openentrance – What's Really Going OnWhat's Really Going On

British rockers Coldplay have been ousted from the top of the U.K. singles chart by R&B singer Ne-Yo.  The band’s latest release ‘Viva La Vida’ topped the chart last wee, but the track has now been beaten into second place by Ne-Yo’s latest hit ‘Closer.’

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks has leapt up seven places to number three with ‘No Air’ featuring Chris Brown. And Brown himself is at number four with ‘Forever.’

The top five is rounded out by Brown’s rumored girlfriend Rihanna, who is at five with ‘Take A Bow.’

Actress Joy Bryant has married her stuntman boyfriend DAVID POPE. The pair wed during a private beach ceremony in Amagansett, New York on Saturday, according to People.com. The ceremony was attended by 100 guests to celebrate the couple’s nuptials.

Bryant and Pope, 37,  began dating after they met on the set of the actress’ latest film Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins, where Pope worked as a stuntman. Wedding guests reportedly received an e-mail invitation to the ceremony with one simple request: “Ladies, leave your Manolos at home.”

Will Smith will become the first movie star in Hollywood history to star in eight straight $100 million films if his new film HANCOCK lives up to expectations when it is released next week. Based on early reviews, this will be pretty easy for Will to do.

Model and fashion designer KIMORA LEE SIMMONS has been handed sole custody of her two children with estranged husband Russell Simmons. The estranged couple split in 2006 after eight years’ of marriage, but Lee Simmons only filed for divorce earlier this year, citing irreconcilable differences.
Def Jam Records co-founder Simmons challenged his ex’s petition for sole custody of Ming, eight, and Aoki, five – and in May, filed papers seeking joint physical and legal custody of their daughters.
But Lee Simmons has reportedly won the custody battle, according to The Insider news show.
Legal papers obtained by the programme state that Simmons is entitled to have the two young girls for one week out of every eight. He will get to spend extra time with them for summer vacations and holidays.
Lee Simmons has been granted the legal authority to make all decisions in relation to their kids’ health, education and welfare.
In addition, the model will receive the $480,000 -a-year in child support as per her request. Simmons is expected to continue paying the sum until 2019 for Ming Lee, and 2022 for Aoki.
But that’s not all – Simmons has also been ordered to provide a car worth at least $60,000 (GBP30,000) for the use and benefit of his children, and the vehicle must be replaced every two years.
However, in an open letter to various media outlets, Simmons has insisted he is happy with the arrangements because they are in the best interests of their kids – and he claims there is no bitterness between him and his estranged wife.
He says, “I want to say Kimora is a excellent mother and is doing a great job with them… Regarding the money, my kids live a tremendous life. They do have lots of security, nannies, educators, special programs, travel, chefs, on and on. Their mother manages all of those luxuries and I’m happy to provide for that.”

Source

TI – No Matter What

After several months on house arrest, TI is back making videos and has released the first single, No Matter, from his upcoming September album release titled “Paper Trail.”

R&B singer Alicia Keys, currently 27 years old,  has decided she wants to retire by the age of 30 so she can spend the rest of her life traveling the world.  Keys, who was honored early this year at the 1st Annual BET Honors Awards, often finds herself exasperated by the pressures of fame and in 2006 she took a break from music and travelled to Egypt to recuperate.

Now she insists that she hopes to be able to bow out of the entertainment industry in the next few years, so she can start enjoying her time.  She says, “I am working hard now so I have the choice to retire when I want. I would like to travel the world and stay in places instead of having to move on like I do now. I want to experience difference cultures.”

As a fan I would definitely be a  disappointed, but I think its a great idea.  Why not get out when you are on top of your game and you have the resources and energy to still do the things you want to do.  Its easy to forget, as a fan, the day to day grind entertainers go through with promotions, appearances and tours.  But from the albums she’s already released it wouldn’t be too hard to put together a quality ‘Best of’ CD.  By the time she’s 30 I think that will easily be a double disc.