There. Are. No. Words.

I lied. There are plenty of words to describe this performance of Gaga's "Bad Romance" on the Finnish TV show "Battle of the Choirs."

Incredible, horrifying, musical, beautiful, moving, special, fierce. Those are a few.

Please watch this video!!! Via DListed.

PS--Finland has a TV show called "Battle of the Choirs"????????

Flashback: 2000 Summer Olympics

For me and all of my musical theatre friends in college, the highlight of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney was not sports-related. Instead, our fondest moment was when unknown DIVA Vanessa Amorosi sang "Heroes Live Forever" at the opening ceremony. Nothing short of incredible, Amorosi's voice rang through the Olympic Stadium and into our hearts; the song was played during just about every Singing Hoosier party, bus ride, slideshow, or other social event.

Here's the live performance:

Where is Vanessa Amorosi now, and what is she up to? Well, she has a new single out titled "This Is Who I Am," which comes from her newest CD Hazardous. More info is available on her website.

Wikipedia has a great article on Amorosi as well, including this paragraph about her vocal abilities:

Amorosi is known for her versatile vocal ability. She is able to vocally cover many genres of music including, pop, rock, blues, jazz, and gospel. Amorosi is also known for her vocal range which reaches Soprano C6 in what is perceived to be full chest voice. Amorosi's ability to connect chest voice and head voice is one of her trademark talents. Amorosi's effortless approach to singing in her upper registry is what helped her become well known in both Australia and Germany. She is also noted for her ability to sing in the whistle registry as well, hitting notes above E6. Amorosi's most powerful vocals can be heard in her song "Start It" from her 2008 album Somewhere in the Real World, in which she can be heard belting two A5's and two B5's in mixed/chest voice and an E6 in the whistle registry. Also in "I Am Woman", performed at the ARIA Hall of Fame tribute for Helen Reddy in 2006, Amorosi can be heard belting a sustained C6.

DWTS Michael Jackson Tribute

Since the loss of the King of Pop, there have been quite a few tributes to his music, dance, and overall performance. This is one of my favorites so far.

The best part for me is when all of the pros dance to "Thriller." It's pretty awesome, to say the least.

Sing, sing, sing!

Two American Idol alums have given some stellar performances recently, and I very much enjoy both of them.

First of all, Kelly Clarkson sang back-up for her back-up singers recently, doing a hotel room cover of Miley Cyrus' "The Climb." It's super laid back, full of rich harmonies, and just plain fun. I think it says a lot about Kelly that she'd sit in the background, hanging out with some friends, and not try to be the star of the video. I respect that.

Next up, David Archuleta recently won the award for Best New Artist at the ALMA awards. After winning, he performed a breathtaking acoustic version of the classic "Contigo En La Distancia." His voice is as angelic as it ever was, but it's also maturing and showing more signs of confidence and comfort.

The Circus: Starring Britney Spears

So, last Wednesday I had the pleasure of seeing Britney Spears performing live at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. In a word, I thought it was fierce. Britney looked great, danced her ass off, and honestly looked like she was enjoying it. She was a bit removed from the crowd, not really engaging with us too much, but I think she was just playing it safe. I especially enjoyed the diversity of the setlist, the costumes, and the super hot backup dancers (duh).

Here's her setlist from her Chicago show:

1. Circus

2. Piece Of Me

3. Radar

4. Ooh Ooh Baby/Hot As Ice

5. Boys

6. If You Seek Amy

7. Me Against The Music

8. Freakshow

9. Get Naked

10. Breathe On Me/Touch Of My Hand

11. Do Something

12. Slave For You

13. Toxic

14. Baby One More Time

15. Womanizer (encore)

Some of my favorites were Boys, Me Against The Music (done in a Bollywood theme), Get Naked, Breathe On Me/Touch Of My Hand, and (of course) Toxic.

All in all, a great show! Pics (from my iPhone) below...

I don't know where to begin...

Well, before I begin, I would like to say that Jerry Lewis is a wonderful man and his telethons in support of finding a cure for muscular dystrophy is a worthwhile and valid cause. To donate, go here.

That being said, you MUST watch this clip from the telethon which aired on Labor Day. It's Charo singing a cover of Rihanna's "Please Don't Stop The Music," and it's pure magic. MAGIC, I tell you! Here are my favorite parts or features of the video, in no particular order:

1. Charo's Spanglish introduction

2. the old dancers doing fiercely gay choreography

3. the backtrack vocals

4. Charo's in and out lipsynching

5. Charo's dress

6. audience high-fives

Amazing!!

And the winner is...

There's such great TV on these days!  Last night I got to watch the final competition round of American Idol (and cheer my boyfriend Adam towards victory), and then the finale event of Dancing With The Stars, which included two stellar performances by Lady Gaga.

Anyhow, Gold-medalist Shawn Johnson ended up winning the Mirror Ball Trophy, which came as a bit of a surprise to me.  I was initially expecting Melissa Rycroft (the Bachelor's send-off) to come out on top, but, after taking it all into consideration, decided that Gilles Marini (the naked guy from the Sex and the City movie) would be the winner.  It's just another example of America not quite making the best decision...  Oh well.

Below is one of my favorite clips from the season of Dancing With The Stars, and it doesn't even include any of the "stars"!  It's from last week's show--America got to "Design a Dance" and pick the dancers, the style of dance, and even design the outfits.  It's fierce.  My favorite part is when Lacey and Julianne do a fierce turn sequence.  I didn't know Julianne could dance like that!

Amy Winehouse, P.I.T.!

As we used to say in college, Amy Winehouse needs to P.I.T. (Pull It Together)!!!

At the recent St. Lucia Jazz Festival, Amy hit the stage in a much-anticipated comeback performance.  Check out the disaster:

Here are my thoughts about the clip, in the order they entered my brain:

1. What is she doing?

2. Fierce shoes, at least she isn't falling over.

3. What are the backup singers and band guys thinking?

4. Did she rehearse?  

5. Does she even know what song she's singing?

Too Many Divas Make Matt a Fierce Boy

I would so love to see Jennifer Hudson in concert, and this is just one small reason why.

At a recent concert in Atlanta, J Hud invited the legendary Jennifer Holiday on stage to perform the song that has trademarked both of their careers, "And I Am Telling You."

I don't know what is better: the performance itself or the gays in the background constantly yelling "oh my God oh my God!"  

It's unreal.

Beyonce is giving...

...lots of fierceness.  Her tour is starting out with a BANG!  Included in her set list are these hits...

"You Oughta Know" (originally by Alanis Morissette)

"Angel" (originally by Sarah McLachalan)

Here's the thing...  I like that B is giving these fierce vocals on great songs, but couldn't she use something of her own???  I'm just saying...

David Foster Tribute

Legendary composer/producer/conductor/pianist David Foster was recently honored by PBS with a tribute including some of the best singers and musicians of our time: Celine Dion, Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli, and Katharine McPhee.  I'm watching it right now, and it's pretty awesome.

Foster has won 15 Grammy awards and has produced for pretty much every major artist of all time: Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Josh Groban, Donna Summer, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, Dolly Parton, The Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Chaka Khan, Seal, and Bryan Adams.  An impressive list, right?

Here's a brief description of the show from Access Hollywood, with comments from Katharine McPhee.

And, because I couldn't find a good clip from the PBS show, here's Foster and Katharine singing "Somewhere" on The View.

Circus set list announced...

For those of you who care, and that should be everyone, Britney has announced her set list for the Circus tour which opens tonight in Louisiana!  It's pretty fierce.

CIRCUS

Perez/Parade Intro
Circus (Funky Remix)
Piece of Me
Thunderstorm Segue
Radar

HOUSE OF FUN (Anything Goes)

Martial Arts Segue
Ooh Ooh Baby/Hot as Ice
Boys
If U Seek Amy
Me Against the Music (Bollywood)

FREAKSHOW/PEEPSHOW

Everybody's Looking for Something Segue
Freakshow
Get Naked
Britney's Hotline
Breathe on Me/Touch of My Hand

ELECTRO CIRC

Break the Ice Segue
Do Something
Slave
Dancer Solo Segue/Heartbeat Segue
Toxic
Baby One More Time (Remix)

ENCORE

Womanizer (Extended Remix)
Circus Reprise: The Bow

Musical Theatre Monday

I've been trying to clean out my computer lately.  It's running quite slowly, so I figure removing some of the unused/unnecessary files will help fix the problem.  We'll see what happens.

Anyhow, I found a Sticky with an unknown YouTube link on it, so I decided to check it out. Guess what it was?  A clip of my boyfriend Gavin Creel singing "Hero & Leander" from Adam Guettel's Myths & Hymns.  It's delicious.

JHud is back and better than EVER!

Since her comeback performance at the Superbowl (which was actually after the Patti Labelle concert), Jennifer Hudson has been tearing it up!  I'm such a big fan, and I have been from day one.

This first clip is her performance at the Grammy awards last week...  It's her new single titled, "You Pulled Me Through," and it's absolutely stunning.

Next, Jennifer was invited to sing for Muhammed Ali at the 40th Annual NAACP Awards.

There's really no other word to describe her.  She's fierce.

The National Anthem. Hold your breath.

In case you can't tell, I'm obsessed with FailBlog lately.  Here's a gem.  

Super Bowl XLIII

First of all, did I get those Roman numerals correct?  I think so...  

Two football teams played an important game tonight called "The Superbowl."  It was the closing act for a truly amazing performance by the one and only Jennifer Hudson, aka the best singer in the world.

Check it out here, via Perez.

AI Divas honor Patti Labelle

Patti Labelle was recently honored by UNCF with an "Evening of Stars."  

It. Was. Ridiculous.

Thanks to Joe for the heads-up.  I don't think my life would be complete without these clips...

First, here's Jennifer Hudson singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."

Next up, Fantasia's rendition of "Lady Marmalade."

Are you gagging?  Good, you should be.

Aretha 4 Obama (a hot mess)

Aretha Franklin wore an atrocious hat and sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at the inauguration ceremony today.  Sure, it was an emotional song choice and was totally symbolic and all that, but facts are facts, and she did not sound good.

Perez agrees.

Beyonce 4 Barack

It was announced a few days ago that Beyonce would be performing at Obama's inaugural ball, singing a previously unknown song for he and Michelle's first dance.  Well, Beyonce let it slip to E! that she will be singing the Etta James classic "At Last."  Kinda cliche, especially for Beyonce, but I'm sure it will be fine.

For the complete list of performers and various inaugural events, click here.

CNN is projecting that around 2 million people will be there to watch Obama be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.  That's fierce.

Beyonce Goes Off!

Beyonce is insane.  

Check out the clip below if you don't believe me.  

Thanks to Jermaine (jrmiles, if I remember correctly) @ ItsJermainia.