Chirstina Aguilera And Cee Lo Green Leaving “The Voice”

I can’t believe it! Last night at dinner with friends in Little Italy, NY everyone was talking about how much they love all four judges on ‘The Voice’ and  why this show so much better than any other reality singing show.  Everyone thinks Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Adam Lambert but Christina Aguilera are a winning combination so imagine my dismay when I woke up to find out that there’s going to be a shake up next season.

Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green will not be involved in the fourth cycle of “The Voice,” NBC announced today. The two coaches will be replaced by R&B artist Usher and Grammy-winning songstress, Divabetic’s December 2011 Diva Inspiration for our Diabetes Roundtable podcast,  Shakira when the show returns for a fourth season in the spring.

Aguilera is taking time off from the talent competition to release a new album and embark on tour, while Green is said to be developing new music and a scripted comedy based on his own life for NBC. Fellow coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will remain with the series through Season 4, although their involvement in future cycles has yet to be announced.

“We are thrilled to welcome Usher and Shakira to ‘The Voice.’ The addition of these popular iconic artists continues the tradition established by Christina, Cee Lo, Adam and Blake,” Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. “Doing two back-to-back cycles of this show requires a tremendous amount of time, and we are happy to accommodate the commitments made by Christina and Cee Lo. The participants on our show benefit from our coaches’ expertise and their continued success in the music business allows for significant new contributions to the contestants when they return.”

“Being a coach on ‘The Voice’ is a wonderful experience and the relationship amongst us all is like an extended family,” said Aguilera. “I am so proud of being part of the show from the beginning, all the work we’ve done, and proud of what the show stands for as a whole. As I have expressed since day one of the show, that I am a singer and performer first and I am so excited to get back to that love.”

Though the show’s decision to air two cycles a year initially seemed excessive, “The Voice” is currently holding its own in the ratings, even beating the much-anticipated return of “The X Factor” with Britney Spears as a coach.

Register now for our upcoming ’Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes’ - our largest diabetes outreach event of the year promoting a diva attitude for living well with diabetes.

‘Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes’, mixes free beauty and fashion services, a Plus Size fashion show and music with interactive diabetes education in a fun, comfortable setting to broaden the appeal of diabetes educational outreach for women. Our goal is to make every woman feel more beautiful inside and out through the help of a team of certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, and beauty and fashion experts.

Saturday, October 13, 2012, 11 AM – 4 PM

Jefferson Alumni Hall , First Floor Eakins Lounge 10th and Locust Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19107

FREE ADMISSION

Register: 1-800-JEFF-NOW

BORED BY DIABETES EDUCATION? Check out our Free Diabetes Podcast inspired by Taylor Swift featuring a frank, fashion forward discussion on a the shocking diet trend called ‘diabulimia’ that has young women living with type 1 diabetes skipping or shortchanging their insulin to lose weight and risk a coma and an early death.  Plus, we’re learning healthy ways to eat BBQ, playing games and hearing more great ‘diagnosis to DIVA’ stories 
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/09/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-mystery-diva

Look who’s on the red tomato carpet with Mr. Divabetic at Plus Night Out -NYC

Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA  and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.

For sponsorship opportunities and upcoming outreach event details visit:  www.divabetic.org and Divabetic’s facebook pages.

Tamela Mann Gets Earful from Whitney Houston

While the Dove award-winning singer, Tamela Mann was recording her new album, “Best Days,” she received some valuable input from none other than Whitney Houston.

The two were filming the movie, “Sparkle,” and the singer/actress decided to see what Houston thought about her new songs “I’ll Hold On” and “All to Thee.”

“I asked her, ‘Would you listen to something?’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah.’ She invited me to her trailer,” Mann said of the late singer, who died Feb. 11, 2012. “She was like, ‘This is great.’ She really liked ‘I’ll Hold On.’ And she’s like, ‘When you get to the chorus, just ride it. Just take them there.’ For her to take out the time with me, I was just really happy about it.”

In “Sparkle,” a remake, currently in theaters, of the 1976 film of the same name about a 1950s girl group, Tamela Mann protrays  Houston’s best friend Sara Waters. She described the experience as ‘a bit intimidating’ at first but Houston made it easy, she said.

“We talked about family, we talked about God,” Mann told CBSNews.com, adding, “She came in and was wonderful. She was very pleasant to work with. Very easygoing and very helpful to everybody just around her. Very inviting.”

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Podcast inspired by  Whitney Houston

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/08/07/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-whitney-houston

What do you like to eat to stay healthy? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays his newest food game, Serve, Taste or Trash to reveal the world’s most loved and hated foods.

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red carpet at Plus Night Out – NYC, New York, NY, Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes in Philadelphia, PA the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Health Fair & Conferences in San Diego, Ca and Austin, TX in Fall 2012. For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: www.divabetic.org Original music by Douglas Clay: www.douglasclaymusic.com

 

New Whitney Houston Album To Be Released This Fall

Whitney Houston‘s fans rejoice!  RCA Records will release a new greatest hits collection that will span Houston’s entire career.

