I’m still mad about Brandy losing to Bristol Palin on Dancing With the Stars but at least I know that America isn’t completely blind. Jennifer Grey and her professional partner Derek Hough have won this season. Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer finished second and Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas came in third.

Despite the fact that I was rooting for Brandy to win the whole time, I knew that Jennifer Grey was a formidable opponent and actually had a feeling that she would win no matter what (because she kept getting perfect scores). I’m not mad. She did a great job the whole way through so I guess all is right with the universe. BTW, even Jennifer Grey admitted that Brandy was better than Bristol. She didn’t say that exactly but check out her exit interview where you’ll see what I mean:

DWTS Week 9: Jennifer Grey & Derek
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Now that Brandy is a confirmed competitor on Dancing With The Stars, how do you think she will do? ABC leaked some preview video of the new contestants practicing. See Miss “I Wanna Be Down” in action for yourself. Her first challenge is the Cha Cha:

That was actually pretty good, especially for their first rehearsal. If she can keep her whininess in check, she has a good shot at advancing to the finals. There were a few times when she stumbled, but she seemed to be picking up the steps relatively quickly. I wonder if her bff Kelly Rowland will be there to support her or even give her a few pointers on dancing.

Who is your money on this season? There’s some interesting contenders this season like, Bristol Palin, The Situation, David Hasselhoff and more.

The season premiere kicks off Monday at 8pm on ABC.

Some of the cast  of Dancing With The Stars had been previously leaked but on Monday night ABC made it official. Season 11 of DWTS features Brandy, Rick Fox, The Situation, Bristol Palin, Kyle Massey (from That’s So Raven), Audrina Patridge, Margaret Cho, Florence Henderson (from The Brady Bunch), Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing), David Hasselhoff, Michael Bolton and Kurt Warner.

The cast held a press conference where they answered some of the media’s most pressing questions. One reporter asked Brandy whether her ballroom scene in Cinderella prepared her for what’s to come (at about 1:39) and she says that it absolutely did not help. Ironically, Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing doesn’t seem too confident either. Lastly, Brandy and David Hasselhoff were both judges on American Idol so the tables will be turned. Check them out as they discuss what they’re expecting:

I haven’t seriously watched DWTS since Mya got shafted (those judges know she should have won) but this season seems to have an interesting cast of characters so I will tune in again. I’m a little worried about Brandy because she’s really sensitive. I’m rooting for her, but I just don’t want to see any breakdowns.

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See previous before you continue.

40. Kim and Nikki Parker (Countess Vaughn, Mo’Nique)–The Parkers

They represented for big girls everywhere who were told they couldn’t do certain things because of their size. Some felt that their characters were exaggerated to the point of negative stereotypes, however, more people felt that the duo represented a “Yes I Can” message.

39. Vivian Banks (Janet Hubert/Daphne Reid) – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Vivian always remained classy and humble no matter how much money she had, and she always kept her children grounded, even when Hillary and Carlton had their bratty moments. Vivian’s best quality was telling someone about themself in a sophisticated way. One of her best moments was when she took a dance class where some of her younger classmates were hating on her because she was older and struggled with the routine. It bothered her but she didn’t quit. In fact, she practiced at home and came back and nailed that routine to where even her haters had their draws dropped to the ground. And this is why Vivian rocks.

38. Thelma Evans (BernNadette Stanis)– Good Times

She wasn’t the typical little sister. Most of her TV counterparts were boy obsessed, but Thelma Evans found a healthy balance between boys, books, feminism and her love for theater. However, the one thing she never mastered was learning how to cook.

37. Kyle Barker (Terrence T.C. Carson)– Living Single

Kyle Barker rivaled The Fresh Prince’s Carlton in his pompous behavior, but what made Kyle memorable was that unlike Carlton, he was also debonair. Plus, his smugness ironically helped him score with the ladies, even his nemesis Max.

36. Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) – Grey’s Anatomy

Dr. Bailey is a surgeon who is tough, blunt and gets things done. As a resident in charge of surgical interns (third year residents), she calls the shots whether people like it or not. Her tough demeanor earned her the nickname, “The Nazi,” but she gets the respect she deserves.

35. Wilhemina Slater (Vanessa L. Williams)- Ugly Betty

Wilhemina Slater is a notoriously conceited and vile former supermodel who only cares about becoming the editor in chief of MODE magazine and her looks. Her ruthless and cunning attempts at derailing nemesis Daniel Meade, the EIC whom Slater believes doesn’t deserve the title, have landed her in the hall of fame of iconic TV character history. Not all icons are goodie goodie.

34. Derwin Davis (Pooch Hall) – The Game

Derwin was the atypical star athlete. He tried to remain faithful to his college sweetheart in a world of temptation. He succeeded for the most part, but sometimes you wanted to slap him for messing up. However, despite ups and downs in his relationship with Melanie, he found his way back to her revealing that his intentions were always good.

33. Jerome (Martin Lawrence) – Martin

It’s over a decade since Martin was on the air, but people still know what it is when they hear, “I said Jerome’s in the house!” As exaggerated as he was, it’s probably safe to bet that everyone knows or has encountered at least one old school playa from the Himalayas who just can’t let go of the past.

32. Mr. T (B.A. Baracus) – The A Team

He was a no-nonsense brute who also had smarts and was a great addition to The A-Team. Enemies knew they were in trouble when he uttered that famous cautionary phrase, “I pity the fool.” His influence still reigns supreme in pop culture, especially when it comes to Black men sporting Mohawks.

31. Moesha (Brandy Norwood) – Moesha

Moesha was a sweet girl next door without being an unrealistic character. We watched her struggle with teen angst, but she always triumphed because she had solid family support. This was the first time TV had a sitcom that starred a Black teenage girl, but the best thing about Moesha’s character was that it wasn’t just Black people who could relate.

Not many contemporary artists can boast of being a formidable force in two separate mediums.

Yet for Brandy, such has been the story of her career for more than a decade.

Fans of the singer-actress can recall her earlier musical works just as well as they can her days of playing Danesha Turrell and Moesha Mitchell.

And now Brandy is hoping her new reality show, Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business, will bring audiences old and new up to speed with where she’s been, where she’s going, and introduce them to the beloved members of her family who continue to go along with her for the ride.

BET.com caught up with Brandy to talk family, both reality and scripted television, new material, and a few choice rumors.

You’re a very active Twitter user and the night of your show’s premiere my timeline was filled with commentary about Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business. How did you and your brother react to the feedback?

I mean, it was overwhelming to be a trending topic, to see all of the fans have positive things to say. You know, you have your haters, too, but you just have to focus on the good. We watched the show together, we were on our computers together – we just enjoyed the moment together.  It’s a lot of fun to be back on television and to be on television alongside my mom and dad. It’s truly a blessing and I believe the show has brought us closer together as a family.

Your mother actually mentioned something about haters. Does it ever hurt your feelings when you read what’s said about you?

Of course. I’m a human being and I don’t believe that words can’t hurt because they can. You can’t take them back and words are very powerful. But, I know who I am as an individual, I know who I am as a person.  I know I’m not going to make the best choices every time in [my] look, decisions, and experiences. I have to remember that and just keep it pushing.

But for the record, your mom might be checking some people on Twitter?

Oh my gosh, she does. I had to tell her the other day on Twitter, ‘Mom, stop paying attention to the haters.’ There are so many people giving her props and love and those are the people you want to respond to.

Your mom has always had a reputation for being a very tough manager. We got a bit of that from the premiere, but as the season moves along will viewers end up with a better understanding of your mom as both a mother and manager?

That’s what the show is about and that’s her storyline – being able to switch the hats and being both the mom and the manager. You start to understand her [and] why she’s so aggressive – it’s because of the love she has for Ray and I. She’s a tough mother and she’s a tough manager and she believes in tough love, but she’s a leader and all about love at the end of the day. You’ll get a chance to see that and connect with that.

You were one of the first to do non-scripted programming with your MTV docu-series, Diary Presents: Brandy — Special Delivery. You ultimately caught a lot of flack for it. Did that experience make you hesitant about doing the new show and if so, do you regret doing it?

