From the Big Apple to sunny Los Angeles, the stars have been keeping busy in the last 24 hours.

Sofia Vergara was all smiles early Wednesday morning as she made her way to ABC Studios for a taping of Good Morning America.

During the interview with GMA, the 40-year-old beauty revealed that she’s frozen her eggs — just in case.

“I wanted to make sure I already froze my eggs. I wanted to take advantage of science,” the actress said of her plan with fiancé Nick Loeb. “I took them out already. They’re in the refrigerators. Hopefully, they’ll be fresh by the time I use them.”

Elsewhere in New York City, Tom Cruise was spotted mingling with some fans outside The Daily Show with Jon Stewart studios. Cruise, 50, has been busy promoting his latest sci-fi film, Oblivion, out Friday.

On the west coast, Once Upon a Time star Jennifer Morrison stunned in an orange dress as she taped an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live in Hollywood, Ashley Tisdale had her hands full as she headed out to lunch with her tiny puppy in L.A., while Jennifer Hudson hit the red carpet in style for the premiere of Call Me Crazy: A Five Film in West Hollywood.

For more of the day’s hottest star sightings, check out the latest edition of Celeb Snaps, above.

Miley Cyrus sure knows how to make an entrance… and an exit.

Rocking a leather mini dress, bright red lipstick and a shaggy platinum ‘do, Cyrus wasn’t hard to spot, especially with the waiting crowd ready to catch a glimpse of her outside Cameo nightclub in Miami April 7.

Just one day after hitting LIV nightclub in Miami to celebrate Pherrell Williams’ 40th birthday alongside Jennifer Hudson and Lil Wayne – who’s recovering just weeks after suffering a life-threatening seizure and revealing he’s an epileptic – the 20-year-old songstress decided to make it a night out with friends.

But the real question is where’s her fiancé Liam Hemsworth?

No where to be seen in the photos, the Australian hunk just got back into the U.S. after four weeks abroad, sparking rumors the twosome’s wedding-to-be was called off.

Cyrus adamantly denied the reports (sparked by her noticeably absent engagement ring), while the 24-year-old Hunger Games star was spotted at her L.A. home two weeks ago. But they haven’t been seen together since.

Well, Cyrus has a lot to take her mind off her personal life. In the most unlikely collaboration, she just dropped her new single “Ashtrays and Heartbreaks” with Snoop Lion this week to rave reviews and confirmed she’s working with One Direction cutie Niall Horan.

And girls just wanna have some fun too. She’s been soaking up the rays – and smoking something – while on vacay in Miami.

What do you think is going on with Miley and Liam? Why haven’t they been seen together? Tell us what you think below.

When it comes to the new judges on American Idol, Jennifer Hudson isn’t singing praises.

“It’s taken a bit to get used to the new judges. I come from American Idol, so I’m used to seeing Simon, Paula and Randy,” she explained about the latest season during a visit on Live with Kelly & Michael on Friday morning. ”So now it’s new faces, and to me, [Cowell, Abdul and Jackson] represented the show. It’s kind of awkward for me to see it with new judges.”

If she were still on the show, how exactly would Hudson respond to their critiques?

“Well, I’m happy that [Mariah Carey]‘s there because she’s a singer, so she knows what to expect, how to judge, even the position that the kids are in when they’re auditioning,” she said.

But what about the other new judges, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban?  Hudson quickly deflected questions regarding the topic by avoiding them. She said, to laughs from the crowd, “Ummm, yes.”

Despite her opinion on the changes, the season 3 contestant still holds the show in high regard.

“American Idol changed the face of television,” she told Celebuzz’s The Daily Buzz host Hyla. “So, not everyone can say that. And, it’s always been a phenomenon. I’m proud to have come from American Idol, so I just say, go out on top.”

When it came to her recent performance at the Super Bowl, Hudson got emotional about collaborating with the students from Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.

“We were supposed to rehearse the song and I couldn’t get through the song,” she revealed. “I’m supposed to be here singing with the kids and I can’t even get through the song. They’re looking up at me and to think they were put in that position.”

In addition to the Super Bowl, the 31-year-old also showed off her vocal prowess at another national stage: President Barack Obama‘s inauguration in January, an experience that forever changed her life.

Hudson performed at Obama’s 2009 ceremony, and this time around was personally emailed by the POTUS and his wife about performing during their first dance during the inaugural ball.

“I was like, ‘I get to do the inauguration and I get to do the first dance!’” she joked. “I’m gonna frame that and put it in my house somewhere.”

It’s been quite the year for Hudson, who is currently starring in NBC’s Smash as Veronica “Ronnie” Moore, a Tony Award-winning Broadway star. Speaking of stars, the Oscar winner will also be the latest recipient on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“It’s so exciting, when I heard about that, I was like, “Wait, I get a star? I haven’t done enough yet!” she gushed. “It’s such an amazing honor. I’m still in awe.”

But at the end of her busy days, Hudson relishes in spending quality time with her 3-year-old son David, who’s become known for giving his mom a few fashion tips.

“He brings me shoes. If I have on something he [doesn't] like, “Mommy, what is that? I don’t like that. Take that off,” she said.

Given his headstrong personality, Hudson — who’s been engaged to fiance David Otunga since 2008 — revealed her little boy even gave himself a new moniker: “Boss Baby.”

Launch the video to watch J-Hud dish on American Idol. Then, tell us: What do you think of the new judges and season so far? Voice out in the comments, below.

In affairs of the heart, Megan Hilty’s Smash character, Ivy, may be as pure as the L.A. smog. But when she steps in front of the microphone, this songbird’s voice is pure as gold.

Sure, she stole Karen’s (Katharine McPhee) boyfriend on Season 1, but there’s still time for redemption on Season 2.

“Ivy goes through a lot of changes right from the beginning,” Hilty told reporters. “Most of the season, actually, she’s trying to revamp her life, both in her personal and her professional life. So, she will be changing a lot.”

So how does NBC’s Smash top its first season with all its titillating backstage infidelities and romantic reversals?

“I wouldn’t say that it tops last season,” demurred Hilty. “I’d just say it expands from there. There’s at least three musicals happening at the same time, so it covers a wide variety of genres.”

Season 1 introduced us to the cast as they prepped a splashy Broadway musical on the life of Marilyn Monroe, which pitted Hilty’s Ivy and McPhee’s Karen against each other (with a bit of role-thieving by guest star, Uma Thurman, as movie star Rebecca Duvall).

“We did try a lot of things,” said Hilty. “Some of them worked and some of them didn’t.”

Hilty likened the first season to a Broadway tryout wherein all the kinks are worked out of a show in a smaller venue before it reaches the bright lights of the great white way. She should know. She got her start on Broadway, fresh out of college, playing Galinda in the hit musical, Wicked. And she’ll be returning to the New York stage for a date at Carnegie Hall to promote her first solo album,  It Happens All The Time, dropping March 12.

But, don’t worry, Smash fans. It doesn’t mean she’s hankering for a return to Broadway. In fact, she finds stage and TV surprisingly alike but for one distinction.

“The live audience, that’s the major difference,” she revealed. But like Broadway, when it comes time to shoot Smash, it’s too late to make changes.

“It’s such a monster to edit and put together,” she noted. “If people don’t like it, when are we going to change it? It doesn’t matter when we’re airing.”

Smash Season 2 premieres with a two-hour special on Tuesday at 9PM on NBC.

Last season, NBC’s Smash brought you the pleasure of seeing guest star Uma Thurman strut her stuff as Marilyn Monroe. This season features two new guest stars including Broadway icon Liza Minnelli and Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson, who, like series regular, Katharine McPhee, got her start on FOX’s American Idol.

You’d think that when Idol alums like McPhee and Hudson get together the conversation inevitably turns to their TV origins, but not so much.

“It’s not something I go up to her and say, ‘Hey, how was you’re experience on American Idol?” McPhee told reporters. “I’m sure if she was sitting here, we both would say we’re really incredibly grateful for the platform that it gave us but it did what it was supposed to do, which was give us that platform to move onto things that we ultimately really dreamed of doing.”