The new RCA project follows revived interest in Houston’s “The Greatest Hits,” which has been one of the year’s bestselling albums, and seeks to capitalize on “Sparkle,” a motion picture that features Houston in a supporting role. “Sparkle” opens next Friday.

“The Greatest Hits” is a two-disc set released in 2000, which meant it was out too early to include anything from the  ”Just Whitney” album or “I Look to You,” her swan song.

There was no word on whether there’ll be any new songs, alternate takes, or rarities on the RCA collection.

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Whitney Houston   
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/08/07/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-whitney-houston

What fruits and vegetables are you singing about? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic visits the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, CA.to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way. Enjoy more videos on Mr. Divabetic’s YouTube channel.

Get inspired to eat more fruits and vegetables. Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red TOMATO carpet in Phildelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conference in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX in Fall 2012. Pass the boa! For more glitter, podcasts and glucose advice visit: www.divabetic.org

Mr. Divabetic Pays Tribute To Whitney Houston

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, pays a sparkling tribute to Whitney Houston on the free  Diabetes Roundtable podcast. 

“Her voice, her beauty and her fame certainly make her worthy of ‘diva status’ but  Whitney’s profound faith is truly what I find inspiring which is why Whitney Houston is Diva TalkRadio’s Diva Inspiration for August.”

From the release of her first album in 1985, Whitney Houston was a superstar, turning a background in gospel and soul into pop music gold, eventually selling more than 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide. She won hundreds of awards, including six Grammys, and turned to acting, starring in films, including “The Bodyguard.”

Inspired by Whitney Houston, the happiest healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this thirty minute whirlwind of  glamour, good eats and blood glucose values, which includes a hot topic debate, a Food Aisle Face-off, a menu review of healthy dining choices at Kentucy Fried Chicken and a Mother Your Diabetes commentary.  Guests include  Judi Wilcox RD, CDE of Hollywood, FL, Constance Brown – Riggs, RD, CDE, from New York, NY, Lori Bednarz RN, CDE form Pittsburgh, PA, music insider Derek Wilson, and Divabetic’s Mama Rose Marie. The program’s special guest is Emily C. from San Francisco, CA , from the Diabetes Hands Foundation who checks in to share her from ‘Diagnosis to Diva’ story living with type 1 diabetes.

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Whitney Houston   
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/08/07/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-whitney-houston

What fruits and vegetables are you singing about? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic visits the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, CA.to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way.

Get inspired to eat more fruits and vegetables. Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red TOMATO carpet in Phildelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conference in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX in Fall 2012. For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: www.divabetic.org

 

The Secret To Making Whitney Houston ‘Sparkle’

After two Academy Award nominations and 25 years of styling, Ruth Carter took on her biggest task to date: working with Whitney Houstonon Sparkle, which would be the singer’s last on-screen performance.

In a recent interview with Celebuzz, the costume designer opened up about dressing Houston for the film, her inspiration for the sparkling attire and the on-set wardrobe malfunctions of stars Jordin Sparks and Tika Sumpter.

Prior to meeting the cast, Carter admits she was apprehensive about working with the late Whitney Houston.

“I was nervous about meeting Whitney. I wanted to be super beyond prepared because I knew that fashion was laid at her feet for most of her life,” Carter told Celebuzz. “I worked with the best collectors, [and] I wanted a fresh approach to her wardrobe… I wanted to take Sparkle out beyond its limits!”

Where did she get inspiration for the ’60s-style ensembles?

Carter, who designed 14 gowns and stage costumes for the film, studied the work of Rudy Gernreich, toiled over Balenciaga’s designs and studied magazines on avant garde and retro-chic fashion.

Despite all the preparation, she admits there were still some wardrobe malfunctions on set. “It is normal, everyday business as usual to have a wardrobe malfunction — or two, or three!” she said.

“Jordin Sparks’ vintage red suit had a little teeny tiny hole that we did not see until the cinematographer zoomed in on her. We stitched a strand of pearls on top of the hole to hide it,” she said.

“The biggest malfunction was with the jewelry dresses, as I liked to call them. I bought two-inch stones in red, black, and clear that were linked together like chain mail. They weighed a ton! When we filmed, Tika Sumpter‘s dress in particular kept falling apart. We’d have to keep stopping because if we kept going, the whole dress would be on the floor!” she revealed.

Check out Carter’s designs when Sparkle hits theaters August 17.

Who’s judging what you’re  eating this summer? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks to everyday people about their healthy appetites at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA.

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red TOMATO carpet in Phildelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conference in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX in Fall 2012. For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: http://www.divabetic.org

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Whitney Houston  
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/08/07/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-whitney-houston

Whitney Houston Inspires Diabetes Roundtable Podcast

Divabetic pays tribute to the incredible Whitney Houston on thee free diabetes podcast, Diabetes Roundtable to broadcast live on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 6 -6:30 PM, EST Available for free at www.divabetic.org 

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic says he’s proud to salute Whitney Houston on the eve of her new film, Sparkle,” Whitney’s extraordinary talent is a part of the soundtrack of our lives – even watching the Olympics – it’s hard not to think of her. She’s truly a DIVA inspiration. We’re hoping her strong and powerful voice will motivate others to raise awareness for diabetes.”

Whitney Houston‘s turn as the mother of three sisters who encounter the downsides of fame in the new movie “Sparkle” has been viewed as a performance that could have relaunched her career.

But in light of Houston’s February death, it will be seen as the performance that “adds another diamond to her legacy,” says Houston’s co-star, Tika Sumpter, who portrays one of the late legend’s on-screen daughters.

The film is a remake of the 1976 production of the same name, which is said to be loosely based on the Supremes, as it follows the fame that comes to the titular Sparkle and her sisters after they launch a singing career.

“American Idol” star Jordin Sparks portrays the title crooner, and she told CNN in an interview that she, along with the rest of the cast, cherish the fact that they got to work with Houston before she passed.

“We got to experience the beauty and the essence and the humility that was Whitney,” Sparks, who portrays the titular Sparkle, told CNN in an interview. “We have those last moments with her, so we get to speak about that – we get to tell people about her and who she was and what we experienced. And I think that’s important, too, to add to her legacy.”

“Sparkle,” Sparks continued, will be the “last thing people are going to see, the last thing she did and she looks beautiful. She lights up the screen, and you can just tell she’s so full of joy to be doing this. I saw it for the third time the other day and I just still was so taken aback by the fact that it’s all happening and we were all a part of it, and there she was. She was just incredible.”

 

What are you eating this summer? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks to everyday people about their healthy appetites at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA.

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red TOMATO carpet in Phildelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conference in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX in Fall 2012. For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: http://www.divabetic.org

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Katy Perry  
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/07/10/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-katy-perry

 

Jordin Sparks Stunning 50 Pound Weight Loss

“American Idol” champ Jordin Sparks  is flaunting her incredible 50 pound weight loss on the cover of Shape magazine‘s latest issue. Inside the magazine, the 22-year-old spilled her get-slim secrets and revealed why she suddenly felt motivated to make some major life changes.

“I just wanted to be healthy,” Jordin said. “It was just before my 21st birthday. I had walking pneumonia, couldn’t breathe and felt totally fatigued. I remember thinking, ‘I’m in my prime. I should be happy and fit.’ That was the moment I decided that changes needed to be made.”

After she found her motivation, it was time to get to work — which Sparks admits was was pretty daunting. “I knew I had a long road ahead of me,” she revealed. “I was barely working out, and my diet was a mess. I had to address when, what, and how much I was eating.”

She started exercising some major portion control and began by walking around her neighborhood until she felt confident enough to take up hiking. Since then, Sparks has started hitting the gym and taking Zumba classes to dance her way slim.

A year and a half later and 50 pounds lighter, Jordin is celebrating just how far she’s come. “For me to even be talking about bikini confidence is crazy. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I probably would have been like, ‘What are you talking about?’ So it’s actually huge for me to even feel OK with putting a bikini on.”

What are you eating? The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic talks to everyday people about their healthy appetites at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA.

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red TOMATO carpet at Thomas Jefferson University Hopsital, Philadelphia, PA,  the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conference in Austin, TX in Fall 2012. For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: http://www.divabetic.org

LISTEN NOW: The Golden Rules of a Diabetes Diet 
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/06/01/studio-d-the-golden-rules-of-a-diabetes-diet

Jordin Sparks & John Legend’s Tribute To Whitney Houston

There were several tributes to fallen musical icons on “The 2012 Billboard Music Awards” but the most moving tribute came for one of the greatest vocal artists in the history of popular music.

Whitney Houston posthumously received the Millennium Award. Her daughter Bobbi Kristina and sister-in-law Pat came up to accept on her her behalf. Houston was also honored by Whoopi Goldberg, with performances of her music by John Legend and her “Sparkle” co-star Jordin Sparks taking on her signature anthem, “I Will Always Love You.”

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Beyonce
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/05/08/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-beyonce

Whitney Houston Returns with ‘Sparkle’ Remake

Whitney Houston is making a sparkling comeback to movie theaters. The legendary diva is producing and starring alongside Jordin Sparks in a remake of the 1976 Motown-era film Sparkle.  

“I got a call from my partner Debra Martin and she said, ‘You’re not gonna believe this, but Sparkle‘s been picked up and they want to do a film.’ And I was like, you’re kidding,” said the 48-year-old singer-actress.

She explained why the “American Idol” winner was perfect to play the role of her musical daughter. “She speaks for herself—the face, the smile, the innocence, the love for music, the love for singing,” said Whitney of her 21-year-old co-star.

Jordin Sparks picked up some pointers from her on-screen mother. “I listened to her and I watched her, I definitely want to take it to heart ’cause she’s been through so much—highs, lows, ups, downs, successes, different things like that—and it’s just so amazing to stand here and she’s still doing it.”