Monday, February 9th 2009

Eddie Murphy Ordered To Pay $10 Million In Child Support

After a lengthy court battle with ex Eddie Murphy, Spice Girl Mel B has reason to celebrate – Murphy has been ordered to pay a whopping $10 Million in child support to the singer over the next 16 years:

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) – Eddie Murphy has been ordered to pay his ex-girlfriend Mel B $50,000 a month for child support to their 22-month-old daughter Angel Iris.

An L.A. court ordered the 47-year-old funnyman to pay approximately $51,700 per month until Angel reaches 18 years old, which would total about $10.3 million.

He has also finally agreed to see his daughter.

Murphy and Mel B – real name Melanie Brown – have spent 15 months fighting in the Los Angeles courts. Both signed non-disclosure contracts, preventing them from discussing the settlements in public.

Murphy originally questioned the paternity of the child, while publicly dumping the former Spice Girl in a 2006 impromptu interview, saying, “I don’t know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, sir.”

DNA test proved that he is indeed the father.

Angel Iris Murphy Brown was born on April 3, 2007, which is coincidentally also Murphy’s birthday. {Source}

I guess justice has been served. Yet, in saying that, many – including myself – will forever find it hard to look at Eddie in the same way again. What kind of person refuses to see their own daughter, even after the DNA test. SMH…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

4 Comments

Sunday, June 1st 2008

New Pretty Ricky Promo Pic

Check out this new promotional shot for Pretty Ricky’s forthcoming album ’80′s Babies’ (due August 26th via Atlantic Records). It’s the quartet’s first pictorial showing with new member 4Play (first from the left), who I’m sure many of you know, replaced lead member Pleasure at the top of the year.

Click here to listen to Pretty Ricky’s new single ‘Butta Up’

What do you think of the pic?

Posted By: Sam

1 Comments

Sunday, June 1st 2008

Murphy Signs On For New Beverly Hills Cop Movie

Following the worldwide success of the latest Indiana Jones flick, it is being reported that Eddie Murphy will once again star in the movie franchise that catapulted him to stardom almost 25 years ago, Beverly Hills Cop:

The 47-year-old is set to star as crime fighting police detective Axel Foley in the fourth installment of the hit “Beverly Hills Cop,” Reuters reported.

Murphy reportedly approached Paramount Pictures about the idea and filming is expected to start next year with a summer 2010 release date, according to Reuters.

Brett Ratner, whose work includes the “Rush Hour” movies, is in negotiations to direct the film, while Lorenzo di Bonaventura of “Transformers” was tapped to produce the flick, Reuters reported.

The first “Beverly Hills Cop” debuted in 1984 and was followed up with two sequels — the last of which premiered in 1994. {Source)

Here’s hoping this movie is actually good. Despite garnering praise for his role in Dreamgirls, Eddie, no doubt, dropped the ball in the critically panned ‘Norbit’. This may just be his redeeming gig…

Will you be checking for the new Beverly Hills Cop?

Posted By: Sam

That Grape Juice To Interview Michelle Williams

That Grape Juice serves up yet another interview first. Your 1# source for Urban Pop Culture will very soon be interviewing Michelle Williams, one third of the biggest-selling female group of all time, Destiny’s Child.

After a successful stint on the Broadway adaptation of ‘The Color Puple’ as Shug Avery, Michelle has just wrapped up the recording of her first secular album.

Have a burning question for the Grammy Award winning star? Please drop them in the ‘comments’ section below. As usual, only legit questions will be considered – but don’t hold back : ) Thanks guys.

Posted By: Sam

58 Comments

Thursday, January 17th 2008

Queen Latifah To Fight Back Against ‘Untruths’

Actress/singer/rapper Queen Latifah has hit out at the mounting level of negative press she’s been receiving as of late.

The Chicago star admits she has always been treated well by members of the tabloid media but she’s growing weary of some of the stories they write about her.
And she’s ready to get tough with them.

She tells WENN, “They are actually starting to p**s me off. I haven’t been brutalised like some people… but you feel taken advantage of.

“This year, if somebody prints something about me, I’m ready to take it to their ass because it’s just not fair.

“I’m tired of hearing from my family members, `Did you say this?’ When somebody calls my family, that’s what concerns me. I have little brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews who are not so media savvy as me.

“They are not so thick skinned with this business, so these reports bother them. That’s when I really want to go for somebody’s throat, legally with lawyers and all. And I will.” {Source}

I get what she’s saying, but she needs to remember what industry she’s in. You have to take the good with the bad.

Do you agree with Queen Latifah’s rant?

Posted By: Sam

2 Comments

Thursday, January 17th 2008

Eddie & Tracy End Marriage Already

After just two weeks of marriage, actor Eddie Murphy and media mogul Tracy Edmonds have called it quits on their marriage. The couple, who tied the knot on New Years day in the French Polynesia, released the following statement to PEOPLE.com:

“After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further. “While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends.”

