Word is that Philadelphia Eagles player DeSean Jackson is dating Ashanti. The talk started following him promoting her new single on Instagram, and days later, posting a photo of the two out in Philly after the Eagles beat the Skins. Ashanti hasn’t confirmed that story yet, but has opened up about her famous ex, Nelly.
In a chat with Ebro and Laura Styles of Hot 97, Ashanti had this to say about her ex-boyfriend: “Nelly and I are kind of in the space where, I’m kinda like focusing on my career, he’s focusing on what he’s doing, you know there’s a lot of things that happened this year, you know a lot of things kinda went public more than other things have gone public before, you know what I’m saying? I kinda just…I have to do me. Um, we’re in that space right now and there are things that were said and things that were done, that probably shouldn’t have been said or done, but they have been.” [Necole Bitchie]
Terrence Howard married his girlfriend of one month, but apparently, he called his ex-wife, Michelle Ghent, to throw it in her face. That’s the same woman he was accused of sucker punching and choking while on vacation in Costa Rica. A source says, “Terrence called up Michelle to tell her about the marriage and taunt her about it. She needs to cut him off for good.” I…I don’t know what to make of…I…I’m just going to sit here and rap “Love Is Blind” to myself. Oh, congratulations or something good luck, too. [Radar]
Andy Warhol’s cousin Monica Warhol, never studied her famous kin’s work and admittedly didn’t even read a book about him until a week ago. Nonetheless, that hasn’t stopped her from getting work and this includes her next big upcoming assigning: Painting a picture of Kim Kardashian. Kanye West tapped Monica to do it and it appears that the two share the same creepy and totally hallow appreciation for the fairest Kardashian. On Kim, Monica said: “She’s an icon. She’s famous for nothing. Andy would have loved her. Kim is beautiful. She’s so manufactured. She looks like a human Barbie.” So much sadness in one little story. [Page Six]
There are rumors of a rift in TGT. According to a source, “Ginuwine and Tyrese ain’t feeling Tyrese. Tyrese is a cocky dude, going around saying he don’t need Ginuwine and Tank to eat.” I doubted the rumor, but then he later tweeted (and I believe deleted since I can no longer find the tweets) that he wasn’t at the Soul Train Awards thanks to Tyrese. Maybe green will bring these Black men together. Meanwhile, I’m about to turn on LSG’s “My Body.” Miss you much, Athena Cage. [Diary of a Hollywood Street King]
Phaedra Parks’ husband, Apollo Nida, is trying to repair his reputation and probably prevent his wife from stabbing him over the whispers that he was sexting Kenya Moore. According to Apollo, he merely struck up a conversation with Kenya to talk about the two working on a workout video together.
Meanwhile, Kenya wrote on her Bravo blog: “Leopards don’t change their spots. Lying landed him in prison. His mouth says one thing, but reality and his character speak volumes: If he could have, he would have. I’m done with this."
Now can we all be done with this because this story refuses to die despite my several pleas to God that it be taken out of its misery already. [TMZ, Kenya Moore Bravo Blog]
Although Diddy’s dad, Melvin Combs, died when he was three-years-old, Puffy didn’t break down over it until about five years ago. He made the revelation during his appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show.
Diddy explained: “I broke down five years ago for the first time about my father. Sometimes you feel like you can’t miss what wasn’t there, but when I needed to talk to an older man for some wisdom and guidance, it just broke me down, then I felt the loss.” [Miss Info]
If a few of your impressionable cousins text you about vegan recipes and a map to the nearest place to cop some kale chips, you can thank Jay Z for that. The rapper announced that he and his wife Beyoncé are going on a 22-day vegan challenge.
The rapper wrote:
On December 3rd, one day before my 44th birthday I will embark on a 22 Days challenge to go completely vegan, or as I prefer to call it, plant-based!! This all began a few months back when a good friend and vegan challenged me to embrace a “plant-based breakfast” everyday. It was surprisingly easier on me than I thought…
Why now? There’s something spiritual to me about it being my 44th birthday and the serendipity behind the number of days in this challenge; 22 (2+2=4) coupled with the fact that the challenge ends on Christmas day…It just feels right! So you can call it a spiritual and physical cleanse.
Let me hold your Popeye’s card, though, Bey. [Life + Times]
At a shortly before delivering a speech via a private meeting with entertainment moguls at Jeffrey Katzenberg’s DreamWorks Animation, President Obama revealed to Disney’s Robert Iger: “At least I know what I want to do when I retire…host ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 list.” I approve this message. [Smoking Section]
A previously lost interview with 2Pac has made its way online and brought to life via animation. In it, the later rapper discusses past allegations of rape, his bad relationship with the press and how he chooses to define himself as a public figure. According to him, “If I was I White, I would have been like John Wayne.” [Slate]
Lastly, this week Gucci Mane was charged with two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon after two September incidents during which he showed a gun and threatened police. The feds don’t play, so all I have to say is BRR…GUCCI. [CNN]
Michael Arceneaux is from the land of Beyoncé, but now lives in the city of Master Splinters. Follow him at @youngsinick.
