DIDDY FILMS ‘CSI MIAMI’ APPEARANCE December 22, 2008

 

Sean “Diddy” Combs added another line to his acting resume last week. The entertainment mogul finished filming a guest role on CBS’ hit drama “CSI: Miami” for an episode scheduled to air in February 2009, reports People.com.

 

       Diddy said he agreed to take the role of defense attorney Derek Powell only after meeting with network executives and telling them, “I don’t want to play no musician, I don’t want to play a criminal – none of those stereotypical things. I want to play a lawyer.”       

       The budding actor, who completed his scenes on Wednesday, told People.com that he’s thrilled to be on one of “the biggest shows in the world.”      

        “The ‘CSI: Miami’ team is like the Yankees,” he said. “Me coming on the set, I’m like a Little League player with the Yankees. [David Caruso], he’s like Obi-Wan Kenobi or something. He taught me so much and let me ask questions and protected me. He’s like the coach of the team.”

DIDDY THROWS B-DAY BASH FOR EX KIM PORTER December 17, 2008

 

Although Diddy and his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter have had their issues, the mogul threw a lavish birthday party Monday in West Hollywood for the former model and mother of three of his kids.

 

       Nearly 30 guests, including “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo and husband Chris Ivery, co-star Sara Ramirez and reality TV’s Lisa Gastineau, were on hand at Murano Restaurant & Lounge to celebrate Porter’s 38th birthday, reports People.com.        

       Porter – the mother of Diddy’s nearly 2-year-old twin girls and 10-year-old son – strolled in “fashionably late to the restaurant, which was filled with red balloons and streamers,” the Web site reported. “The night’s soundtrack was a mix of old school 70s R&B prepared by Murano owner Sandy Sachs.”       

       The guest of honor was reportedly serenaded with Stevie Wonder’s version of “Happy Birthday,” and then presented with a cake.       

       While Diddy sipped on ginger ale throughout the night, the other guests drank a specialty lemon drop martini made with Ciroc vodka designed for the occasion, People.com reports. A four course tasting menu created by Executive Chef Luciano Sautto was served.

D’ANGELO’S CAMP DENIES BAD BOY RUMORS December 8, 2008

 

R&B singer D’Angelo is not signing with Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records as current rumors suggest, the singer’s manager confirms to Allhiphop.com.

 

      “While both gentlemen hold one another in the highest regard, the stories circulating in the press are totally false,” according to D’Angelo’s manager, Lindsay Guion.

       D’Angelo remains signed to the RCA Music Group (J Records), Guion says. The label will release his highly-anticipated third album, which currently features guests Raphael Saadiq, Q-Tip and Roy Hargrove. Gnarls Barkley member Cee-Lo Green is expected to contribute as well.       

       The recently released single “I Found My Smile Again,” from the as-yet-untitled album due in 2009, is available exclusively on iTunes. [Scroll down to listen.]

D’Angelo – “I Found My Smile Again”

BEYONCE, BRODY DISCUSS ‘CADILLAC’ KISS December 4, 2008

 

Darnell Martin, the writer/director of “Cadillac Records,” admitted at Monday’s premiere that she took some “dramatic license” in creating a make-out scene between Etta James and the head of her label, Leonard Chess.      

       But, Adrien Brody, who plays Mr. Chess, said he had no problem with the historical inaccuracy of kissing James, who is played in the film by Beyonce Knowles.

 

       “Let’s just say it wasn’t a deal breaker,” the grinning actor told the New York Daily News. “When I met Etta [the real one], she told me, ‘Leonard and I did not do those things!’ So, yes, it was somewhat embellished. But what’s wonderful is the truth Beyonce brings to that moment. That justified it.”      

       Beyonce, who came to the premiere with husband Jay-Z, said she didn’t find the intimacy repellent.      

       “It wasn’t so bad,” she said. “I remember when he kissed Halle Berry. He’s not shy! Not at all.”      

       Meanwhile, Cedric the Entertainer, who plays bluesman Willie Dixon, said he was upset that “they wrote me out of a scene with Beyonce.”      

       Following the premiere, cast members Mos Def, Gabrielle Union and Emmanuelle Chriqui hit the after-party at Marquee with guests Leonardo DiCaprio, Diddy, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Kevin Connolly, Akon and Russell Simmons.

Watch the trailer for “Cadillac Records”:

OPRAH WINFREY TO HELP HONOR SUSAN TAYLOR December 2, 2008

 

Oprah Winfrey is among a number of celebrities due in New York tonight for a benefit honoring Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine.

 

      Sean “Diddy” Combs, Terry McMillan and Ruby Dee will also attend the gala, which celebrates Taylor’s 37 years with the magazine targeted to African-American women.

 

      Tonight will also serve as a fundraiser for the National CARES Mentoring Movement, which is dedicated to pairing vulnerable African-American children with a caring mentor. The organization, founded by Taylor as Essence CARES, currently operates in more than 50 U.S. states.

 

       Gospel stars Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin are scheduled to perform. Other notable attendees will include Michael Eric Dyson, Common and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

DIDDY STILL TRYING TO BE FIRST BLACK 007 December 1, 2008

 

Sean “Diddy” Combs is using the promo for his new I Am King fragrance as an audition tape for producers of the James Bond franchise, hoping that the footage will sway filmmakers to consider casting him as the first black 007.

