By Karu F. Daniels, BV Entertainment News Producer,
Mary Mary Quite Contrary
Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com
Mary J. Blige on her outburst at the Vibe Awards: 'I planned it because I wouldn't have been able to do it as politely as I did it, if I didn't plan it.'
The drama ensues for Mary J. Blige.
The Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter has made a career of voicing personal tragedies to her loyal legions of fans – via music of heartache, abuse and low self-esteem. For this, the former drug user has connected to (predominately female) audiences across the globe – making her an icon of sorts. Recently, the Yonkers, NY native has been trying to reshape her image, even delivering a hit album titled ‘No More Drama.’ But at this year’s ‘3rd Annual Vibe Awards,’ the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul returned to her roots and publicly lambasted Vibe magazine editor Mimi Valdes about her image on the cover of the magazine’s December issue.
Although Blige’s comments were edited out of the UPN telecast of the show, Valdes posted a public response on Vibe’s website, absolving anyone at the magazine from any wrong doing.
Since then, Blige –who has appeared on the cover of Vibe a record 7 times-- has not publicly spoken about the controversy – even though she’s made high-profile appearances on ‘Today’ and ‘The Tyra Banks Show.’
Black Voices caught up to the Grammy Award singer last week while she made the rounds in New York City to promote her upcoming album, ‘The Breakthrough,’ in stores Dec. 20.
“Was I planning to [express my unhappiness with the cover at the awards]? Absolutely, yes I was,” the Yonkers, NY native told Black Voices. “I planned it because I wouldn't have been able to do it as politely as I did it, if I didn't plan it. You know what I mean?
“I felt, to me, this is my opinion: I felt like it was very appropriate to do it the way that I did it, because I have to walk down the street everyday and look at a magazine stand with that picture, that's public, and that's worldwide,” she further explained. “[‘Vibe’] chose to publicly put that out there, so I chose to publicly say something about it. Like 'Yo, this is not right.'”
In addition to ‘Vibe,’ Blige has graced recent covers of ‘Essence,’ ‘Upscale’ and ‘Uptown’ magazines. Upcoming appearances to support ‘The Breakthrough’ include ‘The View,’ and ‘The Late Show with David Letterman.’ According to a spokesperson, a Jamie Foxx TV special is also underway (Blige appears on his new album, ‘Unpredictable’). Today, ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ is reporting that Blige has been attached to star in an untitled Nina Simone biopic for MTV/Paramount Pictures. The film reportedly will chronicle the late Simone's rise to fame and her relationship with Paris-based manager Clifton Henderson.
Bouncing Back
Tracy Morgan is bouncing back with another TV show -- not long after his critically acclaimed ‘The Tracy Morgan Show’ on NBC, was abruptly cancelled.
The ‘Saturday Night Live’ alum has been cast in an untitled NBC pilot that will be helmed by ‘SNL’ head writer and star Tina Fey. ‘SNL” executive producer Lorne Michael’s Broadway Video TV production company will produce the show, described as a single-camera comedy in which the Bronx-reared father of three, will play a self-confident comedy star of a ‘SNL’ type show called ‘Friday Night Bits.’
Morgan, most recently featured in Adam Sandler’s remake of ‘The Longest Yard,’ is currently filming the upcoming Keenen Ivory Wayans comedy, ‘Little Man,’ which stars Kerry Washington, John Witherspoon and Marlon and Shawn Wayans.
Earth, Wind & Fire And ‘Ice’
Earth Wind & Fire are on a roll. Well, more like the rocks – as in ice.
The legendary soul band performs an entire concert featuring Olympic Gold Medallist skater Brian Boitano for a TV special that will air on NBC Dec. 17. Other Olympic skaters include Brian Orser, Nicole Bobek, Caryn Kadavy, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Jenni Meno & Todd Sand, Renee Roca & Gorsha Sur. The special was taped last month at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, CT.
In September the eight-time Grammy Award winners released their 23rd career album, ‘Illumination,’ on Sanctuary Records Group, featuring collaborations with Floetry, Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Big Boi, Kelly Rowland, Sleepy Brown and Black Eyed Peas front-man Will.I.Am, Kenny G and Brian McKnight.
EWF performed at the nationally televised Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting last week, and will be featured on ‘The Tom Joyner Sky Show’ on Dec. 9, live from Atlanta.
Babies For Bassett
Academy Award nominated actress Angela Bassett is more than ready for motherhood. Two times over.
The 47-year old star of ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and husband, actor Courtney B. Vance, are expecting twins – a boy and a girl—via a surrogate next month.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Bassett told ‘Essence’ magazine in a cover story that arrived on newsstands this past weekend. “I thought I would have the option to bear children in my forties as long as I was healthy and took care of myself, but I don’t. My body decided what it was going to do. I was unable to carry, but there are other ways you can have children.”
Bassett married Vance, 45, a fellow Yale Drama School alum who stars in the NBC series ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent,’ in 1997. Her voice can be currently heard in commercials for Olay Body products, and she will next star in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ alongside ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and ‘Boyz N the Hood’ co-star Laurence Fishburne. The Doug Atchison-directed Lion’s Gate Films drama is set for theatrical release April 28.
