After living and breathing “Precious” for the past few years, many of us were probably wondering what director Lee Daniels would do next. The filmmaker, known for bringing films to the screen that center around controversial subjects—like pedophilia in “The Woodsman”—will endure a different kind of scrutiny as he moves forward with his latest project, “Selma”. The Hollywood Reporter says that Daniels has started casting his newest project, which is centered around the events leading up to the historic marches in the Alabama town, although funding is looking kind of shaky at best. He’s chosen David Oyelowo, a British actor who’s had a part in “The Last King of Scotland” and stars in three upcoming films including “Red Tails” as the legendary Civil Rights Leader while Hugh Jackman will play a racist sheriff.

The sticky situation that Daniels must negotiate is how to depict King’s legacy— should he include all the gory details? Apparently the family is a little nervous about that MLK III issued a statement that they’re  ‘reviewing the script’. King may be an icon but like all of us he’s human and he did have some issues. The Daily News reports that Daniels will avoid showing the Civil Rights leader in bed with a prostitute (although the FBI recording his liaison and subsequently sent it anonymously to Coretta Scott King). Daniels is focusing on the marches themselves  even though King  himself, didn’t exactly hide his dalliances from his wife  The Daily News says:

According to King biographer David Garrow, King explained his numerous extramarital affairs as “a form of anxiety reduction.” In 1968, according to historian Taylor Branch, he admitted to Coretta that he’d carried on a five-year romance with a married woman.

Although Daniels is no stranger to having to drum up backing, it may be a factor for his latest picture since his isn’t the only MLK project in the works. Earlier this year The Estate of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., gave its approval to a Steven Speilberg-produced biopic (giving this production to all of his close-guarded copyrighted material). “Pianist” screenwriter Ronald Harwood has already been hired to write the script. But no actors or directors are attached yet. Something tells me Speilberg won’t have an issue getting funding.

But it begs the question: why is it so hard for black directors to get a biopic made? Is it because studios don’t think our community will support the movies or that a big name director will draw mostly white audiences that might give them a shot of recapping their investment? All I know is I’d love to see Spike Lee get the stories of Jackie Robinson and Harriet Tubman made and I’d also like to see what Forest Whitaker would do with the Louis Armstrong script he’s just completed. I know I would go see these films as well as the MLK movies, will you?

Tunics have become one of Tory Burch’s signature statements. But although we’re not surprised to see them in her collection, she does manage to continue to do fresh interpretations each season. I love this Kara Tunic ($408) because it screams casual chic and the Native American-inspired print gives me that Zen feeling.

Let’s face it, most of us couldn’t make it through spring and summer with some good t-shirts. They’re as important as a pair of jeans in any women’s wardrobe. But although we like to keep it simple, we sometimes want to mix it up. Enter the Textile Junkie U Tee ($36) it’s made from Jersey with a funky, longer back that adds some extra polish to a tried-and-true basic

Jaden Smith, Will and Jada’s youngin’, is about to blow up in the reboot of “The Karate Kid” due out this June. The eleven year-old’s already picking up honors for the role and the film isn’t out yet. He was in Vegas on Wednesday to receive the Breakthrough Male Star of 2010 at ShoWest, an award given by movie owners. I believe the hype because the trailer is just that good.

Model Amber Rose helped kick off L.A. Fashion Week earlier this week by hosting the Gen Art L.A. Fashion Alumni Celebration at the Roosevelt Hotel. The idea was to honor designers who have shaped the fashion community including: Brigid Catiis, Grey Ant and Wren among others. This was a solo Rose affair since Kanye was nowhere in sight.

Earlier this week, WWD reported that American Eagle is planning to shut down Martin + Osa. Well it’s not too late to snatch some of their amazing and affordable styles. For example, I love these Cairo Flats ($89). Adorned with those stylish studs (and rubber soles) they easily elevate the idea of a knock-around shoe.

Millions of women tune in to Oprah (or set their DVRs) because they’re waiting with baited breath to see what the Queen of Talk has to say about any given subject. But it turns out that even the mighty Winfrey sometimes says something that can land her in hot water. Of course the most famous incident to date was the lawsuit Texas cattle producers filed against Winfrey back in 1996 following a remark she made on her show regarding mad cow disease. That led to a media circus of a trial. But this time the drama is surrounding comments she made in 2007, following the scandal at her eponymous school in South Africa. To refresh your memory, a dorm matron was accused of abusing a number of students. Of course she was dismissed. However, in press material and at a meeting with parents Winfrey may have given some the impression that the former head mistress, Numvuyo Mzamane knew what was going on.

Well, Mzamane took umbrage at those statements and filed a defamation suit against Winfrey. Even though Winfrey has the resources to hire the best legal representation, it doesn’t look like that it will save her from going to court. The Associated Press recently reported that a Philadelphia judge ruled that the former head mistress does have enough evidence to go forward with the lawsuit. The trial will begin on March 29th.

This may have come as a surprise to Winfrey’s legal team, who argued that she was only stating her opinion. But the judge, The Honorable Eduardo Robreno, believed otherwise:

“The implication that (Mzamane) was aware of abuse by the dorm parents and did not react accordingly is capable of defamatory meaning as it ascribes conduct which would render her unfit for her profession as an educator,” Robreno wrote in the 128-page opinion.

I’m not sure whether this trial will require Winfrey to spend a significant amount of time in Philadelphia like she did in Texas. However, it would give some of her die-hard fans to see her up-close and in-person in their area. But why Philly? It’s not the obvious conclusion like the choice of Texas for the previous trial. But Mzamane is the key. Before she was chosen to to head The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, she held a leadership position at Germantown Friends and after leaving South Africa Mzamane returned to the area.

Okay every time “A Low Dirty Shame” comes on I’m always reminded how much I like Salli Richardson-Whitfield. But our girl continues to do her thing over on the Syfy Network where she is going into her fourth season of playing Allison Blake on “Eureka”. She was at the network’s upfront yesterday ( in a great green dress) to unveil the new season of her show and hear about the rest of the network’s lineup. New shows of “Eureka” don’t start until July, but check out Syfy.com to view some full episodes.

Last night as I read the FLOTUS’ cover story in Newsweek , I realized something. With Michelle Obama’s focus on putting an end to childhood obesity with her “Let’s Move” campaign, she has successfully changed the conversation (the one about her). For most of her first year in the White House folks were primarily focused on what she was wearing  (or her body in general). To me this article proves that more people are now interested in what the FLOTUS is thinking and what she has to say. And to that I say, well done Mrs. Obama.

Now I’m not sure the interest has waned when it comes to the FLOTUS’ clothing choices, however, talking heads, journalists and critics of all kinds would look kind of weird if they tried to steer the conversation back to such a superficial level —especially when such meaty issues are on the table. If you ask me, I’d say that Mrs. Obama is trying to start a revolution. And I admire the fact that she’s speaking directly to parents about who’s really to blame for the current situation:

And let’s be honest with ourselves: our kids didn’t do this to themselves. Our kids don’t decide what’s served in the school cafeteria or whether there’s time for gym class or recess. Our kids don’t choose to make food products with tons of sugar and sodium in supersize portions, and then have those products marketed to them everywhere they turn. And no matter how much they beg for fast food and candy, our kids shouldn’t be the ones calling the shots at dinnertime. We’re in charge. We make these decisions.

I think her approach is working because her of no holds barred candor. There’s no attempt to put a pretty bow on this problem.  F urthermore, she’s made her message plain  and she’s hoping to make a real difference. Now we know that the FLOTUS was busy formulating a plan while the world discussed her cardigan vs. jacket choices. So this bears repeating, well done Mrs. Obama.

A little rain can’t keep a Princess down. This weekend Anika Noni Rose’s character, Princess Tiana,  was officially inducted into The Disney Princess Royal Court. The ceremony was held at New York City’s New York Palace Hotel where she joined a host of other legendary characters including Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan and Snow White in this historic group.  The event celebrated the release of the “The Princess and the Frog’s” DVD and Blu-Ray release today ($29.99-$44.99).. And I say pick it up. This is definitely a movie you want to have in your collection if you have a daughter, niece, goddaughter or you want to honor the little black girl within.