JANET JACKSON MAD AT VANITY FAIR MAGAZINE

The Janet Jackson camp is none too pleased with Vanity Fair. Jackson’s attorney sent a scathing letter to the magazine demanding a retraction of an article in the November 2012 issue, according to Us Weekly. The magazine article, which is an excerpt from Randall Sullivan’s upcoming book, “Untouchable: The Strange Life and Tragic Death of Michael Jackson,” claims Janet, 46, delayed her brother Michael Jackson’s funeral until she was reimbursed for her $40,000 deposit to secure his plot. Janet’s attorney, Blair G. Brown, addressed a legal letter to Vanity Fair’s Editor-in-Chief Graydon Carter saying the story is “false and defamatory.” “Ms. Jackson never delayed the funeral in anyway…To falsely accuse Ms. Jackson of holding up her brother’s funeral over money is outrageous. This story is particularly hurtful and distressing because of Ms. Jackson’s strong desire to serve her brother, whom she loved dearly, and he wish to stand with and support her family…I demand that Vanity Fair retract its statement that Ms. Jackson ‘refused’ to let Michael Jackson’s funeral take place until the money she put down as a deposition on his burial plot was repaid,” Brown wrote. “To the extend that this statement appears in excerpts of Untouchable published in Vanity Fair’s November 2012 issue, I demand that Vanity Fair publish a retraction explaining that the statement is false.”

BEYONCE DROPPED OUT OF MOVIE

The Clint Eastwood-directed remake, “A Star is Born,” looks to be going through some difficult times in finding a stable cast. The leading male role is said to have been fitted with many actors like Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, and Tom Cruise. It was reported in mid-2011 that Beyoncé would play the leading female role, but filming was put on hold due to her pregnancy. Now, according to Variety, Bey is out, due to a packed schedule.  Jazz singer Esperanza Spaulding is now rumored to be being considered for the part. The usually low-key Grammy-winner made headlines in 2011 when she won Best New Artist, beating out Justin Beiber. “A Star is Born” tells the story of a talented young singer who falls for a rock star who helps launch her career while his diminishes. If production of the film ever begins, this rendition of “A Star is Born” will be the fourth version of the 1937 original film that starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. Judy Garland and James Mason were the leads in the 1954 version, and Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson led the 1976 remake.

CELEBRITY QUICKIES

RumorFix is reporting that Deion Sanders’ estranged wife Pilar Sanders has been forced to move out of her home because the gas and electricity have been shut off. The model, who continues on in her nasty divorce with the former NFL player, did not pay the bill because she’s having a hard time making ends meet, according to her publicist Kali Bowyer. Futhermore, Pilar claims that the $10,500 a month is just six percent of Deion’s income. Deion tweeted the website, “@RumorFix lol kids are with me half the week. Check your facts whole articles wrong. Lol God bless u.” One word for pilar, BUDGET!

Things in R&B singer Monica’s lovely public life was going well, until her ex-fiancee Rodney “Rocko” Hill decided to join the cast of “Love & Hip Hop.” She is very much against this whole thing, especially because they have children together. Supposedly, Monica is attempting to stop the madness before it gets started. She even publicly shared some thoughts saying, “Be very careful not to mistake the devil’s gifts for blessings,” she tweeted. “The devil knows how to grant u with what u want!! God grants u with what u need!! The righteous walk isn’t always easy but the end result is everlasting life. Which do u choose?” Rocko then posted his own subliminal tweet. “WHATS FOR ME IS FOR ME!!!!! YOU CANT STOP IT!!!!! I STAY PRAYED UP!!!!!”

Following a purchase of rights to "Soul Train," Magic Johnson has plans to keep the brand alive on screen with a possible Don Cornelius biopic and a new "Soul Train" television series.” "We're talking about a movie of Don Cornelius, a movie of his life," Johnson shared as a guest on "The Wendy Williams Show" Wednesday.  While he did not reveal any further information, Johnson sees much value in bringing "Soul Train" back to television.  "Can we bring it back to TV ? Because most of us, or our parents, learned how to dance from watching "Soul Train," said Johnson. "It's a great brand."

If you need some motivation to work on your fitness in 2013, "Yes" singer Q Parker's got a workout plan.  Well, a workout inspired calendar. Q Parker is not only releasing his album The MANual on October 30th, he's pushing his third fitness calendar (dropping on the same day) for the fans. Plus he wrote a song specifically for Breast Cancer Awareness month.