Jan. 30, 2006

'The Parkers' star Countess Vaughn is disappointed that 'Celebrity Fit Club' judge Dr. Ian Smith made some disparaging remarks about her on the nationally syndicated 'The Tom Joyner Morning Show.'

During a Jan. 10 appearance on Joyner's morning drive show, Smith began by saying that Vaughn "thinks she's a princess" and called her a "problem." "She's got so much junk in the trunk, both literally and figuratively, that you wait, in the next few shows you're going to say to me, 'Dr. Ian was right,'" declared the doctor. (During the show, Vaughn confessed to getting butt implants.)

Smith also disclosed that he didn't know who Vaughn was before working with her on 'Fit Club.' "Believe it or not, I'm the only black man in America who has never seen 'The Parkers.' I didn't know who she was -- I'll be honest -- before she came on the show," he explained. The former medical correspondent for NBC News network familiarized himself with Vaughn, who has also starred on 'Moesha' and '227,' by watching reruns of 'The Parkers' on UPN. "[I] was like, 'Oh, that's who that is," Smith said.

The Idabel, Oklahoma native was taken aback by Smith's remarks. "He's an idiot," an irked Vaughn told BV Buzz. "He's a lady for that. He wasn't like that when he was in front of me. He was never nasty to me in person and I didn't have a problem with anyone on the show, well, except Jeff Conaway. But we all had problems with him. "

'Fit Club' contestant Tempestt Bledsoe also felt Smith's wrath. "She's very aloof. She's not interactive. I don't care if you're on 'The Cosby Show,' 'The Waltons' [or] 'Star Trek,' I don't care what it was...check the attitude at the door, and let's get down to business," Smith told Joyner.

Vaughn, who is in the middle of a messy divorce from her husband of three years, electrician Joseph James, believes there's an ulterior motive behind Smith's comments. "He doesn't like us because we didn't like his book. We both put down his book," she recalled. Smith's 'Fat Smash Diet' book was used as a guide for the stars to follow.

Though not able to disclose how much weight she lost, Vaughn admitted she's "still exercising" and in the best shape of her life. "He ain't stopping nothing," she said of Smith. "I'm putting him in God's hands." Vaughn will show off her new toned body soon, having recently completed a sexy photo shoot for King Magazine.

Praise Party

The 21st annual Stellar Awards were recently held in Nashville, Tenn., at the Grand Old Opry House. It was hosted by Vickie Winans, Israel Houghton and Donnie McClurkin. Aretha Franklin, Jenifer Lewis ('Strong Medicine'), Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore, Tamara Tunie ('Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'), Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Queen of Gospel, Albertina Walker, were among those who appeared during the show.

Singer-songwriter-producer Donald Lawrence was the big winner, taking home seven of the gospel industry's most coveted trophies, including Artist of the Year, for his album 'I Speak Life.' Lawrence's album featured the hit single, "I'm Healed," which earned its songwriter Jonathan Nelson his first Stellar Award for Record of the Year. Nelson's upset victory over veterans in the category- BeBe Winans, Mary Mary and Warryn Campbell, and even Lawrence himself who was nominated for writing Ted & Sheri's "Celebrate"-has thrust the newcomer, who has also penned tunes for Bishop T.D. Jakes ("Manifest"), Youthful Praise ("Shift This Place") and Bishop Larry Trotter ("Already Lookin' Bettah"), to the top of gospel's ones-to-watch list.

PAJAM producer turned artist J. Moss was also a big winner during the ceremony, earning three Stellar Awards, including Best New Artist, for his debut 'The J. Moss Project.' Other winners included Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, Walter Hawkins, Mary Mary, Lil iRocc Williams, The Soul Seekers and Dr. Charles G. Hayes & The Warriors. The show, which featured performances by Mary Mary, Dottie Peoples, Kirk Franklin, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, Kirk Whalum featuring Jonathan Butler and others, also paid special tribute to The Winans Family and Fred Hammond.

Buzzworthy

Veteran R&B singer Keith Sweat has several new projects on the horizon. The begging-balladeer will open a four-star hotel called S Hotel in Atlanta on Valentine's Day. The property will have 294 guest rooms, all designed by Sweat, that feature top-notch amenities (including wireless Internet, CD/DVD player, flat screen TV and bath and walk-in shower). With the launch Sweat will headline an opening concert that will feature performances by Charlie Wilson, Silk and Kut Close. This spring, the R&B staple is also releasing a new book of his personal photography. Titled 'Unveiled,' it showcases Sweat's favorite backstage photos.

Nicole Murphy (ex-wife of Eddie) is on the cover of the FITNESS Rx magazine for women, dressed in a sexy blue swimsuit and flanked by three muscular trainers. Inside the glossy, where Murphy posed totally nude in one shot, the former model speaks about her new boyfriend, businessman Alan F. Daniels, though she doesn't mention him by name. "I have a wonderful new friend whom I'm seeing regularly," says the 37-year-old mother of five.

Anthony Anderson ('Hustle & Flow'), Omar Gooding ('Barbershop'), Ken L. ('The Parkers') and Antwon Tanner ('Coach Carter') will all participate in the Professional Domino Association (PDA) 12-city tournament tour. The tour has dates scheduled for Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco.

'Rent' and 'Law & Order' star Jesse L. Martin will play Marvin Gaye in the big screen adaptation of the late soul legend's life. In a biopic called 'Sexual Healing,' Martin will bring to life the last two years of Gaye's life, since Motown won't license the rights to Gaye's catalog. Gaye's last two years were spent on Columbia Records, before he was murdered by his father.

BV Scene

Recent Trumpet Award winner Usher-sans his alleged girlfriend/former stylist Tameka Foster-seen ordering a takeout house salad with chicken, lobster bisque soup with Lavosh water crackers, and sautéed spinach at Garrison's Broiler & Tap at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta... Tyra Banks, whose talk show was just renewed for a second season, performing during the opening number of the burlesque show 'Jubilee!' at Bally's in Las Vegas. The former model wore a rhinestone bra and G string for the performance, which will also be shown on 'The Tyra Banks Show.'... 'American Idol' contestant turned gospel singer George Huff was spotted shopping with a lady friend at The Mall at Green Hills in Nashville, Tenn... Toni and Tamar Braxton, Elise Neal, Donald Faison, Zach Braff ('Scrubs'), Blair Underwood, Tracie Thoms ('Rent'), Mike Epps, Taraji P. Henson, Golden Brooks, Regina Hall, Tracee Ellis Ross, Henry Simmons, Gabrielle Union, Page Kennedy, Alfre Woodard and Eric Benet at the Hollywood premiere of the Sanaa Lathan film 'Something New' at the Cinerama Dome.

Can't Say Names...

What veteran Hollywood heartthrob is too cheap to make long distant calls from his landline or cell phone? Said actor, who has starred in film and television projects, recently surprised a group of journalists who had to interview him by phoning collect. Several writers, including yours truly, didn't accept the charges when the operator announced, "You have a collect call from..." Maybe a calling card for interviewing purposes should be added to his contractual needs when he lands his next gig.