SPOTLIGHT
March 2, 2007
Victoria's Secret Model Says She Changed Boyfriend Nick Cannon
Victoria's Secret bombshell Selita Ebanks continues to deny she and boyfriend Nick Cannon are married, despite rumors the two got hitched recently. But she's happy to report how she changed the entertainer's player ways since their romance blossomed at a Superbowl pre-party in Miami.
The 24-year-old Cayman Islands native jokes that she had to "clean up" Cannon's act since they’ve been together, but he's "made me the happiest I've ever been," she told People at the launch of the Secret Embrace bra in New York City on Wednesday. Cannon told People magazine at the Vanity Fair Oscar party that he's "no longer a player. She changed everything."
Denzel Washington Directs New Film
Denzel Washington is gearing up for his second directorial effort, “The Great Debaters,” based on the true story of a professor at historically black Wiley College in Texas who inspired students to form the school's first debate team in 1935. Washington stars in the film as the professor, Melvin B. Tolson, whose team of skilled debaters went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in mid-May, according to Production Weekly, with “Stomp the Yard” star Columbus Short in talks to play one of Tolson's students.
Washington will next be seen in the film “American Gangster” as Frank Lucas, the real life drug lord who smuggled heroin into Harlem during the 1970s by hiding the stash inside the coffins of American soldiers returning from Vietnam.
"Lincoln Heights" Renewed for
Second Season
The ABC Family series “Lincoln Heights” is getting a second chance to improve its audience. The network has renewed the drama for a second season with a 10-episode commitment.
"Lincoln Heights," starring Russell Hornsby as a cop who moves his family back to his old neighborhood, struggled for viewership in its first season. But it rated well with women 12-34 during its premiere, according to Variety.
The first season dealt with the family’s transition from the suburbs to their new home in an impoverished,inner city. While Dad was settling in, the kids were trying to fit in at their new schools. Daughter Cassie also had to deal with her crush on a new white kid in school.
Naomi Campbell Apologizes for Cell Phone Debacle
Model Naomi Campbell says she is sorry for losing her temper and hitting her maid with a cell phone over a pair of missing jeans last year.
"I felt very remorseful for having thrown the phone at someone that didn't deserve it," the 35-year-old supermodel tells the TV show "Extra" in an interview that was set to air Tuesday. "I have a deep sense of shame for the things I've done."
Campbell says "tiredness, lack of sleep (and) just so many things" caused her to act irrationally. "I was being really destructive to myself. ... I didn't know how to reach out," she says. "It was a really scary time."
Campbell pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault last month for hitting Ana Scolavino in the back of the head with the phone last March. Scolavino was treated for a head injury. In exchange for her guilty plea, she was ordered to pay Scolavino's medical expenses of $363, do five days of community service and attend a two-day anger-management program.
March 1, 2007
Isaiah Washington Hires Gay Rep
"Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington, who was recently at the center of a storm after his use of an anti-gay epithet, has now signed with an openly gay rep. Washington's new spokesman is PR veteran Howard Bragman and his firm, Fifteen Minutes. Bragman also represents former NBA player John Amaechi who also came out of the closet in his autobiography, "Man in the Middle." In an online statement, Bragman said of his new client, "Our work with Isaiah is about his future -- not the past. There is an important dialogue in our society about diversity that needs to happen, and Isaiah is uniquely positioned to be the catalyst for this."
Djimon Hounsou Models for
Calvin Klein
"Blood Diamond" star and two-time Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou will return to his roots this fall as a featured model in the fall ad campaign for Calvin Klein Underwear. Beginning in September, Hounsou will be featured in Calvin Klein Underwear’s global print and outdoor advertising imagery in support of its latest product line, Calvin Klein Steel. The Fall 2007 campaign will launch internationally in more than 20 countries with print and outdoor media timed to coincide with September 2007 magazine issues.The African-born actor was discovered by fashion designer Thierry Mugler after he moved to Paris from his native Benin at the age of 13. “As a child growing up in Africa, I could have never dreamed that I would be where I am today,” Hounsou said in a statement. “Representing such an iconic American brand like Calvin Klein Underwear signifies to me that I have been accepted. This carries more meaning for me than you can imagine. Dreams really do come true.”
Destiny Child's Member Joins the "Color Purple" Cast
Michelle Williams, formerly of girl-group Destiny's Child, has been cast to play Shug Avery in the national tour of "The Color Purple" when the production leaves Broadway. Willliams will debut in her role in Chicago on April 17. "This is just a dream come true," Williams said. "I could not pass up the opportunity to do The Color Purple. To have the privilege of even auditioning was an honor for me." Williams, who is from Rockford, Ill., previously played the title role of the Elton John-backed Broadway production of "Aida."
