2

SGL Weekly Contents

3 Chris Tucker Hits The Stage- Is He

Preparing For His Tour?

3 Halle, Oprah, Beyonce, Mariah &

More Rumored To Be In New Tyler

Perry Film

3 Dwayne 'The Rock" Johnson & Sam-

uel L Jackson in New Comedy Film

4 Partnership Announced Between The

New York Comedy Festival & The Peo-

ple's Choice Awards

13 MICHELLE O. HEADED BACK

TO 'SESAME STREET'

13 LUENELL READY FOR 'MORE

HUSTLIN'

13 Real Or Rumor: Maurice Murrell

and Bry’Nt

14 OMAR MILLER JOINS 'CSI: MI-

AMI'

14 MICHAEL JACKSON BOOTS

HELP FUND AIDS RESEARCH

14 KHLAMAR NOT LEGALLY MARRIED?

15 LISARAYE'S REP DENIES SHARPTON HOOKUP

16 SWIZZ BEATZ'S WIFE CALLS OUT ALICIA KEYS

17 ESSENCE ATKINS MARRIES HER INTERNET BEAU

18 CABLE NETWORK CENTRIC MAKES ITS DEBUT

6 Ask Nathan

7 Rodney Lofton Makes it Through the Rain

20 DVD’S

3

What’s The T? The Entertainment Report

Edited By: Cleavester

Chris Tucker Hits The Stage- Is He

Preparing For His Tour?

If you remember a couple of weeks ago we an-

nounced to you that comedian and actor Chris

Tucker, probably most famous for his Rush

Hour film franchise and the film Friday had re-

cently agreed to put on a comedy tour with AEG

Live.

Well to add a little further proof to our claim,

last night at The Laugh Factory during the

Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show we got a

chance to see Tucker hit the stage and work out

some of his new material.

Now, as we reported there is no word yet on set

tour date or who will open up for him, but we

did discover the tour is set up for about 20-30

cities and is set to begin this fall.

Halle, Oprah, Beyonce, Mariah &

More Rumored To Be In New Tyler

Perry Film

A couple of weeks ago it was reported that Li-

onsgate Films had tapped Tyler Perry to write,

direct and produce an adaptation of the 1975

play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered

Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf." The film is

slated to be the first project for Perry's 34th

Street Films production company, housed at Li-

onsgate.

Well during that time we discovered that "For

Colored Girls" will begin shooting in Atlanta in

November, with Lionsgate planning a release

next year. In case you hadn't heard the play is a

series of 20 poems telling stories of love, aban-

donment, domestic abuse and other issues faced

by black women.

Since the news broke about For Colored Girls,

we have heard a rumor about the casting of the

film, and rumor has it that Halle Berry, Oprah

Winfrey, Cicely Tyson, Kimberly Elise, Ruby

Dee, Maya Angelou, Angela Bassett, Thandie

Newton, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Beyonce

and Alfre Woodard have all joined the new film.

Word has it that the deals are being put into

place and an announcement should be made

soon. We will have more on this as it develops.

"For Colored Girls," written by Ntozake

Shange, was first performed in 1975; it was

made into a 1982 telepic with Shange, Laurie

Carlos, Trazana Beverly, Alfre Woodard and

Lynn Whitfield for PBS' "American Playhouse"

banner. A Broadway revival, produced by

Whoopi Goldberg and starring India.Arie, was

announced for the 2008-09 season but got

yanked last summer when funding fell through.

Dwayne 'The Rock" Johnson & Samuel

L Jackson in New Comedy Film

4

It looks like the cast is growing of the Damon Way-

ans Jr. film we told you about last week. News has

just dropped that the film titled The Other Guys, has

now secured Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and

Samuel L. Jackson in the cast, along with Eva

Mendes Michael Keaton, Will Ferrell, Mark

Wahlberg and Steve J. Coogan.

The Rock and Jackson play an elite cop team whose

exploits are the envy of the department and the sec-

ond-tier fellow cops played by Ferrell and Wahl-

berg. Actor Steve J. Coogan will play the villain in

the film.

Be on the look out for more news, as we hear Other

Guys is set to bow Aug. 6, 2010.

Partnership Announced Between The

New York Comedy Festival & The Peo-

ple's Choice Awards

The New

York Comedy Festival (NYCF) announced last

week that a new partnership with the People's

Choice Awards that will provide two unique oppor-

tunities for both comedians and fans to participate in

this year's festival. For the first time ever, festival-

goers will have the chance to vote on and present an

official People's Choice Award during the "New

York's Funniest Stand-Up" competition, an event

that showcases the most talented newcomers and

established comedians in New York. The winner of

the competition will receive the prestigious crystal

People's Choice Award and will be recognized dur-

ing the 2010 People's Choice Award live broadcast

on CBS.