For Hudson, that dream had to have something to do with winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2007 for Dream Girls. For McPhee, starring on Smash is as good as it gets.

“Last season I was like, ‘I’m on a TV show! This is great!” she confessed. “And that’s what’s been so fantastic, maybe I would have been on the show without Idol, maybe I wouldn’t have. But I know it was an amazing platform.”

Hudson will be appearing on the fourth episode of the new season. And though it was hardly an Idol reunion for the pair, McPhee found it a pleasure just to hear her guest star sing.

“She was incredibly wonderful to have on set and incredibly professional and wonderful to just listen to sing these amazing songs,” the 28-year-old says.

Season 1 focused on a splashy musical chronicling the life of Marilyn Monroe, a role that went to guest star Thurman’s Rebecca Duvall due more to her recognizable name than for her talent in the spotlight. After enduring the heartbreak of losing the role and then losing her boyfriend to Ivy (Megan Hilty), Karen finally gets a shot at the part and nails it.

But, the new season has Smash fans wondering if Karen will ever recover from all the disappointments she endured on Season 1. According to McPhee, she’ll be just fine.

“We start the second season about two weeks after the finale,” she said. “So Karen has just finished taking over the role of Marilyn and she’s obviously had a huge personal blow with Ivy doing what she did. She’s basically just trying to be as professional as she can and move on from the personal disasters in her life and really look forward to what the futures has to hold cause it’s, at the moment, looking really bright for her.”

The Smash two-hour season premiere airs Tuesday at 9PM on NBC.

Do you have any burning questions about Glee? Actor Josh Sussman joins Celebuzz in our Hollywood studio to discuss the hit series and more hot topics like American Idol.

Should the reality singing competition end? Jennifer Hudson thinks so, do you agree with the Sparkle star? Has the show lost popularity because of FOX’s The X Factor and NBC’s The Voice?

Beginning at 10AM ET/ 1PM PT, Celebuzz is throwing a live Twitter party for our fans, having you weigh in on the week’s hottest headlines.

Using the hashtag #TheDailyBuzz, join The Daily Buzz‘s own Hyla and Glee’s Josh Sussman as we take fan questions and break down the day’s top stories.

Were you crushed to hear reports that Beyonce lip-synced? Do you think she really did? Is this bad for her image as a performer?

Let us know your thoughts on these trending topics — and more, including:

• The new season of Kourtney and Kim take Miami? Did you see the premiere over the weekend? What do you think?
• Selena Gomez warned her fans about her upcoming film, Spring Breakers: Is she growing up from Disney?

Be sure to tune in at 10AM ET/1PM PT to see if your tweets will be featured in our live Twitter party.

Some stars hammed it up while others got oh-so-serious.

Since kicking off nearly one week ago, the Sundance Film Festival has been graced with the presence of some of Hollywood’s biggest names. So far, Celebuzz has paid tribute to the festival’s fashion statements through the years, surveyed the star sightings from this year’s Park City, Utah gathering and now, we’re taking a closer look at the festival’s official portraits.

On Wednesday, Dakota Fanning and Elizabeth Olsen posed for a series of snapshots, along with their Very Good Girls co-star Boyd Holbrook and director Naomi Foner.

The day before, Adam Brody, Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard got cheeky for the camera while promoting Lovelace.

Evan Rachel Wood, who is pregnant with her first child, looked positively glowing during her portrait session, while her The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman co-star Shia LaBeouf got silly with his clothes.

Check out the gallery, above, for some of the best portrait sessions from the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Are you surprised by any of the stars letting loose in front of the camera? 

The Sundance Film Festival is in full-swing, and a parade of A-listers has already made its way to Park City to promote their latest films. But while Hollywood is there for the films, our focus is on the fashion.

Sundance is one of our favorite film festivals, mainly because it comes right when we really need a winter style pick-me-up. The ritzy ski town’s snowy streets and chilly temps call for some creative layering — something most of us need some help with come mid-January.

