It appears Janet Jackson is a very busy lady these days. In between releasing an album, preparing for a tour and recording a reality show, the superstar is set to launch a ladies lingerie line before the years end. Check out the report via Women’s Wear Daily:

The legendary hip-hop and R&B diva teamed with Bruno Schiavi, the Australian lingerie designer behind Dr. Rey’s Shapewear line (named for “Dr. 90210” fixture Dr. Robert Rey), for her debut fashion duet. The 18-piece line is named after the hit single from Jackson’s 1986 multiplatinum album “Control,” is designed to be comfortable for a range of sizes – 32A to 44G, and is crafted of mostly satin and lace.

Items will be manufactured in China and will be in department stores by late this year or early 2009. Jackson and Schiavi are currently in negotiations with major chains to carry the line; U.S. stores will be revealed in coming months, with releases in Australia, Japan and Europe to follow.

Jackson said the combination of beauty and comfort was the primary driver for the designs, though affordability was also paramount. Price points for the bra and underwear pieces are all under $40.

“I hate when you’ve had on a bra all day long and you just can’t wait to take it off – every woman has experienced that,” she said. “A lot of lingerie tends to leave those marks and be uncomfortable. This line is about detail, fit and comfort as well as beauty and making women feel sexy.”

It’s good to see Janet expanding her profile in other fields. More power to her…

Your thoughts?

Peep the trailer for Jennifer Hudson’s new movie, the film adaptations of the book ‘The Secret Life Of Bees’. Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning and UK actress Sophie Okonedo also star:

With the season premiere of Making The Band 4 (season 3) kicking off tonight, the timing of this latest ‘drama’ among the ladies of Danity Kane is real apt.

Member Dawn Richard was interviewed on the John Jay & Rich Show recently. Dawn offered a pretty interesting response when questioned about O’Day being the group’s standout attraction.

I’m not calling it one thing or the other, but it sure does make for an interesting listen. Check it out:

Female music heavy-weights including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Mary J. Blige have joined forces for a star-studded single called ‘Just Stand Up’,” benefiting the Stand Up to Cancer campaign. Check out the report via MTV below:

Our friends over at Rap-Up.com have received official word on Ciara’s much anticipated new single – the first from forthcoming LP ‘Fantasy Ride’. Both produced and featuring T-Pain, ‘Go Girl’ will serve as the record’s first release.

What’s more, after initially being slated for a November release, ‘Fantasy Ride’ ,the 22 year old’s conceptual ‘musical journey’, will now hit stores in early December – 2 years after the release of her sophomore effort ‘The Evolution’.

Yet another T-Pain feature…hmmm. Here’s hoping the current plans remain as they are; I mean I’ve had previous lead single ‘High Price’ in constant rotation and had been anticipating the video. Oh well…roll on December.

Kelly Rowland has hinted at that Destiny’s Child may, in fact, record new material for a ‘comeback tour’ soon:

Rowland has previously revealed the trio will make a stage a comeback next year.

And now Rowland claims her former bandmates, Beyonce Knowles and Michelle Williams, are keen to produce some new tracks.

She says, “We’re so looking forward to working with each again and we just need to find a time in our diaries when we can get into the studio together.”

The trio split up in 2005, with Rowland, Williams and Knowles all going on to forge successful solo careers. {Source}

Granted there have been rumors for forever and a day about the ladies reuniting, it’s interesting to note that the quote puts a ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ slant on the prospect of a comeback (of some sort). Despite their solo success and individual fan-bases, there is, evidently, still a massive demand for the return of the biggest selling female group of all time. Whether that demand is met will be interesting to see…

Bad Boy’s five-piece Danity Kane pose it up in the latest issue of GQ magazine. Though the ladies all look pretty good, Dawn looks a little ‘iffy in the face’. Is it just me or…?

As Brandy’s ‘comeback’ single ‘Right Here’ continues to heat up the radio airwaves (4 Million audience impressions in 4 days!), the singer has uploaded footage from the set of the video – which was shot this weekend in Los Angeles. Check out the vids below:

There is mounting speculation that Britney Spears will take to the stage at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards to redeem herself after last-year’s train wreck performance:

Now, desperate to rebuild her career and recover fully from that nightmare period, 26-year-old Britney intends to bounce back at the scene of her humiliation.

Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music Group, said: “Everyone deserves a second or third chance, right?

“I’m not sure how we top Britney opening the show but we are working on it every minute of every day.”

Britney is already appearing in commercials previewing next month’s event at Paramount studios alongside Russell Brand, who will host the show.

A friend said last night: “She is as nervous as hell but at the same time itching to get back in front of the same audience where she screwed up so badly last time.“

It is the perfect platform for her to announce to her fans and the world that the dark days are behind her and she’s back on track with her life and her career. {Source}

Without sounding a pessimist, I’m not sure this will be a good look for her. After last year’s truly shambolic showing, the pressure will be on for her to deliver and every last aspect of thr performance will be dissected. That said, that will be the case whenever she returns to the stage. So…

The 2008 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles on September 7th 2008