TYRESE'S GIRLFRIEND SAYS FIGHT WAS "DISTORTED"

The attorney representing the girlfriend of singer/actor Tyrese Gibson has issued a statement in response to an altercation that allegedly occurred at a Los Angeles home last Thursday night.

The woman's attorney told me "Reports that Tyrese punched my client- his girlfriend- in the arm, thigh or anywhere else are false. It is true, Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend had been arguing. She became very emotional and distressed during the argument and called 911 in an attempt to get a mediator. Mr. Gibson, frustrated, left the home. My client, Mr. Gibson's girlfriend, who is 11 weeks pregnant, then became more upset and began throwing up. When the paramedics arrived, concerned about the baby, they took her to the hospital. Fortunately, she was fine. Once at the hospital, she was asked by a nurse whether she had been assaulted. She said no. She was then asked what her pain level was on a scale of zero to ten. She said zero. She then discharged herself. Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend are very much still in love, together and excited about their expectant child. She is quite saddened that this event was so distorted."

Police say they are "interested" in speaking to Tyrese about the incident. No charges have been filed.

MARIAH CAREY GRACING COVER OF 'PLAYBOY'

Mariah Carey as a Playboy cover girl? It's true, according to an item in the New York Post. The songbird will reportedly grace the cover of the March issue, though she won't be in the nude. The photos for the cover and inside the mag will be "outtakes from an album cover shoot," according to a source.

The Emancipation Of Mimi star recently entered into a legal battle with porn star Mary Carey over their similar names. Mariah's company petitioned the U.S. patent office late last year to prevent Mary Carey from trademarking her name to prevent any confusion between the two in the public's mind.

50 CENT TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH G-UNIT BOOKS

Rapper 50 Cent is expanding his G-Unit empire with the official launch of G-Unit Books. 50 Cent and authors Nikki Turner and K. Elliott will host a book signing at the Border's bookstore in the Time Warner Building at Columbus Circle in New York City on Thursday, January 4th. The three will be signing copies of G-Unit books between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.   The G-Unit Books imprint is a joint venture with MTV/Pocket Books and the first releases are hip-hop novellas.

50 Cent established a relationship with MTV/Pocket Books when he released his autobiography, From Pieces To Weight.

In related news, 50 Cent is currently working on a new album, Before I Self Destruct, which he hopes to release later this year.

WHITNEY HOUSTON'S COSTUMES & MORE ON AUCTION BLOCK

It seems that Whitney Houston has some major accounts to settle. The singer's New Jersey-based storage company will hold an auction to sell off hundreds of the diva's things -- from designer costumes and custom-made furniture to recording and lighting equipment and musical instruments -- to pay off her outstanding bill. The company, called Speed of Sound, confirmed that Houston's Nippy Inc. owes an estimated $200,000 in unpaid storage.

Among the items are stage-worthy costumes and street wear by Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, and Bob Mackie, as well as a custom-made, see-through grand piano worth up to $400,000, and a chair described as "Whitney's Throne."  A few of Bobby Brown's awards will be up for auction as well.

"It's a warehouse full of stuff from her shows," said Steve Newmark, co-owner of A.J. Willner Auctions, which is conducting the sale next Tuesday morning in Irvington, New Jersey.

A publicist for the singer confirmed to AP that most of the inventory is "old equipment from past tours that she doesn't need anymore. It's not unusual for artists to sell off staging and equipment not in use anymore." 

The sale is the latest in a number of financial and legal tangles Houston is currently handling. After filing for divorce from Bobby Brown, her husband of 14 years, Houston was sued in November for nonpayment on a $1 million mortgage on part of her estate in Mendham, New Jersey. The singer avoided foreclosure on the Morris County parcel by paying off the debt last week.

CORINNE BAILEY RAE INSPIRED BY BOTH POP AND HIP-HOP

U.K. newcomer Corinne Bailey Rae has connected with audiences in both her native England and across the U.S. with her self-titled debut album. She is nominated for Grammy Awards as Best New Artist, as well as for her hit song, "Put Your Records On." While her music blends folk, soul, jazz, and pop, Rae says she admires a wide range of styles.

"I think music is going in two directions," Rae told Billboard.com. "People like a lot of popular music where songs don't mean much, but it's about hooks, production and little catchy things. Then there are people who also like listening to someone strumming a guitar and playing a song. I really admire both styles -- the Carole Kings of 'How does a song work?' and more like inventing a new style of production, like on (Snoop Dogg's) 'Drop It Like It's Hot.'"

The singer adds that she is more directly inspired by classic soul sounds. "I really tried to stay away from what's happening in contemporary music and just listened a lot to the music I love, like Marvin Gaye, Al Green and Stevie Wonder, and thought of that as a benchmark," she explains.

Rae has benefited from a raft of media appearances and touring, including recent December performances on TNT's Christmas In Washington and CBS' The Early Show.  She also recently taped an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Mary J. Blige that will air January 16th.

