Friday, March 28, 2008

LAMMAN RUCKER IN ESSENCE MAG; ACTOR DISCUSSES JILL SCOTT, TOCCARA, UPCOMING MOVIE PROJECTS, WHAT HE LOOKS FOR IN A WOMAN & MORE.

It's about time! I don't know how long I have waited for at least one publication to do an in-depth feature story (even if it is in basic Q&A form) on Real Gossip 101's favorite male actor, Lamman Rucker. If you're an avid fan of Rucker, chances are most of the details you may read about in the following article are things you already know. And for those who haven't followed his career prior to his big screen debut in Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?, you're in for a treat so brace yourselves. The actor discusses why he chose a career in acting over a career in one of the many fields in which he holds a college degree, the death of his baby brother, his next movie, Ball Don't Lie, being labeled--and oftentimes cast as eyecandy and his views of how Black women are portrayed in the media and the world of hip-hop. He also sets the record straight on his rumored relationships with Jill Scott and former America's Next Top Model contestant Toccara Jones, the qualities he looks for in a woman and his current relationship status. Here's a hint: get your pens and pencils ready! Let me tell yall right now: I knew the brother was deep, but after reading his interview, I discovered he's much deeper than I thought.

Essence.com: Tyler Perry’s film always provides great eye candy for his female audience. Would you say that you’ve been cast as “the hunk” often?
L.R.: (Laughs) Throughout my career, I wouldn’t say my roles have been based on my being considered eye candy. What I will say is that my ability to bring different characters to life is what has helped me advance in my career. As far as looks are concerned, well, I suppose that would be the icing on the cake, but acting comes first and foremost. No one likes to be typecast, but I would like to believe that the attention I get is for my acting but at the same time darn it, if I get to keep playing the handsome, smart guy then that's also a blessing and it’s the last thing I would complain about.

Essence.com: Rumor has it that you are currently dating your Why Did I Get Married? co-star Jill Scott?
L.R.: Ms. Scott—Jill—and I are just very good friends, nothing more.

Essence.com: So you’re telling all the ladies that you’re single?
L.R.: (Laughs) Yes, I’m single.

Essence.com: Recently, footage of you and Toccara walking hand-in-hand surfaced on the web. Are you two an item?
L.R.: No, we’re just friends. I know exactly what you’re talking about. We were leaving an event that we both attended and I was being a gentleman and walking her and her friend to her car. Naturally, there are always going to be people waiting outside to try and see if they can make something out of nothing. Again, we’re just friends.

CONTINUE READING MORE SNIPPETS FROM LAMMAN'S INTERVIEW INCLUDING MORE INFO INFO ON OTHER PROJECTS HE'S CURRENTLY WORKING ON & TAKE A LOOK AT SEVERAL EXCLUSIVE OLD SCHOOL PICS FROM THE ACTOR'S PERSONAL PHOTO STASH BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP! ON THE BOTTOM LEFT.
Essence: So was a career in academia too stifling for your creative spirit?
Essence.com: Well, I’m sure the ladies are happy to hear that you’re a free agent.

L.R.:
(Laughs) Well, I’m not saying that I sit at home twiddling my thumbs. The legit answer is I’m dating. I’m working and open, which means I’m filling out applications and taking applications.

Essence.com: There's nothing wrong with that. What’s the one thing a woman can do to send you running for the hills?

L.R.:
A woman who is self-centered, can never see the positive and is selfish. Don’t get me wrong everyone has a right to self-preservation, but it really bugs me when a person is so self-consumed that they don’t care how it affects other people as long as her wants and needs are met. And please, I’m a patient man, but please don’t ever try to give me an attitude and run a guilt trip on me.


Essence.com: Yeah, that’s not sexy at all. Well, your character in Married really proved that chivalry wasn’t dead. What are your thoughts about the portrayal of Black women in the media and hip-hop?

