JUICY-NEWS

According to Banks, the statement read: "I was very shocked and disappointed to hear of Johnny Gill's false spin on the chain of events surrounding our wedding. His outrageous lies were clearly a very desperate and pathetic attempt to clean up his reputation at my expense. I would appreciate it if Mr. Gill would refrain from continuing to spread false gossip and lies to the public, and allow everyone involved to move on with their lives. We all know the real truth."

Banks told listeners Monday that Tracey had reached him by phone that morning, but was under gag order and couldn't discuss the issue because of a confidentiality agreement she signed with Eddie at the end of their relationship.

"He is going to be her dad - her father-figure," the 32-year-old singer says of her husband Stephen Belafonte, who she married last June.

Brown adds that her film producer husband makes her feel like a woman, something she did not experience with her relationships.

"He is a man [and] I don't think I've had a man before. Normally I'm the man," she says. "He makes me feel like a woman, a lady."

And despite rumors about the Spice Girls' falling out, Brown insists that the group is "rock-solid."

"What we've been together - I'd forgotten how intense and powerful it was."

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden buying gifts for Harlow in Santa Monica.

Will Smith has taken the first steps to fulfilling his dream of becoming U.S. President.

The Hollywood star - who recently revealed he would love to become America's first black president - has been approached by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to play him in a film of his life.

Obama told 'Entertainment Tonight': "Will and I have talked about the idea of him playing me because he has the same ears as me! He would be perfect."

Last year, Democrat supporter Smith revealed his political aspirations, saying: "I always wanted to be the first black president but Barack Obama stole my idea. That's OK with me. Barack can go first and then I'll take my turn."

Smith explained he would immediately address some fundamental issues if he were in office.

He added: "Once I'm in, I'll start changing a few things that urgently need changing."

"The basis of human sanity is physical survival. So I'd start with universal health care and shelter."

Smith is no stranger to playing real-life icons on screen.

In 2002 he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his role as boxing legend Muhammad Ali in 'Ali'.

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Tyson says, "Jamie Foxx and I will be working together. He will play me in the film about my life. We already talked about it several times." Tyson also insists he is finally free of drugs for the first time in years, admitting he was never completely sober - even in his boxing heyday.

He says, "Even when I was training for a fight, there were no drugs, but I would drink. I had never been clean and sober my whole life. This is the first time. I'm tired of losing. I lost the trust of my family, my five kids. I didn't like that way of life and decided to change. I saw the devil and didn't want that."

A national dance craze in Ivory Coast has spawned a black market in treatments claiming to increase one's bottom size.

The dance in question has been inspired by DJ Mix and DJ Eloh's hit song Bobaraba, which means "big bottom" in the local Djoula language.

DJ Mix says it was inspired by women."We made it as a tribute to women, because African women are defined by the shape of their bottoms," he says.

"Move your bottom, jump, you see, it's alive." Kady Meite, one of his dancers, says the song is a message for women. "There are women today with large bottoms who are embarrassed, so it's to say don't be ashamed - be comfortable," she says.

The message seems to have been taken on board - so much so that some women are now going in search of a "bobaraba".

Injections

In the sprawling Adjame market just north of the city centre in Abidjan, women sell "bottom enhancers". Bottom enhancing treatments sell for $2

"You need to inject this liquid into your bottom once a day," says a market trader, showing a vial of coloured liquid labelled "Vitamin B12″. Each vial costs $2. The label claims it is made in China.

"I've always said he's an amazing father ... it's just now people decide they want to listen. He's an awesome dude. He's like my best friend."

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NEW YORK (AP) - Eryka Badu doesn't want you to believe the gossip rags when it comes to her friends - but when it comes to the singer herself, that's another story.

''Don't believe the tabloids,'' Badu told an audience as she performed Tuesday night for VH1 Soul.

But she said: ''It is true what they say about me and men - (I) make them wear crocheted pants and chin guards!'' She broke out into laughter, then added: ''But they souljas, though.''

Rapper Common, still receives laughs for wearing crocheted pants when they were dating.

Badu, 36, was serious though as she defended the honor of her friend, R&B singer Eric Benet, who took a beating in the media when ex-wife Halle Berry accused him of cheating on her. ''He's a very responsible person,'' she told the crowd.

pictures of Erykah Badu peforming on VH1, Feb 19....

Jada became tearful after receiving their award.

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