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[repostus]US actor Tracy Morgan critically injured in crash (via AFP)
US actor and comedian Tracy Morgan was in critical condition Saturday after a fatal six-vehicle accident early in the morning in New Jersey, his representative told AFP. “Tracy remains in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. He sustained…

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Just use promo code: SHORTS14 at checkout, but be sure to hurry since this sale only runs Friday, June 6th.

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Exclusive Topshop for adidas Originals Collaboration Returns to Shelves

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[repostus]Rihanna among stars to hit designers’ red carpet (via Repost Video News)
Pop star Rihanna joins top fashion icons on the red carpet of the 2014 Council of Designer of America Awards (CFDA). Duration: 00:52

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One fourth founding member of the Grammy nominated and multi-platinum selling group 98 Degrees, Jeff Timmons, currently holds a new crown as the “New Mr. Las Vegas”, with the success of his roles in the infamous Chippendales.

Timmons’s new success spawned possibly one of his greatest ideas yet… to recreate what a real male revue should encompass. Thus, the concept of the “Men of The Strip” was born with co-founders “Money Mike” and Emmy nominated choreographer and creative director, Glen Douglas Packard.

These men seem to have the right recipe for success or at least the success of aspiring, handsome men who not only dances, but can sing and act. All of them profess the same idea: “Men of The Strip” is a win, win and plans on making a lot of money.

Timmons took some time out of his busy schedule to part with us some thoughts and advice, in a Q&A, which you can read for yourself.

Why a male revue? What’s the back-story behind you being a part of “Men of Strip”?

I saw extraordinary success with the concept when I hosted a show in Vegas a few years back. Remember, I was a host and singer, not a dancer. I do not have the physique these guys have.

Your physique seems to do fine, and most fans would not have a problem with it. Are you always so modest and is that something that comes from your upbringing?

Well, I was raised to be the best. I can always see very clearly my flaws, no matter how successful I am, or no matter how good I may look. It’s a blessing because I am always working and trying to get better, but a curse because I never relax or give myself credit, and as I get older, I am starting to realize I will never be perfect.

How has the transition been from being in a band like 98 Degrees to hosting a male revue show?

Easy! All of our younger female fans grew up, and deserve their girl’s night out!

You are now married to your second wife, how does she feel about you being an exotic performer?

I’ve always been an exotic performer, even when I was in 98 Degrees. Lol! My wife loves and encourages it. She’s the best.

As a grown-up, you are expected to do grown-up things. However, being a father can put you in precarious situations like your young children asking you about work. What would you tell them or have you had this conversation already?

They’ve seen both shows I’ve done. Nothing I ever do is that over the edge or raunchy enough to hide from my children.

You are not new to reality TV, but how do you think the “Men of The Strip” reality show will differ from “Mission Man Band?”

There is much better production and backing…

Where do you see a reality show like “Men of the Strip” two seasons from its debut and what do you hope to accomplish?

I want to live vicariously through the guys. I want them to extend their brands, and see their hopes and dreams come into fruition. So much of the focus has been on me throughout my career, and it’s nice to see other folks go through the process and meet their goals.

How have you been able to keep your body in such great shape? What’s your daily routine and diet?

All beer, no food, lol…

No, seriously… How do you keep your body so fit? Don’t say it’s, “All beer, no food.”

I just watch my diet and try to stay lean. I do yoga, free weights, and many restrictions diet-wise.

You’ve been in the male revue business for years, in Vegas? Why have you now thought to share it with millions of people through reality TV?

I feel the behind the scenes lives of these performers make an incredible story. Glenn Douglas Packard has created an amazing stage show and the combination of the two scenarios is priceless to see.

If you could dance for any one person in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?

I don’t dance, but I’d love to perform with Britney, Christina, or Gaga.

Why perform with Brittany, Christina and Lady Gaga? How has each of these superstars influenced you?

They are all about re-invention and creativity. Their stage shows always impress.

What is one interesting fact about you that we would not guess based on looking at you and your profession?

I’m very shy.

So you’re shy, uh? When performing or singing happy birthday for someone on entertainment TV, how do you brave the shyness and just step out there?

You just get into a set mind-frame; that is hard to explain. It’s a love, hate relationship with yourself.

Recently 98 Degrees reunited, any chances of a special episode of 98 Degrees, as a whole, being in a male revue routine?

I would love that!

What was one memorable experience you guys had, as a group performing, that no one knows?

I think doing a music video with Stevie Wonder. He was so incredibly humble, and music was just flowing through the guy. It was a dream.

