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2010 is officially the year of the Tiger, according to the annual astrological tradition of Chinese New Year. The Tiger is said to be a symbol that has good luck when it comes to money but is also a sign known to be inflexible and destructive. It can be safe to say that all of the above is also applicable and true concerning what is known as the “jumpoff,” a figure known to be notorious within the world of entertainment.

There’s no one better to provide a more clearer definition of the jumpoff, than a man who has experienced a few himself and that man is rapper, Joe Budden. On his 2003 self-titled album, Budden discusses the jumpoff in his breakthrough hit, “Pump It Up,” rapping:

“My jumpoff doesn’t run off at the mouth so much
My jumpoff never ask why I go out so much
My jumpoff never has me going out of my way
And she don’t want nothing on Valentine’s Day
My jumpoff don’t argue or get rebellious
And she don’t mind hanging out wit da fellas
My jumpoff’s not insecure or jealous”

That was 2003. Fastforward to 2010 and the jumpoff has evolved into one who dares to “get rebellious” and “runs off at the mouth,” revealing the secret lives of some of your favorite rappers, athletes, and film stars, all in exchange for revenge, notoriety, fame, and/or a larger bank account. The abovementioned actions have spread like wildfire, becoming an epidemic in 2010 as the following jumpoffs have been perpetrators and the faces for this movement, if you will.

A 24-year-old model from Miami, Carmen Ortega has been known to have been sexually involved with NFL Super Bowl XLIV champ and a very taken, Reggie Bush. Ortega has been the alleged reason behind the brief breakup between Bush and Kim Kardashian last year. Ortega revealed her jumpoff ways on Angela Yee’s Lip Service, accusing Bush of being cheap. And if that wasn’t enough, a video of her showing off his home, a la MTV Cribs-style, surfaced the night of his big win.

After the video’s release, Ortega resorted to the respectable HoneyMag.com to address the video.

Earlier this week, a video surfaced on the web, showing me on a private tour of New Orleans Saints player, Reggie Bush’s home. The published blog posts about the video have painted me as everything from a “thirsty ho,” to “jump off” to “escort.” These names aren’t insulting, for they’re not true.

As you all know by now, Reggie and I had a brief short lived relationship almost one year ago. During that time, we both were in serious relationships with other people, but we had an “understanding.”

Unfortunately, things hit the fan when Reggie’s girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, found out about our secret relationship. She immediately ran to the Internet to throw me under the bus. When this happened, Reggie and I went our separate ways. During our brief relationship, Reggie became a dear and valued friend to me. The negativity surrounding that situation made it extremely difficult for me to move on. However, I did.

I want to use this column, for Honey, as an opportunity to express how deeply hurt and betrayed I feel. I am shocked and disappointed to see that on the eve of Reggie’s biggest day, his team’s Super Bowl win, the private video I took months ago had surfaced. I believe it was leaked by a former trusted friend and colleague, for his personal gain. It wasn’t my intention for that video to hit the net or distract Reggie from his amazing day. I made that video to let the “nay-sayers” know that I did have proof that he and I were in a relationship. Unfortunately drama continues to follow, but I have moved on from that experience – and still am. This too shall pass.

Peace.
Carmen Ortega

We don’t believe you. You need more people.

2010 is the year of the Tiger…Tiger Woods that is. After a bizarre one car accident outside of his home in Florida late last year, numerous jumpoffs came out of the woodwork claiming to have swung the 9-iron of the PGA star on numerous occasions; these allegations were later found to be true, leading Tiger to an emotional press conference where he publicly apologized for his behavior.

The first jumpoff to reveal her having had exclusive access to Woods’ “golf course” was 34-year-old New York party girl, Rachel Uchitel. In the June 2008 issue of BlackBook, she boldly stated:

“Although I’ve been romantically linked to a famous baseball player, a Broadway star, a musician and various film and television actors, I will never kiss and tell!”

BlackBook magazine, you don’t say? Makes one wonder how many blackbooks Uchitel has been in. And you don’t kiss and tell unless it lands you a gig on television. Yes that’s right, Uchitel is now a special news correspondent for the second-longest-running entertainment news show, Extra.

What? Don’t be mad. UPS is hiring.

Shaquille O’Neal is known as being a monster on the court and he might just be a monster in the bedroom. Yes, he reportedly slept with the fiancé of fellow NBA player Gilbert Arenas. But Arenas’ fiancé seemed to be the type of jumpoff Joe Budden was referencing in “Pump It Up,” as she did not run to the first media outlet to unveil her salacious activities. But there was one jumpoff from Shaq’s long list to follow Ortega and Uchitel on their road of publicity and that was Vanessa Lopez.

Lopez claims she met Shaq at the age of 14 and grew up around his family. She met him again at a club in 2004. When she inquired about his marriage, he allegedly told her that his marriage to Shaunie O’Neal was an open marriage and was one used for public image.

This response gave Lopez the green light to serve as O’Neal’s jumpoff for the next five years but it wouldn’t last for long. Lopez sued O’Neal earlier this year under the legal counsel of Gloria Alfred, acclaimed lawyer known for representing high-profile and controversial cases (including that of Wood’s former jumpoff Rachel Uchitel).

With Allred present, Lopez held a press conference earlier this year, explaining why she was taking the NBA star to court.

Alfred is one busy woman. So many jumpoffs…so little time!

Could the nation’s economic downturn be to blame for all of this? Job losses? Gas prices?
Jump (no pun intended) right in and share your thoughts. Jumpoffs are welcome, too!

Images: NY Daily News/Black Men/Men’s Fitness/Bitten&Bound/Radar Online/Media Freaks