image: Bauer-Griffin

First, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Dreamgirls actress celebrated with a baby shower in downtown Chicago.  The newspaper quotes a “source” as saying that Jennifer is about seven months along.  Wow!  Of course, the rumors have been compounded by the fact that she has postponed dates on her concert tour with Robin Thicke, claiming vocal cord strain.  She has also worn a lot of loose tops and weird clothes at her recent public appearances (that outfit on the Today show even caused me to raise my eyebrows).

People.com quotes Jennifer’s longtime friend, Felicia Fields, as saying the following:  “It was a baby shower, a quiet gathering of friends and mostly family.  They’re really trying to keep it kind of quiet.  It was a nice time that we had.  They don’t know [the gender].”

Honestly, if you knew that your friend was “trying to keep it kind of quiet,” would you confirm rumors to the media?  I know that I would not.  I wouldn’t want to steal someone else’s thunder.

If she is pregnant, I wish her all the best.  She seems like an incredibly strong person and motherhood can be so amazing.  Besides, she probably sings the best lullabies in the world!

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Of course, there were the finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, along with the rest of the Top 13 and judges but the celebrities (and former contestants) came out in droves to see who would win the singing competition. 

It looks like season four winner, Carrie Underwood, hurt her knee somehow since she’s got her “owie” all covered up with four Hello Kitty bandaids. She still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

SEE MORE GREAT RED CARPET PICS AFTER THE JUMP!

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I absolutely love her but can I just take a moment to comment on her outfit?  I’m a fuller-figured woman so I’m not mad at her for carrying a little extra weight but you’ve got to wear clothes that flatter and accentuate your curves.  I think that top and those pants made her look frumpy (in fact, whoever designed the upper leg part of those pants should be banned from fashion forever). 

Anyway, here’s a video of Jennifer singing “Spotlight.”  She did a great job (as usual).

The fan who won the “Sing With Jennifer Hudson” contest also got to sing and they performed “And I Am Telling You” together.  Watch it here:

NBC Photo: Lisa Berg

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The “Sing in the Spotlight with Jennifer Hudson Contest” is running from
April 29, 2009 – May 11, 2009.  To be eligible you must be a legal, permanent U.S. resident who is eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the start of the contest entry period. 

To enter (and for more complete contest details) visit the Today show’s contest page and follow the online instructions.  From what I read, you will be expected to explain in 500 words or less why you should Sing in the Spotlight with Jennifer Hudson.  You will also be required to submit a video of your vocal performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.”

Make sure you read the contest rules and regulations well and, if you choose to enter, good luck!

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Frank Micelotta / FOX

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There has been no official announcement yet so the news is coming from “sources” close to Jennifer at this point (I hope that’s not true – why would they ruin her big news!).  The father would be Jennifer’s fiancé (and former I Love New York 2 contestant), David Otunga. 

Jennifer is currently on tour until May 8, 2009 with Robin Thicke.  If she is pregnant, touring must be tough.  In those early days expectant mothers are so tired (and sometimes queasy) so I’m sure she will be looking forward to when the shows are over (if she is, in fact, pregnant). 

Hopefully, Jennifer is happy (baby or not) and this can be a year of new beginnings and closure for her.  After her family was murdered last year, she’s shown so much strength and courage.  If she is expecting a little one, I’m sure it will be bittersweet since a baby can be such a joyous addition to life but it would be sad that Jennifer’s mother never got to meet her grandchild. 

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Frank Micelotta / FOX

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They decided to do the show based on the fact that “Fantasia has one of the most fascinating stories in show business” and I can see what they mean.  I hope this works out for her and doesn’t end up adding stress to her life but, with the economy the way it is, I can’t imagine turning down an offer to do a television show.

When I watch programs like Jon & Kate Plus Eight and even American Chopper, I always wonder how having cameras following you around affects your real life.  Do your relationships become fake?  Do you lose the intimacy of those private moments? 

What do you think?  Would you do a reality TV show and, more importantly, will you watch Fantasia’s new show?

image: Bauer-Griffin

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Oddly enough, the cyber-stalking began back in May 2007 when Tanye Maree Quattrocci, 23, was convicted of blackmailing and stalking DeGarmo.  The whole situation would have ended with Quattrocci completing her community service but the woman just could not stay away.  She subsequently hacked into DeGarmo’s MySpace account 700 times between May 2008 and January 2009.  How is that even possible!?

The next hearing for Quattrocci will be held on May 1, 2009 but the woman had tried to petition the court to allow her to get out for Easter, with her mother promising to quit her job to watch over her.  The requests were denied.

I have loved some celebrities in my lifetime but I’ve never understood the concept of stalking.  The only thing it accomplishes is that the object of your affection will begin to hate and resent you.  Sure, they know your name but it doesn’t matter because it’s a negative thing. 

Have you ever been tempted to stalk a star in a non-healthy way?  I’d love to hear about it!

image: Jyle Dupuis

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Julia was walking the runway in Chicago for a fashion show for full figured women when she spoke about the topic. She sent a message to William Balfour, the suspected murderer of her three deceased family members.

She says, “You did this to basically kill me. In so many words, to take my life, but it was not. And my mother and my brother and my son, they wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“If I was to not be able to function, if I was to not be able to get up, that would mean William and the devil won. They took enough from me. They won’t take nothing else from me. So I have to go on.”

Good for her! It’s so sad what happened. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of strength it must take for her every day to face life after losing them so unexpectedly.

Image: Newscom

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"I’m excited to get out and meet the people and sing for the people," Hudson said. "I always love to perform live. The only other tour I’ve been part of is the (American) Idol tour, so this’ll be more intimate and personal."

She also explained that it made more sense to be a co-headliner than to go it alone since she doesn’t have enough material to fill out a solo tour.  "I’m in a weird place," Hudson said. "Like, ‘Wow, everybody knows Jennifer, but where do you place her? Who do you put her with? Where do I go?’ That was the hardest part of the puzzle to put together. I think we came out with a great solution." I agree and I’m glad her reasoning skills outweigh her ego because I hate when artists decide to headline a tour when they’ve only had two or three hits (ahem, I’m talking to you, Lady Gaga). 

I wish I could see them in concert!  Anyone have tickets and/or are planning to go?

image: Bauer-Griffin

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The schedule for the event, which takes place on April 4, 2009, is as follows:

• Workshop: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Broadway Auditioning/Q&A
• Workshop: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – American Ido Auditioning & Critiques/Q&A
• Concert: 7:30 PM in the VST’s Martha Moore Sykes Studio. Opening act will be Nicholas Chambler.

Hurry to get your tickets before they are all sold out.  The workshop registration is $40 for each session or $70 for both.  Tickets for the concert are $30 or $25 for workshop participants.

For more information please contact Showstoppers Promotions at showstopperspro@aol.com or phone 205-798-5361.

Tickets: 205.251.1206 or www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org

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