Everyone was lookin’ their swanky best … Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood looked lovely (tho, I preferred the dress that J. Hud changed into for her onstage performance) and Jesse McCartney looked crazed as he latched on to Paris Hilton’s teet for their odd photo op. Dunno what the kid was trying to accomplish but I hope he bathed afterward.

It turned out that Alison Krauss and Robert Plant were the big winners of the evening … along with Adele who took home the award for Best New Artist (edging out Duffy and the Jonas Brothers — thank God!). After the jump, check out some photos from the Grammy Press room of some of the winners with their trophies and find out who won what at last night’s affair …

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the big winners at the 51st annual Grammy Awards Sunday night. They won album of the year for Raising Sand; record of the year for their performance of the song “Please Read the Letter”; and three other honors. The duo upset rapper Lil Wayne and British rock band Coldplay; those artists had the best-selling albums of 2008. Lil Wayne took home three Grammys, including best rap album, and Coldplay also won three awards, including song of the year. The pairing of former Led Zeppelin singer Plant with bluegrass fiddler and singer Krauss turned out to be a surprise hit with critics and fans last year. The demure Krauss only spoke once during the Grammy telecast, when she and Plant accepted the album of the year award. “It’s been a wonderful time, and especially [with] Robert, there’s never a dull moment,” Krauss said. “I’d like to say I’m bewildered,” Plant added. “In the old days, we would have called this selling out. But I think it’s a good way to spend a Sunday.” It was an emotional Sunday for singer Jennifer Hudson. Less than four months ago, her mother, brother and nephew were murdered. The former American Idol contestant and Oscar winner fought back tears as she picked up her first Grammy — for best R&B album. “I first would like to thank God, who has brought me through. I would like to thank my family in heaven and those who are here today.” It was Hudson’s second public performance since the tragedy. She sang a week earlier at the Super Bowl. Unheard Controversy The Grammy ceremony was, for the most part, relentlessly upbeat. Members of Coldplay bounded onstage wearing blue, purple, green and red jackets to accept the song of the year award. But the song, “Viva La Vida,” is the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit: In December, guitarist Joe Satriani filed suit in federal court alleging the band ripped off his 2004 instrumental, “If I Could Fly.” The suit generated a lot of coverage in the press and online, but Satriani may have a tough time proving his case. Some online music lovers have pointed out similarities between his tune and a 2002 release by the Argentine group Enanitos Verdes. Like the charges of musical plagiarism, the biggest news of the night went unmentioned during the telecast. Just as the ceremony was getting under way, the popular 19-year-old R&B singer Chris Brown was turning himself in to Los Angeles police for allegedly assaulting a woman early Sunday morning. Brown was scheduled to perform, as was his girlfriend, Rihanna, and both were nominated for Grammys. Neither won and both canceled — at the last minute. That led to a lot of speculation that Rihanna was the woman Brown assaulted. Los Angeles police declined to name the woman. Meanwhile Grammy organizers scrambled madly to fill their slots. The head of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Neil Portnow, said the Grammys have never faced a situation like this. “Everybody has certain problems at times in their lives, things that you wish maybe didn’t happen, maybe you’re not proud of,” Portnow said. “I’m not a judgmental kind of an individual. I’m sorry they weren’t there for their moments on the stage. I think that’s the thing that is most unfortunate to me at the moment.” Los Angeles police say Brown was booked on suspicion of making a felony criminal threat and released after posting $50,000 bail.

UGH, it is *impossible* to talk about last night’s Grammys without the Chris Brown story getting a mention. In any event, I was pretty pleased with many of the winners … tho, I didn’t see that Plant/Krauss thing coming. I thought for sure that Coldplay would clean up … I’m kinda glad that they didn’t. I don’t really love them but I do enjoy that Viva La Vida song … but, I was not a fan of the way Coldplay ripped off the Wiggles with their very colorful outfits:

I’m just sayin’. And, it MUST be said that Katy Perry put on the WORST PERFORMANCE of the night:

I’m so over all of her hype, I’m glad that she didn’t win anything … she sounded horrible live in person and I’m ready for her bandwagon to jump the track and go away. Adele and Estelle, on the other hand, are amazing performers and I was THRILLED with their wins. Those ladies can sing and I’m happy they were rewarded for their talents.

