There still will be no public memorial service for Whitney Houston , but a publicist for the late singer told CNN that Saturday’s funeral in Newark, New Jersey will be made available for television and web streaming. The services will be held at New Hope Baptist Church, where Houston sang as a child. Services begin at noon. Gospel singer and pastor Marvin L. Winans, a longtime friend of the Houston family, will give the eulogy, while Houston’s godmother, Aretha Franklin, will be among the performers. Winans officiated at Houston’s 1992 marriage to Bobby Brown. Others confirmed on the guest list are Chaka Khan, Bebe & CeCe Winans, songwriter Diane Warren, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, pop singer Darlene Love, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Ray J and Brandy. Houston’s cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, was in New Jersey helping the family with funeral arrangements. Although the family is not commenting on Houston’s final resting place, her death certificate filed Wednesday in Los Angeles lists it as Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey. RELATED: Chaka Khan Questions Why Pre-Grammy Party Was Held After Whitney Houston’s Death [VIDEO] Bobby Brown Dismisses Reports He’s Unwelcome At Whitney Funeral, Says Daughter Is “Doing Better” Aretha Franklin Sings Tribute For Goddaughter Whitney Houston [VIDEO] Whitney Houston Private Funeral Set For Saturday In New Jersey Celebrity Atlantans Remember Former ATL Resident Whitney Houston Whitney Houston May Have Died From Combination Of Xanax & Alcohol [REPORT] Jennifer Hudson Sings Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” At Grammys [VIDEO] New Edition On Whitney Houston’s Death: “We Are Shocked And Saddened” Bobby Declares Love For Whitney On Stage [VIDEO]
Late singer showed dignity and vulnerability in films like ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Waiting to Exhale.’ By Ryan J. Downey Whitney Houston in “Bodyguard” Photo: Warner Bros. Whitney Houston will be remembered for her voice, her hit songs, her charismatic presence. As someone who has spent my life sharing equal passion for music and movies, it’s particularly noteworthy to me that the biggest hit I associate Houston with is intrinsically tied to a film. Judging by the number of “Whitney, I will always love you” tweets from celebrities and fans on Saturday, I’d say I’m not alone in thinking of her big voice mostly in “I Will Always Love You,” which is inseparable from “The Bodyguard.” My late mother was a huge fan of Dolly Parton, who originally wrote and recorded the song that would become a huge hit for Houston on the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard,” in which she starred (years before people ran around saying “meta”!) as a pop singer. The stepmother who came into my life when I was a teenager passed away herself a couple of years ago. The first Christmas present I ever bought for her growing up was a copy of one of Whitney’s albums on cassette, so I experienced a variety of emotions and memories about important women in my life as my Twitter feed blew up with reports of the troubled star’s untimely passing. Nobody knew Houston could act (a bit part on an episode of the corny sitcom “Gimme a Break!” was certainly no barometer) when director Mick Jackson cast her to play Rachel Marron, a singer in need of protection from a stalker, in “The Bodyguard.” Big marquee name Kevin Costner played the title role of an ex-Secret Service agent turned private protector. The two characters, against the odds and against the rule, become more than co-workers as the story unfolds. The movie is cornball, sure, but Houston was quite fun. Lawrence Kasdan, who put his stamp all over my childhood as a writer on “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Return of the Jedi,” reportedly conceived the script in the ’70s as a vehicle for the legendary Steve McQueen and Diana Ross. I was actually at the Grammy Special Merit Awards watching Ross accept a Lifetime Achievement Award when I saw the guy in front of me show his girlfriend a tweet about Whitney Houston’s death, which is how I first learned the news. Perhaps in some roundabout way you could call that my Six Degrees of Kevin Costner with this story. It’s not unusual to look for “signs” and coincidences when we try to process death around us, whether it’s a loved one, acquaintance or a public personality we never knew. “The Bodyguard” had action, romance and behind-the-scenes drama involving the entertainment industry, all of which are some touchtone topics that have followed me in life. I worked part-time in a record store when the movie came out and I vividly remember handling copies of the soundtrack on CD and cassette (remember those?) as patron after patron brought up a copy for me to ring up. The movie, the songs (“I Have Nothing” was no slouch!) and the CD were all intertwined, intermingled, wrapped up together to me. Houston’s performance displayed a certain tenderness combined with an elegant toughness that recalled screen sirens from mid-century. True, she was drawing from some life experience by playing someone so close to her comfort zone. But in 1995, she did it all over again in “Waiting to Exhale” and this time opposite acting heavyweight Angela Bassett (and directed by Forrest Whitaker!). “Exhale” shot straight to #1 at the box office, while Houston’s single from the movie did the same thing on Billboard. Last spring, Bassett did an interview in which she talked about a sequel reuniting the director and stars. Of course, that couldn’t happen now. Too many pop stars, rock idols and rappers trying their hand at acting have made the whole concept a joke to some people. And granted, not every musician who switches gears turns out to have chops (and vice versa in the actors-turned-musician department). But Penny Marshall certainly wouldn’t have put Houston next to Denzel Washington and Gregory Hines in “The Preacher’s Wife” if she’d watched “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale” and thought the singer hadn’t pulled off the jobs. The remake of the 1947 film “The Bishop’s Wife” may have included some hokey fantasy elements, but it still became the best-reviewed movie Houston made. Sure, both “Bodyguard” and “Exhale” are “rotten” according to Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates reviews from major film critics. I’m not going to try to pass either of them off as particularly great films. But “The Bodyguard,” my favorite of the two, is an inoffensive confection that rises above the phrase “guilty pleasure” ever so slightly even after repeated viewings and even after all of this time. There’s no denying Houston’s likability and watchability in all three of her major film roles. She was dignified, strong and yet vulnerable in the sort of way that made you want to sweep her up like Kevin Costner on the movie poster. Houston’s final film, “Sparkle,” is set to be released in August, and indeed, there is nothing the specter of addiction can do to erase her sparkle on the silver screen. We’ll miss you, Whitney. MTV News’ Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12 starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music’s biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch Reactions and Remembrances at MTV.com. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston
Late singer showed dignity and vulnerability in films like ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Waiting to Exhale.’ By Ryan J. Downey Whitney Houston in “Bodyguard” Photo: Warner Bros. Whitney Houston will be remembered for her voice, her hit songs, her charismatic presence. As someone who has spent my life sharing equal passion for music and movies, it’s particularly noteworthy to me that the biggest hit I associate Houston with is intrinsically tied to a film. Judging by the number of “Whitney, I will always love you” tweets from celebrities and fans on Saturday, I’d say I’m not alone in thinking of her big voice mostly in “I Will Always Love You,” which is inseparable from “The Bodyguard.” My late mother was a huge fan of Dolly Parton, who originally wrote and recorded the song that would become a huge hit for Houston on the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard,” in which she starred (years before people ran around saying “meta”!) as a pop singer. The stepmother who came into my life when I was a teenager passed away herself a couple of years ago. The first Christmas present I ever bought for her growing up was a copy of one of Whitney’s albums on cassette, so I experienced a variety of emotions and memories about important women in my life as my Twitter feed blew up with reports of the troubled star’s untimely passing. Nobody knew Houston could act (a bit part on an episode of the corny sitcom “Gimme a Break!” was certainly no barometer) when director Mick Jackson cast her to play Rachel Marron, a singer in need of protection from a stalker, in “The Bodyguard.” Big marquee name Kevin Costner played the title role of an ex-Secret Service agent turned private protector. The two characters, against the odds and against the rule, become more than co-workers as the story unfolds. The movie is cornball, sure, but Houston was quite fun. Lawrence Kasdan, who put his stamp all over my childhood as a writer on “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Return of the Jedi,” reportedly conceived the script in the ’70s as a vehicle for the legendary Steve McQueen and Diana Ross. I was actually at the Grammy Special Merit Awards watching Ross accept a Lifetime Achievement Award when I saw the guy in front of me show his girlfriend a tweet about Whitney Houston’s death, which is how I first learned the news. Perhaps in some roundabout way you could call that my Six Degrees of Kevin Costner with this story. It’s not unusual to look for “signs” and coincidences when we try to process death around us, whether it’s a loved one, acquaintance or a public personality we never knew. “The Bodyguard” had action, romance and behind-the-scenes drama involving the entertainment industry, all of which are some touchtone topics that have followed me in life. I worked part-time in a record store when the movie came out and I vividly remember handling copies of the soundtrack on CD and cassette (remember those?) as patron after patron brought up a copy for me to ring up. The movie, the songs (“I Have Nothing” was no slouch!) and the CD were all intertwined, intermingled, wrapped up together to me. Houston’s performance displayed a certain tenderness combined with an elegant toughness that recalled screen sirens from mid-century. True, she was drawing from some life experience by playing someone so close to her comfort zone. But in 1995, she did it all over again in “Waiting to Exhale” and this time opposite acting heavyweight Angela Bassett (and directed by Forrest Whitaker!). “Exhale” shot straight to #1 at the box office, while Houston’s single from the movie did the same thing on Billboard. Last spring, Bassett did an interview in which she talked about a sequel reuniting the director and stars. Of course, that couldn’t happen now. Too many pop stars, rock idols and rappers trying their hand at acting have made the whole concept a joke to some people. And granted, not every musician who switches gears turns out to have chops (and vice versa in the actors-turned-musician department). But Penny Marshall certainly wouldn’t have put Houston next to Denzel Washington and Gregory Hines in “The Preacher’s Wife” if she’d watched “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale” and thought the singer hadn’t pulled off the jobs. The remake of the 1947 film “The Bishop’s Wife” may have included some hokey fantasy elements, but it still became the best-reviewed movie Houston made. Sure, both “Bodyguard” and “Exhale” are “rotten” according to Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates reviews from major film critics. I’m not going to try to pass either of them off as particularly great films. But “The Bodyguard,” my favorite of the two, is an inoffensive confection that rises above the phrase “guilty pleasure” ever so slightly even after repeated viewings and even after all of this time. There’s no denying Houston’s likability and watchability in all three of her major film roles. She was dignified, strong and yet vulnerable in the sort of way that made you want to sweep her up like Kevin Costner on the movie poster. Houston’s final film, “Sparkle,” is set to be released in August, and indeed, there is nothing the specter of addiction can do to erase her sparkle on the silver screen. We’ll miss you, Whitney. MTV News’ Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12 starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music’s biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch Reactions and Remembrances at MTV.com. Share your condolences with Whitney’s family and friends on our Facebook page. Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston
Chicago rapper GLC recently released his mixtape entitled Eternal Sunshine of the Pimpin Mind . From the mixtape, he drops the video for the inspirational track, “Reach For The Top,” produced by up and coming beatsmith Mr. O . The former Kanye West collaborator spits about remembering the lessons his mother told him when he was growing up. The video reflects the journey to achieving your dreams. Why did Kanye never release GLC’s album? Check out the video below. Leave us your review in the comments. While you’re at it, download GLC’s mixtape here . RELATED POSTS: GLC Explains Chicago Gentrification And Overcoming Gang Strife [VIDEO] GLC On Making Kanye West’s “Spaceship”[VIDEO] Kanye West, GLC, Arrowstar & Timmy G Are The Go-Getters
After facing criticism from leaders in the Jewish community, Bishop Eddie Long has apologized for the controversial ceremony at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church where Long was crowned a king and wrapped in Torah scrolls by Ralph Messer. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution , Long apologized in a letter to Bill Nigut, Southeast Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League. “The ceremony was not my suggestion, nor was it my intent, to participate in any ritual that is offensive in any manner to the Jewish community,” wrote Long. “I denounce any action that depicts me as a king, for I am merely just a servant of the Lord.” Messer, who serves as Rabbi of Simchat Torah Beit Midrash in Parker, Colorado, proclaimed during the ceremony that Long is a “prophet” and “is not on the Earth! He’s raised from Earth into a Heavenly realm! He’s raised in a prophetic position.” RELATED: Jewish Leaders Offended By Eddie Long’s “King” Ceremony [VIDEO] WTF! Bishop Eddie Long Crowned King?! [VIDEO] New Birth Christian Academy To Reopen With Aurora Day School [VIDEO] Bishop Eddie Long Returns To New Birth [VIDEO] Eddie Long Protestors Nearly Run Over By Long’s Supporters! [VIDEO] View The Eddie Long / Vanessa Long Divorce Papers Here! [PHOTOS] Bishop Eddie Long Taking Leave From New Birth [VIDEO] Vanessa Long Says Divorce Back On, Eddie Long Responds Eddie Long Seeks To Recoup Sex Abuse Settlement Money
‘Bishop didn’t make Tupac; Tupac made Bishop,’ Treach tells ‘RapFix Live’ 20 years after film’s release. By Rob Markman, with additional reporting credit by Sway Calloway “Juice” Photo: Paramount When “Juice” was released 20 years ago on January 17, 1992, the performance of noted rapper but first-time actor Tupac Shakur took critics by surprise. The socially aware, politically driven MC lit up the screen as fiery, gun-crazed thug Bishop. It was a departure from the rapper hip-hop had come to know through more positive songs like “Brenda’s Got a Baby.” A year after “Juice” premiered, ‘Pac went on to release his second album, Strictly 4 My N.-.-.-.A.Z., before experiencing legal trouble, then a serious rap beef with the Notorious B.I.G. a few years after that and, of course, his murder in 1996. Some believe that after “Juice,” Tupac took on the persona of the fictional and troublesome Bishop, and as a result, his life experienced a downward spiral. Not the case, said ‘Pac’s friend, “Juice” co-star and Naughty by Nature rapper Treach. “I would definitely disagree with it,” Treach said without reservation when he appeared on Wednesday’s (January 18) episode of “RapFix Live.” “Bishop didn’t make Tupac; Tupac made Bishop.” Treach — who appeared in the film and, along with Naughty by Nature, contributed the ’90s rap hit “Uptown Anthem” to the movie’s soundtrack — revealed that he originally read for the role of Bishop. Things didn’t go so well, however, and when Shakur auditioned immediately after him, Treach knew his buddy would get the film’s starring role. Tupac’s mother and father were both members of the Black Panther Party, and Treach believes that ‘Pac’s exposure to the progressive and militant movement helped prep him for the role.”He grew up a soldier; he grew up learning different lessons on the streets that not even I had known about,” he said. “He knew different stuff from different facets of life,” Treach added. “That’s what made him be able to get into that character like that and make that character seem so real, because he had his own life experiences that made him phenomenal at bringing that out through the music and through the film.” What do you think of ‘Pac’s performance in “Juice”? Let us know in the comments. Check out everything we’ve got on “Juice.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos Celebrating 20 Years Of ‘Juice’ With Treach Related Artists Tupac Naughty By Nature
Bishop Harry Jackson has become a favorite of Religious Right groups such as the Family Research Council and the National Organization for Marriage and is always ready to shill for the latest anti-gay or pro-corporate cause. As a favorite of both the traditional Religious Right groups and the “prophets” and “apostles” of the New Apostolic Reformation—Jackson has openly embraced NAR’s Seven Mountains… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Right Wing Watch Discovery Date : 04/01/2012 22:06 Number of articles : 2
