Breaking News for Black America » Celebrity

Celebrities Celebrating Kwanzaa

NewsOne Staff — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:41:34 +0000

Somewhere between Toure’s new book and Herman Cain’s imploding campaign, post-Civil Rights Era babies are starting to wedge themselves neatly into the blurred definition of pro-Blackness. And while some have reported that Kwanzaa, the only holiday to gain traction as an homage to being distinctly African in homogenized spaces, is on the decline since its launch in 1966, there are still millions of people who celebrate the holiday worldwide. Check out these seven celebrities who have been known to take part in the seven day ceremony.

1. Dr. Maya Angelou, author, poet

2. Chuck D, rapper, author, co-founder of Public Enemy

3. Jim Brown, actor, former NFL star

4. Oprah Winfrey, producer, philanthropist, actress

5. Holly Robinson Peete, actress, singer

6. Synthia Saint James, international award-winning artist (who designed the first Kwanzaa U.S. postal stamp)

7. Angelina Jolie, actress, director (who celebrates variety of cultural holidays in raising her multicultural family of adopted children)

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Disco Singer Loleatta Holloway Dead At 64

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 06:51:40 +0000

New York – Disco singer Loleatta Holloway died Monday evening after battling an illness at 64-years-old. Holloway was known for disco songs such as “Hit and Run” and “Love Sensation.”

“Holloway’s death was confirmed Monday by her manager, Ron Richardson,” SpinningSoul.com reported early Tuesday.

Holloway was born in Chicago, Illinois in November 1946, and began her career singing gospel music with the Queen of Gospel.

Reports of Holloway’s death have spread across Twitter, Reddit, and numerous other sources.

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Film Producer Mark Gordon Uses N-Word Twice On Set

NewsOne Staff — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:03:17 +0000

From Deadline.com
I’ve learned that Lifetime formally notified Disney’s ABC Studios that prominent TV and film producer Mark Gordon six weeks ago used the word “nigger” twice during a table read of the pilot for the Army Wives spinoff.

He did it in front of cast and crew — including two African-American actresses, pilot lead Gabrielle Union and Army Wives series regular Wendy Davis. “Lifetime took all appropriate steps and notified the studio that this is a situation that needs to be dealt with,” an executive tells me.

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Read entire story at Deadline.com

Fantasia Claims Overdose Caused By Sleep Aids And Aspirin

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:27:27 +0000

Fantasia Barrino’s overdose last night was caused by a combination of aspirin and a sleep aid … this according to the “American Idol” champ’s manager.

The rep just released a statement saying Fantasia ingested the medication after feeling “overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the media attention” surrounding her relationship with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Antwaun Cook … who happens to be married.

The statement continues,”Last night, Fantasia was hospitalized. She took an overdose of aspirin and a sleep aid. Her injuries are not life threatening. She was dehydrated and exhausted at the time. Fantasia is stable now. She will be released from the hospital soon.”

The rep also explains that Fantasia “believed” Antwaun Cook when he told her “he was not happy in his marriage [to Paula Cook] and his heart was not in it.”

Here’s the statement in its entirety:

Fantasia has always been an open book. Honesty, self-respect, and personal responsibility are values she wears proudly.

Fantasia believed Mr. Cook when he told her he was not happy in his marriage and his heart was not in it. She believed him when he told her he and Mrs. Cook separated in the late summer of 2009. She believed Mr. Cook when he told her he lived elsewhere.

He even took her there. One of Mr. Cook’s most redeeming qualities was his complete devotion to his children. Fantasia fell in love with Mr. Cook and believed that he loved her.

Fantasia and Mr. Cook dated on and off for about eleven months. The pressure of the constant media attention was hard on their relationship. Fantasia gave inconsistent interviews about the status of her relationship with Mr. Cook because sometimes they were on and sometimes they were off.

When they were on, they spent most of their time together when she was not traveling with work.

