The Essence of Success

LISARAYE’S REP DENIES SHARPTON HOOKUP: The two hung together over the weekend to promote a new White House Education Tour. LisaRaye’s publicist has denied rampant reports across the black blogosphere that the actress is dating Rev. Al Sharpton. The rumors started flying after the two were photographed holding hands at various events over the past several days. Gossip site Media Take Out on Tuesday said they were spotted looking “cozy” at Roland Martin’s Congressional Black Caucus party in Washington D.C. They were also photographed walking through an airport and at Sharpton’s Monday appearance on “WWE Raw.” But the outings were strictly business, according to Jeter. The two are involved in the Obama administration’s vision of educational innovation and are promoting a tour that will take them through various cites that serve as solid examples of school reform. “LisaRaye is involved in the White House Education Tour with Education Secretary Arne Duncan, former GOP House speaker Newt Gingrich and Rev. Al Sharpton because she has a foundation, Radiant Jewels, that gives scholarships to young girls,” Jeter explained to EURweb exclusively. “So [the White House Education Tour] is a direct tie-in to what she’s already been doing.” The Education Tour kicked off yesterday (Sept. 29) in Philadelphia, with stops booked in New Orleans on Nov. 3 and Baltimore on Nov. 13. And just to be clear, Jeter says that her client and Rev. Al are not an item, Sharpton never counseled LisaRaye through her divorce with Michael Misick as previously reported, and he has never served as her spiritual advisor. “Every time you see LisaRaye with some person, don’t assume that she’s dating them,” Jeter said. “There’s a bigger picture to what she’s doing.”

KHLAMAR NOT LEGALLY MARRIED?: Union reportedly invalid until Lamar Odom’s prenup is hashed out. TMZ.com is reporting that the quickie marriage of Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian is not even valid, and won’t be unless a prenuptial agreement is signed. “We’ve learned two high-powered family law attorneys are already squaring off, trying to hash out the prenup Odom wants as a condition to marriage,” TMZ reported Tuesday. Neal Hersh is representing the Los Angeles Lakers star, while Lisa Meyer is repping Kardashian. “We’re told the negotiations — which began last Friday — are already contentious,” stated TMZ. “Our sources say the couple will tie the knot — legally — once the prenup is inked.”

Yeah you read that right! And trust me…we’re more shocked than you are. TheYBF.com has learned that Al Sharpton has been getting it in for the last few months with none other than LisaRaye. Here’s what we know: A few weeks ago our source (a MAJOR publicist in the industry who shall remain nameless) told us that Al and LisaRaye–both barely divorced–are indeed together now. When we asked the obligatory “WTF?! Why?” The answer is because Lisa knows she’s not getting into any of these “society and political” events without a man who could bring her along. She’s also starved for media attention–surprise surprise–so Al is her “In” into that world. And Al–well he’s just happy to say he can have a chick that looks like LisaRaye on his arm and whose perm looks better than his. The two have been confusingly spotted at a few events together like the NAACP Image Awards and Michael Jackson’s memorial services… I didn’t believe it at first, but at the Congressional Black Caucus events this weekend in DC–Mr. Sharpton was indeed coupled up with LisaRaye as he brought her as his date to every event. they were boo’d up at a Gala afterparty at Toscana West. And we spotted them at the Gala together with friends. We mean holding hands, boo’d up, everything. Shocker…we know.

FACEBOOK POLL ASKS IF OBAMA SHOULD BE KILLED: Survey on social networking site prompts Secret Service investigation. The Secret Service is investigating a poll posted Saturday on the social networking site Facebook that asks if President Obama should be assassinated, with possible answers “yes,” “maybe,” “if he cuts my health care” and “no.” “We are aware of it and we will take the appropriate investigative steps,” Secret Service Darrin Blackford told the Associated Press. “We take of these things seriously.”

