Feb. 26, 2007

Relationship Roundup

It's been almost two weeks since Valentine's Day, but apparently love is still in the air. There are so many new couples popping up and rumors of engagements and elopements that I decided to tackle the tough task of keeping up with Hollywood's newest pairings.

I broke news on the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' last week that singer Usher Raymond, 28, and his former stylist turned girlfriend, newly divorced Tameka Foster, 38, got engaged on Valentine's Day. The multi-platinum superstar, who is slated to drop a new album in the fourth quarter of this year, gave the former wife of designer Ryan Glover a 10 karat diamond engagement ring. Foster has three kids-two by ex-hubby Glover. News of their engagement comes just weeks after I wrote about the pair celebrating their newfound bliss.

I saw comic Chris Tucker, 33, at the Black Enterprise Pre-Oscar Party (I'll have details on all of the Oscar parties in next week's column) and asked the $20 million man if the reports were true that he is dating neo-soul singer India.Arie, 30. "India and I are really good friends," said the always pleasant Tucker smiling. (That's Hollywood speak for: "Yep, we're likely dating!") I had heard reports in the past that the 'Rush Hour' star had wed a former Miss South Carolina or someone, but a source close to the actor said that's not true. Tucker did however previously date Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams.

Oscar nominee Terrence Howard, 36, is dating trouble-prone supermodel Naomi Campbell, 35. The odd couple went public with their new romance during Oscar week in Hollywood, being spotted at several high profile events and having dinner at Mr. Chow. According to New York Daily News columnist Ben Widdicombe, Howard was actually by Campbell's side when she was verbally assaulted by Diddy at Jermaine Dupri's post-Grammy bash. (She must not have had a phone around to defend herself.) Let's just hope things work out with this couple and that Howard doesn't do anything to set her off. (Then again, the way he beat down Ludacris' character in 'Hustle & Flow,' Campbell may want to keep things real cool!)

Is there something going on with 'Young and the Restless' star Victoria Rowell and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx? Maybe! I asked the stunning actress about this when I ran into her at the Black Enterprise Pre-Oscar Party and she only offered: "Every time Jamie and I embrace we end up in the papers." (That's Hollywood speak for: "It is what it is but it ain't none of your business!") I'll have more on Rowell in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

R&B comeback kid LeToya Luckett, 24, is dating Washington Wizard player DeShawn Stevenson, 25. The beautiful original Destiny's Child member has been spotted sitting courtside several times at the Verizon Center, where the Wizards play, and now it makes perfect sense. The Washington Wizard guard, who began dating Luckett after taking her to his teammate Gilbert Arenas' birthday party, spoke about the singer to the Washington Post. "We're a couple now. She's a good person. I'm getting better in my basketball, bringing my level up, and she just went platinum with her CD and she's coming up, so it's just working out," he said. Luckett, who will host the upcoming 'Soul Train Music Awards,' previously dated rapper Slim Thug.

According to In Touch Weekly, actress Regina King, 35, is kicking it with New York Knicks hoops star Quentin Richardson, 26. Apparently the two went public with the romance at Ludacris' pre-Grammy bash a few weeks back. Richardson was previously engaged to singer Brandy. King filed for divorce last fall from her husband Ian Alexander, Sr.

Yes, People magazine confirmed that actress Kerry Washington has split from her boyfriend David Moscow. The couple dated for four years and had been engaged for some time.

Last but not least, US Magazine broke news late last week that actor/rapper Nick Cannon, 26, abruptly wed Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks, 24, in Las Vegas during NBA All-Star Weekend. The two apparently jumped the broom while staying at the Palm Casino Resort Hotel and there was no prenuptial agreement in place. Stay tuned to this one... And in other Cannon news, he's rumored to be preparing to play the late tennis great and civil rights champion Arthur Ashe in a forthcoming bio-pic. Ashe, who died from AIDS, was the only black tennis star to win championships in men's singles at the Australian Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon.

Inside Buzz

Could Janet Jackson be headed to Island Records? That's what sources tell me. Now that L.A. Reid has hired Jackson's boyfriend, producer Jermaine Dupri to helm the Island division of Island Def Jam, it is believed his first acquisition will be his girlfriend since her contract with Virgin Records is up. Dupri actually oversaw Jackson's '20 Y.O.' CD, which I describe as a collection of throw-away Ciara singles. Let's hope if Jackson does join the Island roster, she'll have Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis back in the driver's seat and she can record the type of album that fans are accustomed to. In addition, several years back there was rumored tension when Mariah Carey signed her $80 million deal to join Virgin Records, where Jackson had been the marquee talent. Will such tension resurface if the roles are reverse and Jackson joins the company where Carey is reigning as queen? Stay tuned. Despite it all, if Jackson signs to Island and resurrects her recording career, L.A. Reid will be calling himself "The King of Comebacks!"

Buzzworthy

Actress/comedienne Sherri Shepherd, who is said to be the frontrunner for Star Jones Reynolds old seat on 'The View,' will star as a series regular on the David E. Kelly-produced series, 'The Wedding.' The show airs on Fox and Shepherd's love interest will be played by actor Cleavant Derricks.

Darrin Henson, Golden Brooks and singer Deborah Cox all star in the Fox film 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find.' The movie is currently shooting on location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

'American Idol' finalist from 2006 Elliott Yamin will release his debut CD on March 20. Yamin is signed to Sony/ATV Music, the same company that owns the Michael Jackson music catalog.

Former 'Cosby' kid Malcolm Jamal Warner is working on a romantic adventure film, 'Fool's Gold,' opposite Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. Warner plays the villain in this film, which is a departure from his previous work. When not working on films, Warner is out performing with his spoken word/neo-soul collective Miles Long.

Elise Neal, Allen Payne, Treach of Naughty By Nature and MC Lyte star in the straight-to-DVD release, 'Playas Ball,' which is in stores now. The Codeblack film, which also features cameos by Scottie Pippen, Derek Anderson and Paula Jai Parker, is about a 27-year hoops star whose life goes into turmoil because of a custody suit from a woman he's never met.

Singer Lorenzo Owens, who rose to stardom after being a finalist on Oprah Winfrey's 'Pop Star Music Challenge,' has inked a deal for a new Verizon commercial. As a part of Verizon's "Triple Freedom" campaign, Owens will appear in an upcoming Verizon commercial that features his single "Wanna See You Smile" from his CD, 'After the Show.'

Can't Say Names...

Sources are accusing a certain R&B/pop star of becoming a super-diva. Apparently the singer was miffed about a recent magazine cover story and fell out with her publicity rep. In addition, she cancelled a music video shoot because since she already gets comparisons to another singer, she didn't want to be featured opposite that singer's most notorious "collaborator."