Monday, January 26, 2009
Lisa Raye Essence Interview [Discussing Recent Personal Struggles]
ESSENCE.COM: Nice to hear from you. You’ve laid low since all the hoopla surrounding your marriage to Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick. How have you been holding up?
LISARAYE McCOY-MISICK: Why is it that people don’t embrace one another when we’re going through a tough time? Some of the things I read about me were so wrong and hurtful, but I am fine. It’s okay to move forward because things happen. Does it hurt? Yes. Am I disappointed? Incredibly. But this too shall pass.
ESSENCE.COM: Is it difficult to go through rough times publicly, especially with a spouse.
LISARAYE: Yes. There is a law in Turks and Caicos that you must remain married for three years before you begin any kind of divorce proceedings. If you want to get a divorce before that you have to be able to prove certain things that will grant you the right to do so.
ESSENCE.COM: What evidence did you provide that helped you in your case?
LISARAYE: I can’t be specific right now. I will say that there are things that happen within a marriage which can disrespect the union and actions can be taken against those things. As an actress, I have put myself out there as an independent Black woman, a single mom, a go-getter, a hustler who isn’t afraid to survive. If you get with a man who goes against who you are or what you believe in, people who know you begin to say, “Hey, that’s not the LisaRaye I know.” As his wife, my name has been associated with things that I have nothing to do with, and I have to fight to clear my name.
ESSENCE.COM: When you say you have to “fight for your name” are you referring to the British investigation into the government of Turks and Caicos and its leader, your estranged husband?
LISARAYE: Yes. I have been summoned to the hearing for questioning from the commission regarding the corruption inquiry into my husband’s government.
ESSENCE.COM: Do you believe your husband is innocent or guilty of those allegations?
LISARAYE: That’s not for me to decide.
ESSENCE.COM: Do you think that you and your husband could have avoided such a public war?
LISARAYE: Honestly, I hoped our divorce could be amicable. I’m saying to him, “Let’s get it over with so we can move on with our lives. It’s not fair to keep me involved in all this mess that I know nothing about… I’m human and enough is enough.” I’m going through some things, but I’ve been quiet and haven’t spoken to my country. I was trying to bow out gracefully, but after a while the Southside [of Chicago] had to come forward and finally say, “Hold on! Wait a minute!”
ESSENCE.COM: Many balked at your whirlwind romance and marriage and accused you of being an opportunist. How do you feel about that assessment of your character?
LISARAYE: First of all, I’m a fan of love and partnership. I would say this to my critics: If a man comes to you there obviously has to be a connection. I had a man who’s smart and powerful and who I fell in love with. He’s embracing my family. Add the fact that I have an opportunity to bring tourism to his country and be involved in something historical. Who in the hell would say no? But what scared me was the idea of being First Lady?
ESSENCE.COM: Bloggers have often said that you’re too “ghetto” to be a First Lady. How does that make you feel?
LISARAYE: I am not and never grew up in the ghetto. People need to get it right. I grew up on the Southside of Chicago. What people don’t realize is that my father was a multimillionaire who owned 12 hotels, motels, a steel mill, a radio station, a club, nursing home, and a law office. So I think it’s safe to say I’m a little above middle class and I’m a daddy’s girl. I make no apologies for loving the finer things in life or the men I choose to date. I don’t feel bad about the person I am. Now, I do have an edge, rawness and realness, and I can tell you I’m going to keep that. I’m one of those women who’s not to be messed with. I’m very opinionated and boisterous at times. I’m also kind and humble. I know when to fold and when to hold and that’s important. If my edge scares you, then you have a choice to remove yourself. Other than that, I’m very approachable, and when people meet me they always say, “You are so down to earth and nothing like I thought you were.”
New Video: B.o.B. - Lonely People
This is B.o.B's new video off of his mixtape "Who the F$@K is B.o.B" When did artists start REALLY making videos for mixtapes? B.o.B is a part of Grand Hustle, it seems like T.I. is putting together a very diverse camp. If you have a fast enough connection, check out the video in HD.
New Video: Leona Lewis - I Will Be
This is the video for UK singer Leona Lewis' third single "I Will Be", from her debut album Spirit, in stores now.
Leona > Mariah?
Young Jeezy Discusses "My President" Remix
Last week, before performing the "My President" remix with Jay-Z in Washington, D.C., Young Jeezy told MTV News that even though his song was inspired by Barack Obama, he didn't expect the president to come out and endorse it. Jeezy is fully aware that there is still a certain distance the commander in chief has to maintain.
"I'm a street cat 100 percent, but there's certain things I had to distance myself between too if I wanna lead the way for the rest of us, if I wanna spit that game back to the 'hood," Jeezy said. " ... I don't expect Obama to come send me a thank-you letter for the song. I feel like he did his thing, and I did what I could to help."
Jeezy voted for Obama in November and said casting his ballot felt like "buying a new car. Buying a new Bentley off the lot with no co-sign at 17 years old."
Jeezy said MCs besides Jay-Z have sent in verses for a "My President" remix, but he was especially excited about working with Hov.
"That's Jay!" he laughed. "Jay is one of the dudes I always respected his craft in the game. Definitely his hustle. For me and him to do so much, I feel like we cut from the same cloth. Great minds always meet at the top. And they do things.
"The song was powerful already with Nas; now Jay is on there," he added. "We got a few more people on the remix." ...
Rihanna Joining "Charlie's Angels"?
Move over, Beyonce as Wonder Woman, island gal Rihanna may work herself into the "Charlie's Angels" sequel in the works, according to movie zine Sci Fi Wire.
While there is no word on whether Rihanna is even interested in the part, the "Angels" producer Nancy Juvonen, is quoted as saying she wanted another angel to help the box office. "I'm having a Rihanna fixation myself," is what she then said.
Jovonen is married to funnyman Jimmy Fallon and has run a production company (Flower Films) with Drew Barrymore for a number of years now.
But can RiRi leave the side of Chris Breezy long enough to complete a film? Word is that the two are inseparable, but even more than that, RiRi has been known to stake out the joint if celebrity stalkers have an eye for her boy Chris.
The "Charlie's Angels" role - if Rihanna accepts - would be on the heels of "Black Mama Widow," which she is in production now.
Obama’s $3000 cell phone… ‘Barack-Berry’
Barack Obama’s fight to keep his cell phone leads to a revolutionary invention.
The Presidential cell phone has officially arrived and is appropriately nicknamed the “Barack-Berry,” but, in fact, President Obama’s new smartphone is a $3,350 device that has all the bells and whistles of a CIA secure computer server.
The president has fought the National Security Agency to keep his BlackBerry phone, saying they would have to “pry it out of my hands.” He protested that a mobile device would help him stay in touch with the real world.
However, e-mail has long been treated with suspicion by the Secret Service because of fears it could be hacked into by foreign espionage agencies, or that sensitive information could reach the public.
To prevent hacking, the NSA has created a spy-proof BlackBerry alternative called Sectera Edge. The cell phone is reportedly capable of encrypting top secret voice conversations and handling classified documents.
Check out the prototype below.
Halle Berry preparing for Baby #2!!!
Actress Halle Berry fuels speculation that she is expecting another child.
Halle Berry, was photographed wearing a baggy, belly-hiding tracksuit, while shopping for a 1.2 million dollar condo for her mom.
Berry is almost 43 years old and her daughter Nahla will turn 1 years old very soon. Due to concerns for her age, rumors are spreading that the actress is ready to have baby number two.
Close sources have confirmed that the Academy Award Winner would like to complete her family with at least one more child. This revelation would explain why her mom, whose is also the family’s sole baby sitter, would need a bigger home.
See more photos below from the real estate shopping spree.
Word of the Day: Appease
Appease (Verb):
1. to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe
2. to satisfy, allay, or relieve; assuage
3. to yield or concede to the belligerent demands of (a nation, group, person, etc.) in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles.
NBA Player Kenyon Martin engaged to Trina????
It appears that a congratulations is in order. NBA baller Kenyon Martin has popped the question to his rapper girlfriend Trina.
According to a person close to Kenyon - Barack Obama motivated him to pop the question. "[Kenyon] was inspired by Barack ... watching [The President's] relationship with Michelle was probably what pushed [Kenyon] to pop the question."
The wedding is right around the corner too. Sources say Kenyon and Trina will be tying the knot in Mexico on Valentine's Day
Congrats to the happy couple.
Is it true Danity Kane is Disbanded completely now!!!
Source are unveiling the disbandment of Danity Kane completely. Diddy has decided to keep Dawn as a Solo Act and release Aundrea from the label.
Earlier he had already fired D.Woods and Aubrey O'Day, and short after that Shannon decided to quit.
Beyonce Narrarates her shoot for House of Dereon!!
Beyonce commentates on her experience shooting for House of Dereon. Her mother "Tina Knowles" is really talented with her designs.
Republicans Against President Obama’s Stimulus Plan!!
Republicans plan to test President Barack Obama’s commitment to bipartisanship as his $825 billion stimulus package heads to the floor of the House of Representatives this week, with the House Republican leader saying Sunday morning that many in his party will vote no unless there are significant changes to the plan.“Right now, given the concerns that we have over the size of this package and all of the spending in this package, we don’t think it’s going to work,” the House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Republican of Ohio, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “And so if it’s the plan that I see today, put me down in the no column.” While the plan can potentially pass the Democratic-dominated House without Republican support, it will continue to face opposition when it comes before the Senate, said Senator John McCain of Arizona, speaking on “Fox News Sunday.” At least two Republicans will need to approve the bill for a filibuster-proof majority vote of 60. Senator McCain, who lost the presidential election to Mr. Obama in November, said that he planned to vote no unless the bill were changed. “We need to make tax cuts permanent, and we need to make a commitment that there’ll be no new taxes,” Mr. McCain said. “We need to cut payroll taxes. We need to cut business taxes.” “We need to have a commitment that after a couple of quarters of G.D.P. growth that we will embark on a path,” he said about the gross domestic product, “to reduce spending to get our budget in balance.” The Republican objections came as President Obama dispatched his top economic adviser, Lawrence H. Summers, to the talk shows to defend aspects of the plan that have come under attack. More details about the stimulus package, the largest of its kind in the nation’s history, have become clear this weekend, as Democrats released a more detailed list of the spending. Speaking on “Meet the Press,” Mr. Summers, director of the White House’s National Economic Council, said that the president was attempting to strike a balance between tax cuts and longer-term initiatives in the bill, like spending on renewable energy and college tuition assistance.
Taraji Henson held it down at the SAG Awards
Even though she didn't get to take home an award, she was looking GOOD!!!
Suge Knight Sued for 6 Milli for Hiding Death Row Auction Items
The firm, Kaye Scholer, is claiming that they had to his Suge with the hefty bill because they had to go use extraordinary means to track down his assets for the auction. “The representation of the Trustee in this case has been particularly complex due to the individuals involved in the company’s operations and intentionally illicit, ‘gangster-style’……business operations of the debtor,” stated a Kaye Scholer bankruptcy case fee application.Kaye Scholer is citing a expenses related to uncovering some assets Suge tried to hide including, “a Malibu home, that Knight transferred to friends in an effort to shield those assets from creditors, a secret storage locker in Michigan that contained a ‘treasure trove’ of unreleased songs by famous Death Row artists [and] other secret tracks–and records of hidden bank accounts–stashed in a southern California warehouse,” says the Wall Street Journal. The firm also had to reportedly negotiate with three women who all claimed the former head honcho owned them $500,000 in child support. The law firm that handled last week’s auction of Death Row Records is using Suge Knight’s “gangster-style” reputation as a the reasoning behind a $6.8 million case handling fee.
Brandy & Ray-J together on the party scene!!!
Here are some flicks of Brandy & Ray J attending Sugar Shane Mosley's winning after party. Just some paparazzi shots for you.
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