfeiffer) only to have his gold-digger of a mother (Kathy Bates) interfere by arranging his marriage to a virginal heiress (Felicity Jones).
The Hurt Locker (R for violence and profanity) Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty co-star in this Iraq War saga, set in the summer of 2004, as members of an elite bomb squad, assigned to defuse Improvised Explosive Devices, who are alarmed by their reckless new Staff Sergeant’s (Jeremy Renner) utter disregard for military protocol. Support cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce and David Morse.
New York (Unrated) Bollywood-produced drama examines the effect of 9/11 on the lives of a foreign student (Neil Nitin Mukesh) and a couple of his friends (John Abraham and Katrina Kaif) also attending NYU at the time of the terrorist attack. (In Hindi and English with subtitles)
Quiet Chaos (Unrated) Romance drama about a grieving widower (Nanni Moretti) who mourns the sudden loss of his wife (Ester Cavallari) by hanging out all day in the park across from their ten year-old daughter’s (Blu Yoshimi) school. With a cameo by fugitive pedophile Roman Polaski. (In Italian and French with subtitles)
The Stoning of Soraya M. (R for brutal violence and brief profanity) Female empowerment flick, set in Iran in 1986, about an ill-fated mother of four (Mozhan Marno) falsely accused of adultery by her husband so he can marry a much younger woman. With Jim Caviezel as the curious French journalist who cracks the case. (In Persian and English with subtitles)
Surveillance (R for drug use, pervasive profanity, graphic violence and deviant sexuality) Crime thriller about a couple of FBI Agents (Julia Ormond and Bill Pullman) who try to track down a serial killer in Santa Fe with the help of three eyewitnesses (Pell James, Ryan Simpkins and Kent Harper).
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." — Albert Einstein
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
June 26: Singer Billy Davis Jr. of the Fifth Dimension is 69. Singer Brenda Holloway is 63.
June 28: Actress Tichina Arnold ("Everybody Hates Chris") is 38.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
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BLACK HISTORY
June 26, 1934: W.E.B. Du Bois resigned from his position at the NAACP in a disagreement over policy and racial strategy.
June 27, 1890: George Dixon, born in Africville, (Halifax), Nova Scotia, becomes the first black person to hold a world title in boxing. George beat Nunc Wallace in the Pelican Club in England and received $4,250.00
June 28, 1839: Cinque, originally Senghbe, the son of a Mende king, along with several other Africans, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in Cuba. Cinque and his companions will later carry out the famous successful revolt upon the slave ship Amistad. (source: www.BlackFacts.com)