L.R.:
Well right now hip-hop artists are such huge commodities so the film industry integrates them into film because of their draw. It allows studios to cross-promote an artist from the big screen to the soundtrack. Honestly, I have mixed feelings because hip-hop artists should have the right to pursue their interests as an actor. However, I don’t think they should be rewarded musically and given other opportunities if they are all about promoting poor examples of Black women across the globe. The images they portray of Black women severely misinform other cultures who listen to hip-hop and watch those videos about our women. It’s disappointing because of the respect and honor our Black women deserve. As a people, we have to be more accountable in our everyday language but especially artists who have a forum such as videos, radios and albums.


Essence.com: Perhaps, such progress will happen in another lifetime. Tell me about Ball Don’t Lie.

L.R.:
I play Trey and I’m on the street basketball team. The film is based on a book by Matt de La Pena and is about this young White kid who is placed in foster care after his mother tragically dies. He is an orphan and poor, which drives home the point that at-risk youth don’t just exist in the Black community. At the end of the day, it’s more a matter of economics than race. In the end, basketball becomes his saving grace when he discovers the recreation center in the hood, where some serious street ball is played by much older and more experienced players. So not only must this young guy adapt to an older generation but to their athletic prowess.


Essence.com: Sounds interesting and right up your alley because you’re not only a former basketball player but a huge youth advocate.

L.R.:
Yes, I am. I use my position as an actor to teach and work with young people. Now what I do is more along the lines of teaching HIV/AIDS prevention as well as Rap It Up campaigns to educate these young people how to protect themselves.


Essence.com: Growing up in D.C. what adversities did you face?

L.R.:
Nothing that I would say was too crazy. I mean I hung out in the streets, but I didn’t become a victim of the streets because I had too much going on in high school to distract me. But I lost my little brother to the streets in '92. It’s a shame because he was truly gifted and talented. Although he and I faced some of the same things in our community, his choices made it difficult for him to remove himself from those experiences. But I thank God for the arts, which I can say saved me from the same fate because I traveled so far from my school, The Duke Ellington School of the Arts ,and spent nearly the entire day there. My brother is the reason that I’ll always give back to the community because we have to help or young Black men and young people. It’s my obligation to my brother and his legacy.

Lamman was gracious enough to share these throwback photos with his many fans. Bless his tall, dark and handsome heart! Click on each pic to see it in its original size.




L.R.:
(Laughs) Not really once I made the decision to go to grad school, I asked myself the infamous question, What would I do for free? So I volunteered to coach high school basketball but I also helped them build life skills and not just their sportsmanship. But as far as acting, I was always nurturing my artistic side when I was in college and grad school. I modeled, booked commercials, appeared in plays, sang. I even know how to put up stage lights because I had to learn that in my high school.

Essence.com: As a well-rounded actor you are have you considered doing any of the traveling plays?

L.R.:
Actually, I’m in a play call Webeime, which is "We, Be, I, Me." I’m one of eight Black men who make up this one man who’s on death row. You witness his life through each of the eight Black men. It’s like Ntzoke Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf. And we’ll be coming to the Harlem School of the Artis from March 28 through May 4. I won’t join the cast until the last couple of weeks.

TO READ LAMMAN'S ENTIRE INTERVIEW, GO TO: ESSENCE.COM

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE NEWS ON LAMMAN RUCKER ON BLACKCELEBRITYMEN.BLOGSPOT.COM!)

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

RANDOM CELEB PICS: DALLAS AUSTIN W/HIS SONS; NEW EDITION W/THEIR LONGTIME CHOREOGRAPHER; THE CAST OF 'THE GAME.'

I rounded up a couple of random pictures for you all to glance at at your leisure. The first pic is of super-producer Dallas Austin attending his 3rd annual Don't Stop The Music Gala on March 1, 2008 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia with his two oldest sons, (on the far left) Cypress (from a previous relationship) and 10-year-old Tron, whom Austin shares with Chilli of TLC.



