Star Tripping

Jennifer Hudson has reportedly announced her engagement to I Love New York 2 star David “Punk” Otunga. The Oscar winner who got her big breaks on American Idol announced the she couldn’t be happier.

Add to her list of accomplishments the Best Supporting Oscar in 2007 for Dreamgirls and recently starred in the Sex and the City movie. Her engagement is perhaps the icing on her colorful and successful career.

She is scheduled to release another album in September 30 and is slated to once again appear in the big screen in the movie, “The Secret Life of Bees” alongside Dakota Fanning.

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Move over Beyonce, Solange has arrived. Obviously wanting to move in on her elder sister’s territory, Solange Knowles is aiming to move out of her sister’s shadows. While one cannot discard the possibility of associating her with her sister, Solange wants to prove that she is different and can stand her own without the blessing and support of her sister.

But while those may be strong words, it remains that she has to do a lot of things to achieve independency in show business. And considering the trail that Beyonce had left behind, those are quite big trails to avoid.

Solange, 22, is reluctant to discuss her older sister — the Bootylicious One — and it’s understandable why: All anyone seems to want to know is about their relationship, and yet one of them is still trying to make a name for herself.

“I’ve answered that question and then that’ll be the one thing from a 40-minute interview that gets any play. That is what becomes frustrating,” she says. “It’s a little repetitive.”

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After 10 years of hibernating from the music scene, pop star Christina Aguilera is back in the groove of things as she has reportedly become the latest musical act to be released at Target retailers only. Among the songs that will be included in the new album titled “Keeps Gettin’ Better — A Decade of Hits” are all-time favorites “Genie in a Bottle” and “Beautiful”.

Her compilation may be songs of the past but they are also the favorites to this day as we continue to hear them on the airwaves.

“I can’t believe it’s been over 10 years since my first album and it was really exciting to put all of my favorite songs in one collection for my fans,” said Aguilera in a statement.

Aguilera is following a growing list of acts who have struck exclusive deals with retailers. Wal-Mart has had huge success with similar deals with The Eagles, Journey, and Garth Brooks; AC/DC’s October release of “Black Ice” will be available only at Wal-Mart, its affiliated Sam’s Club and the band’s Web site. The Eagles comeback album, “Long Road Out of Eden,” was the third-best selling CD of 2007 with 2.6 million copies sold.

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Avril Lange has been banned from performing in Kuala Lumpur supposedly this coming August 29th for being too sexy. For the Malaysians, Lange’s show is seen as promoting the wrong set of values to its community, something that no region obviously wants to see.

But while Lange is just out to perform and build on her popularity, such a setback should not be surprising. A lot of celebrities have had the same conflicts and while to some it may seem lame, you really cannot hold back such beliefs especially when culture and tradition of varying countries set in.

Celebrities and performers do have a large part in influencing people. It is just unfortunate that for stars who claim no malice in their gigs have to suffer. Well, that is the adjustment part. You simply cannot have it all.

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For folks who have forgotten, Olivia Newton-John gained stardom in the late 70’s when she starred opposite John Travolta for the hit movie “Grease”. Since then she has been away from the limelight but 30 years later she crops up again, announcing her second marriage.

Today, Newton-John is 59 and has gotten married again to John Easterling. Easterling is the founder and CEO of Amazon Herb Co., which sells botanical supplements from the rainforest. Newton-John was formerly married to Matt Lattanzi whom she married in 1984 and divorced in 1995.

It was really a quiet ceremony for the popular actress and singer who made hit singles such as “I Honestly Love You” and “Physical”. They were wed only last June 21 on Jupiter Island in Florida.

“Family and friends were told about the nuptials at a barbecue on July 4, 2008, in a private celebration at the singer’s home in Malibu, California,” the statement said.

The announcement said it was the second marriage for both.

(Source) CNN Entertainment

After giving birth to her son Max, Christina Aguilera has followed a different route; Parenthood. Aguilera has long been a familiar icon in the showbiz industry and surely her interview with Glamour Magazine is quite a revelation especially to her detractors and fans.

Just like any parent, a child is a form of inspiration that comes with a lot of responsibility. Kids were not given to be taken care of nannies. They still need the actual tender loving care of a parent and apparently this was what Christina Aguilera realized when she had Max.

A change in outlook and life is what Aguilera has revealed. Her life is no longer the happy go lucky type and with the right sense of direction, Aguilera seems to be on the right track. And someday, she will realize her efforts, when Max acknowledges that her mom is not only a superstar but a super mom!

She rarely leaves the house. Her nails are blissfully unmanicured. She calls dates with her husband “Mommy and Daddy nights-out.” Could the sexiest diva in the business have actually become a good girl? You decide.

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Amy Whinehouse had a memorable first in the Glastonbury Festival but was somewhat tarnished a bit when she had reportedly punched a fan during the said event. Something certainly transpired and it was not pretty. Based on reports from CNN, someone from the unruly crowd went a bit far. Some reported that it was more on touching her hair while others claim it was about touching her breasts. Of the two, it is quite obvious that any person would get outraged if the latter were indeed true.

It marked the first time that Whinehouse had appeared in the celebrate UK event after being hospitalized. She collapsed at her London home and her father had informed media that Whinehouse had damaged her lungs and developed early-stage emphysema due to smoking crack and cocaine.

Put one and one together and you get abused in front of 80,000 people, can you blame her for flaring up and heating at fans?

(Source) CNN.com

Large framed American Idol icon Ruben Studdard will always be remembered as that admirable American Idol who won the hearts of many for his sonorous voice but apparently his romantic inclinations and bachelorhood will soon be a thing of the past as he is set to wed Surata Zuri McCants.

Studdard joined American Idol in 2003 and has since produced three albums which included the hit platinum album “Soulful”.

So for all Ruben Studdard fans, sad to say this bachelor is no longer available in the market. He will continue to serenade us however but this time with McCantis by his side and inspire him to render more romantic ballads as well.

(Source) Associated Press

Coming up second doesn’t seem all that bad after all. At least for David Archuleta that is. Archuleta came in second to eventual American Idol winner David Cook. He was actually wooed to be the eventual winner of the popular show but apparently the fans decided otherwise.

Regardless, Archuleta got some sort of consolation for his efforts and that is in the form of a record contract for this 17 year old talent. He thus joins the likes of Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken, who have also faltered on the popular TV show only to eventually land good record contracts for their troubles.

Popular “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta has signed a record deal and is expected to release an album later this year, his new producers at 19 Recordings/Jive Records said on Thursday.

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Miley Cyrus, who’s extremely popular with kids these days (ask my two daughters) seems to be in a bind.

Pop star Miley Cyrus said she was “embarrassed” after seeing the images taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.

The Disney Channel said “a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines” but the US magazine defended the images and added that “everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley”.

The photographs include images of the teenager wrapped in what appears to be a satin bedsheet, looking over her shoulder with her back exposed.

[via Google]