Whoopi Goldberg

There was a big discussion on The View yesterday about an article in the Sunday New York times that seemed to have an obvious factual error by stating that only seven black actors had won Academy Awards. The article was worded confusingly and wasn’t technically inaccurate in that they referred to an earlier paragraph about 2002, when Denzel Washington and Halle Berry took home Oscars, to say that only seven black actors had won prior to that. Then they named checked all the African American Oscar winners since, which didn’t include View panel member Whoopi Goldberg, who won her Oscar in 1990 for Best Supporting Actress, for Ghost. Whoopi said that it hurt her “terribly” not to be mentioned and she called the piece “sloppy journalism.” She even whipped out her Oscar to prove her point!

El DeBarge

Having known for several weeks that the singer was facing some challenges in regards to his sobriety, his label Geffen Records has now confirmed and issued a statement about DeBarge seeking treatment.

“I hate to disappoint my fans but it is necessary for me to take the time to work on me so that I may continue to share my music and my story with everyone. I thank everyone in advance for their prayers and well wishes and hope that you will respect my privacy during this time,” stated DeBarge.

Though Geffen Records is saying the 49-year-old singer “voluntarily checked himself” into rehab, but there have been speculations that DeBarge had a serious relapse in recent weeks and it was rapper  50 Cent who played a significant part in helping get the singer into a recovery facility.

Regardless, all of DeBarge’s personal appearances and shows have been postponed.

Rihanna

The pop star is being sued by well-known celebrity photographer David LaChapelle for, what he claims, are scenes in the Melina-directed clip being “directly derived” from his works, Reuters reports.
LaChapelle, who is famous for his risqué pictorials in magazines like GQ and Rolling Stone and directing music videos for Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and legend Elton John, says Rihanna’s stimulating video duplicates the “composition, total concept, feel, tone, mood, theme, colors, props, settings, decors, wardrobe and lighting” of eight of his images.This isn’t the first time a Melina-directed Rihanna video has been accused of being a copy. RiRi’s colorful “Rude Boy” clip was slammed for being too similar to M.I.A.’s “Boyz” vid.

Chris Brown showcases his love of art on the cover of his new album, F.A.M.E. The cover art features a colorful mural of the R&B prince which he helped paint and conceptualize with graffiti artist Kid Zoom and painter Ron English. Throughout the paintings behind the large center image of Chris’ head, the words “forgiving all my enemies” can be seen. (We’re guesstimating the artwork was done before Breezy changed the title’s acronym to mean “fans are my everything.”)

Is it me or does CB’s album cover remind you of Michael Jackson’s?

In case you haven’t heard, Lil’ Kim is still beefing with Nicki Minaj. And yesterday, she drops a new mixtape which will hopefully prove she is still Queen B.  And….she has a new Nicki diss record.  The track is called “Warning” and she spits over Nicki’s “Did It On ‘Em” beat.

Lil' Kim

Check out the track:

Producer Rich Harrison‘s R&B Foursome RichGirl

foursome RichGirl dropped their first mixtape on Valentine’s Day, showcasing their significant talents. Highlights include the Ne-Yo penned “Decisions” (which was previously recorded by Brandy) and a cover of Lloyd‘s slow jam “Lay It Down.”
The girls also get an opportunity to showcase their vocals individually with various solo cuts sprinkled across the mixtape, and Lyndriette‘s cover of “Pretty Girl Rock” is another great track.
Read on for the tracklist and to download Fall In Love With RichGirl.
TRACKLIST:
1. No Hands
2. Smile & Wave (featuring Chris Brown)
3. RichGirl Rock (by Lyndriette)
4. Circles
5. Lay It Down
6. Grenade (by Audra)
7. Roc
8. All Of The Lights (by Brave)
9. Decisions
10. DJ Got Us… (featuring Usher)
11. Ready For Love

America’s Next Top Model cycle 17 is now casting nationwide. 2011 has started and with it comes new seasons of the CW hit show America’s NextTop Model.