In the photo below you'll find cast members, (from left to right) Hosea Chanchez, Coby Bell, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Tia Mowry, Marion 'Pooch' Hall and the lil dude who plays 'Tee-Tee' of The Game--which began airing new episodes last Sunday in its new time slot--attending a special screening of independent film Contradictions of the Heart starring their fellow cast mate, Williams. Cast member Britany Daniels is not pictured.



And yall know I had to save the best for last. Just when I thought New Edition's choreographer (and Ronnie's uncle), Brooke Payne had fell off the edge of the earth, I stumble across this picture. What makes this picture even more easier to look at is those five guys surrounding that one man who is solely responsible for all of New Edition's signature dance moves. If Brooke could teach Johnny Gill, the dude who once danced as if he had two left feet....placed on backwards, then you know he is the business!


'.....The party's over. It's been a long vacation and you fans have been waiting to see you. Now you guys all know...how you look in rehearsal is how you come across on stage. So let's do it one more time from the top and let's get busy....'

All of my fellow N.E. Fanatics know exactly what video this little excerpt came from. And for those you don't know, CLICK HERE and allow yourself to reminisce for a spell or two.
.....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

NEW ALBUM COVER FOR RAVEN-SYMONE'S NEW SELF-TITLED ALBUM + TOURING & APPEARNACES UPDATES.

Here's the official cover album for Raven-Symone's self-titled fourth studio album which will be released April 29, 2008. The singer/actress is currently on tour to promote her latest music project. CLICK HERE to see if she's coming to a city near you.


And for those of you who have young girls who believe with every fiber of their being that Raven is all of that plus the bees knees, like my niece, make sure they tune in to watch Raven on Nickelodeon's Kid's Choice Awards which will air live from Los Angeles tomorrow (Saturday, March 29, 2008) at 8 p.m. EST. On Sunday, March 30, 2008, Raven will make an appearance on WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando, Florida, as a participant in the WWE's biggest wish-granting event ever at WrestleMania XXIV. As part of the WWE’s expanded partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 50 children with life-threatening medical conditions will have their heartfelt wishes fulfilled at the event. Raven will join the wish kids and their families at the Bacon, Bagels and Biceps brunch, where they will be formally inducted into the WWE Make-A-Wish Circle of Champions and mingle with some of their favorite WWE Superstars. Raven will also accompany the children to WrestleMania XXIV, where they will be WWE’s special guests of honor.

Raven really does love the kids. Bless her heart.
....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

NEW PIC: ROZONDA 'CHILLI' THOMAS & FLOYD MAYWEATHER AT HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY IN ATLANTA.


CLICK PIC TO SEE ITS FULL IMAGE.

We've all read and/or heard those rumors that claim 37-year-old Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas of TLC is now dating boxing champ Floyd Mayweather. And although the short-in-stature rumored couple were spotted on two different occasions shopping and having dinner with friends in Las Vegas earlier this month, neither party has come forth to confirm or deny these reports. We've also read rumors of Big Money Mayweather wining and dining R&B artist Keyshia Cole as well. So, who's dating who? The hell if I know! What I do know is Thomas was the lady on Floyd's arm at one of the three birthday bashes he hosted in Atlanta....specifically the one that took place at Jermaine Dupri's Studio 72. Why so many parties in one city, you ask? Let Floyd tell it, 'I love to be in Atlanta; there are a lot of beautiful ladies there.' Umm-hmmm.

However, it was Keyshia who was spotted in an all-night constant cuddle/snuggle mode with Mayweather at the boxer's 31st other birthday celebration at the Jet Nightclub in Las Vegas. I'm told photographers kept an eye on the would-be-could-be couple throughout the night hoping they'd be lucky enough to catch the money shot photo to prove the two are more than just friends. Even 'Magilla with the Brand New Grill-la' a.k.a. 50 Cent, who sat in as the guest host of New York City's Power 105.1 radio station made it his business to get down to the bottom of things after Floyd phoned in for a quick on-air interview recently. Thinking it was best to go up the street, around the corner and into the woods while skating around the issue, Mayweather claimed, 'She's my people's. She came to my birthday party when I turned 31 back in February. It was a really cool event.'

