EURweb |
02-27-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
On behalf of its client, Bishop Thomas Weeks III, XXposure PR has moved forward with the online release of the book about his stormy marriage to televangelist Prophetess Juanita Bynum.
Entitled “What Love Taught Me” the tell-all book was initially dropped in late 2007, but was stalled when Weeks became sensitive to Bynum’s emotional response. That’s when the couple spoke for the first time since the alleged domestic abuse incident last August for which Weeks is facing criminal charges.
According to Weeks, as previously reported in an exclusive interview with EUR’s Lee Bailey, “... Juanita said when she heard about the book she felt like someone had hit her over the head with a bat. It was a very dramatized statement, but I heard it and felt it from a husband's perspective.” Weeks seemed to still have a heartfelt emotional attachment to his estranged wife.
He held back, but there was a caveat to that choice: XXposure had the right to release the book “if the drama continues.” Bynum has been a consistent no show to appointments, an AP article states, which is holding up legal proceedings in the case. Bynum’s absences were apparently enough agitation to cause Weeks’ representatives to re-issue the book.
Angelo Ellerbe, head of the New York based firm exclaims, “The truth is no longer on strike and Bishop Weeks has been silent far too long. The book speaks the truth -- no more drama, no more tears, no more lies. Enough of this 'confusement' park! This book must be released!”
“The Cover of What Love Taught Me” depicts a photo of the now forlorn lovers dancing at their wedding with a rip between them, a metaphor for the permanent erosion of their relationship.
XXposure released the following statement regarding their decision to forego previous plans:
This year marks my 30th year of serving the music, theater, film and TV industries, representing the likes of Michael Jackson, Dionne Warwick and DMX.
Bishop Thomas Weeks III has come aboard for assistance in navigating the very tumultuous media response to his wife, Juanita Bynum’s public sharing of very personal matters. He has sought guidance and publicity representation from Double XXposure Media.
Bishop Weeks released the book “What Love Has Taught Me” in December of 2007 and then withdrew it, believing that the drama and the repetitive denials to the truth, played in the media would diminish and a peaceful resolve could be accomplished. Since that has not been the case, the book, by the discretion of Double XXposure is being re-released, including a bonus section.
For additional information, please visit us online at: www.whatlovetaughtme.com
Prophetess Bynum filed for a divorce last September 27, just over a month after her husband allegedly attacked her. During the 4 months after her filing she has not stated her position under oath, despite court time being scheduled to hear directly from her.
“There’s a thin line between love and indifference and that is where both parties are at this time,” Weeks’ publicist Nakia Hicks said.
Efforts to secure retail distribution of “What Love Taught Me” are underway.
TRACEY EDMONDS REACTS TO JOHNNY GILL STATEMENTS: Mogul says singer is spreading 'false gossip and lies.'
*Tracey Edmonds called radio personality Doug Banks Monday morning to address his recent telephone interview with Johnny Gill regarding her wedding disaster with former fiancé Eddie Murphy.
As previously reported, Gill was asked to comment on reports that Murphy's mother Lillian got into a heated argument with Edmonds' mom during the former couple's "spiritual ceremony" near Bora Bora. Gill told Banks:
"One of Tracey's guests said some things that were inappropriate that triggered everything with the mom, and that's how it all started."
Gill also denied rumors that he is secretly in a relationship with Murphy and was ultimately responsible for the legal ceremony being cancelled.
Banks told listeners Monday that Tracey had reached him by phone that morning, but was under gag order and couldn't discuss the issue because of a confidentiality agreement she signed with Eddie at the end of their relationship.
However her publicist released an official statement regarding Johnny Gill's comments during Friday's interview.
According to Banks, the statement read: "I was very shocked and disappointed to hear of Johnny Gill's false spin on the chain of events surrounding our wedding. His outrageous lies were clearly a very desperate and pathetic attempt to clean up his reputation at my expense. I would appreciate it if Mr. Gill would refrain from continuing to spread false gossip and lies to the public, and allow everyone involved to move on with their lives. We all know the real truth."
DATE SET FOR NEVERLAND FORECLOSURE: Unless MiJac can come up with more than $24 million, ranch will be auctioned on March 19.
*Michael Jackson was told Monday that his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara will be sold at public auction on March 19 unless he can come up with $24,525,906.61 to pay off the loan.
"It's not just the house either," wrote Fox411's Roger Friedman in his Tuesday column. "When Neverland is auctioned, it will include
everything: all personal property inside, all fixtures and appliances, furniture, and 'all merry go round type devices,' any rides, games. The auction literally includes every single thing that is or isn't nailed down."
According to Friedman, the King of Pop refinanced his $300 million loan from Fortress Investments with help from Sony Music, HSBC and Barclays Bank. But, the Neverland loan was not part of that deal.
"Fortress would clearly like to get out of the Jackson business altogether now, so selling at auction is their answer," Friedman wrote.
NAOMI UNDERGOES SURGERY IN BRAZIL: Model had small cyst removed from abdomen.
*Naomi Campbell sashayed into a Brazilian hospital Sunday night for the removal of a small cyst in her abdomen, her rep said Tuesday.
"Following the successful procedure, she is now resting and is looking forward to getting back to work," said her publicist, Jeff Raymond.
"She would like to thank the doctors who have kindly looked after her."
The 37-year-old model was treated at Sirio Libanes Hospital in Sao Paulo. Dr. Jose Aristodemo Pinotti, a gynecologist, confirmed to the Associated Press that Campbell underwent abdominal surgery.
"I cannot reveal what Naomi had, nor how serious her condition was, but I can say I operated on her yesterday, that everything went smoothly and that she is completely cured and walking in her room," Pinotti said.
He described the procedure as a laparoscopy, in which doctors use a thin, lighted scope to view internal organs.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER TRADES JAB FOR SUPLEX: Boxer to pocket $20 million for WWE fight.
*Undefeated WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. will hang up his boxing gloves for the moment and step into a wrestling ring as part of WWE's "WrestleMania XXIV" next month in Orlando.
The former "Dancing With the Stars" standout will pocket $20 million for a match against wrestler Big Show on March 30 at the Citrus Bowl. The outdoor event will be carried live on pay-per-view.
"It's entertainment. You have a chance to just be you and do what you want to do," Mayweather said Monday at a news conference.
The athlete said his foray into wrestling was motivated mostly by the "sport's" quick paydays.
"Wrestling takes care of business right on the spot," he said. "Whatever they say they're going to do, they do it right on the spot. There's no waiting three, four, five months. Quick results, quick money. Quick big money, too."
Before leaving the news conference at the Staples Center, Mayweather made it rain for WWE fans in attendance, tossing $100, $50 and $20 bills into the crowd. Some audience members shouted insults to the boxer and chanted the name of hometown hero Oscar De La Hoya.
"I run Vegas and I run L.A. and I will run the WWE," Mayweather fired back.
Meanwhile, TMZ.com is reporting that the flamboyant fighter celebrated his 31st birthday at JET at the Mirage in Vegas Monday night with singer Keisha Cole as his date.
PRINCE'S ANNUAL OSCAR PARTY DETAILS: Snipes flirts with Milian; Bardem plays pool; some socialite had her suitcases robbed.
*The New York Post's Page Six has some details about Prince's Oscar afterparty, which took place in the wee hours of Monday morning at his $15 million Beverly Park mansion.
Most of the revelers from Elton John's annual bash tipped over to Prince's Klipsch-sponsored shindig afterwards and partied until 6 in the morning. Diddy said he was literally on the dance floor when producers from "Live with Regis and Kelly" started blowing up his cell phone because he was late to a 6 a.m. taping in Glendale.
"Every single Oscar winner except for Daniel Day-Lewis was there," a witness told Page Six.
The report continued: Outside at the pool area, Sean Penn and his new gal pal Petra Nemcova held hands and "snuck kisses" for hours, said our spy.
Best Supporting Actor winner Javier Bardem changed into beat-up jeans, an old T-shirt and baseball hat for the party, but still carried around his Oscar. "He played pool for hours," according to our witness. He also danced with Penelope Cruz, who stayed in her gown all night at the Citizens of Humanity dance club downstairs.
Socialite Ana Anisimova was robbed of her suitcases at Prince's party and chased the thief barefoot - but he disappeared into the back yard and has not been caught.
Orlando Bloom and Rumer Willis arrived at Prince's place together, but "acted weird" the rest of the night - chatting closely with each other, then avoiding one another. Bloom is said to be dating Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr, who was nowhere in sight.
Wesley Snipes flirted for a while with much younger singer Christina Milian while surprise guest Stevie Wonder joined Prince onstage and sang "Superstitious." "The Coen brothers and Frances McDormand went bananas,"
said our spy.
OBAMA PHOTO CAUSES MORE CLINTON FRICTION: Was Hillary's camp behind leak of picture showing Barack in traditional Kenyan garb?
*A photograph of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama dressed in traditional local garments during a visit to Kenya in 2006 is making its way around the Internet and has caused yet another flare up with rival Sen. Hillary Clinton.
The picture shows Obama wearing a white turban and a wraparound white robe presented to him by elders in Wajir, in northeastern Kenya, the home of his estranged late father.
The Drudge Report posted the photo Monday and said it was being circulated by "Clinton staffers." It also quoted an e-mail from an unidentified aide from the Clinton campaign.
Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson denied that Clinton was involved in the dissemination of the photo.
"I just want to make it very clear that we were not aware of it, the campaign didn't sanction it and don't know anything about it," said Wolfson. "None of us have seen the e-mail in question. If anybody has independent reporting that they've done on it I would welcome it."
During an interview with WOAI radio in San Antonio, Obama addressed the issue by saying voters are "saddened when they see these kind of politics."
"Everybody knows that whether it's me or Senator Clinton or Bill Clinton that when you travel to other countries they ask you to try on traditional garb that you have been given as a gift," said Obama. "The notion that the Clinton campaign would be trying to circulate this as a negative on the same day that Senator Clinton was giving a speech about how we repair our relationships around the world is sad."
O.J.'S ALLEGED VEGAS VICTIM SUES: Alfred Beardsley claims run-in was pre-planned so tape could be sold to TMZ.
*TMZ.com is reporting that the sports memorabilia dealer who claims O.J. Simpson stole his merchandise at gunpoint has filed a lawsuit claiming the incident was pre-planned so the tape could be sold to their Web site.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court, Alfred Beardsley says he was lured into the Las Vegas hotel room by Thomas Riccio, who claimed the owner of a software company was interested in buying some of his items.
Alfred says Riccio was simultaneously stirring the pot with O.J. by telling him that someone in the hotel was selling his stolen merchandise.
According to the lawsuit, Riccio planned all along to record the Beardsley/Simpson encounter and sell it to the media – which is exactly what he ended up doing. TMZ purchased the tape and posted it on their Web site.
Beardsley is suing Riccio for invasion of privacy, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress and unjust enrichment, according to TMZ. He seeks unspecified damages.
ANDRE 3000 RETURNS TO 'THE SHIELD': Big changes in store for rapper's recurring character when FX show returns this summer.
*Andre "3000" Benjamin will reprise his guest role on the FX drama "The Shield" when the show airs its seventh and final season this summer, reports Blackfilm.com.
"I'm actually playing a guy running for mayor in the show finale," he told the Web site. "My character was first introduced years ago in a small role."
In 2004, the rapper made a guest appearance as the owner of a comic book store who tried desperately to keep the area outside of his shop free of hookers and drug dealers.
Benjamin's appearance this summer will take place in episode 13. In the meantime, his next film, "Semi Pro," is due in theaters Friday.
MICHAEL STRAHAN MIGHT RETIRE: With championship in his pocket, New York Giants superstar considers walking away.
*New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan says retirement is a real possibility now that his quest for a Super Bowl ring has been fulfilled.
The athlete, headed for his 16th season with the team, says money was never a factor in his decision to continue playing.
"If that were the reason to come back last year, I wouldn't have,"
Strahan told the Associated Press. "That's secondary. I want to love to play."
After a vacation in March, Strahan said he will weigh his options and most likely let the team know of his decision by mid-April, before the NFL draft.
"I have to find out I want to do it. If I do, then I will do it," he said of returning to the only pro team's he's suited up with. "I don't want to be a used-to-be or a has-been."
'SHYNE' BARROW'S DAD IS NEW LEADER OF BELIZE: Jailed rapper's father elected country's first black prime minister.
*As rapper Jamal "Shyne" Barrow continued serving a 10-year prison sentence for a 1999 club shooting last week, his father Dean Barrow was busy becoming the new prime minister of Belize.
The former foreign minister became the Central American country's first black prime minister by winning a sweeping victory in Thursday's general election. The new leader ends a decade of one-party rule marked by scandals and economic problems.
Barrow's United Democratic Party, or UDP, took 25 of 31 constituencies against six for Prime Minister Said Musa, whose popularity slumped in recent years. It was only the third defeat in half a century for Musa's People's United Party, or PUP, which has dominated politics since the former British colony of 300,000 people elected its first legislative assembly in 1954.
According to the New York Post, Shyne is expected to be released this year for good behavior.
MALCOLM X'S DAUGHTER SUPPORTS OBAMA: Malaak Shabazz says his constituency should not be troubled by her NOI background.
*Several days after the Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan announced his support of Barack Obama, a daughter of the late Malcolm X has announced that she is also backing the senator's run for the White House.
Malaak Shabazz was being interviewed on SIRIUS radio host Mark Thompson's "Make It Plain" program at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, where her father was fatally shot in 1965.
Below is a partial transcript:
MARK THOMPSON: The daughter of Malcolm X is endorsing Barack Obama.
MALAAK SHABAZZ: Since day one.
MARK THOMPSON: Have you talked to him? Does he know that?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: No I haven't, but we have mutual people who we know. I'm sure it won't be too long.
MARK THOMPSON: But now here's the thing. And I respect Barack too. And I understand what is going on. I understand what his purpose is in the context.
What you represent, what your parents represent now through you, to a large extent, would be something that Barack's constituency may not quite be able to handle.
MALAAK SHABAZZ: I think so. He has opened the gamut -- from white, black, Republicans, [and] Hispanic. He's got Native Americans voting, and they wouldn't even vote before because they didn't think anything was going to be done for them.
MARK THOMPSON: You all heard it here first. That Malaak Shabazz has just endorsed [Obama]. Are you speaking on behalf of your family or is this just you in terms of endorsing Barack?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: I'm speaking for myself. I know my sisters. There's six of us. At least four of them are for Barack, but it doesn't really matter [because] I'm for Barack and I promote Barack Obama.
MALAAK SHABAZZ: Actually, him and Michelle remind me of my parents, and what they have to face with children, and with the climate that we're dealing with politically. She's brilliant. My mother's brilliant. He's brilliant. My father was brilliant. And they're still sticking to the community. So, no, they are not Betty and Malcolm. But they are the present day Betty and Malcolm.
LIL WAYNE PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN NY GUN CASE: Rapper arraigned on charges of criminal possession of a weapon.
*Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., actually made his court date in New York Monday to enter a not-guilty plea on gun charges.
The case stems from an arrest in July following a headlining concert at the Beacon Theater. According to his lawyer, Stacey Richman, Weezey was arraigned on two felony charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
After the Beacon gig, police searched Wayne's tour bus and arrested the rapper for criminal possession of a .40-caliber pistol.
DIDDY STEREOTYPED BY POTENTIAL NEIGHBORS: Mogul angered over their list of demands.
*The San Francisco Chronicle's SFGate.com is reporting that residents of a New York apartment building have given Sean "Diddy" Combs a list of strict conditions after hearing that he wanted to buy a unit in the building.
Among the rules were no loud music and no wild parties, according to the Web site. Combs, 38, was reportedly insulted by his neighbors' preconceptions about his lifestyle.
