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01-11-07 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
JAMES BROWN'S BODY STILL ABOVE GROUND: Plus, rape case against late legend to continue.
*Two weeks following the death of James Brown, his body has yet to be buried due to unsettled issues with his estate, including the location of his final resting place.
The body of the music legend currently lies at his home on Beech Island, according to Charles Reid, manager of the C.A. Reid Funeral Home in Augusta, Ga., which handled his memorial services.
Buddy Dallas, an attorney for the singer, says his will has not yet been fulfilled, and his house has been on lockdown since his death to protect his memorabilia and other personal items. The trustees for his will, along with Brown's children, are to decide the location of the burial site, Dallas said.
"The hope is that all parties can sit down and figure out what the problem is and what the challenges are," lawyer Thornton Morris told the Chicago Tribune.
Meanwhile, a rape case brought against the Godfather of Soul will continue despite his death on Christmas day at 73.
The accuser, Jacque Hollander, says she was forced to have sex with Brown at gunpoint in 1988 when she was working as his publicist. A lower court tossed out the complaint last year after ruling she had waited too long to file, but Hollander has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear her sexual harassment suit, she revealed Monday.
"This has been a long road that ended tragically Christmas morning.
As a rape victim, I will never get to face him in court, and it hurts,"
Hollander said, according to Contact Music. "But we are moving forward. We filed against his organization, as well as him. So now his organization stands in front of him."
Brown's lawyer Dallas says the accusations are nonsense. "There was nothing to it 20 years ago and nothing to it 20 years later."
WHITNEY'S BELONGINGS SOLD AT AUCTION: Clear piano, pantsuits, Bobby's awards among some 406 lots unloaded on Tuesday.
*Whitney Houston's clear plastic grand piano, purchased new for $121,000, was sold at an auction Tuesday for $20,000, according to reports.
It was the top seller of about 406 lots sold from a warehouse in Irvington, N.J., where Houston left behind an array of personal items for months without payment. The company decided to put the stuff up for bid after the singer reportedly stiffed them for $175,000 in storage fees.
"I feel so badly that all her beautiful stuff is being sold off like this," Debbie Benge, 56, a school nurse from Bloomfield, N.J., told the New York Daily News as she paid $375 for a red-and-gold pantsuit embroidered with musical notes. Benge says she plans to resell it on eBay.
The buyer of Houston's clear piano, a Mississippi antiques dealer in snakeskin boots who asked to remain anonymous, said he would resell the instrument as well.
Also on the auction block were a set of 16 music awards won by Houston's estranged husband, Bobby Brown, including gold records for his song "Humpin' Around." According to the Daily News, they sold for $25 apiece to magician Meir Yedid, 46, of Fair Lawn, N.J.
"It's the only item that's personal," Yedid explained.
Steve Newmark, co-owner of A.J. Willner Auctions, which handled the sale, said he is unable to announce the overall sale total for legal reasons.
HBO HEADS WEST WITH KANYE: Cable network developing series starring Grammy-winning artist.
*Television producer Larry Charles, executive producer of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Entourage," is developing a series for HBO to star rapper/producer Kanye West.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the as-yet-untitled project will focus on a day in what is described as "his crazy, hectic life."
Def Jam founder and veteran producer Rick Rubin will serve as an executive producer on the project, along with Charles and West's manager, G Roberson.
As previously reported, West teamed with Anonymous Content and New Line Cinema in March to produce a feature film inspired by his music. The movie will explore his craft as seen through the eyes of several filmmakers.
TYRESE'S GIRL EXPLAINS ASSAULT REPORTS: Woman's attorney says they argued but did not come to blows.
*An attorney for the pregnant girlfriend of R&B star Tyrese says recent reports of the artist assaulting her during a fight last Thursday have been greatly exaggerated.
TMZ.com first reported that police were investigating the singer/actor after the woman, who has not been identified, called 911 accusing him of punching her in the arm and thigh before jumping in his car and driving away.
