Quick Recap: Clive Davis Party

OMG - Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala was EVERYTHING I had hoped it would be! Prince, Sly Stone, Paul McCartney, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Puffy, Whitney, J Hud, Barry Manilow, Miley, Taylor Swift, The Jonas Bros, Rod Stewart....too many to name right now (it's 2:30AM). I spoke to Taylor - told her that I had seen rehearsals today and that she sounded great. She touched my arm and said, "Oh, aren't you sweet? Thank you so much!" Got my pic with Sly. Sly!!! Living legend.

Funniest moment of the night was when John Stamos was stopped by a woman for a pic. He happily obliged (and then proceeded to fall up the stairs) and when the woman walked away she said to her date, "Oh my God - he was SO drunk!!" Apparently Mr. Stamos is often drunk at these events. He was dressed like a Jonas Brother - but seriously, despite all of that, I must say....still kinda hot.

Big Fun At MusiCares Gala

I'm still basking in the glory of my Jonas Brothers overload last night. Poor Craig asked them all for autographs and they were so bored by him. They signed, but really couldn't be arsed. Bless him for asking them. I ALMOST got a pic with them but then they had to take the stage for an encore. Boo!

Camille Belle was there last night but she didn't sit with Joe. They were making googly eyes at eachother ALL NIGHT LONG. Little giggles from across the way. Lots of crazy chemistry. They're REALLY not sleeping together?!?! Camille looked gorgeous despite her ill-fitting dress. She's a beautiful girl.

We had a long, drunken conversation with industry peeps about the potential longevity of the boys and everyone agreed that Nick, the youngest Jonas, is the true talent of the operation and will probably be the Michael Jackson/Justin Timberlake break-out.

All of the performances at last night's MusiCares benefit were good. The Jonas Bros kind of butchered "Forever in Blue Jeans," but they looked cute doing it. Next up was Jennifer Hudson performing "Holy Holy." She KILLED it. She looked beautiful in a black sateen jumpsuit and gold jacket. She got a standing ovation and you could tell it shocked her. She nearly cried. Everyone in the room was standing up for her. Best New Artist nominee Adele sang "Cracklin Rosie" and everyone loved her. She's like a cleaned up version of Amy Winehouse. Anna Wintour is styling her for Sunday night, isn't she? Kid Rock performed "Thank The Lord for the Night Time" and literally rocked it. I do love him in a very dirty way. Urge Overkill performed "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" while the Uma Thurman/John Travolta Pulp Fiction dance scene played in the backgound. It took every fiber of my being not to perform the dance, but I did fight the urge. Pretty much. Tim McGraw looked dreamy performing "Hello Again" and Faith Hill looked absolutely gorgeous in her duet of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Neil.



Today we're going to Grammy rehearsals at The Staples Center. I get to sit right up front and bring my camera so expect LOTS this afternoon before I go to Clive Davis' party.

Radiohead Performing At Grammy's

It was announced earlier this week that Radiohead is performing at The Grammy's on February 8th. I can't WAIT! Do you think they'll want me to sit on on "Creep?" I can score a 100% singing it on Rock Band. Granted, it's on the "easy" setting, but still..

The last time I saw Radiohead (in 1994, I think) I didn't really see Radiohead. When I lived in Nashville I convinced a bunch of friends to go with me to see a Tom Petty show with Radiohead opening. No one was really too into the idea at first but by concert day we were totally excited! We crammed a bunch of us in a van, and got to amphitheather with plenty of time to pre-party. Unfortunately for me, I pre-partied a little too much. I quietly threw up in the blanket I was sitting on and spent the entire show sleeping in the van. Didn't even make it for the opening act. I learned a valuable lesson that day.

Well, except for the time my friend Lisa and I went to see Madonna, missed our train to the show, hailed a limo, bribed the driver to let us smoke and drink en route to the show, paid the driver to WAIT for us, got lost looking for the limo after the show, fell down in the parking lot....well, that's a different story.

I'm really excited for The Grammy's this year. In addition to Radiohead, also performing are: Justin Timberlake and T.I., who will perform together. Additionally, T.I. will also appear with Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne for a rendition of "Swagga Like Us." Paul McCartney (with special guest drummer Dave Grohl), Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry, and Carrie Underwood.

I can't wait!

Arrest Made In Hudson Case

Within days of the slayings, it seemed all of America knew William Balfour's face and that he was Chicago police's lone suspect in the shooting deaths of three of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson's family members.

Still, police worked slowly and methodically, hoping to amass physical evidence against the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, taking time afforded them when Balfour was held for violating his parole.

Police tested carpet fibers, checked for prints on every inch of the getaway vehicle and searched the murder weapon for signs that Balfour was the killer. On Monday, five weeks later and two days before Balfour was set to appear before the parole board again—and possibly be freed—police arrested him on a warrant for murder. No charges had yet been filed.

And although there still remains some evidence to be tested, the case is largely circumstantial, sources say. There are witnesses who say they saw Balfour at the family's home on the day of the slayings, cell phone tower records that tracked his movements and a girlfriend who says Balfour confessed and that she saw him with a gun that matched the murder weapon. The motive, the sources say, was an ongoing domestic squabble among Balfour; his estranged wife, Julia Hudson; and Hudson's family members.
(Click here for entire story)

Donald Trump There For Hudson Family

Wow. Could it be possible that Donald Trump is a nice guy?

Donald Trump doesn't just have the golden touch for business – he also has a heart of gold.

The real-estate mogul has been housing Jennifer Hudson and some of her relatives at the Trump International Hotel & Tower free of charge.

"She's a great girl. And we're protecting them well," Trump told PEOPLE at a benefit honoring Australia director Baz Luhrman at the Museum of Modern Art Monday night. "They are very safe."

Hudson has been seeking refuge at the Trump holding since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in Chicago on Oct. 24.

(Source: People.com)

Jennifer Hudson Goodbye to Family

Jennifer Hudson's family members were laid to rest yesterday. I hope the police quickly make arrests, the killers are prosecuted and Jennifer and her family can find peace.

Jennifer Hudson kissed her mother goodbye during a heartfelt private service for her slain family members in Chicago on Monday.

The Oscar-winning actress spent a few moments at the caskets of her brother and nephew, and gently touched the body of her mother before leaning down to kiss her, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Toward the end of the service, American Idol's season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino sang a rousing rendition of the gospel classic "Your Grace and Mercy." During the song, she walked into the aisle where she took Hudson's hand and sang directly to her.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley both spoke at the service. After the funeral, a horse-drawn carriage led the procession to the cemetery.

The private service comes a day after a public service was held for Darnell Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian King, 7, at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church near their Chicago home.

Police discovered the bodies of Hudson's mother and brother on Oct. 24, and her nephew's three days later.

Though no one has been charged, police have classified Jennifer's brother-in-law, William Balfour, as "a person of interest."

The Hudson family members will be buried at Oak Woods Cemetery on the South Side of Chicago.
(Source: People.com)

The Latest On The Hudson Murders

More detail and possible mmotives are beginning to emerge in the murder investigation of Jennifer Hudson's mom, brother and nephew....

Jennifer Hudson stood again in the Cook County medical examiner's office Monday afternoon, clutching the hands of loved ones as they identified the body of yet another slain relative—her 7-year-old nephew, Julian.

Even before family members arrived at the morgue, they had been told that the three-day search for the 2nd grader had ended when his body was found slumped in the back seat of an SUV parked on a West Side street. Amid visibly shaken family members in the medical examiner's office, Hudson bowed her head as if in prayer, then looked up.

"Yes, that's him," she told medical examiner officials as the family stood with her in an adjoining room and looked at a video monitor showing the boy's face.

The toll was inescapable: The Oscar-winning actress had lost her mother, her brother and now her nephew to a murderous rampage.

Even as the family gathered to answer one painful question, police searched the Chevrolet Suburban to answer others.

Officers questioned William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of Julian's mother, Friday night, but he stopped talking when police suggested he take a polygraph test, law-enforcement sources said. Balfour has not been charged in the slayings.

Although the sources say Balfour remains the focus of the investigation, the motive remains murky. Police say there have been ongoing disputes between him and his estranged wife, Julia Hudson, and her family.

Hudson's mother and brother had thrown him out of their Englewood house in the past, sources said. Julia Hudson also told police that Balfour had threatened the family. A source said Balfour told Julia Hudson he would kill her if he found out she had a boyfriend, despite the fact that he had other girlfriends.

In another incident, sources said, Julia Hudson arrived Friday morning at Sunrise Bus Co. on payday and discovered her wages had been garnished because of unpaid car payments. Sources said Balfour had taken her car months earlier but promised to make the payments on the vehicle. After seeing her pay stub, Julia Hudson called Balfour to complain about the unpaid bills, sources said.

Police believe that Balfour went to the Hudson family home Friday and shot through the front door, striking Hudson's brother, Jason. Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, came into the living room, screaming, and Balfour shot her as well, sources said. Shell casings were also found in the child's room, but there were no bullet holes or other signs of violence there. Much of the account of what police believe happened that day came from an interview with a girlfriend of Balfour's, sources said.

The sources also said Balfour's girlfriend contradicted his alibi and told police that he was involved in the slayings.

Click here for the full story from the Chicago Tribune.

Boys Body Found In Missing Suburban

My heart sank and I felt sick to my stomach when I heard the news that a boys body had been found in the Suburban police have been looking for in the case of Jennifer Hudson's missing nephew, Julian King. I was so hoping they would find him alive. Whoever did this is SICK.

The violence in Chicago needs to end. It's out of control.

A child's body was found in the vehicle police were looking for in their search for 7-year-old Julian King, the missing nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson.

The 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban with Illinois license plate X584859 was found in the 1300 block of South Kolin Avenue around 8 a.m. Live TV shots showed a white Chevrolet Suburban being towed away.

The Cook County medical examiner's office has sent investigators to the scene and said the body of a black boy was found inside, an office spokesman said. The child had not been identified.

A Chicago police spokesman released no information about the discovery.

Julian was reported missing and an Amber Alert was issued Friday after his grandmother and uncle were found shot to death inside the family's home in the 7000 block of South Yale Avenue.

Chicago police have interviewed William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of the boy's mother, Julia Hudson. He was initially described by police as a suspect in the investigation.

Balfour has denied involvement in the killings or the disappearance of the boy, law-enforcement sources said. But at some point, Balfour stopped talking to authorities, sources told the Tribune.

On Sunday morning, Balfour was transferred to a state facility after officials said he violated conditions of parole for a 1999 conviction for attempted murder. On Sunday, Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour violated his parole because he is a suspect in the slayings and the boy's disappearance.

According to law-enforcement sources, Balfour's alibi the day of the killings has been contradicted by his girlfriend. Balfour was arrested at the woman's Southwest Side home Friday night. Balfour and Julia Hudson had been separated for some time, his family members said. A family friend said Balfour recently had threatened to take Julian away.

A family member of the girlfriend's said police have interviewed her. Police also tracked Balfour's whereabouts Friday through his cell phone, sources said.

Also on Sunday, Jennifer Hudson, who gained stardom after appearing on "American Idol," and then won an Academy Award for the movie "Dreamgirls," offered a $100,000 reward for the return of her nephew.

(Source: Chicago Tribune)

Suspect In Hudson Slayings In Custody

This is so sad. It's all over the news here in Chicago.

(Jennifer & her mom)

(Jason Hudson and Darnell Donerson)

(The suspect, William Balfour)

Authorities investigating the shooting deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were searching for the missing 7-year-old nephew of the Oscar-winning actress.

A suspect in the deaths was in custody Friday night, but young Julian King had not been seen since the bodies of Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, were found Friday afternoon.

A family member entering Donerson's South Side home Friday afternoon found the woman shot on the living room floor. Responding officers later found Hanson shot in the bedroom, police said.

At least one of the victims suffered defensive wounds, said authorities who described the shooting as domestic violence.

William Balfour, a man suspected in the deaths, was arrested Friday but had not been charged, law enforcement sources told the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.

Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said investigators were talking to "a number of people in custody" but she declined to elaborate. An Amber Alert issued Friday said Balfour was a suspect in the double homicide.

Records from the Illinois Department of Corrections show Balfour, 27, is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle. Public records show one of Balfour's addresses as the home where Donerson and Jason Hudson were shot.

The Cook County medical examiner's office said autopsies for Donerson and Jason Hudson were pending.

Balfour's mother, Michelle, said her son had been married to Hudson's sister, Julia, for several years, but they were separated. She also said Donerson had ordered him to move out of the family's home last winter.

Jennifer Hudson's personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said the family wanted privacy.

The tragedy comes as Hudson, who grew up in Chicago, continues to reach new heights in her career. Her song "Spotlight" is No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts and her recently released, self-tiled debut album has been a top seller. She was featured in this year's blockbuster "Sex and the City" movie and is also starring in the hit film "The Secret Life of Bees."

She won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls." In an interview last year with Vogue, Hudson credited her mother with encouraging her to audition for "American Idol," which launched her career.

The singer, whose father died when she was a teenager, described herself as very close to her family. In a recent AP interview she said her family, which includes older siblings Julia and Jason, helped keep her grounded.

"My faith in God and my family, they're very realistic and very normal, they're not into the whole limelight kind of thing, so when I go home to Chicago that's just another place that's home," she said. "I stand in line with everybody else, or, when I go home to my mom I'm just Jennifer, (so she says), 'You get up and you take care of your own stuff.' And I love that; I don't like when people tell you everything you want to hear, I want to hear the truth, you know what I mean."

Hudson recently announced her engagement to David Otunga, best known for his stint on VH1's reality show "I Love New York."

Hudson's representatives would not disclose her whereabouts Friday. She had been scheduled to appear Monday in Los Angeles to collect an ensemble cast honor at the Hollywood Awards for "The Secret Life of Bees" with co-stars including Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah and Dakota Fanning.

(Source: Associated Press)

Jennifer Hudson's Mom AND Brother Dead?

TMZ is reporting that the other shooting victim was Jennifer Hudson's brother.

How awful!

There have been more fatalities due to handguns in Chicago this year than in Baghdad.

UPDATE FROM TMZ: An all points bulletin has been issued for Hudson's 7-year-old nephew who may have been taken from the scene. Police are looking for 1994 white Suburban with the license plate X584859.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Jennifer Hudson's mother was one of two victims shot and killed in Chicago earlier today.

A neighbor tells TMZ the other victim was Jennifer's brother Jason. A cousin who lived nearby discovered the bodies.

We're told the two bodies were found dead on the scene at 2:44 PM. When the fire department arrived and discovered the bodies, police were brought in and the home was declared a crime scene.
(Source: TMZ)

Jennifer Hudson Engaged!

I'm such a pessimist! As soon as I read that Jennifer Hudson was engaged to a dude who was on I Love New York I immediately thought he might be using her. I hope he's not. I like Jennifer!

Jennifer Hudson and boyfriend, David Otunga, have gotten engaged, her rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.

"I can confirm that Jennifer got engaged to her boyfriend David on Friday night in L.A." says the rep.

Otunga, who is known as "Punk" from the reality show I Love New York 2, popped the question with a Neil Lane diamond ring on the Dreamgirls Oscar winner's 27th birthday.

The couple, who have been dating less than a year, both hail from Chicago. (Source: People.com)