There was something joyous and heartwarming about Jennifer Holliday’s recent appearance on Tavis Smiley’s show. (I don’t like his politics but his celebrity interviews are always fun and informative.) Now 53 — she joked that “50 is the new 30” — she looked great. In fact, she was glowing!
The Tony Award-winning singer and actress has been through a lot, including depression and MS, but has re-emerged, picking up where she left off. A guest appearance on “American Idol” in 2012 really got the ball rolling.
Finally, Jennifer Holliday, who used to live in Detroit by the way, has a new release. The title of the album is “The Song is You,” and on the show she performed a great song from it that she wrote, “The One You Used To Be.” (With the usual facial contortions!)
Also, Holliday, who rid herself of all the excess weight in 1990, has kept it off. Kudos to her for that, too.
FORBES magazine, the “bible” of the financial world, each year publishes the “Forbes Celebrity 100 List.” It is focused on the biggest names in music, television, movies, sports, modeling and books, based on money made and fame. The criteria also includes impact on the entertainment industry and pop culture, social media influence and press mentions.
Beyoncé took in approximately $115 million between June 1, 2013 and June 1, 2014, placing her at the top of the list, even ahead of Oprah Winfrey, who generated $82 million.
Speaking of Beyoncé, there are rumors out there claiming there is now a crack in the very high profile Beyoncé-Jay-Z marriage. Hopefully, the rumors are unfounded.
EVAN ROSS, the actor who has appeared in several films including “Pride” and “ATL,” is getting married next month to singer-actress Ashlee Simpson, sister of Jessica Simpson. His legendary mother, Diana Ross, will sing at the wedding, as will his half-sister, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, whose father is Berry Gordy.
Kool & the Gang are looking forward to next year because the veteran R&B band will be receiving one of the show business industry’s greatest honors — a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The group’s extra long string of hits began way back in 1969 and includes hard funk gems like “Jungle Boogie,” “Funky Stuff,” “Spirit of the Boogie,” “Get Down on It” and “Hollywood Swinging,” and lighter R&B such as “Ladies Night,” “Cherish,” “Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It),” “Celebration” and the Caribbean flavored “Let’s Go Dancin’ (Ooh La La La).”
ROBIN THICKE just may be going a little overboard in his quest to win back his wife, actress Paula Patton, from whom he is separated and hasn’t seen in four months. To the point of such “antics” as calling his new album “Paula,” releasing a single and video titled “Get Her Back,” etc.
It could backfire in the event that she is annoyed by something so private being made a public spectacle, a show business event.
Peter Benjaminson, who wrote fascinating and insightful biographies on Florence Ballard and Mary Wells, is working on a Rick James bio.
As part of the 30th anniversary of “Purple Rain” (album and movie), Prince invited Apollonia Kotero to his Paisley Park estate in Minneapolis and treated her to a special concert.
As you will recall, she costarred with Prince in the movie and joined Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie to form the group Apollonia 6 after Vanity departed, bringing an end to Vanity 6.
D’Angelo says he will finally have a new album released in 2015. But since there have been so many delays, most people are taking a wait-and-see attitude.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that “Boogie Wonderland,” the smash hit by Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions, was originally offered to A Taste of Honey.
MEMORIES: “That’s What Friends Are For” (Dionne Warwick with Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder), “It’s No Crime” (Babyface), “The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind)” (the Dells), “Candy Man” (the Mary Jane Girls), “Dare Me” (the Pointer Sisters), “After the Dance” (Marvin Gaye), “Computer Love” (Zapp), “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart” (the Stylistics), “Looking for a New Love” (Jody Watley), “This Masquerade” (George Benson).
BLESSINGS to Nicholas Hood Sr., Nicholas Hood III, Artemesia Charleston, Cornelius Fortune, Frances Nero, Carolyn Crawford, David Humphries, Marcus Amick, Sylvia Moy and Brian Spears.
WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Martin Luther King Jr.: “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving forward.”
Let the music play!
Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
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