A school affiliated with Bishop Eddie Long’s Lithonia megachurch — New Birth Christian Academy — is shutting down. Parents received letters just two days before Christmas, telling them the school would close on January 4th. New Birth Christian Academy, which enrolls students in kindergarten through the 12th grade, has been struggling financially for years. A financial deficit and declining enrollment left its board of directors with no other option but to temporarily close the school. Art Franklin, a spokesman for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, is keen to stress the school’s closure is not linked to the sexual allegations against Bishop Eddie Long, which culminated in the pastor taking a sabbatical to “tend to family business” after his wife Vanessa filed for divorce. The letter also stated the staff at New Birth will help students and parents find a new school. The academy, founded by Bishop Eddie Long and located within the church, is closing after 18 years, forcing parents of more than 200 students to scramble to find new schools by next week. Read more at WSB-TV. RELATED: Eddie Long Protestors Nearly Run Over By Long’s Supporters! [VIDEO] View The Eddie Long / Vanessa Long Divorce Papers Here! [PHOTOS] Bishop Eddie Long Taking Leave From New Birth [VIDEO] Vanessa Long Says Divorce Back On, Eddie Long Responds Eddie Long Seeks To Recoup Sex Abuse Settlement Money
After releasing two conflicting statements in one day, Vanessa Long has once again decided to divorce her husband, Bishop Eddie Long . Her lawyers released the following statement Friday evening: “Consistent with her original statement made this morning, Mrs. Long continues to hope that this matter may be resolved expeditiously, harmoniously and fairly; however, she has determined that dismissal of her divorce petition is not appropriate at this time.” Bishop Eddie Long released his own statement on New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s Facebook page saying: “God has blessed us with a wonderful family. Vanessa is, and has always been, a loving, dedicated and committed wife and Mother. My love for her is deep and unwavering. It remains our sincere desire to continue working together in seeking God’s Will in these circumstances. We will do so as privately as possible and with a spirit of love and sensitivity to our family. We ask that you be in prayer for our family and that we be allowed to privately pursue this important path without need, or request from the media, for further comment.” The AJC reports that in the divorce filing, Vanessa Long said her 21-year marriage to the megachurch pastor was “irretrievably broken” and there was “no hope of reconciliation.” The couple has been in a “state of separation,” according to the petition. Read more here. RELATED: Bishop Eddie Long’s Wife Withdraws Divorce Petition! Bishop Eddie Long’s Wife Files For Divorce! Eddie Long Seeks To Recoup Sex Abuse Settlement Money Eddie Long Accusers Risk Losing Settlement Money By Speaking Out [FULL INTERVIEW] Eddie Long’s Fifth Accuser Centino Kemp Goes Off On Twitter Bishop Eddie Long: “I Will Honor & Abide By My Commitment Of Confidentiality” Eddie Long Had Fifth Accuser [VIDEO] Atlanta Pastor Says Eddie Long’s “Got Problems,” Invites Ex-New Birth Members To His Church [VIDEO] Report Says Bishop Eddie Long Settled For $24.8 Million, Gave Private Apology Creflo Dollar Tells Former New Birth Members To Go Back, Compares Scandal To Car Wreck [VIDEO] Sherri Shepherd Goes In On Eddie Long [VIDEO] Settlement Reached In Eddie Long Sexual Misconduct Case [VIDEO] Bishop Eddie Long: “I’m Gonna Fight” [VIDEO & PHOTOS] Bishop Eddie Long – “No Hands” [SPOOF]
WTF is goin’ on?!?! Hours after announcing she had filed for divorce from megachurch pastor Bishop Eddie Long, his wife, Vanessa, issued a statement Friday saying she had withdrawn her petition. Vanessa Long had issued a statement early Friday morning saying that she had filed for divorce Thursday from Long, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. By early afternoon, she had a change of heart. “Upon prayerful reflection, I have reconsidered and plan to withdraw my petition for divorce from my husband, Bishop Eddie L. Long,” she said in an emailed statement bearing the New Birth logo. “I love my husband. I believe in him and admire his strength and courage.” She went on to blame “years of attacks in the media” for her initial decision to seek a divorce. Hmmm, something just doesn’t smell right about this situation but if they like it, we love it. Source More On Bossip! Wanna Know How Much These Stars Really Weigh??? True Love? Look At These Pics Of Atlanta Falcon Ray Edwards And His Caked Out ATL Boo Centerfolds: The Most Unforgettable Ladies Of Color To Show Up In Playboy Magazine Sour Grapes: The Craziest Rumors Started By Scorned Exes
