-Sex and the City (Movie)

I must admit that I haven’t watched American Idol regularly since the first season (Kelly Clarkson/the only time the show came on during summertime, where it belongs). And to be honest, I thought all this Paula Abdul not returning/contract babble was just a publicity stunt (because let’s face it, this whole debacle has created a lot of buzz for the show).

But now Paula has made it official that she isn’t coming back? WTF was American Idol thinking? The show will not be the same without this woman. I know that millions of people agree just how big a mistake this is and the reasons as to why. American Idol, you officially have one day to fix this big mistake. One day.

I think the ratings in January will speak for themselves. Paula is an integral part of the show (and this is coming from someone who doesn’t even watch the show religiously). Paula > Ryan. Much greater. Fork over the money you idiots.

Last night I saw Beyonce perform at one of her very special Vegas “I Am Yours” show and it was everything I expected it to be and more. The theatre (which had less than 1500 seats) was the smallest venue I’ve ever seen an artist like Beyonce perform at. It literally felt like she was performing at my high school auditorium (albeit, a lot more classier..duh)

She opened the show with “Hello” and came walking down the stairs from the audience. She shook hands with tons of fans in the aisle and it was just so nice. The show started off with the slower songs, including songs she’s never sang live such as Scared of Lonely, That’s Why You’re Beautiful, Resentment (UH-MAZING), and Satellites. it was so special to see these songs performed live.

She then picked up the pace of the show by basically telling her story of how she got where she is today. With every story came the songs that surrounded that situation. She told several personal stories of her struggles and success, including some about her father (who we saw walking around the audience…as well as her mother Tina and that cousin of hers you always see). One story involved an audition for a record label where her father interupted and said, “Beyonce, did you go swimming last night? Because it sounds like you have snot in your nose.” The audience laughed and so did she. BTW, she was 9 years old at this audition.

She also spoke a lot of Destiny’s Child (”Without Destiny’s Child there is no Beyonce” she said). She talked about all of the changes with the group (”And then there were three.”) She sang basically every Destiny’s Child hit (well bits and pieces of them all like she usually does, but a lot more stories/intros to them). My favorite was of course for “Survivor” (”For the people who’ve dealt with sexists, racists, or just a hater.”). When talking about her struggle, she talked about losing on Star Search, getting dropped from the first label her group was ever signed to, and then finally signing with Columbia in 1997. This is also really the first time I’ve seen Beyonce really talk about all the changes that Destiny’s Child went through throughout the years (members dropping, members being added). She also talked about the media and different types of experiences that led her to write some of the hits Destiny’s Child and Beyonce enjoyed today.

Beyonce also talked about how she spent so much time on her career that it made her kind of lonely. That was until 2002 when she found love, she said. Then she sang a piece of “03 Bonnie & Clyde” and asked the ladies to help her. She then did the signature Jay Z hand move (the one she does at the end of every concert) but this time with the most adorable smile on her face.

She talked about working so hard on her first solo effort and how her label said that “Dangerously In Love” didn’t have even one hit on it. Beyonce then said, “I guess they were right…it had 5.” (Crazy in Love, Baby Boy, Me Myself & I, Naughty Girl, Dangerously in Love). You tell them B.

Basically last night was Beyonce at her very best. The night was advertised as “a showcase of her artistic talent like never before” and that’s just what it was. She paid tributes to all the greats that inspired her since she was a child (”By the age of 5 I knew what I wanted to do, be a singer.”)

I think the best part of last night was just an insight into Beyonce and her story. There is no question that Beyonce is a phenomonon and one of the biggest artists today. But what’s so great is that Beyonce acknowledges her struggle and that it certainly was not an easy road to get where she is now. Last night showed an even more humble side of Beyonce that you just don’t get to see. Most importantly and true with every show, Beyonce leaves you feeling inspired. She makes you feel that you can get everything you ever wanted if you just work your hardest.

You’d think that after seeing Beyonce for the 11th time that I’d get bored. I never get bored. A Beyonce show always gets me going. This was my favorite concert of all time. So thankful I was able to be in the third row. Keep doing what you do best B.