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08-15-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
LISARAYE HOSPITALIZED AFTER FIGHT WITH MISICK: Both parties release statements; actress interviewed by local news.
*Our spy on the Turks & Caicos Island says LisaRaye McCoy Misick remained in the hospital Thursday afternoon after Wednesday night's physical altercation with her husband, Turks and Caicos president Michael Misick.
The confrontation followed allegations from LisaRaye that Rocsi from BET's 106 & Park had been having an affair with Misick and was staying at the mansion last weekend while LisaRaye was in New York.
As previously reported, Misick released a statement Tuesday announcing his separation from the TV star. According to Caribbean Net News, LisaRaye returned to the island earlier this week to work out a divorce settlement. But sources told the news outlet that the process had gone very badly from her standpoint. Misick ended up banning his wife from the mansion and she was reportedly forced to be stay at a local beach resort.
On Wednesday night, LisaRaye ignored the alleged ban and confronted Misick at his mansion. The situation turned violent.
"He beat her bad," a source told EUR Thursday afternoon. "She came in the same day Rocsi went out, and he had already issued the statement that they were separated. Apparently she went over there and got into the fight. She's now in the hospital.
"The sub-story is that he has been under investigation because $57 million dollars is missing from our government. They froze all of his bank accounts. He's getting a separation because he can't afford to get a divorce."
Misick, according to our source, dispatched his fleet of bodyguards to stand around the perimeter of the hospital to prevent reporters from interviewing LisaRaye about the incident.
DUELING PRESS RELEASES
Although LisaRaye is reportedly hospitalized with injuries, which was said to include bite marks, Misick released a statement Thursday denying that he assaulted his wife, and accused LisaRaye, her cousin and her rep of attacking him. It read:
“Last night LisaRaye, her cousin Phillip Travis, and her publicist Lynn Jeter assaulted the guard at the Premier's home, proceeded to ransack the house, and then assaulted the Premier and his sister. As the result of her assault on them, both the Premier and his sister were taken to the hospital with injuries and later released. The Premier at no time had any physical contact with LisaRaye.
"It is public knowledge that the couple has been separated for months, and LisaRaye has no lawful right to be in the residence. Her conduct yesterday clearly contradicts her stated commitment to dissolve the marriage amicably.”
Several hours later, LisaRaye released the following statement:
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce that my husband and I have separated.
Last night, Wednesday August 13, 2008, an attempt was made by and on behalf of my husband to first prevent my entry into our home and then, later, to make me leave our home by force.
It was necessary for me to receive medical treatment for injuries suffered and in relation to those injuries I shall continue to assist the police force with its enquiries.
Whilst it is my sincere wish to avoid unnecessary conflict, I shall not be intimidated, nor shall those individuals whose job it is to protect and represent me.
I ask that my privacy be respected in these difficult times and I believe that the people of the TCI will understand and support my wish to receive the necessary independent representation from the legal counsel of my choosing. I hope that, in time, the TCI government will come to share that view.
Although I have always been a supportive wife even in light of the very serious allegations currently pending against the Premier, there are limits even for me.
I continue to have the utmost respect for the people of the TCI who have always shown me kindness and support. I vow to continue my work amongst the people of Turks and Caicos Islands.
Until recently I had hoped that I would be able to continue to assist my husband during what will undoubtedly be difficult times ahead for him. I do not wish to have to add to his difficulties.”
Local TCI news station WIV4 interviewed LisaRaye at the airport when she returned to the island earlier this week – before the fight.
"I was just as shocked about hearing about it as anyone and everyone else, but just as any wife's position would be in such an allegation as this, it has to put a damper on the marriage," she told the WIV4 reporter.
"With all that's happening with Michael – the rape and the corruption allegations, and his ill behavior, even this weekend for our recent music festival – I think he's just spiraling out of control. I will just continue to be uplifting, and I will pray for him."
Watch her entire WIV4 interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G84OCJdu1uI
DONDA WEST BILL PASSES CALI SENATE 37-1: Legislation requires physical exam before cosmetic surgery.
*With a vote of 37 to 1, the California Senate passed a bill Wednesday that makes it mandatory for patients seeking cosmetic surgery procedures to first undergo a physical exam.
The measure, known as AB 2968, was crafted in response to the death of Kanye West's mother Donda West. The former educator/author died last year from a heart condition that was exacerbated by cosmetic surgery.
Earlier this year, Donda West’s niece, Yolanda Anderson, and California State Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto) introduced AB 2968 into the state’s legislature.
According to Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles), the tragedy comes as a wake-up call for patients and their families to take steps to ensure a safe medical experience.
