Dec. 19, 2005

Former 'N.Y.P.D. Blue' star Henry Simmons's rep told BV Buzz that accusations that her client is bi-sexual are false. "Henry is heterosexual and has a great career," said his publicist, Elizabeth Much. "When relationships end, they end! I'd rather be focusing on my client's career." Simmons' rep was responding to a report in MTV's Radio Feed, which cited an online blog as its source, and claimed Simmons' ex-girlfriend, 'America's Next Top Model' winner Eva Pigford, dumped him after discovering "he had the flavor for both male and female suitors."

The report even included an alleged quote from Pigford. "I'm just totally over it. It just hurts when you put your all into someone and they break your heart that way," Pigford reportedly said. Simmons and Pigford began dating in August and attended high-profile functions including 'Fashion Rocks' in New York City and the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards in Los Angeles together. Pigford even raved about the relationship during a September appearance on 'The Tyra Banks Show.'

The two have apparently split in recent weeks, and Pigford attended her 21st birthday party on Nov. 29 in New York City with New York Jets player Kerry Rhodes. Prior to dating Pigford, Simmons was engaged to 'So You Think You Can Dance' host Lauren Sanchez and was reportedly courting TV host Rolonda Watts late last spring.

Pigford's publicist did not return our requests for comment.

Holiday Happenings

First time parents Boris and Nicole Parker Kodjoe are hosting family members from New York, Maryland and even Germany during the Christmas holiday. Relatives are excited to see the couple's new daughter, Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee Kodjoe. Though he's excited about his favorite holiday treat, his grandmother's German dessert called Linzertorte, Kodjoe eagerly anticipates his daughter's reaction to the holiday festivities. "The holidays become more meaningful and fun when you have kids. Their spirit is so innocent and pure, and they are still so excited going into the holidays. Just watching them enjoy those days is pure bliss," said the doting daddy.

Model Vaughn Lowery is leaving the warm weather in Los Angeles and headed to the Motor City for the holidays. "For the holidays I'm headed to Detroit, where I will spend a week with my siblings and the world's number one mom," said Lowery, most noted for his Joe Boxer campaign. In addition to doing the "boxer bounce" for Joe Boxer, Lowery is currently featured in Old Navy's "Locker Shocker" campaign and has a fashion spread in the Jan. 06 issue of URB magazine.

R&B singer Lil' Mo, whose parents Jacob and Cynthia Loving pastor the One Accord Apostolic Church in Gambrills, Md., said that after a "good ole church service," all of her relatives will be gathering at her parent's home. "We'll do a lot of joking and clowning," she laughed. Despite recently separating from her husband, Lil' Mo shared that they still anticipate spending collective time with their daughters, Heaven and God'iss Love. "For the sake of the kids, we will spend the holidays together with them and put our differences aside. We recognize that the kids come first," she explained.

Wrestler Reno the Black Pearl of NWE Wrestling and his wife, publicist Tiffany Smith (CBS), will be home in California for the holidays. "We are going to celebrate and relish in our 15- month-old daughter, Vaughan Ryan Anoa'i's first real holiday season. We eagerly await the opening of her presents, dancing and singing along with Christmas music, baking cookies for Santa, but most of all being together as a family," the grappler told me. Events like Hurricane Katrina have caused Reno to look at the holiday season differently. "It's a time to count our blessings, donate, share, give, receive, laugh, smile and reflect on the year and make new memories for the next," he added.

Actor Blair Underwood is headed home for the holidays, to Petersburg, Va. with his wife Desiree and their three children (Paris, 8, Brielle, 6, and Blake, 4). "Almost every year we go back to Virginia. Christmas growing up was always the most incredibly exciting time of the year! Primarily, that was emanated from my mother-she made sure of that. She decorated the whole house, she got about 50 trees around the house...it was really pretty amazing," he shared.

Buzzworthy

The legendary Gladys Knight will release a not-yet-titled album for Verve Music Group in June 2006. Produced by Tommy LiPuma (Natalie Cole, Diana Krall) and Phil Ramone (Rod Stewart, Elton John), the disc will be Knight's first release on the Verve label. Knight was honored this year with the 2005 BET Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards and released a gospel album called 'One Voice' with the Las Vegas-based Saints Unified Voices choir on her own Many Roads Records.

Lyfe Jennings, who was recently featured on the cover of Billboard magazine, has teamed up with Alicia Keys on a duet remake of the Curtis Mayfield classic "People Get Ready" for the soundtrack of Jerry Bruckheimer film 'Glory Road.' Jennings recently signed with MBK Entertainment, the management team that reps Keys.

Singer Cheryl Pepsii Riley is readying her first studio album in more 12 years. Riley, a protege of R&B group/production team Full Force, hasn't released an album since 1993's 'All That.' After years of dominating on the gospel play circuit, high-profile background stints with artists like Mary J. Blige, and appearing on soundtracks for films like 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman;' Riley has found enough time to prepare her forthcoming independent set, 'Let Me Be Me.' Though currently featured in Tyler Perry's play 'Madea Goes To Jail,' Riley will also play the lead in the Perry-produced and written play 'Why Did I Get Married,' which will play one show for DVD taping in early 2006.

BV Scene

Daryl Coley, gospel artist James Hall, Bishop Sam Williams, comedienne Sister Cantaloupe, Bishop Kenneth Moales Sr., Bishop Albert Jamison (Gospel Music Workshop of America), Kenny Taylor (Taesis Music Group) and marketing executives Telisa and Gary Stinson on hand for the Vashawn Mitchell-produced live recording by Tyscot artist Lucinda Moore in Bridgeport, Conn.... Chris Tucker, Alex Thomas, Joe Torry and Rodney Perry performing at a tribute for the late Richard Pryor at the Comedy Store in West Hollywood... Jamie Foxx, Mary Mary, Eric Benet, Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams, Damon Wayans, Amerie, Hootie and the Blowfish, Victoria Rowell ('The Young and the Restless'), Boney James, Deborah Cox, Kim Burrell, Angie Stone, Randy Jackson ('American Idol') and India.Arie at Stevie Wonder's Grammy Jam at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles... Tracy Morgan , Common, vee-jay LaLa Vasquez (MTV), rapper Pharoahe Monch, Mad Linx (BET) and hip-hopper Hi-Tek were among those who attended the Bombay Sapphire's Breedlove Odyssey Tour after party with Mos Def and Talib Kweli.

Can't Say Names...

Sources say a certain television actress is the mother of buying knockoff gifts during the holidays. Said Hollywood star visits the swap meets and bootleg districts in Los Angeles to purchase fake Gucci, Louis Vuitton and other designer bags and accessories, only to take them home and wrap them in boxes by the actual designers. The actress then mails the replicas to her relatives in the Caribbean and passes the bootleg gifts off as though they're the real deal.