Fantasia read Mrs. Cook’s Complaint against Mr. Cook for the first time yesterday. She knows some of the allegations in Mrs. Cook’s complaint are totally false. There are others she strongly doubts. There is plenty she does not know.

Fantasia is heartbroken and is sorry for any pain she may have caused.

Yesterday, she was totally overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the media attention. Last night, Fantasia was hospitalized. She took an overdose of aspirin and a sleep aid.

Her injuries are not life threatening. She was dehydrated and exhausted at the time. Fantasia is stable now. She will be released from the hospital soon. Fantasia is a fighter and a survivor. This is not the hardest thing Fantasia has endured.

Fantasia will be stronger, smarter, and better for it. Her work has always inspired her and served as a source of strength. Her new album, “Back To Me,” will be released on August 24th.

The lyrics to “I’m Here” say it best:

“I Believe I Have Inside Of Me

Everything That I Need To Live A Bountiful Life

With All The Love Inside Of Me

I’ll Stand As Tall As The Tallest Tree

And I’m Thankful For Each Day That I’m Given

Both The Easy And The Hard Ones I’m Livin’

But Most Of All

Yes, I’m Thankful For Lovin’ Who I Really Am”

Fantasia sends her praise to God and her eternal gratitude to her fans, friends, and family.

God is good.

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Fantasia Makes Sex Tape With Married Man

Fantasia Allegedly Overdoses

Whoopi Goldberg Denies Defending Mel Gibson

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:54:49 +0000

From NYpost.com

American comedian Whoopi Goldberg denied supporting Mel Gibson as the “Lethal Weapon” star faced scandal over a series of foul-mouthed and allegedly racist rants, London’s Metro newspaper reported Tuesday.

In an interview with the paper, Goldberg said she did not defend Gibson in comments made to ABC’s “The View” in July, at the height of an outcry surrounding leaked tapes of arguments between him and his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.

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“All I said was that in my opinion, Mel Gibson isn’t a racist. That isn’t sticking up for him,” she said. “I know him, I’ve spent time with him, my family have spent time with him — I’d have noticed if he was a real racist. I didn’t stick up for him but I’ve met real racists and he isn’t one of them.”

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GALLERY: Oprah Winfrey Hosts Met Costume Institute Gala

Iliana Rabun-Wood — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:30:20 +0000

From Associated Press:

Two of the most powerful women in entertainment and fashion teamed up to throw a party in New York City.

Oprah Winfrey and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, and Gap creative director Patrick Robinson co-chaired the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala Benefit on Monday night in New York.

This year’s theme celebrated the American woman.

Stars like Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez were there. Many were accompanied by the designer who dressed them.

Winfrey walked the arrival line with Oscar de la Renta, wearing a navy couture gown by the designer.

She said she looked forward to going into the party and having a few shots of tequila.

Click here to read the full event recap.

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Dr. Conrad Murray: I Have Faith The Truth Will Prevail

Smokey D. Fontaine — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:12:16 +0000

From HuffingtonPost.com:

Dr. Conrad Murray is breaking his silence via a video message posted on YouTube. In his first public address since the death of Michael Jackson, the singer’s embattled doctor thanked supporters for their help in getting him through this ordeal.

“Because of all that is going on, I am afraid to return phone calls or return emails,” he said. “Please don’t worry. As long as I keep God in my heart and you in my life, I will be fine. I have done all I could do. I told the truth and I have faith the truth will prevail. God bless you and thank you.”

Click here for more.

WATCH:

MJ’s Doctor Is Focus Of Manslaughter Investigation

OPINION: Did Jackson’s Music Predict His Own Death?

Smokey D. Fontaine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:25:41 +0000

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When asked to reveal parts of their personalities, musicians and song writers often complain fans and the media do not pay close enough attention to the art that they create. “Let the music stand for itself” or “Listen to the lyrics and you will understand,” is a familar battle cry for a pop star unwilling to open up about their life in an interview.

