R Kelly Autobiography
R&B singer R Kelly is the latest celebrity to attempt to cash in on the autobiography game. He has yet to pick a title for the book but the singer promises that his autobiography will “tell it like it is” – even on the topic of his child pornography charges. He must be so hard up for cash if he’s willing to go that far. David Ritz is helping R Kelly pen the story, which is scheduled for release in 2011 through Travis Smiley of PBS fame’s publishing house, SmileyBooks. By that time, R Kelly will be so far back in obscurity that I doubt this book will even get printed.
Tags: Autobiography, Celebrity, PBS, Pornography, R&B, R. Kelly, Singer
Leona Lewis Cancels Book Tour
Oct 20, 2009 Books, Leona Lewis
In the aftermath of the cowardly attack that she faced at one of her book signings, Leona Lewis has pulled out of any further appearances to promote her autobiography ‘Dreams’. According to the singer’s spokesman “Leona was due to go to Germany today for promo but that has now been cancelled. Leona is obviously shocked after yesterday but is OK.” Fortunately, Leona is still set to begin rehearsals this week for her first major UK show. Stay strong honey! You can’t let the bastards get you down. Show everyone what you’re really made off and just hope that it wouldn’t set anyone else off.
Tags: Attack, Germany, Leona Lewis, Singer, UK
Janet Jackson writes book
May 21, 2008 Books, Concert Tour, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is writing a book about her weight struggles.
The singer is planning to document her constant battle with self-esteem issues, and discuss her fluctuating waistline.
The publication, which is set to be released in November by Karen Hunter Publishing, will include lifestyle and diet tips from Janet’s nutritionist David Allen.
Meanwhile, Janet – who turned 42 last week – has also announced plans for a tour to coincide with her latest album ‘Discipline’. The run of shows, her first in seven years, will start in September and includes dates in the US and Canada.
Janet said: “I was supposed to go on tour with the last album. We were actually in full-blown tour rehearsals at that point – learning numbers, getting everything together, set designs. I had to kind of shut everything down and go into the studio. It will definitely be a big production but it will definitely also be something that I’ve never done before, that people have never seen from me before.”
Bob Marley’s family in licensing row
Mar 24, 2008 Bob Marley, Books, Hit Songs, Legends, Reggae
Bob Marley’s family are snubbing music licensing requests for a biopic on the legend because they are planning to release a competing documentary.
The adaptation of Marley’s widow Rita’s book ‘No Woman, No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley’ is currently in production by The Weinstein Company, but now the reggae hero’s family are refusing to license any material.
The family have sided with director Martin Scorsese, making a documentary together with the Marley-owned Tuff Gong Pictures, says the Hollywood Reporter.
The family members involved in the Scorsese project claim they were unaware the Weinstein biopic would be unveiled so soon and believe that its projected late-2009 release date would interfere with the documentary’s February 2010 release – timed to coincide with Marley’s birthday.
Executive producer, Ziggy Marley, says, “The Weinstein project has put our documentary into jeopardy. All our efforts and support are currently directed toward the documentary. We believe that this project is the best way to represent our father’s life from his perspective, and any other film project pertaining to our father will be empty without his music to support it.”
The Marley family’s lawyer Terri Dipalo denied that this was the latest move is a negotiating tactic to compel the Weinsteins to buy Marley music rights.
Eminem Writes
Feb 26, 2008 Books, Eminem, Rapper, lyrics
Eminem was once a rapper, tried to be an actor and is now wanting to be an author. The Detroit native is working on a tell-all memoir which will include details on his life story, photos, journal notes, hand-drawn sketches and lyrics. This would have been hot news if only it happened 5 years ago!
‘Eminem: The Way I Am’ is to be published by Orgion Books. The book is scheduled for release in the UK on October 16 of this year. Eminem’s team is said to be none too happy with the leak of this info as they claim it’s still a work in progress.