Sammy is Not Trying to Be Michael Jackson

Sosa in 1989 with Texas, in 2004 with the Cubs and this week in Las Vegas

That's what a friend of Sammy Sosa's said after he turned up on the red carpet at the Latin Grammy Awards looking like a white shadow of his former self. Sammy's pal told the Chicago Tribune, "He's not trying to be Michael Jackson. He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin. Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white. I thought it was a body double. Part of (the photo appearance) is just the lighting. He is in the middle of doing a cleansing process to his skin. The picture is deceiving. He said, 'If you saw me in person, you would be surprised. When you see me in person, it is not going to seem like the picture.' People who saw him in person did not react the same way. He can't believe it is such a big deal. He has always been concerned with the way he looks. Probably just bad timing going to an awards show."

Joe Jackson Suing MJ Estate

Joe Jackson says there was "no justification" for him being left out of Michael Jackson's will so he's suing the estate for an allowance. In his petition Joe lists his monthly expenses as follows: -- $2,500 eating out -- $2,000 for air travel -- $3,000 for hotel bills -- $1,000 for groceries -- $1,200 for rent

-- $50 in charitable contributions

The Real Reason DMX Backed Out

Seems DMX got Mixed Martial Arts mixed up with World Wrestling Entertainment because when the MMA promoter refused to insure that DMX would win his scheduled boxing match against actor Eric Martinez, the Dog backed out. After signing the initial contract to fight, DMX's attorney submitted an addendum stipulating, "Event Promoter and Management agree that [DMX] is scheduled to win Boxing Challenge. All parties agree this event has been scheduled to occur only in fun and that the artist involved is not a professional boxer." The promoters refused and are currently looking for a replacement for DMX and are considering a breach of contract suit against him.

Chris Brown and Rihanna Full Interviews

Toni Braxton

just split from her husband or did he split from her? Wonder if it had anything to do with Toni bussing slob with Trey Songz at the Soul Train Music Awards? Toni and her husband attended the awards together, then two days after the taping they call it quits. Hmmmmmm.

Morgan Settles

Do you remember last year when Morgan Freeman drove his car into a ditch [click here] and set off a chain reaction in his personal life? For one, the woman riding in the car with him, who was a close friend of his wife of 24 years, turned out to be his mistress. For two, four days after being admitted to the hospital Morgan filed for divorce [click here]. And for three, after Morgan stopped breaking her off, said mistress filed a lawsuit against him that promised to get VERY messy if it ever went to court [click here]. Oh well, that's one celebrity court case we won't be feasting off of because Morgan decided to settle out of court. The terms of the agreement were not made public.

Rihanna Says Catching Chris in a Lie Started the Fight

Michael Jordan's Son Cost His School $3 Million Contract

because he refuses to wear Adidas. Marcus Jordan plays basketball for the University of Central Florida and UCF has [or had] a contract with Adidas that requires their players and coaching staff to ONLY wear Adidas and ONLY use Adidas equipment, but Marcus will only play in Air Jordans. After the freshman guard showed up for an exhibition game wearing his Jordans and Adidas ankle straps, Adidas pulled the plug on the school's contract saying, "The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to Adidas. As a result we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."

DMX Backs Out of Fight

Were you looking forward to DMX's boxing match [click here if you missed that]? Well fugetaboutit because The Dog backed out, so they say. When I went over to the promoters page [click here] the fight was still listed. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Black Star Power

Ray J, LisaRaye and Maia Campbell got a new movie coming out. It's coming out straight to Netflix, but it's still coming out.

Oprah Backs Down

Remember the other day when people got so upset because Oprah Winfrey was having BeBe Winans on her show even though he'd been accused of assaulting his wife, after how strongly she reacted to the Chris Brown / Rihanna incident? Seems Oprah decided this is a battle she doesn't want to fight [or she just found out BeBe be beating his wife] and BeBe's appearance has been postponed until his domestic violence case is resolved.

So That's Why They Were Kissing

They had to do something to spice up the show since so many artists dropped out. Trey Songz and Toni Braxton must have locked lips onstage last night at the taping of the Soul Train Music Awards [in front of Toni's husband] to make up for the lack of star power. Unfounded rumors about why so many artists snubbed the Soul Train Music Awards here.

Bye Bye Essence.com?

Time Inc. has made huge cuts to both the print and online divisions of Essence Magazine. Rumors say the entire online staff is being let go.