March 20, 2006

Recently disclosed allegations about Michael Jackson's personal life by his brother Jermaine, along with the financial woes that forced the closing of Neverland Ranch last week, have made life for Michael pretty bad -- pun intended.

The New York Daily News broke the story two weeks ago that sibling Jermaine depicts the 'Thriller' singer as a sometimes out-of-control drug and booze abuser, with a calculating mean streak and "a thing for young children." The eight-page proposal for a tell-all, which was being shopped to book publishers only weeks after Michael was arrested in 2003, is called 'Legacy: Surviving the Best and the Worst.' It claims the King of Pop's substances of choice were Vicodin, Demerol, Codeine, Percocet, cocaine, Jack Daniels and wine.

"Does he really know what he does with these kids? I don't want to tell you my brother's innocent. I am not certain that he is," wrote Jermaine about Michael, who was acquitted of child molestation charges last June. The pitch drafted by author Stacy Brown, who co-authored 'Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask' with Michael's former publicist Bob Jones.

I spoke with Jones, who oversaw Michael's publicity from 1987 until he was unceremoniously fired in 2004, to get his perspective on the new issues facing his former boss.

On Neverland Ranch closing: "If people weren't being paid for their work efforts, the place should have closed three months ago. We all work for money and only those persons who are fans would continue to show up for work knowing that they would get no compensation. The moment I was told that I wasn't getting any vacation pay after being let go, I immediately went to the California Department of Labor. I will be a loyal employee as long as I am being paid for my efforts."

On Michael's financial problems: "During the many years that I was working at MJJ Productions, many business managers tried to control the spending of the King of Pop. He would not listen to the advice of any of the advisers who tried to control the spending. I was even asked to bring in an African-American business manager to keep watch on how the others were handling the money. The late John H. Johnson recommended Bert Mitchell who worked as long as he could before throwing up his hands and walking away from the account."

On the Jermaine Jackson book proposal: "Stacy Brown, who co-wrote 'The Man Behind The Mask' with me, is an honorable person and also a devout Jehovah's Witness; he wouldn't be associated with any project that wasn't above board. It just isn't his nature!"

In a statement about Neverland Ranch, Michael's current publicist Raymone Bain said: "It is public knowledge that Mr. Jackson currently resides in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain. He therefore decided to close his house and reduce his workforce. This is a common practice when a residence is vacant for an extended period of time. Reports indicating that Neverland has been closed or 'shut down' for good are inaccurate. There will be no further comments regarding this matter."

A rep for the Jackson family was not able to be reached by press time.

Stacy Brown had the following to say when we contacted him.

"Yes, Jermaine and I worked extensively on a book proposal called 'Legacy: Surviving The Best and The Worst.' It was a book that was to detail a number of life experience's for Jermaine, including his family's upbringing in Gary, Indiana. He wanted to also tackle topics about his brother he said would help sell the book to a publisher. Why all of this is coming up now, three years later, is beyond me. In any event, I don't know, nor do I have any interest, in what Jermaine or anyone named Jackson plans are. That family is but a distant memory to me now and I'd sure like to keep it that way."

Mr. President

Tavis Smiley for president! If 'All of Us' and 'The Steve Harvey Show' star Terri J. Vaughn had her way, the civil rights activist and PBS host would be the first black man in the Oval Office. "He's so smart, and he's so connected to our community and to politics," explained the actress. "He's like our guy. He knows what we need and he knows what's going on in politics!"

In other Vaughn news, she'll next star opposite Loretta Devine, Rockmond Dunbar, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sommore in an upcoming film, 'Dirty Laundry.' She'll play Dunbar's sister in the flick, which is a dramedy about an African-American family set in the South. The production is set to begin shooting in Atlanta in the coming weeks.

Tropical Paradise

Congratulations are in order to LisaRaye McCoy yet again. Apparently the 'All of Us' star and her fiancé, Turks and Caicos Chief Minister Michael Misick will finally wed on April 8. McCoy celebrated the forthcoming nuptials two weeks ago with a weekend wedding shower that consisted of a sleepover, bridal shower, brunch and several other activities.

McCoy and Misick met in 2005 at the Trumpet Awards in Atlanta and were slated to jump the broom in Turks and Caicos on Dec. 28, 2005. The wedding was postponed citing "readiness of the venue, and holiday travel limitations." McCoy was then featured on the winter cover of Black Noir magazine in a story titled "Paradise Postponed."

In addition to working with famed event planner Preston Bailey on her wedding, McCoy recently flew more than 35 members of her cast and crew of 'All of Us' to Turks and Caicos for the wrap party of their second season.

Buzzworthy

Destiny's Child may be broken up -- for now at least -- but they'll appear together again soon when they receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It hasn't been officially announced, but I hear that Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams will join Queen Latifah, Judge Judy and 'The Producers' stars Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick who also received stars on the legendary Walk of Fame this year.

Did you know that Keyshia Cole is dating rapper Young Jeezy? We didn't either, but the two have apparently been an item for at least a couple of months! Cole even refused to kiss singer-actor Tyrese in the music video for her single "Love" because she didn't want to upset Jeezy.

MTV's 'The Real World' star turned hip-hop and social activist Kevin Powell is taking steps toward running for a seat in the Congress. Powell is planning to campaign for a seat in the 10th Congressional District in Brooklyn. "I've decided to do this because, as some of you know, I have been a public servant, in some form, for two decades since my days as a teenage student leader at Rutgers University. I am completely committed to the ideals of freedom, justice and equality in America and on this planet, and I am proof that much can be achieved if we are determined to make a change, personally and politically," Powell said via e-mail. For details on his political endeavor, visit www.kevinpowell2006.com.

Season four 'American Idol' finalist Vonzell Solomon has inked a recording contract with Dallas Austin's label Rowdy Records. Tyler Perry's soundtrack for 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' was released on Rowdy Records as well. Solomon, a Florida-bred former postal employee, is also heading to Broadway to star in 'The Return,' which is based on the bestselling Sonia Levitan book of the same name. Former '106 & Park' host Free just inked a deal to host an evening drive radio show on 100.3 The Beat KKBT in Los Angeles. There were rumors following Free's exit from BET that she would become a vee-jay for MTV2, but that gig never materialized. Former hoops star John Salley and 'The Insider's' Ananda Lewis host the morning show on The Beat.

Can't Say Names ...

Was that you Papa? The notorious best selling author Karrine Steffans' memoir 'Confessions of a Video Vixen' had the entertainment industry trying to identify her mysterious hip-hop lover-only called Papa in the book. A source spotted Steffans outside of the Raffles L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills last Wednesday arguing with a popular rap star not mentioned in the book, about "the trouble the book has caused for him." The heated squabble ended once the two realized that the valet attendants and several hotel guests on their balconies could overhear their conversation. Steffans most recently dated comedian/political pundit Bill Maher after meeting him at a Los Angeles birthday party last year for this columnist, but that relationship ended in January.

BV Scene

'One Life To Live' and 'The Color Purple' star Renee Elise Goldsberry visiting First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, N.Y. for Sunday morning service with her husband ... LaToya Jackson at the Lure Ultra Lounge in Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas ... 'My Wife and Kids' star George Gore II wishing birthday girl Eboni Miller a "Happy Birthday" while she partied with girlfriends at Love Nightclub in Washington, D.C. Nick Cannon and members of the Washington Wizards partied nearby ... Jackie Reid, Freddie Jackson and film producer Lee Daniels at the New York City premiere of Steve Harvey's 'Don't Trip ... He Ain't Through With Me Yet' at the Magic Johnson Theatres in Harlem, NY... Omarosa Manigault, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Tamala Jones, Wesley Jonathan, Hill Harper, Bishop Don "Magic" Juan and Baltimore Raven Will Demps at the E.A. Sports and Paramount Pictures' 'The Godfather -- The Game' launch party at Privilege in Hollywood.