By Florence Anthony
It is hard to believe that Friday, June 25, will mark the one-year anniversary of my friend Michael Jackson’s transition into glory. I will never forget the day. I flew into Miami for the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). On the flight down, the flight attendant asked me about Michael. I told her that he was in rehearsal for his tour and we were all heading to London the next month for the concert. When the plane landed and I turned on my cell phone, it just blew up. I first got a text from my friend Anita saying Michael had died. Then, the phone started ringing. It was CNN, it was MSNBC, it was Entertainment Tonight. I called Cedars Sinai and they said Michael wasn’t there. I ran into the terminal to the television. Michael was on and it said he had been taken to UCLA Medical Center after suffering Cardiac Arrest. I called LaToya and her voice mail was full. I called Mr. Jackson and his voice mail was full. Even though Michael no longer lived there, I called the main gate at Neverland and didn’t get an answer. I then called my friend Steve Manning and his voice mail was full. At that point, I knew something was terribly wrong. Then, CNN called me again and told me that the Los Angeles Times was reporting that Michael was dead. Like LaToya, his dad and other family members, I will always believe that Michael was murdered. When you watch his documentary “This Is It,” is is apparent there was nothing wrong with him. But, though he is no longer walking, singing and dancing, among us, he will always be here and I can feel his presence every day.
Marlon and Shawn Wayans stopped by Pampers with Dry Max “Daddy Play Date” to celebrate Father’s Day before heading out to start their three-night stint at Caroline’s on June 17th at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. The two youngest Wayans Brothers shot some hoops at the party. Pampers teamed up with Shawn and Marlon, Joel Madden, Gilles Marim and Bethenny Frankel to kick off Father’s Day Week with Pampers’ new high performance diaper line – Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with Dry Max. Replete with a stroller valet, diaper dugout, play area for dads and their babies, interactive games and even some challenges, the event provided celebrity and local fathers the chance to participate in fun activities with their own best players in the world – their babies. Activities included kiddie bowling, a basketball shootout, Wii tennis, and a VIB playfield with toys.
Legal documents show that Gary Coleman had filed a restraining order against ex-wife Shannon Price just months before she took him off life support, Radar Online reports. According to the papers, Gary claimed that Shannon moved back into their home without his consent while he was hospitalized. He also said that Shannon “has shown a tendency to damage, destroy and steal my property and I believe she will continue to do so in my absence and while she is trespassing in my home.” The “Diff’rent Strokes” star was granted the restraining order on February 19, 2010, but never served it to Shannon.
The first Black billionaire, Reginald F. Lewis was a successful business mogul. His legacy continues. On Saturday, June 26th, the foundation named after Lewis will honor Jackson Family attorney L. Londell McMillan. The event falls just as fans will be commemorating the first anniversary of Michael’s death. Deborah Cox and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre will perform. McMillan, will be honored at the Lewis Family Estate in East Hampton. WCBS-TV News Anchor Maurice DuBois will serve as emcee. Event sponsors include American Express, Bloomberg, BET, Belvedere, Kate’s Paperie, The Camelot Group, and Gen NX 360 Capital Partners.
Tongues are wagging that Rihanna and Matt Kemp reportedly made up for lost time Monday night with a dinner date night at Hollywood hot spot Phillippe. Rihanna is back from her short trip home to Barbados and is spending some time with her L.A. Dodgers beau before hitting the road again on the North American leg of her “Last Girl On Earth” tour.
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