ILOSM family, do y’all remember “Dudley?” He was the cool best friend of Gary Coleman’s character, “Arnold Jackson,” on the 80’s classic sitcom, Diff’rent Strokes. Shavar Ross is the actor who brought the “Dudley” character to life. While many know Ross from Diff’rent Strokes, that wasn’t his only acting job.

Shavar reunited again with Gary for the 1980’s movie Scout’s Honor. From there, he went on to act in other projects. Ross had a recurring role as T.C.’s son on the detective drama Magnum, P.I. and another recurring role on the series, Family Matters, as “Weasel.” He even took another stab at movies, starring in the fifth installment of Friday the 13th. Now that we’re pretty caught up on who the actor behind the “Dudley” character is, lets talk about what Shavar -the man- recently revealed about what New Edition’s Michael Bivins once did for him that he’ll never forget.

What Mike Bivins Did For Him:

While Ross developed a love for acting, he took a break from it and explored a career in ministry. Ross completed four years of Bible School at The Ministry Training Institute. Pursuing his education was a struggle, but he didn’t forget the people who helped him along the way. In 2017, he publicly shared a story about one of those people- New Edition’s Mike Bivins.

In his now deleted Instagram post, Shavar revealed that years ago, after the checks stopped rolling in from his acting days, he’d fallen on hard times and he broke down what Mike Bivins did for him at that time: One day -Shavar Ross, whose face was known everywhere- was sitting at the bus stop on his way to class to prepare for finals. He had sold his BMW to help his mother who needed the money. Without any transportation, Ross had no choice but to take the bus. To his surprise, someone recognized him. It was Michael Bivins with his then artist, rapper MC Brains. Shocked to see Ross at the bus stop, Bivins called him “Dudley” and told him to hop in. Because of Bivins, Ross was able to make it to his test on time. Although it seemed like a simple gesture, it was extremely humbling for the dude who was once a television superstar. Ross never forgot the kindness that Bivins showed him and he praised him for helping him to achieve his Associates of Arts degree.

Wow, Shavar’s recollection proves yet again that we never know what celebrities are dealing with behind closed doors. It also proves that not only does Shavar have a great level of resiliency after going through that humbling experience, it also proves that Mike Bivins and MC Brains have  compassionate hearts. They didn’t clown the brotha about falling from superstardom so to speak, they showed him the respect he’s earned, without judgement regarding his circumstances at that time.

What Shavar Ross Is Doing Now

Shavar resides in Los Angeles and has been married since 1992 with two children. Shavar operates his own film and television production company called Tri-Seven Entertainment. Through his production company, he continues to produce, write and direct his own material, independent of the mainstream studio system.

Ross is still apart of the entertainment industry. In addition to his entertainment company, Ross started his own personal blog. Shavar compared his blogs to making movies as he likes to edit them and include video footage. While he has two young children, he’s not sure if he wants them to pursue an entertainment career.

In this business you’re only as good as your last job. At least get an education even if it’s to learn how to manage your own money. Either way, I’d be there to guide my kids if it ever happened but I’m not actively trying to get my kids in the entertainment business, Ross shared with The Urban Daily.

The post Beautiful: Diff’rent Strokes’ “Dudley” Tells What Mike Bivins Did For Him When He Was Broke appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

ILOSM family, do y’all remember “Dudley?” He was the cool best friend of Gary Coleman’s character, “Arnold Jackson,” on the 80’s classic sitcom, Diff’rent Strokes. Shavar Ross is the actor who brought the “Dudley” character to life. While many know Ross from Diff’rent Strokes, that wasn’t his only acting job.

Shavar reunited again with Gary for the 1980’s movie Scout’s Honor. From there, he went on to act in other projects. Ross had a recurring role as T.C.’s son on the detective drama Magnum, P.I. and another recurring role on the series, Family Matters, as “Weasel.” He even took another stab at movies, starring in the fifth installment of Friday the 13th. Now that we’re pretty caught up on who the actor behind the “Dudley” character is, lets talk about what Shavar -the man- recently revealed about what New Edition’s Michael Bivins once did for him that he’ll never forget.

What Mike Bivins Did For Him:

While Ross developed a love for acting, he took a break from it and explored a career in ministry. Ross completed four years of Bible School at The Ministry Training Institute. Pursuing his education was a struggle, but he didn’t forget the people who helped him along the way. In 2017, he publicly shared a story about one of those people- New Edition’s Mike Bivins.

In his now deleted Instagram post, Shavar revealed that years ago, after the checks stopped rolling in from his acting days, he’d fallen on hard times and he broke down what Mike Bivins did for him at that time: One day -Shavar Ross, whose face was known everywhere- was sitting at the bus stop on his way to class to prepare for finals. He had sold his BMW to help his mother who needed the money. Without any transportation, Ross had no choice but to take the bus. To his surprise, someone recognized him. It was Michael Bivins with his then artist, rapper MC Brains. Shocked to see Ross at the bus stop, Bivins called him “Dudley” and told him to hop in. Because of Bivins, Ross was able to make it to his test on time. Although it seemed like a simple gesture, it was extremely humbling for the dude who was once a television superstar. Ross never forgot the kindness that Bivins showed him and he praised him for helping him to achieve his Associates of Arts degree.

Wow, Shavar’s recollection proves yet again that we never know what celebrities are dealing with behind closed doors. It also proves that not only does Shavar have a great level of resiliency after going through that humbling experience, it also proves that Mike Bivins and MC Brains have  compassionate hearts. They didn’t clown the brotha about falling from superstardom so to speak, they showed him the respect he’s earned, without judgement regarding his circumstances at that time.

What Shavar Ross Is Doing Now

Shavar resides in Los Angeles and has been married since 1992 with two children. Shavar operates his own film and television production company called Tri-Seven Entertainment. Through his production company, he continues to produce, write and direct his own material, independent of the mainstream studio system.

Ross is still apart of the entertainment industry. In addition to his entertainment company, Ross started his own personal blog. Shavar compared his blogs to making movies as he likes to edit them and include video footage. While he has two young children, he’s not sure if he wants them to pursue an entertainment career.

In this business you’re only as good as your last job. At least get an education even if it’s to learn how to manage your own money. Either way, I’d be there to guide my kids if it ever happened but I’m not actively trying to get my kids in the entertainment business, Ross shared with The Urban Daily.

The post Beautiful: Diff’rent Strokes’ ‘Dudley’ Tells What Mike Bivins Did For Him When He Was Broke appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Yvette Nicole Brown took fans by storm when she starred in the popular BET biopic, The New Edition Story. For those who missed it, Yvette- best known for her roles in Community, The Office, and The New Odd Couple- portrayed Michael Bivins’ mother, Shirley Bivins; and ironically, Mike and Yvette have a history together that most never knew about…until now.

In The New Edition Story, Yvette starred alongside the other ‘N.E. mothers’: La La Anthony (Flo DeVoe), Monica Calhoun (Patricia Tresvant), Lisa Nicole Carson (Mae Bell), and Sandi McCree (Carole Brown). The women worked together to bring the motherhood dynamic to life when the cameras were rolling, but most don’t know Yvette actually has a deep past with Michael Bivins. Their work together actually started long before the biopic.

Yvette & Michael Bivins’ Past Together:

Now here’s the kicker about Mike Bivins and Yvette: Yvette Nicole Brown was actually signed to Michael’s label, Biv 10 Records, back in the day! But that’s not all, during an interview with musician, Harry Connick Jr., Yvette revealed that she was not only a singer on Biv’s label, but that Mike was her manager. Then, after she’d graduated from college, she went back to work for Bivins as his assistant. Lo and behold, ten years after Yvette was no longer Bivins’ assistant, she morphed into his momma, Shirley, for The New Edition Story. Ain’t that something?!!

Check out Yvette Nicole Brown- a Cleveland, Ohio native- singing as a member of Bivins’ ‘East Coast Family’ clique in their music video for Biv 10 Records song, “1-4 All 4-1″…BUT THERE’S MORE…

SEE WHAT YVETTE SAID NEW EDITION’S BODYGUARD DID FOR HER & PHOTOS OF THE REAL LIFE MOTHERS OF N.E.>>>

The post “New Edition Story” Actress Yvette Brown Recalled Her History With Mike Bivins As His Artist appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh76gz9Aunq/

Mike Bivins New Baby & Wife 2 Weeks After Birth

Mike Bivins posted a photo of Teasha holding their baby girl, and he boasted on how beautiful they both are. Teasha also had her toned up abs on full display just two weeks after birthing their daughter and we’re giving her a hand clap and old school fist bump on her quick snapback. Check them out below..

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi-noOfHlr0/

Biv’ and his wife have been married for 12 years and also have three more daughters- Savi, Starlah, and Shi whom Mike refers to as his “Lil Supremes.”

Mike Biv’ Tells How He Learned From His Dad’s Mistakes

Mike is a true family man. A few years ago, we shared the message he gave, saluting fathers who are handling their business and raising their children. He also noted what he learned from the mistakes his Pops made:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BX5oib5h78Y/

“…My father was always gone working and representing the country in the Navy and my mother, Shirley, held things down at the crib. They never married. We lived in Orchard Park Projects in the city of Boston… There were a lot of single families that lived in our building. The month of June was always exciting because it meant school was almost over. Father’s Day as a holiday didn’t hold that much weight or anticipation.

When my father would visit my sister Tanya and I, we always went to Kentucky Fried Chicken on American Legion Highway and I always got a take out box and I would wait until I got back to my projects to let my friends see my bag and smell my chicken, haaaa! I was funny like that.

Gerard, my pops, didn’t…live with us. So after we chilled for a few, he would slide us some money for our pockets and then go on about his business. Still, to this day, we still chill and receive cards with money inside. We are a lot alike in our body frames, our noses and lips and our love for sports. Now I accept that I’m short because of him. It was hard at first, but I said I might be small, but I know how to ball on that basketball court. I’m the smallest in New Edition and BBD. (haaa, whateva!)

This is my perspective on daddies and fathers! Your kids call you Daddy because of the time you spend with them and the love you share with words and moments in the same house. Fathers sometimes don’t live in the house and come around every now and again. When some kids introduce their dads, they say ‘That’s my father.’ My kids say ‘That’s my daddy.’ – Mike Bivins; via Black America Web

Well said Mike, well said indeed. Congrats to the Bivins family on their latest addition!

The post Congrats: Mike Bivins Shows Off His New Baby & Wife’s Amazing Post-Baby Body appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Embed from Getty Images

A Message To The Fans:

The Bel Biv DeVoe star recently spoke out about the abrupt stall in the group’s plans to move forward with their reunion tour, new music, and the continuation of the film. He has confirmed that the tour has been canceled. Unfortunately, there’s some tension brewing and the guys just aren’t on the same page. Mike didn’t exactly go into detail about their differences but apparently, its bad enough to throw a wrench in their plans. On Wednesday, May 2, Mike took to Instagram with a meme with a seemingly cryptic message that read, “When God sees you doing your part, developing what He has given you, then He will do His part and open doors that no man can shut.”

Embed from Getty Images

In the caption, Mike opened up about the group and the problems they’ve been facing. He admitted that he’d spent the previous day campaigning with a friend in Newark, NJ and since he was asked repeatedly about New Edition, he decided to give the fans an explanation. “Yesterday I spent a day campaigning with a good brother @doitalldu in Newark,NJ as he is running for City councilman at large on Tues may 9th.But the kids and elderly folks all asked me about New Edition. My long drive home yesterday I said God help me release all my disappointment and receive all your steps you take to fix and help those in need of a breakthrough.We all felt like the victim at times in our long career and sometimes, it rears its head at the wrong time and last year was God’s time for us to smell our roses and to do what we do [our] best [to] entertain.”

https://instagram.com/p/BiRiG_7nkSp/

He continued, “Family business is family business and I know yall need answers on why ish is not going down ( the Big Tour , Part 4,5,6 of more of the movie, or anything else you do to celebrate with your fans) I’m on record this morning on behalf of Orchard Park Projects, Boston, Maurice Starr, Candy Girl and all that have participated and worked for this organization.I will do my part and talk and open up communication to get this ish back on track Ralph, Ricky, Ronnie, Bobby, Johnny & Brooke. With love and honor and respect at the table, God can do his work Good am & God Bless Michael L.Bivins #Bivfam and my big brothers.”

