Andrea Williams

It was 9 years ago today that rising superstar Aaliyah and 8 others died in a plane crash in the Bahamas.  Today’s trivia question “What video was Aaliyah filming before her death?”

Here’s the answer:

Season 3 “American Idol” winner Fantasia is talking about her overdose two weeks after her hospitalization for a reported suicide attempt.  The singer says her actions were no accident.  In an interview for VH1’s “Behind the Music,” set to premiere tonight at 8 ‘o clock, Tasia says she didn’t have anymore fight in her.  Her new CD “Back to Me” arrives in stores TODAY! Hang in there Fantasia…

This is the picture from a great story written by Jim Stingl of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  This is 103 year old World War II Veteran James Edwards pictured with Beatrice Hicks.  Thanks to the help of Congresswoman Gwen Moore he was granted an opportunity to meet President Obama when he visited Milwaukee earlier this week.  I vote this as the PHOTO OF THE DAY!

Remember the actress Maia Campbell (”In the house” and “South Central”)? Maia is the daughter of famed author the late Be Be Moore Campbell (Singing In the Comback Choir and 72 Hour Hold).  Here’s some video to refresh your memory: (PLEASE NOTE: Some content may be inappropriate for children and/or the workplace)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ml80LUm1H8

Maia, whose only 34, has a history of mental illness and drug abuse. She was shown on the internet last year in West LA apparently under the influence. For those who watched her back in the 90's, it was hard to believe that it was the same beautiful and talented young lady! Her mother died several years ago from brain cancer and worked very hard till the end trying to help her daughter.  Her last book "72 Hours" is said to be about her struggle with Maia and mental illness.  I had just read that Maia had entered drug rehab and was doing better, but then I ran into this...she was arrested just last month and appeared to be back on drugs.  Looking at these pictures, it's heartbreaking to see what drugs and mental illness (when not treated) can do to you...

 Let’s keep Maia and her family in our prayers.

Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Harris, Jr. aka Tiny and T.I.

Mr. & Mrs. Kasseem Dean aka Alicia Keys and “Swiss Beatz”

The wife of late actor Bernie Mac is taking legal action against her husband’s longtime doctor.  According to the “Chicago Sun-Times,” Rhonda McCullough has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court seeking at least 50-thousand dollars.  McCullough alleges that on July 17, 2008 dermatologist Rene M. Earles kept Bernie Mac at his clinic for nine hours rather than calling an ambulance to take him to the hospital.  McCullough claims Earles’ actions kick-started a series of health setbacks which ultimately caused Mac to die from pneumonia two years ago today.  Earles acknowledges that he treated Mac on July 17th for lesions caused by his inflammatory lung disease, sarcoidosis, but says the actor appeared to be having a bad reaction to a drug given to him by a doctor at Northwestern University earlier in the day.

Earles  — who says Mac’s death has been very hard on him — says he contacted Mac’s doctor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and learned that he was suffering from bilateral pneumonia.  Earles proceeded to treat the “Ocean’s Eleven” star for his reaction and then sent him to the hospital.  He adds, quote, “He didn’t die the next day, he didn’t die in two days.  He died in two weeks and he got over his original strain of pneumonia.  He got another strain of pneumonia while he was in the hospital.”

Actress Jasmine Guy aka “Whitley Gilbert” from A Different World will check in with Andrea Williams this Friday Morning (Aug 6) at 11:30 am to talk about her guest starring role on ‘Drop Dead Diva’. The show airs this Sunday, Aug. 8th at 8 pm CST on The Lifetime Channel

The Queen of Hip Hop Soul broke records over at the Home Shopping Network!  She kicked off the sale of her new fragrance “MY LIFE” last weekend and sold over 50 thousand bottles! That’s over 2 million dollars baby!!  Right now HSN is the only place where you can get the perfume, so logon to www.hsn.com to get yours today!

Check out this video as seen on The Home Shopping Network

The Queen of Soul made her TV debut on this day in 1962.  I needed to know what show she appeared on…and the answer was AMERICAN BANDSTAND.

Check out this old school video! Work it out Auntie Ree-Ree!!

Charlie Wilson doing the JAM thang!

Thanks to everyone who came out and showed their support to make the return of African World Festival a success!