‘Entertainment Tonight’ has learned Jennifer Hudson will sing the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention before Barack Obama accepts the nomination for president. Obama himself had requested the ‘American Idol’ and Oscar winner perform at Thursday’s event at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.
Jeannie Ortega, Ray J, Charlie Wilson: Happy Mother’s Day
Some artists sent out happy Mother’s Day wishes to their MySpace friends over the weekend. Jeannie Ortega writes, “Happy mother days to all the wonderful mothers! Thank God for each and everyone of you. You should all be treasured for you are worth more than the greatest rubies.” Ray J said, “Happy Mother’s Day to mothers everywhere, may your day be special!” Charlie Wilson said, “I wanted to wish all the mother’s out there a happy mother’s day! Stay blessed.”
Amy Winehouse’s Husband Plotting To Cash In And Run Off With Mystery Woman
The Sun reports Blake Fielder-Civil has been getting visits by a mystery blonde while in jail, and the junkie has reportedly been plotting with the woman a scheme to run away with her after securing a chunk of wife Amy Winehouse’s $20+ million fortune. “Just say the word and I’ll dump Amy,” he told his secret lover. “I love you more than I could ever love my wife. You’re all that matters to me.”
At one point proposing to the woman, Blake added, “I’ll leave Amy and we will be rich beyond our wildest dreams. But you have to marry me. Promise me you will and we can be happy.” The news comes as Amy recently dumped him for her manager’s assistant, 22-year-old Alex Haines. Read more.
Aretha Franklin In MusiCares Opening Act Power Play?
At the MusiCares event at the Convention Center in Los Angeles, Aretha Franklin was in full diva mode, according to a New York Post source. The Queen of Soul “refused to have Alicia Keys or Mary J. Blige perform,” fearing she’d be upstaged, according to a source. Instead, a “C-list lineup” of Corinne Bailey Rae, pianist Lang Lang, BeBe and CeCe Ledisi, and Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi provided the opening entertainment.
Jennifer Hudson Has Her Eyes Set On A Grammy Award
People magazine spoke with Jennifer Hudson at a New Year’s Eve event headlined by the ‘Dreamgirls’ Oscar winner in Miami, where the former ‘American Idol’ finalist had Grammy on her mind. “I used to watch the Grammys and dream of winning one,” Hudson said. “Maybe that can be next on my list.” With Hudson set to release her debut album soon, she’s excited about the new year. “I get to sing this year,” she explained. “I love acting and I hope I don’t ever have to choose between acting and singing, but singing is what I worked 17 years to do. That’s what I dreamed of. And I get to do it this year.” Read more.
Was Woman Killed In Brandy Accident At Fault?
A CHP source tells TMZ that Awatef Aboudihaj, the woman who died in the car accident involving Brandy, actually struck the vehicle in front of her before Brandy made any contact with her car. TMZ hears that Aboudihaj’s sudden stop caused the singer/actress to hit her car. Meanwhile, L.A. County Coroner spokesperson Captain Ed Winter added that Aboudihaj’s toxicology report indicated she had “slight traces” of marijuana in her system at the time of the crash. These details have been the hold-up in the L.A. City Attorney’s decision whether or not to charge Brandy. Read more.
Omarion Denies Raz B’s Claims
Former B2K star Omarion has issued a statement regarding the accusations against Chris Stokes made by Demario ‘Raz B’ Thorton and Ricardo ‘Ricky Romance’ Thorton. “I want to be on the record as saying that ‘Raz B’ Thorton and Ricardo Thorton are lying regarding Chris Stokes,” Omari said. “Chris is a father figure to myself, and many others in the industry. He’s guided us, helped raised us and is nothing more than an inspiration and someone I respect to and look up to. I have spent countless hours, days, weeks and months with the man since the age of 5 and have never once seen him behave inappropriately. He’s married to my aunt and I know this man very well. I stand behind him with no question whatsoever. I have grown up around Chris and this is crazy to me. These people have damaged me, and my reputation and I won’t stand silent and will do all within my means to speak the truth about this matter.”
Chris Stokes Responds To Raz B And Ricky Romance Claims
TUG Records boss Chris Stokes is responding to allegations made by his cousins, former B2K star Raz B and his brother Ricky Romance. “The accusations that Demario ‘Raz B’ Thorton and Ricardo Thorton have made are vehemently false and hold no merit,” Stokes said. “I have recently stopped financially supporting both individuals along with assisting them with their criminal and legal matters which leads me to believe they are resentful and looking to benefit financially from this. My family is my first priority and the reason why I have been so supportive of them. In bringing these false claims, they have not only slandered me, they have also put me in a position to ensure that the truth is known and I will take all legal routes to protect myself, my family and my four children. It’s also quite ironic that these statements were made only 2 weeks after they were denied admittance by a venue for an event I hosted in Beverly Hills.”
Omarion & Bow Wow Explain The Toure Incident
RealTalkNY.net caught up with Bow Wow and former B2K star Omarion to explain the Toure incident. “Basically what I tell people is when you step into an interview with 50 or Game or Jay, these are respected guys in the industry, that have been successful and has been in the game for a long time,” Omari explained. “Because we come in as kids and now stepping into adult era, some people don’t give us the respect that men should get. That was one of the situations that Bow displayed, I wouldn’t say an irrational way, but most people would be upset about feeling disrespected. That’s how Bow is, that’s his personality. I’m a little bit more easygoing but I still don’t take disrespect from nobody. That was just a situation we had to walk away from.” YouTube has since removed the video.
Toure’s Omarion Jokes Set Bow Wow Off
Toure caught up with Bow Wow and former B2K star Omarion to discuss their new album ‘Face Off’. Toure was giving the pair a hard time in the goofy clip, suggesting Omari was taking Chris Brown’s moves and asking about “his” ‘Naked’ video, which was a Marques Houston clip. This caused Bow Wow to unleash on the journalist. In a second clip, Bow Wow fumes over never getting a #1 video on ‘Total Request Live’, hoping to end that streak with ‘Face Off’. While Bow Wow raged, Omari said, “I ain’t gonna scream it. I ain’t gonna tell them I’m the best. But, I feel like I’m good, I feel like I’m good at what I do.” Bow Wow promises, “We’re gonna make them respect us.” Video has since been removed from YouTube.
