Source: Jennifer Hudson celebrates pregnancy with baby shower
Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson celebrated her pregnancy today at a downtown baby shower, a source told the Chicago Sun-Times.
The source said the actress and singer is seven months pregnant.
The shower was largely attended by family members, the source said.
Rumors have been rampant that Hudson and fiancee David Otunga, a former reality-TV star training to wrestle professionally, were expecting a baby.
She recently postponed dates on her concert tour with Robin Thicke, claiming vocal cord strain. She has worn loose-wasted tops at some recent public appearances, furthering the speculation.
‘Idol’ runner-up may have edge in marketing
NEW YORK ‘ Arkansas native Kris Allen took the 2009 “American Idol” title, but marketing experts say Adam Lambert has the edge in selling.
The all-American Allen may be too forgettable to help pitch products, while Lambert’s edgy appearance makes him one to remember.
“He’s glitter and glam rock, ” says Patrick O’Neill, an executive creative director at ad agency TBWA/Chiat/Day in Los Angeles. “Putting him in something would get twice as much attention as Kris Allen. I was relieved that Adam didn’t win, because now he really has a chance of legitimacy.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Kris Allen vs. Justin Gaston: Battle of the Yesterdays
One’s the winner of the most popular talent contest on the planet, the other’s a tween-queen hanger-on who looks pretty okay in his undies.
And yet, Kris Allen and Justin Gaston have more in common than one might at first assume.
Both have recently recorded versions of the Beatles classic “Yesterday”‘ Gaston in a YouTube video, and Allen during a guest appearance on former Arkansas governor and GOP Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s Fox News program. (Huckabee even accompanies Allen on the bass.)
IDOL LOSER WINS SECRET LOVE
Glam-bouyant Adam Lambert who was heavily favored to win American Idol – has found love!
Adam is making beautiful music with 24-year-old artist and interior designer Drake LaBry, say sources.
TV viewers and the entire entertainment world were stunned when the super-talented 27-year-old singer was recently beaten by Arkansas native Kris Allen, 23, in the Idol finals – but Adam couldn’t be happier.
“He wants to settle down with Drake, ” a show insider told The ENQUIRER.
“Adam figures that if he had taken the top spot, it ultimately would have jeopardized his relationship with Drake.”
Gay… or Not Gay?
The results are in, and the new “American Idol” is Adam Lambert ‘ whaaaa? Oh, sorry. Apparently the new “American Idol” is Kris Allen. But there’s been a lot of debate over whether audiences were ready for “A.I.” first gay winner. So far Adam’s sidestepped talking about his sexuality, but Americans voted in record numbers, and we wonder if their assumptions about his personal life were a factor.
So far Adam’s sidestepped talking about his sexuality (he told People magazine that anyone who cares can “keep speculating, ” because he’s not saying). But Americans voted in record numbers, and we wonder if their assumptions about his personal life were a factor. Meanwhile the debate about same-sex marriage is making headlines across the nation, as state legislatures, appeals courts, and voters take on the contentious issue.
Adam Lambert: North County friends, mentors say homegrown ‘Idol’ worked diligently to reach stardom
Adam Lambert may now be a household name, but the fearless Hollywood glam-rocker —- who came in second in last week’s “American Idol” finale —- grew up in anonymity (other than the occasional critic’s rave review, see above) in Rancho Penasquitos during the 1980s and ’90s.
Over the past week, local friends and colleagues who’ve known the charismatic 27-year-old singer for a decade or more reminisced about the Adam they knew, both as a young boy and as a fiercely talented young musical theater actor, who packed his bags for L.A. nine years ago and has been making music (and theater) there ever since.
My Inspiration
I KNEW I was too into American Idol when I waited for the 12.30am repeat when I missed the prime time telecast once. I knew I was too into American Idol when I cried when Scott MacIntyrewas eliminated.
I knew I was way too much into this year finalist Adam Lambert when they announced that Kris Allen was the winner and my heart dropped. The whole room fell into total silence and I was stunned for more than a minute staring at the screen.
Kris was singing No Boundaries but I was hearing nothing and seeing nothing.
Atlanta Will See Fantasia in The Color Purple in September
Additional dates have been announced for the national tour of The Color Purple.
Atlanta’s Fox Theatre is the latest venue to reveal that “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise the role of Celie for the show’s upcoming run at the Georgia venue. The musical based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Alice Walker novel and subsequent Steven Spielberg film will play the Fox Sept. 15-27.
Barrino, who earned critical praise and a Theatre World Award for her 2007 Broadway debut in The Color Purple, will first return to the role of Celie when the production plays the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., June 30-Aug. 9. Barrino has also been announced to appear in the Chicago (Sept. 2-13) and Los Angeles (Feb. 10-28, 2010) engagements of the tour.