Additionally, the People’s Choice partnership offers

aspiring comedians across the nation the opportunity

to perform live as an opening act for one of the fol-

lowing NYCF’s headlining comedians: Tracy Mor-

gan, Artie Lange, Mike Epps, Bill Burr, Patton

5

Oswalt or Mike Birbiglia. Performers can submit a

three-minute comedy routine from Sept 21 through

Oct 7 on www.peopleschoice.com. A NYCF panel

will post the top three performers back on the site on

Oct 9 for fans to vote for their favorite and ulti-

mately decide which comedian to send to New York

to perform during the New York Comedy Festival.

The winner will be announced Oct 23. In addition to

performing in New York during the Festival, the

winner is invited to attend the 2010 People’s Choice

Awards in Los Angeles.

The 2009 NYCF is presented in association with

Comedy Central. The festival is produced by Caro-

lines on Broadway and United Entertainment Group.

Media sponsors include Time Warner Cable Media

Sales- NYC, Time Out New York, the New York

Post, The Wall Street Journal, Myspace.com, and

People’s Choice Awards. Jameson is the official

Irish whiskey, Travelocity is the official travel spon-

sor, and The Shoreham Hotel is the official hotel of

the 2009 New York Comedy Festival. (More

What’s the T?Cont’d on Page 13)

6

Ask Nathan

Dear Nathan,

I fell in love with a woman a couple of months ago. She totally turned my world upside

down. The Problem is we don't live in the same state. And when I'm away for a while she

always strays and it ends up being nothing and she returns to me. I don't know what to do.

Should I plan on moving to the same state as her or should I let her go.

Sarah

Dear Sarah:

Long distance relationships require a different level of commitment than most relationships.

Communication is a major component as with all relationships.

I challenge you to examine the pros and cons of the space apart. Both of you can live in the

same city, but you have to make the declaration to be together.

Create a "Sevenly" Day!

_____________________________________________

Nathan "Seven" Scott

Professional & Personal Life Coach

Visit me online: www.nathansevenscott.com

Tweet me: www.twitter.com/nathansevenscot

7

8

Rodney Lofton

Makes It

Through The

Rain A Cleavester Brooks Interview

9

What is your latest book No More Tomorrows: Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love about?

A: No More Tomorrows is a love story about living and loving in the age of HIV/AIDS. Mark who is

HIV positive, awakes from a dream and realizes it is his last day on this physical earth. The story is told

in dual voices from his perspective as an HIV positive man, and his partner's perspective Kevin, who is

HIV negative. The story traces their relationship from their initial meeting, first date, the first time they

make love and the last time they would say goodbye.

Who is Rodney Lofton?

A: Rodney Lofton is simple, yet complex black gay male living with HIV. He is humbled by the response

he has received from both of his books. He is a kind hearted person, a loving son and a great friend.

What was life like growing up in Seaboard,NC?

A: I was born in Seaboard, NC while my parents were visiting my grandparents. I never actually lived

there. I was born on my grandmother's bed with the assistance of a mid-wife.

Cleavester: What was life like in Virginia?

A: Richmond, VA is a wonderful place to live if you are ready to retire. It is a beautiful city steeped in

Confederate culture, due in part to being the Capital of the Confederacy. The gay community is large for a

city of its population, but unfortunately it is still closeted to some extent. There is an invisible line of ra-

cism that truly separates blacks and whites, and considering it is 2009, it is very unfortunate.

Cleavester: What did you want to be when you grow up?

A: I wanted to be an Accountant. My goal was to become a CPA and drive a black Volvo with tan inte-

rior. As you can see, that didn't happen.

Cleavester: When did you know you were gay? A: I realized I was gay at the age of 15. I knew I was attracted to guys, but I never acted on the feeling. Of

course there were neighborhood guys I played bump and giggle with, but that was as far as it went. After

my last sexual encounter with a female at the age of 15, I had my first "official" encounter with a 25 year

old Theology Major.

Cleavester: How did you know you were gay?

10

A: I was drawn to guys. Their attractive features, in some cases, their swagger. I admired their bodies in

gym class. As a late bloomer, I was envious of the body hair that adorned their legs and the traces of hair

that covered the bodies and of course the treasure trail that lead to, well I will leave it at that.

Cleavester: When did you move to NYC? Why did you want to move to NYC?

A: I moved to NYC in 1992 to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. At the time, I became ac-

quainted with E. Lynn Harris. We became friends after hosting a book signing for him in Richmond, VA.

