Tuesday, April 1, 2008

MORE DETAILS ON SEAN LEVERT'S DEATH: SINGER REPORTEDLY SHACKLED & BOUND BEFORE COLLAPSING; LEVERT FAMILY RELEASES STATEMENT.

More details have emerged on the sudden death of Sean Levert. The singer had to be physically restrained by prison guards because he was "out of control" shortly before he collapsed and died. The 39-year-old son of The O'Jays star Eddie Levert collapsed in his cell at Cuyahoga County Jail on Sunday night night and was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He was being held behind bars after allegedly failing to pay $80,000 in child support to the mother of his kids. Now website TMZ.com is reporting that Levert had been "hallucinating" late on Sunday, and had to be strapped to a restraining chair because prison staff were convinced he posed a danger to himself and others. Jail warden Kevin MCDonough claims Levert co-operated with staff and "went willingly" when he was taken from his cell to have his wrists bound and feet shackled. The Cuyahoga County Coroner has admitted there were no signs of physical trauma on Levert's body and his death is not considered suspicious. He is believed to have suffered from high blood pressure, but jail officials claim they were unaware of any health condition he may have had. They are currently waiting on results from toxicology tests to determine Levert's exact cause of death.

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In a statement released on Monday night, the Levert family says, “There are no words that can express what we are feeling today. There is no song that can capture the loss that we have in our hearts. But we are humbly overwhelmed by the generous outpouring of love, condolences and support from the many friends, fans and admirers of our son Sean. At this very difficult time, we thank you for your prayers and hope you will understand our need for privacy.”

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JANET TO RECEIVE MORE LOVE FROM THE GAY & LESBIAN COMMUNITY.

The multi-talented Janet Jackson will be honored by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation during their 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday, April 26. Jackson says, "I have received a number of awards throughout my career, but I am so proud to be receiving the Vanguard Award from GLAAD," said Jackson. "Since its inception in 1985, GLAAD has taken the lead in making sure that people will no longer be judged by their gender identity or sexual orientation. I applaud them for their continued work and thank them for this honor from the bottom of my heart." Each year GLAAD -- an organization that monitors how gays and lesbians are depicted in the media – honors networks, television shows and celebrities during four ceremonies to be held in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and southern Florida. (Dates and venues are: April 12 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida, April 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and May 10 at the San Francisco Marriott in San Francisco.) Television host Ellen Degeneres will be presenting Jackson with the award.

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It's no secret Jackson is one of the chosen few to be wholly accepted and supported by the gay and lesbian community. In a recent interview with Instinct magazine, the singer discussed her new album, Discipline, and how it appeals to gays. "They love to dance, and so do I, and there's that on this album for them to move too. I think they'll be able to connect lyrically to the music, the songs and the concept." Speaking of gays, what interview would be complete without Janet speaking her piece on the many gay rumors that has plagued her in recent years. The beauty proudly acclaims, "It never frustrates me. I never got upset about it. For what reason? Why get upset because someone said you were gay or called you gay? That should upset me? Then it would be something negative to me and it's not. It's just another rumor like all the rest of them." And gay porn? Janet unabashedly states, It's gotten me excited a couple of time! That's how I feel about it.

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T.I COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUESTS IN HIGH DEMAND + PICS OF THE RAPPER & HIS GIRLFRIEND OUT ON THE TOWN IN ATLANTA.

After learning that T.I. will have to complete 1,000 hours of community service in the coming year as part of his plea deal, various organizations are putting in their requests to have the rapper speak at their functions. As previously reported by SOHH, though Tip (born Clifford Harris, Jr.) is not scheduled to be sentenced on three separate federal gun charges until next year, the rapper does have to complete 1,000 out of 1,500 hours of community service in the next year speaking to youth groups across the country. Less than 24 hours after the rapper entered his guilty plea, requests for him to speak to youth have been pouring in at an amazing rate, Steve Sadow, one of the rapper's lawyers, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The idea really is he can get through to kids and fans like nobody else can," Sadow said. "Why not take advantage of what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"

According to T.I.’s attorney’s, the rapper is not on house arrest for a year as was widely reported last week. “T.I. can go anywhere he wants,” said one of his attorneys. However, there are stipulations regarding his newfound freedom after spending six months holed up in his Atlanta mansion: The rapper has been ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device at all times, he can only attend court-approved industry events, he has to abide to a strict curfew and he can not leave the state of Georgia without permission. To say that he has been blessed is an understatement.

Below are pictures of T.I. and his pregnant girlfriend (who's due to delivery the couple's second son together in May) of several years, singer, Tameka 'Tiny' Cottle. For the first time since his arrest, the petite duo were allowed a night out on the town to attend an art exhibit by T.I.'s personal photographer, Derek Blanks.


