
What’s next for Tiger Woods, and can Oprah save him? Tigergate continues as his various mistresses continue to cash in by telling all about the “Tiger” experience. The latest count of women is closing in on ten, and there have been reports of alcohol and prescription drug use. Woods’ life changed instantly when he crashed his car on Thanksgiving night and opened a huge can of worms. Who knew Woods was such a playboy? Who knew a recession would cause women to sell him out for money? Since his knee surgery last year, is Tiger hooked on prescription meds? So far, only one company, Gatorade, has dropped him from endorsement deals. Will others follow? Experts feel Tiger should lay low. His rankings among women are horrible. He is seen as a liar and a cheat, and who wants to support that? Oprah Winfrey has reached out to offer support and advice. At this point, she is probably the only one who can help get Woods back in the good graces of women. There is also his identity problem. When Tiger denied his blackness, referring to himself as caublanasian, he turned a lot of African Americans off. There has been no support from the African American community because Tiger thinks he’s colorless. I guess he’s figuring it out now! At this point, he has a major identity crisis going on, and he needs to lay low and try to repair his family. The mistress payoffs are not going to help his image. Tiger needs to find out who he is and reconnect to his family.
Now a lot of male celebrities may be cheating in their spouses, but Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition is not one of them. He says a recently photo showing him with another woman was taken years ago. DeVoe released a statement proclaiming he is happily married, and has not cheated on his wife.
Shaunie’s revenge: Shaq, watch your back! Shaquille O’Neal’s soon to be ex-wife is getting her own reality show. Get ready for NBA Wives, which debuts March 15th on VH1. Shaunie O’Neal is in the process of divorcing Shaq. The seven-year marriage with various kids came to a halt because of Shaq’s cheating, and Shaunie has the proof. Over the years, Shaq has been “shacking” other NBA players’ women. Various emails have been discovered, and now Shaunie will get hers. In her new reality show, she will be featured along with other wives and baby mamas as they showcase their lives. There’s a lot of bling, but there’s also a lot of groupies. How do they deal with it? I always liked Shaq and Shaunie as a couple, and it’s a shame their marriage has come to this.
Domestic violence charges have been dropped against Gospel Singer BeBe Winans. Earlier this year, Winans was arrested for pushing his ex-wife to the ground. He is currently undergoing abuse counseling.
Our condolences go out to Tyler Perry. Perry recently lost his mother. Willie Maxine Perry, 64, died earlier this week after a brief illness. Perry has often credited his mother for his famous “Madea” character. His mom was a pre-school teacher in New Orleans. Perry is going to be in Philadelphia next year with his latest stage production, Madea’s Big Happy Family. Tix go on sale December 18th for the show, which runs April 27th- May 2nd at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.
R Kelly is ready to tell all. The 42-year singer is teaming up with Author David Ritz to tell the real story behind R. Kelly says he wants to talk about losing his mom, his creative side and the six-year ordeal that nearly ended his career. Last year, Kelly was found innocent of child pornography charges. Kelly says he is tired of being misunderstood. He promises to tell the good, the bad and the drama. Does he have a thing for young girls? Why did he marry Singer Aaliyah when she was just 15? The book is coming out through Tavis Smiley’s Smileybooks in 2011. Biographer Ritz is quite the R&B expert. He co-wrote the autobiographies of Smokey Robinson, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. Ritz’s most famous work was Divided Soul about his friend Marvin Gaye.
Fantasia For Real, her new VH1 reality show, debuts January 11th. Fantasia will be featured being a single mom focusing on her career. The show will air 8 episodes. No word on whether they will mention her married boyfriend. Fantasia is featured on the latest issue of Upscale magazine looking fabulous.
American Idol returns January 12th and 13th on FOX. As the 9th season kicks off, Ellen DeGeneres will join Simon, Randy and Kara by replacing Paula Abdul.
Get well wishes to Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Little Richard, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery. And, Bryant Gumbel, former Today Show Host and Host of HBO’s Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel, is recovering from lung cancer surgery. Gumbel recently admitted he had lung cancer during his guest hosting stint on Regis & Kelly.
The Grammy Awards take place January 31st, and all the big names will be honored except….. Whitney Houston! In a surprising move when the nominations were announced, there was no mention of Houston and her latest platinum selling disc, I Look To You. The project was rushed in order to be considered for the Grammys, but the project didn’t get any nominations. Reps for Houston were very disappointment that the CD was overlooked. Beyonce, on the other hand, leads the pack with 10 nominations. Other nominees include Anthony Hamilton and Maxwell, who is up for Song Of The Year for Pretty Wings.
Speaking of Beyonce, she’s coming to Las Vegas after her much needed vacation. Look for Beyonce to take up residence in Las Vegas at the Wynn, where she will command up to $750,000 per show.
The Queen Of Soul recently admitted that the inspiration for her latest CD, Falling Out Of Love, came from heartbreak. Aretha Franklin says she was in a relationship with a younger man, and he broke her heart. The new CD comes out early next year.
Stevie Wonder has a new honor. He has been named the United Nations’ Messenger Of Peace for his work helping people with disabilities.
It’s another girl for former Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph. Rudolph and her boyfriend, Paul Thomas Anderson, recently welcomed their second daughter, Lucille. Rudolph is the daughter of the late Singer Minnie Riperton. Baby Lucille joins big sister Pearl.
What is going with the Barry Bonds family? Bonds’ 19-year old son, Nikolai Bonds, was arrested for attacking his mother. Barry’s ex-wife, 45-year old Sun Bonds, had to call the cops on her son. He attacked her and held her captive. Nikolai Bonds was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, false imprisonment, assault and battery and vandalism.
Naomi Campbell is about to take over British TV with her version of a top model show. Let’s hope as Campbell judges, she remembers what she learned in anger management classes. The legendary supermodel is known for her temper.
Anika Noni Rose is the new cover girl for Essence magazine. She’s on the January cover. Rose is best known for her roles in Dreamgirls and the HBO series The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Rose is the voice of the princess in the new Disney movie The Princess And The Frog. The movie opens in theatres this Friday. This is Disney’s first animated movie featuring an African American as a Princess. In addition to Rose, you’ll recognize the voices of Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, David Keith and Jennifer Lewis.
Now speaking of Terrence Howard, is he really dating his Hustle And Flow co-star Actress Taraji P. Henson? They were quite cozy during The Soul Train Awards……… hmmmmmmm!
He’s now a big TV star with NCIS Los Angeles, but we remember LL Cool J as “Uncle L.” His greatest hits is in stores now. All World features all the greats like Rock The Bells, Jack The Ripper and I Need A Beat, to name a few.
Chris Rock teams up with Martin Lawrence for the comedy Death At A Funeral. The movie opens in theatres next spring April 16th. The comedy also stars Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Zoe Saldana, Luke Wilson and Danny Glover. I have the trailer on my page, Patty’s page, at wdasfm.com. Check it out. It’s very funny.
A lot of people in South Africa are up in arms about Jennifer Hudson playing Winnie Mandela in a movie based on her life. Hudson signed on for the project, and she will be playing the former Mrs. Nelson Mandela. Winnie remains a divided figure in South Africa. She’s either seen as the mother of a nation, or the woman who embarrassed and cheated on the former South African president. Locals want a local actress to portray Winnie and not the Oscar winner. Hudson is looking forward to starting work on the project. Check out Hudson on the new issue of Jet magazine, and make sure you see her in her ABC Holiday special on Monday, the 14th: Home For The Holidays From Chicago.
Speaking of the Mandelas, at the movies, it’s Invictus with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Freeman plays Nelson Mandela.
After six years, Justin Timberlake finally apologizes to Janet Jackson. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Timberlake says her wishes he had supported Janet more. In 2004, Timberlake and Jackson made headlines when he ripped Jackson’s top and exposed her breast. Jackson was ripped apart for the publicity stunt that went wrong, and Timberlake distanced himself from her. As a result, their friendship ended. Timberlake says he regrets his decision because they were both to blame. His career went on while hers suffered.
Get ready for the return of Sade. Yes! Sade is coming out with a new album. The release date for Soldier Of Love is February 8th. Sade recently finished the album, and it includes a duet with Maxwell.
Mary J. Blige’s latest release, Stronger With Each Tear, arrives in stores on December 15th.
Oprah Winfrey is spending Christmas with The Obamas. In a new ABC special, Oprah will be doing a show with The President and First Family. Christmas At The White House will air on Sunday, December 13th.
Idris Elba, Michael Ealy and Rapper T.I. will be starring in the new movie Takers, which opens in theatres February 19th, 2010. Elba has also signed on for the movie Thor, where he will play a superhero.
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, The African American Museum and The Franklin Institute are joining forces to present An Evening With Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Molefi Asante. The event is happening Wednesday, December 16th at the Franklin Institute, 20th and Ben Franklin Parkway. For more information call 215-448-1200.
Robin Thicke has a new album called Sex Therapy coming out December 15th.
Queen Latifah will be starring in the holiday campaign for Macy’s Department Stores. She’s also on tap to host The People’s Choice Awards on CBS January 6th.
The Jackson brothers are trying to plan a reunion for their classic song I Want You Back. The song is 40-years old, and the reunion could coincide with the debut of their A&E reality show. The show debuts December 13th.
The stars came out for Lionel Richie and a taping of UNCF’s Evening Of Stars. The show airs in January and will feature Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight and Natalie Cole.