Was there ever a time you felt a bit envious of Nick, because he was always the one who got all the attention?

No. I always like to give credit where it’s due. So, if you know the group, it was not always quite like that. Like all boy bands, every member in our group had millions of fans.

How has your fan-base changed from the days of 98 Degrees to the “Men of The Strip”?

Now, our fan-base is more diverse and older.

What is the weirdest fan request you’ve ever received personally, as a member of 98 Degrees and how did you handle it?

Never answered… Too steamy to mention, I guess!

Aside from the reality TV show and revue, can we expect any TV hosting jobs as your band-mate Nick Lachey?

I’ve been fortunate to have been offered many gigs doing that, but have been unable to because of personal situations with family and what not. However, Nick is a natural at it, and I was just on VH1’s “Big Morning Buzz” with him. It was incredible to see him do it.

What is the craziest thing a fan did in Vegas while you were performing?

Jeff said the show was too crazy to describe what happens during a performance. However, if anyone been to a strip club or saw “Magic Mike” staring Matthew McConaughey and Channing Tatum, you know exactly what goes on.

The revue is a grown up show, right? We’re all grown-ups and so are your fans… Taking a page from LL Cool J’s book… When asked about his provocative music, he said in no simpler words… “He’s grown, and his music is for grown-ups…”

It’s sexy, and not much different as far as the audience. I would not say it’s more grown up at all. “Men of the Strip” is more polished.

We know women can be just as wild in the strip clubs, some wilder than men… So what is the craziest grown-up thing a fan has ever done, while you are performing in Vegas?

I’ve had a few overly excited female fans show up in my dressing room naked.

Is there a rush? 

There is always a rush when I perform, but I get incredibly nervous right up until the second I hit the stage.

Honestly what do you get from it mentality?

I get pleasure from making folks happy.

Of all the things you’re learning, while being in the business, what advice can you give to those wanting to travel in your footsteps?

Stay humble, believe in yourself, and outwork everyone.

So who initiated the regrouping of 98 Degrees?

We all thought the timing was right.

Who called who first? What are the rehearsals like? You guys have not sung together in years?

We all sorta called each other. Rehearsal was like riding a bike though.

Do you guys take vocal coaching to enhance your voices?

Nah. Sometimes, the over-practicing can ruin your natural flavor.

What was it like going on tour after being away for so long?

It’s the best ever. No pressure. The time of our lives.

What was one memorable experience touring, since you all got back together?

I was fortunate to have my family on the road the entire time, which made it the most memorable tour ever.

Is 98 Degrees working on any new music? If so, what producers and features can we expect on the project?

We’re all working on solo stuff. I want to work with Timbaland, Red One, Planet IV, Ne-Yo, and the list goes on. Dr. Luke would be great, but I cannot afford him, lol.

What is it about Dr. Luke that impresses you so?

I love his sound and choice of chord progressions.

Are you releasing any solo projects in the near future?

You bet… Very soon.

What is the title of your solo single?

I have a song called “Home Run”, which I’m digging.

If you could personally work with any artist, musician or producer, who would it be and why?

Michael Jackson. He was the best. Quincey Jones is my idol.

What is it about Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones you admire or love so much?

Easy. Both are geniuses in all aspects of entertainment.

Any shout-outs you care to give? 

My Band-mates from 98 Degrees, my partners and cast members from “Men of the Strip”, Brian Graden Productions, the E! network, and most importantly, all of our fans who have allowed me to live the dream.

Connect with Jeff Timmons:
Twitter.com/jefftimmons98

Articles By: Patrick KellySpecial Thanks: Katrina Hirtz, Jeff Timmons, Eric Thomas, Glenn Douglas Packard, Money Mike, the staff and all the men of “Men of The Strip”.

[repostus]Music Monday: J. Rod (via Repost Video News)
Singer/Songwriter J. Rod joins Fox 16 Good Day for Music Monday.

[repostus]China seeks to wipe Tiananmen from popular memory (via AFP)
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[repostus]Prince announces last-minute gigs in Paris (via AFP)
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[repostus]Psy’s new music video to be unveiled June 8 (via AFP)
Fresh from conquering YouTube by surpassing two billion views with his mega-hit “Gangnam Style,” handlers for Psy say the release of a follow-up video is just a week away, according to a report Saturday. The Wall Street Journal said the music star’s…

Childhood dreams are considered aspirational, but Monsiot Tahou turned his dream into a high-flying, wheeling and dealing, celebrity success story.

“I got into business management by happenstance. I took a chance on a company I heard about on TV, knocked on the door and got offered an opportunity to start as a staff accountant,” Tahou said.

In 2002, while still in grad school at Georgia State, Tahou was hired at Madison Smallwood Financial Group, listed in Black Enterprise Magazine’s December 2001 issue as the most prominent African-American firm in the entertainment industry. Tahou never imagined working with celebrities. In fact, he said he did not know celebrity wealth management existed until his hire.

“Little did I know my passion for music and financial planning collided and turns my life in a direction I never expected nor dreamed. I ended up working with a bunch of interesting people: the creative, the number crunchers, the label people, the attorneys, the managers and the promoters. These were some of the same ones I wanted to be like as a teenager. I have truly been a blessed man,” Tahou said in a phone interview.

Managing celebrity’s finances, from cash-flow to taxes and investments, Tahou also gave sound financial advice in decision making and how his clients should invest or spend their money. From Usher to Lil Wayne, Swizz Beats, Outkast, Music Soulchild, Kelly Price and Tyrese Gibson of the “Transformers” blockbusters, his firm handled some of the biggest stars of the time.

Phone conversations about Lil Wayne’s financial business were a daily occurrence. What he wanted to buy, who gets what monthly stiffen, are the baby momma’s bills being paid this month, were solutions he had to find answers to. If a celebrity’s utilities got turned off because they forgot to pay the bill, Tahou had to pay it. He managed private jet flights, rental and lease agreements and sometimes things got personal.

His clients wanted him to deal with their significant others, pay-off’s, shut-up’s, DL’s and infidelity. There were times he stood by his cellphone, in anticipation of demanding clients. “You would be so surprised what you learn about these celebrities by just doing their finances,” Tahou said with this smirk look on his face.

Are some celebrities too demanding? Yes, he said. Do they sometimes feel they are above the fray? He said yes to that too. Unfortunately, many celebrities feel they are above the fray, and their attitudes reflect it. There weren’t a shortage of him being cussed out and disrespected. Too often these same people forget their manners. They forget their pants go on like everyone else. “It’s my job,” Tahou would say.

Tahou’s life was not that of an accountant’s. Outside of work, he found himself in the middle of “the high-life”. His pass time involved mixing and mingling with top a-list celebrities, hanging out with NBA stars on Ocean Drive or Lil Wayne’s crew on Lincoln Road in South Beach. Celebrity events, concerts and mansion parties too often came with the job.

Speaking about The Black Eyed Peas, Tahou said, “The entire band was refreshingly down to earth and meeting them was actually an out of body experience. Their manager invited me to Las Vegas to ring in 2010 with them at the Luxor. I was taken aback by the willing hugs at the stroke of midnight. That night I also met Fergie’s husband Josh Duhammel, and the legendary Prince.”

Leaving Madison Smallwood’s Miami branch in 2007, Tahou found himself in Los Angelos 2 years later, working for an accounting firm handling the Black Eyed Peas. He lucked-up on being budget comptroller for the Black Eyed Peas E.N.D. World Tour, from 2009-2011, but later left the firm, after finding out they were allegedly being accused of not filing taxes for the Black Eyed Peas.

“It was a whirlwind experience dealing with a massive $40 million budget and moving over 200 people from one continent to another for 100 dates,” Tahou said, in an interview with Editor-In-Chief Patrick Kelly of USL Magazine.

Announced in January of 2010, the AEG Live produced tour spanned five countries and featured the six-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum artists The Black Eyed Peas, with multi-platinum superstar T-Pain, double platinum rising-star Jason Derulo and #1 hit-maker B.O.B. as special guests.

Tahou said his proudest moment, while working for The Black Eyed Peas, was when he got his mom VIP tickets to the tour in Paris. “She called me right after the show to express her amazement at the production machine I was a part of (rising stages, flying motorcycles and thousands of screaming fans),” Tahou said, in an article with USL Magazine.

When asked what he learned from being a part of the Black Eyed Peas E.N.D. World Tour, Tahou said, “The most shocking thing was what one learns about the clients’ habits, based on their monthly credit card statements; private stuff you could live perfectly fine without knowing. Needless to say, as a professional, I cannot divulge these idiosyncrasies.”

“The satisfaction I got while working in finance for celebrities is that, as a music fan, I was privy to the entire process as it was happening. I was paying invoices related to studio sessions, artist feature fees and promotional events, so I was aware of new songs, collaborations between artists and TV appearances before most people. I felt like an insider, not a field one, but an office one,” Tahou said.

“I also got to meet many of my favorite artists up close and talked to them one on one. It was an unreal experience. I learned a lot, gained more experience and built long lasting relations with top record execs,” Tahou said.

So many young children are inspired by family members or what they see on TV. As a child, Tahou dreams changed often. He said he found out he had to start wearing corrective vision lenses, so the dream of becoming a pilot went out the window.

“As a child, I initially wanted to become an airline pilot because my uncle was one and he seemed to have an interesting life visiting all these different countries. I must have been around 7 or 8 years old,” Tahou said.

Inspired by the 1987, Oliver Stone film “Wallstreet”, Tahou said he was inspired by Michael Douglas’s character Gordon Gekko. His “dream transformed into becoming a high flying corporate attorney, wheeling and dealing as the suits seen in the movie,” Tahou said, exclaiming feverishly.

“My preparation for the new dream included getting good grades and excelling in Arts & Humanities in school. The dream did change, however, as it became more altruistic. I now wanted to help people. Being the child of two attorneys, I can remember being at the dining table and hearing sad stories of individuals dying without having their estates in order. I then decided to become a financial planner so I could help people avoid such dramatic outcomes, once they left this world,” Tahou said.

Fixed on the ideals of becoming a Financial Planner, Tahou wanted to be as well-rounded as possible. And nothing can prepare you for international business as an American education, implied Tahou.

“I came to America for school because I wanted to be fluent in English, which is the business language of the global economy. My parents happened to agree with me that the French education and business world were not as dynamic as the American’s,” Tahou said. He and his family settled on Atlanta because his mom visited the area during the 1996 Olympics and fell in love with the city.

At first Tahou wanted to attend the University of Georgia for its prestige, but later transferred to Georgia State University, because of its proximity to the Buckhead night-life. During his first semester, Tahou shared time between school, friends and worked as a busboy. “Once I got more settled in school, I then took on-campus jobs like stocker at the campus library and on-campus security,” Tahou said.

“Those jobs taught me discipline and respect for my superiors, which is something I still carry to this day,” Tahou said.

A Financial Manager and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Monsiot Tahou graduated from Georgia State University with a BBA in finance in 2000 and an MBA in finance in 2004. A compatriot of Cote d’Ivore, West Africa, Tahou said he came to America to get a better education and a taste of the “American dream.”

“I can honestly say that I tasted the “American dream.” I, an African college graduate from Cote d’Ivoire, working and rubbing elbows with people the rest of the world only see on TV. There was nothing predisposing me for such a career. It took guts, courage and smarts to survive in the shark-infested music industry water, but I am grateful for the experience,” Tahou said, over an online interview with USL Magazine.

Becoming a Financial Planner was a dream come true for Tahou. But his life as he knew it took a turn no one could imagine. He was a healthy 34-year-old, thriving professional. He worked-out regularly and ate moderately well, yet his life came to a crashing halt one May afternoon in 2012.

While sitting on the steps of a friend’s condo in Atlanta, Ga, Tahou began feeling a bit disoriented. He began speaking with broken speech and his left arm went limp. “It was the most frightening thing I had ever experienced,” Tahou said as he adjusted himself on the tan chase sofa, positioned in the living room of his West Atlanta home.

He arrived at Emory University Hospital in a worse state. His brain began swelling, and he went into a coma for two weeks. When he came to, Tahou was completely paralyzed on the left side, from the shoulder down. Doctors told him he had a stroke brought on by high blood pressure.

Knowing that high blood pressure was hereditary, Tahou did not take his health as serious as he should have. Almost one-third of all Americans have high blood pressure, and it’s more developed by African Americans. One of every 19 deaths in the United States is caused by stroke; which is attributed to high blood pressure, according to the Center for Disease Control.

After his release from the hospital, Tahou said his entire life changed within a blink of an eye. A life that was once filled with jet-setting, celebrity events and mansion parties, dwindled to loneliness and feelings of helplessness. His Miami and Los Angelos high-rise condo soirees turned into bedridden Borden. People, who were once celebrity tailgater’s, disappeared and weren’t returning his phone calls.

In a life of despair, Tahou realized who most loved and cared for him. Family and a few trusted friends were all that were left around him. His entertainment career was no more. His connects were off to the side-lines, and people packed up and left, once they could not get their hands on his bank account.

Tahou’s eyes got a little misty as he began talking about the mistreatment he sometimes endure from others. You could tell he was hurt in how people mistreated him, after they realized they were not going to get anything from his misfortune. “Sometimes I would be sitting in a restaurant with friends and the waiter would ask my friends what I wanted to eat. It was as if I was invisible or something,” Tahou said.