At least 730 people took the user-generated poll before Facebook officials found out about it and yanked it down. Results of the survey were not available. The company said the person who created the poll has been suspended from using the site. “The third-party application that enabled an individual user to create the offensive poll was brought to our attention this morning,” said Barry Schnitt, Director of Policy Communications for Facebook. “The application was immediately suspended while the inappropriate content could be removed by the developer and until such time as the developer institutes better procedures to monitor their user-generated content.” “We’re working with the US Secret Service but they’ll need to provide any details of their investigation,” he added. Meanwhile, another Facebook poll has since surfaced, asking “Should the creator of ‘should Obama be killed’ be arrested?”

SWIZZ BEATZ’S WIFE CALLS OUT ALICIA KEYS: ‘You know what you did,’ writes Mashonda in an open letter to the alleged other woman. Singer Mashonda, who says she is technically still married to rap producer Swizz Beatz, has written an open letter to Alicia Keys regarding the alleged relationship she is having with her husband. Rumors of the Keys/Beatz hookup began to circulate in early 2008, after Beatz and Mashonda were separated. According to the Web site Rap-Up.com, Mashonda has been trying to reach out to the Grammy winning singer/songwriter ever since, but never received a response. So, the open letter was the only way she could communicate with the singer. It was sparked by a Twitter message Keys posted on Friday. She wrote: “Having a heated debate n the studio. Question is … N love is it better to go 4 the choice that is ‘SMART’ or the choice that has ‘SPARK’??” Here’s the letter in its entirety, according to Rap-Up.com:

After having a great evening with my son and enjoying some fun twit chat, I decided to sign off and get some work done. However, a few hours later I was advised that I should check @aliciakeys twit page. I’ve never reached out to her on twitter before. I feel our issues are a lot more serious than a website conversation. Not to mention that I’ve reached out to her many times in the beginning of this whole thing, as any wife would do. Unfortunately, I never succeeded in getting a response.

The 1st time I meet AK, my husband introduced us to each other at an event. (I have no choice but to call him my husband, until he is not anymore) In the messages that I sent to her (AK), I made it very clear that on the contrary of what she might be hearing, I am still married to my husband, living with him and just had a child. Its been two years and I still have not received a response.

What I do receive, is constant displays of selfishness and disconcern to me and my son. I was a fan of AK’s last album, we were both signed to J Records and I always checked up on her projects. I sang her songs and admired her for creating Superwoman and Karma, I would never deny her, her talent. I believed in her until I found out she was possibly sleeping with my husband. The affair was denied by both, until it was finally admitted months later.

Already I can hear some of you saying “why are u blaming her, You cant make someone leave their wife, You can’t break something that’s broken.” Well, my marriage was not broken, as far as I knew we were celebrating our sons birth and getting ready to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary . Call it blind love, whatever. I call it being a devoted wife.

As far as me blaming her and not blaming him, that’s false. Me and my husband have worked out our differences. We are in a good place as people and as parents. I accept his choices and I am comfortable enough with myself to move on. I am so very blessed in many ways. My concern with AK is no longer the fact that she assisted in destroying a family but that she has the audacity to make these selfish comments about love and wanting to be with someone, even after knowing their situation. How is this the same Superwoman that I sang out loud with in my truck? I ask myself sometimes.

If you are reading this Alicia, let me start by saying, you know what you did. You know the role you played and you know how you contributed to the ending of my marriage. You know that I asked you to step back and let me handle my family issues. Issues that you helped to create. I’m not saying everything was perfect all the time but no relationship is perfect. We made a vow to God and I believe you should have respected that, as a woman. I know you owe me or my son nothing but I just wish you would’ve handled things more carefully.

I’m not judging you, I put you and the whole situation in the hands of God, the Higher Power. Just know that as a woman, I expected so much more from you. I never had intentions on reaching out to you this way but after reading your twits tonight, and the constant disregard, you left me no choice. I feel that after 1 and a half years of you hiding this affair and acting like it doesn’t exist, that now is the time to confront it, since you talk so openly about it now

This is not a publicity stunt, I don’t have a record coming out. I just need to close this chapter in my life and that means confronting our issues. There is a small child involved. His dad loves him to death and he wants to spend more time with him but he’s afraid because he knows we don’t have a relationship. This is my main concern. My son NEEDS his dad and I NEED to be comfortable with you. For him!

I know many will see my point and many will not be able to look into what’s real because they only want to see Alicia Keys the celebrity, not the human. This is not for the “people”, this is for you. Like I said I was left no choice but to reach out to you this way. By now, I’m sure you want to find a balance in this as well. I read your tweets tonight and I felt they were very insensitive. You have no idea how much pain I was caused because of this affair. Its baffling to me that you don’t understand what I might have gone through with this situation. I don’t consider myself a victim anymore, I’ve learned alot from this! I just ask you to try and be a bit more realistic and delicate to the situation, at least until my divorce is final.

I felt me attending the party would have been a starting point for us, since you shook my hand after I offered it, but I suppose I was wrong. If its so, that you and my husband are meant to be together, then God bless you both and I hope you never have to deal with what I did. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. If you two being together forever is the case, its more of a reason for us to get along, because I’m not going anywhere. There’s a child to be raised.

To answer your tweet, choose smart over spark. Sparks burn everyone, be smart! Its simple actually, just think of the shoe being on the other foot. Stay blessed and let’s work this thing out with respect and dignity.

KANYE HAS ANOTHER TANTRUM: Rapper reportedly riled up over chicken at Common’s charity concert. Gossip blogger Janet Charlton is claiming that Kanye West had a fit Saturday night over food service before his surprise appearance at Common’s benefit concert in Hollywood. As the story goes, West arrived in the green room of The Palladium minutes before he was set to appear as the last act of a star-studded evening, which included Nas, Ludacris, Mos Def, De La Soul, Heavy D and Queen Latifah. Charlton writes: “Kanye walked in and noticed a guy eating chicken. He took offense and blurted petulantly ‘Why wasn’t I offered chicken? It’s not fair – you want me to perform for free – everyone is eating – why am I not eating?’ “A waiter apologized and pointed out ‘You didn’t ask for chicken!’ Well, I’m asking now!” Charlton said other celebrities watched his tantrum in total shock, while his girlfriend Amber Rose” just stepped back and let him rant.” “The waiter rushed him a plate of chicken and Kanye literally took one bite and dumped it before he grabbed the mic and went onstage, leaving everyone shaking their heads,” Charlton wrote.

MOTHERS OF SUSPECTS IN TEEN KILLING SPEAK: They acknowledge their sons in video of beating in Chicago. According to chicagobreakingnews.com, two of the city’s South Side mothers on Monday acknowledged it was their sons who were allegedly involved in the brutal killing of an honor roll student last Thursday. One tearfully said she could not bear to look at the video. The other regretfully acknowledged it was her son on the video depicting the fatal beating of Fenger High School student Derrion Albert, 16. “That’s Gene. That’s my son. I’m not going to lie about that,” said Sherry Smith, the mother of Eugene Riley, 18, one of four teens charged in the attack. “I do give my condolences to that family because (their) child shouldn’t have lost his life over this.” Riley and Fenger students Silvonus Shannon, 19, and Eric Carson, 16, were charged Monday with murder and ordered held without bail. Eugene Bailey, 18, was charged later Monday. A Cook County prosecutor said Albert’s death was a result of a brawl between two neighborhood groups, one from the Altgeld Garden public housing complex and the other from the neighborhood known as the “Ville.”

ESSENCE ATKINS MARRIES HER INTERNET BEAU: Couple jumped the broom Saturday in Pasadena. G. Garvin provided the food. Actress Essence Atkins, best known for her role on the UPN sitcom “Half and Half,” has married her boyfriend Jaime Mendez after meeting him less than two years ago through an online dating site. According to People.com, the wedding took place Saturday at the Ambassador Mansion and Gardens in Pasadena, Calif, The couple met on Valentine’s Day of last year through Match.com. “I wrote him a quick little note that I had read his profile, and then I signed off, Happy SAD Day – that’s Single Awareness Day,” says Essence, 37. A week later the couple went on their first date, and they were engaged a year later. The bride wore a Stephen Yearick gown for the ceremony and an Angel Rivera dress for the reception, according to People. “I felt like a princess,” she says. Her former costar Valerie Pettiford performed original music at the reception. Plus, the bride surprised her husband with a salsa band to celebrate his Puerto Rican heritage. “We’ve been taking salsa lessons. It’s part of what we’ve been doing together as a couple,” she says. TV One personality, chef G. Garvin, blended Puerto Rican and traditional soul food dishes, which included mac and cheese, roasted pork, peach cobbler and plantains. As party favors, guests received match books and travel-sized candles. But singles guests were given six-month memberships to Match.com.

