The funeral for the legendary soul and jazz singer Etta James was held over the weekend in California. The 73 year-old died last week after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease and leukemia (READ MORE). Pictured below is her son Dante James, singers Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera and activist Al Sharpton.
Christina sang the classic Etta song “At Last” during the service and you can check that out below.
Yep. Rev. Al Sharpton is opening a new life chapter and it’s starting with his very own television show. The civil rights leader will be the new host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation. The activist had been filling in for the former host, Cenk Uygur since early July. But now after having solid ratings and with Uygur eventually falling out with the network, MSNBC has chosen Sharpton to carry on with the show.
Since the announcement, Sharpton has received much criticism for moving from black civil rights to the mainstream television screen. In an interview with Todd Johnson of TheGrio.com, the activist shared why he decided to take on the opportunity, what his role will be in the political arena and whether he thinks there is a conflict between being a civil rights leader on cable TV:
“There’s a conflict in not being on TV and being a civil right leader because part of what you’re doing is advocating. So the question is do you want to advocate talking to an echo chamber? Or do you want to advocate talking to a large body of people? Continue
After making a pretty successful comeback, hit singer El Debarge has voluntarily checked himself into rehab. The 49 year-old musician recently came to terms with his twenty-five year drug abuse problems and had been working on cleaning himself up for the sake of his health, career and family. El Debarge also known as Eldra Patrick DeBarge decided to put his career on hold to work on his internal battle with substance abuse. As a result, he has withdrawn from his upcoming comeback tour with singers Ledisi and Kem and will be replaced by R&B singer Musiq Soulchild:
I hate to disappoint my fans but it is necessary for me to take the time to work on me so that I may continue to share my music and my story with everyone. I thank everyone in advance for their prayers and well wishes and hope that you will respect my privacy during this time.
Rev. Al Sharpton Rejects Dancing With The Stars
Civil rights activist and radio talk show host Al Sharpton has declined an offer to join the all-star cast of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. The 56 year-old minister was an interest of the hit television series back in 2010, but Sharpton refused their offer. When asked about his second pass on joining the dance cast, the activist made it clear that he would be untouchable:
I just turned them down again. I mean, I enjoyed doing Saturday Night Live a few years ago. I did my little James Brown thing, but you have to have your priorities. I’m working very hard on civil rights work and educational stuff. There’s a difference in taking one night during Saturday Night Live and taking weeks during Dancing With the Stars. So I thought about it and I took a pass…Now I’ve got moves now! I’d blow ‘em out! There would be no chance, but I just don’t have the time. [Source]
Check out this video of Mr. Sharpton doing a little move back in 2007 during a James Brown Tribute at the Apollo Theater. LOL Continue
President Barack Obama speaks during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association gala dinner Saturday, May 9, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The event is a charity fundraiser dedicated to feeding the hungry and funding journalism scholarships and began in 1920. Wanda Sykes was this year’s featured entertainer. Check out pics from the event, the cocktail party and the after party below.
After making a pretty successful comeback, hit singer El Debarge has voluntarily checked himself into rehab. The 49 year-old musician recently came to terms with his twenty-five year drug abuse problems and had been working on cleaning himself up for the sake of his health, career and family. El Debarge also known as Eldra Patrick DeBarge decided to put his career on hold to work on his internal battle with substance abuse. As a result, he has withdrawn from his upcoming comeback tour with singers Ledisi and Kem and will be replaced by R&B singer Musiq Soulchild: 
Civil rights activist and radio talk show host Al Sharpton has declined an offer to join the all-star cast of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. The 56 year-old minister was an interest of the hit television series back in 2010, but Sharpton refused their offer. When asked about his second pass on joining the dance cast, the activist made it clear that he would be untouchable:
