Source: WENN

I guess drama isn’t limited to Z-list reality television stars. Page Six of the New York Post is reporting that tension rose between Jay-Z and actor Robet Di Nero at Leonardo DiCaprio’s birthday shindig a few nights ago. Witnesses are calling a heated exchange while a source from the De Niro camp describe it to the New York Post as “a low-key private conversation between two people that was apparently overheard. It was not a heated discussion.” Anyways, it seems that De Niro was upset because Jay-Z was supposed to be working on a song for the Tribeca Film Festival (they are both Tribeca residents), but when De Niro reached out to Jay to iron out the details, Jay pulled a disappearing act. A snitch at the party shares a first hand account of the story with Page Six.

“Bob wasn’t in any mood to make polite conversation,” the spy says. “He told Jay that if somebody calls you six times, you call them back. It doesn’t matter who you are, that is just rude.”

When Jay-Z tried to make a joke of it, saying he is terrible on the phone, a source says, “De Niro kept telling him that he thinks he’s the man, but that he was disrespectful.’ ”

It gets even more interesting. It seems that Beyonce noticed the exchange between the two men and made her way over to them hoping that Robert would calm down but it wasn’t happening. It goes without saying that a rift between two men of their stature and popularity was the highlight of the party.

“It was the talk of the party. Everyone was saying there’s only one star in New York bigger and badder than Jay-Z, and that’s Robert De Niro. He can be quite scary when he’s angry.”

De Niro is being a bit of a cry baby if you ask me. It reminds me of that scene from Mean Girls when Gretchen Weiner pressed her boyfriend at the Halloween party for not calling her the night before. Get over it Bob.

Jazmine Denise is a writer living in New York. Follow her on Twitter @jazminedenise

Source: www.beyondhollywood.com

From eurweb.com

As a person perceives a thing is how that thing is in a person’s mind. This phenomenon is personified in the instance of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

He is a multi-million dollar corporation unto himself with wide ranging interests and revenue streams as numerous as the battle scars that adorn his frame. But he is a gangster rapper in the eyes the multitude. A mere talking head broadcasting street tales to the general public. But a lie doesn’t magically become the truth just because everyone believes it.

Recently I had the chance to talk with 50 regarding his upcoming film “Freelancers” (opening in select cities, including NYC and LA this weekend). With a supporting cast that features Robert De Niro, Forest Whitaker and Dana Delaney, this is one action-packed ride is yet another worthy offering in Jackson’s fast growing catalog of films.

Read more at eurweb.com

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Source: whatzhotandnot.com

Every time you give Usher an inch, this man just has to take a mile. A few months ago we found out Usher was cast as Sugar Ray Leonard in a new film alongside Robert DeNiro and the reaction was sort of…meh. The movie is really about the life of Panamanian boxer, Roberto Durán, so we figured he should be able to carry the small role but Ursh clearly has some delusions of grandeur about how great of an actor he is or will be in this part.

In a profile with the UK’s Independent, Usher was asked what was appealing to him about the part:

“It was proper casting,” he shrugs. “I was selected. They approached me to do it. And all I had to was consider it.”

I always thought proper casting was auditioning and earning the role. *Shrugs* You can tell by Usher’s response he’s not too worried about being a good fit for the part acting wise, which is why when the reporter asked him if he was intimidated at all by starring in a flick with Robert DeNiro and Gael Garcia Bernal of all people, he said:

“Not at all, not at all. There’s a respect for both parties. I’ve seen Oscar winners come out of left field.”

Sort of like that statement?

“I’m just saying Jennifer Hudson,” he added. “I’m not even saying…You asked me, is it OK to assume that an actor who doesn’t have as much skill can’t out-act an actor who is well-decorated? And what I’m saying is, if you take a moment to just analyze… No, I’m not intimidated in any way. Because there’s a shared passion and respect among all of us, and it’s the type of script that will allow all of us to shine.

“I don’t know if this is the one that would win me an Oscar or not. I’m going into it offering my interpretation and my hard work and my dedication to be the best Sugar Ray ever. Or as good as the man can be. I’ve spoken to him, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to live up to him. But I’ll try to be better than him.”

His stumbling around that answer almost worse than he did when he was in the court room and asked whether he slept with Tameka’s bridesmaids or not—we don’t know what to believe. Though Usher couldn’t talk about his custody battle with the Independent, an interesting tidbit that came out in the interview is that the woman Usher is currently dating, Grace Miguel, is also his manager. I guess he didn’t learn not to mix business and pleasure the first time around.

How do you think Usher will do as Sugar Ray Leonard?

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Source: Gossip Juice

Part of me wants to say this is what happens when you play the race card too much, but Newt Gingrich knows there was nothing offensive about a joke Robert De Niro made at the Obama fundraiser in New York Monday night. Even Ann Coulter agrees with that—and you know that’s rare.

On Monday, the actor opened the fundraiser by listing the wives of the republican presidential candidates, saying:

“Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney, now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?”

As the crowd laughed at the obvious play on questions about whether America was ready for a black president in 2008, De Niro added: “Too soon, right?”

Well, if you ask the GOP, it never should have happened. Newt Gingrich couldn’t wait to harp on the comment with this:

“What De Niro said last night was inexcusable and the president should apologize for him,” he  told supporters in Shreveport, LA. “It was at an Obama fundraiser, it is exactly wrong, it divides the country.”

Sort of like black folks and food stamps, right Newt? He also added this comment:

“I do want to say one thing, both on behalf of my wife and on behalf of Karen Santorum and on behalf of Ann Romney, I think that Robert De Niro’s wrong. I think the country is ready for a new first lady and he doesn’t have to describe it in racial terms.”

Responding to backlash I’m not sure the White House received from anyone but Newt, FLOTUS campaign spokesperson Olivia Alair did release what seems to be an obligatory statement, saying: “We believe the joke was inappropriate.” Robert De Niro has also issued a statement of apology:

“My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone — especially the first lady,” he said.

Interestingly, Ann Coulter, who you’d think would be second in line to race bait this issue, actually didn’t have a problem with it. She tweeted:

“Can we please stop the fake ‘offended’ routine? Pls explain what was allegedly offensive about DeNiro’s joke.”

Never thought I’d see the day where we’d agree on something.

Do you think offense cries and apology demands are getting out of hand lately?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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If you look at many black men in Hollywood, sports, music or hell, just the black men in the world around you, you’ll find that a lot of them have dated white women, and done so proudly–which they should, it’s your life, and it’s a free country. But on the opposite end of the color spectrum, there aren’t many white Hollywood men you can think of off the top of your head running around snapping photos arm-in-arm with African-American women. Maybe that’s why it’s so surprising, or dare I say, exciting, when you find out that someone with heavy Hollywood clout is courting a black woman. But you’d be surprised to find that a number of high profile figures of the whiter persuasion in music and film have a track record of dating, are currently dating, have dated, and love them some sistahs. Here’s just a few.