FABOLOUS BELIEVES HE WAS POISONED: Rapper falls ill while driving; calls for an ambulance. Rapper Fabolous used his Twitter page to set the record straight about rumors surrounding his trip to the hospital on Saturday night. The Twitterverse lit up with messages from folks seeking “prayers” for Fab, but did not offer any details. On Sunday, the Brooklyn MC explained that he fell ill while driving and pulled over to call an ambulance. He tweeted: “I’m ok everyone..thanks 4 the concern. I was not in a car accident, but I think i know where it started.. Let me explain. I was drivin yesterday morning & started feeling very sick & felt like I was gon pass out while driving.. I veered off 2 da side of the road.” There, he called for an ambulance to take him to the hospital. “I believed I was poisoned so I checked in & was given medical treatment..a lil sedated so I didn’t tweet but was released 2 go late last nite,” the rapper wrote. In other Fabolous news, the rapper is currently working with Ryan Leslie and Ne-Yo to form a new as-yet-untitled super group, reports Allhiphop.com.

The movie Precious was the big winner at the recent Toronto Film Festival. Precious is the latest project from Filmmaker Lee Daniels. Precious is based on the novel Push by Sapphire. Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry produced the movie, which is about the abuse and the redemption of a teenage girl played by Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe. Mo’Nique stars along with Gabby as her mother. Also featured are a very non-glamorous Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Shepherd and Paula Patton. Last year, Slum Dog Millionaire was the big winner of the festival and wound up winning the Academy Awards for best picture. Will the same happen for Precious? Lee Daniels is a previous Oscar winner for Monsters Ball. Precious opens in theatres November 6th.

Jennifer Hudson says she loves being a mom. Hudson was mum about her status during her pregnancy, but now she is opening up about motherhood. Hudson gave birth to a baby boy, David, Jr., a few weeks ago, and she says being a mother is natural for her. Hudson tied the knot with fiancé David Otunga shortly before she gave birth. The family is growing. It was just announced that Jen’s sister Julia is expecting. The tragic anniversary of their family members’ murders will be marked next month. It was almost a year ago that Hudson’s mother, nephew and brother died in a violent killing.

The Michael Jackson documentary, This Is It, is going to be accompanied by a greatest hits CD. The documentary hits theatres October 28th and features footage from his London rehearsals. The CD will come out at the same time. In other Jackson news, brother Jermaine has been ordered to lie low after his failed attempts at putting together a tribute concert for his brother brought a lot of embarrassment to the family. At this point, they feel Jermaine is out for himself and not for the family. Mom Katherine has been allowed by a judge to contest the will and not be penalized for it. Mom Katherine is challenging the estate because she wants more say on what happens to Michael’s finances.

Everybody is buzzing about the new book on President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Barack and Michelle: Portrait Of An American Marriage goes into detail about life before Obama became the president. One of the problems on the campaign trail was overly aggressive women who felt they could grab onto the future president. The books details silent treatments and how difficult it was for the couple.

Rapper/Actor LL Cool J is on the list of possible nominees to be inducted in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next year. In addition to LL, Donna Summer, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Darlene Love and Genesis are also on the list. The official nominees will be revealed in December, and the Hall Of Fame ceremony takes place next March.

Is the life story of Whitney Houston headed to the big screen? Houston has quite a story to tell, but the big questions remains: who would play Whitney?

Whitney’s ex, Bobby Brown, says he’s too fat and he wants to lose weight. Next year, he will be joining the cast of VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club. Other weight losers include Shar Jackson and her baby daddy Kevin Federline.

Alicia Keys is back with a new song. Doesn’t Mean Anything is the first single from her forthcoming album.

