Suite 411 – Page 41

Michael Jackson family lawyer speaks out

While authorities plan an autopsy Friday for Michael Jackson’s body, the Jackson family lawyer spoke out on the CBS series, “The Early Show,” about his past concerns of Jackson taking prescription drugs due to injuries from performing.

“I had warned everyone that I could warn and I told them that one day, Michael Jackson is going to wake up dead, which is a very odd way of putting it,” Brian Oxman said on the show. “I do not want to point fingers at anyone because I want to hear what the toxicology report says and the coroner says but the plain fact of the matter is that Michael Jackson had prescription drugs at his disposal at all times.

“The bottom line was that he was under the influence of prescription medications for most of the time and it was dangerous and I’ve sworn that it was dangerous and all the warnings went unheeded.”

Michael Jackson dead at age 50

The King of Pop died from cardiac arrest Thursday in Los Angeles. Michael Jackson was 50 years old. The entertainer was preparing to perform 50 concerts in London starting July 13.

My prayers go out to the Jackson family. I still remember seeing Michael perform with his brothers during the Torture concert tour. What is your favorite memory or song from the King of Pop?

Real Housewives of Atlanta is back!

NeNe, Lisa, Kim and Sheree are back! On July 30, the second season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta returns to the Bravo network. This time around former member of the girl R&B group Xscape, Kandi Burruss, will replace original housewife DeShawn Snow. Kandi is friends with housewife Lisa.

The second season will feature Sheree’s new fashion line, Kim dealing with her breakup from “Big Poppa” and NeNe’s new self-help book for women.

‘Girlfriends’ star Golden Brooks is pregnant

Golden Brooks, star of defunct TV show Girlfriends, is expecting a child that is due in September, reports People magazine. Since 2008, Brooks has dated actor D.B. Woodside, 39, who is starring in the TNT series, Hawthorne, alongside actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The 38-year-old actress recently completed the independent film Polish Bar.

Chris Brown makes plea deal

Chris Brown pleaded guilty Monday to a felony charge of assault against Rihanna. He is expected to receive five years of probation and six months of community service when he is formally sentenced Aug. 5. The judge also ordered that the pair stay 50 yards away from each other. When they are both at the same event, they must stay at least 10 yards away.

Obama barbecues for Father’s Day

President Barack Obama was joined by celebrities such as NBA stars Dwayne Wade and Alonzo Mourning as he barbecued for Father’s Day at the White House.

A Father’s Day Message from Barack Obama

This week, Parade magazine asked President Barack Obama to share his thoughts on fatherhood. He encouraged fathers to step up:

In many ways, I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence—both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill. We can do everything possible to provide good jobs and good schools and safe streets for our kids, but it will never be enough to fully make up the difference.

That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise one.

As fathers, we need to be involved in our children’s lives not just when it’s convenient or easy, and not just when they’re doing well—but when it’s difficult and thankless, and they’re struggling. That is when they need us most.

Click here to see more of the President’s letter.

Jada Pinkett Smith keeps the romance alive in her marriage

Jada Pinkett Smith, star of the new TNT series, “Hawthorne,” told Redbook magazine how she maintains the fire in her 11-year marriage to Will Smith.

“[Go for] a drive – and then pull over on the side of the road!” she said. “Think of places outside that are comfortable to have sex. Does he have access to his office? Have a fantasy date. Be his secretary!”

“Be sneaky,” Smith adds. “Your girlfriend’s house at a party. The bathroom! A guest bedroom! Just switch it up. Anything like that can keep it going. Anything it takes to keep the flame alive.”

What’s the Tee?

usherwife

Singer Usher Raymond has filed for divorce from his wife of less than two years, Tameka Foster. The couple has two young sons together. The R&B superstar whose hits have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide filed the petition in Superior Court in Atlanta. One hit in particular seems to fit this situation. Remember “You Make Me Wanna?”

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Mariah is ‘Obsessed’

Today, Mariah Carey released her debut single,”Obsessed.” Mimi will drop her new album,”Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel,” Aug. 25.

“Seriously, this is one of my favorite songs ever,” she wrote June 9 on Twitter about the new single. “I love the whole album. I’m completely immersed in it. I can’t wait for you to hear it.”