Feb. 28, 2007
Janet Jackson Joins Tyler Perry Film
Janet Jackson has plans to star in Tyler Perry's next feature film, "Why Did I Get Married." It's been six years since we last saw the mega-star on the screen, when she last appeared in "The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps," opposite Eddie Murphy.
Based on Perry’s stage play about a couple who goes away with friends every winter to examine their marriages, "Why Did I Get Married" also stars Sharon Leal of "Boston Public" fame and singer Jill Scott.
Shooting is set to begin March 5 in Whistler, British Columbia, Vancouver; and then Atlanta, where Perry recently opened his own studio, reports Variety. The filmmaker is writing, directing and producing the picture for Lionsgate.
Underwood Goes Behind the Camera
Actor Blair Underwood is set to direct his first feature, “The Bridge to Nowhere,” an independent drama starring Ving Rhames in the story of four blue-collar men who team with a destitute prostitute to create a high-priced escort service. Oh my!
The film is scheduled to begin next month in Pittsburgh with Kristoff St. John of the CBS soap, “The Young and the Restless,” as one of the film’s producers. The project is under Smithfield Street Productions, headed by Mike Wittlin and Brian Hartman. Underwood, currently starring in CBS's "The New Adventures of Old Christine," isn't a complete novice behind the camera. He has directed five music videos and a short film called, "The Second Coming."
Next up, the actor is producing and starring in supernatural thriller "My Soul to Keep" for Fox Searchlight and producing the TLC series "Easy Money" with partner Tommy Morgan Jr. for their company, Intrepid Inc. He is also slated to star in the upcoming HBO series "In Treatment."
Feb. 27, 2007
Bobby Brown Arrested Again!
Bobby Brown has been arrested again in Massachusetts for failing to appear at a child support hearing in October. The reality star was apprehended at Attleboro High School on Sunday night, on a warrant for failing to appear at the hearing. He was in town to watch his daughter Bobbi Kristina at a cheerleading competition. In October, Brown paid $11,000 in delinquent child support after being threatened with arrest if he stepped back into Massachusetts. He owed over two months of payments to Kim Ward, the mother of two of his teenage children, LaPrincia and Bobby III. In June 2004, Brown was sentenced to 90 days in prison for missing three months of child support payments, which was suspended after he immediately paid the $15,000 he owed.
Murphy "Storms Out" After Oscar Loss
Dreamgirls star Eddie Murphy was so devastated after losing the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award to Alan Arkin he stormed out of the ceremony, according to press reports in the US, including Roger Friedman of FoxNews.com. Murphy was the favorite to win the Oscar, which instead was awarded to Little Miss Sunshine star Arkin. The 45-year-old tried to downplay his disappointment telling American publication Us Weekly, "It's fine. It happens. It's OK." But shortly thereafter, Murphy and girlfriend Tracey Edmonds left the show and didn't return. Murphy missed out on his Dreamgirls cast mates Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose performing songs from the film, as well as Hudson's win for Best Supporting Actress.
Dutton To Join The Cast of "Suspect"
Actor Charles S. Dutton has been tapped to join the cast of ABC’s "Suspect," a drama pilot also featuring Michael Ealy. Dutton has been tapped to play Detective Joe Sampson, who worries constantly about his weight and is the most emotional among his colleagues. Each episode of “Suspect” would introduce viewers to possible suspects in a case, then narrow them down to the actual criminal. The pilot will be directed by Madonna’s husband, director Guy Ritchie. Dutton most recently made a guest appearance on Ealy’s Showtime series, “Sleeper Cell.” He will next be seen in the feature, "The Third Nail."
"Roots" To Be Re-Released On DVD
"Roots," still the No. 1 mini-series of all time, will be re-released on DVD in a 30th Anniversary Special Edition on May 22. The package includes an additional bonus disc of special features and will retail for $59.98. When it first aired in 1977, 80 million viewers tuned in to watch the slave drama based on the African roots of author Alex Haley.
Ice Cube To Work On "Sunday"
Ice Cube is set to star in "First Sunday," a comedy film directed by playright David E. Talbert, according to Variety. Cube will play one of two theives who attempt to steal money from a church. Filming will be begin May 14 in Los Angeles and Baltimore.