I finally received my copy of the new Essence magazine in the mail. I just love the cover of Usher and his son. They both are adorable. Check out the interview he did with Hill Harper. You might be surprised at some of his answers. Oh and don’t forget to check out the Do Right Men in this issue too–Lamman Rucker if you’re out there, hit a sister up.

Usher has a new CD about to drop and ironically rumors are flying about his marriage being on the outs.

  Extremely reliable sources close to Mr. Raymond himself have confirmed to TheYBF.com that Usher has indeed filed for separation from his wife of only 9 months Tameka Raymond. To read the entire YBF.com article, click here.

Whether true or not, this couple can’t seem to stay out of the limelight. Regardless of what is going on in Usher’s personal life, I can’t wait to hear the new CD. His last CD was “off the hook.” (Do people still say that these days…guess I’m showing my age). Anyway, when I hear the CD, I’ll post the review on my entertainment site.

According to People the hip-hop couple tied the knot on Friday, April 4th.

After years of speculation, singer Beyoncé Knowles wed her longtime boyfriend, rapper Jay-Z, on Friday, a friend of the couple’s tells PEOPLE.

To read the article, CLICK HERE.

When it comes to celebrity weddings, I don’t know what all the secrecy is all about. If they did officially wed, congratulations!

This is the third installment of interviews I’ve done with previous American Idol contestants over the years. Today’s American Idol alumni spotlight is : Constantine.

Constantine - Another American Idol Success

By Shelia M. Goss

 Constantine Maroulis talents were showcased on the CBS soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful.” I’m a fan of the show and didn’t realize until I got the CD, that Constantine was an ex-American Idol contestant. Listeners won’t be disappointed. The track “Girl Like You,” “Everybody Loves,” “Fading into You,” and “So Long,” are my favorite songs on the 12 track CD.

Constantine has been wooing fans on the hit CBS Daytime Soap The Bold and the Beautiful all summer (2007) playing the role as “Constantine.” Fortunatey for fans, Mr. Bell saw Constantine, loved one of his songs and asked him to be on the show. Constantine’s no stranger to acting. He grew up in theater. He was acting long before he made his debut on American Idol a few years ago.

Post-Idol has seen Constantine touring, hosting shows on MTV on Yahoo, starring in plays and on TV. He now has a hit CD with his self-titled CD Constantine. Constantine could have easily gotten with a major label, but decided to release his first solo album independently.

Fans of Constantine should be on the look out for a tour. He says, “I love being on the road. I love meeting new people.”

About his personal life. Constantine says, “I’m not married, but I’m dating and having a good time.”

As the youngest of three, Constantine’s family is behind him 100 percent. “My immediate and extended family have been very supportive,” says Constantine. “The Greek community has been supportive.”

Constantine doesn’t seem to be slowing down. He hasn’t had a vacation since 2000, but he doesn’t mind. With his music and acting, Constantine enjoys both and enjoys being busy as long as he can do one or the other or both.

“Constantine is proof there’s success after Idol. He’s gained a new fan.”

Interview by Shelia M Goss, entertainment writer and author of Double Platinum, Paige’s Web, My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are true (www.sheliagoss.com).

This is the second installment of interviews I’ve done with previous American Idol contestants over the years. Today’s American Idol alumni spotlight is : Kellie Pickler.

SMALL TOWN GIRL - The Kellie Pickler Interview

By Shelia M. Goss

“On Small Town Girl, there are songs about going out having a good time. There are slower songs about getting your heart broken. It’s a very intimate album–a song on there for everyone.” ~ Kellie Pickler

Shelia Goss: How long have you been singing?
Kellie Pickler: I’ve always been singing. Music has always been a passion of mine. I always knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life, but had to figure out how to get to this point. When I auditioned for American Idol I had no idea that I would make it as far as I did. I made it to the top 6 and toured the country with the top 10, so it’s been very exciting.

Shelia: Has everyone always been supportive?
Kellie: There were some people who thought it was impossible to do. Some people told me I needed to go to school for something because I was living in a fantasy world. I knew I wouldn’t be happy unless I was doing something I wanted to do.

Shelia: Regardless of what other people say, sometimes you have to follow your dreams.
Kellie: I have to live with the decisions that I make. My grandfather went with me to the auditions. There was between 8500 to 10,000 other people there. It was very intimidating, but my grandfather said, “Kellie, what do you have to lose?”

I’m so glad I stuck in there. Sometimes your dreams are all you have and you should never doubt yourself. I think you should always go for your dreams. You can let the people who say you’ll never make it, make you stronger

Shelia: Have you ever considered motivational speaking?
Kellie: Absolutely. I used to speak in schools before I made it on Idol. I would give testimonial speeches. There are different things I’ve overcome in life.
I love to be a witness to other people. With the exposure I’ve gotten from Idol, I can have a bigger effect on people now.

Shelia: If you could compare yourself to other singers, who would it be and why?
Kellie: I don’t really compare myself to anyone else. I think being different makes you who you are. I don’t want to be someone else. If I had to be compared to anyone, I would want to be compared to Dolly Parton. She’s my Idol. I really admire her. She’s an incredible singer, songwriter, performer and has the best personality. She can act. She’s the whole package. I think years later, people will look at me and see some of her in me. I hope to follow in her footsteps.

Shelia: Have you met her yet?
Kellie: Not yet, but hopefully I will. I’ve always wanted to write with her.

Shelia: When someone picks up your CD, what should they expect?
Kellie: It’s going to be like an open book in my life. I put a piece of my life in every song. It’s very personal and honest. American Idol showcased some of my life but there are so much they didn’t show. I co-wrote five of the songs–including Red High Heels. The songs are very personal to me.

Shelia: What’s been one of the hardest obstacles you’ve faced recently?
Kellie: Every since Idol, everything has been easy for me. There’s a lot of hard work and dedication, time and preparation for putting an album together, but it’s been all worth it. I’m having fun. I can’t really complain about anything.

Shelia: Since American Idol, your life has been at a fast pace. How do you juggle your professional and personal life?
Kellie: A few family members or friends might drive or fly out here to Nashville. This is my life now. Right now I’m paying my dues as a new country artist. I see my family when I can. They know this is my lifelong passion and dream. They are very supportive of me.

Shelia: Do you still keep in contact with other American Idol contestants?
Kellie: Yes. We’re all busy working on our own projects. We text each other and speak regularly.

Shelia: Do you plan on doing any acting–like your idol Dolly Parton?
Kellie: Absolutely. I’ve always been interested in TV and film; however right now I’m focusing on my album and establishing myself as a country artist. It’s something I would look into doing in the future.

Website: http://www.kelliepickler.com

Shelia M Goss is an entertainment writer and National Bestselling author of My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Violets are true, Paige’s Web and Double Platinum. For a full bio, go to www.sheliagoss.com.

It’s time. American Idol Season Seven is here. Are you an AI fan? Are you ready to see the audtions for this season’s Idol? Who is your all time favorite Idol?

I have to admit that I don’t watch the competitions all the way through. I watch the auditions because you can’t pay for that type of entertainment. Some of those folks know “good and well” (yes I said it) they can’t sing. And the costumes, come on now folks. A crazy costume is not going to make you sound any better.

Some of my favorite past AIs winners are Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson, Ruebon “the teddy bear” Studdard and Jordin Sparks. I can’t remember the other winners (sorry). 

I’ll be posting interviews I’ve done with previous American Idol contestants over the years. Today’s American Idol alumni spotlight is : Bo Bice.

American Idol Bo Bice is The Real Thing

By Shelia M. Goss

The American Idol phenomenon can’t be explained, but every year we tune in to see who America votes as the next idol. Sometimes the runner-ups are more popular than the actual winners. Although Bo Bice didn’t win, he is still a winner because he now has a career doing what he enjoys doing “singing” and performing. His album “The Real Thing” debuted with great reviews.

“A bet between my mom and I,” prompted him to tryout for American Idol Bice shares.

With another season of American Idol coming to an end, Bo states, “I’ve been so busy and haven’t had time to watch the show, but my wife kind of passes down the news.”

Bice comes from a solid spiritual and family foundation. “My family has been very supportive of my music career.”

“Some of my original songs were on the album,” Bice states about his successful debut album. He goes on to say, “Track #11 is one of my favorites, but I really had such a great time making the whole album that’s it’s hard to pick just one favorite.”

“I was honored to be working with Clive Davis,” Bice states. Clive Davis is the executive producer of his album.

“What’s been really great is I’ve been living my dream,” he says about his new life in the spotlight.

Bice has a jovial personality and comes across laid back. He confirms, “I like to have fun. My friends would say I’m a fun-loving person and that I try not to take life too seriously.”

He would love to do a collaboration with Willie Nelson. Who are some of Bice’s favorite singers? Rod Stewart, Robert Palmer and to quote Bice, “Anything Rock N Roll baby!”

What are Bice’s plans for the rest of 2006? “To promote the album and give back to the fans. Our goal is to put on a good rock n roll show.”

