Bring That Week Back: Week of May 10
Kelly Rowland opens up about Beyoncé rumors. Bobby Brown gets engaged and police uncover real identity of a Haitian-American high school basketball star. Get all the week’s top stories.
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Tyra Banks Signs Book Deal - Talk show host and former model Tyra Banks has signed a three-book deal with Delacorte Press to write a fantasy series for young people. The books will be about a girl trying to keep up with the beauty game at an elite school for supermodels. Delacorte said Tuesday that the first novel, "Modelland," comes out in the summer of 2011.
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Lena Horne Dies - Legendary jazz singer and actress Lena Horne died Sunday night. She was 92. Horne passed away at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Gloria Chin, who would not release details. In the 1940s, Horne was one of the first Black performers hired to sing with a major White band, and when she signed with MGM, she was among a handful of Black actors to have a contract with a major Hollywood studio.
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T.I. Will Be on ‘Larry King’ - T.I. will appear on “Larry King Live” Thursday evening. During his interview, he’ll talk about the time he spent incarcerated for weapons charges. After he was arrested in 2007 for trying to illegally buy firearms, he was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, but was released to a halfway house in December before being completely released in March. His new album, “King Uncaged,” is due out in August.
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Judge Tosses Suit vs. Remy Ma’s Label - Makeda Barnes-Joseph, the woman allegedly shot by Remy Ma over a money dispute, had her case against the rapper’s record label, Universal, thrown out. Her suit alleged that the 2007 shooting was a result of Remy Ma’s thuggish persona (which included songs laced with gun referenced) being promoted by the label. Universal argued that the rapper was released from her contract nine months before the shooting. Remy is currently serving an eight-year sentence.
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Kelly Squashes Beyoncé Beef Rumors - Kelly Rowland wants to squash rumors that she’s feuding with pal and former band mate, Beyoncé, MTV.com reports. Recent rumors of conflict began swirling when Beyoncé's new song, “Why Don’t You Love Me” came out just a few days after Rowland’s new song, “Commander.” But Kelly insists everything is fine. “I really don’t care, I love her ‘til our dying days and that’s all that counts,” she told Hip Hop Hollywood.
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Officials: Arizona Boycotts Will Cost Phoenix $90M - As a result of Arizona’s controversial new immigration law, which many people have likened to racial profiling, the Phoenix area could lose out on at least $90 million due to boycotts. So far four major events scheduled to be held in the state – including Alpha Phi Alpha’s Annual Convention—have been canceled. In total 23 meetings and conventions have pulled out of the state, reports the NY Daily News.
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Pacquiao-Mayweather Talks to Resume - Talks for the super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are set to begin again soon, according to Pacquiao’s trainer. The matchup involving boxing's two most high-profile fighters was discussed at length earlier this year, but negotiations fell apart when the sides could not agree on drug testing protocol. Both took different fights, with Pacquiao soundly beating Joshua Clottey, and Mayweather routing welterweight champion Shane Mosley.
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Man Who Threatened Obama Sentenced - A New Orleans man who made threats against President Obama has been sentenced to three years in prison for that charge and another five years for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute it and possession of four firearms to aid his drug trafficking. John Turnpaugh, 47, admitted to calling a local 911 operator in December saying he was going to kill the president and his wife, according to court docs. He pled guilty to the charges Feb. 2.
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DMX Won’t Be on ‘Celebrity Rehab’ - A ruling by an Arizona judge this week will make jailed rapper DMX unavailable to appear on VH1 reality show, “Celebrity Rehab” this summer. The rapper, born Earl Simmons, was incarcerated in March for violating probation, and was accepted into Dr. Drew Pinsky’s rehab clinic. The judge reportedly said DMX couldn’t go to Pinsky’s facility because of his progress at an Arizona substance abuse program.
