Queen Latifah hosted the 2009 People's Choice Awards live last night in Hollywood. Check out all the winners here. Omar Epps and his "House" cast my TV guilty pleasure deservedly picked up an award for Favorite TV Drama.



As host, Latifah switched into two floor-length evening gowns. Her film, "The Secret Life of Bees" picked up one People's Choice Award for Favorite Independent Film. (Gotta love that Covergirl line she has...)


Jordin Sparks (in Jessica McClintock) picked up one for her duet ("No Air") with Chris Brown. Below is Jordin with Shemar Moore. (No they didn't arrive together...)



Did anyone catch this event last night on TV?

Labels: Award Hoopla, Jordin Sparks, Nate Parker, Omar Epps, Queen Latifah

Without further delay, The 2008 American Music Awards was presented last night on ABC with a couple of "firsts" for the nominated artists. The rather-long music event was hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel.



Rihanna's "Rehab" performance was done in thigh-high Alexander McQueen boots which was a departure from the ruffle Zac Posen dress she arrived in. Justin Timberlake unforunately did not join Rihanna mid-way through. The Gucci Tattoo Hearts brand face picked up two American Music Awards (her first ever AMA's) for Soul/R&B Female Artist and Best Female Pop/Rock.



Kanye West (in his own clothing design Pastelle) gave a great live performance of his current single, "Heartless." Kanye's last album "Graduation" won one AMA for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album and he also picked up Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Male Artist. During his acceptance speech, Kanye declared that he wants to be like Elvis. 'It's our responsibility as musicians to keep pushing each other. We will be the new Beatles, the new [Jimi] Hendrix. I want to be Elvis.''



Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" dance performance brought the crowd to its feet. Even Queen Latifah got up and did a little bit of "Uh Oh." Gotta love that Armani Privé satin black and white jacket Beyonce had on.


The Pussycat Dolls hit the stage to perform "When I Grow Up" and "Hate This Part." I liked that Melody Thornton had supporting vocals on the first performance set. Project Runway winner Christian Siriano dressed the Dolls for their red carpet appearance.



The Alicia Keys "Superwoman" remix with Queen Latifah was the event's last performance and one of the best. At first Latifah's mic wasn't working but when did it, I was blow away. Latifah's rapping again?! Then out nowhere classical vocalist Kathleen Battle joined the performance set. Hands down, hot! Alicia's third solo studio effort, "As I Am" won favorite pop/rock album.



Nick Cannon was such a gentleman as he helped his wife Mariah Carey down a flight of stairs before her "I Stay In Love" performance. Mariah (in Dolce & Gabbana) picked up top honors (honorary award for Favorite Female Artist) at the award ceremony for her record-breaking music career.



Christina Aguilera opened the show with a medley of her hits which included "Genie In A Bottle", "Dirrty", "Ain't No Other Man", "Fighter", "Keeps Gettin' Better" and "Beautiful".



Leona Lewis (in Jenny Packham) and Pink (in Vivienne Westwood) both hit the stage to perform their hit singles. Pink performed twice and she did a duet with Sarah McLachlan. Leona performed her current single "Better in Time."



Natasha Bedingfield and Ne-Yo both performed a medley of their hits. Tocarra was on the scene in a '50s-inspired polka-dot dress. Jordin Sparks (in Dolce & Gabbana) presented with Enrique Igelesias. Justin Timberlake paid tribute to Annie Lennox.



Read more about the AMA's over here and HERE.

Labels: Alicia Keys, Award Hoopla, Beyonce Knowles, Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera, Jamie Foxx, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Natasha Bedingfield, Ne-Yo, PCD, Pink, Queen Latifah, Rihanna, Tocarra

"The Secret Life of Bees" had its Los Angeles premiere last night with Queen Latifah, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tristan Wilds, Dakota Fanning, Nate Parker, and Jennifer Hudson in attendance. (Alicia Keys apparently got left back on the East Coast promoting her current single, "Superwoman.") Jada dropped by to support her "Set It Off" co-star Latifah at the event. Did you know that Will and Latifah also appear together on his show, "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" years ago? The premiere was definitely a reunion of all sorts.



Jada (the new TNT "Time Heals" executive producer) looked fab in a '50s-inspired Oscar De La Renta dress. The film director Gina Prince Bythewood had on a black Badgley Mischka origami dress that looks vaguely like the one Chrisette Michele and Tasha Smith had on recently. Anyone loving that new JHud album as much as I am? I have Jennifer's song, "Invisible" on repeat. Speaking of which check out her performance of "Spotlight" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" at Toya's World. JHud had on this Tadashi Stretch Taffeta Cocktail dress which cost $340 from SAKS.COM.

Labels: Box Office Hoopla, Fashion Hoopla, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Hudson, Nate Parker, Queen Latifah, Will Smith

Another hilarious Tina Fey-Sarah Palin skit was featured on last night's "Saturday Night Live." This time the skit was based upon the VP Debate between Palin and Joe Biden. Queen Latifah played the moderator Gwen Ifill. Fey as Palin gave another noteworthy comedic performance. Check it out...



Angelina Jolie took her kids (Maddox, Pax, and Zahara) out to Lee's Art Shop in NYC before she rock a strapless Versace dress and Sergio Rossi heels to her "Changeling" movie premiere with Brad Pitt. The film premiere marked her first public red carpet since she had her twins.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon kept their newlywed love vibe going at the Bank nightclub in Vegas. (Hmmm...Is that the same dress as Angelina, Mrs. Cannon? I see you Mariah with that fab Minx nails?) Anyhow Mariah definitely slammed those persistent pregnancy rumors in that snug-fit The Row dress, didn't she?



Naomi Campbell decided to enjoy the Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2009 fashion show from the front row instead of working the runway during Paris Fashion Week. (She wore the same gray jacket and YSL round-toe platforms she had on for her recent YSL Manifesto AD campaign to the fashion event.) Naomi was spotted alongside photographer Mario Testino and fellow model Claudia Schiffer. Naomi was later seen in a white Alexander McQueen dress and black Uggs (?!?) at the Ralph Lauren dinner. Couture meets comfort was Naomi's ideal overall especially after rocking those sky-high shoes.

Labels: Brad Pitt, Celeb Offspring, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, Nick Cannon, Out and About, Political Hoopla, Queen Latifah, TV Hoopla

Ebony magazine placed Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys on its November 2008 cover. Brit actress Sophie Okonedo pose for additional snapshot in support of the foursome's upcoming film, "The Secret Life of Bees" out on October 7th. The "Bees" cast will appear on Oprah on October 2nd.




On the music tip for Miss Keys, Yahoo Music released the video premiere of the James Bond theme "Another Way To Die" which features Jack White of the White Stripes. The rock-infused track would lead off the soundtrack and promo spots for the latest James Bond installment, "Quantum of Solace ."



Thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday yesterday via myspace!

Labels: Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Music Hoopla, New Music, Newsstand Snapshots, Queen Latifah

Plagued by lesbian rumors, Queen Latifah has considered naming her upcoming 8th studio effort, "The L Word" but Latifah explained the "L" can either mean "Love" or "La."

"L was gonna stand for love though or La. Since people want to play games, I like to jab back sometimes just for fun." [source]

When pressed for why, Latifah simply stated that she wanted to "mess with people's heads." So do you think if Queen decided to go with this album title, people would understand her sense of humor or would it add more to the rumors? Latifah goes to say that she worked with LL Cool J, Dr. Dre, and Ludacris for her upcoming disc. On the movie tip, Latifah kept busy promoting her film, "The Secret Life of Bees" which co-stars Nate ohsofineParker, Jennifer Hudson, and Alicia Keys.

This may come as old news to some but new to U-H readers but Robin Thicke picked the piano-driven slow jam "The Sweetest Love" as his single single off his upcoming album, "Something Else." I like how Robin decided to switch the mid-tempo "Magic" had going on to this new pick. Take a listen...



Check out the latest video premiere from T.I for his single, "What's Up, What's Happening." "Paper Trail", T.I's sixth album, would be in stores on September 30th - the same day new releases from Robin Thicke and Jennifer Hudson drops. (The Billboard charts/hype among these artists would be interesting to check out in the upcoming weeks.)

Labels: Music Hoopla, New Music, Queen Latifah, Robin Thicke, T.I