R&B star Ne-Yo’s newest song, “Never Knew I Needed,” will be the lead single for Disney’s first-ever animated film featuring a Black princess.

The movie is called “The Princess and the Frog” and it debuts Dec. 11. The movie features the voices of Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard and Anika Noni Rose, who plays Tiana, the princess.

Howard, a Chris Brown Defender, Has His Own Issues
Hustle & Flow star Terrence Howard, who last week defended alleged girlfriend-beater Chris Brown, was himself charged with punching his wife, according to police and court records obtained by The Smoking Gun. Last week, Howard, hounded by paparazzi to make a comment about reports that Brown had assaulted his lady friend, Rihanna, described the troubled actor as “a great guy,” E! News reports. “He’ll be all right,” Howard said. “And Rihanna knows he loves her. She’ll be all right. Just everybody’s got to get out of their way.” But what wasn’t clear at the time was Howard’s own background of domestic violence. Apparently, in 2001 Howard was arrested in Pennsylvania on suspicion of assaulting his wife, Lori McCommas. Following a two-year separation, Howard and his wife were arguing over the phone when the actor stormed over to her home, broke down her front door, according to the police report. He has warned her, on the phone, “Don’t disrespect me by hanging up on me or I’ll come over and hurt you.” She called 911, E! News reports, and, while she was talking to the dispatcher, Howard arrived. He “broke the front door down and ran through the screen door in the kitchen. Howard then grabbed the victim’s left arm and punched her twice with a closed fist in the left side of the face,” the report states. When police arrived, he confessed that he had hit her. He was booked on suspicion of simple assault, making terroristic threats, harassment and stalking, and disorderly conduct, E! News reports. He was freed after post $20,000 bail and pleaded guilty in 2002 to disorderly conduct. Howard and his wife divorced in 2003 but remarried two years later. They have two children together but are currently separated. Howard has since retracted his positive remarks about Chris Brown, saying, “When they asked me about Chris Brown the other day, I was in no way aware of what he had been accused of,” Howard said. “Had I known, I would have never had said something so insensitive.”

MC Hammer to Star in Reality Show

Seems like everybody’s getting a reality show these days. In the latest reality-show update, America will get an up-close, personal look at the life and times of rapper MC Hammer, who will be heading to the A&E network in the near future. So, what will the show be called? “Hammertime,” of course. Read why producers chose Hammer here. 

Jennifer Hudson confirms 7-year-old relative’s death. An autopsy has been scheduled today on the body of a third murdered member of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson’s family. The former “American Idol” contestant confirmed her nephew Julian King’s identity Monday after the 7-year-old’s remains were found in the SUV police had sought in connection with his weekend disappearance. He’d been shot in the head and left in the abandoned vehicle, which was spotted by a Chicago man walking his dog. The discovery of King’s body followed a double-slaying in which both Hudson’s mom Darnell Donerson and her brother Jason Hudson were found dead in their Chicago home late last week. The Illinois Department of Corrections has William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister, in custody, though he hasn’t been charged with the killings. Police questioned Balfour until he was transferred to the Department having allegedly committed an unrelated parole violation. The singer reportedly remained in Chicago with her relatives Monday, having cancelled a West Coast video shoot, then offering a $100,000 reward for her nephew’s safe return, and finally identifying him at the morgue. Chicago police reportedly stepped up their investigation, taking the SUV in which King’s body was found as evidence. Along with fellow Chicagoan Sen. Barack Obama and various other celebrities who’ve sent condolences to Hudson and her family, her record label issued a statement Monday: “On behalf of the RCA Music Group and Arista Records, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences to Jennifer and her family during this difficult time.” See photos on how the tragedy unfolded here.

Terrence Howard allegedly attacked composer. The hits just keep coming for Terrence Howard, who himself is accused of hitting a man in the face during preparation for a Broadway play. Having just accepted the discovery, by reading about it in the media, that he was dropped from the Iron Man sequel, he faces a $5 million lawsuit. Composer Tex Allen says Howard punched him as he rehearsed music for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in January. Howard co-starred with James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad in a Black revival of the classic play. Allen alleges that Howard’s attack ruined his musical abilities and seeks damages. Combined with a bombed musical debut, the Iron Man dis and lawsuit seem to be pushing Howard’s latter ‘08 on a downward slide.

John Singleton won’t direct re-make. Film director John Singleton has dropped any plans for his involvement in a movie re-make of popular 1980s show “The A-team.” First set for a June 2009 release, the movie has attracted interest from both Ice Cube and Tyrese, who’ve expressed interest in the B.A. (”Bad Attitude”) Baracas role played by Mr. T. But Singleton cancelled his agreement to direct the movie when it was pushed back to 2010 so Fox execs could focus on a sequel to the animated Alvin and the Chipmunks, according to Daily Variety.

Alicia Keys will perform at annual broadcast.

Not only will she attend as a five-time nominee, but superstar Alicia Keys will perform at the American Music Awards next month. The Secret Life of Bees co-star is confirmed to play the annual show Nov. 23 in Los Angeles. Keys, a nominee for Artist of the Year, joins Ne-Yo, Rihanna, and Kanye West among others set to play the show. The American Music Awards will be held at the Nokia Theatre.

Actor says he expected to appear in “Iron Man” sequel.

Actor Terrence Howard says he read in the media – just like you did – that he wouldn’t appear in the sequel to this year’s film Iron Man. Howard was replaced by Traitor and Hotel Rwanda star Don Cheadle after a reported financial disagreement. The Oscar nominee plays Jimmy Rhodes in the original movie, a character set to appear in the 2010 follow-up. Howard called his replacement “the surprise of a lifetime,” adding: “I read something in the trades (implying) that it was about money or something, but apparently, the contracts that we write and sign aren’t worth the paper that they’re printed on sometimes.”

Terrence Howard out, Don Cheadle in for next Iron Man. Don Cheadle will step in as character Jim Rhodes in Iron Man 2, replacing Terrence Howard, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Marvel Studios hasn’t said why Howard is out, but word is that financial disagreements were a factor. Cheadle’s Rhodes will reportedly have a bigger role in the sequel than Howard’s Rhodes had in the original. Cheadle is currently filming director Antoine Fuqua’s cop film Brooklyn’s Finest. Iron Man 2 is already set for a May 7, 2010 release.

Gary Coleman accused of hitting fan. Former “Diff’rent Strokes” star Gary Coleman has pleaded not guilty to reckless driving and disorderly conduct charges after he allegedly hit a fan with his SUV in Utah. Coleman was an hour late to court Tuesday before denying the charges that could send him to jail for six months if he’s convicted. He’s accused of attacking Colt Rushton, 24, after Rushton reportedly took Coleman’s photograph at a bowling alley last month and claimed to have followed the actor into the parking lot to retrieve a cell phone allegedly taken from him. Coleman allegedly attacked Rushton and backed his vehicle into the fan. Rushton was treated and released from a hospital.

Lethal Weapon 5 not likely to be filmed. Things don’t look good for actor Danny Glover teaming up with Mel Gibson again for a fifth Lethal Weapon movie. Ten years after Lethal Weapon 4, which also starred comedian Chris Rock, an insider says Mel Gibson turned down the offer. “I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn’t involved,” says Richard Donner, who directed the first four blockbusters. The action sequels have made Glover and Gibson among the most famous police partner characters in Hollywood history, creating the mold for such duos as Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan.