Jennifer Hudson To Star As Winnie Mandela In Upcoming Biopic

Oscar-winning actress and Grammy Award winning songbird Jennifer Hudson has been announced to portray former South Africa first lady Winnie Mandela in the upcoming Darrell J. Roodt-directed project, Winnie Mandela: A Life.

FYI: Winnie Mandela was also wife of former South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela. Production (starting May 30, 2010) will be done in key South African locations – Johannesburg, Capt Town, Transkei and Robben Island. Jennifer has since spoke about her coveted role.

“I was compelled and moved when I read the script,” Hudson said. “Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.” VARIETY

Congrats to Mis Hudson for snagging such a prestigious role! I’m curious to see how JHud would pull off portraying Winnie who tirelessly support her husband’s fight against apartheid and his subsequent release from jail at Robben Island for over 27 years.

Fellow Oscar winner Morgan Freeman has been announced to portray Nelson Mandela in the Clint Eastwood-directed film, Invictus. The Daily Mail has release photos of Freeman as Mandela (and judging from the photos he definitely looks the part!) Freeman already proved he has the acting chops thanks to his vast film career choices. That’s Matt Damon as South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar.

South Africa has become a hot commodity in Hollywood as Oprah Winfrey opened her all female school – Leadership Academy Foundation, HBO release The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, and now it has become the location of 2 Winnie Mandela biopics. South Africa’s getting its due shine!

As previously reported Oscar-nominated actress Sophie Okonedo can be seen next as Winnie Mandela in the BBC drama, Mrs. Mandela.

WOULD YOU GO SEE THESE TWO MANDELA FILMS???

photos: getty//dailymail//google archives

Estelle Teams Up With David Guetta & Busta Rhymes

Popular French DJ David “When Love Takes Over” Guetta recruited Estelle for  his latest single, “One Love.” Estelle, the current GAP brand Holiday face, in the has been busy recording a follow-up to her critically acclaimed US debut, Shine.

I’m digggin that black Balmain-esque mini Estelle has on in the video. Below is Estelle’s tweet on the song…

Thanks for all the on the @daveguettalife video the song was a great release for me to write, I’m happy folks like it! X directed the vid! 8:02 AM Nov 12th from UberTwitter

The Homeschool Records labelmate was also seen in THIS all black ensemble at the 2009 Glamour Women of The Year Awards – the same event Iman and Rihanna attended. As you can see from the following photo collage, Estelle also hit the stage to perform with the support of a choir.

Estelle was honored at the UK 2009 Glamour Women of the Year Awards in a Stella McCartney dress and Nicholas Kirkwood lace peep-toe pumps. (She won Editor’s Special Award!) (Check it out…

In case you missed it, Estelle teamed up with Busta Rhymes for his single, World Go Round. Check it…

Estelle’s working it!

Iman’s NYC Glamour Moment + Shopping Fun with Daughter Alexandria

In a pink Jason Wu cocktail number, Somali beauty Iman presented Rihanna with the 2009 Woman of the Year Award at a benefit for Glamour magazine. How Iman manages to NOT like she stole some of Big Bird’s swag in THAT dress is beyond me!

Iman shortly after was seen out and about on the streets of Manhattan (Soho to be precise) alongside her daughter Alexandria Bowie.  Mrs. David Bowie also has another daughter from a previous relationship as mentioned in this previous blog post.

Leave it to Iman to show how to be classy off and on the red carpet.

photos: getty//daylife

New Video from Noisettes : Every Now & Then

Noisettes took to their Official YouTube page to reveal the new video for their latest single, Every Now & Then.

Lead vocalist Shingai Shoniwa has the video spotlight to herself and rightlyh so after all she has become the most talked band female singer since the likes of -dare I say- Gwen Stefani. Her creativity level and her fashion sense instantly made Shingai one to watch in the music industry.

Needless to say that old school Motown sound is here to stay!

Is that a Tom Ford for Gucci dress she has on at the very end???? Check out this live performance of “Every Now & Then” from this past October…