When I was nine years old, I had a gigantic crush on Donny Osmond. Everything I owned was purple, right down to the wall-to-wall carpeting in my bedroom (for which I am eternally grateful – it was awesome!). I had two Donny and Marie records that I played over and over and over again - I swear I still know all the words - causing my family to run for cover when it was my turn to use the stereo. The day my Tiger Beat arrived in the mail was the highlight of my week – I would spend hours poring over the pages, staring at the pictures, and carefully cutting out the posters and the iron-ons. At night, I’d lay awake in my ridiculously cool purple bedroom and dream up all kinds of crazy stories - “The Adventures of Donny Osmond”. Alas, the yearning for my Donny was mine alone to bear. My friends didn’t share my affections, so the only conversations I ever had about my dearest love was my big sister yelling, “Mom! Tell Laurie to stop talking about Donny Osmond!” – I hardly think that counts. One Friday night, my parents had to hire a babysitter because I refused to leave the house – “But, Daddy! I can’t go – the ‘Donny and Marie Show’ is on!” Clearly, my predisposition to fanaticism surfaced at an early age.

Fast forward 30 years (slow down over my 20’s – they were fun) and imagine my joyous discovery of the world of internet fandom. Uber-fans UNITE! Enclosed within the hallowed forum walls lies a fairytale world for the celeb-stricken: news, videos, audio, pictures – anything you can imagine is here! The message boards bring fans together in ways never before possible – think of it as a year-round, always accessible Trekkie Convention. The best part is admittance is guaranteed – uber-fans can be young or old, married or single, working or going to school, or be of any nationality, race, color or creed. As long as you feel the love, you’ll be welcome for life. Is there anything better than sharing the thrill of a new CD or bit of information with your like-minded buddies? Feeling a sudden surge of love for Elliott Yamin? Jump on the board at the E-Train and share your mushiness with the equally afflicted. Did you just run into Constantine Maroulis at the neighborhood deli in the Bronx? There are hundreds of people at Greek Speak who are dying to hear your story! “What was he wearing? Did he pout for you? You know, did he make ‘the face’?” Are you a Carrie Underwood fan who just happens to live in Siberia? No matter. Lose the parka, grab a bottle of vodka, and belly up to the forum at CarrieFans.com – the place where everybody knows your (screen)name and they’re always glad you came.

When I was a girl, no one wanted to hear the story of how my beloved Donny saves me from a burning building: “Cradling her in his strong arms, Donny bravely dodged the flames and fled the towering inferno. Choking on smoke and tears, he looked down at the light of his life fading away. ‘Don’t leave me! I love you!’” Yeah, well…not so sure anyone wants to hear it now either, but that’s not my point… Today, I could post my stories in the fanfic section of the board and get immediate feedback: “Awww…that’s so romantic!” or “Gosh, that’s a little creepy coming from a nine-year-old.” The artists among us upload their drawings, wallpapers, banners, and blends to share their creative vision. I have several pieces of Kelly Clarkson fan art hanging in my office – at my age posters are simply not acceptable, but a beautiful black and white sketch is perfect! (Jess (awesomeaussie) at the KC Express - you rock!) I am always amazed when I read through the creative threads on boards and see all the poetry, songs, artwork, and stories. Uber-fans don’t only invest their time and money, they invest their passion.

And passion, my fellow fans, is the key. It’s the force that creates a Claymate from a mere Clay Aiken fan. It’s the magic that transforms an occasional Taylor Hicks listener into a Soul Patroller. It’s the fire that forges a Louisiana wife and mother into a Hot Damn! 10,000+ poster on the Kelly Clarkson Express. It’s what keeps the career fires burning for Bo Bice until he can make a full recovery. It’s what drives Highrollers to raise over $30,000 in 30 days. At its best, passion is love in its purest form - at its worst, a dangerous obsession. This Christmas season, celebrate your passion in its purest form with your nearest and dearest. It is a remarkable gift to share, for a life without passion is simply a long, dark road.

Fourteen years passed before I finally saw Donny Osmond in person. He was performing the National Anthem before a BYU football game and I thought, “I have never been happier than I am right this very second.” And they called it puppy love…whatever.

In our second installment of “Idol Christmas”, I was hoping to find some footage of this performance from Justin Guarini. It’s unfair to have this kind of review and not have the audio to go with it. I shamelessly stole this off of The Essential Justin Message Board, so if someone there knows where I can find some media for it, I’d be more than happy to post it.

“Dumpson selected a spiritual - “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” - for students to sing during an audition for a solo at the festival concert.
“Justin said, ‘I know this is my kind of song,’ ” Young recalls. “He had just learned it the day before. And when he sang, there was a hush that fell over the entire room. Everybody sat there completely stunned - and you’re talking about a room of 100 of the strongest musicians in the county and about 30 of their teachers.

“Mr. Dumpson didn’t bother to hear anybody else after Justin sang. He got the solo for the concert, and he got a standing ovation.”
So just what was it about Guarini’s voice that silenced a roomful of talent?
“What makes him special,” says Young, “is the beauty of his voice, the amazing range of his voice and the ability to sing from the depth of his heart and convey that to people who hear him.”

I can offer this bit of pilfered audio – three classic songs in an unclassic arrangement sung by the utterly classy Justin Guarini.

Bo Bice! Where are you? This is an awesome, sexy, flirty version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – a duet with Joan Osbourne . Love it!

Who will ever forget worshipping at the Church of Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia Barrino? Totally over the top, this performance will forever be one of the BEST EVER!

Listen to Fantasia’s album here:

I’m having a great day here at my desk. Not only have I listened to Taylor’s entire CD (without interruptions) three times now, I am currently listening to Fantasia’s soon to be released sophomore album (with interruptions). Not that I have one single credential that would make this review “meaningful” in the grand scheme of things, but here it is. Take it for what it’s worth.

I had already heard “Hood Boy” and seen the video, but I listened anyway -I’m still not crazy about it, but then again I didn’t like “Since U Been Gone” for a month either. Go figure…

I had also heard “When I See U” and loved hearing it again. Fantasia has the ability to go overboard without trying very hard, but for me, she is at her very best when she is a bit more subdued.

Which is probably why I like “I Nominate U” - great vocals and I like the lyrics, too. God, how I would love to dedicate that song to someone.

Other thumbs up: “Baby Makin’ Hips”, “Only One U” (I counted 4), “I Feel Beautiful” and “I’m Not That Type”.

I like this whole album. There is definitely a theme here, and the theme is “Fantasia”. She really spills her guts on this one. She’s looking for love on her terms, she’s become a confident, not-willing-to-settle woman, who but hasn’t lost her romantic notions. I probably couldn’t listen to it over and over again, but it has certainly earned a spot in my CD rack.

In a People magazine interview, Beyonce finally addresses the Jennifer Hudson feud rumors. It’s about time - it’s too bad she didn’t put an end to them immediately. Beyonce’s response seems genuine to me - I was having a hard time believing she could begrudge JHud her moment in the sun, but what the hell do I know? As with anything Hollywood, rumors and rebuttals alike should be taken with a grain of salt. She never does address the accusations regarding her father’s behavior, however it’s not exactly her place to defend or apologize for a grown man. I feel more comfortable giving Beyonce the benefit of the doubt, but unfortunately, the rumors about her father’s poor attitude and treatment of Jennifer Hudson are far easier to believe.

“I knew that the character that I played wasn’t the star. She wasn’t the underdog. She didn’t have the struggle and the pain and the dramatic scenes that Effie had, and I was fine with that.”

Daddy Knowles must not have gotten the memo about his little girl’s role. It’s been reported that he demanded the film be reedited to give Beyonce more screen time and he’s been downright hostile to Jennifer.

“It’s really unfortunate that everyone is saying I’m jealous of Jennifer. It hurts my heart because it’s so clichéd. … They’re saying that I’m mad when I knew going into this that I was playing Deena,” said Knowles. “Because I’m a star they just automatically assume that I’m not humble enough to sit down and take a back seat, which I am.”

Not that Beyonce wouldn’t have loved the opportunity to play Effie - who the heck wouldn’t? - but by all accounts, Jennifer Hudson was born to be Effie.

“Jennifer Hudson had such a pressure, first of all, never being in a film and never have done an album and still having to live up to those expectations,” said Knowles. “She did incredible.”

You know those silly countdown shows that seem to be everywhere these days? It seems Jennifer Hudson missed the number one spot on “Top 100 Dumb Career Moves” by a hair. In a Newsweek interview, Jennifer admits to almost refusing a phone call from Oprah:

“Tell her I’m not talking,” Hudson told her makeup artist, who had answered the phone. “I was resting my voice, and I thought it was my manager playing around! It took about 30 seconds before I realized, ‘Oh, my God, this is Oprah for real!’ ”

After seeing Hudson’s stellar breakout performance in ‘Dreamgirls’, Winfrey was calling to gush. “She said my performance was like a religious experience,” Hudson says, and looks down at her lap. “She said words were not enough to define it. She said, ‘I’m so proud of you’.”

