“American Idol” ended another season with a star-studded finale at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. on Thursday. The evening featured musical performances from pop divas (Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez), country crooners (Keith Urban and The Band Perry), and even the Queen of Soul, capping off with Candice Glover being named the winner of season 12.
Emeli Sandé dueted with Amber Holcomb on her hit “Next to Me,” while Angie Miller was joined by her personal idol Jessie J on “Domino.” The British singer made the trip from London to be there and invited Angie back to the U.K. to perform her single at one of her upcoming shows.
Before being crowned the winner, Candice proved why she deserved the title during a duet with “Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson. The songstresses showed off their powerful pipes with a soulful rendition of Natalie Cole’s “Inseparable.”
While she wasn’t able to travel to L.A., Aretha Franklin performed with the top 5 girls via satellite from New York. She sang a medley of her hits, while Candice, Kree, Angie, Amber, and Janelle filled in on background vocals.
Some of today’s biggest stars turned out to honor some legends at the 28th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Kelly Rowland took the stage to induct Donna Summer, while Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to the late disco queen with a medley of her hits “Bad Girls” and “Last Dance.”
“I’m pretty sure that me and a lot of you were made to that record,” said the Destiny’s Child diva of Summer’s hit “Love to Love You Baby.”
Oprah Winfrey was on hand to welcome Quincy Jones into the history books, and Usher serenaded the iconic producer with a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You,” which Jones produced.
Honoree Public Enemy was introduced by director Spike Lee, with Flavor Flav and Chuck D on hand to accept. Harry Belafonte called the hip-hop group “the gatekeepers of the truth.”
The ceremony will be broadcast May 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.
Pharrell toasted 40 years of greatness with a lavish birthday bash at LIV nightclub at Fontainebleau in Miami on Friday. The birthday boy was joined by his friends and collaborators including Lil Wayne, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, Leah LaBelle, Pusha T, and Teyana Taylor.
His Neptunes producing partner Chad played DJ, getting some help from Kermit the Frog. The crowd serenaded the music mastermind with “Happy Birthday” and presented him with a special cake, designed by Mina Kwon.
His i am OTHER artist Leah LaBelle saluted her mentor. “This man means so much to me. he made my dreams come true. i dreamed this 8 years ago. this is a true moment & my heart is so happy. happy birthday to the best mentor & big brother ever,” she wrote.
One famous fan who couldn’t make it was Tyler, the Creator. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE COOLEST HUMAN TO EVER EXIST. WITHOUT YOU I WOULDNT BE WHERE I AM TODAY, ENJOY IT DUDE! FOREVER STAR TRAK,” tweeted the Odd Future rapper.
Check out photos from the star-studded celebration below.
Solange hit the town on Sunday following the Oscars. The “Losing You” singer shimmered in a yellow dress while attending Vanity Fair’s annual Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at the Sunset Tower in West Hollywood. She mingled with Oscars’ leading ladies including Jennifer Hudson, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lawrence, and Anne Hathaway.
The star-studded affair also drew Robin Thicke, who stepped out with his wife Paula Patton. John Legend brought his fiancée Chrissy Teigen, and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx escorted his 19-year-old daughter Corinne, who was excited to meet Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe.
Jennifer Hudson returned to the same stage where she won her Oscar six years ago. After making the red carpet rounds with her sister, the big-voiced diva performed “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls during a tribute to musicals at the 85th Annual Academy Awards.
She sang the same song at the 2007 show and took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Effie White.
The tribute also included Catherine Zeta-Jones from Chicago and the cast of Les Misérables.
“Oh what a night !!!” tweeted J-Hud following her powerful performance, which earned her a standing ovation and rave reviews from her peers.
“Jennifer on her A game,” tweeted her collaborator Rick Ross, while Rihanna added, “God is real #JHud #Oscars.”
Watch the full tribute to musicals below (J-Hud starts at the 2:15 mark).
Kelly Rowland was gorgeous and glamorous while attending the 85th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday. The sexy singer worked the red carpet in a silk black-and-white Donna Karan Atelier gown and put in work as a reporter during the official pre-show. She interviewed Hollywood A-listers including Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, and Zoe Saldana.
Fellow diva Jennifer Hudson shimmered in a blue Roberto Cavalli dress while attending with her sister Julia.
Finding the perfect dress wasn’t easy for the Oscar winner. “It took three days of fittings, about three hours each for me to make my decision,” said J-Hud, who is working on her third album and a holiday musical called “Black Nativity.”
She will perform a tribute to movie musicals at tonight’s big show.
Kelly Rowland brought some sunshine to the red carpet while attending the 6th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday. The “Ice” singer was radiant in a yellow top, showing off her legs in a navy pencil skirt at the intimate pre-Oscars event.
She was in good company, rubbing shoulders with some of the most powerful women in Hollywood, fashion, and music including Oprah, Naomi Campbell, and Jennifer Hudson. Other attendees included Jill Scott, Gabrielle Union, La La Anthony, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Lauren London, while Miguel entertained the ladies.
Kelly will be back on the red carpet this Sunday. But this time she will be hosting the pre-show for the 85th Annual Academy Awards, which kicks off at 7 p.m. EST.
After performing at the Super Bowl and starring on NBC’s “Smash,” Jennifer Hudson is getting back to the music. The Grammy-winning diva was back in the lab on Monday, laying the groundwork for her third album. She tweeted photos of herself in the studio with producer Salaam Remi.
“Ok ! Here we go guys! First day of recording my album!! @Salaamremi is everything !!” tweeted J-Hud, later adding, “I had the best day in the studio with @salaamremi! He let me be me!”
Hudson’s last album, I Remember Me, was released in 2011 and spawned the singles “Where You At” and “No One Gonna Love You.”
