OBAMA FUNDRAISER BRINGS OUT BIG NAMES

Jennifer Hudson and Jon Bon Jovi have been added to the performance lineup for President Obama‘s concert fundraiser next month at the Nokia Theatre at LA Live, reports Deadline.  Stevie Wonder is the latest artist added to the performance lineup. They all join previously announced performers Katy Perry and Earth, Wind & Fire on the bill, dubbed the 30 Days To Victory Concert. More names are expected to be released soon as organizers lock down final plans for the October 7 event, which is being put on jointly by the campaign’s Entertainment Advisory Council and veteran Hollywood special events producer Ken Ehrlich. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, who gave the keynote at the Democratic National Convention earlier this month, will speak, as will Obama. Tickets for the concert at the 7100-seat Nokia have been on sale at the campaign website for the past few days.  All of the $44 tickets — Obama’s number in the line of Presidents — and $100 tickets are sold out but there are still $250, $1,000 and $2,500 tickets left. Those willing to put down $10,000 can get a picture with Obama and other VIP amenities. Doors open at the event at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 7. According to Deadline, entertainment mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg will co-host a now $25,000 per ticket dinner following the 30 Days To Victory Concert. Harvey Weinstein may also come on board to co-host, and the Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at LA Live will handle the food.

ONE-HOUR TV TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF WHITNEY HOUSTON

Usher, Jennifer Hudson and Celine Dion are the first major acts announced for the upcoming one-hour TV tribute to late R&B superstar Whitney Houston, reports MTV. Titled “We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute To Whitney Houston,” the special is slated to tape at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Oct. 11 and air Nov. 16 on CBS. Additional performers to be announced in the coming weeks. The special will feature interviews and songs from a number of artists, in addition to some of the six-time Grammy winner’s most memorable performances. Fans will also get a look at some never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews, along with artists sharing their memories of Houston. Tickets will go on sale today through Ticketmaster.

CELEBRITY QUICKIES

In between her hosting duties for “American Idol,” Mariah Carey found time to tweet that she is working on a duet with fellow R&B star R. Kelly. Along with a photo of them sharing a microphone, Carey told fans today that they met up in a recording studio in Chicago to collaborate. “Me and Kells in the lab in Chi town working on a new song! Omg – his voice sounds A++,” she tweeted. She added that his “Trapped in the Closet” hip hopera  is a “total classic.”

Dwayne Wade’s reputation is now at the mercy of his ex-wife’s tales of being beat while pregnant. Siohvaughn Wade is claiming the father and pro-baller struck a blow at her while they were still dating at 15 years old. “I was pregnant with Zion…I noticed that Mr. Wade wasn’t in the house. I was calling him and calling him because it was probably like, two or three o’ clock in the morning and we went to bed together which means he must have gotten up out of the bed and just left in the middle of the night without telling me.” She continued, saying when he returned several hours later, he turned angry on her, began to curse and eventually violent. Siohvaughn says her ex-husband picked her up and threw her down on the bathroom floor.

A few days ago, news surfaced that the late Whitney Houston’s daughter Bobbi Kristina and her boyfriend were in a car accident on Sunday evening in Alpharetta, GA. Well Nick Gordon is clearing up what really happened, describing the incident as a hit and run. He also says he was the only one in the car; Bobbi Kristina wasn’t in the vehicle. “Just letting you know nobody was in the car when the hit and run happened. A little sore. Media blows things up,” he tweeted. “Y’all caught up on the wrong stuff thank god I’m ok,” he added.

Alicia Keys, pictured above in London today isiting BBC radio for promo of her new Girl On Fire album, is featured in an official President Barack Obama campaign video released today. The singer and activist Alicia Keys offers a behind-the-scenes look of a day on the campaign trail and encourages those supporting the President to get involved. The vid features Alicia’s recent trip to Philadelphia, PA where she discussed what’s at stake in this election and the importance of getting off the sidelines.  Click HERE for the video.

Mary J. Blige isn’t the only one who got to sing with Prince. Fresh off of Prince’s surprise appearance at the iHeart Music Festival last weekend, Prince enlisted Jennifer Hudson as his next duet partner on “Nothing Compares 2 U" at his 'Welcome to America' concert at Chicago’s United Centre. J Hud showed up and showed out, taking the song to a whole new level; but with a legend, and a legend-in-the-making, where else would you take it? Check it out: