Former The Bachelor SA star allegedly homeless

 Critically-acclaimed former reality TV star, Lee Thompson is reportedly homeless. 

 According to a Channel24 expose,he has been living in a homeless shelter after his alleged eviction from a guesthouse in Buitenkant street in Cape Town where he had been leasing a room for R300 per night. 

 The publication states that the room he rented "was filled with filth ranging from condoms and liquor bottles to broken items which the guesthouse owner described as "a nest" and a "pigsty". 

IOL reports that the former reality TV star had previously also promised his fanbase a revealing tell-all book The Truth Behind The Rose about "about the good, the bad and the ugly truth of reality TV" through an online link he had shared at the time - the book never materialised despite pre-orders.

 Meanwhile TV production giant M-net released a statement giving their stance into the TV star's alleged misfortune.

 “The re-adjustment back to every-day life once a show is wrapped is taken very seriously. As such, working with our producers, we ensure that we give our stars robust support and tools to help them reintegrate back into society and this has helped many to resume their lives successfully.

 “The sad reality is that not all manage to do so sustainably, with some subsequently falling into unfavourable circumstances years after the end of their association with our shows," read the statement.

 Thompson rose to fame in the first season of the cult reality TV show, The Bachelor SA on M-net in 2019.

Photo: Facebook/ Lee Thompson

URBAN VILLAGE MUSIC

“In music, there is no colour or creed; it is a place where all people can connect with each other.”

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aving been inspired through travel and gaining experience throughout the years as a session guitarist, band principal, Lerato Lichaba founded the band Urban Village. The band is made up of young, self-taught and experiential artists from Soweto, Johannesburg. It is a musical motion of sound fused by urban and rural influences based on society’s daily survival, struggles and joys.

It has received overwhelming reception amongst its local supporters and throughout the African continent. Having performed in Northam, Amsterdam, Malawi, Spain, Holland and Tanzania to mention the least, Urban Village has proven that being distinct, unique and proud of one’s cultural background can just be as effectives as being a commercial performer.

“In music, there is no colour or creed; it is a place where all people can connect with each other,’’ says Lerato who says he is inspired by life and how people relate.

The band says Urban Village music encourages and motivates, entertains, and awakens cultural and traditional consciousness. Their music content encapsulates day-to-day personal and societal experiences echoed with teachings by the elderly.

The independent band has recently released its sought after six-track EP, Bantu Art, in April of this year which features popular favourites Ubaba and Makolo.

THE BAND

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ubatsi Mpho Moloi has been part of the band since its inception; the vocalist and multi-instrumentalist performer plays the Flute and Rhythm guitar. He has been part of the world renowned musical production, Umoja, where he was an actor and a dancer.

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ojalefa Mofokeng began his career as a drummer and percussionist playing the Djembe and Conga. He says his style of playing stems from his spiritual gift which explains the dreams he’s always had of playing the Djembe and Conga.

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olani “ Cush” Mtshali started playing drums in 2008 where he learnt at a local church. He says what inspired him to play drums was when he was really moved by rhythms and how they would make sense to him before he even knew how to hold drum sticks.

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imangaliso “smash” Dlamini began his career as a Disc Jockey in 2005 and developed his skills in music production, sound design and music business at the Soul Candi institute of Music. He went on to pursue his passion for the bass guitar and also studied music theory, performance, arranging and composing.

These creatives express their art in their attire just as much as they express themselves in their music. Adorned in tribal colours and funky hairdo’s; their sound influences cultural origin, traditional roots, evoking home-coming sentiments, pride and joy in one’s cultural origin.

Unathi Msengana’s third studio album

“Piece of my heart, the colours of my soul”.

Unathi Msengana’s third studio album ‘with love’ denotes a mature and intimate sound despite the pop influences in a few of her tracks that offers an evolving Unathi. Her distinct and unique voice  works to her advantage, she stands out as a vocal artist, and it’s not easy comparing her sound to her peers. 

With Love is a “piece of my heart, the colours of my soul”. The album is a form of personal and cultural expression. As is the norm with Unathi’s previous albums, the soundtracks are fused with that ghetto-ruff feel to them, despite the constant local beat virtually present throughout her songs. Unathi is deeply entrenched in her devotion for her Xhosa tradition, in spite of her modern sophistication; she is seemingly a woman who is proud of her origin and roots, manifesting that sentimental and nostalgic sound in her productions. 

