at 15:39 on February 6, 2009, EDT.
By Melinda Newman, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


In this Oct. 6, 2008 file photo, Jennifer Hudson poses at the post-premiere party for "The Secret Life of Bees" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, Calif. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chris Pizzello, file


BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Days after her triumphant return to the spotlight with her Super Bowl appearance, Jennifer Hudson is booked for Grammy-related events, including a party honoring music mogul Clive Davis.

The singer rehearsed for the Saturday party on Thursday night, singing her hit "Spotlight." Hudson and Davis embraced during the rehearsal.

Davis said Hudson specifically asked to be included in the evening, in which the Recording Academy is honoring the legendary music producer and executive.

"Very touchingly, she called me when she read of my lifetime achievement award, (and said) that she wanted to be part of it, that she wanted to come back with her musical life, so, of course, that is touching," he says. He added that Hudson will also be performing a surprise duet "that people won't see elsewhere."

Hudson is up for four awards at the Grammys and will also perform on the Sunday broadcast. The Oscar-winner is returning to the spotlight this month after being in seclusion since the October slayings of her mother, brother and nephew in Chicago. Her estranged brother-in-law has been charged in the killings.

Other performers at the Davis party are to include the Kings of Leon and Whitney Houston, who is expected to release her long-awaited comeback album this year.

"There's going to be many artists getting up there to party and, hopefully, just doing what they do best, which is to dazzle," Davis said.

Leona Lewis, another Grammy-nominated performer, said she can't wait to see her idol, Houston.

"Ever since I was so young, a little girl, I've idolized her," she says. "She's just amazing. An incredible artist with such long-standing success. I really admire her and I can't wait to see her."

Davis, who is credited with discovering acts such as Houston, Alicia Keys, and Lewis and revitalizing the careers of veterans like Aretha Franklin and Carlos Santana, has held an exclusive pre-Grammy bash for years. This year, the party has become a part of the Recording Academy's week of pre-Grammy events. A longtime executive and music label founder, he is now Sony BMG's chief creative officer.

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On the Net:

http://www.jenniferhudsononline.com

http://www.grammy.com


©The Canadian Press, 2009

this is cool

would be cool if it was j. foxx or a. keys or queen latifah.

Whitney!

Babydubistzuschnell said: