Oh how time flies.

Though it may be hard to believe, only four weeks separate ‘American Idol’ fans for its hotly anticipated new season, starring Pop treasure Mariah Carey and Rap superstar Nicki Minaj.

Now watch as the ladies open up on what these fans can expect from the new season, and how they feel about the show’s oft underrated ‘record’, which has seen them responsible for Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.

Watch below….

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Fresh from wrapping The X Factor UK, the show’s “winning judge” Nicole Scheringer jetted out to Jakarta to flaunt her own talents at a private gig.

Backed by famed composer David Foster, the singer’s Indonesian set included a unique take on Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You’ – a song  more recently popularised by Jennifer Hudson in 2006’s ‘Dreamgirls’.

How did the former Pussycat Doll fare? Find out below…

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Over the past year, we at That Grape Juice have turned to the readers for their thoughts on the roles age, race, and even sexuality play in one’s success in the music industry.  Now, let’s weigh in on a heavier topic – weight.

Our culture is collectively becoming more stylized, making substance a thing of the past.  As image drives the culture, often filling media with airbrushed or digitally altered representations of “beautiful”, the standard of beauty has never been more sought.  An anomaly indeed given that statistics have proven most of the people subscribing to those very standards oft do not meet them.

So, what’s the big deal?

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The stars united to pay tribute to the late, great Whitney Houston in this Grammy organized special ‘We Will Always Love You’.

Featuring moving performances from Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Yolanda Adams, Cece Winans, Celine Dion, and more, the salute also saw spoken tributes from Halle Berry, Britney Spears, and LL Cool J.

Set at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, see all the action below (as they become available):

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In honor of her celebrated life and lasting legacy, CBS will present the Whitney Houston ‘Grammy Salute’  November 13th.

Boasting tributes and performances by Britney Spears, Jennifer Hudson, Halle Berry and LL Cool J, today saw footage from Ushers tribute to the icon surface online.

A performance,  which both showcases Usher’s skill as a vocalist and conviction as an entertainer- serving justice to Houston’s take on ‘I Believe In You & Me’, originally released by The Four Tops in 1983.

Enjoy below…

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(Actress Halle Berry At the ‘We Will Always Love You: Whitney Houston Tribute event in Los Angeles)

The stars joined to celebrate the life of the late, great Whitney Houston is a moving, Grammy-sponsored tribute last night.

As reported here, the Los Angeles hosted event boasted the vocals of Jennifer Hudson, Cece Winans, Usher, and Celine Dion (amongst others) as those tapped to lift their voices in memory of the ‘I Will Always Love You’ songstress.

Set for air on CBS November 13th, get into these snaps below from last night’s event (especially Jennifer Hudson channeling Houston circa 1988 Freedom Fest gear):

As previously reported, actress Halle Berry, rapper LL Cool J, and “singer” Britney Spears also acted as hosts for the event. (source)

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Getty]

The pop fates are weaving quite the tickling web…and just in time for Halloween.

For, adding to her duties as X Factor judge, news has surfaced ‘Baby One More Time’ beauty Britney Spears has added one more duty to her ‘to-do’ list – joining the line-up for the CBS-aired tribute to the late, great Whitney Houston.

Already boasting a roster of performers including Cece Winans, Yolanda Adams, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, and Usher, Spears’ addition to the lineup…

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‘My Heart Will Go On’ hitmaker Celine Dion is set to join Usher & Jennifer Hudson as headliners of a new CBS special designed to honor late pop icon Whitney Houston.

As reported here, the trio are the first set of performers confirmed to take the stage at the Nokia Theatre-hosted event (though it is widely speculated R. Kelly will perform as well).

Due for taping October 11th, the event will undoubtedly see more of many singers Houston has influenced step up to take the stage.

Fans looking for tickets to the Los Angeles-hosted event can click here for details.  Those unable to make the show can catch it when it airs on CBS in November (source).

Your thoughts?

If Twitter has proven itself to be nothing else since its popularization, it has celebrity been a celebrity battleground.  It is there where many an e-diss have been dished and dodged by many stars including Jennifer Hudson, Brian McKnight, K. Michele, and more.

And, with no two stars finding themselves afront a tweet gone wrong headline more than ‘Birthday Cake’ co-stars Chris Brown & Rihanna, it’s pretty safe to say this trend will continue.

Indeed, while everyone was talking about Ri‘s tell-all sit down with Talk Queen Oprah Winfrey earlier this week, the talk of a certain comedy queen – Joan Rivers – did not earn a soft response from the ‘Hard’ singer today…

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‘One Step At A Time’ singer Jordin Sparks is certainly taking Hollywood by storm one step at a time, as evidenced by her promo push for forthcoming film debut ‘Sparkle’ (August 17th).  Sharing the silver screen with late great Whitney Houston, the ‘American Idol’ alum had barely put the finishing touches on this film before news of her Alicia Keys-produced film (with Jennifer Hudson) was in production.

Now, in full promo swing for her current film, Miss Sparks took to ‘Redbook’s’ September issue to dish on the film, her hot new figure, and equally hot romance Haitian hitmaker Jason Derulo.

But before you can read the mag (which hits stands August 14th), catch the behind the scenes action below:

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Since bursting onto the scene in the early 90’s, Usher has established himself as Pop music’s premier forces. As such, it’s only fitting that the 33 year old’s 15 year (plus) career is rewarded with a star on Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame – and next year it will be.

The ‘Scream’ singer, whose new album ‘Looking 4 Myself’ hit #1 this week, leads the pack of inductees for 2013. Find out who’ll be joining him after jump…

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Eric Bellinger is a very busy man.

Recently wrapping up work on Usher‘s latest LP ‘Looking For Myself‘, which saw him pen the Rick Ross assisted ‘Lemme See‘, today saw him jet to London– readying new material for ROC sensation Rihanna.

So, as long time supporters of the singer/songwriter, That Grape Juice had the pleasure of meeting with him at a London recording studio yesterday  for a rare sit down interview.

An interview, which saw him address his solo project, working on Kelly Rowland‘s long awaited new album and the pressures of being a writer in today’s industry.

Read below…

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