Newcomer Gabourey Gabby Sidibe was joined by some of Hollywood’s elite, including Oprah Winfrey, at the Hollywood premiere of her new film Precious which is based on the book Push written by Sapphire. As you may or may not know, Precious has been getting serious awards show buzz for its stark portrayal of a young girl’s life and her struggle to overcome her circumstances in order to save her own life. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals at Grauman’s Chinese Theater last night and some deets about the Precious premiere:

With its U.S. limited release closing in by days, “Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire” has got a red carpet treatment in Los Angeles. The premiere, held on Sunday, November 1 at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, was a part of the drama movie’s participation at AFI Fest 2009, which runs from October 30 to November 7. Many of the cast members were present for the special screening event. Leading actress Gabourey Sidibe was present along with several of her co-stars, including Mo’Nique who stars as Precious’ mother Mary, Paula Patton who portrays Ms. Rain and Mariah Carey who takes on Mrs. Weiss. All of the last three mentioned actresses came to the premiere in the arms of their husbands. Mo’Nique was accompanied by Sidney Hicks, Paula by her singer/songwriter husband Robin Thicke, and Mariah by her actor/comedian/rapper hubby Nick Cannon. Joining them at the red carpet were director Lee Daniels as well as executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. The festivity also managed to draw in a handful of celebrity guests. Mary J. Blige was spotted arriving with husband Kendu Isaacs, while actor Sidney Poitier tagged along his daughter Sydney Poitier. Other celebrities attending the premiere included Paula Abdul, Will Smith and Olivia Wilde. “Precious” is set in Harlem in 1987 and revolves around Claireece “Precious” Jones, an overweight, illiterate sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. Abused by her mother and raped by her father, she is pregnant for the second time and reaches the ninth grade without being able to read or write. Instead of being swallowed by depression, she tries to break from the chains of ignorance by digging deep into her own resources. November 6 will be the date the movie originally titled “Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire” opens in limited theaters across the country.

I’ve started reading Push, the book this movie is based on, and I’ve already been gutted by the tale. I can already tell that when I see this movie, and I will be seeing this movie as soon as I possibly can, I will bawl my eyes out. I’m so curious to see how this group of actors — Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey — bring this story to life. I’ve only read amazing things about the film’s star, Gabby Sidibe, so … I think we are in for a revelation when this film opens. Have any of y’all read the book? Are you looking forward to this film’s release? If you are totally unfamiliar with this film, check out the movie trailer HERE. It look amazing. I can’t wait to see it.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin; Source]

Former American Idol judge but Forever Your Girl Paula Abdul was spotted leaving her hotel here in NYC yesterday as she made her way to the Brooklyn Academy of Music for the VH1 Divas event last night … as you can see, she was wielding a fairly sizable spirit stick … behold:

As a former cheerleader, it makes sense that Paula would be schooled in the use of a twirling baton but I’m not sure why she needs to carry it with her in public. Perhaps she felt the need to drive away the hordes of fans and paparazzi who were trying to get near her or, oh right, mebbe she’s just crazy. All in all, tho, I have to give it up for her for handing her replacement on American Idol so well. She really shot herself in the foot by playing hardball with AI during negotiations … and now all she’s left with his her spirit stick. At least no one can take her stick away from her.

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

Welp, it looks like her negotiations with the ABC network didn’t go exactly as she had hoped because word on the street today is that Paula Abdul may be ready to go back to American Idol, hat in hand, and work out a deal so that she can get her old job on the show back. As y’all are well aware, auditions for the new season of AI have already gotten underway in Denver, CO and Boston, MA WITHOUT Paula’s presence because she announced on her official Twitter profile that she was leaving the show. Her plan, it seems, was to nab a new more high-paying job at ABC on either Dancing with the Stars and/or Ugly Betty. It turns out that neither of those two project worked out for her and now she’s got no prospects to pin her hopes on … which means, she may have to go back to AI and pretty much take whatever deal they are willing to give her:

Sources connected to Paula Abdul say Miss Paula wants back on “American Idol.” Our sources say Paula’s Twitter is retracted — at least in her mind – if the price is right. As we first reported, the magic number is $10 million. Will Paula move from that number? The way negotiations go in Hollywood … probably, but we don’t know for sure and if so how much she’s willing to give. We’re also told Paula’s meetings with ABC didn’t really go anywhere. She doesn’t want to do “Dancing with the Stars” — we’re told, in no small part, because she wants to be able to jump on a plane on a moment’s notice to rejoin her fellow judges on “Idol.” And, we’re told, Paula is piiiised at the producers of “Ugly Betty” for leaking the story that she was talking to them about doing the show. She’s not going to do it now. As for “Idol,” as far as we know they’ve been pretty hard-nosed and haven’t contacted her reps, but we’re not positive. In the end, we’re thinking “A.I.” isn’t gonna let a little Twitter torpedo one of its golden geese.

While I don’t believe these negotiations with American Idol are actually a PR stunt, I never really believed that Paula would not be back on American Idol when it returns to live TV next January. My guess is that she prolly felt that AI would do anything to keep her and when she overplayed her hand, they let her go. In order to save face, she attempted to get a new job (or jobs) at ABC and now that that didn’t work out according to plan she’s only got one recourse left — American Idol. I agree with TMZ, I don’t think FOX is gonna let her tweet about leaving the show end their relationship with Paula. They’re gonna work out a deal (prolly not to Paula’s exact satisfaction), kiss, make-up and get back to work. Each party needs the other … I’m pretty confident they’ll work it all out in the end.

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Paula Abdul spent much of yesterday in talks with ABC network boss Steve McPherson (who, it should be noted, she previously dated back in the day) to try and figure out if there is a way for her to take a job at the network. Last weekend it was reported that Dancing with the Stars was hoping to nab Abdul as a judge, guest judge or competitor but because she and Dancing judge Carrie Ann Inaba don’t really get along, that deal might never come to fruition. Now the talk is that Paula will do a guest stint on Ugly Betty … which would be a nice bit of turnabout considering Victoria Beckham previously appeared on Ugly Betty and just took over Paula’s judging position (in a guest capacity) on American Idol. Apparently job-switching is hot right now in Hollywood:

At long last, someone to tell Betty she’s beautiful! Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul is in talks to guest star on Ugly Betty, sources confirm to me exclusively. Details of Abdul’s role are being kept under wraps but an Ugly insider tells me that she’d be playing a new temp at Mode who bonds with Becki Newton’s Amanda. If a deal can be made, this would mark Abdul’s first official post-Idol gig. (Her upcoming appearance on Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva was brokered before she twittered her resignation.)

I would love to see Paula on Ugly Betty, it would give me a reason to watch the show again. In all honesty, I think this high-profile job shopping is a way to try and force FOX to give in and give Paula her asking price to return to Idol. It is my understanding that quiet behind the scenes negotiations are still taking place between the network and Paula’s people … if Paula gets her $10 million asking price, she will be back. I still think it’ll happen. If she’s savvy enough, she might get both the guest stint AND her Idol job back. We shall see …

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As each day passes without news that American Idol and/or Paula Abdul have come to their senses and gotten back together, it’s becoming less and less likely that Paula will return to the AI fold and get her job back. But, altho AI might be out of the picture it looks like Paula will be able find work elsewhere. We know that So You Think You Can Dance? really wants to get Paula on board on their show but methinks they don’t have the money to nab her … but the head honchos at ABC are now courting Ms. Abdul to join their wildly successful and popular competitive reality TV series Dancing with the Stars. ABC will take Paula in whatever capacity they can get her — as competitor or as judge:

While Paula Abdul won’t be returning to FOX’s American Idol, it seems plenty of other networks are interested in courting her for their reality TV competition shows. So is there a possible spot for Abdul at the judges’ table with Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli–the three judges on Dancing with the Stars? “Absolutely. I would love that,” ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson told reporters at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena on Saturday. “I was a little stunned by the decision, and we would love to have her on Dancing.” McPherson added that Abdul could be added either as a participant, dancer or judge. “I think she’s a huge talent,” said McPherson. “There’s a sensitivity and an empathy that balances out Idol, and we’d love to get a piece of that.”

