MICHAEL VICK

I don't know what kind of access Michael Vick has had to newspapers, magazines and the Internet in prison, but it seems like the news that he is no longer a hot commodity has not yet filtered down to Michael Vick.

In papers he submitted to a bankruptcy court, Vick indicated that he plans on making $10 million per season, which I'm pretty sure would be a record for an ex-con who had a career quarterback rating of 75.7 when he went away. From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

The embattled Atlanta Falcons quarterback is hoping to earn as much as $10 million a year or more, according to court filings in his bankruptcy case. Under the plan he submitted to the court, Vick would keep the first $750,000 of his annual income over the next five years. After that, a percentage would go to his creditors based on a sliding scale. [...]

In a March 4 court filing, Vick’s attorneys say he “has every reason to believe upon his release, he will be reinstated into the NFL, resume his career and be able to earn a substantial living.”

“He is hopeful to play quarterback,” Daniel Meachum, an attorney and business manager for Vick, said in an interview. “There is no person with his talent in that position in all the league.”

That may have been true at one time, but there are also no quarterbacks in the league who have spent the last nine months sitting in a jail cell and eating prison food. I'm not a nutritionist or anything, but I'm pretty sure that's not what NFL team doctors would recommend for keeping a guy in optimum game shape.

The fact of the matter is that no one knows how Vick will perform when he gets out of the joint, though it seems extraordinarily unlikely that he'll look exactly the same as he did when he went in. Factor in the amount of teams scared off by the P.R. nightmare, and I think we're looking at a salary closer to $605,000, which was last year's veteran minimum for a seventh-year player.

NEWS BIT: ANDRE 3000 ARRESTED FOR SPEEDING IN ATLANTA

Recording artist/designer/actor Andre 3000 (best known for being the other half of Outkast) has been charged with driving 109 mph on a highway in suburban Atlanta.

Henry County Police Capt. Jason Bolton says the entertainer, whose real name is Andre Benjamin, was clocked speeding in a 65 mph zone in his Porsche south of Atlanta about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28th.

The 33-year-old Benjamin is free on $1,200 property bond pending a court date April 29.

Benjamin’s publicist, Eufaula Garrett, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Police say Benjamin told them he was going so fast because he missed an exit and had to turn around.

As the Grammy-winning Outkast, Andre 3000 and Big Boi have churned out six platinum-plus albums, including their ubiquitous “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

USHER SPOTTED AGAIN..

It’s ya Boy Usher! He was in Los Angeles enjoying the Kid’s Choice Awards, as well as some other business. As stated, due to the overall disappointing commercial performance of his last album, Here I Stand, Usher is in the studio with Jermaine Dupri & crew working hard on a new album, set to be released this year.

KANYE WEST COVERS COMPLEX

Check out this dope new cover from Complex Magazine featuring Kanye West. The entertainer teamed up with famed director Chris Milk and Graphics Lab at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies for the concept of this cover

JERMAINE & JANET SPOTTED AT AIRPORT IN NY

It’s Janet Jackson & Jermaine Dupri! The couple was seen at LGA on Tuesday, heading to their privately chauffeured car.

Earlier this month, Lionsgate Studios acquired the rights to Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married Too’, the sequel to the 2007 film Why Did I Get Married staring Jackson. The original cast, including Perry, Jackson, and Jill Scott, is expected to be retained for the sequel.

Jermaine, on the other hand, is very popular on youtube with his show, “Living the Life…”

NEWS BIT: DAMON DASH SERVED DIVORCE PAPERS FROM RACHEL ROY

According to reports, music mogul DAMON DASH has been handed divorce papers from his wife, fashion designer RACHEL ROY. Roy filed a divorce suit in New York’s Manhattan Supreme Court earlier this month, signaling the end of her marriage to the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder, who she married in Mexico in January 2005.

And it seems Roy, who launched her own women’s fashion line with her husband’s backing, is aware of the hip-hop executive’s financial woes as the divorce is for “non monetary relief”, according to an electronic record of the case obtained by the New York Daily News.

PARTIES: KERI HILSON’S NYC ALBUM RELEASE PARTY + PHOTOS FROM ALBUM SIGNING

Singer/songwriter Keri Hilson pictured rocking some Melody Ehsani jewelry pieces at her “In A Perfect World…” album release party at the Pink Elephant on Tuesday night in New York City.

The singer was popping bottles and enjoying the night with celebs including: Akon, Ron Browz, Brooke & Briana from Harlem Heights, and more. Make sure to also peep some photos from her album signing at Wet Seal earlier in the day.

