Toni Braxton was absent from a press dinner for her hit reality series, “Braxton Family Values,” at the posh SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills due to illness. The sexy songstress checked herself into a hospital due to a Lupus flare-up, but WE tv President Kim Marin said Braxton was doing well. Braxton told TMZ: “I wanted to say thanks to all my fans for their support, as I have been experiencing some flare-ups with my Lupus, which has me in the hospital for a few days.”
Actor Will Smith was tapped as host of Nickelodeon’s 25th annual Kids’ Choice Awards from the Galen Center at USC on Saturday, March 31. “The Kids’ Choice Awards are always the year’s liveliest, slimiest and most outrageous party for kids and teens,” Smith said in a statement. “I’m honored they wanted me to host this year so I can have a front-row seat to take part in the fun.”
Word is Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth indulged Saturday at Wella Beauty Bar at Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood with a blowout, manicure and makeup application. The recently named West Coast editor of Reality Weekly chatted with guests in the Schick Quattro for Women lounge. She’s excited for the new season of “Celebrity Apprentice” and anxious to see the showdown between Teresa Giudice and Victoria Gotti on the show.
In the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau suite, Manigault-Stallworth gossiped with guests about “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” while they received Bio-Oil hand massages.
Aretha Franklin is scheduled to meet with the director and financiers to discuss final casting selections for her upcoming biopic, “From These Roots.” The film is being adapted from her New York Times best seller of the same name. The latest on her casting suggestions are Nia Long to portray her older sister Erma Franklin, Kerry Washington to play younger sister Carolyn Franklin, Blair Underwood to portray her brother Cecil Franklin and Terrence Howard to play longtime friend Smokey Robinson.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, while President Barack Obama was in Chicago last week for several fundraisers, he stopped by his seldom-used Kenwood house to check the mail. The prez also stopped by the home of his new next-door neighbors, plastic surgeon Dr. George Moynihan and his wife, Lara, to say “hi” with no press around.