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Beyonce, Hudson Top NAACP Image Awards

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2009

It was a dreamy night for a couple of "Dreamgirls." Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson both glided away with trophies Thursday and wowed the audience with individual performances during the 40th annual NAACP Image Awards.

Beyonce won the female artist category while Husdon picked up the new artist award. They co-starred in the 2006 film "Dreamgirls."

"This is where we come from," Hudson said, accepting the trophy. "So it's always an honor to come home and feel welcome and to feel the love. I really cherish this and appreciate it."

Along with Beyonce and Hudson, will.i.am and Seal performed on stage at the Los Angeles ceremony, which was hosted by actress Halle Berry and actor-screenwriter Tyler Perry.

"The Secret Life of Bees" won for motion picture. "Grey's Anatomy" won for TV drama. Several of the winners were awarded before the live ceremony, including Chandra Wilson from "Grey's Anatomy" for actress in a drama series, Columbus Short from "Cadillac Records" for supporting actor in a motion picture and singer-actor Jamie Foxx for male artist.

Neither Chris Brown or Rihanna, who were both up for best artist awards, were in attendance. Brown is accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves Rihanna.

Sean "Diddy" Combs picked up the TV movie actor trophy for his role in "A Raisin in the Sun." Other acting winners included Hill Harper for "CSI: NY," Tracee Ellis Ross for "Girlfriends," Taraji P. Henson for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and Will Smith and Rosario Dawson for "Seven Pounds."

The awards honor achievements and performances of people of color in TV, film, music and literature.

'Idol' Disqualifies Semifinalist Pacitti

An "American Idol" contestant with a lengthy entertainment resume has been disqualified after reaching the show's top 36.

In its news released issued Wednesday night announcing the semifinalists, Fox TV said that Joanna Pacitti was "ineligible to continue." No reason was given by Fox.

But a person familiar with the decision said Thursday that Pacitti was dropped to avoid any appearance of business impropriety.

The decision was made because Pacitti had once worked with a person subsequently hired by 19 Entertainment, which produces "American Idol" with FremantleMedia, said another person familiar with the disqualification.

Felicia Barton of Virginia Beach, Va., replaced Pacitti, a Philadelphia native, in the top 36.

Pacitti, who auditioned in Louisville, Ky., entered "Idol" as anything but an ingenue. She had a record deal and released an album in 2006. She also starred in "Annie" on Broadway as a young girl, and sang on the soundtracks for "Legally Blonde" and "Bratz."

Today's Birthdays

Singer-musician Peter Tork (The Monkees) is 67. Actress Stockard Channing is 65. Talk show host Jerry Springer is 65. Singer Peter Gabriel is 59. Singer Robbie Williams is 35. Football player Randy Moss is 32. Actress Mena Suvari is 30.

Source: The Associated Press

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