Jan. 16, 2006

Like Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., Queen Latifah had a dream. The 35-year-old rapper-actor-singer-producer dreamed of becoming an uber-successful superstar and reigning supreme in the entertainment business. "It's about me coming out here [to Hollywood] as a teenager and walking along that street and seeing some of the people that I admired on TV and thinking, 'Hey, this could happen! I'd love for this to happen,'" her majesty told me during our interview at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.

Having recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Grammy Award and both Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, Latifah is certainly enjoying success. "Where I'm at today is because of what Martin Luther King Jr. did back then and the millions of people who did what they did. That's what I was thinking about when I got that star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame," the entertainer shared.

Latifah stars opposite LL Cool J in the upcoming 'Last Holiday,' a film about fulfilling one's dreams, and she hopes that she'll be able to inspire others to dream like Dr. King inspired her. "It's always been about that dream, you know. That star has never been about me. It's been about everyone else but me. That is tangible now because of what Martin Luther King Jr. and the whole Civil Rights movement did. Now you can walk up and down [Hollywood Blvd.] and see this girl who came from Newark, New Jersey. Just a normal kid from around the way who now has her name in granite, basically. It's not just for me, it's for everyone to share," she concluded.

Head Honcho

Toronto-bred R&B crooner Glenn Lewis has signed with singer-actor Tyrese's Headquarter Entertainment. "Tyrese is one of the most thorough, most savviest businessmen I know. He's passionate about this thing. I'm proud to be on a team that believes in my vision! And I believe in their vision. Headquarter Entertainment is the future," said the singer. Lewis is best known for his hit single "Don't You Forget It" from his 2002 release 'World Outside My Window,' in addition to playing a wedding singer in the Jennifer Lopez film 'Maid In Manhattan.'

The multimedia company also houses a staple of music producers called the Frontline Boyz - a team of ten producers and songwriters who'll craft tracks for the label and other artists. "We're surrounded by nothing but talent. There's nothing that anyone of us can't do. We're 'bout to be unstoppable because we're pumping out good product. It's a real blessed situation," said Frontline producer James "J2" White.

One of Headquarter Entertainment's first undertakings is the soundtrack for Tyrese's next film, 'Waist Deep,' which also stars Larenz Tate, Meagan Goode and The Game Tyrese himself is working on a double-CD-one R&B and the other rap-that will introduce his new hip-hop alter ego Black Ty. Headquarter Entertainment has also signed rapper Kurupt to its roster.

Buzzworthy

Actor Darius McCrary got married on Dec. 29, 2005. The 'Family Matters' star surprised his family by eloping with his girlfriend, a Las Vegas showgirl named Juliette. McCrary has had several high-profile relationships in the past, having dated Nona Gaye, Tracee Ellis Ross, Coko of SWV and Ty James (daughter of late Rick James).

Out of Eden member Lisa Kimmey is a new vee-jay for the Gospel Music Channel. Kimmey will host a new video show for the Christian music cable network called 'Hotlist,' a nightly music countdown series with daily themes. Kimmey's trio Out of Eden also received their first Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for their CD, 'Hymns.'

Word has it that Bobby Brown is readying his national comeback tour. Brown has been performing lots of spot dates since his appearance with New Edition on '25 Strong: The BET Silver Anniversary Special.' A week ago, Brown was spotted at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut checking out the sold-out show by SWV, Guy and Blackstreet. Apparently SWV is in talks to go out with Brown on the road this spring.

Comedienne Thea Vidale has joined World Wrestling Entertainment--not as a grappler, but as the mother of WWE wrestler Shelton Benjamin. On WWE's 'Monday Night RAW' on the USA Network, Benjamin has been on a losing streak, and his "mother" has shown up to help him get on track. "I'm having a good time. I'm just starting out, but I am having a good time and hope to be around for a long time," a very hoarse Vidale told us over the phone. Vidale made her WWE debut on the Jan. 8 Pay-Per-View special 'WWE New Year's Revolution' in Albany, N.Y.

Vanessa L. Williams has finally rebounded from her divorce from former Los Angeles Laker Rick Fox. The 42-year-old former Miss America is now dating a 29-year-old actor named Rob Mack, who she became romantically involved with while shooting UPN's 'South Beach' last fall.

BV Scene

Ja Rule arriving at Los Angeles International Airport with his son and bodyguard in tow. The rapper, donning a black hoodie and black jeans, played with his son outside the American Airlines terminal while waiting on his car service to arrive... Suge Knight and ultra-tiny Carmen Electra having a dinner meeting at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills restaurant Gardens. Following their dinner, the two and their entourages joined actress Yvette Nicole Brown ('The Big House') and P.R. maven Jalila Larsuel at the hotel's Windows Lounge where lounge singer Elaine Gibbs belted out R&B favorites... Mechad Brooks ('Desperate Housewives') in a gray velvet blazer strolling with his Louis Vuitton luggage through the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City, Calif.... Singer Tweet, Rita Owens (Queen Latifah's mother), music manager Hillary Weston and R&B group Allure at the grand opening of Mangos Southern & Caribbean Restaurant in Hackensack, N.J.

Can't Say Names ...

Sources say that one-half of a musical matrimony keeps telling women that he and his wife are no longer together. While hitting on a Hollywood actress, said husband told the sexy TV and film star, "I'm trying to f-- you cause me and her ain't even together no more." He was also singing the same tune during a recent surprise appearance at a concert. Our mole overheard the crooner declaring to a couple of women backstage, "We getting a divorce!"