A public memorial service will be held on Sunday for the Hudson family, mourning the tragic death of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

“The Hudson family welcomes anyone who wishes to attend and pay their respects to these three beloved members of the Chicago community” says Jennifer’s rep.

The memorial will be held between 4-7 p.m. at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church. The church’s address is 4526 S. Greenwood in Chicago. Jennifer and sister Julia are not expected to be attending the public memorial.

Will any of you be going? I’m grateful that they are holding a public memorial for the community to mourn the loss. The situation is so tragic. My condolences to the Hudson family and anyone who was affected by the death of the victims.

*Written by Lauren Croteau

Happy Halloween to those of you who celebrate!  If you’re in New York City, you can head on over to the Grand Opening of The Imperial tonight to party with American Idol star, Jared Cotter.  You don’t have to dress up, but I’m told that people in plain clothes might get a spanking from Dominatrix Madam Tanya (ha ha!!). 

The event is being hosted by Mele Mel and Mr. Freeze of The World Famous Rock Steady Crew!  Here are the details:

Where: 17 W 19th Street bet 5th and 6th
Cost: Ladies get in free before 12am, $10 bucks after.  Guys $15 all night
RSVP: TwinGemRSVP@gmail.com

images provided by Jared Cotter

Former American Idol contestant, Kellie Pickler, performed her new single “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” on the Bonnie Hunt Show yesterday and, while I wasn’t overly impressed by the arrangement (watch the performance on Daytime Talk!) they chose, I do have to admit that I like that song more and more every time I hear it.  I love the lyrics!

She also told a story about her pet snake and how having it with her when she picked her friend up from the airport made the poor woman jump from a moving vehicle – but not without her purse!  Too funny!

image used with permission

Have you ever watched the British show Top of the Pops?  The only thing I remember that was good about the now-cancelled show was that I got to hear songs that were super popular at the moment but I also remember thinking it was awful since everyone was lip synching. 

American Idol judge, Simon Cowell, has told BBC (the producers of the show) that if they don’t want it (following the announcement that they wouldn’t even be airing their annual Christmas special), he’ll take it and save the show.  Um… not to be a jerk but there are a lot of things wrong with Idol that need fixing before he can go and save another show. 

image credit: newscom

Canadian Idol host (and son of former Canadian Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney), Ben Mulroney, will be getting married today at Montreal’s St. Patrick’s basilica.  He and his fiancee, Jessica Brownstein (a local fashion designer), who you may know got engaged at Nick’s Deli.  The couple have planned a small ceremony which starkly contrasts the wedding of Ben’s older sister, Caroline, whose lavish affair “attracted hundreds of on-lookers and more than 400 guests, including former U.S. president George Bush and his wife Barbara, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and talk-show host Kathy Lee Gifford.”

I wish all the best for Ben and Jessica!  Congratulations to the happy couple!

image credit: newscom

Extra TV is alleging that former American Idol contest and Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson, is in hiding following the murder of her mother, brother and young nephew.  I really hope that they are not just sensationalizing this poor girl’s grief but they claim she has taken refuge in a hotel room and is surrounded by security guards.  They say she only came out of her room (at the undisclosed hotel) to go to the coroner’s office where she had to identify the body of little Julian King, her sister’s son.  Sadly, it was also her who identified her mother and brother.  How devastating!

A neighbor has come forward and said that they heard main suspect, William Balfour, get into a fight at Hudson’s family’s house about a month ago and he was overheard “saying he’d kill Hudson’s sister (to whom he is married) and mess up everyone in the house.”

This story just seems to get sadder by the minute, if that is even possible…

image credit: newscom

Okay, I don’t know how seriously I take this since I don’t agree with several of the entries but American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, has made it onto Spinner.com’s “Worst Duets” list for her collaboration with MC Skat Cat, “Opposites Attract.”  I like that song (and the video!).  Then again, I like “4 Minutes” by Madonna/Justin Timberlake and #1, #5, #7 and #9 so I must not be a good person to ask about duets… What do you think of this list?

1. Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis: Cruisin (2000)
2. Paula Abdul and MC Skat Kat: Opposites Attract (1989)
3. Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson: The Girl Is Mine (1982)
4. Bono and Frank Sinatra: I’ve Got You Under My Skin (1993)
5. Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias: To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before (1984)
6. Mariah Carey and Busta Rhymes: I Know What You Want (2003)
7. Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley: I’ve Had The Time of My Life (1987)
8. Hilary and Haylie Duff: Our Lips Are Sealed (2004)
9. Mick Jagger and David Bowie: Dancing in the Streets (1985)
10. Madonna and Justin Timberlake: 4 Minutes (2008)

Anyway, here’s the video for “Opposites Attract.”  How could anyone hate something that has a video so filled with human/animated love and tap dancing? 

And for extra measure, I’m adding the more rare video by them called the “Scat Strut” which I ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!!!!!  Enjoy this flashback:

American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, attended the AVON Foundation Awards Celebration: The Hope Awards which was held in New York City last night.  It was a star-studded event with guests like Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy), Lauren Conrad (The Hills) and financial advisor, Suze Orman.

To learn more about the foundation and how it works to improve the lives of women, visit the Avon company website.

More pictures of Jordin after the jump!

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I know how many of you loved Josiah Leming during last season of American Idol and were shocked when he was not selected as a finalist.  He has made all kinds of appearances since then (I loved his visit with Ellen!) and now he has released an EP with some excellent-sounding songs.  I really love his voice and style.  I’m so happy for him!

image credit: Amazon

American Idol season 5 runner-up, Katharine McPhee, was spotted at the 30th Annual Carousel of Hope Ball at the Beverly Hilton hotel a couple days ago.  Proceeds from the event went to the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.  There were some other celebrities on the scene (including Nicole Richie) so if you are interested in seeing some more pictures, head over to the Variety gallery!

What do you think about that dress?  It looks a little oversized to me, like it doesn’t fit properly.  I don’t like it.

More pictures after the jump!

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