"Many of us are concerned about the quality of care extended to those who receive elective surgery," the senator told the Times.
OPRAH WINFREY TO APPEAR AT DEM CONVENTION: Talk show host will not speak, but will watch Democratic nominee make history.
*It's official – Oprah Winfrey's office confirmed Thursday that she will be inside of Denver's Invesco Field football stadium to witness first hand the presidential nomination of Sen. Barack Obama.
"She will be there," a spokeswoman for her publicist told AFP, without giving further details.
Her homegirl, Gayle King, also told the TV program "Entertainment Tonight" that the mogul would join Obama for the final night, but would not address the crowds.
Winfrey has been an Obama supporter from day one, and campaigned with the senator before Democratic primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.
The day of Obama's acceptance speech, Aug. 28, also marks the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" address on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
RIHANNA KISSES KATY PERRY GOODBYE: Seven week-champ, 'I Kissed a Girl', falls to pop star's 'Disturbia.'
*The rise of Rihanna's "Disturbia" to the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart ended the seven-week reign of Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" while also becoming the artist's fourth career No. 1.
Rihanna is now tied with Beyonce and Mariah Carey as having the most No. 1 singles by a female artist this decade. "Disturbia" is the fourth chart topper for the singer following "SOS" (2006), "Umbrella" (2007) and "Take A Bow" (2008), which is No. 4 on the Hot 100 this week.
Her rumored boyfriend, Chris Brown, stays at No. 2 with "Forever," while "I Kissed a Girl" falls to No. 3. M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" jumps from No. 16 to a career-best No. 5, aided by its appearance in the trailer for the new comedy "Pineapple Express."
Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" slips 5-6, Kardinal Offishall's "Dangerous" featuring Akon holds at No. 7 and Lil Wayne's "A Milli" falls 6-8. Rounding out the top 10, the Jonas Brothers' 'Burnin' Up" rises 11-9, and Ne-Yo's "Closer" stays at No. 10.
On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, "A Milli" dethrones Keyshia Cole's long-running No. 1, "Heaven Sent." Ludacris' "What Them Girls Like" featuring Chris Brown and Sean Garrett is the top debut at No. 73.
THE SOURCE PLANS 20TH ANNIVERSARY RELAUNCH: Publisher looks to restore magazine to national prominence.
*The Source magazine, which was in bankruptcy last year, is about to hit newsstands next week with a new focus that its co-publisher says will restore the magazine to its past status as the industry's bible for all things hip hop.
"It's a very seminal period, an opportunity to both celebrate 20 years of content and the fact that The Source was a leader in chronicling the culture of hip-hop," said media and entertainment lawyer L. Londell McMillan, who bought The Source earlier this year with investment banker Jeffery Scott.
"I'm on a mission to restore it to the community that gave birth to it and open the door to those that currently enjoy and influence that hip-hop culture," he told the Associated Press. "It's exciting because we believe that we can do it."
McMillan said the magazine will have a "multigenerational" focus and include regular sections on lifestyle, travel, education, business and other topics.
The new 20th anniversary issue features four separate covers of hip-hop pioneers LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Queen Latifah and Nas, photographed by director Spike Lee.
"We shared with him what we were trying to do, the vision of hip-hop and where we thought it needed to go, and he thought it was refreshing and clever," McMillan said of Lee, a client.
Articles inside include a discussion with professors Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson, led by Public Enemy's Chuck D.
"We're just going to expand on what The Source has always done well," said McMillan, adding that music will be "a core focus but not 80 percent of the book."
"I think that what we're trying to do is evolve it as hip-hop has evolved and become an international force, to evolve it without losing its core essence that was the centerpiece of its earliest beginnings and greatness. But it has to evolve, just like hip-hop has to evolve," McMillan said.
'TOP MODEL' FEATURES ITS FIRST TRANNIE: Cycle 11 to include 22-year-old woman who was once a man.
*The new season of "America's Next Top Model" will feature 22-year-old Isis, who revealed to Us Weekly that she was born a man and has the distinction of being the show's first ever transgendered contestant – that we know of.
The Maryland native was initially described in a CW press release as a program assistant at a nonprofit organization in New York. But she recently revealed to Us Weekly that she is "a woman born physically male."
"My cards were dealt differently," she added.
Isis and the 13 other contestants join host and executive producer Tyra Banks for the show's new season, which kicks off Sept. 3 with a two-hour premiere.
Isis won't be the only transgendered star on a reality show this season. Sean "Diddy" Combs opened the door last week with Laverne, one of the contestants vying for a job with the mogul on his VH1 series "I Want to Work for Diddy."
