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By Mr. Jawn Murray (Washington, D.C.)

Who’s Dating Who?: The word on the street is that singer Gerald Levert is dating “The Parkers” star Mo’Nique. Well I’m here to tell you that it ain’t so. Oh, yes, Gerald is dating a Hollywood funny woman. But it’s “Oh Drama’s” Kym Whitley, and not Mo’Nique. Apparently, Gerald and Mo’Nique became friendly after the singer taped a cameo on her UPN sitcom and were spotted hanging out a few times. But I’m told that that’s the extent of their relationship. Word has it that Gerald and Kym have finally hooked up after years of knowing each other. Kym has openly expressed her admiration for the singer over the years, and he was actually brought in as a surprise for Kym once on “Oh Drama.” Gerald recently spent the weekend with Kym in Baltimore after taping a cameo in Vivica A. Fox’s “Beauty Shop.” I decided to call Kym directly to find out the real deal in this rumored relationship. “Gerald did spend the weekend with me in Baltimore,” said the comedienne. “We had a great time, let’s just say that. I don’t know what all this Mo’Nique talk is about.“ When I probed deeper about the couple having a “great time,“ Kym would only add, “I’ll just say he gives the best foot massages.” I also asked Kym what happened to her engagement with “Uninvited Guest” director Timothy Wayne Folsome. “No comment at this time,” she said. Of course, this means that Gerald is no longer dating former XScape member Kandi Burruss. Apparently that relationship dissolved some time ago. ~~~ Mutual Detest: Simon Cowell knew he despised “American Idol” season two contestant Trenyce as soon as his nemesis Paula Abdul chose her as her wildcard pick. It certainly didn’t make it any better that Trenyce outlasted his flat-singing wildcard pick, Carmen Rasmusen, in the competition as well. Nonetheless, the talented Trenyce ended up becoming the reality show’s fourth runner up and never once received a compliment from the grumpy TV talent. Sticking true to his nature, Simon continues his unpleasant behavior in an upcoming book called "I Don't Mean to Be Rude, But…: Backstage Gossip from 'American Idol' & the Secrets That Can Make You a Star." The Brit takes aim at many of the contestants in the tome, including Trenyce. "I never really warmed to her," wrote Simon. "She worked very hard at her image, too hard -- she was the girl who was the most unpopular with the wardrobe and makeup people. There was a big round of applause in the makeup room when she got kicked off." Trenyce was no fan of Simon’s either. “Simon couldn’t pluck out “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” on a keyboard if you asked him to,” said Trenyce. “He was a mail boy who came into some money, put it behind a show, and now he thinks he’s an expert on music.” Despite Simon’s perception of Trenyce, the singer has maintained friendships with the majority of the “Idol” contestants, and even regularly speaks with Paula. “She’s been so supportive. She’s been the sweet motherly type,” she added. Trenyce anticipates taking over the role of “Aida” early next year when Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams vacates the lead role. ~~~ Life After Destiny: Well just when people had completely written off the ousted original members of Destiny’s Child, Letoya Luckett and Latavia Roberson, it looks like at least one member of the group has rebounded. Apparently, the Houston-bred Letoya has inked a solo deal with Capitol Records. She’s been working with vocal coach Jan Smith, whose other clients include Usher and India.Arie. I called Capitol Records for an official statement regarding Letoya. After the publicity department referred me to A&R, and then getting the runaround for almost a week and a half from an A&R person named Wendy Goldstein, they finally said they couldn’t comment. In other news regarding Letoya and Latavia… I hear that they’ve squashed plans to launch their group Angel. Despite assistance from R&B quartet Jagged Edge, the group never seemed to get off the ground. Latavia is apparently pursuing a career in acting. ~~~ We Fall Down…: J Records gave a private showcase for superstar Alicia Keys in the Promenade at the Westin Grand Hotel in Washington, D.C. The singer presented new songs from her upcoming album, “Diary of Alicia Keys,” in addition to performing some of her hits from her debut “Songs in A Minor.” Partygoers enjoyed fine hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. There was a huge ice sculpture carved into the album title, “Diary of Alicia Keys.” At one point during Alicia’s performance, she got up from the piano, tripped, and fell flat on the floor. Those in attendance gasped