Time magazine's annual list of the "World's Most Influential People" is out, and Judith Jamison is on it.
The revered Artistic Director of the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company has
been chosen as one of the 2009 honorees; a listing which includes 100 people who affect the world –
comprised of leaders, revolutionaries, builders, titans, artists, entertainers, heroes, icons, scientists
and thinkers.

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Kasi Lemmons ("Talk to Me") has been tapped to write and direct Langston Hughes' gospel musical "Black Nativity" for Fox Searchlight. The holiday classic is reportedly being fast-tracked for a possible Christmas release. "Black Nativity" is a retelling of the Bible's nativity story with an all-black cast and features traditional Christmas carols sung in gospel style.

Zoe Saldana stole the spotlight at the Berlin screening of "Star Trek" in a stunning asymmetrical Prabal Gurung tiered mini, yellow-gold Bulgari jewels, loose updo, and black strappy heels.

"American Idol’s" season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino is returning to her reality television roots, with her own show on VH-1. The series which will debut in early 2010, will track the nine-time Grammy nominee's life as an R&B songstress and a single mother.

Jeff Olde, executive vice president of VH1's original programming, said, "Fantasia has one of the most fascinating stories in show business, from her tough upbringing to her meteoric rise on the national scene thanks to 'American Idol.' Her challenges from fame and her unwillingness to fail have combined to create a larger-than-life talent who appeals to music lovers around the world. So many people wanted to work with her on this, but Fantasia is now part of the VH1 family, and we're so happy to have her."

Fantasia will also be resuming her role in the Broadway classic “The Color Purple” as Celie in June.

In the 1980s, "The Cosby Show" owned Thursday nights. A big part of the show's success was the crew of kids who populated Heathcliff Huxtable's household. Now with one of the Cosby alum developing a reality show, we thought it high time for a Web check-in on all the kids...and man, there were a lot of 'em. Here they are, ranked in order of Search popularity.

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ESSENCE magazine was granted exclusive access into the White House for its May 2009 issue, which features First Lady Michelle Obama and her mother, Mrs. Marian Robinson, on the cover. Before you pick up this must-have special edition issue, view behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot. Plus, check out a sneak peek of ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray’s interview with the nation’s most famous mother-and-daughter duo.

Souce: Essence
 

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are snapped during the NATO summit arrival ceremony at the the Palais Rohan on April 3, 2009 in Strasbourg, France. For the ceremony, Mrs. Obama wore an ornate outfit designed by Thakoon a her signature black kitten heels.

 

Rashida Jones ("I Love You, Man") and Will McCormack's ("Brothers and Sisters") special, "Celeste and Jesse Forever," has been acquired by Fox Atomic. Jones is attached to star. This is Jones and McCormack's first script sale. Jones is the daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton.

More proof that TNT is the official network of strong women: it's lured Jada Pinkett Smith back to television. She'll be starring in — and executive-producing — the network's new drama pilot called Time Heals.