The Tiger Woods controversy goes on. Is he addicted to painkillers? Is he the victim of domestic abuse? What really happened on that fateful Thanksgiving night outside his Florida home? What happened to make him crash his car? The 33-year old golf sensation suffered injuries to his face and mouth. He backed out of a charity golf tournament that he was slated to host, and he may stay hidden until next month, when he is scheduled to do his next tournament. Last week, there were published reports of Tiger having an affair with a New York woman. Did this set his wife off? Tiger left his home Thanksgiving night in a t-shirt and shorts and no shoes. It’s illegal to drive in Florida with no shoes. Where was he going? Was he fleeing his home to get away from his wife? Did she scratch his face and attack him with a golf club. Did a fight over alleged cheating lead to the crash? Woods released a statement saying this is a private matter; it’s embarrassing, and he will make sure this doesn’t happen again. He says the crash was his fault. Sources say Tiger is trying to protect his wife, who could have faced charges if it’s proved that she attacked him with golf club. There has also been speculation that maybe Woods is addicted to painkillers, and he was high when he ventured out. The entire incident has been a mess, and Woods needs to get back to doing what he does best….. play golf! Woods and his wife Elin have been married for five years and they have two children, a two-year old and nine-month old.
Shaquille O’Neal of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been ordered by the NBA to stay away from Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards. According to reports, Shaq had been carrying on a five-year affair with Arenas’ fiancée Laura Govan, and that’s why Shaq’s wife is divorcing him. Shaunie O’Neal has the emails to prove his infidelities. The NBA wants to keep this embarrassing situation private. At a recent game between the Cavs and the Wizards, Shaq did not show claiming an injury. He didn’t even enter the building. Shaq has gotten himself into a mess, and a lot of players feel they can’t trust him because he has a rep for sleeping with other players’ wives and girlfriends. His divorce from wife Shaunie is going to cost him. He is now trying to get the case out of a California court. Shaunie filed for divorce two years ago and the couple went back and forth with charges of cheating and stolen money. Shaunie has had enough of Shaq and his cheating. Despite all of their kids, she wants out of the marriage.
Janet Jackson is planning to go on tour overseas in support of her latest greatest hits collection. Janet is also starring in the new Tyler Perry movie, Why Did I Get Married Too, which opens in theatres April 2nd.
Alicia Keys is also planning a European tour next year.
Speaking of Tyler Perry, he is returning to his first love, stage plays, in Madea’s Big Happy Family. The stage play will start touring in January 2010. Tyler’s latest film with Oscar Nominee Taraji P. Henson, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, comes out on DVD January 12th, 2010.
The Michael Jackson estate is almost debt free. Since The King Of Pop died five months ago, the money has been pouring in. With music royalties and the receipts from the movie This Is It, the estate has been able to clear a lot of debt. Speaking of This Is It, the DVD featuring 90 extra minutes is coming out on January 26th. This Is It is excellent, and it features Jackson getting ready for the London shows that never happened because of his death.
The wedding date is set for Nicole Murphy and Michael Strahan. The date is June 10th, 2010. Nicole is the ex-wife of Eddie Murphy, and Strahan is the former star of the New York Giants and current FOX Sports analyst. The pair has nine children between them. Despite an incident earlier this year when Strahan put a tracking device in Nicole’s car and caught her cheating, their love has prevailed. They make a nice looking couple, and despite their speed bump, true love has conquered all.
Mary J. Blige’s latest release, Stronger With Each Tear, arrives in stores on December 15th.
R Kelly is back with a new album, Untitled, and a new love. She’s a 24-year old singer who is on tour with him.
Marion Jones is making a return to sports. The disgraced Olympic darling is working out to get a spot in the WNBA. Jones served a six-month prison term for lying to the feds about steroid use. During her heyday, she won a ton of gold medals. Jones was at the top of her game, but a series of bad decisions led to her downfall. Jones does have skills. She played basketball for North Carolina in college.
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 that will air on Sunday, December 13th.
Beyonce is not ready for the babies just yet even though her hubby Jay-Z is. But, Beyonce wants to put out a new album next year. She says she’s a workaholic, but she will stop and take some time to smell the roses.
Nicole Richie is developing a show for ABC which she will star in and produce. The 28-year old daughter of Lionel Richie is a mother of two. She is ready for the next step in her career, and she wants to return to TV.
Fantasia looks fabulous on the new issue of Upscale magazine. Fantasia’s new reality show premieres on VH1 next month.
Actor Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction, Baby Boy, and Rosewood) is having tax problems. He owes the State Of California close to $500,000 in back taxes.
Congrats to Singer Keyshia Cole. She’s expecting her first child with NBA Star Daniel “Boobie” Gibson.
In an attempt to revive her stalled career, Brandy is hard at work on a new album. She’s also set to star in a new reality show with her brother Ray J.
It’s another boy for the McNabbs. On November 20th, Donavan and his wife Roxie welcomed a son, Devin James. He joins the twins Sariah and Donovan, Jr., who are a year old, and daughter Alexis, who was born in 2004. Donavan McNabb is the star quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Producer Rodney Jerkins and his wife, Singer/Actress Joy Enriquez, recently welcomed their first child.
Chris Brown is set to do a sit down with 20/20. He says he has done other interviews, but he is going to talk about what really happened with him and Singer Rihanna. He plans to talk about the relationship, and what lead to the infamous attack on her. The show will air on Friday December 11th on ABC with Robin Roberts.
At the movies this week, it’s Laurence Fishburne’s latest film Armored. The heist thriller also stars Columbus Short and Matt Dillon.
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.
Congrats to Author/Educator Salome Thomas-El. He is a new contributor to The Dr. Oz Show. Thomas-El is the author of the book I Choose To Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses To Desert The Inner City. Disney is planning to turn the book into a movie. Thomas-El is also the former principal of the Russell Byers Charter School. In his role on The Dr. Oz Show, he is part of Core Team Oz as a health and lifestyle motivator. The Dr. Oz Show airs locally at 9am on CBS3.
Patti LaBelle has introduced her new line of sauces and marinades. Lady Marmalade has marinades and barbeque sauces. The line will be sold exclusively at Shoprite supermarkets and for more info go to pattilabellefoods.com. Patti is a fabulous cook, and she says she is excited about this new line. She also has a bedding line coming out which will be sold at Macy’s.
Robin Thicke has a new album called Sex Therapy coming out December 15th.
The December/January issue of Ebony magazine features 150 of the most powerful African Americans. The magazine is celebrating trailblazers with 8 stunning covers featuring Chris Rock, Mo’Nique, Wanda Sykes, President Barack Obama, Reverend Al Sharpton, LeBron James, and Venus & Serena Williams, to name a few.
Get ready for the return of Vibe magazine. A new issue is coming out in December.
Jennifer Hudson has signed on for a new movie about Winnie Mandela. Winnie Mandela is the former wife of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president. Hudson is also gearing up for her ABC holiday special. Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be Home For Christmas will be filmed in Chicago. The show airs December 14th.
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.
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith will be hosting this year’s Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies.
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.
