July 17, 2006

Back to Page 1 of the BV Buzz

Jumped The Gun?

So the folks at Essence magazine responsible for the Essence Music Festival say that my report last week claiming that they've already struck a four-year deal to return to New Orleans was premature. Now, I've already started getting my beads ready for New Orleans-and I advise you do the same-but since I like the Essence crew, I'm running the statement they sent me as a courtesy.

"Several cities are being considered for the location of the 2007 Essence Music Festival, and we will make a formal announcement once the decision has been made," said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications, Inc.

Can't Say Names…

Has a certain syndicated morning radio show pulled the plug on a current R&B star's music because they're tired of her antics? My sources tell me that the radio show has taken a frothy tone with said singer, because she has missed numerous radio interviews and promotional appearances with the show. More so, I'm told the singer's "horrible attitude" during an event the show's parent company held out of the country was "way too much." "She was just awful. Her attitude stinks," said someone associated with the show. Now the program, which airs in 20-plus markets, has fallen out of "love" with the singer and vowed "never" to spin her music again.

Buzzworthy

I hear that soul crooner Chico Debarge is dating Marvin Gaye's daughter, actress Nona Gaye. Apparently the couple has been quietly dating for a while now. Speaking of Gaye, the actress will reportedly be joining the cast of NBC's 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent.' Actor Courtney B. Vance-husband of Angela Bassett-is apparently exiting the show. "Sorry, but we haven't made any cast announcements yet," said NBC's Tory Brody. She was just being a crafty publicist playing coy so that the Hollywood Reporter could make the announcement this week.

Congratulations are in order for actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Parker Kodjoe. The couple is expecting their second child this October. The two are already parents to a one-year-old baby girl named Sophie Tei Naaki Lee.

R&B singer Syleena Johnson is engaged to former Sacramento Kings guard Kiwane Garris. The couple got engaged two weeks ago and plans to wed next year. Garris now plays basketball in Europe for Climamio of the Italian league. This will be Johnson's second marriage. She was previously married to a former college basketball player, Marcus Vetts, who was also her manager when she released her debut album 'Chapter One: Love, Pain & Forgiveness' in 2000.

'Access Hollywood' host Shaun Robinson got a special gift from 'Rush Hour' comic Chris Tucker. The $20 million per-movie actor sang a hilarious rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Robinson last week, while she and a group of girlfriends celebrated her 43rd birthday at the Hollywood hotspot Koi. If that wasn't enough, when Robinson and her friends were ready to leave and asked for the check, the waiter told them Tucker had picked up the tab.

Speaking of birthday gifts, talk show host turned actress, Rolonda Watts found out on her birthday last week that her new syndicated talk radio pilot called 'Rolonda & Friends' was picked up by Greenstone Media. Greenstone Media specializes in producing FM talk radio for women. If that wasn't enough, Watts was also renewed as the voice of the court series 'Judge Joe Brown.' Watts is one of the names being tossed around as a possible replacement for Star Jones Reynolds on ABC's 'The View.'

'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson is producing the forthcoming CD of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sam "The Soul Man" Moore. The release, 'Sam Moore: Overnight Sensational,' will bow Aug. 29 on Rhino Records and feature appearances by Fantasia, BeBe Winans, Mariah Carey, Wynonna, Sting, Sheila E., the late Billy Preston and others.

BV Scene

Yes, that was Whitney Houston spotted hanging out with gospel star CeCe Winans in Nashville, Tenn. over the last couple of weeks. In addition to attending services at the Born Again Church, the two were spotted dining at the Cheesecake Factory in Green Hills and at the Pancake Pantry… Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill was spotted shopping at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando, Fla.… The legendary Diana Ross stopped by the New York set of the HBO film 'Life Support' to have lunch with the cast and crew. The singer's son Evan Ross and daughter Tracee Ellis Ross appear in the HBO film that stars Queen Latifah… Jill Marie Jones shopped for a dress on the third floor of Bloomingdale's on 59th Street in New York City… Rickey Bell of New Edition stopped to chat with 'Confessions of a Video Vixen' author Karrine Steffans in Fashion Square Mall in Sherman Oaks, Calif.