MO'NIQUE'S COOKBOOK KNOCKED BY ORGAN DONATION CHARITY

Comedian and actress Mo'Nique was just elaborating on a theme when she published her cookbook Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted last year. But a non-profit organization devoted to raising awareness about organ donation among African Americans doesn't think it's funny.

Automatic Life Inc. announced Wednesday that the comedienne's cookbook sends a message that supports unhealthy eating habits. The organization stresses that healthy eating habits can help prevent the African American community from developing diseases that lead to the need for organ transplants.

"We certainly admire Mo'Nique and view her as a talented entertainer with strong ties to the African American community," said Kyle Ransom, chairman of Automatic Life, Inc. "However, her cookbook promotes eating habits that African Americans must limit for good health."

According to the National Kidney Foundation and the New York Organ Donor Network On Kidney Disease, due to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and glomerulonephritis, African Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure, which requires dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant to sustain life. In addition, African Americans experience kidney failure about four to six times more often than White Americans with diabetes.

Mo'Nique's cookbook was published in October by HarperCollins and features anecdotes and observations about food and family as well as recipes. The book follows Mo'Nique's first best-seller, Skinny Women Are Evil.

BEYONCE OUT OF RUNNING FOR OSCAR

Beyonce Knowles, who plays "Deena Jones" in the film version of Dreamgirls, has already been eliminated from consideration in one Oscar category. The diva has been deemed ineligible for an Academy Award for Best Song, a writing honor, even though she's listed as one of the four writers of "Listen," a song penned especially for the movie. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' music awards rules, "No more than two statuettes will normally be given in the Original Song category. A third statuette may be awarded when there are three essentially equal contributors to a song." The Academy offered no explanation for why Knowles was excluded in favor of the other three writers.

HALLE BERRY’S READY TO BE A BRIDE?

Those Halle Berry wedding rumors are heating up -- thanks to a pre-Christmas trip the Oscar-winner made to stock up on goodies at L-A's Sweet Lady Jane bakery. After buying her treats, Halle grabbed a wedding cake brochure and started peppering the counter staff with such questions as, "How far ahead of time do I need to place an order?"  And the plot thickens.... seems there are pictures of Halle popping up all over the internet that shows her sporting a little tummy pouch.  Could the stork be preparing to make a delivery?

LL COOL J HITS THE ROAD TO PROMOTE NEW BOOK

Rapper and actor LL Cool J is currently on a two week promotional tour promoting his new book, LL Cool J's Platinum Workout. The book tour kicked off on January 3rd in New York City and will wrap on January 13th at the Wal-Mart in Evergreen, Illinois. SOHH.com reports that LL Cool J wrote the book, which hit stores last month, with his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig. The book includes fitness programs for men and women that vary in degree from bronze, silver, gold, and platinum workout levels.

Platinum Workout also features photos of the rapper demonstrating the proper way to do the exercises as well as his personal recipes and meal planning for those who are looking to lose weight.

In related news, LL Cool J is working on what may be his last album for Def Jam Records under his current deal. The album, Todd Smith Pt.2: Back To Cool, will hit stores on March 6th and will be executive produced by 50 Cent.

FANTASIA ON HER DEAL?

Fantasia isn't sure why her father is suing publishing house Simon and Schuster over her memoir Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, but she says that ultimately, they're still family. She tells Sister 2 Sister magazine, "I don't know what my father's reasons are for doing what he's doing... I thought ahead of the situation and I said I don't want anybody to come back to me and say, 'Why this, or why that?'"  Fantasia adds that she related her side of her story to a ghostwriter, who also got accounts from other family members. "Whatever was said [to upset my father] came from their mouths...but at the end of the day I love him. He's still my father and I just pray about the situation and keep it moving."

Fantasia's self-titled sophomore disc is at number-21 on Billboard's R-&-B album chart.

REMY MA, SHAWNNA, & JACKI-O LAUNCH FEMALE SUPER GROUP

Female rappers Remy Ma, Shawnna, and Jacki-O have come together to form a female supergroup. A source told Allhiphop.com, "They have been recording tracks over the past month, Jacki-O has been in New York, Shawnna and Remy have been in Miami. The album is going to define all three of them and the material is going to speak for itself."

The trio hasn't decide on a name yet but are shooting to release their new album this spring. There's no word yet on which label will release the project as all three artists are signed to different labels.

Remy Ma released her debut album, There's Something About Remy, on SRC Records last year. Jacki-O released her debut album, Poe Little Rich Girl, in 2004 on the Poe Boy Entertainment label, which is distributed by TVT Records. Shawnna has released two albums through Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace label, which is distributed by Def Jam Records.

Shawnna is the only member of the trio who has been in a group in the past. The rapper released Changing The Game on Relativity Records in 1999 as one-half of the Infamous Syndicate.

Shawnna explained that she's a versatile artist. She said: "As an artist, I would say multi-faceted. I can basically get down anyhow, anyway you want me to. I can get down with Snoop and Dre. I can get down with Master P. I can get down with Cash Money. I can get down with DTP. I can get down with Trick Daddy and Trina in Miami."

Shawnna added: "I get in where I fit in, that's the type of artist I am. You'll never be able to label me as a 'that type of rapper' 'cause I can do whatever."

JUSTINE SIMMONS ALSO RUNS THE HOUSE

Justine Simmons, the beloved mom on MTV's wildly popular reality series 'Run's House.' will be making her literary debut with the children's book 'God Can You Hear Me?' later this month.

She worked extensively with celebrated illustration artist Robert Papp --over the past several months-- to give birth to the book.  The 32 page, oversized hardcover captures the questions and prayers young children ask as they confront moments of loss, confusion and sadness.

"As a child you are blessed to have the opportunity to create a wonderful friendship with God for the rest of your life. Take advantage of it," the woman who can be simply referred to as "The Hip-Hop Generation's Claire Huxtable," writes in the last page of the multicultural offering, geared towards children ages 5 to 10 years old.

"This is the ideal resource for parents and children as they work through whatever is taking place in their lives, tapping into the very hearts and spiritual concerns in an accessible, universal way," said Amistad/ Harper Collins publicist Gilda N. Squire.

Simmons and her husband, Rev Run, (of Run DMC) recently suffered the tragic loss of their newborn daughter, Victoria.  "Until now, Justine remained silent about losing Victoria, choosing instead to privately grieve," Squire added. "That there are parallels between the book and her family’s own experiences make this publication all the more poignant and timely."

The book hits stores on Jan. 23 and will retail for $16.99.

CHIT CHAT QUICKIES

Pop and R&B singer Rihanna earned the Entertainer of the Year award at this year's Barbados Music Awards, held in Bridgetown on Friday, January 5th. It's the second year in a row the 18-year-old has won the island's top award.

Hip-Hop video model/television personality and actress Melyssa Ford has joined Sirius Satellite Radio as an on-air host. Ford will be a host on Sirius' commercial free R&B/Hip-Hop station, Hot Jamz, channel 50. Ford's first day on the air starts Monday, Jan. 15 and her show will air from 12-6 pm EST. Ford has graced the pages of magazines like XXL, Maxim and Black Men's Magazine. She has also been featured in videos by Jay-Z, Mystikal, Jadakiss, R. Kelly and others.

Word on the street is that Laila Ali is engaged to former NFL star Curtis Conway.  Supposedly the twosome got engaged over the Christmas holidays, but there has been no confirmation from Ali’s rep.

Will Smith claims he can laugh any woman into bed. Will told Britain's Empire magazine: "Comedy is better than muscles, better than money, better than looks. It's like if you can make a girl laugh out loud, you're in. It almost like the pressure of the laugh makes her underwear fall off."

Eva Longoria of "Desperate Housewives" has been chosen as the new face of Bebe Sport.

At least one of those rumors about MARIAH CAREY'S bizarre habits is true.  Mariah freely admits that she sleeps surrounded by humidifiers.  TWENTY of them, in fact.  She says, quote, "Literally I'll have 20 humidifiers around the bed.  Basically, it's like sleeping in a steam room.  The bed is all terry-cloth, the ceiling is pitched so the water can't fall on my head, and it drips down to my side, and the TV is behind glass."

Alicia Keys has slammed the music industry for being too concerned with mainstream popularity to speak out on controversial political issues. She`s an anti-war campaigner and active fundraiser for several African AIDS charities, and isn`t one to shy away from speaking her mind.  Alicia says, "I think music and socialism and politics have always gone hand in hand. As artists we used to be way more instrumental in providing a soundtrack to the heartbeat of what`s going on in the world. We all don`t have to think the same thing, but it`s important to state what we think. There is such a fear of termination of one`s career if they have any intelligent thought about politics and that`s messed up."

It pays to have friends in high places. Tina Knowles' Dereon collection -- the juniors offshoot of her and Beyonce's House of Dereon -- has been selected as the official clothing sponsor for the New Jersey Nets dance team. B's beau Jay-Z, of course, is a co-owner of the Nets. Tina says, "The Nets dancers are such a fun part of going to the games. We are thrilled to be able to provide Dereon wardrobe for these extremely talented young women."

What if somebody came up with a list of the Most Annoying Celebrities of 2006, and Donald Trump only came in second while Kevin Federline finished 18th???  Believe it or not, that happened.  The website AmIAnnoying.com has released its annual list of the Most Annoying Celebrities of the Year, and Star Jones beat Trump to the top spot.  Paris Hilton was a close third.

The nominations for The People's Choice Nominees of 2007 have been released.  Queen Latifah, Chamillionaire, Eminem, Nelly, Samuel Jackson, Halle Berry and Denzel all received Nods.  Click here for the entire list!