SHAQ AND SHAUNIE BACK IN JUNE 2006 // PHOTO BY FREDERICK BROWN
SHAQ AND SHAUNIE HEADED TO SPLITSVILLE » After nearly five years of marriage and four children together, Shaquille O’Neal filed for divorce from his wife Shaunie in Miami on Tuesday. According to a petition filed by Shaq’s lawyer, “The marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken.” The petition reveals that the couple has a prenuptial agreement, according to the Herald, which also reports that should the court agree, a copy of the agreement “will be filed … under seal.” The agreement “contains extensive provisions providing for confidentiality and non-disclosure.” O’Neal also says in the petition that Shaunie has been “secretive about her assets … particularly with respect to certain properties owned or titled in either [her] name alone or in other entities” and requests that the court require Shaunie to give a “correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities (including bearer securities)” acquired during the marriage. Read more about this over at PEOPLE.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG BACK IN MAY 2007 // PHOTO BY BRAD BARKET
WHOOPI’S TAKING UP FOR MIKE VICK TOO… » Just like Jamie Foxx, Whoopi Goldberg has joined the “I think Michael Vick didn’t know what he was doing was wrong” club. Picking up where Rosie O’Donnell left off, Whoopi Goldberg debuted on “The View” yesterday with a spirited defense of NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s role in a dogfighting ring.
Dog fighting isn’t that unusual [in the Deep South] where he comes from. It’s like cockfighting in Puerto Rico. There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of the country.
Co-host Joy Behar looked horrified. “How about dog torture and dog murdering?” Behar asked. “Unfortunately, it’s part of the thing,” Goldberg said. “Part of the fun, right?” Behar shot back. “I don’t think they see it that way. I just thought it was interesting, because it seemed like a light went off in his head when he realized this was something that the entire country didn’t appreciate,” Goldberg replied.
Vick pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges last week, including an admission that he took part in hanging or drowning up to eight dogs. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback has been suspended and faces jail time. After the show, Goldberg told reporters she wanted to bring a different perspective concerning the troubled footballer. “Just so he’s not this monster,” Goldberg said. “He’s a wonderful guy who was involved in something terrible. I’m not excusing it, I’m just saying, listen, I believe his apology … and maybe this will be a huge wakeup call to a lot of people doing this.”
EDDIE GRIFFIN BACK IN MARCH 2007 // PHOTO BY CHARLEY GALLAY
WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN, SIR? » If comedian Eddie Griffin didn’t know the N-word was banned and buried, he found out when the publisher of Black Enterprise magazine pulled the plug on his raunchy standup routine. Griffin, who headlined a sold-out show at Black Enterprise’s 14th annual Golf and Tennis Challenge in Miami on Friday, was about 10 minutes into his N-word-laced act when publisher Earl Graves turned off the mic. Minutes later, Graves appeared onstage with a cord and plug in one hand and a working microphone in the other. He told the audience at the posh Doral Golf Resort that Griffin’s microphone had been turned off because he repeatedly used the N-word. Attendees said Griffin sauntered onto the stage smoking a cigarette. He yelled “Fuck y’all!” before walking off, they said. Griffin’s publicist, Jeff Abraham, declined comment. [ NY DAILY NEWS » ]
AND IT TOOK THEM THIS LONG? » A boycott has been launched against music channel VH1 to protest network executives who actively and purposely perpetuate negative stereotypes of black women through its reality programming. An employee of the network leaked information about a production meeting regarding a potential new show titled “Interracial Love.†According to the employee, network execs passed on the idea because it would feature professional black women who choose to look beyond race to find true love. The images would be in direct contrast to those shown on such shows as “Flavor of Love†and its spawns “I Love New York†and “Flavor of Love: Charm School.†In a letter written to Black Press Radio, the employee shared what she was told went down behind closed doors in a meeting about the show. According to the employee, the exec said: “It is our thoughts that the viewers are more interested in seeing black people in a ghetto role. This show will not sell.†CLICK HERE to read more on that! Interesting . . .
