Janet Jackson’s Man Opens Up About Their Relationship
Music producer Jermaine Dupri used Janet to get his shine on for years. And now Wissam Al Mana — a name none of us ever heard of until he started dating 44-year-old Janet Jackson — is modeling in men’s magazines, thanks to Janet.
Wissam, 35, director of Al Mana Retail Group based in Dubai, is wearing a Z Zegna leather bomber jacket and a Balenciaga hoodie in the November issue of VMAN, on newsstands Nov. 11.
Here’s what the wealthy businessman had to say about Janet Jackson, how he earns his keep, and his favorite clothing designer:
On his relationship with Janet Jackson:
“I don’t date Janet Jackson. She is my girlfriend; there is a difference. She is a very special and talented woman who never ceases to amaze me.”
On his busy work schedule:
“I head the retail division [of the Qatar-based family empire, Al Mana Group]. I oversee new developments and I’m constantly working on interesting projects, one of them in design. I’m also pursuing an art project, and i’m involved in several charities.”
On working with Giorgio Armani:
“Mr. Armani is down-to-earth, very kind, and someone I admire for creating one of the largest luxury brands in the world from scratch.” Source
via TGJ
Photos: INF Photo and JustJared
Tameka Raymond Receives a Lifetime Achievement Award
Yes, that Tameka Raymond.
Good Afternoon!
Tameka Raymond was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Art Institute of Atlanta’s Passion for Fashion Scholarship Event for her contributions to the fashion and entrepreneur industries. Many people do not know that Tameka attended Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and went on to work in buying offices and before she started styling for celebrities. Tameka is now a proud owner and buyer for her two boutiques, Estella and Estella Home, located in Roswell, Georgia in addition to running her foundation Lost Ones and being a mother to her five boys.
The photographs below are of Tameka, a designer and a student at AiA and with her son Ryan.
All the best,
Eileen Arias
EA Public Relations, LLC
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PICS: Atlanta Screening of Tyler Perry’s ‘For Colored Girls’
The Atlanta screening of Tyler Perry’s new movie, ‘For Colored Girls’ took place last night at Atlantic Station.
By the way, did you guys hear political comedian Jon Stewart refer to black people as ‘colored’ during his political rally in Washington DC last week? Expect to hear a lot more of that once this movie hits theaters.
Among the local celebs attending the Atlanta premiere were singer Neyo and his expectant fiancée Monyetta Shaw; singer/songwriter Donnell Jones, ATL socialite Lisa Wu Hartwell, hairstylist Derek J, actresses Jasmine Guy and Terri Vaughn; MLK’s daughter Pastor Bernice King, comedian Rodney Perry, executive producer Roger Bobb
Celebrity bloggers Tami Reed, ATLien and AttorneyMom.
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Bu Thiam Speaks on LA Reid Getting fired from Island/Def Jam…
Bu Thiam, VP of A&R of Def Jam Records, and superstar Akon’s brother, wants to clear the air about Def Jam CEO LA Reid and his rumored departure from the label.
According to Bu, Mr. Reid’s job is safe… for now.
As an Island Def Jam Executive, and more importantly a music fan, the recent heat that LA Reid has come under, in my opinion is extremely whack! Everyday I’ve been getting calls from people asking “When is LA getting fired? or what happened to Def Jam?”
The ironic thing about this whole situation is that, over the last twenty five years there are few people more qualified to run a label. When I hear people say that LA can’t hear hit records, I wonder do they realize that LA’s produced over thirty number one singles…Or when people say LA can’t pick stars, do they realize that he signs, develops and creatively supports some of the most culturally significant artists of our generation, Usher, Pink, TLC, Justin Bieber, Avril, Outkast, Mariah, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Jeezy, Rick Ross, Nas and Kanye, to name a few. Or when people say that LA doesn’t care about anyone but himself, do they realize that he’s groomed some of the best executives and helped put the city of Atlanta on the musical map forever?
In the end instead of adding to the drama, I think we should all stand up and support someone who’s given more opportunities to men and women in the music industry than anyone else in the business.
Who Knew Brandy Was Dating Lance Gross?
Dancing With the Stars contestant Brandy sparkles in her baby doll sequined dress last night at the DWTS 200th episode party at Boulevard 3. Rumor mongers swear she’s dating fading actor Lance Gross now.
I bet Gross is ecstatic. It sure took him long enough to hook up with a big name celebrity to restart his 15 minute clock.
Brandy’s last known relationship was with rapper Flo Rida who dumped her for TV model Eva Marcille. Ironically, Gross last used TV model Eva Marcille for her shine before she wised up and left him.
Still, I hope this relationship works out for both Lance and Brandy, who doesn’t seem to have very good luck with men.
Photos by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images, Bauer Griffin and PacificCoastHighway.com
Obama Apologizes for Calling Americans ‘Enemies’
U.S. President Barack Obama is backpedaling quickly from a political gaffe he made last week when he used the word “enemies” to describe Republicans.
Obama made the comment last week in an interview with Univision radio in which he sought to persuade Hispanics to vote for Democratic candidates instead of Republicans.
“If Latinos sit out the election instead of, ‘we’re going to punish our enemies and we’re going to reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us’– then I think it’s going to be harder,” Obama had said.
“I probably should have used the word ‘opponents’ instead of enemies,” Mr. Obama told black talk radio host Michael Baisden in an interview on Monday.
Republicans who are expected to win control of the House, are using Obama’s words against him during last-minute campaigning for votes.
“Today, sadly, we have president who uses the word ‘enemy’ for fellow Americans … fellow citizens. He uses it for people who disagree with his agenda of bigger government…,” Republican John Boehner planned to say in Cincinnati.
“Mr. President, there’s a word for people who have the audacity to speak up in defense of freedom, the Constitution, and the values of limited government that made our country great. We don’t call them ‘enemies.’ We call them ‘patriots,’” he planned to say.
Obama told Baisden that he was talking about opponents of the immigration overhaul that he’s been promising for two years now. Hispanics are expected to turn their backs on Obama and the Democrats in the midterm elections today.
Black Teens Say No to Spike Lee and His Hard Liquor Ads
I often speak of the day when director Spike Lee sent my mother a check for $500 for her church back in the 80s.
My mother was the church treasurer and it was her duty to raise funds for repairs. I recall helping my mother draft the letter to Spike Lee. I cautioned her that Spike probably wouldn’t even receive the letter.
So imagine my surprise when I came home from school one day and my mom held up a check for $500, payable to our church from Spike Lee and his 40 Acres and a Mule organization.
Mr. Lee didn’t know us from Adam. My mom didn’t have to do anything for that money except ask him for it.
In fact, of all the public figures that she sent letters to requesting donations, only Spike Lee responded. Lee is well known for his charitable work and generous donations.
But this is different.
A group of Bedford-Stuyvesant teens think think Spike sold out the neighborhood with his Brooklyn-themed Absolut Vodka promo.
“I’ve seen his movies. I was a really big fan. But he lost respect from me,” said Shenel Gunnis, 17.
“You’re not supposed to be promoting stuff like that in areas that can barely afford food.”
She’s one of 10 teens who scoured Bed-Stuy this summer, mapping booze promos for the Children’s Aid Society.
The teens felt Lee was trying to capitalize on borough pride.
“He was targeting us when normally he would make movies that would uplift our community,” said Krystal Chapman, 17, a senior at the High School for Public Service in Crown Heights.
“I think it is hypocritical.”
Amaya Santos, 17, of East Flatbush, counted 28 Absolut ads in the Utica Ave. subway station.
“I thought, ‘Spike Lee, What’s going on here?’ There’s no reason why there should be 28 ads of the same thing in less than a mile,” Santos said.
The teenagers are probably aware of a new study that shows the effects of hard liquor are more deadly than even heroine and crack cocaine. The study included alcohol’s effects on the body as well as on families and on costs in areas such as health care and corrections.
Thanks to loyal reader Tara for the tip!
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