LISTEN TO BRANDY'S NEW SINGLE: 'Right Here (Departed)' is the first release from her upcoming fall album.
*A new single from singer-actress Brandy hit the Internet yesterday afternoon, marking her first official release since 2004's "Afrodisiac" album.
"Right Here (Departed)" from producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is a mid-tempo track that will appear on her upcoming CD "Human," due in the fall.
It's also the first effort from the singer-actress since her Dec 2006 car accident on a Los Angeles freeway, in which a woman was killed. The City Attorney's Office decided in December not to file misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges against her.
In "Right Here (Departed)," Brandy sings on the chorus: "When you feel you're heart's guarded / And you see the break's started / And when the clouds have all departed / You'll be right here with me."
"Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can't describe," the singer says about her upcoming album.
Listen to "Right Here (Departed)" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLA3bx7k3cg
D-WADE SUED BY BUSINESS PARTNERS: Point guard allegedly failed to promote restaurant chain as promised.
*Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has been sued for $25 million by two businessmen who said they contributed money to the development of a restaurant chain bearing his name, but he failed to do his part by promoting the venues.
The two partners - West Palm Beach restaurant developer Mark Rodberg and Fort Lauderdale-based British mogul Richard von Houtman – said they've spent millions purchasing 13 Florida venues to be transformed into D. Wade’s.
They said more cash was spent to buy a $350,000-plus Rolls-Royce with Wade’s Heat number, 3, etched in the center of the wheels. Another $30,000 was used to throw Wade a lavish birthday bash in January, they claim.
According to the lawsuit, Wade’s licensing agreement with the duo includes four visits a year in each Florida restaurant, plus the VIP openings. He also was to provide memorabilia. For his “trouble,” Wade was to be paid $1 million in five years in addition to being handed a 10 percent stake in the company.
But Wade didn't follow through on his end of the deal, the pair allege.
“He didn’t even show for the VIP opening in Boca,” a source told the Palm Beach Post. “In Fort Lauderdale, he went once for a private party and stayed in the VIP area without mingling with the fans.
VH1 ANNOUNCES NEW HIP HOP HONOREES: Annual ceremony to fete Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort.
*Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort will be saluted by VH1 for their fifth annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors," premiering Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 10 p.m.
"Now in its fifth year, the 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors' has come to represent the pinnacle of innovation and achievement in hip hop music," said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1. "This year's five honorees are no different and are being recognized for their significant contributions to hip hop culture and for helping to elevate hip hop into a truly global phenomenon."
Hosted once again by Tracy Morgan, this year's musical celebration will feature a host of current rap stars performing musical tributes for the honorees.
On Sept. 19, VH1.com will launch its dedicated "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" Web site with honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more at www.HipHop.VH1.com.
LIL JON IS READY FOR THE 'WORLD': Putting 'crunk' to the side, producer says new album will show he has broader appeal.
*Lil Jon says he has a fresh new sound to go along with his restructured record deal with digital entertainment company The Orchard. He says the music will prove to fans that his talent extends far beyond the crunk genre he helped to create.
"It's not just music for the United States: It's world music," Lil Jon explained to the Associated Press. "I'm touching so many different kinds of people on this album as well as keeping my core fan base at the same time."
His forthcoming CD was supposed to be titled "Crunk Rock," but Lil Jon says he may change the name to reflect the album's new direction — and his new freedom.
"It's totally given me a new energy, a new everything," he said of his release from TVT Records, which was bought by The Orchard. "When you have a lot of stress and negativity around you, when you cut that away, you cleanse. ... I'm starting over, basically."
Lil Jon, 37, is reportedly working with dance acts, soca musicians and rock stars on the new album.
"I want people to say it's a breath of fresh air from everything that's out there," he says. "It's still going to be me and what they know me for, but it's still going to be newer."
FOX NEWS CHANNEL TO AIR CANDIDATE DOCS: Documentaries on Obama and McCain to feature interviews with friends and colleagues.
*The Fox News Channel announced it will air documentaries on Barack Obama and John McCain that will explore the character, lives and actions of each presidential candidate.
According to Reuters, "2008 Presidential Character and Conduct" will premiere at 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday – taking over Bill O'Reilly's "The O'Reilly Factor" spot while he's on vacation – and feature interviews with family members, friends and associates from their early days as well as colleagues in the Senate.
"This is an in-depth, detailed examination that's beyond what has been broadcast in terms of these typical type of biographies," said FNC anchor Eric Shawn, who will host the McCain documentary on Tuesday. Obama's doc will air Monday with host Bill Hemmer.
