Tag-Archive for » Ebony Magazine «
Whitney Houston has checked back into rehab. Houston has a problem, and she realizes she needs help. There have been rumors for a while that Houston has been indulging in drugs and alcohol, but now it has been confirmed. Houston is trying to get herself ready for the movie Getting To Happy, which is the sequel to her box office hit Waiting To Exhale. The original movie came out in 1995, and all the original stars are coming back for the sequel (Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon). Forest Whitaker will be directing, and Terry McMillan just finished the movie script. Will Houston be ready to step in front of the cameras? Can she beat her addictions? The past year has been rough for her. Her daughter with Bobby Brown, Bobbi Kris, has been a nightmare with wild partying and drugs. Her ex, Bobby Brown, has remarried and has started a new family. Houston’s last tour overseas was rocky, so she needs this movie. Her rehab is on an outpatient basis. When she is in public, she has a sponsor who monitors her moves.
Steve Harvey Chris Rock and Mo’Nique grace the new issue of Ebony magazine. The cover is hot as the magazine undergoes a new design. I love the new look of Ebony and the revised contents. Hats off to Amy DuBois Barnett and her amazing staff! Since I mentioned Chris Rock, he’s headed to Broadway playing a drug counselor in the production The M***F*** With The Hat (yes that’s the title). Previews kick off March 15th, and the play ends June 26th. Steve Harvey is gearing up for his Foundation’s Gala on April 4th in New York City. Sherri Shepherd will be co-hosting and honorees include Tyler Perry and Chris Rock and his wife Malaak.
The new issue of Ebony magazine celebrates their 65th anniversary. The cover features Samuel L. Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Nia Long, Usher and Taraji P. Henson. This issue is a collectors’ edition. The inside photos are great as they recreate famous Ebony covers of the past. There’s John Legend as Duke Ellington, Mary J. Blige as Diana Ross, Regina King as Eartha Kitt, Samuel L. Jackson as Martin Luther King, Jr., Yolanda Adams as Mahalia Jackson, and Usher as Sammy Davis, Jr., just to name a few.
No Deal for Magic and Johnson Publishing. It looks like the likelihood of Earvin Magic Johnson buying Johnson Publishing is no longer in the offing. In a statement, Johnson admitted an affiliate of his company held “advanced discussions” to buy Johnson Publishing Co., the owner of Ebony and Jet, but was unable to reach an agreement. Johnson says he remains interested in African-American media, but currently isn’t disclosing whether he is looking at other properties: “I would like to salute Linda Johnson Rice and the Johnson family for pioneering the iconic brand of the Johnson Publishing Company, which we have all come to love and respect. Ebony and Jet have been permanent fixtures on coffee tables in African-American homes for many years. Recently, an affiliate of Magic Johnson Enterprises and Johnson Publishing Company were in advanced discussions to do business together, but unfortunately we were unable to reach a definitive agreement. We will continue to look for opportunities to invest in African-American media.”
Meanwhile, Wendy E. Parks, Johnson Publishing Co. spokeswoman, issued this statement to Journal-isms: “Our team of advisers have continued to explore a wide range of options to leverage our iconic Ebony and Jet brands and sustain our leadership position in the marketplace as the No. 1 African-American-owned publishing company in the world. As a privately held company, we are unable to discuss specifics of our discussions with potential partners.” Ad revenue at Johnson Publishing’s Ebony magazine declined 38 percent to $35.5 million last year on a 39 percent drop in ad pages, according to Publishers Information Bureau. Los Angeles-based Magic Johnson Enterprises, has partnerships with several companies including Starbucks Corp., 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide Inc. and T.G.I. Friday’s Inc.
In more Oprah news, now that they have mended their fences will The Mighty O give Author Iyanla Vanzant a show on the OWN network? In the 90’s, Iyanla was a fixture on The Oprah Winfrey Show, but she left to work with Barbara Walters for her own show and it failed. Vanzant realized she made a terrible mistake, and has asked Oprah for forgiveness. The Oprah shows featuring the two were incredible and touching. It was good seeing these women come together. Will Oprah embrace Iyanla again? We shall see. Oprah is on the cover of the new issue of Jet magazine. Jet is celebrating its 60th anniversary featuring trailblazers and the songs that tell our history.