"Reports Tyrese punched my client -- his girlfriend -- in the arm, thigh or anywhere else are false," said Paul Berra ESQ., the woman's attorney. "It is true, Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend had been arguing. She became very emotional and distressed during the argument and called 911 in an attempt to get a mediator. Mr. Gibson, frustrated, left the home.
"My client, Mr. Gibson's girlfriend, who is 11 weeks pregnant, then became more upset and began throwing up. When the paramedics arrived, concerned about the baby, they took her to the hospital. Fortunately, she was fine. Once at the hospital, she was asked by a nurse whether she had been assaulted. She said no. She was then asked what her pain level was on a scale of zero to ten. She said zero. She then discharged herself."
Berra said his client is upset with the way in which reports of the argument have been blown out of proportion by the media.
"Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend are very much still in love, together and excited about their expectant child," Berra said.
HBO TO TURN 'LACKAWANNA BLUES' INTO SERIES: Merkerson has not been approached to reprise role.
*The HBO film "Lackawanna Blues," based on Ruben Santiago-Hudson's autobiographical one-man play, will get another makeover as a weekly series for the premium cable channel.
Sources tell the Hollywood Reporter that HBO will develop a weekly drama based on the film, which follows Santiago-Hudson's life growing up in a vibrant black community during the 1960s. Santiago-Hudson will reportedly write the pilot script.
S. Epatha Merkerson, who currently stars in the long-running NBC drama "Law & Order," has not been approached to reprise her role as Nanny, which earned her Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG awards.
Directed by George C. Wolfe, the movie also starred Terrence Howard, Mos Def, Macy Gray, Jimmy Smits and Liev Schreiber.
OPRAH'S WOULD-BE BLACKMAILER WAIVES HEARING: Plus, episode of talk show inspires man to attack his alleged molester.
*The Atlanta man accused of trying to extort $1.5 million from Oprah Winfrey has waived his right to a preliminary hearing; while testimony in a U.K. court reveals that a man was encouraged to attack his alleged abuser after watching an episode of her talk show.
On Monday, 36-year-old Keifer Bonvillain waived his right to appear before a federal magistrate at a preliminary hearing on his extortion charges, Randall Samborn, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, tells the Associated Press. Instead, a grand jury will likely be asked to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.
As previously reported, Bonvillain was arrested on Dec. 15 in Atlanta and then released on $20,000 bail. According to the criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Bonvillain approached "a public figure and the owner of a Chicago-based company" and threatened to release recorded phone conversations that would potentially damage the person in question. Both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times, citing unidentified sources, name Winfrey as his intended victim.
Meanwhile, a man who allegedly raped an eight-year-old-boy 20 years ago was attacked by his accuser after he was bolstered by an episode of the "Oprah Winfrey Show," according to court testimony.
Calum MacPharlain, 48, is accused of raping the victim, now 30, his older sister and molesting his younger brother between 1971 and 1976.
Prosecutor, Graeme Brown, told Snaresbrook Crown Court in London how the first victim snapped after seeing an episode of the Oprah show dealing with bad childhood experiences.
Brown said: "In Christmas 1995 he was watching a TV show, someone called Oprah Winfrey. It was a show talking about bad experiences in childhood and assault. The victim came back and confronted the defendant."
Brown continued: "It resulted in the victim assaulting the defendant, punching and stamping on the defendant. His father held him back at that stage. The police were not informed. The victim did not inform the police."
The older brother eventually alerted authorities in Jan. 2005 after speaking to his brother about the abuse they both suffered, Brown said. MacPharlain, who was between the ages of 13 and 18 at the time of the alleged abuse, took Polaroid pictures of the naked older brother and ordered all his victims to keep quiet. Police later interviewed the sister who spoke about her abuse and eventual rape in 1971.
MacPharlain, of West Bergholt, Colchester, denies one count of rape, three of indecent assault on a child and six counts of indecency.
'DREAMGIRLS' SOUNDTRACK TOPS BILLBOARD: Disc is first soundtrack to reach No. 1 on Billboard 200 since 'O Brother.'
*All the buzz surrounding "Dreamgirls" has pushed the soundtrack from 3-1 on the Billboard 200 chart this week on sales of 66,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The soundtrack becomes the first album since 2002's "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" to reach the Billboard 200 pinnacle. However, the album has the lowest sales total for a No. 1 album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991, reports Billboard.
Elsewhere on the chart, Akon's SRC/Universal release "Konvicted"
remains at No. 2 for a second week, "FutureSex/LoveSounds" by Justin Timberlake (Jive) rises 8-4, Young Jeezy's "The Inspiration" (Def Jam) falls
5-7 and Nas' "Hip Hop Is Dead" drops 4-8.
Omarion's "21" takes the biggest sales dive this week dropping 1-10 with a 65% decrease to 42,000.
LAZ ALONSO: The Stomp the Yard Interview with Kam Williams
*Born to Cuban parents who immigrated to the States and settled in Washington, DC with hopes of giving their only offspring a better life, Laz Alonso is proud to be the first generation American in his family.
From an early age, he always wanted to be an actor, and he remembers entertaining himself as a child by playing different characters and doing scenes, even standing in front of a mirror and practicing making himself cry.
However, because his mother and father had risked everything to come to America, Laz took a very practical route to showbiz, attending Howard University School to study Marketing.
After graduation, he first worked on Wall Street as an investment banker, before starting his own business with some partners.
Eventually, he found the time to explore his passion for acting, and it wasn't long before he began finding work in commercials and videos.
Later, along came TV, where his credits include guest-starring roles on "CSI: Miami," "The Practice," "Navy: NCIS" and "Eyes." On the big screen, he's appeared in Constantine, All Souls Day: Dia de los Muertos, Disappearing Acts, and a role in the ensemble cast of Jarhead, opposite Jamie Foxx and Jake Gyllenhaal.
When not acting, Laz devotes considerable time to music, having studied classical piano for seven years. One of his favorite pastimes is playing reggaeton, combining the best of his two cultures, hip-hop and salsa to make some fierce beats that has all who listen, shaking and sweating to the music. Laz's other passion is philanthropy, his charity for the children of single-parents that he's getting off the ground.
This emerging star's latest film is Stomp the Yard where he portrays a frat boy named Zeke at a black college in Atlanta. In February, you'll be able to catch Laz in a starring role in Captivity, a psychological thriller in which he plays a detective on the trail of a serial killer.
Kam Williams: Thanks for the interview.
Laz Alonz My pleasure, thank you!
KW: You were born in Cuba. Do you still have any memories of Cuba?
LA: I was actually born in D.C. but I'm the first American in my family. I do have great memories of Cuba. I visited all the time as a child and have a bigger family there than I do here in the states. All of my relatives there are my age so it's difficult because they are the ones that I have the most in common with.
KW: Before you headed west to take a shot at showbiz in Hollywood, you were working as an investment banker for Merrill Lynch on Wall Street.
How hard was it to quit your day job to chase your dream?
LA: It wasn't hard at all, I hated Wall Street! Actually it wasn't that I hated it, but when you know you're doing something that isn't your passion, it feels like you're wasting time regardless of the money you're making.
KW: How long did it take for you to break into show business? Did you ever think of quitting?
LA: I never thought of quitting because I knew I was living my dream and whenever I would be going through hard times, I would get a sign, a job, to keep me focused and remind me that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing.
KW: What TV commercials did you appear in?
LA: A bunch, Burger King, Lincoln Navigator, Budweiser, Pontiac, Outback Steakhouse.... The list goes on...
KW: You eventually found steady work both on TV and in movies, but starring in Stomp the Yard should make this your breakout role. What interested you in this picture?
LA: Not sure if this will truly be a breakout role, being that I'm not carrying the film, but I am looking forward to seeing the final product. I really liked the project...it's a black college film and being a Spike Lee fan, I've always wanted to be in a movie which reminds me of the genre that made him popular.
KW: Tell me a little about the film.
LA: It's a coming of age story about a kid growing up in LA and really into dancing and battling. He gets into some trouble and his parents send him to Atlanta to live with his grandparents and they enroll him in school where he sees that life is a lot different from what he's used to. That's when the drama really begins!
KW: What's your character like?
LA: I like my character because he's a leader. He's the head of his fraternity and keeps everybody in check. I like the positive nature of my character and what he represents, which is a positive black young man with values and class.
KW: What's the movie's message?
LA: That you can achieve greatness if you learn how to work together.
KW: What sort of audience do you expect Stomp the Yard to appeal to?
LA: High schoolers and anyone who has attended college. Even people who haven't, they will connect to the storyline because there are so many issues which relate to acceptance, romance, dance, competition and winning.
KW: I know you like to play music in your free time. What's the name of your band?
LA: I actually produce music which is also a passion of mine. Karma Kid Entertainment.
KW: How would you describe the type of music do you play?
LA: Hip Hop and Reggaeton. The latin influence comes through in all my
music)
KW: Do you have a CD?
LA: I have one filled with tracks just waiting for rappers to bring them to life!
KW: The Jimmy Bayan question. Where in LA do you live?
LA: I'm in a top secret cave similar to the one Batman dwells in! [LOL]
KW: What advice do you have for an aspiring actor hoping to follow in your footsteps?
LA: To sincerely work from the heart. Once you can make another's words sound and feel like they're your own you are putting heart in your work.
KW: Do you have a blog at MySpace or Facebook where fans can hook-up with you?
LA: www.myspace.com/lazalonso. Be my friend please? [LOL]
KW: Thanks for the time, bro.
LA: The pleasure was all mine, thanks again!
MARIAH CAREY MAY POP UP ON 'AMERICAN IDOL': Producers hoping to surpass array of musical guests from season 5.
*Mariah Carey is rumored to be among the guest talent courted for the new season of "American Idol," which kicks off its sixth season on Tuesday.
"Idol" judge Randy Jackson, also Mimi's longtime friend and collaborator, says they have "tossed it around a bit" but have yet to confirm her appearance.
Meanwhile, ex-Beatle Paul McCartney is also rumored to be on the season 6 guest list, which hopes to live up to its previous season of professional talent - capped by a surprise appearance from Prince during the season finale.
"Prince blew the doors off. He is one of the quintessential ones of our time," Jackson told AP.
Cecile Frot-Coutaz, who oversees "American Idol" as chief executive officer of producer FremantleMedia North America Inc., adds: "The fact we can get Prince is a real tribute to the show. ... (now) who knows who we can get?"
MAN ASKED TO RAP BY COP SUES CITY: Louis Baker says publicity surrounding event has him emotionally disturbed.
*One of the two black men asked to rap themselves out of a ticket for littering in Tempe, Arizona is suing the city for $500,000, claiming his reputation has been permanently damaged.
Louis Baker, who was stopped along with Robert Tarvain last August by police sergeant Chuck Schoville after they were allegedly caught littering in a mall parking lot, says the publicity surrounding the incident has left him emotionally disturbed and with a stutter.
"Mr. Baker has been subject to ridicule by his co-workers and strangers, requesting him to 'rap' when he leaves his home to go to the grocery store, restaurants or just drive or walk in the community," wrote Baker's attorney Howard Schwartz. "Because of the general public's behavior towards Mr. Baker, he has been portrayed as a clown, which has caused him to become emotionally disturbed, reclusive and embarrassed."
Schoville, who hosted a show called Tempe Street Beat on the local cable access channel, said the men had identified themselves as music industry professionals from Chicago.
Baker is suing the city and the Tempe Police Department for intentional tort, emotional impairment and mental impairment.
