Nov. 29, 2005

Having gone from being the beloved balladeer to the alleged "sex addict" who cheated on Halle Berry has been taxing on Eric Benet and even more challenging for his daughter India.

"It's very difficult," Benet confessed, over lunch at the paparazzi-polluted Ivy in Beverly Hills. "And it's very difficult for her. It's always like one of those things about when one of those bad things happen, there's always a really good flip side to it. One of the really good flip sides to all of this stuff and all of this drama was that my relationship with my daughter was strengthened."

Having to explain to his daughter, who turns 13 on Dec. 3, that "daddy is not a sex addict" and preparing her for all of the other rumors that were reported about his split from Berry, has fortified their bond. "It just strengthened the communication tie between she and I. I love my mom and dad, but I never had this kind of relationship [with them]," the singer shared.

Benet, surprisingly, wouldn't turn back the hands of time if he could. "I believe that you only learn and grow to evolve into this person by falling down on your face. You learn how to get back up. You learn how did I trip like that, how could I make sure that couldn't happen like that again in my life and what were some of the mistakes I made that led me to this place. I definitely regret the pain! But at the end of the day, I wouldn't have evolved into the person that I am today," Benet emoted.

Benet is happy that people are finally getting over his past and embracing his music once again. His single, the autobiographical "I Want To Be Loved," has been the No. 2 single at urban adult contemporary stations for nearly four weeks and he's packing concert halls across the country.

"Initially, when the record first came out, a lot of publications and a lot of people were really only interested in talking to me if I just wanted to talk about all the details of this that and the other, which I don't think serves anybody any good purpose. Life in general for me has been one journey of evolution towards being a better man, a better father and a better person. Honestly, I am happier then I have ever been in my life. I don't think there's anything that could ruffle my feathers too much now," he concluded.

Fishy Business

Wonder what Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson cooked for Thanksgiving?

"I just love to fish. I'm a big fisherman. I'm one of those guys. I live close to the Everglades down in Florida. It's just getting away. Life is so crazy and there are so many people around. It's nice to just get away. You are one with the fish," shared The Rock.

And while he loves catching tarpon, bass and bonefish, The Rock said his hobby of choice isn't as easy as it seems. "The fish usually win! Otherwise it would be called catching," he laughed.

Buzzworthy

They're not talking, but somebody is. Numerous sources are spotting Eddie Murphy and 'Access Hollywood' host Shaun Robinson all over Los Angeles together. Single dates, double dates and all kind of dates. I hear this is his first serious relationship since separating from wife Nicole-sightings with Mariah Carey, Robin Givens and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas were all just quick flings-but this relationship with Robinson is the real deal.

Soul duo Kindred the Family Soul was robbed just before Thanksgiving. The Hidden Beach group owns a boutique in Philadelphia called The Kulture Shop that was robbed of thousands of dollars in recording equipment kept in the store. "It's an unfortunate incident that happened that I hope we learn from. We're going to get past it, but I don't think you can go real far on stolen [music] equipment. Karma is gonna get you," said Kindred's Fatin Dantzler.

Is Usher following in the footsteps of Gladys Knight, Elton John and Celine Dion and heading to Las Vegas? The Atlanta-based entertainer recently disclosed on NBC's 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' that he is in talks to bring a production to his new "home away from home." He revealed: "I got a real good friend, [Las Vegas builder] Mr. [Steve] Wynn, possibly to do something out there with." Wynn was previously in talks with Michael Jackson about a long-running Vegas show.

Sources say that New Edition member Ronnie Devoe is engaged to Shamari Fears, one third of the pop trio Blaque. For those who don't remember Blaque, the group were proteges of the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. No word on a wedding date.

Can't Say Names...

Apparently a nationally televised awards show shocked some entertainment types by basically using payola-like tactics to book artists for its ceremony. Said a source: "They basically told me that if I brought a sponsor to the table, my artist could either perform or present depending on how much we secured." Speculation is that one record company in particular dropped one helluva paycheck for the ceremony, as their collective of artists dominated the show.

BV Scene

Music producer Mike City celebrated his birthday at Hollywood hotspot Concorde. Anthony Anderson, Busta Rhymes, Brandy, Elise Neal, Swizz Beatz and wife Mashonda were among those in attendance. At midnight D.J. Tendaji played City's biggest hit, Carl Thomas's "I Wish,' and everyone serenaded the producer with his own tune... 'Roll Bounce' star Brandon T. Jackson energetically bobbing his head while driving his white Ford Mustang with Michigan license plates down Ventura Blvd. in Los Angeles... Jamie Foster Brown of Sister 2 Sister and marketing guru Vern Goff taking in a performance by Chante' Moore during Jeannie Jones' 2nd Annual Grant My Wish Foundation Benefit Concert at Mirrors in Washington, DC... R&B crooner Avant with his entourage just three people behind the BV Buzz in the first class check-in line for United Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport.