Whether it was a momentous occasion or just an opportunity to test out the show and work out the kinks in front of a “modest” audience — because, once again, only 8,000 fans turned out — will be left for those that attended to decide.
If Beyonce’s first outing on her I Am ... tour was no major disappointment, it was still a somewhat muddled affair, one that didn’t really clear up where the line between Beyonce and her supposed “alter ego” Sasha Fierce is drawn.
If Beyonce is the soft-spoken side and Sasha is the brazenly hyper-confident persona, the whole concept never really spread its wings properly Thursday night at Rexall.
Opening with some momentous numbers — Beautiful Nightmare and Crazy In Love, which were peppered with touches of Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams, DJ Kool’s Let Me Clear My Throat and The J.B.’s Pass the Peas — you would have thought Sasha was already in the house.
Add a rump-shaking Freakum Dress and, three songs in, Beyonce — ahem, Sasha Fierce — was already in full-blown party mode, shaking her golden-sequined, bow-clad tush and flailing her hair about wildly.
If only it had stayed that way.
The quieter, more introspective segment that followed was a collection of moments ranging from mildly corny (Ave Maria and an awkward on-stage wedding gown transformation) to supremely boring (Satellite).
Apparently, we were still in “Beyonce” mode.
Sasha Fierce, as we now know from the video bit that introduced her, is actually a robot — a sexy, creepy android not unlike Astar from the old War Amps television ad (“I can put my arm back on ... ”), but one unafraid to expose some key parts of her anatomy.
If it took a few moments for Beyonce — uh, Sasha — to regain her momentum, she did manage to pull it off with the help of her 13 musicians and backup singers, a slew of dancers and harder hitting material like Halo, Irreplaceable, Survivor and At Last.
It wasn’t always perfect, there were obvious glitches here and there, and it did feel like the show dragged on for a tad too long (two hours and 15 minutes? Really?) before it finally got to the smashtacular Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).
BOBBY BROWN, WHITNEY HOUSTON: Crazy Times |
A new book about a brutal New York gang claims that Whitney Houston once coughed up 400-thousand dollars to clear a drug debt owed by then-husband Bobby Brown. In Preacher of the Streets, author David Collins writes that in 1993, Bobby got about 25-thousand dollars worth of cocaine from a New Jersey dealer and promised to pay later. But when Bobby couldn't be reached, the dealer contracted with Clarence Heatley, kingpin of the notorious Preacher Crew gang -- who was known for slicing off body parts of rival dealers before killing them. Collins tells the National Inquirer, "Preacher came up with a plan to make himself a lot more than 25-thousand" by holding Brown for ransom. Heatley allegedly tortured Bobby in a Bronx, New York apartment, terrorizing him for two hours through Bobby's weeping pleas to call Whitney -- who purportedly went to the stash house with the cash in a duffle bag
Akon vs Suge
Is Marion "Suge" Knight looking to get even with Akon? The trouble started when two of Akon's associates knocked out Suge during the N-B-A's All-Star Weekend in February. Now one of Akon's boys is claiming he was the victim of a home invasion by thugs who said they were collecting money owed to Suge.
Christopher Walker, who works with Akon's producer Detail, says five men broke into his suburban L-A home earlier this week and demanded money they said the producer owed Knight. Walker tells T-M-Z-dot-com that after drawing guns, the men stole 170-thousands dollars worth of jewelry and a safe that contained close to 100-thousand dollars.
Walker also maintains that the fight over All-Star Weekend was connected to the money Knight claims he is owed.
Divoricing
Looks like it's the end of the road for Dame Dash and wife Rachel Roy. According to New York's Daily News, fashion designer Roy has filed papers to dissolve their four-year marriage. The couple have two daughters. 
The divorce is the latest tough break for Dash, who's seen his fortunes take a turn for the worst since selling his share of Roc-a-Wear to Jay-Z for 20-million dollars in 2005. According to the News, Dash currently owes two-million in state taxes and foreclosure proceedings have begun on his two Manhattan condos. He's also being sued by several law firms and landlords for not paying his bills.
Rihanna Goes Hollywood?
Is Rihanna looking for new digs in Tinsletown? T-M-Z-dot-com reports that the singer was spotted checking for homes the Hollywood Hills
section of Los Angeles, where her neighbors would include the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Richie and Cameron Diaz.
Her choice of neighborhoods is drawing some attention, as Hollywood Hills is only minutes away from the nightlife of Sunset Boulevard. Rihanna currently lives in Los Feliz, which as a reputation of being much quieter
My Weight Loss
OK...folks. It's been about 2 weeks since the whole reality of my weight gain slapped me in the face. I've lost 4 lbs...walking and doing the Wii Fit. I walk in my neighborhood and I actually feel great. So...my goal is 50 pounds by my b-day..August 24. Gotta make it happen. Poeple say I don't look like I need to lose 50 pounds but I know I need to lose the weight. Tell me your story.
tonifoxx@wibb.com
T-Pain Sued
T-Pain has been hit with a five-million-dollar lawsuit following the cancelation of a recent show in Guyana as a result of alleged death threats. 
In a suit filed Monday in Broward Circuit Court in Florida, plaintiffs Hits and James Entertainment claim Pain's claims of death and kidnapping threats were unsubstantiated, and that his camp's demands had become excessive -- including requests for 12 airline tickets, a four-star hotel with 24-hour room service, bottles of various liquor, a private jet, F-B-I protection and a conversation with the President of Guyana. T-Pain received a 75-thousand dollar advance for his appearance, which Chase Entertainment has offered to return
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