BV Entertainment Newswire June 19

Large & In Charge

In the July edition of 'Essence' magazine, Grammy Award winning neo-soul artist Jill Scott interviews plus-sized actress Mo'Nique for a cover story that packs a punch.

This marks the fourth time that the Woodlawn, Maryland native (born Mo'Nique Imes) has appeared on the cover of the best-selling Black women's magazine. And according to 'Essence's' editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray, it's more than just dollars and cents. "Because Mo'Nique represents the spirit, energy, confidence and creativity of today's dynamic Black woman, she is a perfect fit as a cover subject," Burt Murray says. "In an age of over-hyped celebrities pushing products, there's a realness to Mo'Nique that our readers respect and respond to."

In a revealing, no-holds barred interview, the actress and former stand-up comic talks up controversial subject matter, including race in Hollywood, her "open" marriage with "best friend" Sidney Hicks, family ties and Whitney Houston. Below are excerpts.

Race Matters

"When I got the part in 'Domino' with Keira Knightley, I had an agent say, 'Congratulations. And no more junk!' Translation: no more Black movies. She thought she was validating me, but I take pride in every project I’ve done. I let her know that she was off the team and that she could send back my 10 percent of 'junk' money."

Love Changes

"For me the hardest part is dealing with family, especially when four out of eight calls are about money. I’ve wondered, ‘How many times do I have to say yes before it’s okay to say no?’ There’s been a lot of resentment and pain because I didn’t want people to say, 'Umph, she’s got that show, and now we can’t call her!' I didn’t want anyone to think I had changed. But I did. I had to."

Big Girls Don't Cry

"When I was doing 'Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. Chance,' people asked why I was promoting the idea that women should be unhealthy. I’ve never said, 'Don’t be healthy.' But if you’re 375 pounds with high blood pressure and diabetes, should you hate yourself? No. If you turn on the TV late at night, every other commercial is about weight loss. How do you think it makes us feel to hear a size-invisible woman with blond hair down her back say that we can look like her if we take this pill? That’s poison. I say love you, and give yourself 30 minutes a day to exercise and get healthy."

Sister To Sister

"Whitney [Houston] was the world’s princess, and she couldn’t let anyone see her problems. If we had to walk in her shoes, maybe we wouldn’t be so quick to say, 'Girl, you know that’s a damn shame.' Nobody knows what life will throw our way. Any one of us could be Whitney tomorrow."

Big Love

"I married my best friend. Sid and I don’t put a label on what works for us because it’s ours. But some people might say that we have an open relationship. Some people consider sex outside of marriage to be cheating, but I think you’re cheating when you lie and keep secrets. We’re honest with each other."

The 38-year-old self-proclaimed "sex symbol, movie star and author" is confirmed to participate in the Empowerment Seminars during this year's Essence Music Festival, and next month stars in Lee Daniels edgy drama 'Shadowboxer' (see an exclusive clip here).

The July edition of 'Essence' is on newsstands now.

LaFace Masterminds To Be Feted

Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid will be honored as BMI Icons at the performing rights organization’s 6th Annual Urban Awards Aug. 30 at New York City's Roseland Ballroom.

The Icon designation is given to songwriters and artists who have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." The LaFace Records co-founders, who will be saluted with an all-star musical tribute during the ceremony, join an elite group that includes James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Al Green, Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and last year’s honorees, the Gap Band.

With more than a dozen Grammy Awards between them, including the Producer(s) of the Year in 1993, seven-time BMI Songwriter of the Year Babyface and Island Def Jam Chairman L.A. Reid are responsible for launching the careers of multi-platinum artists such as Toni Braxton, TLC, Usher, OutKast and Pink under their successful LaFace label. Other collaborations, together and individually, include Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey.

Together Again?

Call it coincidence but on the day that Janet Jackson releases her brand new single 'Call On Me' (featuring Nelly) to radio, her former Superbowl XXXVIII duet partner Justin Timberlake announces new music plans.

According to a spokesperson for the former N*Sync front man, his eagerly anticipated sophomore solo record, titled 'FutureSex/LoveSounds,’ will be released Sept. 12. The first single "SexyBack," co-written and co-produced with Timbaland and Nate Hills, will ship to radio July 7. The album's other collaborators include Rick Rubin and JAWBreakers. Before embarking on a US club tour to preview the new album in August (venues and dates TBD), Timberlake will kick off an international promotional tour in July starting in Europe and Japan.

Jackson, in the meantime, has been making the rounds on the celebrity circuit and recently appeared on 'US Weekly' unveiling her latest svelte figure. Her new album, said to be titled '20 Years Old,' will be released Sept. 26. Listen to 'Call On Me' via AOL Music here.