Jan. 9, 2006

Sources say that ‘Hustle & Flow’ star Taraji P. Henson has been quietly dating rapper Common for several months. The two worked together on the Chicago-bred rapper’s music video for the song, “Testify,” and it seems as though their on-screen chemistry has carried over into their personal lives.

Speculation that the two were more than friends began when sources told us they showed up “arm in arm” at a birthday party at the H2O Restaurant & Lounge in Washington, D.C., back in October. Most recently they were also spotted canoodling on Venice Beach in California.

Henson and Common both appear in the forthcoming ‘Smokin’ Aces’ together. The movie, which also stars Ben Affleck and Alicia Keys, began shooting in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles last November.

A rep for the ‘Baby Boy’ actress was unaware of a romance. “She did the video with him, but that’s all I can say now,” said Pamela Sharpe, who said she’d check with Henson (who was slated to return from vacation) about the relationship report. At press time neither she nor Common’s publicist had returned our call.

Common’s last relationship of note was with neo-soul siren Erykah Badu, and Henson previously dated actor Hill Harper(‘C.S.I.’ ‘NY’).

Kiss and Tell

Actress Tamala Jones says despite having worked opposite men such as Jamie Foxx (‘Ray’), D.L. Hughley (‘The Brothers’), Taye Diggs (‘The Wood’), Leon (‘Little Richard’) and Edafe Blackmon (‘For Your Love’), its her ‘Head of State’ co-star Chris Rock who has the best lip-lock in Hollywood.

“This might be an odd choice because not a lot of people would think so, but Chris Rock has a great kiss. I had to kiss him at the end of ‘Head of State.’ His lips are beautiful. I know nobody was thinking I would say Chris Rock, but yeah,” the actress confessed.

Jones, who currently dates Goodie Mob rapper and Joi’s ex Big Gipp, will pucker up with actor Cuba Gooding Jr. when she stars opposite him and Anne Heche in the film ‘What Love Is,’ which will begin production soon in Los Angeles.

Buzzworthy

Hollywood buzz is that the hit UPN sitcom ‘Girlfriends’ will be back for an unprecedented seventh season—most African-American sitcoms last only five years. An insider tells BV Buzz that all four girls— Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Jill Jones and Persia White—will return for what would will likely be the seventh and final season of the highly-rated series in the fall of 2006. The show’s creator Mara Brock Akil has been tapped to helm an untitled pilot for R&B singer Brandy and is apparently also working on a ‘Girlfriends’ spin-off. A rep for the show was mum about its return. “Girlfriends’ is performing very well, but we have yet to announce pickups for any series for next season,” said UPN’s Rachel Seltzer.

All roads point to Nashville for the 21st annual Stellar Awards. This year’s show will tape on Jan. 21 at the Grand Ole Opry and will be hosted by gospel titans Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans and Israel Houghton. Winans, also an eight-time Stellar winner, will don gowns by fashion designer B. Michael. The show will also pay special tribute to the Winans Family and Fred Hammond.

Supermodel Beverly Peele has hired legal eagle Brian Oxman—he is most noted for his work on the Michael Jackson child molestation case—to represent her against accusations of identity theft. Peele, who has appeared on more than 250 magazine covers and in a George Michael music video, is accused of buying more than $10,000 worth of home furnishings with stolen credit cards. The 30-year-old mother of one did not enter a plea when she was arrested in late December 2005.

Veteran vocalist Patti Austin has lost 120 lbs from gastric bypass surgery. A knee injury, Type 2 diabetes and her mom’s stroke convinced the Goddaughter of Quincy Jones, who tipped the scale at 300 pounds only four years ago, to take the extreme measure to lose weight. “The results have been incredible,” said Austin, who has dropped 18 dress sizes. The singer is slated to hit the road for a special Ella Fitzgerald tribute tour.

Kellita Smith (‘The Bernie Mac Show’), Christopher B. Duncan (‘The Jamie Foxx Show’), Gina Torres (‘The Matrix Reloaded’), Terri J. Vaughn (‘The Steve Harvey Show’), Michael Jace (‘The Shield’), Michael Whaley (‘CSI Miami’) and multimedia talent Mother Love all star in the romantic comedy ‘Fair Game.’ The film, which had to halt production when it began the day before 9/11 in 2001, will finally be released on DVD by Ventura Entertainment. “There were many obstacles that tested our faith many times, but we kept moving forward and we finished ‘Fair Game’ and are really proud of it,” Whaley said.

BV Scene

R&B singer Tank and BET’s Senior Vice President of Music Programming Stephen Hill taking in a performance of the ‘We Ain't Done Yet Holiday Tour’ featuring Bow Wow, Omarion, Ciara Marques Houston, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Dem Franchise Boyz, Da Brat and Lil’ Na Na. Those gathered stage left laughed as IMx member Kelton "LDB" Kessee was dancing and then tripped over a monitor by the sound board while Omarion was on stage performing… Diana Ross celebrating New Year’s at watch night service at her daughter Rhonda’s church, First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, N.Y.… Rapper Kurupt, former Destiny's Child member Farrah Franklin, Brandy, singer Glenn Lewis, Hulk Hogan, porn star Mr. Marcus, Larenz Tate (‘Love Jones’), John Singleton, Nick Hogan (‘Hogan Knows Best’) and music producer Damon Elliott celebrating Tyrese’s birthday at the Cabana Club in Hollywood, while Salt-N-Pepa DJ Spinderella spun records.

Can’t Say Names …

Could a chart-topping entertainer be breaking up a happy home? Sources say that an R&B crooner’s latest flame is actually married with children. Said adulterer was also once employed by the singer and after being fired by his manager, she went on a nationally syndicated radio show to dish the dirt. Steamy photos of the couple’s “secret” rendezvous to an exotic location have been popping up on the Web, and insiders speculate her husband should be filing for divorce any minute now.