He was not the assertive Monsiot Tahou everyone knew. He was not the one making all the calls anymore. His self-esteem had fallen to an all-time low, because he and others began looking at him as a cripple.

“Being in a wheelchair makes me feel like a cripple, but I had to use it until I could get my body stronger,” Tahou said. Thirty days after being released from the hospital, Tahou was out of the wheelchair and struggling with a cane. Sometimes he would trip and fall or lose his balance, but just continued to get back up.

Therapy and rehabilitation was very trying for Tahou. He had to go to Emory Rehabilitation Center five days a week, where therapists would help him to stretch and move his left arm and leg. “The cane came in handy and I don’t feel like a cripple anymore. I feel a bit more normal,” Tahou said.
“I have never had a friend experience such a traumatic thing in their life before. And what I learned is that what affects our friends affects us too. I was just in Miami with Monsiot before the accident. Only meeting him a few months before, I was deeply affected by his misfortune and wanted to be apart of not only the prayer circles to uplift him but wanted to extend myself however I could assist in the healing process. Going through therapy with Monsiot, picking him up from therapy and then without any knowledge of physical therapy myself, beginning to help him weekly, was a test of faith and friendship, as well as dedication. But it helped me to develop a deeper sense of those in need and how I could be effective and helpful. I am amazed how God has worked in Monsiot’s life, and I only pray that he continues to build his strength and be a light and a testimony to other young people that have similar stories. The experience with him changed my life forever and has given me a greater sense of self. God bless,” said Miranda “Glam Soulstar”, a friend of Monsiot.

One year out of Emory University Hospital, Tahou is still in recovery and continues to go to therapy. Because he can no longer pay his bills, the family takes care of it and sometimes visits from West Africa and his brother from Canada. Tahou’s friends in the Atlanta area come by his home to bring groceries and take him out from time-to-time.

Now Monsiot Tahou spends most of his days at therapy, walking with his cane at the neighborhood park or talking with friends and family on Facebook. He says he’s taking things in stride and feels optimistic about a full recovery.

In December of 2013, Tahou moved back to Cote d’Divore. He said he needed to be around his family, and it’s too hard being in the U.S. without them. His family and friends are supporting him, he said, and he’s even walking without a cane and feeling is coming back to his left arm.

“Monsiot has always been driven to succeed. He would move to another city if necessary; Atlanta, Miami, New York or L.A, whatever it takes. So no stroke, no matter how severe, is going to stop his drive.

“I have known Monsiot since college, Georgia State University, circa 1997-98. We met in a marketing class. He struck me as someone who was going to make it then. He would sit behind me and laugh at me because I would often fall asleep in class. One day I heard him, laughing, and we have since been close friends.”

“When Monsiot had the stroke, I was very afraid, but something in his eyes told me “don’t give up on me, because I’m going to get through this with your help.” It was a trying time, and I never knew what it meant to be a caretaker until this stroke episode with him. It was exhausting, expensive (driving back and forth to the hospital) and revealing. Ultimately, it made me realize that Monsiot was not just a friend; he was family. My family, his family and friends all banded together to help him and help each other. I’m very happy to know that he is on his way to recovery,” said Rickey Gresham, another close friend of Monsiot.

Between the therapy and trying to build a family, Tahou is keeping himself busy. He’s still creating opportunities for himself in the entertainment industry, just one year since his stroke and eight months in recovery. He has turned his eye to communication and print media and said he saw an opportunity to mix his MBA business skills with his entertainment industry connections. “I want to bring about a superior offering to my home-country and not stray too far from the entertainment realm where true opportunities abound,” said Tahou.

“Without a doubt, I see me at the helm of the flyest, dopest, cutting-edge entertainment company in the region. In 5-years, I do hope that another mega-project I’m involved within the U.S., with GTG Media, would have taken off, forcing me to split my time between home and America. I’m sure I’ll miss my future kids, but I’ll see how to handle both. In 10 years, I plan to have checked off a few items from my bucket list, and be on the road to financial independence, while spending more time with my growing family,” Tahou said when asked where he sees himself in 3-10 years.

Connect with Monsiot:
Twitter.com/bmoc78
Facebook.com/jeanluc.tahoucfp

Article By: Patrick Kelly
Sources: Monsiot Tahou, Miranda “Glam Soulstar” and Rickey Grisham
Photos Courtesy of: Monsiot Tahou, GSU, The Arbiter, Ron Niebrugge (Luxor), Derick G (Lil Wayne) and Annette Brown/Getty Images North America (BEP)

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