He said: "It was offensive to make stipulations based on anything they'd heard about black rappers. Tom Cruise is well known for blowing stuff up in movies but no one is telling him not to bring big guns into the joint. I have six kids and when I'm at home I raise them just like anyone else."
BARACK OBAMA TALKS FILM: Presidential candidate loves 'Godfather,' Angela Basset'; says Will Smith could play him in biopic.
*As the presidential campaign trail trudges on, "Entertainment Tonight" pulled Democratic candidate Barack Obama to the side and asked him to list his favorite films and movie stars.
His top three films are all Oscar winners — "The Godfather," "The
Godfather: Part II" and "Lawrence of Arabia." Angela Bassett was named among his favorite actors, along with Jimmy Stewart, Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart, Meryl Streep and Susan Sarandon.
Obama has already mentioned that Will Smith would be the perfect actor to play him if a movie is ever made about his life. "Will and I have talked about this because he has the ears," the Illinois senator said in an interview, part two of which will air tonight.
The White House hopeful said he doesn't have much free time to watch movies on the campaign trail. Even eating three meals a day is a rarity, he said.
"Sometimes when you're out in remote areas, there's not much you can do," said Obama. "You go for a burger, that's safe. If you start getting fancy you could get into trouble. If you're in a place like Iowa or Wisconsin there's gonna be cheese on just about everything. If you start eating too much junk you'll never survive."
THEATRE BITS: 'Purple' fades to black; Leslie Uggams in 'Hello Dolly'; Louis Gossett Jr. added to Kennedy Center's Fences.
*Broadway has bid farewell to The Color Purple, which ended its performance run at the Broadway Theatre on February 24, playing to more than 93% of capacity in its final week.
*Leslie Uggams began performances this week as the star of Jerry Herman's classic musical Hello, Dolly! at Houston's Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS). Uggams returns to Houston having previously starred in the TUTS productions of Into the Woods and Anything Goes. The actress most recently starred opposite James Earl Jones in the Broadway revival of On Golden Pond.
Hello, Dolly! will play TUTS through March 9. Tickets are available by calling (888) 558-3882 or by visiting www.TUTS.org.
*Academy Award Winner Louis Gossett, Jr. has been added to the list of artists who will take part in the Kennedy Center's upcoming celebration of the work of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson, which is entitled August Wilson's 20th Century. Gossett, Jr. will star as Troy Maxson — the role created on Broadway by James Earl Jones to Tony-winning effect — in the Kennedy Center's production of Fences. Kenny Leon will direct a cast that features the previously announced Bill Nunn as Jim Bono, Tamara Tunie as Rose, Montae Russell as Lyons, Hassan El-Amin as Gabriel, Anthony Mackie as Cory and Autumn Malhotra as Raynell.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Blake leaves Memphis tourney; Vereen, Judd join Lifetime's 'Mama'; Mr. T graphic novel on sale.
*James Blake pulled out of the Memphis ATP/WTA tournament on Monday complaining of a knee injury. The second seed in this 769,000 dollar hardcourt tournament, Blake was scheduled to face young American Donald Young in a first-round match yesterday. Less than a week ago Blake lost the San Jose tournament final to 244th ranked Kei Nishikori of Japan.
*Ben Vereen and Cris Judd will serve as judges on Lifetime's "Your Mama Don't Dance," where 10 young professional dancers are paired with one of their non-pro parents in a competition to claim a $100,000 top prize.
Vereen, a Tony-winner, comes to the show from recent guest appearances on "Grey's Anatomy" and "Law & Order: SVU." Judd, the ex-husband of Jennifer Lopez, is a choreographer and actor recently seen on Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous." Actress-singer Vitamin C rounds out the judging panel. The show begins its eight-week run on Feb. 29. Ian Ziering hosts.
