‘Smash’ Snags a Dream Girl: Jennifer Hudson Joins Season 2 Cast

 

Grammy Award and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson has landed a multiepisode arc on the upcoming second season of NBC’s Smash.

Whitney Houston to be honored at ‘VH1 Divas’

VH1 will pay tribute to the late Whitney Houston at this year’s VH1 Divas, according Billboard.

“We all felt that if any show could pay tribute to Whitney’s music, it would be ‘Divas,'” VH1 president Tom Calderone says. “December felt like enough time where it wouldn’t be sad anymore, you’d want to celebrate her music.”

Whitney’s longtime musical director Ricky Minor will executive produce the show, which will be taped in December in Los Angeles.  No artists have been confirmed for the tribute.

Houston, who died in February, is one of the artists credited with giving the event legitimacy in the eyes of some. The iconic singer is a three-time performer on Divas in 1999, 2002 and 2003.

This has potential to be something special.  Taping in December gives the producers enough time to book the best of the best to pay tribute to one of the true legends in music. On my shortlist of performers are: Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Beyoncè, Patti LaBelle, Amber Riley (Glee), Jennifer Hudson (maybe), Christina Aguilera (ONLY IF SHE CAN CONTROL THAT DAMN YODELING), Ledisi, Chaka Khan, Kim Burrell, Deborah Cox, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Brandy, and Monica. I know it’s a long shot but I’m wouldn’t mind seeing Adele perform as well.

Who’s on your list of performers for Whitney’s Divas tribute?

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Adele, Rihanna, LMFAO Lead Billboard Music Award Nominees

Continuing her hot streak, Adele leads finalists for the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, snagging 18 nominations.  The 21 singer battles Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Lil Wayne in the coveted Top Artist category at the award show, airing  live Sunday May 20, 8/7c on ABC.

Although they scored 22 entries, the electro-pop duo LMFAO grab 17 nominations, including Top Rap Artist and Top Duo/Group.  Rihanna follows with 13, where she will go head-to-head with Adele, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and LMFAO for Top Hot 100 Artist; while Talk That Talk, her latest LP, competes against Beyoncé (4), Jennifer Hudson (I Remember Me), Mary J. Blige (My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act I)) and Chris Brown (F.A.M.E.) for Top R&B Album.

Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne each land 10 nominations, and will both compete for Top Artist.  The Top New Artist category features a diverse batch of talent, including Bad Meets Evil, Big Sean, Foster The People, Scotty McCreery and Wiz Khalifa.

The awards will reflect Billboard’s chart rankings based on key fan interactions with music, including album sales and downloads, track downloads, radio airplay and touring as well as streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, Vevo, Youtube, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Entertainment and Next Big Sound. The awards will be based on the reporting period of March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012. Top artists will be recognized in a variety of genres, including R&B, Rap, Pop, Country, Rock, Latin and Alternative.

See full list of nominees below.

Hot Picks: Troy NōKA – ‘Free Dreaming’ [Free Download]

Producer-turned-artist Troy NōKA drops his first full-length project, Free Dreaming. Download for free below.

Jennifer Hudson & Ne-Yo featuring Rick Ross – “Think Like A Man” (Official Music Video)

Jennifer Hudson is the boss in the music video for “Think Like A Man,”the first single from the film’s soundtrack of the same name featuring Ne-Yo and Rick Ross.  The Grammy-winning singer look gorgeous in the clip, where she turns down Kevin Hart’s workplace advances, but falls for Ne-Yo’s gentlemanly manner. J-Hud even bust a mean two-step in the clip, which is always comedy.  By the way, Kevin Hart’s useless cameo once again proves that he is NOT funny.   Think Like A Man hits theaters in April.

Video: ‘Glee’ Tributes Whitney Houston

Although it was planned prior to her death, Glee paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston during last night’s episode (Feb. 15).  Listen to Amber Riley’s stirring rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”

VH1 Unveils List of 100 Greatest Women In Music

Part one of  VH1’s 100 Greatest Women in Music airs tonight at 10 P.M. The list features the biggest names in music over the last twenty years.  Some of the names will definitely cause a stir. Check it out below.

Ashanti Covers Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing’ on ‘Good Morning America’

Ashanti stepped to the front of the line to pay homage to her idol Whitney Houston this morning on Good Morning America. The Grammy-winner  covered Houston’s classic “I Have Nothing,” a single from 1993’s  The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album.

“I still can not believe we have lost one of the most, powerful, soulful, soothing and classic voices of our time,” wrote Ashanti on Twitter. “Her beauty, strength and poise touched millions around the world. She paved they way for women such as myself and her music brought generations together. Every little girl sang a Whitney Houston song. Having the honor of her being in my video and being the huge icon that she was, she always seemed like your favorite aunty. My heart goes out to her daughter and family. RIP the Amazing Whitney Houston.”