Issue Date: June 6, 2004
One-named singer Tamia is relaxing after a spring tour with Beyoncé, Missy Elliott and Alicia Keys. Her third CD has been out two months, but she has yet to experience the success of the hip-pop starlets. "My process has definitely not been 'American Idol,'" she quips, "but I've enjoyed a steady, fortunate career." Now Tamia, 29 -- who has a daughter, 2, with husband Grant Hill, the injured Orlando Magic forward -- faces an uncertain future. Last summer she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis: "I went from jogging 2 miles a day to not being able to get out of bed." MRIs and spinal taps found two spots on her spine. "I went through 'I'm not telling anyone.' Now I think it's important to share it. It doesn't have to be a death sentence." Tamia's CD "More" came out in April.
Is Fred Thompson, top D.A. on two "Law & Order" shows, really a senator from Tennessee?
Carol Gartrell, Phoenix
Not anymore. He served from December 1994 to January 2003, including part of Al Gore's unfinished final term.
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Running around an open field and kicking a ball on a breezy spring day. It's the carefree behavior typical of many boys, but for Freddy Adu, 15, it comes with pressure. It's his job. The 5-foot-8, 140-pound soccer phenom from Ghana is drawing sellout crowds in Washington, where he plays for D.C. United. The team pays him $500,000 a year; Nike, $1 million to endorse its products; and Pepsi, an undisclosed amount to do the same. He got his high school diploma through an accelerated program but is taking notes on his more mature teammates. Says Adu: "I'm watching how they carry themselves. I understand I have to watch what I say and do whenever I'm out and about." Adu shares a room at home with his 12-year-old brother.
Dominic Monaghan did a wonderful job as the hobbit Merry in the "Lord of the Rings" movies. What's next for him?
Carrie Sears, Deerfield, Mass.
He has a few indie films ready to go, including "Shooting Livien," co-starring Sarah Wynter ("24") and Ally Sheedy. He's also completely charming, an avid surfer, a non-smoker, and tends to spend a lot of time with his "LOTR" co-stars. We spotted him recently with Elijah Wood at a hip Hollywood sushi place, perhaps troubled by women. Written on his right hand: "Girls Lie." Monaghan still hangs out with all his "LOTR" buddies.
I'm a big Angelina Jolie fan. What's going on in her life?
Thomas Kibitlewski, Fox Lake, Ill.
Ignore the tabloid rumors that have Jolie canoodling with her "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" co-star Brad Pitt. Not true, her publicist says. Besides, the actress, 29, has her hands full. She has three movies coming this fall: "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" (Sept. 17), the animated "Shark Tale" (Oct. 1) and Oliver Stone's "Alexander" (Nov. 5), starring Colin Farrell. Also, Jolie remains a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations. Jolie's main man is son Maddox, 3 in August.
What happened to Kyle Chandler, one of the sexiest actors around?
Jo Cina, Floral Park, N.Y.
The flop of "The Lyon's Den," in which Chandler, 38, played an evil adversary of Rob Lowe, wasn't his fault, so he'll probably end up with another series. But he has nothing right now. He's looking, though, his manager says.
What can you tell me about MTV correspondent Gideon Yago, who has been reporting events from the Middle East? Does he have personal ties there?
Brooke Hunter, Honolulu
No, but his American dad and German mom met in Israel. Yago, 26, raised in Forest Hills, N.Y., became MTV's first correspondent in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait. He tells us: "These young Iraqis are the untold heroes, the future leaders of their country, putting themselves in danger." Yago, who got his start reporting for MTV's Choose or Lose campaign in 2000, is back with it for 2004. So what issues are important to young people? "No. 1: jobs. No. 2: paying for school. No. 3: war and terror." Yago says young people sense their future is at stake.
The predictable finish to "Sex and the City," coupling Carrie with Big, was disappointing. They couldn't do better?
Elizabeth Cantrell, Madison, Tenn.
"It's in our nature to want a couple to realize they're in love," says Candace Bushnell, the model for Carrie. Start the series anew (that's what I'm gonna do) on TBS Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET, starting June 22. There's new material to replace that deemed too graphic. Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth will be less racy in reruns on TBS.
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BIRTHDAYS
June 6: Sandra Bernhard, 49
June 7: Anna Kournikova, 23; Allen Iverson, 29; Prince, 46; Liam Neeson, 52
June 8: Julianna, Margulies, 38; Joan Rivers, 71; Barbara Bush, 79
June 9: Natalie Portman, 23; Johnny Depp, 41; Michael J. Fox, 43
June 10: Elizabeth Hurley, 39
June 11: Joshua Jackson, 26; Joe Montana, 48
June 12: George H.W. Bush, 80
Contributing: Gayle Jo Carter, Tameka L. Hicks, Kevin Maynard, Evelyn Poitevent
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