Oh no, I don’t regret doing that show at all. I did it for the fans because at the time Full Moon was just starting to pick up and the album had just come out and I was going to be away for a minute because I was going to be off having my baby. I felt the fans needed to see more of me and I just felt like I needed to do that for them.  As far as this show I was hesitant because everybody was involved and people were going to be able to see what really goes on behind the scenes in my family.  Being an artist that’s who you’ve been all your life and people don’t get a chance to get a true look behind the scenes and see the artist as a person so it’s scary, but I’m along for the ride.  I think it will be inspirational to see how we deal with each other, how we deal in our business life. I think people are going to be really inspired by this and relate to it.

I have a friend who saw you at the table read for the would be ABC series, This Little Piggy. He described your read as “phenomenal,” but the show wasn’t picked up so are you actively searching for another scripted role?

Absolutely. I think that’s another part of my personality that I have to discover again and have to put into action again.  I love scripted. I love being able to read the script and come up with different ways to say things and expressions because you know I’m an animated character. My whole face is made for animation [Laughs].

Has it been harder for you to find scripted work because of the reality TV?

I really don’t know because the show just premiered, but it’s all in my own thoughts. Like if I think that way then that’s what it’s gonna be, but if I think that I can do whatever it is that I’m set out to do that’s what gonna happen. That’s what I want to keep my focus on: Reality TV can only help me, it can’t hurt me.

Are you hoping for this Family Business to keep going after its first run?

It’s gotta be a season two. There’s so much to my life, there’s so much to Ray’s life and there’s so much that my mom and dad have to be involved with. It has to continue. There’s an album to be made, TV shows to be developed [a scripted series featuring Brandy and Ray J is in the works], and I think now that people are getting a chance to know who we are they’re going to want to know everything else. We have to keep going. It’s like a calling and blessing and I want to keep going as long as we can.

You’ve mentioned in other interviews that you think this reality show will help you with your forthcoming album. When you say that do you mean that having the cameras on you motivates you with the recording process, or in general do you feel success in reality TV will help bring back attention to you as an entertainer?

I think it’s all of it. I think fans have always wanted to see the process of how I record an album and what I do behind the mic and in the studio. How my energy connects with the producer’s energy. Also, just to remind people of what I do and for those that don’t know, make them aware of it.

Do you have any idea of when you might be releasing a new album? Fans love the bathroom breakdowns, but do you have any concrete idea of when you’ll release another album?

I hope to drop an album by the end of this year. I’m sort of in a rush, but not in a rush because I want this project to reflect everything I am as a vocalist, as an artist, and as a person. I really want to give fans what they deserve, which is not only hit records but a beautiful collection of music that’s timeless. That’s going to take time, but it’s not going to take 4 years, or 2 or 3 but just keep your fingers crossed.

Is there any chance of For the Love of Ray J 3 and if so, will you take part in it?

I hope not [Laughs]. I hope he’s learned his lesson that he’s not going to find love on television, but if he does decide to do it — of course I’ll be there to support him.

What do you make of some of the women who have appeared on your brother’s other reality series and gone on to create their own bit of controversy, like Danger?

I don’t really have an opinion about that. I just think Danger is on her own journey and you can’t judge what somebody experiences to get to the next level in their life whether it be with themselves or whatever. She’s on her own journey and we have to respect her choices and different experiences that she has to go through to get to her place in life.

Do you have any favorite reality shows?

I’m all about Family Business right now, but you know what, I like Basketball Wives and I actually liked the Chilli show. I’m rolling with Sunday nights on VH1. And I also liked Monica: Still Standing. I hope that comes back, I liked her show a lot.

True or false:

You can’t stand Kim Kardashian.

I love Kim Kardashian. Always will.

Have you ever watched her show?

I’ve never seen that show to this day. I just never did.

You’re recording another duet with Monica.

I want that to be true.

You’re madly in love with Flo’Rida.

I’m madly in love with Brandy and my daughter.

Your mother wanted you to discuss the car accident that took place a few years ago on the show, but you refused.

Without giving a lot away, something like that. That’s an issue that I definitely deal with on the show and you’ll see in episodes to come. That’s definitely something that she addresses, sure.

Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business airs on Sundays at 9:00 PM EST/PT on VH1.

An extended trailer for Brandy and Ray J’s new reality series, Norwood Family Business, has been released.

As previously mentioned, the show will chronicle the family along with their infamous parents, Sonja Norwood, who serves as their manager, and Willie Norwood, their fellow singer and vocal coach.

Sonja is said to be ready to step down from Rn’B Productions, leaving Brandy and Ray J needing to quickly learn the ropes of the business in order to move their family empire forward.

Over the years, Sonja has had a reputation for being a stern manager, so it will be interesting to see whether or not that’s captured on camera. Judging from Rodney Jerkins’ comments in the clip, I think it’s safe to say it will be.

Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business premieres on VH1, Sunday, April 11 at 9:00 PM EST/PT. Also premiering that night will be What Chilli Wants and the Shaunie O’Neal-produced series, Basketball Wives.

Ray J has another show coming to VH1 and this time he’s bringing his entire family along.

Brandy has been tweeting for a second now about filming a new reality show and now she along with the rest of the Norwood family are ready to formally announce the debut of their new reality show, Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the show:

Siblings Brandy and Ray J Norwood are famous for their incredible vocal talent on the stage and screen. But they wouldn’t be anywhere without the support and guidance of their parents – entertainment manager and mom, Sonja and talented musical father, Willie Norwood. Viewers will get a first hand glimpse into the lives of the Norwood family unit and their family business – Rn’B Productions. Run by Sonja, Rn’B Productions features an impressive roster of musical artists including Brandy, Ray J and their father Willie, who also serves as the company’s vocal coach. But with Sonja ready to take a step down, Brandy and Ray J will have to fill her shoes quickly all the while taking the family business to the next level. Will they have what it takes to continue to stay in the limelight while growing an entertainment empire?

The show will feature both during the recording process with Brandy working with Timbaland and Ray J collaborating with Rodney Jerkins.

This actually sounds promising. Brandy’s always been a pretty solid actress, but her last foray into reality TV almost eight years ago, Diary Presents: Brandy — Special Delivery, wasn’t half-bad.

Let’s just hope Ray J leaves those ratchet girls from his other reality show off this one. Yes, that’s shade. An eclipse, for that matter.

Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business premiers on VH1 Sunday, April 11, at 9 p.m. EST.

Now tell me: Are you looking forward to the show?

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Ray J chose his girlfriend last night—again. And based on the outcome I think we’ll be watching For the Love of Ray J Season 3 this fall. Ray J claims there will be no more but I don’t believe it. Mz Berry seemed cool but she wasn’t the right choice and neither was runner up, Platinum. Mama Norwood told him that none of those women were right for him and I agree (mother’s always know). He should have picked Shardonnay from season one. I’m still mad about that but I digress.

Last night’s episode was the usual fare. Ray J went on separate dates with each girl to help him make his final decision. He said,”Platinum connects with the man that I am now and Mz Berry connects with the man that I wanna be.” (A divorcee with two kids?).

“Keeping it one hunned,” as always, was the primary theme of the show (side eye) and in the end his reasoning for choosing Mz Berry was because he wanted to try something new because Platinum “felt like a lot of relationships that he had in the past” (um yeah, she looks like Cocktail and Kim Kardashian’s love child).

Good luck Ray J, and see you soon. You’ll be back. They always come back. His show is too entertaining for producers to let him be.

Ray J’s reality show is winding down (unless they come back with season two) but Brandy will make a TV comeback via ABC’s Little Piggy.

According to singersroom.com, the show is centered around a family man who’s forced to take in his younger brother and sister when times get tough.This Little Piggy will feature Brandy as the high maintenance wife of the younger brother played by Jeff Davis. The pilot is expected to air later this year.

Brandy made her television debut in 1993 as “Danesha Turrell” on Thea and starred in Moesha, her own show, in ‘96. This Little Piggy marks her first scripted television role since appearing on UPN’s One On One in 2006.

Good luck Brandy! It’s good to see her back on the scene again. I wonder if her daughter will follow in her footsteps.