Hudson And Clarkson Are New Divas

JENNIFER HUDSON, MILEY CYRUS and KELLY CLARKSON stole the limelight as the latest inductees into the VH1 DIVAS hall of fame at the TV concert on Thursday (17Sep09).

The trio joined British stars Leona Lewis and Adele as they were welcomed into the tradition, hosted by U.S. network VH1 to celebrate the most talented women in the music industry.

Host Paula Abdul opened the show to big laughs wearing a suit, tennis shoes and a short blonde wig - a playful dig at comedienne Ellen DeGeneres, who recently replaced her as a judge on American Idol - to perform a medley of her hit songs.

Dreamgirls star Hudson then took to the stage to belt out her hit Spotlight in her first performance since giving birth to her first child just over a month ago.

She later accompanied soul legend Stevie Wonder, who she called her “childhood hero”, for a moving rendition of All In Love Is Fair.

Hannah Montana star Cyrus, 16, then commanded the spotlight as she and 10 male dancers donned top hats and shorts to sing Party in the USA.

Former American Idol winner Clarkson was joined by veteran rocker Melissa Etheridge for a duet of Bring Me Some Water, while Lewis sang alongside pop star Cyndi Lauper.

The show, filmed at New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music, also featured performances from singers India.Arie, Martina McBride and Sheryl Crow.