GOT USHER? SINGER JOINS ‘BODY BY MILK’ VENTURE December 17, 2008

 

The Body By Milk campaign — famous for putting white mustaches on celeb endorsers — has teamed up with five-time Grammy winner Usher for the Body By Milk got noise? music video program.       

       Twenty lucky teens will get the chance to direct and produce music videos for Usher, collaborating with the star from video concept to final cut.      

       “I am so excited to be the first artist involved with the Body By Milk got noise? music video program, as it gives me another way to give back, inspire young people and also reinvent music videos,” said Usher. “It also sends out a message to my fans about the importance of healthy living. That’s something I believe in and want teens to recognize.”      

       Through Jan. 31, teens ages 13 – 18 can apply online at http://www.bodybymilk.com. No experience is necessary, and participation is free.      

       Usher will be on set to collaborate and perform with the two teen crews, who will get seven days to create, shoot and edit his music video. After shooting wraps, the two teen-created music videos and the original studio-created version will then be showcased online at http://www.bodybymilk.com.        

       America will view and vote for their favorite music video from April 1-30, 2009. In addition to bragging rights, the winners will score V.I.P. Usher concert tickets, Final Cut Pro editing software and Apple MacBook Pro laptops to continue creating after the final cut.

Usher Welcomes Baby No. 2 December 11, 2008

It’s a boy – again! 

Sources confirm to PEOPLE that Usher and his wife Tameka have a new addition to the family: a baby boy born on Wednesday. 

The new Raymond (whose name has not yet been released) joins older brother Usher Raymond V, who turned 1 on Nov. 26. The couple married in 2007. Tameka, 37, also has three sons from a previous relationship. 

A source says Usher was at his wife’s side during the delivery. 

Last month, he told Access Hollywood that his soon-to-arrive baby was “one of the best Christmas gifts there is to have.” 

“I’m so proud to be a father by the time I’m 30,” Usher (who hit the big 3-0 in October) told PEOPLE back in August. “I’d hate to be 80 years old and not be able to run with my kids. I need to still be able to do flips when they’re in high school!”

MARIAH’S BIGGEST BALLADS ON ONE DISC December 11, 2008

 

A collection of Mariah Carey’s best-selling slow songs are now available on one CD.      

       “Mariah Carey: The Ballads,” due Jan. 20 from Sony, features 18 of her biggest hits, including nine No. 1s – among them “Hero,” “Vision Of Love,” “One Sweet Day” and “Dreamlover.”      

       The disc marks the first time that all of Carey’s most popular ballads have appeared on one CD.  Below is the track listing:

Hero 
One Sweet Day (Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men) 
Vision of Love 
Without You 
Can’t Let Go 
Love Takes Time 
I’ll Be There (Featuring Trey Lorenz) 
Thank God I Found You – Make It Last Remix (Featuring Nas & Joe) 
Endless Love (Featuring Luther Vandross) 
I Still Believe 
My All 
The Roof 
When You Believe (Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston) 
Anytime You Need A Friend 
Always Be My Baby 
Dreamlover 
How Much (Featuring Usher) 
Reflections

USHER’S SECOND CHILD DUE NEXT MONTH November 25, 2008

 

During an interview with Stevie Wonder on his morning radio show in Los Angeles, Usher announced the sex of his second child with wife Tameka Foster, as well as the baby’s due date.

 

      Doctors told the couple that they’re having another boy, and he’s due to arrive on Dec. 15, just in time for the holidays.

 

       Usher told Access Hollywood that their new bundle of joy will be “one of the best Christmas gifts there is to have.”       

       “There are a few names,” he told Access. “But if you guys have any unique one, please feel free to hit me up. Let me know.”       

       It was around this time last November when Usher and Tameka welcomed their first child together, Usher Raymond V. He turns one on Wednesday (Nov. 26).

Usher’s Mother Under Police Investigation November 20, 2008

 

Limo driver claims Jonnetta Patton scammed him

Police have launched an investigation looking into whether or not Usher’s mother and former manager, Jonnetta Patton, scammed a limo driver during the recent BET Awards. 

A freelance limo driver says that Patton used his services for her Atlanta-based transportation company, but never paid him his $1,668 for services. He has since filed a complaint. According to TMZ, Patton’s camp is currently mum regarding the complaint and investigation. Dekalb County detectives are actively looking into the case. 

CELEBS FLOCK TO MIAMI FOR VICTORIA SECRET SHOW November 18, 2008

 

Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz and Sean “Diddy” Combs were among the celebs who flew down to Miami’s South Beach on Saturday for the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

 

      The trio all scored front row seats to the runway extravaganza, which took place this year at the Fontainebleau Resort with a musical performance by Usher.

 

       Other famous faces in the audience included Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Martha Stewart and John Stamos – all in the front row – and Aubrey O’Day, who sat in Row 5, according to E! Online.

 

       “At the official after party at LIV, Diddy, Terrence Howard and the VS models had their own VIP area on the stage, while all other stars in attendance had to settle for tables on the dance floor stocked with bottles of Belvedere,” E! Online reported.

 

       “Heidi Klum opted to avoid the packed club, instead heading to Blade with hubby Seal. The lovey dovey duo held hands and sipped champagne as they hung with Usher and Lenny Kravitz. And although A-Rod skipped the VS show, he made a late night appearance at Blade.”      

       Among the VS Angels strutting the runway were Heidi Klum, Alessandria Ambrosia, Miranda Kerr and Karolina Kurkova. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show airs Dec. 3 on CBS.

CHILLI DENIES ‘HOMEWRECKER’ RUMORS November 17, 2008

 

In a very candid Q&A with Essence.com, TLC’s Chilli sets the record straight about a number of issues, including her “brief” relationship with CNN anchor T.J. Holmes.

 

      Rumor had it that he was still married when the two began dating in Atlanta.

 

       “No, let’s clear this up right now,” Chilli tells writer Kenya N. Byrd. “T.J. Holmes was divorced and had been divorced. It wasn’t a situation where he was going through a divorce and still married. I would never date a man that is legally separated or tied to another woman.       

 

       “We dated, but it was brief. I’m a godly person and try to do all the things that God wants me to do. I have a conscience; I could never do that. Besides, I want to get married and present a healthy wonderful relationship for myself and my 11-year-old son.”

 

            Chilli also discusses her new handbag collection (Bags by Chilli), her new business ventures, and her relationship with Usher and his wife Tameka in the Essence.com interview here.

Clinton clone; Usher’s organic rush; Nelly’s Ford Flex; Joe the Plumber at 40/40; Obama’s “Huxtable Factor”; Collier shooting suspect November 11, 2008

 

Funkmeister George Clinton tells Details magazine that he’s storing his DNA so he can be cloned one day. The eccentric musician says cloning has actually been going on for thousands of years. “Cloning – we got generations of that s***,” Clinton said. “The pyramids? They was for cloning. That’s why embalming lasts so long. Get the DNA and pull ‘em back. So somebody been cloned already, but not me. Not yet.”

 

       *One shopper in the organic fruit section of Whole Foods at New York’s Time Warner Center ran to the New York Daily News to report that Usher was given special treatment and “cut [in front of] about 15 people waiting in the checkout line.” The witness continued: “He was whisked to the front to pay in a ’special’ line. Everyone was grumbling as he was escorted past.”       

       *The Daily News is also reporting that Ford gave rap star Nelly a custom-made Flex vehicle at his birthday bash in Vegas. “He then headed to dinner at Lavo at the Palazzo, where the Grammy winner blew out 34 candles on a cake in the shape of his new ride,” according to the paper.

 

       *TMZ is reporting that Republican mascot Joe the Plumber ended up at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club over the weekend and was greeted by staffers with “open arms and drinks on the house.” The rap mogul famously supported Barack Obama, whose tax policy was questioned by Joe during a campaign stop in Toledo.  He was quickly adopted by the GOP as a middle class symbol after Obama said his tax plan sought to “spread the wealth around.” Born Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, Joe also dropped by the Navy’s USS Intrepid and Coyote Ugly during his NY trip.

 

       *Los Angeles Times columnist Greg Braxton spoke to Bill Cosby about the ‘Huxtable factor” in the election of Barack Obama. “For all those people who said they didn’t know any black people like the Huxtables,” quipped Cosby in a phone interview, “all I can say is, ‘Will you watch the show now?’” Read entire article here.

 

       *A man charged in the shooting of Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier has pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Tyrone Romaro Hartsfield stood silently as public defender Ann Finnell pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reports the AP. The 32-year-old Hartsfield is charged with shooting Collier 14 times on Sept. 2. Collier is paralyzed from the waist down and his left leg had to be amputated as a result of the shooting. Hartsfield is being held without bond. A judge set another hearing for Dec. 1.

OBAMA’S WIN LEAVES USHER ‘SPEECHLESS’ November 6, 2008

 

Usher was moved beyond words over Tuesday’s historic victory of President-elect Barack Obama, telling Access Hollywood: “I’m speechless, honestly. I don’t even know what to say.”

 

       Somehow finding his voice, Ursh told the TV show: “Barack Obama doesn’t represent a color. He represents change. I think this sets us off in the right direction in terms of change of tone. … The fact that so many people were encouraged by [his] words … by his message. It was never self-serving, it was always for country. Country first!”       

       In terms of his own personal reaction to the outcome of the election, the 30-year-old added: “Man, this is incredible, after a lot of campaigning, and then a lot of prayer … It’s so incredible to see that this historical thing has happened, man.”      

       “Before it was a thought of what happens if he doesn’t win,” the singer continued. “The public service that went into this and the encouragement that’s come out of it, it’s just incredible to see it happen.”       

       The musician also revealed he was prepared to uproot himself temporarily had things turned out differently.       

       “In the event he didn’t win, I gave some thought to leaving the country,” he conceded before happily interjecting that such a drastic measure would not be necessary. “I’m proud to be an American.”

USHER URGES ACTIVISM IN NEW SINGLE October 23, 2008

Usher released a new single Wednesday that he hopes will encourage young people to remain socially active on Election Day and far beyond, reports People.com.

 

      In “Hush,” available on iTunes, Usher sings about the folks who complain about high taxes, gas prices and the war in the Middle East – but don’t do anything about it.

 

       “‘Hush’ is about my awakening over the past 10 years to the social issues in our country and realizing that I have a voice,” Usher, 30, said in a statement. “Complaining isn’t enough, you have to also take action.”

 

       A portion of the proceeds from sales of “Hush” will benefit Usher’s New Look Foundation.