With all the turmoil surrounding the Jackson family over the past two weeks, I finally heard from my dear friend La Toya Jackson. She sent me a text last Thursday saying, “I’m OK now that she’s back. So sorry it had to come to this! Thanks for asking.”
I had sent her a text asking if she was OK since I hadn’t heard from her since all the hoopla started. It’s obvious from her text that she didn’t know where her mother was either. Meanwhile, despite La Toya’s mom, Katherine, and her grandchildren, Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson, attending the Jackson’s Unity Tour in Saratoga, N.Y., last weekend, Michael Jackson’s estate attorney, Howard Weitzman, has banned Jermaine Jackson from entering Katherine’s home in Calabasas, Calif.
Weitzman’s letter reads: “Given the circumstances of the last two weeks, and in order to protect the children and Mrs. Jackson, the executors believe it would not be appropriate to allow the following individuals to enter the residence or its grounds and we instruct security to preclude the following from entering the residence or grounds: Randy Jackson and any of his children, Janet Jackson, Rebbie Jackson and any of her children, Jermaine Jackson, his wife, and any of his children.”
Russell Simmons’ annual Art for Life Gala at his East Hampton, N.Y., estate keeps getting better and better. Once again, I was the guest of Cadillac and drove a 2013 Cadillac XTS to the event and tooled around the Hamptons in it all weekend. My hostesses, Laura Toole and Jocelyn Allen from GM Diversity, treated me and six fellow journalists to a luxurious weekend that included dinner at B. Smith, brunch at Page and a lovely time on the American Hotel’s porch in South Hampton. Art for Life raised $2 million to send children to art classes and camps, and Tyler Perry Studios donated $100,000 to the cause. My most special moment of the evening was meeting Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, and giving her a hug.
Hot pop singer Kande, a newcomer on the music scene, is making a lot of noise around the Big Apple. Not only is she becoming a hot commodity on film sets around the city, she will be making a return appearance at Iguana on Aug. 11, singing familiar tunes as well as melodious original music. The show begins at 7 p.m. Iguana is located on West 54th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. Find out more about Kande at www.kandesofficial.com.
On July 30, “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” cast members Joseline, Stevie J, K. Michelle and Scrappy, along with “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” executive producer Mona Scott Young, kicked off their week in New York City at a press reception at Griffin in the Meatpacking District. Sponsored by Bartenura Wines and Ciroc, the private event featured an episode screening and a candid Q&A that featured comments like Joseline saying, “I do whatever my daddy [Stevie J] tells me to do.” The full cast taped their reunion show on July 31.
Nationally syndicated radio host Tom Joyner will be the featured speaker at the Radio Show Luncheon, held Friday, Sept. 21. The luncheon, sponsored by Katz Media Group, will take place during the 2012 Radio Show, jointly produced by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau, Sept. 19-21 in Dallas, Texas.