Kelly Rowland’s star is shining brighter than ever these days, the former Destiny’s Child star is carving out quite the successful solo career, scoring her 2nd UK #1 (solo) this week with her collaboration with David Guetta ‘When Love Takes Over’. After a couple of false-starts, things really do seem to be on the up for this immensely talented beauty:

KELLY ROWLAND has danced her way to the top of the U.K. singles chart with nightclub smash hit WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER.

The R&B star decided to step away from her usual style of music to hook up with French DJ David Guetta on the remixed track.

And the gamble appears to have paid off as she shot straight to the top of the British release countdown.

The song topples Brit newcomer Pixie Lott’s Mama Do, who sits ahead of the third track, Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas.

Dance singer Agnes is at number four with Release Me, while Keri Hilson and Kanye West’s collaboration Knock You Down rounds out the top five. {Source}

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ecstatic for Ms. Kelly, who thoroughly deserves this. Some of you may wonder why I stan so hard for her, and I’ll tell you why: as a music lover, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing someone with so much talent and potential be overlooked in favour of vocally-challenged, non-singning singers (not saying any names…’Eh Eh Eh’ LOL). That said, there’s nothing more gratifying than seeing such talents acheive feats like hitting #1 and all that good stuff. More power to her.

In other Kelly news, check her performance of the song from last night at French music bonanza Fete De La Musique:

Great performance! Ms. Kelly definitely had her DC3 swag in effect (See: stilleto-stage running, weave flicking and all that good stuff LOL).

Your thoughts?

Check out the official trailer for Ciara’s new DVD movie ‘Mama I Want To Sing’, which also stars Patti Labelle, Hill Harper, and Lynn Whitfield. Say what you want about Ms. Harris, but she sounds pretty good, and her acting doesn’t look bad either. The movie STILL is without a solid release, though.

Your thoughts?

In a recent interview with MTV, teen rapper Soulja Boy revealed Michael Jackson to be his inspiration:

“But as far as getting my inspiration for stage performance, it has always been Michael Jackson. I remember I watched the DVD … Michael Jackson came and stood onstage for 10 minutes. They was screaming the whole 10 minutes. I actually imitated that a couple of times in my show.” {Source}

LMAO! Honestly, I mean come on now…Soulja Boy and Michael Jackson should not even be mentioned in the same sentence, much less when talking stage presence or performance.

Your thoughts?

As the UK’s top girl group the Sugababes ready their US label debut on Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, the ladies have revealed that none other than Rihanna has been advising them on the material for the record:

Sugababes star Keisha Buchanan says the trio have struck up a close friendship with Rihanna while recording in America.

Rihanna has become the “fourth Sugababe”.

The ‘Umbrella’ singer has been advising the British trio – who have signed a record deal with Jay-Z’s Roc-a-Fella label – while they are recording in America and has struck up such a close bond with the ‘Ugly’ stars, they have grown to regard her as part of the band.

Singer Keisha Buchanan – who makes up the group with Amelle Berrabah and Heidi Range – told Britain’s Daily Star newspaper: “We keep missing Jay-Z. Every time we’re gonna hook up he’s off partying with Diddy or someone, but Rihanna has been a huge help to us. She’s been like our fourth members, listening to all our songs and saying what she liked and what she didn’t.”

Keisha also heaped praise on new singer Cherri V, who releases her debut single ‘Until The Sun Comes Up’ next week, for her “refreshing” sound.

She added: “I’m so pleased she’s breaking through. Her sound is so refreshing.” {Source}

Interesting. I say this as it’s funny Rihanna is lending her advice on their material, when all signs point to her own material being selected for and dictated to her!! LOL. Also notable is the fact that all three members can sing circles and then some around Ms. Fenty. Not being mean, just saying…

Randomness: Just came off the phone with my friend who made a really valid point IMO. RiRi really needs to hit the studio sometime soon (or be seen to), as she’s merely a few paparrazzi shots off becoming a full-fledged socialite.