Neither special will feature interviews with the candidates themselves. The focus, said Shawn, is not what the candidates say but what they do when faced with challenges.
Hemmer added: "The voters are evaluating these men, Obama and McCain, and I believe these documentaries are terrific learning tools by which people can watch and learn, discuss and decide."
OLYMPIC ROUNDUP: Blake beats Federer; Venus and Serena bounced; Redeem Team advances; China loves Kobe.
*The U.S. Olympic Tennis Team had a rollercoaster day Thursday that saw the exit of both Venus and Serena Williams, and the stunning victory of James Blake over the No. 1-ranked men's tennis player, Roger Federer…in straight sets.
"If you play him enough times, he's bound to have an off day," said Blake (No. 8), who had won only a single set in eight previous matches against Federer. "I proved that I played with the best tonight, and it couldn't have happened to me on a better stage."
Blake, now one match away from the gold medal round, will meet No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in the semifinals. The 28-year-old first-time Olympian is the lone U.S. male to survive the first round of singles.
Meanwhile, both Williams sisters lost their quarterfinal matches. Serena, seeded 4th, fell to No. 5-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. "There's no reason I should have lost," Serena said afterward. "I missed some key shots that I probably shouldn't have missed. That was that."
Venus, the reigning Wimbledon champion, lost to Li Na of China 7-5, 7-5 in a match that was delayed for 3 hours, 35 minutes because of rain. "She played the match of her life," said Venus. "Not much I could do about it. So it was definitely a surprise result for me."
Elsewhere in Beijing, the U.S. men's basketball team advanced to the medal round Thursday with a 92-69 win against Greece. Kobe Bryant, who entered the game shooting just 37 percent in the first two games, was 7-for-14 from the field and finished with 18 points. Chris Bosh also had 18 points, Dwyane Wade added 17 and LeBron James had 13.
The so-called "Redeem Team" (3-0) will face world champion Spain Saturday night. The winner will earn the group's top seed for the quarterfinals.
In other USA Men's Basketball news, team member Kobe Bryant has the top selling jersey in China of any NBA player for the second year in a row, the league announced without revealing sales figures.
ELVIS MITCHELL CAUGHT UP AT THE BORDER: New York Times critic had $12,000 in cash crossing Canadian/U.S. line; Feds confiscate.
*New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell has some explaining to do. The U.S. government filed an application to keep $12,000 cash seized Friday from the writer when his taxi crossed from Toronto into his hometown of Detroit.
U.S. law requires any traveler carrying more than $10,000 in cash to report it to authorities. According to Canada's Windsor Star, Mitchell had $12,000 stuffed in a cigar box, along with 15 illegal Cuban cigars.
"He gave us a declaration for $80 and they found $12,000 and the cigars," said border patrol chief Ron Smith.
Mitchell, currently promoting his forthcoming HBO documentary "The Black List," told the New York Post's Page Six that he "grabbed the wrong box" from his apartment. "I have a fear of banks, so I keep cash in my house and I grabbed the wrong box. I took it into the country and out. The cigars, well I should have smoked them before I left."
Mitchell said his lawyer is currently working to get his money back. "He's filed papers and within the next few weeks I'll probably get it back," he said, adding he was "embarrassed" by the situation.
"Apparently a black man with dreads can't carry that much cash, but I think there are a few worse things to be embarrassed about. I haven't cheated on my wife like some in the news," Mitchell said.
U.S. MINORITIES TO BECOME MAJORITY IN 2042: Date is eight years sooner than previous estimates from U.S. Census Bureau.
*The U.S. Census Bureau is now projecting that minorities will outnumber white people of European descent in the United States by the year 2042 - eight years sooner than previous estimates.
According to the census bureau's statistics, people identifying themselves as Hispanic, African-American, Asian, American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander will become the majority by 2042.
The big change is among Hispanics and Asians whose share of the population is set to double to 30% and 9%.
The black population, including those of mixed race, will show a slight increase from 14% to 15% of the total.
Hispanics will see their population nearly triple from 47 million to 133 million, causing their share of the population to increase from 15% to 30%. Asians will also see a big increase, with their numbers growing from 16 million to 41 million. Single-race Asians will account for 8% of the population and 9% including those of mixed race.
The projections show that the US population is expected to rise from 305 million people to 439 million by 2050. In the same year, minorities will account for 54% of the population and non-Hispanic whites 46%, down from their current 64.7% share, according to the stats.