ZIGGY MARLEY, WIFE WELCOME BABY: Son born on Friday weighing 7 lbs, 14 oz.
*Reggae artist Ziggy Marley and his wife/manager, Orly Agai, are the proud parents of a new baby boy, Gideon Robert Nesta Marley.
Born Friday, the baby is 7 lbs., 14 oz. and was 20 inches long, reports People magazine.
Little Gideon is the second child for Marley, 38, and Agai, who has served as his manager for the past two years. Their daughter, Judah Victoria Marley, turns 2 in April.
Marley is the eldest son of late reggae icon Bob.
PAULA ABDUL HEAD 'BRAT' IN CHARGE: 'Idol' judge to executive produce feature film based on popular fashion dolls.
*Lionsgate has announced that "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul has joined the creative team of "Bratz: The Movie," the first live action feature based on the popular brand of fashion dolls manufactured by MGA Entertainment.
Abdul will serve as executive producer on the project, and will play an integral part in several key creative areas, including music, choreography and fashion. She will work closely with the director, producers and casting director to discover fresh talent for the film. In addition, Abdul will portray one of the film's major characters.
"I am extremely excited about working on this film, which incorporates and celebrates so many of my passions, from music, dance and choreography to fashion and design," Abdul said in a statement. "As a brand, Bratz encourages young girls to follow their dreams and express themselves.
This authentic and organic philosophy has always been an important part of my life and my work and I will always continue to nurture new talent while keeping their dreams alive. As far as I'm concerned, it's a message that can't be repeated enough."
In the meantime, Abdul continues to tout her Paula Abdul Jewelry Collection, which launched in April on QVC.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Jigga's cleats; Venus' wrist; Chaka, Herbie salute Mitchell.
*A pair of Jay-Z's Reebok S. Carter cleats for men, worn by Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson when he set a NFL record last month, will, as a result, be displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, reports Allhiphop.com. Johnson's accomplishment - the most carries in a single season - took place Dec. 31 in a 35-30 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
*Venus Williams has pulled out of the Australian Open due to an injury to her left wrist, reports Reuters. "I regret that I will not participate in the Australian Open but I am very excited about the prospects competing in the upcoming year," she said in a statement. It is the first time in her career that Venus, 26, has sat out two successive Grand Slam events. A wrist problem prevented her from traveling to Flushing Meadows for the U.S. Open last August.
*Chaka Kahn and Herbie Hancock are among the music artists who will sing tributes to Joni Mitchell when she is inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame this month. Kahn will perform "Help Me," while Hancock, reportedly one of her best friends, will induct the folk legend into the hall of fame during the Jan. 28 event in Toronto.
MO' ITTY BITTY BITS: 50 Cent condoms, Mariah's steamy bedroom; Big Will's South Africa move.
*Consumers practicing safe sex will soon be able to purchase 50 Cent condoms. The rapper, currently on the big screen in "Home of the Brave," has just launched a line of jimmy hats with partial proceeds dedicated to AIDS awareness.
*A room viewers didn't see during Mariah Carey's memorable episode of "MTV Cribs" was a waterproof steam area, where the singer reportedly sleeps at times to lubricate her larynx. Mimi didn't allow MTV cameras access to the room, but recently spoke about it during an interview, reports SF Gate. The bedding is reportedly made from toweling, which absorbs the moisture, while all of her fixtures and fittings are protected by glass or waterproof materials. Carey explains, "Literally I'll have 20 humidifiers around the bed. Basically it's like sleeping in a steam room. The bed is all terry-cloth, the ceiling is pitched so the water can't fall on my head, and it drips down to my side, and the TV is behind glass."
*Will Smith tells Britain's Empire magazine that he is looking to buy a home in South Africa. "We want to move to Africa. Actually, I found a house in South Africa, but it was before 9/11 and when that happened, we thought, being Americans, it was a time to be home. But I just loved South Africa. I definitely felt like there was magic there and it was a magic I wanted my family to experience."
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