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Though Tip originally faced 30 years in prison, if he stood by his original innocent plea, he will now only be ordered to spend a about a year behind bars, as long as he fulfills the obligations of his community service deal and stays out of trouble. The stipulations of the rapper's agreement calls for him to speak to at-risk youth about the dangers of drugs, gangs and using illegal firearms. Tip, who has been vocally in opposition of law enforcement in his music, must also promote respect for police and authorities. So far, local Atlanta district attorneys, a law enforcement group from Florida and a Georgia NAACP chapter are among those asking for the self proclaimed "King of The South's" time. The Rev. Daniel L. Edwards III, president of NAACP's HenryCounty branch, said he will be extending an invite. "We want to come up with a way to use his celebrity status and use him as a spokesman to reach the masses," said Edwards. "They need to hear: Gangs are not cool, jails are not cool, guns and violence are not cool."

Court records also show that actress Journee Smollett (The Great Debators) wants Tip to speak to her "Catch Me Before I Fall Initiative," which uses celebrities to speak about the dangers of gangs and drugs. The Atlanta MC has also agreed to do public service announcements and teach classes for "It's Cool To Be Smart," a component of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said that prosecutors often give credit to those who cooperate and help convict someone. "If [Harris] can prevent someone from committing a crime and victimizing someone, why isn't that the same sort of thing we should reward?" he asked.

Picture Source: SANDRA ROSE

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REAL OR RUMOR: HAS BEYONCE & JAY-Z PULLED AN APRIL'S FOOL PRANK ON THE MEDIA BY OBTAINING A 60-DAY MARRIAGE LICENCE?

Although I wouldn't be surprise if the following story turned out to be just an April Fool's joke, it's still entertaining to read. Well, at least a little bit. Anyhoo, People magazine is reporting that Beyonce Knowles and her longtime boyfriend rapper/mogul Jay-Z have obtained a marriage license in Scarsdale Village, New York. According to a source, the pair took out a license on Tuesday morning. The document is valid for 60 days. A rep for Beyoncé told PEOPLE, "No comment." Jay-Z's spokesperson could not be reached for comment. Beyoncé, 26, and Jay-Z, 38, have been dating since 2002, though the couple have stood reluctant to discuss their relationship publicly. Rumors about their romance began circulating after the singer appeared on Jay-Z's song '03 Bonnie & Clyde, followed by collaborations on Beyoncé 's solo hit Crazy In Love, in 2003.

While the two have remained tight-lipped about the state of their romance, by no means has Beyoné brushed off talk of marriage. In Dec. 2006, the singer told InStyle, "You can't rush a man into anything – whether it's a relationship, marriage or having children." Earlier that month the pair was besieged by rumors that they were all set to get hitched in the Caribbean – a rumor that was quickly scotched by their reps.

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MATHEW KNOWLES SAYS DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE REGARDING HIS GRANDSON'S VENTURE INTO ACTING.

Beyonce Knowles' manager/father Mathew Knowles has dismissed and laughed off reports claiming his three-year-old grandson is to become the family's newest child star. Singer Solange Knowles' young son Daniel Julez has been part of rumored negotiations for a new TV show on the Nickelodeon network - but his grandfather insists the reports are untrue. Mathew says, "Although there have been several discussions with Nickelodeon and (my company) Music World Kids... there has been absolutely no conversation regarding my grandson, Julez, and no plans to discuss Julez in entertainment in the near future. When my grandson is old enough to decide what his passion is in life, we will support his dreams wholeheartedly, but it has to be his dreams."

Meanwhile, Mathew Knowles admits a TV venture featuring a toy range he and Solange created and developed in 2007 is on the slate. He says, "(There's an) announcement coming soon with an existing Nickelodeon franchise."

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CELEB CANDIDS: USHER & TAMEKA AT MR. CHOW; MARY J. BLIGE & JAY-Z IN NEW YORK C.ITY.

Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z were spotted in NYC arriving at the Ed Sullivan Theater for a taping on the Late Show with David Letterman.


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Usher continues to pound the concrete in an effort to drum up more publicity before his new album drops this summer. And what better place to be seen than at Mr. Chow in Los Angeles. The restaurant has become a haven for celebrities thirsting to be seen and lensed by the paparazzi who set up shop daily at the eatery's entrance.



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GABRIELLE UNION SUES 2 BOGUS ADVERTISERS FOR INVASION OF PRIVACY.

Actress Gabrielle Union is suing two men for invasion of privacy, after they posted a fake job advertisement looking for an assistant for the star. The two defendants, Calvin High and Steve Raymond, both from Georgia, are alleged to have advertised the job of executive assistant on listings website Craigslist.com, claiming they were acting on Union's behalf. But the actress says she's never heard of either defendant and was unaware of their actions. Union claims to have suffered "severe emotional distress" as a result of the bogus posting. She also says that High and Raymond subjected her to "embarrassment and humiliation" by putting out the false ad.

Her lawsuit, filed in a Georgia district court on Friday, seeks unspecified damages and also names as defendants "John Does 1-10,' because Union's lawyers, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, LLC, claim the acts were committed "in conjunction with and/or with the help of several other individuals who are unknown... at this time." They go on to state: "At least one individual responded to the advertisement for the position... and subsequently contacted Ms. Union directly inquiring about the advertisement."
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