Ten years ago, Michael Jackson released an album called Blood On The Dance Floor. A commercial failure, the set included a song since buried called “Morphine.” This was the chorus:

Demerol
Demerol
Oh God he’s taking demerol
Demerol
Demerol
Oh God he’s taking demerol

In light of the allegations surrounding Michael’s death, the second verse is even scarier:

He’s tried
Hard to convince her
To be over what he had
Today he wants it twice as bad
Don’t cry
I won’t resent you
Yesterday you had his trust
Today he’s taking twice as much

Written and composed by Michael himself, “Morphine” could just be a metaphorical tale about love as strong as a narcotic, OR it could be a prophetic cry for help from The King Of Pop struggling with growing addictions to painkillers.

In fact, many of the songs that Michael wrote himself, could be read as autobiographical. Bad‘s “Leave Me Alone” is probably the most famous, but it’s the lesser-played tracks that may tell the truest tale. One read of the words to “Childhood” from the HIStory album, will bring you to tears.

Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for the world that I come from
‘Cause I’ve been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart…
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities…
‘Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me…

People say I’m not okay
‘Cause I love such elementary things…
It’s been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I’ve never known…

Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne…

Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?

People say I’m strange that way
‘Cause I love such elementary things,
It’s been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood (Childhood) I’ve never known…

Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
But the dreams I would dare, watch me fly…

Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I’ve had

Have you seen my Childhood….

What do you think? Are there other Michael songs that feel or sound like he could be talking about his real life? Sound off and print the lyrics in the comments…

SURVEY: 8 Out of Top 10 Highly Regarded Celebs Are Black

Smokey D. Fontaine — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:14:25 +0000

From AdAge:

Eight of the top 10 highest-regarded public personalities in America are African-Americans:

10. Tiger Woods

9. Oprah Winfrey

8. Michelle Obama

7. Denzel Washington

6. George Clooney

5. Morgan Freeman

4. Michael Jordan

3. Will Smith

2. Tom Hanks

1. BARACK OBAMA!

Twenty Questions For Obama

Smokey D. Fontaine — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:46:39 +0000

" width="300" height="194" />From Foreign Policy Passport:

He’s the biggest celebrity in the world. And today, after meeting with his economic advisors, he’ll be giving his first press conference as president-elect of the most powerful country on Earth. So, what should the media ask Barack Obama?

I imagine most questions will be related to the transition and cabinet appointments. It seems likely he’ll announce his Treasury secretary, so there may also be some questions related to how Larry Summers, Tim Geithner, or John Corzine whoever that person is will operate during the next few months.

But let’s pretend there will also be time for serious questions about policy and the world. Below, my list:

What type of economic stimulus package would you support and should it go forward before you take office in January?
What are your hopes for the upcoming “Bretton Woods II” conference in Washington?
Do you support a bailout for the U.S. automotive industry? Why or why not?
The world has overwhelmingly rejoiced at your election. Are expectations too high? Are you worried that you will let people down?
Aside from stabilizing the global economy, what are your top three priorities in foreign policy?

Click here for the remaining 15 questions.

Op-Ed: The Myths Obama Must Clear Up

Smokey D. Fontaine — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:03:53 +0000

The Five Myths Plaguing Barack Obama

Senator Barack Obama’s task has become clear as day as the polls tighten, swaying to favor his ticket or McCain-Palin from one day to the next. He is no stranger to the flash, as we’ve seen from the primary season, where a rumble of support helped him win 12 straight primary contests at one point. But the national stage will test his ability to connect with voters outside of his party, the ones who will largely determine victory or defeat. Some criticism of Mr. Obama (both inside and outside of his party) points to problems he has not been able to buck since becoming a candidate. Although some of the claims are poorly justified, they still resonate with voters who are not otherwise inclined to do the research on his biography.