Tyra Banks

The ANTM casting calls will go on all through February 2011. ANTM tryouts will begin 2/7/2011 and continue until 2/20/2011.
Top Model hopefuls only have a ONE week left to prepare so strap on the heels, grab a cool book to rest on your head and start practicing for your catwalk stroll Washington DC!!
Friday, February 18
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Lake Forest Mall
701 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg, MD
If you miss Friday’s auditions there’s a second chance on Saturday.
Saturday, February 19 11 am – 4 pm Fashion Center at Pentagon City 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington, Va.

Cash Money laid out the gold carpet for Nicki Minaj at The Lot in West Hollywood. Nicki was presented with a platinum plaque from her Young Money family Slim, Lil Wayne, Mack Maine, Drake and Lil Twist who were all in the building.

Nikki Minaj

Also spotted at this event were Jessica White, Omarion, and Melody Thornton. Check out EXCLUSIVE pictures!

Jay-Z and Roc Nation throw a Pre-Grammy brunch at Soho House in West Hollywood and those invited among many were Seal, Mario, Will Smith, Steve Stoute, and Solange! Check out EXCLUSIVE photos!

Beyonce & Rihanna

JayZ and WillSmith

Solange

Adrienne Bailon

Click Here To Check Out More EXCLUSIVE photos!

Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars, and B.O.B

Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars, and B.O.B. are featured on the new cover of VIBE magazine.
Check out an except from their article:
WIZ KHALIFA:Potheads and hippies, we flock. We’re peaceful as hell. You don’t hear about my concerts getting shot up or people getting beat up because they was too high and turned into a weed monster.
BRUNO MARS: I’m a fan of young Elvis. And I’m a fan of the story, how he freaked out white America by doing this Black rock’n’roll. He would go onstage shaking his hips, and people were freaking out. They said, “You can’t film him from the waist down.” To me, that’s fucking awesome.
B.o.B: My loyalty is not to any corporation, my loyalty is to the music. That doesn’t mean that I don’t work with corporations, it doesn’t mean that I don’t sell music–it just means that first I’m an artist regardless of anything.
This issue hits newsstands on February 22nd

Ciara among many were spotted out at the Black Eyed Peas & Friends Peapod Benefit Concert at the Music Box Theatre in Hollywood, CA on February 10th. Ciara was damn near naked but however looked stunning as usual rocking Emilio Pucci.

Ciara

Chris Brown attended the RETNA: The Hallelujah World Tour art exhibition opening in NYC yesterday. Brown will perform at an event in NYC after being told he was not welcomed at the Grammys on Sunday. Rev. Run’s daughter Angela Simmons also showed up at the event looking extraordinary!

Kelly Roland (Kelendria Trene Rowland) turns 30 today, and still looking exquisite!

Halle Berry covers the March 2011 issue of EBONY magazine. Inside, she discusses the ongoing public custody battle with her ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry over their daughter Nahla.

Sean Kingston recently celebrated his 21st birthday with a taping of MTV’s “Super Stuntin 21″ birthday party. And Sean’s party brought out some young Hollywood star power with Meagan Good, Tristan Wilds, Ray J, Lil Romeo, and Serena Williams. Check out the EXCLUSIVE photos!

SHAQ & HOOPZ

Get ready for SHAQ & HOOPZ on your TV screen. Two time reality chick Hoopz says they’re filming a reality show based on her life and her attempts at trying to get into athletic training. Filming will take place inside their suburban Boston home and everywhere the couple hangs out.
28 year old Nikki “Hoopz” Alexander has won two reality shows, VH1′s “Flavor of Love” and “I Love Money,” not to mention the Big Shamrock’s heart. 38 year old Shaq who is legally divorced from Shaunie (producer of Basketball Wives) maintains his love for Hoopz and loves how she handles his family.

Taraji, still looking good at forty, goes nude for the most recent PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ‘Fur? I’d Rather Go Naked’ campaign ad, she states: “I don’t think a living being should suffer for the sake of fashion, period. End of story.”