Mary J. Blige launched a line of premium sunglasses
By Florence Anthony
According to the Chicago Sun Times, Janet Jackson is supposedly so serious about her relationship with new boyfriend and Qatari millionaire Wissam Al Mana, she's studying Islamic texts - reportedly preparing to become a muslim, as is her brother Jermaine. He has been a muslin since the early '90s. Al Mana is a partner with the Qatari royal family in its purchase of Harrod's in London from Mohamed al Fayed.
Tongues are wagging that Mary J. Blige intends to further her brand by launching a line of premium sunglasses. The fashion-forward singer has teamed with Jimmy Iovine and Orange 21 Inc for a new collection of shades called Melodies by MJB. Hitting stores this fall, Melodies by MJB will come in 20 different styles and colors. A greater selection will be announced for next spring.
Beyonce' Knowles certainly knows how to give back. The R&B icon and her mother Tina Knowles launched the Beyonce' Cosmetology Center in Brooklyn as part of the Phoenix House Career Academy, which offers vocational programs for recovering addicts. The Cosmetology Center will offer a residential substance abuse treatment program that will teach women and men how to prepare for a career in cosmetology. Beyonce' first learned of Phoenix House while doing research for her role as Etta James in "Cadillac Records." L'Oreal has donated all the products to be used at the center, and their spokeswoman Beyonce', along with her mother, have pledged to donate $100,000 annually.
Lisa Wu Hartwell, says she is not gone from the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" and will be on the third season which begins airing in the fall. She is involved in a few movie projects, but will be on this season. Lisa and her husband, Ed, recently vacationed on Tybee Island as guests of oceanfrontcottage.com owners Stayce and Lonnie Jewell. Lisa also recently returned from Los Angeles where she signed a movie deal to star with Robert Downey Jr., beginning in July.
NBA superstar Dwayne Wade's estranged wife Siohvaughn was just dumped by her ninth divorce lawyer.....who ironically cited "irreconciable differences," as the reason for their professional breakup. TMZ has learned an emergency motion was filed on Monday in Cook County, Illinois by Siohvaughn's attorney, Marsha Fisher - requesting she be withdrawn as Siohvaughn's representation in her ongoing divorxe battle with the Miami Heat star.
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Beyonce' showed up fashionably late to "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday night, decked out in a sexy, sheer Givenchy Haute Couture gown. Her sister, Solange Knowles rocked a canary yellow Rachel Roy creation.
"NCIS:LA" star LL Cool J was in Dallas on April 28 to support his wife, Simone, as she presented a trunk show for her jewelry line, Simone I. Smith, at Neiman Marcus at the Northpark Mall. Her collection includes hoop earrings, cuff bracelets and gorgeous lollipop charms called "A Sweet Touch of Hope."
On April 22, Nicole Ari Parker, best known as Teri Joseph on "Soul Food," joined the ranks of some of the theatre world's greatest actresses, in her Broadway debut as Blanche Dubois in the revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City.
Whoopi Goldberg presented the cast of "In Living Color" with TV Land's "Groundbreaking Award" on April 14 at the 10th Annual TV Land Awards Taping at the Lexington Armory in New York City. The View co-host's mom was the Wayans Family's Head Start teacher
Two-time Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood is starring on Broadway as Stanley in "A Streetcar Named Desire." On April 7, 80 people traveled six hours one way from his hometown of Petersburg, Virginia to New York City to celebrate Blair's debut on the Great White Way.
Actress Meagan Good is engaged to Sony Pictures Entertainment Executive DeVon Franklin, who also happens to be a Seventh Day Adventist Minister. The preacher proposed last month in Los Angeles. The couple began dating after production wrapped on "Jumping The Broom..."