Jennifer portrays Effie White - the “big-boned”, big-voiced lead of the Dreamettes who gets forced to the background because of her image. In a life-imitates-art way, Jennifer has experienced this herself. She was booted off “American Idol,” prompting criticism from fans, including Elton John, that “Idol” voters were racist. Hudson has a more realistic explanation: “It just meant that wasn’t the place for me,” she says. “I figured if they couldn’t accept me for the talent that I am, then I didn’t need to be there. The ‘Idol’ judges told me, ‘Everything about you is too much’,” she says. ” ‘Your voice is too much. Your look is too much. Your hair is too much.’ I didn’t understand. Isn’t that what a star is: bigger than average?”

By Christmas Day, we’ll have our answer. “Dreamgirls” opens amid almost universal afteement that Jennifer Hudson is about to explode. She has already landed a recording contract - the fact that she didn’t have one prior to the movie still has people boggled - and most likely an Oscar win in 2007. Despite all the hype around her, and the lessons to be learned from Effie, she’ll still be dealing with image issues in the real world.

“Why should I feel like the minority when the majority of America is a size 12?” she says. “Plus, a lot of singers don’t sound the same when they lose weight.” She grabs a handful of flesh below her belly. “I have a little singer’s pouch, and that’s where the voice comes from, so you’re all just going to have to get used to my jelly.” She laughs. “Hey, somebody has to represent the big girls. Why not me?”

Damn straight…why not you?

Poor little Diana!  Diana was on ‘The O’Reilly Factor’ Tuesday night to discuss her harrowing experience with I.D. theft, stalking, and blackmail which started through her MySpace page.  Fortunately, the story has a happy ending - a woman has been arrested in Australia.  Go here to watch the video of the interview and here to read the story about the arrest.  And below, relive the good ol’ days and watch Diana hold a 17-second note!

VH1 has a great interview with Fantasia about her upcoming album ‘Fantasia’.  Aretha meets Tina Turner?  That’s a mighty lofty goal, ’Tasia…

Then again, if anyone can do it, you can! 

This is cool.  In an interview with BlackNews.com about his new movie ‘Deja Vu’, Denzel Washington describes his latest deja vu:

DW: You know what? I had an odd one today. I’m going to get the mail out of the mailbox, and I’m standing out on the street by my front gate when I had a feeling somebody’s going to drive by. So I just stood out there. I just had a feeling somebody was coming, so I decided to stand there for a minute. And it wasn’t ten seconds before a white truck goes by. Then it stops, and backs up. And it’s Eddie Murphy, and he gave me the whole scoop on Dreamgirls.

KW: What’d he say about it?

DW: He said that Jennifer Hudson is stealing the movie. Have you seen it yet?

KW: Yep.

DW: Does she steal it?

KW: She sure does, even though he and Beyonce’ and Jamie Foxx certainly hold their own.

DW: He said she stops the movie. And they applaud. As was the case with Jennifer Holliday, like I saw on Broadway. That was an amazing moment in the theater.

KW: The same thing happened at my screening. A standing ovation during the movie. What was it like filming Déjà Vu in New Orleans?

I am just sick, sick, sick that I missed this show! How did I NOT know Jennifer Hudson was going to be on Oprah? How much do I love YouTube? Let me count the ways:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBmW4IQ4TiI Beyonce and Jamie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW-r6FcvPDI Beyonce and Jamie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0gVfe6OOxc Jennifer Hudson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIBpgy1nmrg Anika Noni Rose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OPt3bBYKJE Eddie Murphy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V-WXMfEQ4k The Cast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhL2×86geAU Beyonce Performance

This is the best!  A message from Simon: 

“We have our history together, don’t we, Jennifer?” Simon told Jennifer via Oprah. “Now I feel my criticism has probably had a significant part in your career, because the buzz on you is huge. I heard your [version] of ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ today, and I would like to be the first to eat a massive dose of humble pie. Because there are good performances and occasionally there are extraordinary performances. That was extraordinary, Jennifer, and I feel very proud for you. I feel we had a very small part in what’s happened in your life, and please thank me when you get your Oscar®.”

HA! HA! AND DOUBLE HA!

Fantasia paid a visit to The Tyra Banks show yesterday. Watch the segment below: