Sources say Janet Jackson is engaged. Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana “gave her a huge, expensive ring” earlier this year … she’s afraid it will get lost so she keeps it locked up,” claims a source. The luxury brand mogul, whose family businesses include Harrods Department Store in London, will spare no expense on his nuptials, set for spring in Qatar. The affair “will cost millions,” revealed a Jackson insider. “He is flying in all of Janet’s friends and family on private jets.”
Speaking of engagements, according to reports, Brandy will ring in the New Year with a ring on her finger. The former “Moesha” star is engaged to Ryan Press. A source says: “They are thrilled and happy, and Brandy feels this is so right.” Prior to accepting Press’ proposal, Brandy had openly expressed her desire to marry the music executive. Brandy released her sixth album, “Two Eleven,” in October, and she currently stars in BET’s hit comedy “The Game.” She will soon be seen on the big screen in “Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.”
Fontella Bass, a St. Louis-born soul singer who hit the top of the R&B charts with “Rescue Me” in 1965, has died. The singer’s daughter, Neuka Mitchell, says Bass died at a St. Louis hospice on Dec. 26 due to complications from a heart attack she suffered three weeks ago. She was 72. Bass also suffered several strokes since 2005.
Pop culture icons Tia and Tamera Mowry are bringing their charm, sophistication and style from the big screen to the digital realm with the launch of TiaandTameraOfficial.com, an online destination for fans and likeminded tastemakers to share advice and tips on living a fashionable, healthy and balanced lifestyle. Through regularly posted blogs, the veteran actresses and twin sisters will share their insights on love, marriage, sisterhood, motherhood, style and home decor. Fans can watch Tia and Tamera in the Style Network series “Tia & Tamera,” currently airing on Tuesday nights at 9/8 p.m. Central.
Rumors around St. Barth’s suggest that Rihanna is headed to the Caribbean island for a New Year’s Eve performance at billionaire Roman Abramovich’s celeb-studded party. So far, the pop princess has had a busy holiday. She donated $1.75 million to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados on Dec. 23 in honor of the grandmother she lost in June. Then, she and her on-again, off-again boyfriend Chris Brown sat courtside at the New York Knicks-Los Angeles Lakers game on Christmas Day at the Staples Center in L.A.