Celebrity of the Day: Karen Malina White Wednesday, Mar 31 2010

On a warm, sunny evening, my roomie and I decided to go check out some live music at one of LA’s hotspots, the Roxy.  The evening started out crazy with the parking attendants (that’s another story!).  Once we entered, the first thing that I remember is how dark the place was.  I like to pride myself on being shy, however, I’m not scared to ask people questions.  One of the bouncers was trying to holler at my friend, however, he kept talking to me about the people who’ve been there and who were coming.  Suddenly, he nudged me and diverted my attention to the back corner of the VIP section (that he let us get a table in without the standard fee).  At first, I didn’t want to look over and appear nosy or anxious.  After we took our seats at our table, I glanced over my shoulder and lo and behold it was Miss Karen White (no not the singer who belted out the once famous tune Superwoman).  I’m talking about the short and petite, chatterbox from the Cosby show who’s mouth could run a mile a minute!! You know who I’m talking about…her character was named Charmaine and she was best friends with Erika Alexander.

I was first captivated by her when she played in Lean On Me.  She was the young, quiet, spunky girl named Kaneesha who had a mouth like a firecracker when needed.   Since then, she’s made quite a name for herself and kept busy on TV and on the stage.  If you’re a TV watcher, then you’ve spotted her on A Different World, Hanging with Mr, Cooper, Malcolm and Eddie, and she lends her voice to the animated series The Proud Family.

Karen is an alumnus of my graduate alma mater, Howard University, where she was crowned Miss Howard University during her senior year.  For years, word on the street was that she was married to Malcolm Jamal Warner, however, it’s not true…..they just dated for seven and a half years. Yikes!  On the flip side, I wish that we could see more of her.  I miss her spunkiness and flavor that she brought to the screen.

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Celebrity of the Day: Laila Ali Tuesday, Mar 30 2010

My father has been saying for years that Laila Ali and I favor, and if this is true, I feel honored to be compared to her!!! Don’t get it twisted though, I wish my body mimicked hers (pre baby and post baby)!!!!  She looks good!!! For someone who recently crossed over into the elite club of motherhood, I would have never known.  My day trip to Calabassas was worth the minutes and extra mileage.  Remember how I told you that the paparazzi were swarming all over the Osbournes and following their every move?  Well, that didn’t happen to Miss Laila and her hubby Curtis.  As I was sitting outside the Barnes & Nobles, I noticed a sleek, cream, luxury Cadillac Escalade approaching with rims that caught even the nonafficionado of automobiles side of me.  Through the dark tinted windows, I noticed an African American male in the drivers seat and spotted a figure in the backseat as well.  Of course I was intrigued and attempted to not penetrate the car with my hazel brown eyes hidden behind sunshades, but how could I not?  I was the only other piece of chocolate in a sea of white chocolate, so when I see dark chocolate, I’m on it!!! LOL!  Slowly, the SUV stopped right in front of me, and out emerges Laila Ali casually dressed in jeans and a tshirt on her way to dash in for takeout.  I’m assuming that the new addition to she and Curtis’s family was in the backseat (yay for their new baby!).

I don’t think anyone even noticed that it was her.  She was able to stroll through a few shops, do a quick run into a baby store, pick up take out, and get to the car all without paparazzi or fans begging for autographs or photos.  I’m so happy for her and wish her luck.  Hope that she still has her dancing shoes!   I enjoyed watching her while she was on Dancing With the Stars.

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Celebrities of the Day: Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne Monday, Mar 29 2010

The day that I drove to the Calabassas Town Center proved to be a great one full of surprises!  I was drawn to Calabassas after watching Nick and Jessica Simpson’s reality show.  I had always said that if given the chance I would make a trip to Calabassas to see what the small suburb was really like.  I must say that I fell in love with the quaintness and the feeling of family that I felt while perusing the area and sitting down and doing a little “people watching.”  After doing some  browsing and perusing the area, I decided to treat myself to an iced green tea from Starbucks.   While scoping out the area, I couldn’t help but notice that I was pretty much the only African-American walking around.  I was completely comfortable, because if not, I would not have sat outside to enjoy my drink.  While sitting there, I noticed a few guys that just kept walking in circles near me, and they had some pretty fancy cameras.  Unbeknownst to me, they were the paparazzi!  Within minutes I found out what they were waiting for.  Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne emerged from the Barnes and Nobles bookstore looking like a regular couple who just happened to be out enjoying a Saturday.  Well the photographers followed their EVERY move from the bookstore, through the parking lot, as they signed autographs for young kids (I was still trying to figure out how six or seven years old little girls knew Ozzy!), and they even attempted to follow them in their cars!!!  Can you believe how extreme some people are when it comes to getting a pic of someone?

I must say that Ozzy actually looked normal!  He looks pretty good for someone who’s lived the life of a rocker.  He even bears the title of the Godfather of Heavy Metal.  I must admit, I did watch his show The Osbournes (that show made them 11.5 million dollars!!!) while it aired on MTV.  It came off a bit dysfunctional, but hey, who am I to judge?  Every family is different and to each his own how one lives his or her’s life.

Sharon has made quite a name for herself within recent years as a judge on The X Factor and America’s Got Talent.  She also hosted the second season of Rock of Love: Charm School.  Currently, she is featured on Donald Trump’s  Celebrity Apprentice.

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Celebrity of the Day: Anne Marie Johnson Sunday, Mar 21 2010

As I’m typing up my blog about Ms. Anne Marie Johnson, I can’t help but become nostalgic thinking about one of my favorite shows What’s Happening Now!!  As the character Nadine and wife of Raj, Anne-Marie brought a new flavor of comedy that was refreshing.  It’s shows like these that often captivated your attention and just gave you refreshing laughs throughout the day without worrying about inappropriateness or explicity.

I definitely can’t forget her role on one of my favorite shows, In the Heat of the Night.  She played Althea Tibbs, and won me over as the charasmatic, strong, brave, determined woman living in Sparta.   A lot of times, the women who have to play the wives of powerful men are often overshadowed or slighted within their roles, but not Anne Marie, as a frequent wifey on th small screen, she carved a niche for herself that has allowed her to stand out and remain constant within the game of TV.

I’ve had the opportunity to catch a few sightings of Anne Marie.  One of the first occurred on my daily walk through Studio City passing through the various shops and local eateries.  She caught me off guard as she came from a rear parking lot to enter the front of the popular and fabulous restaurant known as Spark.  She does not appear as if she’s aged a bit since her time on What’s Happening Now!!  Can you believe that ?!  Well, I sure can, it goes to show you that the old saying of “black don’t crack” has some truth to it. LOL!

Since her stint on In the Heat of the Night, Anne Marie has kept quite busy with making guest appearances on shows such as Living Single, Girlfriends, House of Payne, That’s So Raven, just to name a few.  Currently, she serves as the First Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild.

Salutations and congrats are in order for Anne Marie Johnson as she continues to pave her way within the TV and film industry!

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Celebrity of the Day: Monica Tuesday, Mar 16 2010

Monica during the 2009 BET Awards Pre-Show

“Just One of Them Days” was definitely my mantra today.  I can sing this entire successful song! It was such a hit of Monica’s that she earned a Billboard Music Award from this album.  Strong, mature, intelligent, beautiful, and wise are just some of the attributes that come to mind when I think of Monica.  I had the pleasure to see her while at the BET Awards preshow.   It was a bright, sunny day (I’m having a Warren G moment, forgive me, LOL!)  This was not my first glimpse of the natural born star as she visited my high-school back in 96 and I had an opportunity to interview her for our newspaper (see I knew I was supposed to do this at an early age!).  She has and continues to be a beautiful person!  I’m in awe of where she’s come from, where she is, and where she is going both musically, spiritually, and professionally.

While here in sunny Los Angeles, Terence and Rocsi from BET’s 106 & Park interviewed her before the award show began and she graced us with a wonderful performance.  Monica is one of my favorite artists because she sounds the same in person as she does on her albums.  If you can do that, you have my vote by far!

Currently, Monica is awaiting the release of her sixth studio album, Still Standing.  From the songs that I’ve heard so far on her much anticipated release, my favorite is “Everything to Me.”  This song displays the type of music that Monica was made to sing!!!  Thank you Jazmine Sullivan for writing that song for her!

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Celebrity of the Day: Kimberley Locke Sunday, Mar 14 2010

Kimberly Locke at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip

Kimberly sanging "I'm Glad About It"

Miss Kimberley Locke entered into the homes of millions during the second season of American Idol with fellow Idol alums Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard.  She didn’t win the coveted title, however, she was third runner-up and hasn’t looked back since.  Kimberley has kept busy with a successful recording career and recently signed on with Randy Jackson.  

I had the pleasure and honor to see Miss Locke shortly after I moved to California while enjoying a beautiful Sunday at the House of Blues Sunset Strip.  We decided to go to the Gospel Brunch and after feasting on scrumptious goodies that are a dieter’s nightmare, the singing portion of the brunch began.  The quartet of singers that turned out to be all related in some form or fashion decided to come into the audience and peruse the crowd and find some sangers!  My roommate decided to volunteer me, but for those that know me, I don’t like to be put on the spot, so I politely declined the invitation QUICKLY!!!  Nonetheless, the five or six people they found handled their business!!!  The first one of course didn’t have a choice.  They spotted Kimberley quick, fast, and in a hurry!!!  The only thing that would’ve saved her was a bout with laryngitis.  She delivered as expected and reminded me on why she was so successful on American Idol.

This was not the only time that I spotted Kim.  She was also in my neck of the woods at the Ralph’s grocery store in Studio City.  On the two occassions that I’ve seen her she appears to be down-to-earth, no displays of diva behavior, not trying too hard, and could possibly go un-noticed due to the fact that she looks like an average girl (nothing wrong with that either!).

Since American Idol, Kim has been busy modeling, songwriting, and hosting/being featured on a number of shows on TV.  Most recently, she was selected as one of the hosts alongside Destiny’s Child Michelle Williams on Gospel Dream 2009 on the Gospel Music Channel.  Look for Kimberley on her new reality show that she will be executive producing and hosting called “Making the Curve.”  This is a show geared towards talented plus-sized women looking to become apart of a pop group.

I wish her nothing but luck and continued success in her future endeavours!

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