Immigration and higher birth rates among US minorities, especially Hispanics, are accelerating the demographic changes.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening August 15, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
Fly Me to the Moon (G) 3-D animated adventure about three flies (Trevor Gagnon, Philip Daniel Bolden and David Gore) who stow away aboard Apollo 11 during its historic spaceflight in order to be the first insects on the moon. Voice cast includes Christopher Lloyd, Adrienne Barbeau, Ed Begley, Jr. and Kelly Ripa.
Mirrors (R for nudity, profanity, violence and disturbing images) Kiefer Sutherland stars in this remake of a Korean horror flick (into the Mirror) about a night watchman who finds himself confronting a malevolent force which is using mirrors to terrorize his family. With Paula Patton, Amy Smart
and Frank Mayers.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG for smoking, mild epithets, and non-stop sci-fi violence) Animated adventure chronicling the heroic exploits of the Jedi Knights in another epic, intergalactic battle between good and evil. Voice cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee and Ian Abercrombie.
Tropic Thunder (R for violence, drug use, sexual references and pervasive profanity) Ben Stiller wrote, directed and co-stars opposite Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. in this action comedy about actors shooting a war movie on location in the jungles of Southeast Asia who suddenly find themselves in a battle with live bullets after they are mistaken for real soldiers by
guerillas.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (PG-13 for sexuality, smoking and mature themes) Woody Allen directs this romantic comedy about two girlfriends Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson), spending the summer in Spain, who fall in love with the same artist (Javier Bardem), unaware that his unstable ex-wife (Penelope Cruz) is about to reenter the picture. (In Catalan, English and Spanish with subtitles)
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
Anita O’Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer (Unrated) Warts-and-all bio-pic revisits the career of the legendary Anita O’Day (1919-2006), including not only classic footage of the jazz diva performing more than 30 songs, but also discussion of her overcoming a host of adversities which included heroin and alcohol addiction, and several abortions, arrests and failed marriages.
A Girl Cut in Two (Unrated) Claude Chabrol directs this love triangle about a TV weather forecaster (Ludivine Sagnier) who opts to marry the young heir (Benoit Magimel) to an industrial fortune after the middle-aged novelist (Francois Berleand) she’s really in love with who won’t leave his wife for her. (In French with subtitles)
Henry Poole Is Here (PG for mature themes and mild epithets) Luke Wilson plays the title character in this bittersweet comedy about a depressed loner with a dire medical prognosis whose desire for isolation is frustrated by the arrival of strangers who start flocking to his property to pray to the image of Christ which has miraculously appeared on the side of his house. With Radha Mitchell, George Lopez and Morgan Lilly.
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (R for profanity, violence and gore) Horror comedy about a plumber (Trevor Matthews) with unresolved rage from having witnessed the murder of his family as a child who discovers his true purpose in life after awakening an unspeakable evil while working on a professor’s (Robert Englund) pipes.
One Bad Cat: The Reverend Albert Wagner Story (Unrated) Delroy Lindo narrates this Born Again documentary about a controversial, 82 year-old, African-American folk artist who found himself called by God to repent through painting at 50 after having fathered 30 children during a life as a sinner with many mistresses.
The Romance of Astree and Celadon (Unrated) 88 year-old Eric Rohmer directs this pastoral romance drama set in 5th Century Gaul, adapted from L'astrée, Honoree d’Urfe’s historical novel revolving around the stormy, forbidden love which blossoms between a handsome shepherd (Andy Gillet) and a beautiful shepherdess (Stephanie Crayencour) in a world populated by nymphs and druids. (In French with subtitles)
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
“Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.” - by Washington Irving
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Aug. 15: Actor Rondell Sheridan ("That's So Raven," "Cory in the
House") is 50. Actor Anthony Anderson ("Barbershop") is 38.
Aug. 16: Singer Robert "Squirrel" Lester of The Chi-Lites is 66.
Actor Reginald VelJohnson ("Family Matters") is 56. R&B singer J.T. Taylor is 55. Actress Angela Bassett is 50.
Aug. 17: Rapper Posdnuos of Del La Soul is 39. Actor Bryton McClure ("The Young and the Restless") is 22.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
This "fan" blog keeps you current with the latest happenings in the world of Serena Williams, on and off the court. Try it out at:
http://simplyserenawilliams.blogspot.com
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Aug. 15, 1824: Freed American slaves established Liberia.
Aug. 16, 1963: On sale this day was a stamp designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was designed by George Olden, which made him the first African American to design a U.S. postage stamp.
Aug. 17, 1887: Marcus Garvey, the father of the black nationalist and Pan African movements was born on this day in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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