Your thoughts?

Fierce fivesome, The Saturdays, stopped by GMTV this morning to perform their stomping new single ‘Work’. While I feel the group still need a bit of polishing, I definitely enjoyed this performance; the song actually goes hard.

Tidbit: Not to take away from the group, but is anyone else already anticipating Vanessa’s (in the middle) solo project. Her voice is the business.

What do you think of the performance?

Jennifer Hudson’s fiance David Otunga has officially joined World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) (random or what?). The Harvard graduate and former ‘I Love New York’ contestant made his wrestling debut at the company’s official development territory Flordia Championship Wrestling (FCW) this week.

As a big wrestling fan, once upon a time (and to a less extent today), it’s not oft you see people from other media arenas join the WWE – especially as wrestlers. Like the commentators say I’m sure all eyes will be on him from here on out. I mean, I never ever envisioned posting a wrestling match on That Grape Juice LOL.

Randomness: WWF/E was the business during the ‘Attitude’ days. HBK, Austin, The Rock, DX, Mankind, Undertaker…ahh childhood memories!

Your thoughts?

Kelly Rowland is doing the promotional rounds here in Europe for her collaboration with David Guetta – ‘When Love Takes Over’. Their most recent stop being in Guetta’s native France on popular show Le Grand Journal last night, where they performed the single. Check it out above.

Loved it! Ms. Kelly really is taking it to the next level with the vocals, the confidence, the look (she looked stunning, right?)…everything. I’m itching now more so than ever for that 3rd album of hers.

In other Kelly news, ‘When Love Takes Over’ is way ahead of the pack in the mid-week chart over here in the UK, which means it’s pretty much a cert that it will be #1 come Sunday on the Official UK Singles Chart. Go Kelly!

Lastly, in a recent interview Kelly confirmed that she worked with Ne-Yo for the first time recently in a collaboration between herself, the ‘Closer’ singer, and David Guetta for the latter’s album. Fingers crossed they Kelly and Ne-Yo work together on her record; for, I think they’d conjure up something great. {Source}

Your thoughts?

Pop’s comeback queen Britney Spears has hit back at the media murmurings about her supposedly being forced into her current massive world tour:

BRITNEY SPEARS has addressed rumours she was pressured into launching her current world tour – insisting she proposed the idea because she was sick of people thinking she was “finished.”

Spears has endured a tumultuous 12 months which saw her lose custody of her two sons, suffer a break down and spend time in hospital under a mental health order.
But the pop superstar appeared to bounce back with the launch of her Circus shows earlier this year (09), which will see her take in the U.K., Europe and Australia on a mammoth run of live dates.

But Internet gossips have speculated that Spears is not ready for such a massive operation, with many suggesting she was pushed back out on the road by her father Jamie and manager Larry Rudolph.

But Spears insists she was the driving force behind her Circus tour – because she wanted to silence the critics who thought her career ended with her meltdown.
She says, “A lot of people thought I wouldn’t make it. People thought I was finished, didn’t they?

“I guess for a while last year it looked that way. Nothing I can do about the past. But I’m hoping to prove them wrong now. And I have really put everything I have into this new show.”

And the Toxic hitmaker admits going back on the road has been a therapeutic experience for her.

She adds, “I’m not sad any more. I was just so sad for such a long time, but not any more. And you know what? That feels really, really good. I’m happy. Truly. I feel like the girl who has it all. I have my family, my boys, my friends, my fans, this show.” {Source}

It’s great to see that ol’Britney is in a great place mentally. However, if it’s proving critics wrong about her abilities, then I’m afraid she’s gonna have to step it all the way up. For, despite all the spectacle, critics – almost in unison – have highlighted the facts that a) Ms. Spears seems to forgot how to dance and literally just struts up and down the stage and b) she almost gets swallowed up in the epic-ness of her show; put simply, she almost isn’t the star of her own show. That said, baby steps…

Your thoughts?