Yes! YOU ARE Seeing Double. The fabulousness that is Tasha Smith, is duplicated in the name of her identical twin sis Sidra! Double fabulousness? Why oh Why Couldn't that be me w/a twin?! Whatchu say, Lord??? The world only has enough room, FOR ONE BRIA?! I guess you're right, I guess you're right! lol
Tasha Smith and Twin Sister Sidra
This is a late pic...Tasha Smith (remembered as the ghetto fab mom of the klepto twin in ATL, and the alcoholic wife in Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?") and sis Sidra (on right) were at the red carpet premier of "Meet the Browns" the movie...another work of Tyler Perry. This went down last week, but if you weren't aware-then hey, it's news to you!!
Black Hollyhood was all up in there, too. If you want to see more, I suggest you put your mouse on this spot right here That's what I'm talkin' about :)
Singer Mary J. Blige performs at the General Motors Style event the night before the press preview of the 2008 North American International Auto Show January 12, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. (Bill Pugliano, Getty Images)
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Mary J. Blige has slammed reports linking her to a steroid investigation, insisting she has never taken the performance-enhancing drug.
The Grammy award-winning star, 50 Cent, Timbaland, Wyclef Jean and actor Tyler Perry have all been accused of ordering steroids or human growth hormone from doctors and pharmacists.
Albany County District Attorney David Soares named the celebrities who featured in his investigation on Sunday.
But Blige vehemently denies any involvement.
The singer's spokeswoman Karynne Tencer tells the New York Daily News, "Mary J. Blige has never taken any performance-enhancing illegal steroids."
Authorities have uncovered no evidence the celebrities violated any drug laws. Copyright World Entertainment News Network source
**** Ok...you know what? I'm not going to focus on THE NAMES on this list...ok? And have you looked at these people? We have people walking around here with obvious steroid use, looking like the Incredible Hulk...women with receding hairlines, strong jaws and deep voices. Men with muscles on top of their muscles. And their accusing these artists of steroid use? see video below for OBVIOUS STEROID USE!
And this man is going after Mary J & co?? Come on! This is ridiculous! Now I've watched enough Maury Povich episodes of "that's my baby daddy" to know test results will and CAN make you look like a fool! I'm going to say this...I HOPE these allegations are just that...allegations. Lawd, I hope my baby Mary is not on the 'Roids train! Lawd, PLEASE tell me Mary's just fine fine fine fine fine fine fine Woooohhhhhh My heart won't be able to take it, if it says contrast *fanning myself* I hope these allegations are false for all of the accused, but time will tell. **scroll to the bottom and get Recognizd! Sign my "Slide Guestbook!"
SACRAMENTO TV STATION APOLOGIZES TO TYLER PERRY: Flood of angry e-mails over Janet interview causes havoc. source
*Never underestimate the power of Tyler Perry's e-mail nation. Last week, the filmmaker vented his frustration last week with an interviewer at a Sacramento TV station who kept trying to ask Janet Jackson about her boob flash at the 2004 Super Bowl instead of questions about their new film, "Why Did I Get Married?"
In his latest letter to fans, Perry states: "After you all saw that interview that Janet and I did; you started an email campaign that ended in this man going on air and giving an apology. He got so many emails that it crashed the computer system at the TV station. The other employees couldn't get emails from what I understand."
The original interview with Sacramento's CW31 reporter Mark S. Allen can be seen here.
Allen's subsequent apology can be viewed below:
The stroke of the pen, the click of a mouse, a word from our mouths represents one thing: POWER. We have the power to change lives, move mountains, make a difference. We're doin it with Jena 6, we did it with Tyler Perry, now let's effect change in ou own lives, and in the lives' of those around us!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
TYLER PERRY THANKS FANS; VENTS FRUSTRATION: Filmmaker happy to top box office, but says promo road wasn't easy. credits: eurwebc.com (edited for space/emphasis by Ivent)
*In a letter to his fans, Tyler Perry has expressed gratitude for the nationwide support of his new movie, "Why Did I Get Married," which opened at No. 1 this weekend. But the constant promotion of the film has had an affect on the filmmaker, particularly with reporters who insisted on asking Janet Jackson about "Nipplegate."(see post"Did You Ask Justin Timber... on you better recognize)
He writes about the experience in his letter below – unedited and in its entirety:
Hello, hello, hello! Before I get into this I just want you to know that this one may be a little long. (smile) These last two weeks I have been on a promotional tour for MARRIED. 9 states, 25 private screenings, several TV and radio appearances; all in about 12 days! And let me tell you--it has taken a toll. - I have been told that since I'm not in a dress this movie wouldn't work. - I have been called a racist (among other things) because there are no other races represented in this film (that's not something that I ever think about...I just want to tell a good story). - I have been lied to, tricked, deceived. There was one reporter, who I was told was coming from New York to do a favorable piece. She sat in my office and smiled and asked me all kinds of questions. When the article came out it was all out of context and all about how my movies are the worst thing that have ever happened to Black people and that I am doing nothing but modern day step-and-fetch it, and that I'm just trying to get rich. I was shocked and quite upset by the trickery. Not only by her but also the things that were said about this movie in print were so awful. Several Hollywood trades didn't even mention that MARRIED was a contender for number one. They thought that the number one would be George Clooney's movie or Mark Walbrurg's movie.
