“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”–Minus MJ
- Judith Hill belts it out in Beverly HIlls
The occasion: a glitzy luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel honoring the nominees of the 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards, to be broadcast live on FOX Friday Feb. 26 at 8 p.m.—but tape-delayed on the West Coast from the Shrine Auditorium.
The highlight: singer Judith Hill, Michael Jackson’s duet partner on “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” in “This is It,” gave a solo, gut-wrenching performance of the love ballad before a transfixed crowd–with the spirit of Jackson hovering over the proceedings.
Jackson would have approved of this year’s theme, “One Nation, One Dream” representing a utopian goal for the prestigious civil rights organization, which is also celebrating entering its second century of civil rights advocacy.
The nominees—representing excellence in television, film, music and literature– got revved up at the luncheon honoring them with an admonishment from executive producer Vic Bulluck to keep their acceptance speeches to 45 seconds. Yeah, like that’s going to happen—but it’s always fair warning before the winner gets played off the stage or…horrors…has his or her microphone cut mid-sentence.
The show itself promises some tough races on the TV side. Up for outstanding comedy: “30 Rock,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Glee,” “Ugly Betty” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.”
Perry is up for several other awards, and no suspense here, will receive the Chairman’s Award, in recognition special achievement and distinguished public service. He’ll be in the company of past honorees including Aretha Franklin, Bono, President Barack Obama, The Dave Matthews Band, Danny Glover, Aaron McGruder and Janet Jackson.
Dramatic programs vying for the Image Award are “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Cold Case,” “HawthoRNe,” The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” and “Lincoln Heights.” Another highlight: recording industry executive Clarence Avant will be inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame.
(For a complete list of Image Award nominees, check out http://www.naacpimageawards.net/41/nominees-and-voting/nominees/ )