Word has it the couple have been fighting for a while – with a report claiming that Eddie, 46, was heard yelling at Tracy, 40, at the actual wedding ceremony. It kinda has me wondering why they bothered getting married in the first place. You’ve got to know that Johnny Gill is somewhere rejoicing right now lol lol. Let me stop…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

1 Comments

Wednesday, January 2nd 2008

Extra On the Set Of Janet’s ‘Feedback’ Video

Extra caught up with Pop superstar Janet Jackson on the set of her new video ‘Feedback’. The youngest of the Jackson clan briefly discussed her new album ‘Discipline’, as well as the concept of the video – which should be debuting within the next couple of weeks. Be sure to keep it locked on That Grape Juice for the goods.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

14 Comments

Wednesday, January 2nd 2008

Official: Eddie Murphy & Tracy Edmonds Marry

Following much speculation, it has been confirmed that actor Eddie Murphy and longtime girlfriend Tracy Edmonds tied the knot yesterday. See the story below via PEOPLE.com:

Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds were married on New Year’s Day on a private island off Bora Bora in French Polynesia in front of 25 friends and family, their reps tell PEOPLE.

In a sunset ceremony on the beach Tuesday, Edmonds walked barefoot down the aisle to Gladys Knight’s “Makings of You.” The bride wore a custom-designed form-fitting dress by stylist and designer Sugia Nazel and Jill Baracci, designer and owner of Baracci boutique.

Murphy wore a cream suit and vest with an off-white handkerchief.

Among the guests were best man Johnny Gill, maid of honor Nicole Avant, matron of honor Julie Lev, as well as Edmonds’s parents Jacqueline and George McQuarn, her brother Michael, Murphy’s mother Lillian Lynch and his brother Vernon.

Hmmm. How Tracy has managed to look over Eddie’s callousness in the Mel B situation is beyond me. Kinda says a lot about her, unless there’s something we don’t know…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

3 Comments

Monday, August 13th 2007

Mel B Appears On Larry King Live

Melanie Brown, alongside her attorney Gloria Allred, appeared on the Larry King Live show this past week. In the interview, Scary Spice – as Brown is more commonly known – was grilled on her relationship with Eddie Murphy, her legal fight against the actor regarding their child Angel, as well as her motives behind meeting with Murphy’s ex-wife a couple of weeks back. Check out the interview:

Part One

Part Two

This whole situation just gets messier and messier. Mel came across pretty well, but she didn’t address claims that Eddie has already been making payments etc. I’m wondering if it’s a case of ‘a woman scorned’ or genuinely trying to make Eddie aware of his responsibility?

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

4 Comments

Sunday, August 5th 2007

Eddie Murphy Releases Official Statement

After a long silence, Eddie Murphy has finally spoken out – via his publicist – on the situation with Mel B and their daughter Angel. Check the statement below:

Eddie Murphy always has and will continue to honor his responsibilities as a father. Mr. Murphy and Ms. Brown dated very briefly and never made any plans of ANY sort. He acknowledges paternity of the child Angel, and has paid child support to Ms. Brown as well as covering the expenses of her pregnancy. Mr. Murphy views this as a private matter and as such, will not be making any further comments about it.”

Source

Even if he is being genuine, this comes a little late – his image has already taken a major blow. Could the timing of this be to deflect attention from Mel’s recent showing with Eddie’s ex? LOL at him calling it a ‘private matter’. It wasn’t so ‘private’ when he publicly dumped Mel on TV.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

5 Comments

Thursday, August 2nd 2007

Mel B Holds Press Conference

Melanie Brown has taken her spat with Eddie Murphy further – this time holding a press conference to announce plans of legal action against the actor. The Spice Girl has enlisted the services of celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred. Check out extracts of the PEOPLE.com report:

Allred said she’s [Brown] filed a paternity suit against Murphy to legally establish that he is the father of their nearly 4-month-old daughter, Angel Iris Murphy Brown.

“Murphy was promising to do the right thing, but to date he has not done the right thing,” said Allred. “Mr. Murphy can have all the babies he chooses to have, but his responsibility needs to be to his own children. [Brown] is seeking sole physical and legal custody.”

Still, Allred said Brown would be happy to arrange for Murphy to see his daughter regularly “like millions of parents do.”

“He bought a big diamond ring for his new fianceé,” added Allred, referring to Murphy’s recent engagement to girlfriend Tracey Edmonds. “It is nice to be generous to others, but what about his own baby?”

We all know Eddie’s a coward for how he’s handled the whole situation, but Mel seems to be milking it –using every media opportunity to call him out. Still, I can see why; Eddie publicly dissed her and deserves the same in return.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

6 Comments

Sunday, July 29th 2007

Eddie Murphy & Tracy Edmonds Engaged

According to E! Online, Eddie Murphy and Tracy Edmonds are engaged. Check out the report:

ET has learned that EDDIE MURPHY and his girlfriend of 10 months, TRACEY EDMONDS, are engaged! According to OK! magazine, the 46-year-old ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘Shrek the Third’ star proposed on July 25 with a “massive,” roughly 8-carat CARTIER yellow diamond engagement ring.

A friend of the couple says, “They’re very adorable together, very happy,” adding that they plan to tie the knot before the end of the year with a private wedding: “something low-key and romantic.”

Not sure why Tracy’s in such a rush to marry a guy who still hasn’t taken responsibility for his child with Mel B. On a lighter note, I wonder what Johnny Gill thinks about this lol?

Your thoughts?