‘Kwa Nolali’ is the most popular in the album exhibiting her African pride and joy of being a Xhosa woman. The song is about a wedding ceremony taking place at a family village as neighbours and families gather around as a collective in a jovial celebration uniting two families together. A true affirmation to what she’s dubbed herself as a “Village girl who found gold”. Her songs are typically mellow and laid back.

 ‘Woman’ is where she collaborated with pop singer Tamara Dey and poet Lebo Mashile which is a tune dedicated to all womankind. It consists of a pop flavour and strong guitar strings – which added a very different element to Unathi’s music. Lebo’s poetry retains the locality in the song, which could have easily transitioned into a pop song.

The album comprises of nine songs; the opening one ‘Majozi’ narrates a story of a man who went to Johannesburg(Jozi) – in pursuit of wealth to support his family in the village, only to strike a deal with the devil; he became a pimp master, sold drugs, which soon dangerously backfired and left him destitute. She has a constant voice range; there are rarely highs and lows in her songs. Her voice has been said to resemble that of late singer and struggle icon Mama Miriam Makeba. Consequently she did a cover version of hers on the track titled To Those We Love, an original by Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba; she pays tribute to Lebo Mathosa, Busi Mhlongo and Brenda Fassie.

‘Kubuhlungu’ is the pinnacle of this album. She details the narrative of losing a close one and how excruciating the loss is despite maintaining stoicism. It seemed almost like a trademark on Metro FM every Sunday afternoons when the late radio personality Eddie Zondi played it throughout his show virtually every Sundays; therefore it became fitting that she was personally requested by Eddie Zondi’s wife to sing the mellow, soulful and laid back track on his memorial service. The song comprises of strong back-up vocals to complement Msengana’s mellow vocals along with a pitched jazzy saxophone playing an integral role in the production of the song.

Other artists and producers who feature in the album include the late Mama Miriam Makeba, producer Sipho Sithole, Metro FM multi-award winner Kabomo Vilakazi (Unathi’s musical director), Gift Mahlangu, Fikile Luswazi, Malambule and Tshepo Sekele.

A few tracks in the album expose the romantic side of Unathi, baring her intimacy and commitment on her marriage to her husband, 5FM breakfast DJ Thomas Msengana.

Unathi has evolved both musically and vocally. Despite being a die-hard fan of Unathi and her work ethic, she didn’t do a sterling job on the album, relatively to her previous album In-honour- which was nominated for a SAMA (South African Music Award) in its year of release. Her sound is becoming too urban and consequently losing that street savviness and ghetto-ruff feel to it.

With her third studio album under the same record label, Kalawa Jazmee, there’s no consistency to one sound. She incorporated a different fuse of instruments which consequently made it urban and slightly pop. As a judge on idols SA– her position may have possibly although not necessarily may have influenced her music style. Her lovely personality makes it easier to love her songs.

PHOTO: www.mio.co.za

Paula Patton files for divorce!

"Robin is heartbroken that Paula has moved on so quickly,”

After relentless aims of trying to win his wife back after an alleged cheating. Robin Thicke, 37, is now officially back to his bachelor status.

His wife Paula Patton,38, has officially filed for divorce from their nine year marriage. According to TMZ she wants joint legal and physical custody of their four-year-old son Julian Fuego Thicke.  TMZ has reported that the divorce was filed in L.A., so there will be no issues over whether Robin may have strayed. 

The actress has reportedly moved in with her new boyfriend Zak Waters into her new home. “Zak moved in with her a couple of weeks ago,” a close friend of Patton’s says on RadarOnline.com. “They are very happy together and he treats her how she deserves to be treated.

"Robin is heartbroken that Paula has moved on so quickly,” the source said. “She is done with him. She does not want anyone talking to her about Robin. She has moved on.”

The couple announced their split in February 2014.

PHOTO: www.thehoopsnews.com

Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo split!

PHOTO: uk.celebrity.yahoo.com

"When you stop having more good times than bad times, it’s time to call it quits."

It has been on everyone's lips, and now it's official; Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo have officially split from their three year courtship.

Jordin,24, who rose to fame after winning American Idol season six at only 17, has been keeping mum on the subject. In an interview she recently had with talk show host Wendy Williams, she admitted to returning her BMW that was a gift from her now ex boyfriend Jason. 

"I haven't really had time to think about it, but yeah, I probably will," Sparks said on The Wendy Williams Show when asked about her plans to return the car. She then added: "He can have it." 

Reportedly the motive behind the split is that Jason, allegedly felt pressured to marry Jordin after he penned a song for her titled "marry me", in which he later featured Jordin in the video of it. 

The “Wiggle” singer revealed during an interview with On Air with Ryan Seacrest  that he's not the type to throw his business on the streets, “but I thought it was important because things are getting a little out of hand,” he said. “I’m seeing all kind of  stories about somebody getting pregnant, infidelity, things like me calling it off because of me being too busy and because of my new found success. So I thought it was important for me to call in and clear the air. 

 “What happened … in a nutshell, there was a lot of tension in the relationship for a lot of different reasons.
“Every relationship has ups and downs. There was a lot of pressures of marriage. There was a lot of arguing and stuff like that that just weighed on our relationship over time. When you stop having more good times than bad times, it’s time to call it quits. It becomes something that is unhealthy.” 

Joan Rivers finally laid to rest

PHOTO: parade.condenast.com

"When I die I want my funeral to be a huge showbiz affair with lights, camera, action. I want craft services, I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene! I want it to be Hollywood all the way. I don't want some rabbi rambling on; I want Meryl Streep crying in five different accents. I don't want a eulogy. I want Bobby Vinton to pick up my head and sing "Mr lonely". I want to look gorgeous better dead than I do alive. I want to be buried in a Valentino gown and I want Harry Winston to make me a toe tag. And I want a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing better than Beyonce's," she wrote in her 2012 book, I hate everyone....including me.

 The beloved comedienne's funeral service was held in NYC's Temple Emanu-El on Sunday, 7th Sept. Joan died at age 81 on Thursday, Sept. 4, after suffering complications from a minor throat surgery. She was cremated on Saturday.

Among some of the A-listers who attended the invitation only service to pay their respects to the comedy legend were, Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, Howard Stern, Kathy Griffin, Rosie O'Donnell, Mario Cantone, Kristin Chenoweth, Sally Jesse Raphael, Chuck Scarborough, Hota Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford, Andy Cohen, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeff Ross, Donald and Melania Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Judge Judy Sheindlin, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Geraldo Rivera, Alicia Quarles, Barbara Walters, Rachael Ray, Billy Bush, and Dr. Oz.

The Fashion Police star leaves behind her daughter Melissa Rivers and grandson Cooper.

SOURCES: US Weekly; NYtimes; Mirror.co.uk

Kris Jenner's alleged sex tape

PHOTO: gumbumper.com

Kris Jenner is being bombarded by phonecalls and texts from an anonymous guy who goes by the name of "Troy" claiming to have a sextape of her getting it on, in the Beverly Hilton hotel.

The momager has denied this and says that he is just an extortionist wanting to extort money from her. According to the Dailymail, "Troy" is looking forward to approaching adult entertainment studio Vivid Entertainment which, is a porn studio behind a few naughty celebrity videos, including one of Kris' daughter and her former boyfriend Ray J.

Steve Hirsch from the studio has vowed to buy and return the tape to Kris. He told Radar Online: " I have not been approached by anyone with any tape. If it exists, and I don't think it does, bring it to me. I'll buy it and hand it right back to Kris."

Radar Online asked Troy for proof of the tape's existence but he refused and said: "I am not [making it up]... I have the sex tape on my hard drive. It goes for a high price. I just can't release a sex tape. It is a million dollar sex tape."
Kris who has been receiving up to over 300 phone calls, voice mails and texts a day for the last few weeks - day and night, according to TMZ, reported the matter to law enforcements who took a report.

Kris told law enforcement deputies there is no such tape and the caller even flip-flopped during several calls and said Khloe instead of Kris, starred in the tape.

The person has said allegedly that if Kris doesn't pay up he's going to sell the tape to TMZ, of which TMZ declined the offer believing that there is no such. "It's not true and besides, it's not up our alley," wrote TMZ under the headline: Kris Jenner I'm being extorted over phony sextape!


- TMZ.COM, DAILYMAIL.COM, RADARONLINE.COM