I mentioned to him my desire to move to NYC and the company that was handling his public relations at

the time was looking for an Executive Assistant. With his suggestion, I interviewed and got the job. After

serving as the Executive Assistant to the President of the company, he promoted me to Publicity.

Cleavester: If you wanted to be an actor why not Los Angeles? A: At the time, it was too far for me to move away from my family. I am a momma's boy and that was too

far of a place to be away from my mother.

Cleavester: What is The Day I Stopped Being Pretty: A Memoir about?

A: I wrote The Day I Stopped Being Pretty after a failed suicide attempt in 2005. I decided to revisit the

paths that led me to wanting to kill myself; growing up black, loving as a gay male and living with HIV.

Cleavester: Why are you the face of HIV/AIDS?

A: I wouldn't say I corner the market on that phrase. I just happen to have had an opportunity to travel the

country to speak and present openly and honestly what it is like to live with HIV. I have since taken a

break in order to focus on me and living. Life is wonderful and my health is excellent. It was time to step

away and allow me to focus on me.

Cleavester: When were you diagnosed with HIV?

A: I was diagnosed in December 1993.

Cleavester: So did you start taking care of yourself better and change your lifestyle?

A: It took me a couple of years to wrap my thoughts and mind around living with HIV. I took some steps

to take better care of myself and of course faltered. I am still a work in progress here.

Cleavester: Had you been getting regular exams before you were diagnosed?

11

A: Yes, I did the annual physical along with the annual antibody test. I allowed my heart to rule my head

and didn't use a condom with my partner who failed to inform me of his status. A number of years after

the fact, he finally called me one evening and apologized for infecting me. I accepted his apology, but I

had to own up to my role in my infection as well. I knew better and knew the risks associated with unpro-

tected sex, but like many others, I was in love. So I take responsibility for my actions.

Cleavester: Why did you think you would die?

A: Well I thought I would die, because I was told I was going to die. At the time of my diagnosis, there

weren't too many drugs or treatment options available to persons living with HIV/AIDS. AZT was the

only thing available for treatment at the time. So that coupled with an insincere voice from the CDC, I

thought I would die by the time I was 30. I had just turned 25 at the time. Now, with God's blessing, I am

41.

Cleavester: How do you live your life today?

A: Well, I am contemplating getting back into the gym. I take one day at a time and thank God for allow-

ing me another day in his creation. As much as I hate taking the medications, I know it, coupled with a

positive outlook (no pun intended) keeps me here and loved by family and friends.

Cleavester: Take us into the life of someone with the disease. Are some days harder than others?

A: It's a bitch. I hate it. It's like there is a visitor in my body that refuses to leave. Although the visitor has-

n't done anything to me as of yet, his presence is felt with the side effects of the medications, the quarterly

doctors visits. I see him every quarter on a piece of paper after having lab work. That is the only time I

see what he is doing. I hate this disease. I wouldn't wish it or the emotional or physical impact on my

worse enemy. I have been blessed not to see it's impact at this point and I try in vain to fight it as much as

I possibly can.

Cleavester: What are you listening to now?

A: Oh, there are so many. I have Whitney Houston's latest release in my car. I love Chrisette Michelle. I

am also a big fan of the new Broadway recording of the musical revival of Hair (Sasha Allen is incredi-

ble). Ledisi gets me going. I also revisit the incredible Nancy Wilson and the late Dinah Washington.

Lastly, I like some less than famous singers as Jaguar Wright, Nicole Henry (a jazz vocalist out of Flor-

ida), Adriana Evans and Lina.

Cleavester: What is your guilty pleasure?

A: My guilty pleasure is Butter Brickle ice cream and a beautiful kiss.

Cleavester: Which actor would play you in a movie of your life?

A: Wow, I never really thought about that. There are different stages of my life, where different actors

would be appropriate. As a teenager/young man I would have to say Evan Ross. As an adult, maybe

Terrance Howard. He has a very sensitive side that would convey the many sides of Rodney.

Cleavester: Last book you read?

A: The Genocide Files. Excellent book. I am currently reading Lamar Ariel's Ready to Male and The

Fence by Dick Lehr.

Cleavester: Celebrity you've been mistaken for?

A: No one lol.

Cleavester: Do you like them thick or thin?

A: LOL, it honestly depends on the person and their heart.

12

Cleavester: Describe a date with you?

A: I am a hopeless romantic and I know some brothers aren't into the romance thing. But if I am planning

the date, it would start with a nice candlelight dinner and a great bottle of wine. Music would figure

prominently throughout the evening. The restaurant would have a nice jazz trio playing. After dinner,

tickets to a nice jazz concert for lovers. We would walk the city together, talking and sharing stories of

life, agreeing to disagree, sharing and learning from each other. As the evening winds down, we would

return to my place, light some candles throughout the house and enjoy a slow dance to Nancy Wilson's

"You Better Go." A gentle kiss and if we are both consenting adults, well that is for another time. As you

can see, I like romance.

Cleavester: Tell us about your family: Are they supportive of the choices you have made in your

life?

A: My family is great. Of course they had some concerns when I came out of the closet at such an early

age. Their concerns were for my safety and well-being. And of course my mother was hurt by my deci-

sion to embrace my sexual orientation. But they have been the foundation from which I have been able to

grow, live and love. My father on the other hand had a very difficult time in dealing with his youngest son

being gay and HIV positive. That story is told in my first book The Day I Stopped Being Pretty.

Cleavester: If you could see one change happen in the LGBT community in your lifetime, it would

be and why?

A: I would love to see the LGBT community come together as one. We have some many issues of age-

ism, racism and class issues within the LGBT community that it lessens our unity for unconditional equal-

ity. WE are the first to call someone a "queen" or "fag" to take the focus off of us, versus fighting for all.

WE must decide what is truly important to us as a community and come together to achieve those rights

that our heterosexual counterparts have.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

A: Welcome home my child. I know the road was hard and very difficult at times, but I was with you

each step of the way. When you were hurt, I hurt. When you cried, I cried. When you laughed, I was there

laughing with you. During those most difficult times on your journey, I was their to embrace you and

show you how special and loved you were.

Cleavester: Do you have any special message for our readers?

A: I am paraphrasing an old saying, but live life to the fullest. Live life without regret. Love with all of

your heart and allow yourself to be loved. Like Madea says, when you want to feel pretty just look at

yourself and say, "Ting:)"

Visit Rodney at www.rodneylofton.com

13

(What’s The T? Cont’d on 5)

MICHELLE O. HEADED BACK TO

'SESAME STREET': First Lady to

again plug healthy eating and garden-

ing. The First Lady will help

kick off the 40th year of

"Sesame Street" with an

appearance on the Nov. 10

season premiere, PBS an-

nounced Tuesday.

Michelle Obama will

bring with her a message

touting the importance of

planting gardens and

healthy eating. She'll teach

children how to plant to-

mato, cucumber and lettuce

seeds as part of the show's

new two-year science initiative called "My World is

Green & Growing."

"All these seeds need to grow are sun, soil and

water. If you eat these healthy foods, you're going to

grow up to be big and strong, like me," Obama tells

the residents of Sesame Street. "I know you're going

to like these vegetables, because in addition to being

healthy, they really taste great!"

In March, Mrs. Obama took on the unofficial

role of Gardener-In-Chief by breaking ground on the

first fruit and vegetable garden at 1600 Pennsylvania

Ave. since World War II. The 1,100 sq ft patch of

land will grow some 50 fruits and vegetables to be

used in the White House kitchen.

The November visit will be Mrs. Obama's sec-

ond trip to The Street. In May, she teamed with

Elmo for a public service announcement about eat-

ing right, exercising regularly and being a healthy

and positive role model for children as part of Ses-

ame Workshops Healthy Habits For Life initiative.

At the time, she said the experience was "probably

the best thing I've done at the White House."

LUENELL READY FOR 'MORE

HUSTLIN': Comic reteams with Red

Grant and Melanie Camacho for new

tour. Comedienne Luenell will hit the road in a new com-

edy tour dubbed "More Hustlin'," a follow up to her

previous stint on the Pimp Chronicles Tour with

Katt Williams, Red Grant and Melanie

Camacho.

Luenell, currently co-starring in the Sandra Bul-

lock film "All About Steve," reteams with Grant and

Camacho for "More Hustlin'," which launches on

Friday Oct. 2 at the Murat Theatre in Indianapo-

lis.

Targeted cities in-

clude, Baltimore, Chicago,

Dallas, DC, Miami, Nash-

ville, Rancho Cordova and

Sacramento.

"I am excited to be

hitting the road again with

my comedic family, Red

and Melanie," Luenell said

in a statement. "It will be

our pleasure to dip in to the

cities across the country, meeting fans and spreading

laughter. Remember, we toured with the best in the

biz. So hold on people 'cause we’re not playin' this

time either!"

Real Or Rumor: Maurice Murrell and

Bry’Nt Recently, I received this little note in my email box

Maurice Murrell and Bry'Nt seeing each other in a

Intimate way. Here's an image that was sent to me of

the two together. From my understanding this is a

image from the new movie Finding Me: The Sequel.

Maurice’s Character Jay gets a boyfriend in the sec-

ond installment. The new movie should be out next

May

OMAR MILLER JOINS 'CSI: MI-

AMI': Actor follows guest starring role

with permanent gig.

14

Actor Omar Miller is the newest cast member of

CBS's drama "CSI: Miami," according to the Holly-

wood Reporter.

The 30-year-old will play Walter Simmons, a

Louisiana native and art theft specialist who trans-

fers over from the night

shift to join Horatio’s

(David Caruso) team. His

first episode will air on Oct.

5.

Miller, most known for

his roles in "Get Rich or Die

Tryin'," "Miracle at St.

Anna" and the TV series

"Eleventh House," was

originally cast as a guest

star on "CSI: Miami," with

the network recently pick-

ing up his series regular

option.

Miller's film credits also include "Shall We

Dance" and "8 Mile."

MICHAEL JACKSON BOOTS HELP

FUND AIDS RESEARCH: Janet

chairs celebrity amfAR auction as part

of Milan Fashion Week. A pair of bedazzled boots that Michael Jackson

planned to wear during his scheduled concerts in

London were auctioned off for $14,650 at a fund-

raiser for HIV/AIDS research chaired by his sister,

Janet Jackson.

Organizers say the

event late Monday as part

of Milan Fashion Week

raked in $1.1 million for

the American Foundation

for AIDS Research

(amfAR), and drew such

star power as Donatella Versace, model Linda Evan-

gelista and rapper Kanye West.

According to the Associated Press, the event

included a charity dinner in a central Milan palace

and continued into the early hours of Tuesday with

DJ Bob Sinclar serving his famous mixes on an up-

stairs dance floor.

"I'd just like to thank everyone here in the

global fashion community who've done so much to

help amfAR and to support HIV/AIDS research,"

Janet Jackson told celebrity diners, who paid any-

where from $2,200 to $11,500 each for dinner tick-

ets. "When this terrible pandemic began everyone ...

who was infected died of AIDS. Today with your

help millions of people are living with HIV."

During the auction, Sudanese model Alex Wek

helped stir interest in the Giuseppe Zanotti-designed

boots that featured 3,000 multicolored Swarovski

beads, which Jackson planned to wear on the open-

ing night of his comeback.

"Growing up in southern Sudan, I did not know

a lot of pop stars. But Michael did touch a lot of

people," she said in tribute to the singer, who died in

June before his much-anticipated comeback could

begin.

A custom black leather jacket designed by the

Canadian twin designers Dean and Dan Caten of the

DSquared2 label set off a bidding war between rap-

per West and Diesel designer Renzo Rosso. Rosso

prevailed with a bid of $52,740, the highest price

paid for any of the auctioned items.

Model Noemie Lenoir, who flew in from New

York for the event, was supposed to auction off a

chance to sail aboard the yacht "Born for Sports" as

it attempts to break the trans-Mediterranean record

from Marseilles to Carthage in Tunisia. Instead, she

improvised an auction of an evening out in her com-

pany.

"Come on, cheap people, more money," she

urged, as the bidding reached the winning level of

$16,115.

KHLAMAR NOT LEGALLY MAR-

RIED?: Union reportedly invalid until

prenup is hashed out; Odom responds. TMZ.com is reporting that the quickie marriage of

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian is not even

valid, and won't be unless a prenuptial agreement is

signed.

"We've learned two high-powered family law

attorneys are already squaring off, trying to hash out

the prenup Odom wants as a condition to marriage,"

TMZ reported Tuesday.

Neal Hersh is representing the Los Angeles Lak-

ers star, while Lisa Meyer is repping Kar-

dashian.

"We're told the negotiations -- which began last

Friday -- are already contentious," stated TMZ. "Our

sources say the couple will tie the knot -- legally --

once the prenup is inked."

15

But Odom wants the world to know that his mar-

riage to Khloe, who he had dated only a month be-

fore marrying her on Sunday, is "real" and "legal."

He also addressed the situation with reporters at

the Lakers pre-season training camp at their practice

facility in El Segundo, CA.

"It's crazy how perception works in America

when you're looking at things from the outside. It

might be off, it might be on. But anybody that was

there will tell you that it was a beautiful event and it

was real."

And what about the rumors that he married the

reality starlet in order to garner more publicity.

"I don't need that. I get

enough with the Lakers," he

said. "I do well for myself."

He also defended the

couple's choice to marry so

quickly. They may have

only known each other for a

month before they married,

but he doesn't think that will

hurt them in the long run.

"There's people who've

been married for 25 years

and they get divorced," he

explained. "There's people

who get married overnight

and the next thing you know they've been married

25 years."

You can see the wedding on an episode of

"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" on November 8

on E!.

Lamar & Khloe take thier first dance as husband and wife courtesy OK Magazine. Issue with MORE photos on sale Thursday

LISARAYE'S REP DENIES SHARP-

TON HOOKUP: The two hung to-

gether over the weekend to promote a

new White House Education Tour. LisaRaye's publicist has denied rampant reports

across the black blogosphere that the actress is dat-

ing Rev. Al Sharpton. The rumors started flying af-

ter the two were photographed holding hands at vari-

ous events over the past several days.

Gossip site Media Take Out on Tuesday said

they were spotted looking "cozy" at Roland Martin’s

Congressional Black Caucus party in Washington

D.C. They were also photographed walking through

an airport and at Sharpton's Monday appearance on

"WWE Raw."

But the outings were strictly business, according

to Jeter. The two are involved in the Obama admini-

stration's vision of educational innovation and are

promoting a tour that will take them through various

cites that serve as solid examples of school re-

form.

"LisaRaye is involved in the White House Edu-

cation Tour with Education Secretary Arne Duncan,

former GOP House speaker Newt Gingrich and Rev.

Al Sharpton because she has a foundation, Radiant

Jewels, that gives scholarships to young girls," Jeter

16

explained to EURweb exclusively. "So [the White

House Education Tour] is a direct tie-in to what

she's already been doing."

Al Sharpton & LisaRaye The Education Tour kicked off yesterday (Sept.

29) in Philadelphia, with stops booked in New Or-

leans on Nov. 3 and Baltimore on Nov. 13.

And just to be clear, Jeter says that her client

and Rev. Al are not an item, Sharpton never coun-

seled LisaRaye through her divorce with Michael

Misick as previously reported, and he has never

served as her spiritual advisor.

"Every time you see LisaRaye with some per-

son, don't assume that she's dating them," Jeter said.

"There's a bigger picture to what she's doing."

SWIZZ BEATZ'S WIFE CALLS OUT

ALICIA KEYS:

'You know what you

did,' writes

Mashonda in an

open letter to the al-

leged other woman. Singer Mashonda, who

says she is technically still

married to rap producer

Swizz Beatz, has written an

open letter to Alicia Keys

regarding the alleged rela-

tionship she is having with her husband.

Rumors of the Keys/Beatz hookup began to cir-

culate in early 2008, after Beatz and Mashonda were

separated.

According to the Web site Rap-Up.com,

Mashonda has been trying to reach out to the

Grammy winning singer/songwriter ever since, but

never received a response. So, the open letter was

the only way she could communicate with the

singer.

It was sparked by a Twitter message Keys posted

on Friday. She wrote: "Having a heated debate n the

studio. Question is ... N love is it better to go 4 the

choice that is 'SMART' or the choice that has

'SPARK'??"

Here's the letter in its entirety, according to Rap-

Up.com:

After having a great evening with my son and enjoy-

ing some fun twit chat, I decided to sign off and get

some work done. However, a few hours later I was

advised that I should check @aliciakeys twit page.

I've never reached out to her on twitter before. I feel

our issues are a lot more serious than a website con-

versation. Not to mention that I've reached out to

her many times in the beginning of this whole thing,

as any wife would do. Unfortunately, I never suc-

ceeded in getting a response.

The 1st time I meet AK, my husband introduced us to

each other at an event. ( I have no choice but to call

him my husband, until he is not anymore) In the

messages that I sent to her (AK), I made it very clear

that on the contrary of what she might be hearing, I

am still married to my husband, living with him and

just had a child. Its been two years and I still have

not received a response.

What I do receive, is constant displays of selfishness

and disconcern to me and my son. was a fan of AK's

last album, we were both signed to J Records and I

always checked up on her projects. I sang her songs

and admired her for creating Superwoman and

Karma, I would never deny her, her talent. I be-

lieved in her until I found out she was possibly

sleeping with my husband. The affair was denied by

both, until it was finally admitted months later.

Already I can hear some of you saying "why are u

blaming her, You cant make someone leave their

wife, You cant break something thats broken." Well,

my marriage was not broken, as far as I knew we

were celebrating our sons birth and getting ready to

17

celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary . Call it

blind love, whatever. I call it being a devoted wife.

As far as me blaming her

and not blaming him, thats

false. Me and my husband

have worked out our differ-

ences. We are in a good

place as people and as par-

ents. I accept his choices

and I am comfortable

enough with myself to move

on. I am so very blessed in

many ways. My concern

with AK is no longer the

fact that she assisted in de-

stroying a family but that

she has the audacity to make these selfish comments

about love and wanting to be with someone, even

after knowing their situation. How is this the same

Superwoman that I sang out loud with in my truck? I

ask myself sometimes.

If you are reading this Alicia, let me start by saying,

you know what you did. You know the role you

played and you know how you contributed to the

ending of my marriage. You know that I asked you to

step back and let me handle my family issues. Issues

that you helped to create. Im not saying everything

was perfect all the time but no relationship is per-

fect. We made a vow to God and I believe you

should have respected that, as a woman. I know you

owe me or my son nothing but I just wish you

would've handled things more carefully.

I'm not judging you, I put you and the whole situa-

tion in the hands of God, the Higher Power. Just

know that as a woman, I expected so much more

from you. I never had intentions on reaching out to

you this way but after reading your twits tonight,

and the constant disregard, you left me no choice. I

feel that after 1 and a half years of you hiding this

affair and acting like it doesnt exist, that now is the

time to confront it, since you talk so openly about it

now

This is not a publicity stunt, I dont have a record

coming out. I just need to close this chapter in my

life and that means confronting our issues. There is

a small child involved. His dad loves him to death

and he wants to spend more time with him but hes

afraid because he knows we don't have a relation-

ship. This is my main concern. My son NEEDS his

dad and I NEED to be comfortable with you. For

him!

I know many will see my point and many will not be

able to look into what's real because they only want

to see Alicia Keys the celebrity, not the human. This

is not for the "people", this is for you. Like I said I

was left no choice but to reach out to you this way.

By now, Im sure you want to find a balance in this

as well. I read your tweets tonight and I felt they

were very insensitive. You have no idea how much

pain I was caused because of this affair. Its baffling

to me that you don't understand what I might have

gone through with this situation. I dont consider my-

self a victim anymore, Ive learned alot from this! I

just ask you to try and be a bit more realistic and

delicate to the situation, at least until my divorce is

final.

I felt me attending the party would have been a

starting point for us, since you shook my hand after I

offered it, but I suppose I was wrong. If its so, that

you and my husband are meant to be together, then

God bless you both and I hope you never have to

deal with what I did. I would not wish it on my worst

enemy. If you two being together forever is the case,

its more of a reason for us to get along, because I'm

not going anywhere. Theres a child to be raised.

To answer your tweet, choose smart over spark.

Sparks burn everyone, be smart! Its simple actually,

just think of the shoe being on the other foot. Stay

blessed and lets work this thing out with respect and

dignity.

ESSENCE ATKINS MARRIES HER

INTERNET BEAU: Couple jumped

the broom Saturday in Pasadena. G.

Garvin provided the food. Actress Essence Atkins, best known for her role on

the UPN sitcom "Half and Half," has married her

boyfriend Jaime Mendez after meeting him less than

two years ago through an online dating site.

According to People.com, the wedding took

place Saturday at the Ambassador Mansion and Gar-

dens in Pasadena, Calif, The couple met on Valen-

tine’s Day of last year through Match.com.

18

"I wrote him a quick little note that I had read his

profile, and then I signed off, Happy SAD Day –

that's Single Awareness

Day," says Essence, 37. A

week later the couple went

on their first date, and they

were engaged a year later.

The bride wore a

Stephen Yearick gown for

the ceremony and an Angel

Rivera dress for the recep-

tion, according to People. "I

felt like a princess," she

says.

Her former costar Val-

erie Pettiford performed original music at the recep-

tion. Plus, the bride surprised her husband with a

salsa band to celebrate his Puerto Rican heritage.

"We've been taking salsa lessons. It's part of what

we’ve been doing together as a couple," she says.

TV One personality, chef G. Garvin, blended

Puerto Rican and traditional soul food dishes, which

included mac and cheese, roasted pork, peach cob-

bler and plantains.

As party favors, guests received match books and

travel-sized candles. But singles guests were given

six-month memberships to Match.com.

CABLE NETWORK CENTRIC

MAKES ITS DEBUT: First weeks

filled with music-themed program-

ming; new Soul Train Awards to air in

Nov. Centric, the new 24-hour entertainment cable

channel replacing BET J, debuted Monday at 6 a.m.

with aims of entertaining the influential 25 to 54-

year-old African American viewer.

As previously reported, the network features the

artists, music, series, movies and reality program-

ming that reflects the lifestyle and sophistication of

today's African-American and multi-cultural adult.

Centric kicked off the week with a series of

shows that commemorate the legacy of Michael

Jackson.

The network will also air music-themed program-

ming throughout the week, including memorable

concert performances, movies, and originals touting

iconic star power from notable figures such as Tina

Turner, Beyonce, Erykah Badu, Diddy, Salt & Pepa,

The Roots, the Notorious B.I.G., and India Arie.

Viewers can also tune in to the original series

"Leading Men" and "Leading Women," which inti-

mately chronicle the dynamic lives of celebrities like

Boris Kodjoe, Hill Harper, Brian McKnight, Dr.

Maya Angelou, Iman, and Patti Labelle.

Centric will bring viewers the return of "The Soul

Train Awards," a two-hour telecast scheduled for

Sunday, Nov. 29 at 9 p.m. from the Georgia World

Congress Center in Atlanta.

The following is Centric's programming for the rest

of the week:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

10:00 P.M.* and 10:30 P.M.* on CENTRIC

LEADING WOMEN: A half-hour original series

that intimately chronicles the dynamic lives of ce-

lebrity divas like Patti LaBelle, Iman, Naomi Camp-

bell and Chaka Khan.

11:00 P.M.* on CENTRIC

MOVIE: PREACHING TO THE CHOIR - A

movie drama about two twins, who grow up in Har-

lem, N.Y. and take different paths when they reach

adulthood. One becomes a minister - while the other

becomes a gangster rapper. Starring: Tichina Ar-

nold, Billoah Greene, Darien Sills-Evans, Novella

Nelson, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Janine Green,

Patti LaBelle, and Eartha Kitt.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

10:30 P.M.* on CENTRIC

LEADING MEN: A half-hour original series that

intimately chronicles the dynamic lives of celebrity

trailblazers like Common, Hill Harper, Brian

McKnight and Boris Kodjoe.

11:00 P.M.* on CENTRIC

DOCUMENTARY: NOTORIOUS B.I.G.: BIG-

GER THAN LIFE - The greatest rapper to ever

pick up a mic - with his velvety flow and unparal-

leled rhyme style he captivated everyone from Jay Z

to Tupac. Now Notorious B.I.G. is revealed. Hear

the stories from his closest friends and some of the

biggest names in Hip-Hop. See raw footage of

B.I.G. free-styling on the streets of New York, rare

home video footage, a never-before-seen interview

with Biggie shortly before his death and undisclosed

video footage from the night of his murder. Starring:

Biggie, Common, Diddy, E-40, Sticky Fingaz, Jay-

Z, Method Man, Raekwon, and Voletta Wallace.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1

2:00 P.M.* and 11:00 P.M.* on CENTRIC

MOVIE: Seat Filler - A law student, making ends

19

meet by filling empty seats at award shows, occu-

pies the seat of a high-powered entertainment attor-

ney when he meets his dream girl, a gorgeous super-

star who is performing at the event. Starring: Kelly

Rowland, Duane Martin, Shemar Moore, Patrick

Fischler, and Romy Rosemont.

6:00 P.M.* - 7:30 P.M.* on CENTRIC

SOUL STAGE - Soul-stirring music performances

by neo-soul artists Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and In-

dia.Arie.

20

DVD’S

Valentino: The Last Emperor

Shown around the world to wide acclaim, Valentino: The Last Emperor is a feature film that has

captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of

fashion, featuring unprecedented access to the high temples of Haute Couture. The legendary

Valentino is the star of the film, along with his longtime business partner and lover, Giancarlo

Giammetti. Valentino: The Last Emperor follows them for the final two years of their careers,

and shows the struggles the two men face as they confront the final act of a nearly 50-year career

at the top of the world's most glamorous and competitive game. The struggle of art against com-

merce is at the center of the film. In the end, however, the story proves to be not one about

money or expensive clothes, but about love.

VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR is a feature-length film on the legendary designer Valen-

tino Garavani in the wake of his exit in 2008 from the company he founded in Rome more than

45 years ago. Produced and directed by Matt Tyrnauer, Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair

magazine, the film is an intimate, engaging and very funny fly-on-the-wall exploration of the sin-

gular world of one of Italy's richest and most famous men. The film documents the colorful and

dramatic closing act of Valentino's celebrated career, tells the story of his extraordinary life and

work, and also explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today. But at the heart of

the film is the unique relationship between Valentino and his business partner and lover of 50

years, Giancarlo Giammetti.

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Away We Go

John Krasinski (The Office) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) star in the heartfelt film that ex-

plores the comedic twists and turns in one couple's journey across contemporary America. Anticipating

the birth of their first child, longtime couple Burt (Krasinski) and Verona (Rudolph) embark on an ambi-

tious itinerary to visit friends and family in order to find their perfect home. Featuring a remarkable

soundtrack and an incredible ensemble cast – including Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal,

Catherine O'Hara and Jim Gaffigan. It's the hilarious, witty film that critics are hailing as "absolutely ex-

traordinary!" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone)

Goodbye Solo

From Ramin Bahrani, one of the most distinctive voices working in American independent cinema today, comes this absorbing, touching drama of a Senegalese immigrant's relationship with a man determined to kill himself.

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Purchase your copy today at

www.amazon.com

24

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log onto www.sglliving.ning.com and

become apart of our family and watch

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