Legendary diva and comeback queen Whitney Houston took to the stage on tonight’s X-Factor results show to perform new single ‘Million Dollar Bill (Freemasons Mix)’. As with most things ‘Whitney’ these days, her appearance on the show was almost exclusively the main talking point on everybody’s lips.

As for the actual performance, I really, really enjoyed this. Ms. Houston commanded that stage like the unashamed diva that she is. Work! Her  energy and overall stage presence were so off-the-charts that they compensated for the still-rather-good (for 2009 Whitney) vocals. In what I hope doesn’t become a big deal, Nippy’s ‘wardrobe malfunction’ was in reality a minor and she continued on like the professional she is, poking fun at it at the end.

The interview at the end, upon watching it live, had me (and a whole lot of other folk) giving a collective ‘What in the blue hell?’ For whatever the reason, Ms. Houston wasn’t quite ‘with it’, this evidenced by her not having much of  clue when the album was to be released, the constant looking at the floor, fidgety composure, and the lengthy gap in answering some of the questions. That said, I do not agree with some of whispers-turned-loud accusations that Whitney is back to her troubled times. I strongly doubt it’s that. I guess only she know’s the reading. However, after talking everything there is to talk about with Oprah, it’d be great if her team did a Britney Spears and limit the talking/doing interviews and have her just perform.

What do you think of the performance?

Review coming in a few mins…

In the meanwhile…

What do you think of the performance?

Peep Kelly Rowland on the set of 50 Cent’s new music video for single ‘Baby By Me’, which was shot in Los Angeles recently. Kelly will be starring in the clip as 50’s love interest.

While our views on ol’ Curtis are well documented, there’s no denying this is a good look for Ms. Kelly. I’m loving that she’s upping her visibility in the States; she has the rest of the world on lock  – it’s time to re-establish herself on her home soil. Bring on album #3

Your thoughts?

Review coming in a bit (watching X-Factor lol)…

In the meanwhile…

What do you think of the video?

If you were wondering what in the hell was going on with That Grape Juice over the last few days, I return from a trip out to several messages telling me the site was down. I check my mailbox only to see a copyright claim from the RIAA for posting Beyonce’s ‘I Am… Yours’ DVD cover…not even a song/MP3! To say I was not impressed would be an understatement. Not knowing exactly where to point my finger as to the origin of the complaint, all I will say is that, after all the promo/good vibes we throw Bouncy’s way, this wasn’t the best way to pay us back, was it?! We still love her! Stay tuned to That Grape Juice in the coming week for some big surprises (Hint: you may hit us up one day and notice  some major changes…so excited!)

So moving from one talented artist to one who arguably lacks it altogether, check out these snaps of Rihanna on the video set of her as yet  untitled new single (which premieres on Monday 20th October). Not feeling ol’ Billy-Goat’s look at all. The blonde streaks and eye patch reek of contrived-ness. I’m fine with gimmicks as long as there is talent to back it up once it all fades (see: Lady GaGa), but Ms. Fenty’s brand of caca, I cannot get down with. No maam.

Your thoughts?

International star Kelly Rowland looked the picture of fierceness at the MTV Latin Awards this week in Universal City, California. Dressed in SPACE designer catsuit to perform her smash ‘When Love Takes Over’, Ms. Kelly looked the best she has in a long, long time. Loving the look. With the industry today being just as much about what we see as well as what we hear, I’m hoping Kelly sticks to a look like this and makes it her own. Her own ‘theme’, if you like. Work.

Your thoughts?

Kenny Ortega, the acclaimed producer of Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ project, has been doing the media rounds ahead of the movie’s simultaneous worldwide release on October 28th. Check out his real interesting chat with talk show queen Oprah Winfrey from yesterday’s episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show (part 1 above, and part 2 below). The vid also includes lengthy exclusive footage from the movie.

I have no qualms in saying this will be a tear-jerker. Admittedly, quite a tough-cookie, even I was welled-up watching this. That said, I feel this movie, in as much as it is about recouping lost money on the tour, I really believe it will be a fine send-off for Mike – with his ‘final’ body of work being solely centred on his immense talent – which lives forever. I’m smiling as I type 🙂

Your thoughts?

Ms. Wifrey is killing it with these interviews; Iron Mike Tyson’s first stint on the show earlier this week was so well-received that he was invited back on for yesterday’s episode. Reaffirming her show as the one to watch, Oprah accepted a request from Evander Holyfield – who Tyson infamously bit his ear off several years ago, to speak with Tyson on the show. A great watch.

Your thoughts?

There have been murmurings for the last week or so regarding an apparent ‘top-secret ‘ industry heavyweights Beyonce and Lady GaGa have collaborated on. Well, Life & Style magazine have now confirmed the joint venture to be a video collaboration for Bouncy’s ‘Video Phone’:

Two of music’s biggest divas, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, are joining forces for Beyoncé’s upcoming single, “Video Phone.” “On Oct. 7, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé were working on the video together at a studio in NYC,” an insider reveals exclusively to Life & Style. “Everything on the set was being kept very hush-hush, and security was extremely tight.”

Both Beyoncé, 28, and Lady Gaga, 23, are known for their showmanship and elaborate costumes, and this joint venture shouldn’t disappoint. “In the video,” says the insider, “Beyoncé wears a feathered dress. And of course Lady Gaga wears something wild. The fashion is sick and insane.”

I literally cannot wait to see this!

Your thoughts?

Things continue to get better for the once-troubled Pop superstar Britney Spears. This week sees ‘3’ the lead single from her forthcoming greatest hits LP ‘The Singles Collection’ debut atop of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Check out the report below, as well as set pics from the Diane Martel (‘Love, Sex, Magic’) directed video, which is set to premiere October 19th:

Britney Spears will become the first artist in over three years to debut at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 tomorrow.

The singer’s new single ‘3’, which is taken from her upcoming singles collection, has shifted over 255,000 downloads in its first week of release, according to Billboard.

The track is also expected to reach pole position on the Digital Songs countdown and debut at number 49 on the Radio Songs/Hot 100 Airplay, which is based on airplay audience on all radio formats.

The last song to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 was Taylor Hicks’s American Idol winners song ‘Do I Make You Proud’ in July 2006.

Britney’s first single ‘…Baby One More Time’ spent two weeks at the top spot in 1999 and ‘Womanizer’ enjoyed one week at number one last October. {Source}

I  guess this is pretty much a testament to Britney’s staying power in today’s industry; I say this as I still feel the song is generic as hell and a far cry from some of her more career defining material. That said, I can’t hate on her game…

Your thoughts?

Your thoughts?