in disbelief, but Alicia, being a good sport, took the microphone and began singing, “I keep on falling,” to poke fun at herself. In addition to a bunch of local radio talent, taste makers, and BMG employees, also in attendance was singer Lil’ Mo, Jive records newcomer Raheem DeVaughn, Sister 2 Sister’s Jamie Foster Brown and several others from her magazine staff. Alicia’s sophomore album bows Dec. 2. ~~~ Crush On You: Soul singer Glenn Lewis has got a thing for Mya. I recently had breakfast with the incredible vocalist, and his sexy, sassy publicist La’Verne Perry Kennedy of Epic Records, at Norma’s Café at the Le Parker Meridien Hotel in New York City. Glenn, whose hit “Don’t You Forget It” struck immediate comparisons to Stevie Wonder, told me that he thinks Mya is “so fine.” He actually went to check out her performance at a New York club called Avalon the night before our interview, but was unable to meet her. The week following, Glenn was in Los Angeles taping “Soul Train” and Mya was performing a show at LA’s House of Blues, so he went to check her out again. Someone tell Mya that Glenn’s got a crush on her. Together they could make great music! Glenn’s sophomore album “Back For More” drops in February 2004. ~~~ Out All Night: Kym Whitley invited me to go check out a new stage play called “Will A Real Man Please Stand Up.” The show was playing at D.C.’s historic Lincoln Theatre, which was just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Baltimore where Kym was filming Vivica A. Fox’s “Beauty Shop.” The comedienne brought along actor Dondre Whitfield (“Hidden Hills”), actress Monica Calhoun (“The Best Man”), Darrin Dewitt Henson (“Soul Food”), and about six other people from the “Beauty Shop” production staff to see the show. The play stars R&B signer Johnny Gill, Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, Sean Levert, original Trin-I-Tee 5:7 member Terry Britton, actor Clifton Powell (“Friday After Next”) and comedian Trent Roberts. I can’t even lie -- this show epitomizes the stereotypes most people have about touring gospel plays. Nonetheless, the show is absolutely hilarious mainly because of Trent’s character. Johnny sings like a madman in this musical and, believe you me, that’s a compliment. I forgot how much I appreciated Johnny growing up until he delivered an incredible rendition of The Winans’ hit “The Question Is” and his own classic “My, My, My.” Sean Levert was no slouch either. His house-rocking rendition of New Birth’s “Wildflower” made me wonder why his solo career never jumped off. This guy can sing and, in my opinion, better than his brother Gerald. There’s youthfulness to his voice, and he has a contemporary sound that Gerald has never possessed. Backstage, I ran into R&B singer Monifah who is joining the cast in the coming weeks. I also hear that R&B crooner Christopher Williams is being added to the show. In addition to the actors who came along with Kym, there were other celebs in attendance including the other half of Mary Mary, Tina Campbell, who had her husband Teddy and newborn baby in tow. R&B singer Keith Washington and former Temptation Ali Ollie Woodson saw the show as well. After the play, there was a post party up the street at the newly renovated Republic Gardens. This nightspot is really nice now! We snuck Kym’s 19-year-old niece Laura into the party. Don’t tell anyone, but we told them she was Sicily from UPN’s “One On One.” Laura doesn’t dance that well, and Darrin wasn’t offering any of his “Dance Grooves,” so Kym and I tried our best to teach her a two-step. Ollie joined us at one point and began singing along to songs by Frankie Beverly & Maze and The O’Jays. It was priceless. For more information on “Will A Real Man Please Stand Up,” go to www.TheWestVision.com. (Special shout out to Linda Stuart!) ~~~ For The Ladies: The popular ALAYÉ Men of the Year Calendar is in stores and ready to grace your wall. The calendar returns for 2004 and, again, highlights some of Hollywood’s African-American studs. (Why wasn’t I called?) This year’s calendar features “Soul Train” host Dorien Gregory (“Charmed”), actor Dale Godboldo (“Wanda at Large”), comedian Pierre, Charles Divins (“Passions”), Dorien Wilson (“The Parkers”), NFL football star Robert Griffith, actor Dwayne Adway (“Soul Plane”), theater actor Dexter Hammett, newcomer actors Sean Blakemore and Cisco Reyes, and models Corey Murphy, Claude Stanton, Daniel Pradleu and Garfield. For more information, go here. ~~~ Bentley’s Business: Spare me please! Just as I was regurgitating at the rumors of P. Diddy’s manservant Farnsworth Bentley (whose real name is apparently Derek) having inked a deal for his own television show, I hear he’s now