To be honest, there is no show bigger than American Idol on US TV right now … but Dancing with the Stars is up there in popularity. My guess is that, should Paula join the show, she will do so as judge not as competitor. I highly doubt she would risk putting her dancing reputation on the line to compete with the possibility that she might lose. If she joins the show, she’ll do so as judge. Considering that Paula got her start in showbiz as a choreographer, I think a dancing show would be best for her … absent a late night call from FOX begging her to come back to AI, that is. Whatever Paula decides to do, I’ll have her back. She and I go waaaaay back. She will be Forever My Girl.

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The newly jobless Paula Abdul made her way to the Big Apple yesterday to get away from the drama that exploded here in Hollywood this week when she announced on her official Twitter profile that she is leaving American Idol. With news today that Victoria Beckham has signed on to guest judge the show in her place next season, you might think that Paula would be sweatin’ bullets … desperate to find new work. BUT, a report from TMZ cites inside sources close to the AI drama that reveal that Paula Abdul may yet return to the judge’s table next season after all:

The door isn’t completely slammed on Paula Abdul … Multiple “American Idol” insiders are telling TMZ there is a chance Paula will come back to the show. Reality — better than a good chance. We’re told the conflict is ultimately all about money … and buzz leading up to season 9. But for now, “A.I.” is full speed ahead — auditions for the show are set for tomorrow … without Abdul.

Reports going around yesterday claimed that Paula turned down as much as $8 million to return to the show … in my opinion, if the matter really has come down to a final monetary figure, then she prolly will cave and come back to the show. All of this drama over whether or not Paula will come back to American Idol has really given the show a lot of press leading up to the start of season 9 auditions tomorrow. I would bet good money that the opposing sides will come to an agreement and put this whole matter to rest. Despite her refusal to return to the show this week, I still don’t believe she won’t leave the show for good.

[Photo credit: INFdaily; Source]

Paula Abdul announced on her official Twitter profile last night that she will NOT be returning to the ratings hit reality series American Idol after WEEKS of public speculation about the terms of her contract with the show . In a string of announcement tweets last night, Paula broke the news that she is parting ways with the show … presumably after she and FOX (the network that produces the show) could not come to terms on her contract. FOX, for their part, released a statement wishing her “well” and squarely place the blame of her departure from the show on her shoulders. HMMM … there is something rotten, methinks, in the state of Denmark. Here are all of Paula’s tweets and the story about the whole sorry mess:

From Paula: With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL … I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon … What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me … It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month … I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.

From People: Abdul — out! Ending speculation about her future on one of the most popular shows on television, Paula Abdul confirmed Tuesday she will no longer be at the judge’s table on American Idol … No reason was given for her departure just two days before she was to return to work. Abdul’s rep declined to comment except to confirm she was leaving. The highly rated show is about to begin taping segments for its ninth season, with auditions starting Thursday in Denver. The show returns on the air in January. “Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show,” FOX TV says in a statement. “While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.” The announcement comes shortly after her manager angrily said there was no contract on the table and that “sadly” it didn’t appear she would be returning. Her previous contract ended after the eighth season. Her departure now returns the number of judges to three, with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson joined by Kara DioGuardi, who was just confirmed to be returning.

This is absolutely infuriating. I KNEW from the moment that AI thought it best to add a fourth judge, another female judge, that the time was running out for Paula Abdul on American Idol. I find it extremely difficult to believe that Paula just decided to quit this high profile job. There has to be more to the story. To be honest, I don’t watch the show … but when I did, I tuned in for Paula Abdul. She is a shining light of hope, optimism and joy on that wretched show. While Simon Cowell is tearing people down and Randy Jackson is saying Yo Dawg, yo dawg, yo dawg, Paula was cheering every contestant to victory. This development is a huge disappointment.

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