Now I had never ever read any of this stuff in the past, but for some reason I felt lead to read it this time. The venom and disdain for what I do was apparent. And speaking of venom, what they did to Janet was unacceptable. Janet, who was under no obligation at all to promote this movie, sat with me while I was doing a round of TV interviews. Half way through the three hours of sitting in the same spot she was attacked by a reporter on a Sacramento morning show who only wanted to talk about the Super Bowl incident. Now, I made it perfectly clear before we went live on the air that I wasn't talking about the Super Bowl or Janet's family. We had less than 5 minuets so I wanted to keep it positive and focus on the movie. But he didn't want to keep it positive. I had to maintain my composure because we were live on the air. I didn't let her speak. I kept jumping in because it was just so unfair to her. I have not seen Justin Timberlake attacked like that. I wasn't going to let them do that to her. Believe me when I tell you--Janet worked so hard on this film. She deserved more respect from this man than that! We both did. In the mist of all of this I was fighting trying to get more screens because every other movie that opens with a track record like mine have not had to deal with fighting for screens. Most of the movies of my counterparts open on at least 3,000 screens. MARRIED was given 2,000. Needless to say I was exhausted and mentally drained. So, by this time it was last Thursday and I just had no more to give. So, when I started to write that email (about the movie and for you to please check your tickets and so on) all that I could think was, "Tyler don't let these people get you down. As a matter of fact, speak a word of encouragement to the people that have been there for you and let that be that!" Every time I'm overwhelmed by negative I just have to remember how good God has been to me. And as I was thinking about all of this all I could hear was LIVE YOUR DREAM BOY! LIVE YOUR DREAM!! I wrote to you about dreams because I was just in a place of realizing that I had done all that I could do and the movie was in God's hands, so I just wanted to encourage somebody. After I sent that email to you I was reading your responses on the message board and, well, you don't know what you did for me. Here I was thinking that I was encouraging you and then you turned around and encouraged me! That's why I thank God for you and your messages. But little did I know how much more was to come...Jesus!!! So, now cut to Friday. . .Dear GOD!!! I decided to go to the movie and just relax. I was trying to buy tickets online so I tried the 7 o'clock show. It was sold out. I then tried the 8. It was sold out. Then the 9. It, too, was sold out! So I thought, "I need to call the theater. Maybe they'll save me a seat since I know some of the folks that are in this movie." (smile) After the movie started I was brought into the back of the theater, and no sooner than I sat down I realized why I was having such a battle. I then realized why there was such an attack. As I looked at the faces of the people in this theater laughing and crying I got it. I got it! I had a feeling that this movie was special, but I didn't know how special. I could literally see husbands and wives coming together. I could see people letting go of past hurts. And I could feel forgiveness in the air. I enjoyed watching your faces while you watched the movie. Between the tears in my eyes and the watching of your faces I didn't get see much of the movie. And then I got home and went to the message board and you all confirmed in words all that I was feeling in that theater. So, with all of that said I want to say to you, thank you. Thank you for crowding into those theaters. Thank for dealing with the headaches. Thank you for fighting your way across town. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for the number one movie in America. You did that and believe me--all of the ones that I mentioned at the top of this email are shaking their heads wondering why their weapons didn't prosper. Truly Grateful, Tyler Perry P.S. I guess Judah will have to find a loving family somewhere else.... :-)
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Where this man get the energy to write a descriptive, long email is beyond me. He has energy for days. Yes, he was right, a sacramento show called Good Day tried to bamboozle Janet. Tyler,ever the gentleman, kept jumping in and bringing focus back to the movie...not janet. I'm not surprised he's frustrated, but reality is...we know it's not goin to be easy, but look at how far you've come.
Our community, is proud that Tyler persevered. He's an inspiration to all races, not just black.
TYLER PERRY 'MARRIED' TO TOP OF BOX OFFICE: Madea-less film opens at No. 1, beating Clooney's 'Clayton' and 'Blanchett's 'Elizabeth.'
Who said Tyler Perry couldn't top the box office without Madea? After a heavy marketing push from Lionsgate that included promotional appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Regis & Kelly" and the late night talk shows – not to mention Perry's own e-mail plea for folks to see the film during opening weekend – "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?" debuted as the No. 1 weekend film with $21.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. The movie, starring Perry, Janet Jackson, Malik Yoba and Jill Scott, came in well ahead of George Clooney's critically-acclaimed legal drama "Michael Clayton," Cate Blanchett's period piece "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and the Joaquin Phoenix/Mark Wahlberg crime saga "We Own the Night."
Though "Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls" had a luke warm opening earlier this year, "Why Did I Get Married?" joined his previous Madea-starring hits "Madea's Family Reunion" and "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," which also opened at No. 1.
Disney's "The Game Plan" starring The Rock fell from its box office perch last week to No. 2, as of Sunday afternoon. But its $11.5 million was neck-and-neck with "Michael Clayton's" $11.1" in ticket sales, according to early estimates. Exact rankings will be available later today.
Sunday's estimates are as follows: 1. "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?", $21.5 million. 2. "The Game Plan," $11.5 million. 3. "Michael Clayton," $11.01 million. 4. "We Own the Night," $11 million. 5. "The Heartbreak Kid," $7.4 million. 6. "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," $6.2 million. 7. "The Kingdom," $4.6 million. 8. "Across the Universe," $4 million. 9. "Resident Evil: Extinction," $2.65 million. 10. "The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising," $2.15 million.
*****
Congratulations, Tyler & Cast
And thank you Family, for supporting Tyler Perry!!
You know her name, but not her face: (actress Tasha Smith, below) We know her as the kleptomaniacal twins' sexy mother on ATL, but God Almight knows her as His, baby girl! Read the awesome testimony of how God brought Tasha Smith from an unbeliever in Him, to become one of his staunchest witness!
Before You Read, look at Tasha in action (the alcoholic), and the rest of the "Why Did I get Married" cast in action:
TASHA SMITH'S TESTIMONY: 'Why Did I Get Married ' co-star discusses her conversion from atheism, being a transparent Christian in Hollywood and her passion for the arts. credits: eurweb.com
Jersey Girl, Tasha Smith is getting comfy in Hollywood. For years the statuesque stand-up comedian with the supermodel looks has been on a steady climb in Tinsel Town. The actress convincingly played the drug-addicted Ronnie Boyce in HBO's Emmy Award-winning mini-series, "The Corner," directed by Charles S. Dutton.
We saw her in "ATL" and "Playas Ball." That was Tasha on television appearing in "Girlfriends," "The Tyra Banks Show," and the Oxygen Network's "Strong Medicine."
After depicting a trifling, unfit mother in Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls" (Lionsgate) fans and critics alike tasted the stardust of the vixen everyone seemingly loved to hate. This breakthrough performance resulted in Tyler Perry offering Smith a role written with his Madea character in mind in his next film, "Why Did I Get Married?" due in theatres October 12.
If what people are saying is true, then Tasha Smith won't need an introduction the next time her name comes up. Pre-premiere buzz pegs Smith as a show-stopper in her portrayal of Angela, an over-the-top, alcohol guzzling and scissor-tongued wife. Alongside Janet Jackson and Malik Yoba, Tasha proves she has the gusto to channel Mabel Simmons' (Madea) thoughts effortlessly.
One of three children raised by a single mom in Camden, NJ, Smith, 36, is divorced with no children. She has an identical twin sister who was a model in Europe. In her downtime, you might find the Los Angeles resident in her kitchen cooking, roller-blading down Melrose, getting her praise on to some Ben Tankard, or hanging out with her best friend, Tyra Banks (who introduced her to Perry.)
Our intimate conversation at the Women's Museum of the Arts in D.C. irradiates why she seems to have mastered the "broken woman" persona. Once a hustler and drug addict in real life, she identifies with the mentality of women living in crisis and self-defeat.
While removing her shoes to wind-down after hosting an awards gala, she tells me as a matter of fact, that she was navigating life in the wrong direction simply because, "I did not know Jesus." She was a bonafide atheist who denied Christ's very existence. As revealed in the following excerpt from the interview, Smith has been spiritually re-born, and lives a life that is the anti-thesis to her on screen image.
Who is Tasha Smith?A girl from Jersey that loves the Lord and loves people. I love my community. It just gives me inspiration the keep moving. Tasha Smith is someone trying to pursue her purpose in life. I believe I'm doing that between my acting, the school, going around speaking and trying to help plant seeds and build foundations in young people.
The Old Tasha I was living crazy. Doing a whole of drugs, strippin' at the strip clubs, steeling bags of weed. Just doing that because of my circumstances and that environment. I just had to do something to survive. Once I came to know God, my belief system changed.
On Being An Atheist Gosh, it's such a story, my testimony. I was atheist. (My family hates it when I say that, but it's true.) I think that happens through disappointment, hurt shame and rejection. I mean, when you grow up in an environment where they talk about God and then you live life's circumstances and then confusion comes in an you begin to ask yourself questions, the devil starts getting in your head a little bit, you know what I mean? You get angry and full of rage; you say 'how could there be a God?' All kinds of things can happen for you to choose to believe that. It's just easier when you're going through it. Not that it's easier in life. . .
When God 'Showed Up' When I was 25 I had an encounter with God because my father had gotten sick. I had a time where I really challenged God like, 'if you're really God You'll show me such and such.'
And during that time one of my best friends had gotten born again. I was going through this major transition in life. I was going through this whole thing where I would question whether God was real or not. I really needed God to be real because I was so depressed and so unhappy, I felt like if there isn't a God I have no reason to live.
Everyone that hurt me read The Bible. You know, you're so use to the judgmental people in the church that dog you and made you feel bad about who you are and on top of that they're doing crazy stuff too. So, I wouldn't read The Word. But when I went to this church, I said, "Show me." I was willing to listen and to see whatever it was that God wanted to show me.
There really was never a time that I was open to see that. I didn't want to see the Word, I didn't want to hear the Word so I didn't. You know it says, 'Knock and the door will open, ask and ye shall receive.' So I was knocking, I was asking, but I also know it was God's divine time where He was also drawing me. And that's where His grace comes in because His grace really saved me. I wasn't just about the family and what I was going through. . .I believe God was saying this is your season of salvation. So all of these things fit. All of it worked together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. During this time, I read The Word. This church was not deep. I mean this pastor was not some phenomenal speaker, not T.D. Jakes. or BAM Crawford. All he did was read the scripture. But it' something about God's Word. The Bible says it's like a hammer unto a rock. It'll bang some stuff up. God's Word will just bring light. It's quick and powerful, The Bible says and sharper than any two-edged sword. So when I read that Word, the Word came in and brought light. It broke down all those strongholds that were blocking me from His wisdom. His Word was just His Word and as I read His Word I see the revelation of Jesus. . . (Excitedly.) Oh my God! Not only do I have a God, I have a father and a Savior and a friend that loves me as I am. And that's something that might not always be concrete for some people, but it's spiritual so it's not always going to be concrete in the natural sense, but that was my experience and I saw it in the spirit enough to cause me to make a change.
Ditching the "Holier-than-thou" stereotype We in the church are a hot nasty mess (and I don't even need to talk about it 'cause you already know) and we wanna talk about the world. Why don't we get our own house in order first before we start looking out in someone else's yard? Cut your own!
No compromising for the camera I on't think that roles challenge what I believe because I feel like as an actor I know who I am in God. I understand that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I have boundaries, but there are boundaries I would have whether I was a Christian or not. I'm not gonna get butt naked. Certain people may have issues with roles that I do that have profanity in it. But, as actors our job is to portray humanity, all of humanity. Most characters that we see are not saved yet.
Her passion The Tasha Smith Acting Workshop (TSAW) -- I started doing acting workshops about 5-6 years ago and my passion was just trying to help some young people in the inner city community be developed in the arts and mentored. All of a sudden it just became this incredible passion that I couldn't stop what I was doing because I saw people's lives transform. It's something we're missing in Hollywood, a place where African American actors can come get mentorship, get empowered to reach their purpose in the arts. . .We have casting agents come in and teach tem about auditioning, actors come in. If we can get then young we can plant a positive seed in them so they can grow to become the Angela Bassets and Charles Duttons of the world. They'll be full of substance, character and integrity that we'll be proud of. It's just such a wonderful thing to come to the Congressional Black Caucus the night they were celebrating leadership in the arts because that's my passion
On working with Mr. Perry and the new movie It was a blessing working with Tyler. He's been a blessing in my life and so many people's lives. I think the movie's gonna bless people and inspire people to be married and believe in marraige again. we've seen so much tragedy in our community as far as marraige is concerned.
*****
All I can say is...this chick is fabulous! I had already given her a katrillion-gazillion cool points but after reading her testimony...she's off the charts!
I'm feeling her honesty, and it's a testament to the goodness AND POWER of our Almighty God.
Sidebar: Christians-STOP ARGUING WITH ATHEISTS. You prove why they don't believe in Christianity. Arguing will not make them want to become a Christian. It's goin to make them dig their heels in the dirt and become planted right there in their atheistic views. You win over an atheist by your behavior and YOUR PRAYERS! You plant, God waters and give increase. Trying to argue your point with an atheist, is like a black person trying to prove why it's better to be black rather than white. IT'S STUPID, AND POINTLESS.
It's God who will do the drawing as we lift Him up...give it a rest with your pious, sanctimonius self.
"Why Did I Want To Get Crunk on That Man?!" source: theybf.com
As is common when a movie is being released, Tyler Perry and Janet Jackson have been their rounds promoting Perry's new movie, "Why Did I Get Married?" One of the shows that interviewed, "Good Day" on Channel 13 in Sacramento(CBS), took several jabs at Janet Jackson. Based on what I've seen of Janet, she's always humble and gracious in interviews, and this interview was no exception. However, Tyler Perry was not having it. This idiot of an interviewer brought up of all things...THE SUPERBOWL FIASCO! That's right you heard me. Everytime the idiot took a jab at Janet, Perry stepped in and protected her. (honey, that's what a man is supposed to do!) There was no relevance of the superbowl to the movie. Now... had he brought up her marriages, I could understand him going there.
My questions are: Did Janet Jackson, uncover her own breast at the Superbowl or did Justin Timberlake??? Why is it that no one has disrespected, joked, ribbed, kidded (or whatever) Justin Timberlake regarding the Superbowl? Who designated J.J. as the scapegoat, sacrificial lamb?
Oh--you don't believe me? Well click for yourself: watch the madness
(Tyler Peterson- gunman, killed 7 people including himself, below)
Wis. AG: Deputy Shot Himself 3 Times
credits: AOL NEWS, AP (edited for content by Invent)
CRANDON, Wis. (AP) - An off-duty sheriff's deputy who killed six people apparently shot himself three times, with the last shot hitting him in the right side of the head, the state attorney general said Tuesday. Tyler Peterson, 20, shot himself twice under the chin before firing the third and fatal shot, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said.
Peterson also was shot once in the left biceps from a distance. The six people who died early Sunday were either students or recent graduates of Crandon High School, where Peterson also had graduated. They were at the house to share pizza and watch movies during the school's homecoming weekend.
Peterson died in the woods near a friend's home in Argonne. The lone survivor was scheduled for surgery Tuesday. Van Hollen said Peterson went to Jordanne Murray's home about 2 a.m. and argued with her after accusing her of dating someone else. Murray demanded Peterson leave, and he did, only to return with an AR-15 rifle.
"He didn't speak, he simply opened fire," Van Hollen said. Investigators found three bodies on or next to a couch - Lindsey Stahl, 14; Aaron Smith, 20, and Bradley Schultz, 20. Murray, 18, was found in the kitchen. Lianna Thomas, 18, was found in a closet, and Katrina McCorkle, 18, was just outside it. Both had apparently been trying to hide, Van Hollen said. The last person shot was survivor Charlie Neitzel, 21. He pleaded with Peterson after the first shot, only to have him fire again, Van Hollen said. Neitzel fell to the floor, where he lay still as Peterson fired a third time. "Playing dead until Peterson left, Neitzel survived," Van Hollen said.
It wasn't clear whether Peterson was struck in the biceps before or after he shot himself. The shootings devastated Crandon, a tight-knit town of 2,000, where many people knew at least one of the victims. "It's an unbelievable, nightmarish thing," said Pastor Bill Farr of Praise Chapel Community Church, which all of the victims' families attend. "I keep thinking, like many of the families, that I'm going to wake up and this is not something that happened, that it's just going to be normal again. That's not going to be the case."
The victims' families have met with Peterson's family and "hold no animosity toward them," Van Hollen said. The families, the church and the town's one funeral home were still working on funeral arrangements Tuesday. Farr's wife, Sjana Farr, said Peterson's family had requested his funeral be last out of respect for the victims' families.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the Crandon, WI victims. I pray that our Father in heaven, has mercy upon Tyler. Father, you knew what he was thinking. Though the crime was heinous, your blood covers even that sin. I pray that your peace be upon the families affected and they'll have peace that surpasses all understanding in Jesus' name.
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Wis. AG: Deputy Shot Himself 3 Times