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Obama Welcomes New British Leader - On Tuesday, President Obama called to congratulate Britain’s new Prime Minster, David Cameron, on his victory and invited the newly elected leader to visit D.C. this summer. "I reiterated my deep and personal commitment to the special relationship between our two countries," Obama said in a statement about the phone call. Cameron, 43, became Britain’s youngest prime minister in nearly 200 years following the resignation of Gordon Brown.
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Child Obesity Solutions - On Tuesday, the first lady and others unveiled a government report on how to tackle the problem of childhood obesity in the United States. The report recommends 70 specific steps that all levels of government, the private sector, schools, parents and others can take. The recommendations touch on all parts of the "Let's Move" anti-obesity campaign Mrs. Obama launched this year, including giving information to caregivers, serving healthier food in schools and more.
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D. Wade’s Wife Arrested Briefly - NBA star Dwyane Wade’s estranged wife was held briefly by authorities in Chicago on Monday. Siohvaughn Wade was arrested after a Cook County judge angrily ordered her brought in when she failed to appear for a hearing in the couple’s divorce. She was released an hour later after she posted a $10,000 bond. Last week, Wade filed a lawsuit alleging her husband's relationship with actress Gabrielle Union has caused distress for her and their two sons.
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Wedding Reality Series for LaLa - LaLa Vasquez and her fiancé NBA star Carmelo Anthony will take part in a VH1 reality series chronicling the planning of their upcoming nuptials. In addition to wedding planning, the cameras will also follow LaLa during her Las Vegas bachelorette party (hosted by pal Kim Kardashian) and while she goes shopping for the perfect designer dress. The series is set to premiere on the network in September.
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Mos Def, Kravitz to Host Gulf Benefit - Rapper Mos Def and rocker Lenny Kravitz are two of the headliners for a benefit concert to support relief efforts for those affected by a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Kravitz, one of the first to sign up, lives in New Orleans part-time. The concert will be held on Sunday at Mardi Gras World River City, and tickets cost $50.
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Bobby Brown Gets Engaged - Singer Bobby Brown asked his girlfriend and manager Alicia Etheridge to marry him late last week on stage during the Funk Fest concert in Jacksonville, Fla. Brown got down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend after she joined him on stage holding their 11-month-old son, Cassius. She accepted the proposal and kissed Brown as the crowd cheered. The couple has been together for three years.
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Officer Found Not Guilty in Shooting - On Tuesday, a court found a Houston police officer not guilty of shooting an unarmed man in 2008, reports Click2Houston.com. Robert Tolan, an aspiring baseball player, was shot in his chest by police Sgt. Jeffery Cotton as he complained about the officer pushing his mother. At the time, officers were mistakenly trying to arrest Tolan for driving a stolen car. In fact, the car Tolan was driving was not stolen; an officer made an error while attempting to run the plates on his vehicle.
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Woods Swing Coach Quits - Hank Haney, who served as Tiger Woods’ swing coach for six years, announced his resignation Monday. After confirming the news, Woods called Haney an outstanding teacher who has helped him, and a great friend. He says their friendship will not change. Woods missed the cut at Quail Hollow and withdrew in the final round of The Players Championship with a sore neck. It was the first time he played consecutive tournaments without earning official money.
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Is Kelis Keeping Son Away from Nas? - In a recent interview with VIBE, Nas opened up about his baby son Knight, who he had last year with estranged wife Kelis. “He’s like nine months. He’s crawling, pulling himself to stand up,” he said. But, he suggested that his ex can make it difficult for him to see him. “When his mom feels in the mood she sends pictures. If not, it’s hell. It’s hell trying to figure that out, trying to get him – I’ll just leave it at that. It’s hell.”
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Supreme Nominee - Monday morning, President Obama, alongside Vice President Biden, announced current Solicitor General Elena Kagan as his nominee for the Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. If Kagan is confirmed, she would be the fourth woman ever to serve on the court.
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Plane Crashes in Libya - On Wednesday, a plane crashed in Tripoli, Libya, killing all but one of the 104 passengers on board. The loan survivor is a young Dutch boy, who is currently in the hospital in stable condition undergoing surgery for injuries, including broken bones. More than half of those on board were from the Netherlands. Officials still are investigating the cause of the crash, but don’t believe terrorism is involved.
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Star HS Athlete is Really 22 - A West Texas high school student who led his basketball team to the state playoffs last season is actually a 22-year-old man. Guerdwich Montimere, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Haiti, posed as 16-year-old Jerry Joseph and enrolled at Permian High School in Odessa. He also presented himself as being homeless, and was taken in by the basketball coach. His cover was blown when three Florida basketball coaches familiar with Montimere recognized him last month at an amateur tournament.
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Cop Lies About Being Shot by Black Man - A White Philadelphia police sergeant made up a story about being shot by a Black man while on patrol last month and actually intentionally shot himself for unknown reasons, a police official said Tuesday. Sgt. Robert Ralston, 46, confessed to lying and will pay the costs of the massive manhunt. He’s suspended, with intent to dismiss, but won’t face criminal charges.
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Apollo’s Walk of Fame Unveiled - Smokey Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown and Patti LaBelle are just a few of the music legends being honored on the Apollo Theater’s new Walk of Fame in New York City. Workers began installing the sidewalk plaques in front of the Harlem theater on Monday. Plaques honoring new Hall of Fame inductees Michael Jackson and Ella Fitzgerald will be installed after the Apollo's annual Spring Gala in June. The famous theater is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
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Black Surge in Suburbs - Suburbs are now more likely to be home to minorities, while many younger educated Whites are moving into the city, according to a report by the Brookings Institution. Washington, D.C., and Atlanta posted the largest increases in White share since 2000, each up 5 percentage points to 44 percent and 36 percent, respectively. Other White gains were seen in New York, San Francisco, Boston and cities in another seven of the nation's 100 largest metro areas.
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Biden’s Son Suffers Stroke - Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Beau Biden, suffered a mild stroke. Beau, who’s 41, was admitted to a Delaware hospital Tuesday morning before being transferred to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 45 miles away in Philadelphia for further observation and examination, according to the White House. The younger Biden, who serves as Delaware’s attorney general, is expected to recover, his doctor said.
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Lakers Sweep Jazz - On Monday night, the L.A. Lakers completed a sweep of the Utah Jazz, wrapping up the series in Salt Lake City. The Lakers stormed out to a 22-point lead in the first half, then withstood a brief surge by Utah in the third quarter before regaining control in the fourth and winning 111-96. The Phoenix Suns are up next for the defending champs next Monday for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
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Griffey Knocks Nap Report - Baseball veteran Ken Griffey Jr. denies he was taking a nap during a recent game, making him unavailable to pinch-hit. Quoting two Mariners who spoke anonymously, The (Tacoma) News Tribune wrote that Griffey was asleep in the clubhouse during Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, leaving manager Don Wakamatsu scrambling to get someone else to hit. "I'm available all the time," Griffey said. "There are some issues that are not true in that situation.”
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Gucci Mane Freed - After serving six months in an Atlanta jail, Gucci Mane was released early Wednesday. The rapper, whose real name is Radric Davis, had been locked up for violating his probation on an assault charge. His new album, “The Appeal,” is due out this summer and he’ll begin a nationwide tour in July to promote it.
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Jay-Z, Eminem to Perform in Hometowns - Rap superstars Jay-Z and Eminem are teaming up for two hometown stadium concerts. Jay made the announcement Wednesday while in Detroit for a baseball game, which featured his hometown NY Yankees against Em’s hometown Detroit Tigers. “We’re here to announce the fact that we’re doing two shows. September 2 here at Comerica Park and then we’re going to go up to New York to perform at Yankee Stadium September 13. He’s going to headline Detroit. And I’ll headline New York,” Jay-Z announced.