VH1 Divas 2009

In case you missed, VH1 honored a new class of Divas Thursday night. Jordin Sparks, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson, and Adele performed to a packed house at the Academy of Music in New York City. Lots of American Idol love, Paula must be proud.

Adele looking classy & stunning, performed to a packed house at the Academy of Music in NYC.

Paula Abdul performed a montage of her hits to open the show. I was nervous for Paula, but she did alright, in fact, she looked great dancing around that set. Paula hosted as well. The evening was all about performance and duets. Jennifer Hudson was the first Diva to peform, showing off her svelte post baby bod. Kelly Clarkson followed with another ballad. Sweet Adele, her performance left me wanting more. Jordin Sparks was forgettable. Then there was Miley.

Miley Cyrus in the black dress, fishnets, and stellar heels on the red carpet...

Miley Cyrus in the black dress, fishnets, and stellar heels on the red carpet was stunning. A bit revealing, but I’ve seen prom dresses worse. Miley can hit that mark just right sometimes, and then *boom* she hits the stage. Girl, when you put that on, couldn’t you tell it was ugly?  The size of that bow in the back of her dress looked like she strapped on a parachute and she was about to jump out of a plane. 1 out of 2, eh.

Jennifer Hudson & Jordin Sparks at VH1 Divas 2009...making Paula proud.

In addition to the Divas, the night played host to some great duets. India.Arie sang with Adele, Stevie Wonder performed with Jennifer Hudson, Cyndi Lauper did a great rendition of “True Colors” with Leona Lewis, Martina McBride and Jordin Sparks performed, Sheryl Crow sang with Miley, Melissa Etheridge and Kelly Clarkson closed the show.

Lauren Conrad dazzled in a green Alice and Oliva sparkler.

Stunners:

Sheryl Crow donned a Dolce Gabbana dress with Neil Lane costume jewelry. Whitney Port arrived in a gauzy La Perla dress and Giuseppe Zanotti heels. Lauren Conrad dazzled in a green Alice and Oliva sparkler, personal pick of best dressed of the evening.

VH1 Divas 2009: Leona Lewis' makeup artist gets high fives!

Highlights:

Keri Hilson finally won me over with an outfit.

Nene from the ATL Real Housewives introducing Adele, sure Kim from ATL and Bethany Frankel from NYC were there, but Nene reigns supreme in Housewive Land.

Leona Lewis’ makeup artist gets high fives for choosing just the right palette to make Leona look dynamite.

Miley’s face when she saw “the fat lady” in the balcony at the end of the show.

Girl Power y’all.

See more on VH1.com!

Melanie Fiona

Melanie Fiona is a new singer signed to Jay-Z’s new label, ROC Nation, joining Mickey Factz and Wale as recent signees. The young songstress was born in Toronto to Guyanese parents who raised her in Canada and Guyana listening to Sam Cooke, Bob Marley, The Drifters, and a lot of “old soul music”. Today she cites Lauryn Hill, India Arie, and Amy Winehouse as influences in her music. VIBE magazine featured her as one of the NEXT artists in their April issue and Kanye West picked her up to open for him on the European leg of his “Glow In The Dark” tour. Fiona has also shared the stage with Akon, Lupe Fiasco, and Keyshia Cole.

The lead track off of her debut album, The Bridge, to hit the airwaves, “Give It To Me Right”, samples the iconic 1968 hit from The Zombies, “Time of the Season.” The  single has the industry abuzz with veterans like Busta Rhymes, Raekwon, and Talib Kweli remixing the song. She earned rave reviews from the artist showcase ROC Nation held for her at the Canal Room in SoHo back in February. One attendee commented, “When Miss Fiona hit the stage she had everyone’s attention, especially since she had a full band. Now that’s major for someone so new.”

Melanie Fiona

Her goal with music and her album is to bridge the gap between ethnicities, genders, and age groups in which she achieves by sampling soulful sounds and writing lyrics that speak to this generation. Fiona is currently living out of her suitcase promoting the new album and will be lighting up stages this summer. If you can, check her out at the Essence Music Festival, July 3-5 in New Orleans alongside Anita Baker, Beyonce, Ne-Yo, and many others.