Ne-Yo has filed a lawsuit against R. Kelly for firing him because he was more popular. In the lawsuit, filed in L.A. Superior Court against Rowe Entertainment of Atlanta, Ne-Yo (real name: Shaffer Smith) alleges that an "unknown representative of R. Kelly urged Rowe to terminate" him because of the "audience’s and critics’ more favorable reaction to Smith than the reaction to R. Kelly."

When Ne-Yo was dropped from the tour just before Thanksgiving, "contractual differences" were cited. Ne-Yo, who was set to make $785,000 for 25 dates, says he’s only been paid $50K of that, and he’s suing for that and for other compensatory damages.

Jay-Z had the same problem with R. Kelly.

Katharine McPhee, Ne-Yo, and Vanessa Hudgens opened the Christmas in Washington Special 2007 playing for President Bush. Which of the three did you like the best? My favorite was Vanessa.

Vanessa Hudgens is 19 years old today. Happy Birthday Vanessa.

Hayden Panettiere has overexposed herself. She’s everywhere, even the Ronald McDonald house, and posing with Ne-Yo. At this point she’s all played out. Then I find out she’s stripped down to her undies again, and posed for Vogue. One mistake a lot of young stars make is to give an interview they have to live up to, like the one Hayden gave to Vogue below:

Hayden on when she intends on becoming the latest screwed-up girl in Hollywood:
“Never, never. Cross our fingers. You can’t schedule rehab for me. And I don’t think you can schedule any DUI’s. I think I’m going to be one of those boring girls.”

Hayden on Britney Spears:
“That girl was the epitome of beauty when I was younger. And we built her up and just ripped her down, put every aspect of her life under a microscope. Probably made 90 percent of the stuff up along the way. I can’t even imagine if I had it like she does. She’s someone that I’m rooting for, and I hope she can make that comeback.”

Hayden on the craziest rumor she has ever heard about herself:
“Well, now that I’m single, it’s like I’m dating every male I’m standing next to, and possibly every female.”

Hayden on rumors she is dating her Heroes castmate, Milo Ventimiglia:
“No, I’m not. I love my castmates, and I adore Milo. He’s awesome, but we’re easy targets. We’re both young, and he’s one of the only people on the show not married with children.”

Hayden on celebs she wouldn’t mind being romantically linked to:
“God, it could be anyone from Leo DiCaprio to Justin Timberlake, or any girl. You want to make me a lesbian? That’s totally fine with me. Um, let’s see. We could do a love affair with Angelina. We could do… Oh gosh, I love, there are so many beautiful girls. Charlize Theron. Oh, my God. Kate Beckinsale is gorgeous. Jessica Alba.”

I thought Hayden was smarter than this interview. She loves the attention. Look how she keeps trying to get someone, anyone, to start a rumor she’s a lesbian. She reminds me of Lindsay. If Hayden really wants attention she should just pose for Playboy. Do it now before gravity takes its toll. Actually, I changed my mind, maybe she should just go to a nude beach with another girl and make-out with her while the paparazzi snap a few pictures.

R. Kelly suddenly removed Ne-Yo from his tour stating the contract wasn’t signed. Ne-Yo is upset and wanted to finish the tour. Why would anyone want to tour with someone charged with being a pedophile? NeYo’s publicist has released the following cryptic statement:

“Yesterday, Shaffer Smith aka Ne-Yo was informed that he was being dropped from the rest of the R Kelly tour after delivering two sensational performances. Entertainment reporters, music critics, bloggers, fans, and concert goers all agreed that Ne-Yo’s performances brought the heat; but maybe it brought too much heat.

He’s written hit songs for Beyonce “Irreplaceable” and Rihanna “Unfaithful” (spending a combined 19 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100), said Tango, Ne-Yo’s business partner and manager. He’s written songs slated to be on Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, and Enrique Iglesias’ new albums. In a recent article in Ebony Magazine, the king of pop, Michael Jackson, referred to him as one of the artists that impresses him most. The fans were really feeling his performances. He’s good; maybe he’s too good – that’s the problem.”

It seems like déjà vu – didn’t R Kelly have drama on his last tour. R Kelly’s camp sited the lack of a signed contract as the reason for removing Ne-Yo from the line up.

“I don’t understand their actions because I was rehearsing, doing media, promoting the tour, and performing,” said Ne-Yo. “In my opinion, I was doing everything possible to make the tour a success. I love being on stage in front of fans because of the immediate feedback you get. You know right away if they are feeling you; and they were really feeling our show.”

Ne-Yo expressed genuine concern regarding not having the opportunity to complete the tour. He wanted all of his fans and supporters to be able to see him live. “To my fans and ticket holders – I apologize if you are disappointed.”

In 2004, R. Kelly and Jay-Z’s conjoined tour came to a halt after Kelly was blasted with pepper spray by a member of Jay-Z’s entourage. Jay-Z later said that R. Kelly was a weepy, emotional wreck, prone to crying fits during the duration of their tour. Just the other day R. Kelly’s publicist quit saying "lines being crossed."

On August 25, 2006 Hollywood Grind brought you pictures that showed someone who looked like Ne-Yo getting some oral action by a female who was identified as a Ne-Yo dancer. It is being reported now that Ne-Yo did an interview for Essance Magazine, and tells them he is, and always has been, Gay. I am hoping he will also comment on the pictures that surfaced to find out if he really means bi-sexual. For the ladies that thought those songs were talking about a girl, he says he was really talking about a guy. Read more:

The newly famed singer/songwriter has come out of the closet and announced that he is gay. The multi-platinum recording artist sat down for the October issue of Essence Magazine last week and announced the shocking news stating, “Yes, I am in fact gay, and I have always been.” After several internet rumors have been circulating around the internet. He also said, “You know this world we live in is full of judgement, resulting in one of the reasons why it took me so long to come out.” Earlier this month, a man by the name of Derrick Johnson claimed that he had an intimate relationship with the singer during there teen years in high school. He also said that for months the singer and Def Jam has been trying to pay him to keep quiet over the ordeal. Ne-yo responds saying, that the relationship did occur and he is no longer ashamed of saying that he was deeply in love. Reciting “That situation was what inspired me to write the song “Unfaithful”. But no one knew it was actually about myself, and our relationship.” He told Essence that he doesn’t care anymore, he was tired of living a lie and is ready to come clean. Quoting, “the music industry can either except me for who I am, or desert me.” The full interview with the magazine is expected to hit stands mid-October.

Barbra Stradoff,
Essence Magazine

Related article:

Ne-Yo Caught with His Pants Down?