Fans’ Reactions:

Although fans were lookin’ forward to the tour, many thanked Mike for considering them enough to keep them informed. “Thank you @617mikebiv for being so transparent and sharing your heart. #ne4life, ” one fan wrote. “We love y’all and will always support New Edition,” another fan commented. Regardless of how long it takes, the real New Edition fans ain’t goin’ nowhere.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeqS6gyHC6x

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same:

Unfortunately, drama is nothin’ new where New Edition is concerned. For years, the members of the group have struggled to get on the same page for one reason or another. Each time they’ve attempted to reunite, the reconnections have been short-lived. There were even scenes in the biopic that captured some of the guys’ personal struggles and the group’s tension behind the scenes.

Embed from Getty Images

Since the biopic was such a success, fans are definitely waiting for information about the next part of the series. Right now, BET is working on the production of “The Bobby Brown Story” set to be released sometime this September. As for the continuation of “The New Edition Story,” it is unclear when filming will begin. Despite the cancelation of the New Edition tour, Bel Biv DeVoe is still making the rounds with live performances.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgTw4njAcqf

Best of luck to New Edition.

The post Trouble Brewing? Mike Bivins Comes Clean About Tension With New Edition, Confirms Tour Canceled appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Yvette Nicole Brown recently took fans by storm when she starred in the popular biopic, The New Edition Story, which aired in January. For those who missed it, Yvette- best known for her roles inCommunity, The Office, and The New Odd Couple- portrayed Michael Bivins’ mother, Shirley Bivins and ironically, Mike and Yvette have a history together that most never knew about…until now.

In The New Edition Story, Yvette starred alongside the other ‘N.E. mothers’: La La Anthony (Flo DeVoe), Monica Calhoun (Patricia Tresvant), Lisa Nicole Carson (Mae Bell), and Sandi McCree (Carole Brown).

The women worked together to bring the motherhood dynamic to life when the cameras were rolling, but most don’t know Yvette actually has a deep past with Michael Bivins. Their work together actually started long before the biopic.

Yvette’s & Michael Bivins Past Together:

Now here’s the kicker about Mike Bivins and Yvette: Yvette Nicole Brown was actually signed to Michael’s label, Biv 10 Records back in the day! But that’s not all, during an interview with musician, Harry Connick Jr., Yvette revealed that she was not only a singer on Biv’s label, but that Mike was her manager, then after she graduated from college, she went back to work for Bivins as his assistant. Lo and behold, ten years after Yvette was no longer Bivins’ assistant, she morphed into his momma, Shirley, for The New Edition Story. Ain’t that something?!!

Check out Yvette Nicole Brown- a Cleveland, Ohio native- singing as a member of Bivins’ ‘East Coast Family’ clique in their music video for Biv 10 Records song, “1-4 All 4-1″…BUT THERE’S MORE…

SEE WHAT YVETTE SAID NEW EDITION’S BODYGUARD DID FOR HER THOUGH & SEE PHOTO OF THE REAL LIFE MOTHERS OF N.E.

Yvette Credits New Edition’s Bodyguard For The Reason She’s Successful Today

In a video Yvette Nicole Brown posted online with New Edition’s former long-time bodyguard-turned-TV producer, Jeff Dyson (who was also portrayed in the N.E. movie), she thanked him for being the reason she’s a successful actress today (along with Mike Bivins of course). Why? Because Jeff was the one she randomly walked up to at a New Edition event back in the day, and begged him to let her backstage she could sing for N.E. Jeff told her ‘no,’ HOWEVER…

He then did something he said he’d never done before- gave Yvette the location of the hotel N.E. was staying at, so she could later run into them there and he made her promise not to tell N.E. he gave her the address. Jeff’s reason for helping Yvette was because he said he could tell she had an intense drive to pursue her dream and wasn’t just an average teeny bopper groupie trying to hook up with N.E.

Jeff’s plan worked-  Yvette ‘ran into’ N.E. at the hotel, she got to sing for Mike Bivins right there on the spot, and the rest is history!

Yvette’s history with Michael Bivins probably made her a shoe-in for the role of his mother despite the brutal casting process. Another reason why the actors nailed all the scenes is because the group approved everything. Yvette shared details about the film’s production during an interview with EBONY. “New Edition were executive producers on this project, which means they were on set almost every single day, one, or all six.”

Anyone who has seen the movie will probably agree the ladies and guys who portrayed members of the great did an awesome job!

Meet The REAL MOTHERS Of New Edition

Ricky Bell posted the below photo of the beautiful mothers of New Edition. Some of them are no longer with us, but they were always beyond proud of what their babies have accomplished- from being little hyper kids running ’round the house, to the music legends they are today.

Ricky captioned the photo with this on Mother’s Day:

@mrrickybell: Happy Mothers Day to the most Amazing women in the world! The New Edition Moms! From L to R Patricia Tresvant, Dorothy Mae Bell, Florence DeVoe, Shirley Bivins and Annie Gill! As well as Carole Brown and Maradel Payne. Praise God for You wonderful Ladies!!! 🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾❤️

Simply beautiful.

The post New Edition Movie Actress Reveals Her Deep Past With Michael Bivins appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

[kkgallery kid=”3136″ title=”Ricky Bell Drops BOMBSHELL In NEW INTERVIEW & N.E. Fans Won’t Like THIS!”]

The post Wow, Ricky Bell Drops BOMBSHELL In NEW INTERVIEW, N.E. Fans Won’t Like THIS! appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

[kkgallery kid=”3117″ title=”SO Cute! U MUST See Mike Bivins’ Daughter Give Her Important Message His Fans”]

The post SO Cute! See Mike Bivins’ & Wife’s DAUGHTER Give Her Important Message To Fans appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Via BostonGlobe: “I might just be numb,” Bivins (inset) told us Tuesday. “It’ll probably hit me next year when the renovation is done and they cut the ribbon and hit that light switch and the kids say, ‘Yo man, this looks nice, Mike, look at them lights.’ ”

Ramsay Park in Roxbury, will rename it’s to Michael Bivins court, which according to Mike, no singer from Boston has ever received before. Mike grew up playing basketball on Ramsay Park’s b-ball court and he’s even held his Biv 20K Blacktop Classic there to promote peace in the city and put $20K in the winning team’s hands. But never in a million years did he EVER imagine that the court it would soon bear his name:

Via BG: “I’m not a hockey player getting a basketball court named for me. I put in a lot of time playing ball,” he joked. “Ball was my way out. Until I met my brothers in New Edition, ball was gonna be my way out. One way or another, I was gonna get out.”

“Nah. When the leaders came to me last year [about the basketball court], it caught me off guard. I was really dumbfounded, like, wow,” says the singer, who hosts an annual basketball tourney at the court at Ramsay Park. “There’s street names for other people, public figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Marcus Garvey, but nobody from my city has a street sign or nothing, so this really touches me.”

It’s truly exciting to sit back and watch the members of New Edition morph into Temptations level icon status right before our eyes. They are becoming the icons we always knew they deserved to be. It was only a matter of time and they’re still carving out their journey to the Temptations level of greatness on the music industry.

Can’t wait to see their biopic, “The New Edition Story,” when it airs on BET in January 2017. Will you be watching ILOSM family?

The post So Cool! Mike Bivins’ Hometown Honors Him In A BIG BALLER Way! appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

[kkgallery kid=”2539″ title=”Who Knew Ralph Tresvant Has THIS Side JOB?!!! Get That Money Ralph!”]

The post Whaaaat? Who Knew N.E.’s Ralph Tresvant Has THIS REAL LIFE 9-5 JOB?!! appeared first on I Love Old School Music.