Jennifer Hudson’s Final Farewell to Slain Family Members

Oprah Winfrey was there, as was Queen Latifah, record producer Clive Davis, and rapper Missy Elliot. The celebrities joined about 2,500 other mourners at the private funeral for actress Jennifer Hudson’s murdered mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew yesterday. According to news reports, Hudson bid an emotional farewell to her slain relatives while her former “American Idol” competitors sang rousing gospel selections. The Chicago Tribune reports that shortly before the open casket service began the Oscar winner rose from her second-row pew at Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God and spent a few moments with her mother, Darnell Donerson; her brother, Jason; … Continue reading →

Joaquin Phoenix Retiring from Acting While Favreau and Downey Kick It into High Gear

Baseball players may retire while still in their thirties, especially if they have injuries. Olympic athletes often retire in their thirties. But, an actor retiring at 34? It appears that would be so in the case of Joaquin Phoenix. Joaquin, who I loved in films such as Buffalo Soldiers, The Village, Gladiator, and Walk the Line (the last two for which he received Academy Award nominations), attended a benefit for Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall camps last Monday and dropped this shocking announcement on the media. He told Extra’s Jerry Penacoli “I want to take this opportunity…to give you … Continue reading →

Public Memorial Planned for Jennifer Hudson’s Family

While Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and her sister grieve the senseless deaths of their beloved family members in private, residents in their Chicago neighborhood are planning a public memorial to honor the lives of Darnell Donerson, Jason Hudson, and Julian King. A statement just released by the actress’ rep reads: “The Hudson family welcomes anyone who wishes to attend and pay their respects to these three beloved members of the Chicago community.” The former “American Idol” contestant will not be attending the public service, nor will her sister Julia, the mother of 7-year-old Julian King, according to Hudson’s rep. However, … Continue reading →

Body Found IS Jennifer Hudson’s Nephew

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the body of the boy found in an SUV earlier today is in fact that of 7-year-old Julian King. Reports also say that Jennifer Hudson was the one who went to the Medical Examiner’s office to identify the boy’s remains less than an hour ago. The sad task of identifying her mother and brother’s bodies on Friday also fell to the Oscar winner, according to news reports. As if this tragic story couldn’t get more gut-wrenching, police are now releasing information on how the young boy died. A top FBI official told reporters that … Continue reading →

Oscar Winner’s Mother and Brother Shot to Death

Imagine being in Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson’s shoes today. The former “American Idol” contestant just reached a new career high–her song “Spotlight” is No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts; she is currently promoting her hit film “The Secret Life of Bees,” in which she stars with Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah and Dakota Fanning; and she just got engaged. Then, late yesterday she gets word (from a member of the paparazzi no less) that her mother and brother have been brutally shot to death in her hometown of Chicago. From the highest highs to the lowest lows, in the … Continue reading →

Terrence Howard Stunned by Snub

Terrence Howard is a talented actor who has appeared in such films as Ray, Crash, Four Brothers, and Hustle & Flow, for which he received both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. His star remains on the rise after playing an important part in this summer’s blockbuster Iron Man. (This image or file is a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee, taken or made during the course of the person’s official duties and therefore is in the public domain) So, you would think that he would be respected enough by the powers that be to get his … Continue reading →

Hollywood Starlets Making Headlines

Maybe all that dancing (if you can call it that) did something to her brain cells. Reality TV star turned “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Kim Kardashian is back in the headlines to clear up a rumor… she started. The curvy socialite recently referred to her pro football player boyfriend Reggie Bush as her “hubby.” Now, Kardashian is furiously backpedaling saying the reports of her secretly wedding the New Orleans Saints star was all part of an online joke. Talk about a joke… Several news publications and a slew of Internet gossip sites went crazy earlier this week when Kardashian … Continue reading →

Watch a Movie with Your Favorite Stars—For Real!

Not under the stars, but next to them. And I’m not talking about constellations. This is the real deal. For $25 you can sit besides Steve Martin for a screening of “The Jerk,” or munch on popcorn with Mike Myers during a showing of “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” or stare at the real Jodie Foster while viewing “The Silence of the Lambs.” It’s no joke. No cardboard cutouts. No appearances via satellite. We’re talking about actual living, breathing celebrities. For one night only on October 1st the aforementioned stars along with Cameron Diaz, Annette Bening, Jim Carrey, Dustin … Continue reading →

Forbes Announces List of Most Overpaid Movie Stars

Forbes is at it again – this time, uncovering the most overpaid movie stars. Now, before you start, let me state that they did it very scientifically. They looked at the star’s last three films that opened before January 1 (to give it time to be released on DVD). They discounted animated films, supporting roles, and any star that consistently earned less than $5 million per movie. To calculate the gross income for every dollar paid, those at Forbes took half of the worldwide box office per movie, then added the first three months of DVD revenues. They then subtracted … Continue reading →

Familiar Faces in Unfamiliar Places

In a move that she herself considers “highly unusual,” TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is joining the ranks of supermodel Christie Brinkley, actress Drew Barrymore and singer Rihanna as the face of CoverGirl cosmetics. Not only is the 50-year-old comedian following in the footsteps of the aforementioned beauties she is also getting paid a sizeable chunk of cash for doing so. The popular cosmetic company is reportedly paying DeGeneres a cool million to promote the brand. Super gorgeous Brinkley–the original face of CoverGirl cosmetics–promoted the company for more than 20 years and at 54 years old was recently rehired … Continue reading →