Oct. 10, 2005

Eva Pigford has found love in former 'N.Y.P.D. Blue' stud Henry Simmons. The two have apparently been dating since late August, showing up arm-in-arm for events like 'Fashion Rocks' in New York City and the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards in Los Angeles. The pair was inseparable at the Rape Treatment Center Annual Benefit at a private residence in Beverly Hills last week. "They seem blissfully happy. The way they look into each other's eyes... clearly it's love," said a party guest. The 'America's Next Top Model' winner was rumored to have dated singer Ray J and rapper Missy Elliott, but Pigford adamantly denied both relationships in her recent Essence cover story. Simmons was previously engaged to 'So You Think You Can Dance' host Lauren Sanchez and was reportedly courting TV host Rolonda Watts late last spring.

Could it be splitsville for Usher and his model girlfriend Eishia Brightwell? A source tells us that the two have "definitely split," though the actual reason is undetermined. There are rumblings that Usher could have cheated on Brightwell and another report claims that the amount of time the singer was putting into his upcoming film 'In The Mix' and new label Us Records caused them to grow apart. Whatever the reason, our source is certain "the relationship is a wrap." His rep was unavailable for comment at press time.

Reports surfaced over the last two weeks that soul crooner John Legend is dating BET news personality Jacque Reid. Apparently the story took on a life of its own after Reid and comedian Steve Harvey talked about the sexy news anchor being connected to the singer on Harvey's new syndicated morning show. Reid didn't respond to several requests for comment, however a source close to her explained that it's not actually Legend she is dating, but his trainer. In other news on Legend, after hearing that BET Radio reporter Crystal Shaw was incorporating his song 'So High' into her recent wedding in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the 'Get Lifted' singer recorded her a personal congratulatory message that she included on the wedding CD given to her guests.

I was not the least bit surprised when Black Voices contributor Karu F. Daniels broke the news last Wednesday that Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds and his wife Tracey had announced they are filing for divorce. Rumblings of the couple having marital problems surfaced years ago and only intensified when comedian Huggy Low Down reported during a gossip segment of 'The Donnie Simpson Show' on Washington, D.C.'s WPGC-FM that Mrs. Edmonds was having an affair with Los Angeles Laker guard Derek Fisher. The couple threatened to sue the radio station and publicly shot down the report. Star and National Enquirer both have had separate stories of the two splitting in the last two years, even disclosing that the couple resided in different residences. Whatever the cause of the split and however long they've been apart, the two confirmed their separation in their jointly released statement. "After being unofficially separated for quite some time, it is with deep regret that we announce our permanent separation," read the statement issued by Raymone K. Bain, the crisis control publicist famous for representing Michael Jackson. The Edmonds' went on to say that they are still friends and "will continue to work together in our companies and our various business ventures."

Only time will tell if the "where there's smoke, there's fire" theory is applicable to Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. US Weekly reported last week that they're getting a divorce. Their publicist, Brad Cafarelli, said they are not. One thing is for sure, whatever does happen, it will likely be announced in OK! magazine since the celebrity weekly has an exclusive contract with Simpson. Stay tuned!

Star Turn

Biopics are all the rage in Hollywood since Jamie Foxx's Oscar-winning turn as Ray Charles in 'Ray.' Now there's talk of Mekhi Phifer playing Al Green; Mike Epps portraying Richard Pryor; Regina King has interest in Gladys Knight; and Bill Bellamy wants a go at Donny Hathaway. There has even been discussion of Anthony Anderson transforming into the infamous Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley for the big screen.

Before Dave Chappelle's alleged meltdown this summer -- causing him to walk away from his reported $50 million contract with Comedy Central for the 'Chappelle's Show' without reason -- there was talk of Chappelle starring as Rick James in a biopic about the late singer's life. Chappelle was responsible for James' career resurgence before his death, with the line from Chappelle's skit, "I'm Rick James B--ch," becoming a pop culture catchphrase.

Now that Chappelle's involvement with the project is uncertain, James' goddaughter, actress Nona Gaye, believes if a replacement is selected, it has to be the ideal person. "They better be careful with my godfather and who they pick! 'Cause I'll be mad if they pick the wrong person," said Gaye.

The actress, who currently stars in 'The Gospel,' said the public persona of James is quite different from the man she knew privately. The dynamic extreme of James' personality is what Gaye would like to see captured on film.

"I've known him since I was seven years old. So when he passed, it was very sad for me. I do want whoever plays him to do him justice and not focus on just the sensationalism of what we all know he went through and the stigma that has been attached to him. Because he was a beautiful person, he really was, and he was very kind. People just don't know that side of him. So I hope that whoever plays him gets to show that about him, rather than just focusing on what they know will bring people into the theater," she concluded.

It's likely that Gaye's late father, soul legend Marvin Gaye, will likely be the subject of a biopic of his own some day.

Strong Medicine

As a child, TLC member Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins spent much of her childhood in the hospital and was unable to swim and partake in numerous childhood activities for fear of getting sick.

"I couldn't get any colds or infections without getting really sick. You name it, I couldn't do it. You push me too hard, and I have a sickle cell crisis," said Watkins, now a spokesperson for the Sickle Cell Disease Association, to OK! magazine.

The raspy-voice singer believes the support of her mother made it possible for her to cope with the struggles of fighting sickle cell disease.

"Doctors said I would never have kids, that I would never sing and dance, [and] that I would be on disability my whole life. I have gone against everything they said. My mom always made me feel normal. [She] did not raise me to sit around and wait to be fixed. These are the cards I was dealt, so I try to figure out how to make the best of them," she closed.

Can't Say Names

Sources say a certain music collective has been embellishing information about their reunion effort, hoping to spark an interest. Reports of this group shooting a reality show for UPN are "blatant lies" and that their recording contract with a major label has fallen through. "Apparently they had a deal for a single release. Depending on how well the single faired would determine if they would get a complete record deal. When the single bombed, the label opted not to sign them," a source explained. To make matters worse, a recent promotional tour ended on a sour note because the girls "couldn't afford to be on the road."

Buzzworthy

Fresh off of being honored with her group Salt-N-Pepa during 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors,' Cheryl 'Salt' James is readying the release of her "urban inspirational" hip-hop solo record, 'Salt Unrapped" (GavFam Music). "This is about me giving my testimony, completely straight from the heart," James said of her CD. "It's just me talking about things that I've gone through, where I've been and what I've learned. It's also about what God has meant to me and my life and done for me as well."

Mr. T will star in a pilot ordered by TV Land called 'I Pity The Fool' that will begin shooting this month. The former star of 'The A-Team' and professional wrestling regular -- he was an ally of Hulk Hogan and boxed Rowdy Roddy Piper at 'Wrestlemania 2' -- will be a motivational guru who will use his own varied life experiences as basis for his strategy to help others.

Minnesota gossip columnist C.J., whose daily dish appears in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, is reporting that Prince is facing some physical ailments as a result of years of performing. Prince, whom she affectionately calls Symbolina, is allegedly experiencing health problems consistent with years of doing splits and other amazing dance moves in high heels. "Few bodies, even one as toned as Symbolina's, can withstand that kind of joint pounding in advancing years," said C.J. Prince's attorney would not return her call.

Speaking of C.J., she was number eight on the list of 50 Top Black Women in Entertainment in the premiere issue of Black Noir magazine. Others who made the list include syndicated radio host Tanya Hart (AURN), uber-publicist Simone Smalls (Usher, Lil' Jon), casting director Winsome Sinclair (WSA Casting), communications executive Helen C. Shelton (Ruder Finn Arts & Communication Counselors), gospel internet guru Veda Brown (BlackGospelPromo.com), entertainment reporter Shaun Robinson ('Access Hollywood') and marketing maven Vern Goff. The issue of Black Noir, featuring Vanessa L. Williams on the cover, is on newsstands now.

Heart & Soul magazine is back in business. The health and fitness publication was purchased at auction by Baltimore-based Twenty-First Century Group when former publisher, Vanguarde Media, went bankrupt. With its new theme, "Healthy. Wealthy. Wise.,"publisher Edwin V. Advent says the magazine is on a mission to help African-American women succeed in the areas of health and fitness, finance and mental and spiritual well-being. Yanick Rice-Lamb is the editorial director -- she held the position before when BET owned the glossy. A who's who of experts are contributing content for Heart & Soul, including health and nutrition expert Rovenia "Dr. Ro" Brock, finance expert Michelle Singletary, life coach Valorie Burton, and fitness fanatics Donna Richardson Joyner, Mocha Lee and Nichelle Hoskins. The re-launch issue featuring Toni Braxton should just be hitting the streets.