The race to replace judge DANNII MINOGUE is also hotting up, with KELLY ROWLAND, now the main contender if the Aussie is axed as expected.

Simon is keen for an American to sit next to him, Louis and CHERYL COLE — and the former DESTINY’S CHILD singer fits the bill.

The source added: “Simon wants his winners to break the States like LEONA LEWIS did, so having an American judge would help that.” {Source}

This would really be a good look for Kelly – most especially in terms of expanding her profile here in the UK. Onwards and upwards, ey…

X Factor standout winners Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke performed on today’s Christmas episode of Top of The Pops. Peep Leona’s spine-tingling showing of ‘Run’ above, while you can view Alexandra’s performance of Christmas #1 ‘Hallelujah’ below:

Great performances! I know some will disagree, but I’m really feeling they are the new Mariah and Whitney. Very excited to see where the future takes these two.

What do you think of these performances?

Akon stopped by E!’s Chelsea Lately Show this week to promote his latest effort ‘Freedom’. The ‘Smack That’ singer lived up to the song’s name by erm…(you’ll see) during the interview. He also shed an interesting light on his relationship status, working with Michael Jackson and more. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

R&B star Usher served as the sole performer at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which aired live from Miami Beach last night. The multi-Platinum selling singer gave a rousing live medley of current single ‘Whats Your Name’ and 2004 smash ‘Yeah’. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

As confirmed by Beyonce herself, the singer’s eagerly awaiting 3rd solo outing ‘I Am…Beyonce / Sasha Fierce’ will be a dual disc affair – coming in both a regular and deluxe edition.

You can check out the ‘I Am…Sasha Fierce’ regular edition album cover above and the cover shot for the deluxe edition below along with the official track-listing for both the ‘I Am…Beyonce/ Sasha Fierce’ deluxe version. Confusing, yet exciting stuff:

The black and white concept seems to be her thing this go round – both with the videos and promo shots. Whatever the case, she looks great.

Tracklist (Deluxe Version)

Beyonce Disc
1. “If I Were a Boy” (Toby Gad and Beyoncé Knowles)
2. “Halo” (Ryan Tedder and Beyoncé Knowles)
3. “Disappear” (Amanda Ghost, Dave McCracken, Ian Dench, and Beyoncé Knowles)
4. “Broken-Hearted Girl” (Stargate and Beyoncé Knowles)
5. “Ave Maria” (Stargate and Beyoncé Knowles)
6. “Smash Into You” (C. “Tricky” Stewart, Terius “The-Dream” Nash, and Beyoncé Knowles)
7. “Satellites” (Amanda Ghost, Dave McCracken, Ian Dench, and Beyoncé Knowles)
8. “That’s Why You’re Beautiful” (Andrew Hey and Beyoncé Knowles)

Sasha Disc
1. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” (C. “Tricky” Stewart, Terius “The-Dream” Nash, and Beyoncé Knowles)
2. “Radio” (Jim Jonsin, D-Town, Rico Love, and Beyoncé Knowles)
3. “Diva” (Shondrae “Mr. Bangladesh” Crawford, Sean Garrett, and Beyoncé Knowles)
4. “Sweet Dreams” (Jim Jonsin, Wayne Wilkins, Rico Love, and Beyoncé Knowles)
5. “Video Phone” (Shondrae “Mr. Bangladesh” Crawford, Sean Garrett, and Beyoncé Knowles)
6. “Hello” (REO and Beyoncé Knowles)
7. “Ego” (Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams, Harold Lilly, and Beyoncé Knowles)
8. “Scared of Lonely” (Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins)
9. “Why Don’t You Love Me?” (Beyoncé Knowles, Solange Knowles, and Bama Boyz

Looking at the production credits, it seems, though some of her old collaborators are present – namely Darkchild and Stargate, Beyonce drafted in fresh talent for the project. It’ll be interesting to see whether it paid off. Roll on November 18th!

Your thoughts?

As I’m sure those who you who caught the ‘live’ finale of Making The Band 4 on Tuesday night know, Diddy sensationally revealed that he has removed Aubrey O’Day AND D. Woods from Danity Kane:

Three years after he picked them to round out the all-girl pop group he’d been assembling, Diddy gave Aubrey O’Day and D. Woods the proverbial boot during Tuesday night’s live season-three finale of “Making the Band 4,” leaving only Aundrea Fimbres, Shannon Bex and Dawn Richard to carry on as Danity Kane. Diddy’s reason for the dismissals? Fame turned O’Day into someone he no longer recognized, he said via satellite, and D. Woods was merely guilty by association, caught up in the shrapnel of O’Day’s celebrity.

But according to Richard, it was O’Day’s image that gave Diddy pause.

“Puff did not like [O’Day’s] image … where her image was going for the group,” she told UsMagazine.com. “It wasn’t a personal thing,” she added, explaining that O’Day’s recent topless appearance on the cover of Complex magazine wasn’t sending the right message to the group’s fans.

“We had just did a signing with Dollhouse Teen, which is for 13-, 14-year-old young girls,” Richard continued. “So, we can’t do that one day and then the next day do an obnoxious cover. … [Diddy] wants the fans, and he says he can’t do that if we can continue to go in the direction that we were going.”

While Diddy said he would work with Woods in the future, O’Day’s time is over. But the group will continue, Richard said.

“Well, Puff told me specifically that Aubrey is no longer in Danity Kane, and Danity Kane will move forward without her,” she explained, adding that Diddy hasn’t mentioned anything about replacing the two singers. “He has not said anything per that. But I think in my heart that he is going to do another show.” {Source}

Peep Aubrey’s speech/clash with Diddy at the finale below (D. Woods did not attend the show):

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Now, as some of you may know, That Grape Juice was on-site ALL-DAY at the 2008 MOBO Awards here in London yesterday. Having not yet watched the finale of Making The Band 4, yet knowing it was aired live, imagine my surprise when I spotted a certain D.Woods sitting right in front of me with her publicist (a friend of That Grape Juice).

After exchanging pleasantries (she is very familiar with the site, dating back to our interview with her back in February) and watching her present an award , I spoke with her on the side about what exactly is going on with Danity Kane (bare in mind I knew nothing of what went down at the finale), she confirmed she’d reveal all in an inteview with That Grape Juice (which will hopefully be in the coming week(s)). Interestingly, however, when shouting out the site, she introduced herself in a way that will leave many scratching their heads, somewhat. Check it out:

Hmmmm…

Wait…there’s more. After the airing of the finale, a press release from MTV touting ‘bonus episodes’ of Making The Band to air in 2009. Check out an extract of what to expect:

With the future of Danity Kane still up in the air, Day26 pursuing their dreams and Donnie Klang working his way to the top, where do they go from here? MTV is extending the drama into 2009 with bonus episodes of the hit reality series “Making The Band.” The saga will continue with the remaining members of Danity Kane, their label mates Day26 and Donnie Klang as they all embark on the next phases of their Bad Boy careers.

The extended season will pick-up where the last one left off…Following all the drama and turmoil from the cliffhanger on the live finale. Fans will catch-up with Day26 as they go out on their own and experience what it’s like to be the opening act for more established recording artists. Can they stay focused and make it on their own without the support of their label mates? Donnie Klang will continue to strive and prove to Diddy that he has what it takes to be a solid solo artist and go on tour with more well known musical acts. Will the hectic pace of the music business put too much strain on Dawn and Que’s romance or will it make their love stronger? The Danity Kane story will continue to unfold after Diddy’s shocking decision to remove Aubrey and D. Woods from the group. Will the Band live on without them? Will Aubrey and D. Woods return to Danity Kane? The bonus episodes will follow MTV’s favorite “Making The Band” artists as they give it all they have while trying to remain true to themselves in the process.

I’m still pretty surprised at the whole thing. I’ll hold my tongue until I learn/hear more of what is going on.

Your thoughts?

Britney Spears’ really does seem poised for a major comeback, after her current single ‘Womanizer’ hit the #1 spot this week on the Billboard Hot 100:

Another week, another record-breaking jump to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Britney Spears makes a near-maximum 96-1 rise with “Womanizer,” returning to the top of the list for the first time since her debut single “…Baby One More Time” hit No. 1 in January 1999.

This is the third time in the past two months that the mark for the biggest jump to No. 1 has been shattered. On the Hot 100 dated Sept. 6, T.I. soared 71-1 with “Whatever You Like” and last week he sprinted 80-1 with “Live Your Life.”

Spears’ single is spurred by first-week download sales of 286,000, the biggest opening-week tally by a female artist since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking digital downloads in 2003, besting Mariah Carey’s take for “Touch My Body” by just over 200 units. {Source}

Though the song is rubbish IMO, I’m still real happy for her – considering the drama of the last few years. More power to her!

Your thoughts?

In a move that no doubt reaffirms Kanye West’s uniqueness in an increasingly ‘samey’ industry, the rapper leaked his latest single ‘Heartless’ himself on his official blog last night. The track, which is the 2nd release from his hotly anticipated ‘808s & Heartbreak’ LP (due November 25th), once again sees ‘Ye employ the vocoder effect as well as both singing/raping. A great cut I must say.

{Link removed as requested}

Great performances from both ladies. On a random note, it really does go to show that genuine, raw talent can be found on shows such as American Idol.

Anyway, the full show airs in the US January 24 and 25, 2009 on BET and WGN.

What do you think of the performances?