Janelle Monáe helped kick off New York Fashion Week at the amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday night. The “Tightrope” singer bared some skin in a black-and-white pantsuit, changing before performing for the VIP crowd, which included Cindy Crawford, Lindsay Lohan, and Heidi Klum. Jennifer Hudson wowed in a Roberto Cavalli gown and Theophilus London hit the stage at the black-tie benefit honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the fight against AIDS.

Jennifer Hudson duets with Ne-Yo on the theme song from Think Like a Man, Screen Gems’ big-screen adaptation of Steve Harvey’s book starring Chris Brown, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Meagan Good, and more. The R&B superstars keep it real with each other on the breakup tune, while Rick Ross rolls through to spoil his girl with the finer things. See what happens when a good thing goes bad.

Singer, actress, wife, and mother. Now Jennifer Hudson is adding a new title to her expansive résumé. The Oscar and Grammy winner signed copies of her inspirational memoir I Got This: How I Lost What Weighed Me Down and Found Myself at Barnes & Noble in New York City on Tuesday. She showed off her trim physique while posing for photos.

During a visit to the “Today” show, the Weight Watchers spokeswoman explained that she never thought her weight was a big deal until others made her take notice.

“I got a message from Mr. Clive [Davis] like, ‘She can’t be a supermodel like that.’ I was like, ‘What does that mean?’” she told Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford. “By that point I had already won an Oscar. I had already defined myself to a certain extent in the industry being a big girl, being plus size, going off talent alone. I still did not get it or understand, like what is this big deal about image?”

But her decision to lose the weight was personal. “I do not like being boxed in, I do not believe in limits, and I know that nobody knows your potential better than you,” she said.

The sequins, stilettos, and sparkle were out in full force for “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul.” Music’s most powerful voices joined together to pay homage to the great cities of soul music including Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis, and Philadelphia at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday night (Dec. 18).

The all-star lineup included Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Florence + The Machine, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J, and Jill Scott, accompanied by The Roots, with ?uestlove and Adam Blackstone serving as musical directors. 50 Cent, Common, and Queen Latifah were among the presenters.

The big-voiced trio of Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, and Kelly Clarkson kicked things off with a medley of “You Keep Me Hanging On,” “Spotlight,” “Real Love,” and “Since U Been Gone.” Mavis Staples, Erykah Badu, and Chaka Khan brought the house down with “I’ll Take You There” and Khan and Blige dueted on “Ain’t Nobody.”

Following an introduction from Nas, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Wanda Jackson paid tribute to the late Amy Winehouse with “You Know I’m No Good.”

“She was the most incredible artist,” said Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine, who performed Winehouse’s “Back to Black” during the taping. “I feel kind of overwhelmed.”

“VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” airs tonight at 9 p.m. on VH1.

Jennifer Hudson was stunning as she stepped out for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo. The Oscar-winning actress was invited as a guest of designer Michael Kors and didn’t hesitate to show off her svelte physique at the fashionable festivities. During Fashion’s Night Out, she rocked a cheetah-print wrap dress and rubbed shoulders with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in a body-hugging fishtail gown at Kors’ Celebration of American Fashion.

“I think I want to come live in Japan. I love it here!” tweeted J-Hud, who brought her son along for the trip. “The people r the most humble n have such beautiful spirits. It’s so peaceful here, such a great feeling. I love that.”

Jennifer Hudson packed her bags and headed to Tokyo with her baby David Otunga Jr. The working mom carried her two-year-old son, who she affectionately calls “Munch,” through Narita International Airport on Thursday.

Following her overseas appearances, the Grammy-winning singer will return to the U.S. to perform on “VH1 Divas” next month, along with Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Jessie J, Kelly Clarkson, Florence + The Machine, and more.

For Halloween, J-Hud wore a Wonder Woman costume and dressed little David as Elmo. See the cute pic below.

“VH1 Divas” is getting a shot of soul. Powerhouse vocalists Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Jessie J, and more will bring down the house at this year’s show.

VH1’s beloved franchise returns to pay tribute to the cities where soul gave birth to music’s most powerful classics and inspired today’s divas. Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Jessie J, Kelly Clarkson, and Florence + The Machine will honor these cities and soul music’s timeless classics at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” premieres December 19 at 9 p.m. on VH1.

The cities honored include Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis, and Philadelphia. Back by The Roots and musical director ?uestlove, each diva will perform soul-inspired songs including some of the genre’s greatest classics.

“This year’s telecast will showcase the vast impact soul music has had on the 21st century’s music and pop culture landscape as our talented and diverse lineup will attest,” said Lee Rolontz, EVP, Original Music Production & Development, VH1 and VH1 Classic. “This year’s ‘Divas’ offers a modern twist on soul music, all while tipping its hat to the legacy of key cities that created this musical heritage.”

Last year, Nicki Minaj, Keri Hilson, Katy Perry, and Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles joined forces to salute the troops.

Glamour girls Jennifer Hudson and Ciara were brilliant in black while soaking up the spring/summer 2012 fashions at Givenchy’s ready-to-wear presentation during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday (Oct. 2). R&B’s leading ladies showed off their legs in short black dresses and high heels, Ciara opting for a plunging neckline (nip slip alert) and J-Hud sporting ombre highlights in her straight hair. Naomi Campbell and Liv Tyler were also seated front row as designer Riccardo Tisci unveiled his latest collection.

CiCi loved what she saw on the runway, tweeting, “As always, GIVENCHY = SEXY. CHIC. CLASSIC WOMAN.”

Jennifer Hudson steps out of the box and commands the dance floor on “Night of Your Life,” her adrenaline-fueled collaboration with David Guetta off the French producer’s new album Nothing But the Beat (Aug. 29). The iron-piped songstress proves that big ballads aren’t her only forte, effortlessly gliding over the DJ’s hypnotic sounds. Jennifer Hudson, dance diva?

Jennifer Hudson kept the memory of her late nephew alive at the inaugural Julian D. King Gift Foundation Hatch Day celebration. The Oscar winner was joined by her son David Daniel Otunga Jr. and sister Julia at the De La Salle Institute in Chicago over the weekend. The sisters and volunteers wore shirts that read “Happy 10th Birthday Julian” as they handed out supplies to children for back to school. Julian was tragically murdered, along with Hudson’s mother and brother, in October 2008.