ON THE SET: BEYONCE & NEPHEW JULEZ FILM NINTENDO DS COMMERICIAL

Beyonce Knowles and her 4 year old nephew Julez (son of singer Solange) recently filmed a commercial for Nintendo DS.

The campaign is set to start on March 30th and features them playing with the new “Rhythm Heaven” DS game. Make sure to keep reading to view video as well.

SPOTTED: BEYONCE LEAVING PATRICIA FIELD’S

Beyonce was spotted shopping at the Patricia Field store in Manhattan’s East Village on Tuesday afternoon. The superstar was there picking up some items and was seen posing for some pics with employees as she shopped around.

In related news, Beyonce is currently covering Vogue and will be kicking off the European leg of her I Am…Sasha Fierce World Tour next month in Croatia.

REGGIE & KIM IN GQ

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian, who’ve been dating since 2007, grace the April issue of GQ in “The Saint and the Sinner“.

Kim reveals, “We were super excited for this shoot but also a bit nervous. We had never done a shoot together and didn’t know what to expect! It turned out super hot and we love it. The article also gives a glimpse into our relationship. It also covers how we met, the things we argue about, and how we just work so well together!”

POLITICS: ST. PATRICK’S DAY RECEPTION / FIRST LADY & YOUTHBUILD AMERICORP HOME / PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT ON THE BUDGET

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama join the Taoiseach of Ireland Brian Cowen and his wife, Mary Molloy, in the annual St. Patrick’s Day reception in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday.

The President also met with Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness while the North Lawn fountain flowed with green water in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

MAGAZINES: BEYONCE COVERS VOGUE

Beyonce Knowles covers the April 2009 issue of Vogue magazine. This issue also happens to be the publication’s shape issue, and features a photo spread of Bee shot by photographer Mario Testino.

Beyonce is currently at work gearing up for her upcoming year-long tour featuring costumes by Thierry Mugler. Knowles next two videos to be released soon are for the singles “Ego” and “Broken-Hearted Girl”.

COUPLED UP: KANYE & AMBER ATTEND A GALA

Kanye West and girlfriend Amber Rose laugh as they arrive to The Metropolitan Opera’s 125th Anniversary Gala at The Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center on Sunday, March 15th in New York City.

VANESSA WILLIAMS

Vanessa Williams attended the March of Dimes 34th annual Beauty Ball in New York this week.

106 & PARK

Previous 106 & Park host Free hit up the show this week for a special episode on domestic violence.

N.E.R.D boys Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo

N.E.R.D boys Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were spotted at the premiere of Universal’s “Fast & Furious” in Cali.

VIDEO: STAMPEDE @ AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL AUDITION

Check out this footage from this weekend after a crazy stampede took place at NY’s America’s Next Top Model auditions.
Hundreds of people lined up in front of Manhattan’s Park Central New York hotel when the commotion broke out. Reports say that it started after one contestant reportedly saw a smoking vehicle and said there was a bomb or fire in the car.
Two people were taken to the hospital while four others that were injured declined treatment. Two women and a man were arrested on disorderly conduct charges and the audition was shut down by authorities, AP reports. Host Tyra Banks released this statement:
We are concerned by the events that occurred Saturday afternoon in the vicinity of the New York City casting call for the next cycle of ‘America’s Next Top Model.’ At this time, we still don’t know all the details of what happened or what triggered the incident. We appreciate the efforts of the NYPD and will assist them in any way possible in this matter.”

USHER PARTYING IT UP IN PARIS

It’s singer Usher Raymond! He was spotted partying it up at VIP Room nightclub in Paris, France. His wife Tameka was in headlines last month after suffering a cardiac arrest during liposuction surgery.

JETS STAR THOMAS JONES & GIRLFRIEND MEGAN

Meagan Good and boyfriend Thomas Jones were spotted outside the Crown Bar in Los Angeles. She really loves those YSL pumps, doesn’t she?

KOBE BRYANT & JAY Z

Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Beyonce and Jay-Z attend Sprite’s 3rd Annual “Two Kings” Dinner & After Party on Saturday night in Arizona.

THE FIRST LADY JOINS OPRAH ON THE COVER OF O MAGAZINE

The new issue of Oprah Winfrey’s magazine was released this week. First Lady Michelle Obama joins the media mogul on the cover of O and yep, this is the first time Oprah shared the cover with someone.
Mrs. Obama gave Oprah a tour of the new White House digs and spoke about how she feels privileged to be calling it home. She also spoke on the rules she laid down for daughters Sasha and Malia: (“I want the kids to be treated like children, not little princesses”). Here’s a couple snippets:
Oprah: So after the inauguration, what was your first weekend in the White House like?
Michelle Obama: Well, we still had family here, so it was almost like a wedding. A huge, very complicated wedding. The last visitors didn’t leave until Sunday. And then the first Monday was kind of weird. You know: Now we live here, and Barack is getting up and going to work, and it’s just us. This is our home now.

SERENA LEAVING NBC STUDIOS + HER APPEARANCE ON JIMMY FALLON

Superstar Tennis Player Serena Williams was spotted leaving NBC Studios on Thrusday night, after taping an episode of the new late night talk show ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’.
On the show they did the typical sit down chat, where she talked about her 20 Grand Slam titles, being the number one ranked Tennis player in the world and how she can’t take losing to her big sister Venus. Then, Jimmy challenged her to a game of ‘Beer Pong..’ and you know who won…

MEAGAN & THE DREAM HIT UP “DOGG AFTER DARK”

Meagan Good gets down with Snoop Dogg on his MTV show “Dogg After Dark” earlier this week. Meagan stopped by for a chat with Snoop, while The Dream and Soulja Boy performed.

THE ROCK SPOTTED IN HOLLYWOOD

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson poses for photos as he arrives for the world premiere of his new film, Race to Witch Mountain at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

ON THE SET: DENZEL IN “THE BOOK OF ELI”

A bearded Denzel Washington was spotted on the set of his latest movie “The Book of Eli” in New Mexico earlier this week.
Washington takes on the lead role of Eli, in the post-apocalyptic action film about a man who fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind. It is expected to be released January 15, 2010.

FIRST LADY VISITS ARLINGTON CEMETERY

First Lady Michelle Obama poses with veterans Alyce Dixon, 102, and Ester P. Corcoran, 103, (R) at Arlington National Cemetery’s Women in Military Service for America Memorial Center in Washington earlier this week in observance of Women’s History Month.

POLITICS: PRESIDENT OBAMA MEETS PM GORDON BROWN / FIRST LADY VISITS ARLINGTON CEMETERY / PLAN TO CUT WASTEFUL SPENDING

President Barack Obama met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday to discuss the United States and British economic stimulus packages. Brown is the first European leader to meet with President Obama.

SPOTTED: TYRESE WITH DAUGHTER SHAYLA

Earlier this week, singer Tyrese and his daughter Shayla Somer Gibson were spotted spending quality father-daughter time together in West Hollywood, California.
Recently a judge ordered Tyrese to pay his wife of 10 months, Norma Mitchell Gibson, $65,000, in addition to $6,230 per month in spousal support, as well as mortgage and car payments that total up to more than $162,000. According to reports, the two are going through messy divorce proceedings.

SPOTTED: PRESIDENT OBAMA AT WIZARDS V.S BULLS GAME

President Barack Obama waves to a group of happily surprised NBA fans at the Washington Wizards v.s Chicago Bulls Game on Friday night in Washington D.C.
The President was pulling for Chicago of course (who ended up losing), but happily greeted audience members that approached and spoke with him. President Obama Is the first president to attend a Wizards game since Bill Clinton in 2000.

POLITICS: FIRST LADY’S OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO

Michelle Obama’s first official portrait as first lady was released by the White House Friday.
According to Us Magazine, she is wearing a Michael Kors black shift dress and the photo was taken in the famed home’s “Blue Room” by White House photographer Joyce N. Boghosian.

SPOTTED: HALLE BERRY

Halle Berry and daughter Nahla Ariela Aubry were spotted in Malibu this weekend.

SPOTTED: KANYE & AMBER OUT & ABOUT IN LA

Kanye West was spotted in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday shopping with his new arm candy, “model” Amber Rose. The two were seen shopping together at H Lorenzo boutique and later had lunch at La Petite Fou.
Kanye and Amber made their premiere at New York Fashion Week and just arrived from London after viewing designer collections during their fashion week. Amber recently made headlines via the blog-o-sphere, for her past dancing background and alleged lesbian relationship.