*British publisher Mohawk Media offers a special Limited Advance Edition of its upcoming Mr. T graphic novel, which is scheduled to be released this spring. A total of 4,000 copies are currently available for order at www.mohawkmedia.co.uk for $39. Alternatively, from April 2008, it will be available through bookstores worldwide. "It’s great to be the star of a graphic novel," says Mr. T. "And great entertainment is always driven by great writing."
JOYNER, NAACP LAUNCH VOTER HOTLINE: Effort will provide voter registration and place to complain about poll problems.
*The Tom Joyner Morning Show and the NAACP National Voter Fund have partnered to launch 1-866-MYVOTE1 as part of a year-long voter registration, education and empowerment campaign.
"This is truly one of the most exciting and important presidential election years we've ever had," said Joyner. "This partnership with the NAACP National Voter Fund is our way to make sure we register as many voters as possible, and give our community the tools to become active players in this year's election."
The toll-free number can be used by callers around the country and will operate through the November 2008 election. After callers dial the 866-MYVOTE1 (866-698-6831), they can enter their zip code and select from one of several options:
1) Request a voter registration application, which they can sign and return to their local county elections board;
2) Find the closest polling place to their home;
3) Record up to a: 60 second complaint if they have encountered any problems, or
4) Transfer to a person at their local county elections office.
NAACP Chairman Julian Bond said that "the stakes in this year's elections are extremely high and for the first time in US History the African-American vote will be decisive in both the Primary and General Elections."
He added, "The NAACP and NAACP National Voter Fund's Partnership with the Tom Joyner Morning Show could not come at a better time. The Tom Joyner Morning Show's national promotion will play a major role in our efforts to register and empower hundreds of thousands of African Americans and especially young voters throughout the United States."
EUR DVD REVIEW: Redacted
Disappointing Brian De Palma Iraq War Drama Out on DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*Brian De Palma is the latest moviemaker eager to foist a heavy-handed anti-war picture on the public, and frankly some of these shrill screeds are starting to look silly.
Shot pseudo-documentary style, but based on actual events, the film is essentially a loosely-connected series of montages revolving around a squad of six GIs manning a roadside checkpoint in Iraq.
The explanation for our being afforded an intimate peek at the soldiers' mental mindset is that one of them, Angel (Izzy Diaz), has taken to videotaping their day-to-day lives with a hand-held camcorder.
This dirty half-dozen is comprised of familiar war flick archetypes, ranging from the grizzled sergeant (Ty Jones) to the bespectacled nerd (Kel O'Neill) to macho dudes in a loose mood (Daniel Stewart Sherman and Patrick
Carroll) to the tortured soul (Rob Devaney) with a still-functioning conscience.
The plot thickens when two GIs (guess who?) become horny and depraved enough to rape a 14 year-old. However, the sexual assault goes horribly wrong and leads to their not only murdering the girl but her entire family as well. Of course, the good ole boys responsible cover up the atrocity and prove quite capable of returning to the posts, business as usual, thereby delivering the sobering message that America's Generation Kill sees the Iraqis they came to save as somewhat less than human.
Unfortunately, Redacted is so laughably unconvincing at every turn that it looks more like a student film in progress than a legit feature. Perhaps De Palma was too blinded by his undoubtedly fervent feelings about the Bush Administration's bungling of the invasion and occupation to make an honest appraisal of his message movie's abundance of technical flaws.
Regardless, this unfortunate outing is destined to leave an embarrassing blemish on the legendary director's generally stellar body of work.
Fair (1 star)
Rated R for disturbing images, violence, rape, pervasive profanity, ethnic slurs and sexual references.
In English and French with subtitles.
Running time: 90 minutes
Studi Magnolia Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Refugee interviews, photo gallery and a "Behind-the-Scenes"
featurette.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"Never spend your money before you have it." — Thomas Jefferson: Third U.S. president
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Feb. 27: Singer Chilli of TLC is 37. Singer Roderick Clark (Hi-Five) is 35.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Jamati Online is a place to get all information about African music, film, style, sports. It is also the place to see what African celebrities are up to (http://www.jamati.com).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Feb. 27, 1883: Walter B. Purvis patented the hand stamp. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
Share and Bookmark |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