Obama the Elitist

The GOP story remains the same to this day: Barack Obama is a favorite among politicians and cosmopolitan supporters because of his highly-esteemed education, and subsequent rise to the top ranks of Illinois politics. However, when his background is carefully examined, he is far from an elite. After accepting a 12,000 dollar salary in his first year out of the nation’s most prestigious law school, Senator Obama also dabbled in private practice (the real money draw) for only five years, two in New York and three in Chicago. Even in those posts, he worked as a community advocate, mounting voter drives, and organizing job training support for depressed areas. Once he advanced to his fellowship and professor stint at the University of Chicago, he earned 90,000 dollars. As a state senator, where salaries are mandated, he made 154,000 dollars. So from his background in the middle-income environs of Hawaii to the modest family life in Kansas with his grandmother (which included enrolling for food stamps when times were tough), Obama has had only educational brushes with the elite. His first memoir Dreams of My Father flew up the NYTimes bestseller list in 2005, the first real significant income spike as it netted him 1.6 million from sales.

Obama the Muslim

In the world of political theater, image is everything. That theory proved literal for Barack Obama when an image of him surfaced in e-mail chains wearing a turban while visiting his father’s native country Kenya. The e-mail was meant to describe him as an outsider to anyone reading and conflated the fact that Obama attended a Catholic school in Indonesia at six years old while his mother was married to a Muslim man and his current faith affiliation as a Christian. Despite having been listed on school records as Muslim, Barack Obama never professed a faith in his personal life until the late 80s when he married and joined the Trinity United Church.

Obama the Radical Liberal

Senator Obama was allegedly tied to a man named William Ayers, who was part of a group called the Weathermen Underground. Weathermen Underground used radical (and sometimes violent tactics like bombing) to push his radical agenda of government reform in the 1960s and 70s. Ayers has since accepted a position at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he is a tenured professor. When Ayers was at the height of his radical protest movement, Mr. Obama was a mere child. In addition, the men met through a series of fundraisers for an educational organization they were both part of. In other words, their ties were not close and the result of a media fabrication during the Democratic primary race. Barack Obama has denounced Mr. Ayer’s violent past and separated himself from the rumor.

Obama the Foreign Sympathizer

Barack Obama has enjoyed the support of foreign leaders almost overwhelmingly since it was revealed he would win the nomination for his party. In addition, he’s been open about how he would seek to repair the fractured nature of U.S. foreign relations in the wake of our unpopular run under Pres. George W. Bush. Somehow, this had led our leadership (mostly on the conservative side) to question how tough he would be on U.S. enemies. He has stated declaratively that he would respond swiftly to nuclear threats and sanction leaders involved in genocide, and human rights violations designated by the United Nations. The motive for portraying him as soft on terrorism is a scare tactic by opposition forces, invoking the fears still affecting Americans since September 11th. What’s important to note is that since the war in Iraq, the U.S. has only emboldened its detractors by invading and occupying with little regard to terrorist alliances. George W. Bush has admitted, after much harping in the early going, that Iraq and Al-Qaida are not linked in the War on Terror. Barack Obama has favored breaking up the terrorist regime in Afghanistan, long thought to be a training ground for fighters in radical Islam. He also understands that the pressing issues facing Americans have shifted from just homeland security to that and the economic downturn.

Obama the Celebrity

The Senator’s eloquence, once admired in figures like Kennedy, Clinton and Roosevelt, has been used as a sign of his detachment even more than his supposed elitist affiliations. Hollywood celebrities and politicians alike have come out in support of Mr. Obama (not unlike many of the past Democratic candidates). As a public figure, it’s inevitable the other public figures (in this case actors) will endorse him. Barack Obama’s moving speeches caused the media to swoon but has been a double-edged sword as the race winds down. In order for him to take advantage of his larger-than-life image, he must balance it with Ronald Reagan’s ability to be soft-spoken and humble.

If Sen. Obama attends to these delicate image issues, he will not be guaranteed a win by any means but he will give himself a better shot at pushing his actual change agendas. His “Change” message will seem hollow if he is not able to register his populist will with the population that so needs it. If he does not, he will be the radical Islamic elitist Black Panther who lost the biggest contest of his life.