 

       “This is my audition tape for the next James Bond,” he says of the I Am King mini-movie in his video blog. “There is a black president, and it’s time for there to be a black Bond.” [Scroll down to view film.]      

       The rap titan reportedly spent $750,000 making the King promo/Bond audition tape, which he filmed in the South of France near the location of recent Bond film “Casino Royale.”

 

       The rapper is seen in the clip wearing a tuxedo, flying in a helicopter, riding a jet ski and surrounded by women.      

       According to Britain’s Daily Mirror, Diddy is facing competition from R&B hitmaker Akon and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx in the push to become the first black actor to play the legendary secret agent.      

Diddy Blog #35…I Am King – Mini-Movie/James Bond Audition Tape

Aretha & Diddy hook up; Mariah not happy with Nick; Beyonce learns from parents November 28, 2008

 

How about this? Lady Soul and Diddy are hooking up! No, not that way, but to launch a new “American Idol” style show. That’s right, according to WENN, Aretha Franklin and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs are combining forces to find talented R&B and hip-hop stars. But, unlike “AI,” the winner of their new venture will be decided by them – not the public. “The country will not vote. It will just be me and Diddy voting for who the next star will be,” says Franklin. Look for the show sometime in 2009.

 

     *Mariah Carey reportedly is not happy with hubby Nick Cannon’s candid comments about the couple’s no-sex-before-marriage pact. The older Mariah, who wed the younger Cannon in April, feels he went too far when he told the world the pair waited until their wedding night to have sex for the first time, reports Starpulse. She says, “Why did he tell that story? I didn’t want him to let everybody know that.”

 

     *Talking to Giant magazine, Beyonce said she prepared for the potential challenges in her marriage to Jay-Z after watching her mother Tina and father Matthew struggle and overcome their differences as husband and wife. “My parents are tighter now than ever, but they’ve been through it all,” she said. “There were times when they were together, times when they were apart. I learned that it’s a lot of hard work, that it’s more than a dress.”

112 Member Clears Up Rumors He Stole Publishing Check November 21, 2008

 

“As recently as last week we went to court about this very topic and I was exonerated”

Last month, R&B solo artist Michael Keith came forward and dropped a bomb: he said that his former group 112 broke up because he “found out that a certain member of the group took my publishing check.” He added that he believed the culprit would soon come forward to defend himself. 

Now, Quinnes “Q” Parker is doing just that. This week, Parker spoke to Atlanta radio station V103 and said that yes, he was accused, but no, it wasn’t actually true. 

“It comes down to something very simple,” he said, “as recently as last week we went to court about this very topic and I was exonerated…I may not agree with what Mike is saying, but I respect his right to speak his mind.” 

Parker went on to say that 112 never broke up. “If 112 is broken up, its news to me,” he said. “We have been doing shows over the last year; as recent as last weekend!” 

The Atlanta-based group, formed by Sean “Diddy” Combs around 1996, was comprised of Q (real name Quinness Parker, Slim (real name Marvin Scandrick), Daron Jones, and Keith. Their biggest hit was “Cupid” off their 1996 self-titled debut album. 

Diddy Gives T-Pain Royalties For Auto-Tune November 20, 2008

T-Pain is finally cashing in on Auto-Tune. Artists like Lil Wayne and Kanye West asked the Ring Leader for his blessing before using the instrument, but Diddy is taking it one step further.

As previously mentioned, the Bad Boy mogul’s upcoming album will be entirely sung using Auto-Tune. Word is the Puffster will be crediting T-Pain by giving him royalties on the album.

“I gave T-Pain one point on my [upcoming] album for using the Auto-Tune,” Diddy revealed on Sunday night during “Total Finale Live.”

“Sign the papers,” Pain added, confirming Puff’s revelation. “Diddy actually gave me royalties on this album just for using Auto-Tune. He signed the contract and everything. If I can do that with Diddy, somebody else better be signing something. It’s Diddy. He didn’t have to involve me at all. … I’m writing and producing on his album, and he gave me extra royalties on top of that for using something I just brought back.”

DANITY’S DAWN DENIES DEPARTURE November 7, 2008

 

Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard is side-stepping rumors that her attempts to go solo caused the pop outfit to fall apart.

 

       The group, put together by rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs for his reality TV series “Making The Band,” was reportedly left with only two remaining members after Shannon Bex left and singers Aubrey O’Day and D. Woods were fired.      

       Reports have swirled of Diddy’s plans for a solo run with 23-year-old Richard, which allegedly added to tensions in the former five-piece.      

       But Richards insists it was her former bandmates who caused the rift. She tells WENN, “The reality is that we were in a group and everyone got to do the individual. I was pro Danity Kane. Aubrey went to Broadway, D. Woods had her own side hustle: a group. Everyone had their own opportunity to do things and no one ever had anything to say about it, it was totally fine.      

       “It’s interesting that Puff just had me on a couple of references (song parts) and my name is in it like I did something wrong. It’s interesting how tables turn. All of a sudden when someone has a belief in me, people say I’m doing something side.”