Tag-Archive for » Jet 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.
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.
Actress Nia Long is on the cover of the new issue of Jet magazine. She’s talking about being 40 and fabulous.
Della Reese is returning to TV in the ABC show Hallelujah from Desperate Housewives Creator Marc Cherry. Reese’s last show was the CBS hit Touched By An Angel.
Former Prince protégé Vanity has written a tell all book. Vanity is now an evangelist, and she goes by her birth name Denise Matthews. The book, Blame It On Vanity: Hollywood, Hell and Heaven, talks about her life in Hollywood, the music business and her battle with kidney disease.
Shirley Strawberry, the co-host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show, is telling all in her new book The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice Because Bitterness Is Not Sexy. The book features the best of the Strawberry letters along with her advice and what it’s like working with Steve Harvey.
Tyra Banks is dropping her last name. The host of America’s Next Top Model just wants to be known as “Tyra.” Tyra is embarking on some new business ventures and recently enrolled at Harvard to take some classes.
Look for Record Executive L.A. Reid to join Simon Cowell’s talent show The X-Factor. Reid will be one of four judges. Reid was recently the head of Def Jam Records, and years ago he started his career with Babyface in the group The Deele. I hear Paula Abdul may be next in line to join Cowell. The X-Factor debuts on FOX in the fall.
Taraji P. Henson has signed on to star in the new CBS drama Person Of Interest. The show is being produced by J.J. Abrams, who brought us NBC’s Undercovers with Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Boris Kodjoe and the ABC show Lost.
Rihanna is the cover girl for the new issue of Vogue, and she looks amazing. The 23-year old pop sensation says she feels comfortable for the first time in her life about her body. Rihanna also talks about her first movie Battleship.
Get ready for the second season of LisaRaye: The Real McCoy. LisaRaye, 43, is dating Music Mogul Devyne Stephens. The new season will focus on her life, her family and new TV show. The second season kicks off April 9th on TV One.
Jill Scott has a new label home. She is now signed to Warner Bros. Records. Her new album, The Light Of The Sun, will be released later this year.