But, on the other hand...and I do mean literally and figuratively, Cole was seen vacaying in the Bahamas with Jeezy, her on-again/off-again boo of about a year and half donning what looked like an ice-cube on her ring finger....Take it for what it's worth, people.

CATCH FLICKS OF KEYSHIA AND FLOYD AT HIS B-DAY PARTY AFTER THE JUMP!

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

'THE THINGS CELEBRITIES SAY': CHRIS ROCK ON AMERICA'S NEXT PRESIDENT....'GIMME ANYTHING BUT ANOTHER WHITE MAN, PLEASE!'

I THOUGHT THIS WAS FUUUUUUUUUUUUNNY! SOME OF YOU ALL MAY FIND IT A BIT FUNNY TOO!

“Bush has f-ed up so bad, that he’s made it hard for a white man to run for president. Gimme anything but another white man, please! Black man, white woman, giraffe, anything! A white man’s had that job for hundreds of years — and one guy f-ed it up for all of ya!....Each candidate tells you how humble they are. No, you’re not humble! Do you know how big your ego has to be to say you wanna be president of the United States? Do you know how much Puff Daddy juice you have to drink? How many Kanye injections you have to take?....I actually think America is ready for a woman president. But does it have to be that woman?...She’s gonna work in the office where her husband got blow jobs?! There ain’t enough redecorating in the world she can do to change that! There’s one thing Hillary Clinton’s better at than everybody else, and one thing only — and that’s forgiveness! Hillary Clinton is the greatest forgiver in the history of the world. Even Jesus knows: ‘You really good at fo’giveness. I mean, I talk the talk, but you walk the walk!’”....

....“Barack Obama, he’s a Black man with two Black names! Barack. Obama. He doesn’t let his blackness sneak up on you. As soon as you hear Barack Obama you wonder, ‘Does he have a spear?’...He’s so cool, too, man. I don’t think he realizes he’s a Black candidate! When you’re the only Black guy doing something, people expect you to take it up a notch. If you’re the only Black playing basketball with a bunch of White guys — they expect you to dunk! Barack has a handicap the other candidates don’t have: Barack Obama has a Black wife. And I don’t think a Black woman can be First Lady of the United States. Yeah, I said it!....

CONTINUE READING CHRIS ROCK'S RANT AFTER THE JUMP!

A Black woman can be president, no problem. First Lady? Can’t do it. You know why? Because a Black woman cannot play the background of a relationship. Just imagine telling your Black wife that you’re president? ‘Honey, I did it! I won! I’m the president.’ ‘No, we the president! And I want my girlfriends in the Cabinet! I want Kiki to be secretary of state! She can fight!’ “

Comedian/actor Chris Rock in Rollingstone magazine discusses his hopes and dreams of America's next President and what the differences they each can bring into office.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

NEWSPAPER EDITOR BLASTS OPRAH FOR LEADING CHRISTIANS 'ASTRAY.' SAYS, 'IT'S TIME FOR CHRISTIANS TO 'JUST SAY NO' TO THE BIG 'O.'

Oh, Lord. Some folks just love accusing and blasting Oprah Winfrey for the most frivolous things. The person in the following story is no exception. James A. Smith, Sr., the executive director of the Florida Baptist Witness newspaper has accused the talk show maven of leading American Christians astray. Smith claims claims Winfrey uses her radio network to promote "anti-biblical" doctrine. Smith is also singling out the mass-media mogul for her support of author and new age guru Marianne Williamson, who has appeared on Winfrey's television talk show and radio channel. Smith writes in the newspaper: "In America's celebrity-driven culture, perhaps the most harmful 'Pied Piper' of heresies leading millions astray is Oprah Winfrey. Her adoption of anti-biblical doctrine is on display every day this year through her satellite radio network channel Oprah & Friends. It's time for Christians to 'just say no' to the big 'O'."

The things some folks--even Christians--do for attention. Doesn't it make you just wonder?

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

FALSE RUMOR ALERT: TYRA BANKS IS NOT LEAVING HER SHOW (AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL).

Recent rumors of retired supermodel and creator of America's Next Top Model Tyra Banks leaving her top-rated reality show swarmed the Internet this week. However, Banks is dismissing those reports as untrue. The former catwalk beauty was rumored to be quitting the hit series after a number of fights with fellow mentor Jay Manuel (who also serves as ANTM's art director) and that the pair are reportedly "not speaking". As if a little spat with someone working under her would cause her to leave her own show! Come on yall! It was also alleged Banks' stint on America's Next Top Model was "detracting" her from her "big plans" to focus on her talk show, The Tyra Banks Show. But Banks' spokesperson insists the reports are wildly inaccurate. The representative tells Usmagazine.com: "The rumors about Tyra leaving and the fight with Jay are not true."
....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

RAPPER REMY MA LEAVES COURTROOM 'WAILING' AND 'OPENLY SOBBING' AFTER BEING FOUND GIULITY ON 2 CHARGES OF ASSAULT.

Maybe if Remy Ma had attended Easter Sunday services with T.I. in Atlanta earlier this week, she wouldn't have been seen letting her 'I'm So Hood' guard down before 'wailing loudly' and openly sobbing after being found guilty on two charges of assault Thursday (3.27.2008) in a Manhattan Supreme Court room. According to MTV News, the 26-year-old rapper faces up o 25 years if convicted on both counts. The charges stem from an incident that occurred last July when the rapper and Makeda Barnes-Joseph argued after leaving a mutual acquaintance's birthday party. Remy Ma alleged Barnes-Joseph stole several thousand dollars from her purse that night; Barnes-Joseph was shot after the two struggled in her car. Remy Ma fled the scene in an SUV but crashed nearby. Neither the money nor the weapon have been found. Charges of tampering and gang assault, related to the case, were thrown out, the rapper's attorney, Ivan Fisher, told MTV News on Thursday. Sentencing for the case is scheduled for April 22. Fisher intends to file an appeal for his client immediately. "The jury acquitted the second half of the indictment," he said, referring to the tampering and intimidation charges. "That will help the appeal because that evidence, those charges, shouldn't have been in the case to begin with. And there are other issues we think may turn the conviction around." However, he conceded, "It's a bad day."

The back-and-forth in the case has been contentious from the beginning. During the opening arguments, Fisher characterized Barnes-Joseph as a celebrity groupie. He told the jury Barnes-Joseph was misrepresenting events in an effort to win a big financial payoff. She filed a $10 million civil lawsuit against the rapper but later withdrew it, according to Fisher.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

Prosecutors attempted to paint Remy Ma as a gun-toting intimidator. Assistant District Attorney Jason Berland told jurors the rapper was calculating and bullying, citing an August incident during which a group of men allegedly close to Remy Ma assaulted Barnes-Joseph's boyfriend and broke his nose. Charges were brought against the rapper for intimidation but were thrown out in the conviction. Prosecutors also noted the gun Remy Ma carried was loaded with hollow-point bullets, intended to severely cause injury.

From the beginning the former Terror Squad rapper maintained her innocence, telling a group of reporters at her New Jersey home shortly after the incident that she did not shoot her friend. During closing remarks, however, her attorney conceded his client did in fact shoot Barnes-Joseph, but labeled it an accident. Fisher told jurors the weapon went off while the two women struggled with each other during their argument.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!
Related Posts with Thumbnails
Template Designed by Douglas Bowman - Updated to Beta by: Blogger Team
Modified for 3-Column Layout by Hoctro