There has long been speculation about who's gay, bi-sexual, or on the down low in the entertainment industry. It is this very speculation and guessing game that fuels gossip columns, blind items and entertainment industry blogs. Prior to Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Steffans and It's No Secret by Carmen Bryan, the large majority of celebrity-driven memoirs were published outside of the African American community. Yet, both books told compelling, jaw-dropping page-turners of sex, drugs and hip hop. The stories were not entirely shocking regarding the celebrities mentioned in those pages and served to further heighten their notoriety within the industry and amongst select fans.
There are many revealing stories and first-hand anecdotes offered by Dean about his travails throughout Hollywood and hip hop. Readers will be introduced to a wide range of personalities, including by not limited to (not their real names):
Jazz, "a nice looking brother, had women swooning when his character as a hard-working, married man graced the television screen. His hit show marked a milestone because of its accurate portrayal of African-American family life. The world doesn't want to know that their favorite actor likes sleeping with other men."
Lucas, "a megastar. No matter what film project he was attached to it was bound to be a box office smash," and Kareem, "a leading sitcom actor, is married to an actress." The film crew took bets on "how often Lucas's 'boyfriend' Kareem would show up and how long he would stay. It was like clockwork; Kareem arrived each day at the same time and went straight to the trailer for hours on end. Our circle was talking about the down low circle Lucas and Kareem were in. But it was a hard nut to crack; they were superstars."
Gus, a singer, attractive with "clear skin, dark eyes, bushy eyebrows, and short, wavy hair did not give way for a thug image. He was just too pretty." "One morning, I turned on my television and I wasn't prepared for what I saw on BET- my boy, Gus, parade in his video with a host of celebrity cameos mean mugging for the camera- I just wondered how he would keep his secret of sleeping with men a secret."
However, former MTV and Hollywood insider Terrance Dean writes a compelling account of his tumultuous life involved with celebrities and a taboo secret they would prefer never, ever be revealed in his new book HIDING IN HIP HOP. To visit further with Terrance Dean as he reveals his eloquent voice, go to www.TerranceDean.blogspot.com and his special "Confession" blog hosted by SOHH.com at http://blogs.sohh.com/confessions/.
