Racism blamed for lack of Beyonce-Jay Z magazine covers

by: EURweb.com
Of the big five celebrity glossies out midweek, only "Us Weekly" put news of Beyonce and Jay-Z’s wedding on the cover. The others chose instead to feature Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston, notes "New York Daily News" columnist Ben Widdicombe.

He says one top editor blames the lack of attention on the notion that "African Americans don’t sell covers.

"None of the magazines landed an exclusive on wedding pictures, which would have made the story bigger," Widdicombe quoted of one tabloid insider, justifying why Beyonce was relegated to a small cover box on his magazine.

But even wedding photos make less money for Black stars, another source stated.

"Eva Longoria can get $1 million for wedding photos, but without the expectation of cover sales, Beyonce might have gotten as little as $250,000 if she had sold hers," says a top editor.

Magazine Publisher and Black gossip pioneer Flo Anthony responds: "That sounds to me a very racist statement. Beyonce is one of the biggest stars in the world, much bigger than Eva Longoria."

Another tabloid source says: "We have a saying, ‘Only Oprah.’ Oprah is the only Black celebrity big enough to put on our cover."

But "Us Weekly" Editor-In-Chief Janice Min, the only non-Caucasian to helm a top celebrity magazine, told the columnist: "Janet Jackson has been on our cover twice, for two of our best-selling issues we’ve ever had."

She acknowledges there is a perception in her industry that Black stars don’t sell covers, but adds: "Typically, you will hear that discussion among a group of all-White editors."

Michael Jordan harassed for third paternity test

A woman is claiming that Michael Jordan is the father of her 4-year-old son after two paternity tests:

Despite two previous tests that show otherwise, a Pennsylvania mom is still trying to prove NBA great Michael Jordan is the father of her 4-year-old son.

Lisa Miceli, 35, wants a judge to require the five-time NBA MVP to submit to a third paternity test. Jordan claims in his harassment suit against Miceli that two paternity tests in 2005 ruled him out as the child’s dad. The Meadville woman also wants the judge to lift a temporary restraining order imposed when Jordan filed his suit in February.

Are Shaq and Shaunie back together?

Divorcing couple spotted together at two events

Whitney Houston and her red dress may have been the most talked-about photograph from Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night charity in Phoenix on April 5. But another pic taken that evening poses a burning question.

Are Shaquille O’Neal and his estranged wife Shaunie back together?

The two shared a table and posed for a picture together at Ali’s formal affair. Also, spies for the "New York Post" caught the pair in Arizona "strolling at the Wildlife World Zoo last weekend."

Shaq filed for divorce from his wife in 2007, claiming she was "secretive about her assets," but the "Post" says sources in Phoenix claim the duo has reconciled and may get back together.

Lil Jon ventures into winemaking biz

Lil Jon

by Nekesa Mumbi Moody, BlackNews.com
It turns out Lil Jon drinks more than crunk juice.

The larger-than-life producer and rapper has started his own wine label, offering selections including Chardonnay and Merlot.

"It kind of came out of nowhere," Lil Jon told The Associated Press of his new venture, Little Jonathan Winery. "We were just going to do some private label stuff (for parties) and we did it, and people was like, ‘Hey, it’s pretty nice.’"

Lil Jon acknowledges that he’s no wine connoisseur. "I’m not no ‘drink wine every day’ kind of dude," he said in a telephone interview. "I’m not like an expert, so don’t ask me no questions ... I just like the taste."

And he knows what he likes, including white wines and dessert wines (winemaker Alison Crowe is responsible for the label, made in California).

Little Jonathan Winery is not Lil Jon’s first venture into the drink market: He launched Crunk!!! Energy Drink a few years back: The concoction took its name from the rap style he made famous. But he is treating his venture into winemaking with a more serious approach, which is why he decided against using his stage name for the label.

"My full name is Jonathan," the Atlanta-based artist said. "The wine is more nature: I wanted to not just have a direct connection, but make it just a little bit more upscale than regular ‘Lil Jon.’ ... This is not no ghetto Boone’s Farm; this is some real wine."

Lil Jon has more time on his hands these days for winemaking and other ventures: While he continues to produce hits, he hasn’t released an album since 2004’s best-selling "Crunk Juice" with the Eastside Boyz. It may be a little while longer before fans hear new music, since his label, TVT Records, recently went bankrupt.

Lil Jon said he has an album ready to go--he’s just waiting for the TVT situation to resolve itself.

"I want to get it out ASAP, but TVT has top figure out there business, and that’s about all I can say," he said with a laugh.

J-HUD on ‘Sex and the City’ Soundtrack, actress’ song to play under closing credits

www.EurWeb.com
Viewers of the upcoming film "Sex and the City" will get a double dose of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson.

In addition to co-starring in the film as a lucky-in-life, unlucky-in-love assistant named Louise; she also contributes a song to the soundtrack, reports "Entertainment Weekly."

Titled "All Dressed Up in Love," the track was written by MC Jack Splash and Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley and will play over the film’s end credits, according to "EW."

"She sings it like nobody’s business," Director Michael Patrick King told the magazine of Hudson’s performance.

Meanwhile, the film opens with a tweaked version of the "Sex and the City" theme song recorded by Fergie. Re-titled "Labels & Love," the track is described by King as "an entirely new song with lyrics, but it has the ‘Sex and the City’ theme as the DNA--on steroids."