struck a deal for another business venture. The ubiquitous video dancer is launching his own designer umbrella line, which will include one painted by Sean Lennon, son of John Lennon. The umbrellas are to be displayed at Incubator as part of an exhibit curated by Farnsworth’s 17-year-old friend Vito Schnabel, son of Julian, a St. Ann’s student. “With P. Diddy, you think of diamonds; with KISS, you think of face makeup; and for me, it’s the umbrella,” said Farnsworth. Farnsworth, who apparently also designs suits, idolizes another designer. “Ralph Lauren started with the scarf tie-they were wider and more beautiful. The umbrella will be my scarf tie.” ~~~ Riddle me this: I bid $650 during NAMIC‘s (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications) Celebrity Benefit Auction last year in Washington, D.C. on a certain Hollywood actress. This actress, who I have since interviewed for a magazine cover story, ended up selling for more than $2,000. The fun event, given by their Mid-Atlantic chapter, was covered in this very column. So, who’s the actress? The first three readers to e-mail me at JawnsJuice@aol.com with the answer to this week’s question, will win a pair of tickets to NAMIC’s 2003 Celebrity Benefit Auction on Friday Nov. 21, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Sorry, this week’s contest is limited to Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia readers only because winners must be able to attend the event.) ~~~ Things That Make You Say Hmmm!?!: “What’s wrong with rap is that it’s too soft. I miss the hardcore hip-hop that provokes your thoughts, that gets your energy going. What happened to the hip-hop that made you feel a rush,” asked Ice Cube in the Dec. 2003 issue of The Source. ~~~ Can’t Say Names: Sources say a certain actress is not so nice on the set of her latest film. Said actress will only speak to lead actors, the director and high-level staff. All other actors and film personnel have been admonished to keep their distance. She’s quite a contrast in personality from her very friendly mate. * What singing diva was recently given a lovely gift from Gucci by a key executive at a television network, only to be told it would have to be returned? Apparently, said diva only accepts lines of credit as gifts and wanted the present exchanged immediately. ~~~ Quickies: ~ Big ups to singer Lil’ Mo and her husband Al Stone. The happy couple celebrated both of their birthdays last week with a jam-packed party at Washington, D.C. hotspot MCCXXIII, which is 1,223 in Roman numerals for the mathematically challenged. Given by Mo’s co-manager Phil Thornton of Bright Star Entertainment, the shindig was held on the extra-exclusive third floor of the club. The pint-sized singer sported a hot pink satin jumpsuit embroidered with rhinestones that was made especially for her by hip-hop stylist Misa Hylton. Mo’s family, makeup artist Kym Lee, Sister 2 Sister’s Jamie Foster Brown, and a host of radio personalities came out to celebrate. ~ The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas became instantly famous once “Real World: Las Vegas” was taped there. This past weekend, the hotel celebrated its second anniversary and celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Mekhi Phifer, Brian McKnight, Roc-A-Fella’s Damon Dash and flamboyant “Entertainment Tonight" correspondent Steven Cojocaru were on hand for the festivities. ~ TV’s Judge Greg Mathis is touring in a courtroom-themed production called “Tell it to The Judge.” The gospel musical, written by Laterras Whitfield, focuses on the thin line between love and hate, as well as right from wrong. “Tell It to the Judge” also features gospel songbird Lecresia Campbell, Rev. Derrick Brinkley, and comedian Kenny Howell. The production hits Baton Rouge, La., Chicago and Philadelphia in the coming weeks. ~ Check out the hot interactive web site by the OuterSkinz image team. Makeup artist Kym Lee and wardrobe stylist Angelique offer a bevy of information for those inside and outside of the entertainment industry. Go to www.OuterSkinz.com ~ Thanks to Arch Wireless for providing my paging service. For more information on Arch Wireless, visit their Web site at www.Arch.com, or call 888-534-1397. ~ They have dressed Free from “106 & Park,” Ruff Ryder's deejay Swizz Beatz, Jaheim and even lil’ old me. A special thanks to Aja Imani for keeping me “GQ.” Aja Imani is located at 9244 East Hampton Drive, Suite #622, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Contact them at 301-324-8300 or at ajaimani@aol.com. Well I’m Jawn and that’s your Juice! See you next week! E-mail me directly at GarekNews@hotmail.com

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