September 6, 2007
Lifestyles of the Rich and Evangelical
Heath and Michelle have split. Shaq and Shaunie are divorcing. And buzz is popping for both celebri-couples. Yet, the broken hearts igniting the most sizzle in Search aren't stars of the screen or the court, but those of the pulpit.
Paula and Randy White, founders of Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Florida, are untying the knot. They announced the dissolution of their 18-year marriage on August 23—and kicked up a buzz storm. Led primarily by southern states, searches for "randy and paula white," "paula white ministries," and "randy and paula white divorce" leapt. Over the past week, "paula white divorce" topped all "divorce" searches, leaving the marital failings of other big names, like Paula Zahn and Kobe Bryant, in the dust.
Pastor Paula's buzz-touch doesn't stop there. The blonde preacher had established a ministry partnership with Bishop Rick Hawkins and the Family Praise Center in San Antonio, Texas. We don't know if there's anything more to the relationship, but their flocks have flown to the Web to find out. Both "rick hawkins" and "bishop rick hawkins divorce" surged recently.
Meanwhile, evangelist Juanita Bynum's violent encounter with estranged hubby Bishop Thomas Weeks continues to draw buzz online. Over the past week, searches for "juanita bynum assault pictures" rose 3,186%. Queries like "juanita bynum weeks divorce," "juanita bynum news," and "juanita bynum beaten" have also stayed strong. We'll rest easier when the bishops leave the buzz to the pros—and let the celebs back in on the game.
Filed under Buzz by Yahoo! Buzz Index: Buzz Log