- Is it a coincidence that Jazmine Sullivan added a little Mary J. Blige flavor to the intro of her latest single, “Hold You Down?” We think not. Sullivan and MJB are set to head out on tour together. It all kicks off in ATL on October 2. [MTV]
- Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock will take over for Brendan Fraser in “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” We really don’t need a good reason to stare at Johnson, so this’ll work. [Vulture]
- Gabourey Sidibe’s mother is a finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” Alice Tan Ridely is proud to have Sidibe as a daughter, but she’s making her own way into the business. The former subway singer continues to wow judges. [BV]
- Toni Braxton’s Nevada home is in foreclosure. Sadly, this isn’t the first time she’s had financial issues. Toni and Keirston Lewis, from whom she is separated, purchased the home in 2007 for $2.6 million. It’s currently listed as a foreclosure for $1.15 million. [Perez]
- MTV and Foursquare have teamed up to reward anyone who gets an STD checkup with a virtual “badge.” It’s part of MTV’s “GYT: Get Yourself Tested” campaign. [AP]
- Will Smith and Denzel Washington are just the latest celebs who will be joining the “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon airing September 10th. [AP]
- Jersey City will be getting its first Black fire chief. Deputy Chief Darren Rivers, 49, will take over the position when the current chief’s retirement becomes effective in the next few days. Congratulations! [NJ]
- The writers behind “Nixon” and “Ali” are teaming up to write a screenplay for Tupac’s biopic. Stephen J. Rivele and Chris Wilkinson will focus on Tupac’s final day, with flashbacks to the previous four years. This should be exciting to see. [MTV]
- The Congressional Black Caucus has ordered an internal audit of its scholarship program after Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson admitted that she “steered scholarships to her relatives and the children of a staff member.” [AP]
- President Obama says he’s not too worried that 18 percent of Americans think he’s Muslim. “The facts are the facts,” he told NBC Nightly News. [EurWeb]