Sept. 3, 2007

One Mo' Time

Pint-sized vocal powerhouse Lil' Mo (real name Cynthia Loving) has lived her life like an open book. The singer's on-again, off-again marriage to entrepreneur Al "Gus" Stone has been documented in multiple Sister 2 Sister cover stories, and is the basis for many of her previous hit songs.

After announcing this past April that they intended to reconcile, Mo and her husband, whom she met at a Washington, D.C.-area gas station, have officially called it quits, again.

"We are officially over! Paperwork and all! It didn't work out and we've been back and forth because we realize we are two good people who made bad decisions and have parted amicably. We have been a part for a while and just never told anyone because that is the one thing we should have kept private but didn't. We realized you can't be together just 'cause your friends say y'all look cute together," she told me during her album release dinner last Tuesday at the home of her business partner Russell Webster in Washington.

The singer said she has no regrets about being so public with her whirlwind marriage and sharing personal nuances of her life. "I have nothing to hide," she explained, before adding: "But the only thing about publicity is it that [the magazine stories] never come out when it happens. It's always after the fact. So you may see me and think stuff is cool and be like 'What happened?' I can be at the lowest point in my life, but you won't see it in my face."

Mo and Stone have two daughters together, Heaven, 5, and God'iss, 2.

The Baltimore, Md., resident did admit that her approach to love might be a little carefree. "I get attached too quick and let go just as fast," she confessed. So it's no wonder that Mo is dating and engaged to an aspiring gospel singer named Phillip Bryant.

"I'm happy," she beamed. "That is all for now because it is a fresh relationship. I don't want it tainted and I want it as drama-free as possible. I allowed a lot of drama in prior relationships that I gave up on love! I'm still undecided on a lot of things, so we shall see what happens. I totally respect him as a man. I can say I've never been able to be a lady until now... Really I'm in no rush. But why wait? If it works, it works! If it doesn't at least we tried."

A pending marriage isn't the only thing new in the Mo's life. The singer released her junior album, 'Pain & Paper,' on her own label Honeychild Entertainment (in partnership with DrakeWeb Music Group/Koch). "I took it there on this album from top to bottom. I opened up and let go of a lot. It's maturity and it's on my own label," she said about the CD.

The project was lead by the single 'Sumtimes I,' featuring Jim Jones, in addition to a remake of the Shirley Murdock classic, 'Husband.' The album also has a track called 'Yougin' that features Da Brat, which some have suggested was inspired by a crush Mo had on singer Omarion.

"It's not totally about him," she laughed sheepishly, "but it can be! It's the older woman, younger man syndrome that is the new epidemic. I've seen Omarion from the age of 15 until now. He has grown up! I see him totally different as a man! I consider him my l'il brother so I won't cross that line, but the new thing we say 'round my parts is, "That's that O right there!" He's your younger man for your mature situation and he helped Stella get her groove back, believe that!"

Model Behavior

37-year-old supermodel Naomi Campbell is readying retirement, but not before going out with a bang. The trouble-prone catwalk queen, known for busting assistants in the head with telephones, is speaking out about prejudice against black models by the glossy fashion magazines.

Campbell recently told a group of Kenyan journalists that fashion publications are "sidelining black beauties."

"Black models are being sidelined by the major modeling agencies. It is a pity that people don't appreciate black beauty," she said during her visit to Nairobi. "Even myself, I get a raw deal." The statuesque stunner pointed out that at just age 17; she appeared on the cover of British Vogue. Though she appeared on the cover again in 2002, no other black model has hit that mark.

Now Campbell aims to set up a modeling agency in Kenya (I smell a reality show in the making) to help combat discrimination in the fashion world. "I don't want to quit modeling until I find that black models get equal prominence and recognition by the world media and information instruments," she said.

Buzzworthy

'America's Next Top Model' winner Eva Marcel Pigford is dating 'House of Payne' star Lance Gross. The couple appeared together at award-winning Hollywood producer Robi Reed's annual summer cookout, this year at the Los Angeles home of Judge Greg Mathis. "They look very much in love," said one guest. Gross will star in Tyler Perry's 'Meet the Browns.'

Speaking of Reed's must-attend cookout, this year the barbecue bash went down on Aug. 25 and benefited the Black AIDS Institute. Eddie Murphy with fiancée Tracey Edmonds, Don Cheadle, Suzanne DePasse, Derek Luke, Hill Harper, Kimberly Elise, Heavy D, Malinda Williams, Niecy Nash, Nia Long, Tia Mowry, Lynn Allen Jeter, Mekhi Phifer, Kim Porter, Earvin "Magic" Johnson with wife, Cookie; Wendy Raquel Robinson, Terri J. Vaughn, Tatyana Ali, Lauren London, Tiny Lister, Fonzworth Bentley, Kym Whitley, Norwood Young, Reid Johnson and Jonathan Clardy were among those who attended. Reed is one of Hollywood's most prominent casting directors. In addition to recently casting the forthcoming 'Mama I Want to Sing' and producing the upcoming Kirk Franklin biopic, her credits include 'Antwone Fisher,' 'Two Can Play That Game,' 'Soul Food,' 'Love Jones' and 'Girlfriends.'

Guess what happened the day my column ran last week declaring that actress Malinda Williams and her boyfriend, deejay/photographer D-Nice were not engaged? He actually popped the question! On Monday, August 27, D-Nice went to Hillsborough, N.J. to ask Williams' father, Frederick Williams, for his blessing. After getting his blessing, he flew to Los Angeles and asked Williams to marry him, her publicist Lisa Sorenson confirmed. Williams was previously married to actor Mekhi Phifer and the two have a 7-year-old son. D-Nice has an 11-year-old daughter.

Gospel jazz artist Ben Tankard is headed to the NBA almost 18-years after he was initially drafted by the league. (Tankard was unable to play then because of knee injury.) The musician, who pastors the Destiny Center Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and is credited for discovering Yolanda Adams, will work in the Player Development division of the NBA, where his focus will be praying with athletes. Tankard latest album, 'Let's Get Quiet: The Smooth Jazz Experience,' was released this past March.

Controversial best-selling author J.L. King has joined Restoration Stage Inc. to present an inspirational musical called, 'The Truth (About the Down Low).' The production, already available on DVD at www.restorationstage.com, confronts sexual secrets within relationships, strong love within families and the compassion of women. The stage play, directed by Courtney Baker-Oliver and written by playwright Steven A. Butler Jr., combines the misconceptions about alternative behaviors, the drama inherent in families and the significance of spiritual growth with humor and song. The show will play Sept. 13-16 in Miami, where King will host an opening-night pre-performance VIP reception, in addition to signing his books each night.

Can't Say Names ...

Former members of this entertainer's entourage are starting the spill the beans and the stories about said superstar's private life are tabloid-worthy at best. From anything-goes sex romps to bouts with domestic violence, the lurid details being buzzed about make the 'E! True Hollywood Story' seem like 'Sesame Street.'

BV Scene

Dave Chappelle, with his wife and two kids in tow, stopped in for some last minute Labor Day shopping at the Solstice boutique at Lenox Mall in Atlanta's Buckhead community. The funnyman picked out two pair of shades, one by Dior Homme, the other Marc by Marc Jacobs. "He was super nice and pleasant and joked around with the Solstice stylists," said one employee ... Soon-to-be divorced comic Tracy Morgan was spotted checking into the Renaissance Chicago Hotel on Wacker Drive ... Former 'Wendy Williams Experience' sidekick/producer Artie "Life of the Party" Evans having lunch at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Philadelphia.