Get ready for the new triple threat. Kelly Price, Tamia and Deborah Cox are joining forces for a new album.

Producers for The Tyra Banks Show are shooting down reports that actors have been hired to portray outrageous guests on her talk show to pump up ratings. Banks is now seen on the CW network, and her ratings have taken a slide since moving to the afternoons.

Jill Scott is coming to the Lifetime network. Scott has signed on to star in the movie Sins Of The Mother, which will air next year. Scott’s last project, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, is now available on DVD.

Actress Jasmine Guy is legally divorced, but she’s also in debt. Guy is best known for her role as “Whitley Gilbert” on the 80’s TV show A Different World. She has just gone through a nasty divorce. Guy got custody of her 11-year old daughter. She also kept the jewelry, furniture and artwork, but the divorce left her finances in shambles. She had to file for bankruptcy.

The Sam Cooke Story is coming to the big screen. Cooke found fame as a gospel artist, but when he crossed over to the pop world, he became a superstar. Cooke was handsome, suave and a smart businessman. He owned the rights to his hit songs A Change Is Gonna Come, You Send Me and Cupid, just to name a few. Cooke died tragically at the age of 33 when he was gunned down in Los Angeles.

The Young And Restless is bringing back a major character, but not the actor who made the role famous. The character “Malcolm Winters” is coming back, but not Actor Shemar Moore. Moore is busy with his nighttime show, CBS’s Criminal Minds. The role of “Malcolm Winters” is being recast with someone new.

The Real Housewives Of Atlanta is a ratings hit for the Bravo network, so look for the ladies to turn up the drama to guarantee a return season.

Halle Berry says is she eating too many burgers. In a recent interview, she disputed claims that she is pregnant again. She says it would be nice, but she is not pregnant.

The Whispers are gearing up for another milestone. The legendary group will be releasing a gospel CD on October 20th. I recently had a chance to interview the guys Walter, Scotty, Leaveil, and Nicholas. They guys say this is a project that they have always wanted to do, and their fans will be pleasantly surprised.

Shaq’s wife Shaunie O’Neal is ready to do more TV. Shaunie is putting together a proposal for an NBA wives reality show.

Mary J. Blige is the cover girl for the new issue of Essence magazine. In the issue, she talks about her foundation helping abused women.

The stars came out for Lionel Richie and a taping of UNCF’s Evening Of Stars. The show airs in January and will feature Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight and Natalie Cole.

Idris Elba, Michael Ealy and Rapper T.I. will be starring in the new movie Takers, which opens in theatres Feb. 19th, 2010.

It’s the 50th Anniversary of Tina Turner and she celebrates with Tina Live, a concert DVD. Tina Live comes out October 20th.

Get ready for the return of Toni Braxton. Braxton’s new CD, Pulse, comes out in February.

Comedian/Actor Mike Epps will be hosting The BET Hip Hop Awards, which will air October 27th on the network.

Get ready for The Mo’Nique Show. Mo’Nique’s new late night talk show, Mo’Nique, debuts Monday, October 5th at 11pm on BET. The show will feature celebrity guests and musical performances. Big Jim & The Penthouse Players house band will be on tap every night. Mo’Nique will also be showing off a new look. She has been losing weight, and so far she has lost 50 pounds.

The Sixth Annual Hip Hop Honors airs on VH1 October 13th. The show will honor the 25th anniversary of Def Jam Records. Tracy Morgan is hosting with performances by Ne-Yo, Public Enemy, The Roots and Mary J. Blige.

Get ready for the Soul Train movie. The movie will take place in the 80’s. From 1971 to 2006, The Soul Train TV show was the hippest trip in America. Now, you can get the DVD set and check out the re-runs on BET’s new Centric channel, which debuts next month.

Bill Cosby is getting honored in October. The 72-year old comic legend is getting the nation’s top humor prize, The Mark Twain Award, during ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Cosby Show Co-stars Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm-Jamal Warner will take part in the ceremony airing November 4th on PBS. Speaking of Rashad, the woman known to millions as “Claire Huxtable” is showing off her new look. Over the past 8 months, the 61-year old actress has lost 35 pounds via Jenny Craig.