Jennifer Hudson, Clive Davis, & Leona Lewis Gear Up for Pre-Grammy Party

Jennifer Hudson took the stage at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles Thursday to rehearse for her performance at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala this weekend. We also spoke with the legendary Clive Davis and the Grammy-nominated Leona Lewis about the big bash.

Hudson, who has kept a low profile since the tragic shooting deaths of her mother, brother and nephew last October, shared a hug with Davis after her rehearsal. Hudson's performance will mark her second major performance since her family tragedy -- the first being her powerful rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before last Sunday's Super Bowl game.

Davis, who is the Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, talks about bringing music talent together for his annual party, saying:

"Well, what's great is that over the years, the party became an industry party, and yes, I used it as an opportunity to introduce artists like Leona or Jennifer … they've all been a part of this party, where we celebrate music because it's the night before the awards."

The Pre-Grammy Gala will take place this Saturday and will include a performance by Whitney Houston.
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Patrick Swayze Biography Revealed

An exclusive look at the cover of an upcoming unauthorized biography about Patrick Swayze.

The book, called One Last Dance, will be a biography written by New York Times-bestselling author Wendy Leigh.

The biography will be an intimate look at the life and career of Swayze from his early days on Broadway to his defining roles in films 'Dirty Dancing,' 'Road House,' 'Point Break,' and 'Ghost.' One Last Dance will also include never-before-heard stories about iconic film star.
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Val Kilmer Running for NM Governor?

Is Val Kilmer plotting to break on through to the political side? The former 'Doors' and 'Top Gun' star hinted this week that he may make a bid for governor of New Mexico, reports the Associated Press.

The 49-year-old registered Democrat, a New Mexico resident for more than 20 years, said that he pondering the leadership position when Democrat Bill Richardson's second term ends in 2010.
"I'm just looking for ways to be contributive," Kilmer said. "And if that ends up being where I can make a substantial contribution, then I'll run."

Kilmer said he voted for then-President-elect Obama while filming a project in Bulgaria. One of his primary opponents, should he choose to run, would be Democrat and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who's already running for the job.

No decision has been made yet, however, with the Hollywood star saying, "It's really day to day."
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'90210' Star to Join 'Twilight' Sequel?

It is confirmed that a "90210" star has auditioned for the role of Heidi in 'New Moon,' the upcoming sequel to the mega-hit 'Twilight.'

Sources tell us that AnnaLynne McCord, who also stars in "Nip/Tuck," has auditioned for the role, a character known as a "fisher" that brings humans to the Volturi vampires to feast upon, using her stunning looks as bait. There is no word yet on whether or not McCord has actually been cast yet.

The role is not very large, so it will be more like a cameo if McCord joins the production. She'd also be in familiar company, as "90210" co-star Kellan Lutz played Emmett in the first film and will return for the sequel.

'The Golden Compass' and 'About a Boy' director Chris Weitz takes on the helm for the sequel, with filming scheduled to begin next month in Vancouver and Italy with the returning Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. The film has a November 20 release date.
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He's Just Not That Into You--Now Playing

Starring
Ben Affleck as Neil
Jennifer Aniston as Beth
Drew Barrymore as Mary
Jennifer Connelly as Janine
Kevin Connolly as Connor
Bradley Cooper as Ben
Ginnifer Goodwin as Gigi
Scarlett Johansson as Anna
Justin Long as Alex
Kris Kristofferson as Ken Murphy
Broke Bloom

Movie Story

An all-star cast is featured in the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty - and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life. Trying to read the signs of the opposite sex, each hopes to be the exception to the "no exceptions" rule.

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John Mayer Talks About Sleepovers At Jen's House With Ellen

On Monday's Ellen DeGeneres Show, John Mayer talks about girlfriend Jennifer Aniston's new high-tech house -- and admits he occasionally sleeps over.

"There is no normal thing in the Aniston house," he says. "You won't find a light switch. The light switch is not antiquated. "There is a six-button light panel. It does everything," Mayer goes on. "The top button is on and the button right below that one seems to be an air horn, so in the middle of the night, it [can be] very difficult [to sleep]."

Aniston gets confused by her high-tech home, too.

Says Mayer, "The other day, I'm like, 'This is the most beautiful kitchen of all time. Where is the trash?'" Aniston, he adds, "didn't know where the trash was."

DeGeneres then puts Mayer on the hot seat, asking him if he sleeps over.

"Yeah, there are sleepovers, yeah," he says. "Yes, yes, there are."
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Jonas Brothers At A Grammy Event In L.A.

Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Nick Jonas attended a MusiCares event for the Grammy Awards Thursday in L.A.

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Renee Zellweger and James Franco Honored By Harvard

James Franco, who won recent acclaim for playing both a goofy pot dealer and Harvey Milk's lover, has been named Harvard's Hasty Pudding Man of the Year.

Franco will receive the award at a roast Feb. 13 by the Hasty Pudding -- the nation's oldest undergraduate drama troupe.

Renee Zellweger was honored as Harvard's Hasty Pudding Club's 2009 Woman of the Year Thursday in Cambridge, Mass.

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Mother Of Octuplets Blames Difficult Childhood On Wanting So Many Kids

Nadya Suleman, the woman who gave birth to eight babies last week, admits that she has always longed for a big family as an only child.

"That was always a dream of mine, to have a large family, a huge family, and -- I just longed for certain connections and attachments with another person that I really lacked, I believe, growing up," Suleman said in an interview with NBC's Ann Curry on Thursday.

Suleman, who sat down with Curry on the same day she was discharged from the hospital, said she liked a sense of "self and identity" from a young age.

"I didn't feel as though, when I was a child, I had much control of my environment," she told Curry. "I felt powerless. And that gave me a sense of predictability. Reflecting back on my childhood, I know it wasn't functional. It was pretty dysfunctional, and whose isn't?"

Suleman's mother, Angela Suleman, had told Usmagazine.com exclusively that her daughter did blame her childhood on her desire to have so many kids.

"She was always upset I didn't have more," Angela told Us. But I don’t think she really knew. If she had brothers and sisters, I don’t think she would have been happier."

In the interview, Suleman -- who already had six children before giving birth to the octuplets -- used the same donor, a friend, for all 14 kids. All of the children were conceived through in vitro fertilization.

"I went through about seven years of trying -- through artificial insemination," Suleman said. "And through medication. And all of which was unsuccessful. And then the first -- IVF procedure from that-- from that facility -- it was successful. And then I just kept going in."

A first look at the exclusive interview will air on NBC's Today Friday.

Watch the full interview on Today this Monday and on Dateline Tuesday at 10 p.m. EST.
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American Idol's Jordin Sparks Will Sing At NBA All-Star Game

Season Six American Idol winner Jordin Sparks is heading back to her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, where she will sing the national anthem at the 2009 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15.

Sparks, a 2009 Grammy nominee, will be part of an all-star lineup of performers, including Chris Brown, Juanes and John Legend.

It's a big deal for the "Tattoo" singer, who joins a list of national anthem performers including Christina Aguilera and Destiny's Child.

Sparks's self-titled debut album featuring hit singles "No Air," "Tattoo," and "One Step At A Time," was just recently certified Platinum in the U.S., making her one of the few American Idol winners to achieve major success on the Billboard Hot 100, alongside Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Sparks performance will air Feb. 15 on TNT.
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Michael Phelps Loses Contract With Kelloggs

Kellogg in not pursuing a new contract with Michael Phelps as a corn flakes spokesman after a photo showed him apparently smoking a marijuana pipe.

"We originally built the relationship with Michael, as well as the other Olympic athletes, to support our association with the U.S. Olympic team," a company spokeswoman says in a statement. "Michael's most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellogg. His contract expires at the end of February and we have made a decision not to extend his contract."

Phelps also was suspended from competition and denied financial support for three months by USA Swimming, the sport's national governing body. "This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero," the federation says in a statement. "Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust."

The 23-year-old all-time Olympic swimming champ with eight gold medals last summer has apologized. His rep said Thursday the swimmer "accepts these decisions and understands their point of view." "He feels bad he let anyone down," the rep says.

"He's also encouraged by the thousands of comments he's received from his fans and the support from his many sponsors. He intends to work hard to regain everyone's trust." Phelps's other sponsors, including Speedo, Omega watch and Visa, have stuck by him.
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