SAMUEL TO PLAY ‘NICK FURY’ LONGTERM

Marvel Comics tapped Samuel L. Jackson to take on the role of comic character Nick Fury in Iron Man 2, and nine other films:
Jackson’s deal is a long-term commitment to play Fury, the leader of the espionage unit the Shield. His deal contains an option to play the character in nine future Marvel superhero films, efforts that are expected to include “Captain America,” “Thor,” “The Avengers” and “The Shield” as well as potential sequels. SOURCE
Jackson worked out a deal with the famous comic company after he reportedly expressed his displeasure with the initial financial offer to reprise his role.

SPOTTED: CHRIS BROWN IN MIAMI W/ RIHANNA’S CREW

After weeks of being missing in action, Chris Brown was seen jet skiing in Miami while residing at Diddy’s Miami Beach Star Island villa.
It was reported this weekend that Chris and Rihanna are staying together at this very spot. Although Rihanna was not spotted, her stylists and best friends were seen hanging out in the pool - proving more that the two have reconciled.
Many sources have reported that Rihanna has not press charges against Brown, perhaps they look to put this whole event behind them?

UPDATE: RIHANNA & CHRIS REPORTEDLY BACK TOGETHER

According to various sources including: People.com and Us Magazine, Rihanna and Chris Brown have reunited and are staying at one of Diddy’s spots in Florida:
The couple is staying together at a house owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs on Star Island near Miami, Florida. Brown has been seen smiling, riding a jet ski, and flexing his arm muscles. Rihanna arrived four days ago, according to a source.
The latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, reports the pair have recently begun speaking again, and that Brown reached out to Rihanna on her 21st birthday. “He’s been calling and they are talking,” says a source.
Adds the source: “While Chris is reflective and saddened about what happened, he is really happy to be with the woman he loves.”
Rihanna was last spotted taking some time away in Mexico last week, see HQ photos

2 NFL players among Fla. missing boaters

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP)—Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper were among four boaters missing Sunday off Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Coast Guard and Smith’s agent said.

Smith and Cooper were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass for a fishing trip Saturday morning and did not return as expected, the Coast Guard said Sunday. Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday.

Cooper owns the boat and he and Smith have been on fishing trips before, said Ron Del Duca, Smith’s agent. The pair had been teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. The Coast Guard said two others were aboard, identified as Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler. The St. Petersburg Times on its Web site identified them as former University of South Florida players. Calls to the school by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Coast Guard Capt. Timothy M. Close said the weather early Saturday had been fair, but worsened toward the evening as a front still battering the area moved in. The National Weather Service said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around 20 knots and seas were up to 7 feet or more. There were no thunderstorms in the area.

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Close said the men were traveling in a boat manufactured by Everglades. At least one of the men was an experienced boater, and relatives provided the Coast Guard with GPS coordinates from previous fishing expeditions.

Close said there was no communication with the men even before the weather started to pick up. They were expected home by early evening. No sign of them or the boat has been spotted.

Poor weather conditions could be dangerous for a boat the size of Cooper’s.

“A 21-foot boat is a relatively small vessel to be 50 miles off shore in bad weather conditions, certainly the current weather conditions,” Close said.

The Coast Guard search was mainly taking place by air, and was hampered by the poor weather, Close said. He said there were 14-foot seas offshore and wind gusts of up to 30 mph. Water depth in the area where they are searching ranges from 20 to 50 feet.

Close said there was no sign yet that the men sent a distress signal.

“That’s not to say they didn’t send one out,” he said. “We didn’t receive anything.”

Smith, 29, had 30 tackles, including three sacks, and an interception in 12 games last season for the winless Lions. Smith, who is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, also played for the San Francisco 49ers and played college ball at North Carolina State. He lives in Richmond, Va.

Del Duca called Smith one of the “good guys” of the league and was planning to start visiting teams as a free agent this week. He said he has spoken with Smith’s family and is also in touch with Coast Guard officials.

“They’ve assured me that they’re deploying all available resources to look for these guys and get them back,” he said.

Cooper, 26, has played five seasons with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Jaguars, Steelers and Raiders. He appeared in 26 games with the Buccaneers in 2004 and 2005, recording 30 tackles. He has played sparingly since as he has bounced between teams, appearing in 13 games and recording 10 tackles. Cooper, who is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, played college ball at Washington. His hometown is Mesa, Ariz., and his father Bruce is a prominent sportscaster for KPNX-TV in Phoenix.

Davis said the water was “extremely rough and choppy” on Sunday afternoon.

Lions spokesman Bill Keenist and Raiders senior executive John Hererra said the teams are monitoring reports.

Associated Press Writer Sarah Larimer in Miami contributed to this report.