Fans can keep up with Bo Bice’s tour scheduled by going to his website at www.bobice.com. Bo states, “We’ll love if you all will come out and be a part of the show.”

 This has to be the shortest “not real” wedding in history.

Two weeks after Eddie Murphy exchanged vows with Tracey Edmonds in a private—and, as it happens, not legally binding—ceremony in Bora Bora, the couple has separated.

They made their announcement in a joint statement Wednesday, 15 days after their seaside Jan. 1 nuptials.

“After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further,” the former flames said.  To read the rest, go to E!Online News.

 

Song of the Day: Is This The End by New Edition

UPDATE from Mad News blog: A source is quoted by MSNBC.com as saying: “Tracey’s kids hate Eddie. They had an argument that ended in Edmonds calling Eddie’s mom a b***h.

“Eddie was also upset that Tracey was refusing to take his last name after their ‘wedding’ ceremony.”

I wasn’t going to say anything about Dog “The Bounty Hunter” but after seeing him on Larry King last night I’m like this guy really thinks we’re supposed to feel sorry for him. You are responsible for what you say and do.  True feelings about things have a way of coming to the surface. I’m not saying I think he’s a racist, because I don’t know him personally; but I can say he makes racist statements because of words that have come out of his mouth. If he hadn’t said it, I nor millions of others wouldn’t be able to come to that conclusion.

On Larry King he pled with the audience to contact the show to help get him back on air. I’m like come on now, let’s get real. I hate he has a son that would sale him out for a few bucks, but he only has himself to blame. He shouldn’t have said it. He’s sorry alright. He’s sorry he got caught. He’s sorry his son taped it and sold it to the highest bidder.

“There’s a special connection that I thought I had between me and black America,” Chapman told Fox’s Hannity & Colmes. “And I used to say, ‘I’m black, too.’

To read more about Dog, The Bounty Hunter, click here.

Words to live by: Mama always said don’t say something to someone you don’t want repeated.

Oprah Winfrey held a news conference today about sexual abuse allegations at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. An arrest of a 27 year old former dorm matron was made on Thursday.  I think Oprah handled the situation as best as she could under the circumstances and is doing everything that she can to make sure the girls are in a safe environment.   I watched the news conference and below is a quick recap:

“This has been devastating, if not the most devastating experience of my life,” said Oprah at the news conference held Monday,  November 5, 2007.

Many wondered why she hadn’t spoken out about the allegations before now. She stated that she wasn’t able to speak about it until an arrest was made. She went on to outline the chain of events from the time she learned of the incident until the arrest.

On October 6, she spoke with the CEO at the academy. Mr. Samuels informed her 15 girls had come to his office to see him with a list of grievances…including sexual abuse for one of their classmates. Hearing that, Mr. Samuels removed the accused Tiny Mikoko (not sure of the spelling) from the campus. Oprah states she was devastated and shaken to her core to hear of this news. She said after spending about 1/2 hour crying, she pulled herself together and started making phone calls and preparing to do what was next to look after the girls.

She reported the abuse to the proper authorities, hired an independent firm to investigate and them along with local authorities went about to find out how many girls were affected. She says she spoke with all of the girls personally and encouraged them to come forward and speak with the investigators and police handling the allegations.

On October 14th, they had enough specific information about the abuse and the parents were called and a meeting set up. On October 20th, she met with the parents and the girls.

Oprah stressed that this incident would not stop the dream. That the school will become a model for the world. The 15 girls who banned together to bring this incident to their attention was praised. “Abuse will end and good will prevail.”

Oprah admitted that knowing what she knows now, the screening process was inadequate. She was not directly responsible for the civil and background checks that were done on each employee. She states, that they will be re-defining the position and qualifications. The head mistress was put on immediate administrative leave when the allegations were brought up and her contract would not be renewed.

According to news reports, Bobby Brown, R & B singer and ex-husband to Whitney Houston, has sufferred a mild heart attack.

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) – Bobby Brown spent a night in the hospital after suffering a mild heart attack, his attorney said Wednesday. To read more…

However, I received this from Eurweb.com:

BOBBY BROWN SAYS ‘WHAT HEART ATTACK?’ Singer calls EUR’s Lee Bailey to say the widespread reports are untrue. *A healthy-sounding Bobby Brown spoke exclusively with EUR’s Lee Bailey Wednesday to deny published reports that he was taken to two Los Angeles hospitals Tuesday night with severe chest pains that were later diagnosed as a mild heart attack. “I heard that I had a heart attack earlier, but I didn’t,” Brown told Bailey during a phone call Wednesday afternoon. Read Full Story