David and I had such a great time and it was all due to the kind generosity of our friends at ABSOLUT Vodka … and as a result, I’d like to mention that ABSOLUT debuted a new commercial in relation to their In An ABSOLUT World campaign during last night’s Grammy Awards telecast — the first time the company has aired a commercial in primetime. In case you missed seeing it last night, here it is again:

Fragrance marketer First American Brands Inc. has signed 21-year-old actor and pop artist Jesse McCartney to a scent deal — and the singer’s first fragrance, a women’s scent called Wanted, is due to be launched in spring. “He’s a young artist, hitting the stage right now and making a name for himself,” said Randall A. Christian, general manager of First American Brands, who noted the deal was signed in early August … Executives at First American Brands predicted the fragrance would appeal to consumers ages 21 to 30 years old. The name of the scent can be interpreted in two ways, noted Christian, either in the sense of a goal in which to aspire — or wanted, as in the case of an outlaw. The scent is slated to be launched at department and specialty store doors in the U.S. in the February-March time frame. Christian said he anticipates the scent could reach 1,800 doors in the U.S. during its first year on the market. While he wouldn’t talk numbers, industry sources estimate the scent could generate first year retail sales of about $15 million … Fragrance supplier Drom blended the scent, a development process that involved McCartney picking the final formulation. The eau de parfum features top notes of bergamot and apple, a heart of jasmine and rose and base notes of cedarwood, amber and musk. It will be available in a 3.4-oz. version priced at $55 and a 1.7-oz. size for $45. A 1-oz. version, for $20, is also planned, as is a gift-with-purchase program featuring T-shirts and sleepwear. The bottle, which was designed in-house to resemble a drop of water — or the tear of a lovesick teen — is intended to have a sophisticated feel, according to Olesya Ianovitch, marketing director for First American Brands.

I think it’s pretty ambitious to count on $15 million dollars in sales the first year out but … aim high, I always say. There are many times that I just laugh at the thought of some celebs offering fragrances with their names on them … but Jesse Mac? Yeah … I can’t see it … and I really don’t want to smell it. Are any of y’all interested in smelling like a Jesse McCartney outlaw?

PS: Does anyone else think that the Wanted bottle looks a lot like THIS? EW!

[Source]

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) announced today that multi-platinum, award winning recording artist and actor, Jesse McCartney will appear in its BONGO® brand’s fall 2008 advertising campaign. McCartney is the first solo male spokesperson to appear in the brand’s advertising campaign. Past Bongo spokeswomen have included Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, Kristin Cavallari and Rachel Bilson. McCartney will be featured, along with the “Fab Five Fit” girls in Bongo’s multi-media advertising campaign debuting in September issues of fashion and lifestyle magazines as well as on the internet … Commenting on his Bongo campaign, Mr. McCartney stated, “There’s nothing better than a girl in a t-shirt and jeans so the Bongo shoot was a dream come true for me!” The campaign showcases the pop star surrounded by five gorgeous models wearing Bongo’s “Fab Five Fits” jeans, a basic five-pocket denim program with different fits that are sure to highlight every girl’s curves. The collection will be in-store this August and is playfully labeled Feisty, Fearless, Fabulous, Flirty and Fierce. The models are wearing Bongo footwear, sportswear, accessories and handbags in addition to the jeanswear. The campaign was shot by renowned rock-n-roll photographer Moshe Brakha at a private estate in New York … McCartney will make personal appearances on behalf of Bongo as well as participate in other events to celebrate his partnership with the brand. Bongo will promote Jesse McCartney when he goes on tour this August, co-headlining with Jordin Sparks.

I think it’s smart of Bongo to team up with Jesse to promote their jeans … I’m sure his fanbase will respond well to the campaign and will prolly snap up these jeans. Jesse is a brave manboy to appear in an ad campaign for women’s jeans. This collabo is quite a departure for the brand … the previous campaigns featuring Nicole Richie, Kristin Cavallari and Vanessa Minillio were very sexy — this one isn’t all that sexy. Jesse looks a bit out of his league with all those girls … and they look Photoshopped around him. Even still, this is a big campaign … I hope it works out for him.

[Source]