Beyonce Knowles and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson were two of the big victors, with the former - who went into the ceremony with six nominations - winning two, for best female R’n’B artist and video of the year for Irreplaceable.

Twenty-five-year-old Jennifer performed her showstopping number And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going from Dreamgirls, duetting with Broadway star Jennifer Holliday, who made the song famous when the show first played on the Great White Way.

Jen also scooped the best actress prize. At the other end of the career spectrum, Diana Ross was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Public Enemy saluted the late James Brown by doing a version of his song Say It Loud (I’m Black And I’m Proud).

Other stars at the gala included Eve, Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams and Alicia Keys.


Beyonce in no rush to be a mum - June 1 2007
Beyonce seems to have come up with her own way of deflecting constant baby questions, telling reporters that she won’t be sporting a baby bump for at least 10 years.

Asked whether she wants children in the June issue of France’s Questions de Femmes, the 25-year-old replied: "Yes, in 10 years! For the moment, there are still so many things I need to accomplish."

Beyonce’s also still dogged by rumours of an impending marriage to her long-term boyfriend Jay-Z, with whom she was most recently spotted with in Cannes last week.

But the Bootylicious star recently told InStyle magazine: "You can’t rush a man into anything - whether it’s a relationship, marriage or having children. When he’s ready, he’ll let you know."

But while Beyonce tackles her long list of professional ambitions - which includes the British leg of her current world tour, which kicks off on Friday - she reveals she has plenty of things other than Jay-Z to keep her occupied during her time off.

"I used to do some painting but I don’t have time anymore - I have to start again," she told Questions de Femmes. "I like to watch the Discovery Channel and from time to time DVDs. It depends on how I feel."


Beyonce ’pulling B’Day album’ - April 26 2007
Beyonce is having to pull one of her albums following legal action, according to reports.

Its claimed the B’Day - Deluxe Edition is coming off of the shelves, after the singer allegedly recorded a track without permission.

The singer and her label have reportedly agreed to stop distributing the albums according to website TMZ. They’ve also pulled an accompanying music video DVD which includes the song.

Still in Love (Kissing You) was originally recorded by singer Des’ree under the title I’m Kissing You.

Beyonce’s people apparently tried to obtain permission to re-record it. Talks failed though, and the lawsuit claims Beyoncé went ahead and recorded it anyway.

Beyonce’s quoted on TMZ as saying "it was one of my all-time favourite songs," and that the song wasn’t originally intended to go on the album.

Apparently the decision to include the track was "last-minute".

A preliminary injunction hearing will take place on May 4.

Pop divas clinch top spot - April 23 2007
Beyonce and Shakira have clinched the No 1 single with their duet Beautiful Liar.

The pop divas’ track climbed from five last week to the top spot replacing Timbaland’s Give It To Me, which fell to three.