2009 TONY AWARDS: What will win, and what are Broadway’s coulda shoulda’s
NEW YORK — Two-thirds of that hoary cliche about Broadway being hospitable only to spectacle, songs and stars was kicked out of Times Square this season, as a raft of high-quality, celebrity-laden revivals of serious plays eclipsed the season’s mostly mediocre crop of new and revived musicals.
“Rock of Ages, ” the jukebox musical dedicated to 1980s rock music from the likes of Styx and Pat Benatar, thrived because expectations were so low. It was silly — but also a lot more fun that most of us were expecting and, for my money, the best true jukebox show with an original story line since “Mamma Mia.” That and the newly self-aware “American Idol” alum Constantine Maroulis can sing his face off.
Jordin Sparks’ Brotherly Love
1) Jordin Sparks’ brother getting a tattoo to show his love for his sis.
2) That time Angelina Jolie made out with her brother.
These are the only two examples.
P.S. According to King James, 1 Timothy 4:12 does not say, “I am creeped out by my bro’s tat.”
Idol Jordin Sparks at Cinderella Ball
WASHINGTON – Talk about a very special prom right here in the District. Season six American idol winner Jordin Sparks helped kick off this year’s Cinderella Ball Saturday night.
This special ball allows students with disabilities to share in all the excitement of prom season. These very special kids, from across the DC Metro area, have various disabilities and life-threatening illnesses, including Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, brain cancers, hearing and sight impairments, Autism, Spina Bifida, and many other ailments that affect both their mental and physical abilities.
Clay Aiken Talks Prop 8
Over on his official fansite message board, Clay Aiken was asked his opinion on the California Supreme Court’s ruling on Prop 8, which makes gay marriage illegal in the state, and the Gayken answered the question quite well!
Thank goodness!
Kelly Clarkson belts out signature songs during her visit to Hong Kong
HONG KONG: Rock-pop sensation Kelly Clarkson showed fans in Hong Kong why she’s known as “the girl with the big voice”.
Despite having sold over 20 million records worldwide, Clarkson was surprised by the enthusiastic feedback during her first visit to Hong Kong.
She said: “I honestly didn’t expect anyone to really know me. So performing last night, I mean people were singing the lyrics to all the songs. So that was very inviting and welcoming.”
Clarkson was in town to promote her fourth album “All I Ever Wanted”, in which she co-wrote six songs.
Jennifer Hudson to perform for President Obama
Grammy and Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson performed at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in California where President Barack Obama was expected to be in attendance, according to KTLA.com.
Hudson seems to have won fans in the DNC, having performed her soulful, gospel-toned …Star Spangled Banner last year during the party national convention in Denver.
Hudson is a gospel talent whose voice continues to give depth to music by reaching back to her youthful days in the church choir. As a result, she has a fuller sound, which can be heard on her self-titled CD.
She recently concluded her first concert tour with R&B artist Robin Thicke.
500 raise cancer funds in Currituck; $134K raised
Friends and families were in high spirits Friday night at the annual Relay for Life all-night-long cancer walk around Currituck County High School track.
It been the called the social event of the year, attracting walkers of every stripe to join in the cancer-fighting fundraiser, which this year raised about $134, 000 for medical research.
After the luminary ceremony, a portion of RFL that honors and remembers cancer survivors and the fallen, a special concert was held in the gymnasium where American Idol Season Six contestant Chris Richardson was invited to serenade a screaming room of cancer attendees.
…He played his guitar and the girls went crazy for him, Ward said.
Fantasia Barrino speaks at teen summit
While each girl received a life-time of lessons at the summit, tThe most anticipated lesson came from American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino.
“There were a lot of things that my mother and my grandmother tried to tell me, but I felt like I really didn’t want to listen because they didn’t know the new school stuff, ” Barrino said. “They didn’t know it like I know it, and they didn’t understand what I was going through. But in the end, they knew what I was going through because they had done everything that I was trying to do.”
The teen mother turned superstar songstress and broadway star shared her story of rebellion, heartache and triumph.
Diversity “gobsmacked” by UK TV talent show win
LONDON (Reuters) – Street dance troupe Diversity said on Sunday it was still in shock after beating runaway favorite and Internet sensation Susan Boyle in the final of the popular “Britain’s Got Talent” television contest.
Boyle, 48, had been heavily backed to beat nine other finalists late on Saturday after clips of her first appearance on the show in April were downloaded nearly 200 million times and she was hailed the world over as a superstar.