Luckily, this year’s Sundance stars have showcased an array of cozy-chic outfits we can’t wait to steal. From Naomi Watts’ leather leggings and cooler-than-cool hightops and Jessica Biel’s sleek neutrals to Jennifer Hudson’s chic white puffer, we’re rounding up our favorite film festival fashions this year.

If you’re currently experiencing this week’s big chill, get inspired by the genius winter styling tricks Sundance’s stylish stars have been using to stay warm while looking chic.

Check out the best of this year’s Sundance style so far.

Keep clickin’ for more fab film festival fashion…

What are your cold-weather styling tricks?

Share your best winter style tips (and pics!) below, and you could be featured in our new reader round-up style series.

Today, Jennifer Hudson is an Oscar-winning actress, a successful solo artist and a sought after product ambassador. But in 2004, she was just a young Chicago girl looking for her big break on the third season of FOX’s American Idol.

For the last few seasons, Idol’s viewership has steadily declined. And while it’s still the most viewed singing competition on TV, the actress believes the show is past its prime.

“Everything has its time,” she told Celebuzz’s The Daily Buzz host Hyla at Hennessy VS’ event for her film, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete in Los Angeles. “I think it should just allow itself to go out on top… and gracefully.”

Hudson, 31, ultimately placed seventh on her season, but she still holds the show in high regard. “American Idol changed the face of television,” she told us.

“So, not everyone can say that. And, it’s always been a phenomenon. I’m proud to have come from American Idol, so I just say, go out on top.”

American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM on FOX. The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete premieres this week at the Sundance Film Festival.

Do you think Idol should pack it up after this season?

This week Hollywood converges on the ritzy slopes of Park City, Utah for the annual Sundance Film Festival.

Jessica Biel, Amanda Seyfried, Kristen Bell and Reese Witherspoon, are among the stylish stars we’re excited to see in Park City this week. This year’s festival will also be home to a few fashionable red carpet reunions, with Mad Men stars January Jones and Elizabeth Moss each showing films, and American Idol alums Jennifer Hudson and Jordin Sparks starring in a flick together.

Of course, what we’re really dying to see is the fashion — and Sundance’s red carpets are like none other. Forget spray tans and gowns and six-inch stilettos, Park City’s snowy slopes call for a different dress code.

Sundance is kinda like seeing your teacher on the weekend — but about a million times more exciting. It’s the rare chance to see our favorite actors dressed down in jeans, sweaters, earmuffs and puffy jackets. Most of them will also be carrying Sundance’s number one accessory — a cup of coffee.

In honor of the Sundance style that’s about to hit this week, we’re taking a look back at how stars have braved the cold in style over the years.

There’s Naomi Watts looking cozy, Paris Hilton channeling the ’80s and Rashida Jones in moon boots, among some of the festival flashback eye-candy.

Look back at Sundance Film Festival fashion over the years here.

Which star’s Sundance style was your fave?

Catch up on the latest from this year’s Sundance Film Festival in the video below.

By Amelia Mularz

Six years after winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson is still very much involved in the film industry.

This week, the 31-year-old singer and actress made her Sundance Film Festival debut, as one of the stars of The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, a coming-of-age film about two inner city children. Alicia Keys, who served as the movie’s executive producer, was also on hand for the premiere, as was Mister and Pete director George Tillman Jr.

Hudson, who stars as the mother of one of the kids, couldn’t help but get personal at the film’s Park City, Utah premiere, presented by Hennessy VS.

“Walter, my assistant, we are Mister and Pete. We grew up together, we’ve known each other since the sixth grade,” the 31-year-old told Celebuzz on Thursday night.

“The week I won my Oscar I made him my assistant because as kids, we were 11 years old . . . in choir together. He was my biggest,’” Hudson said of her friend, who was the driving force behind her American Idol auditions.

Speaking of Oscar, the mother-of-one had a few words of advice for Anne Hathaway, who is nominated in the same category Hudson won in 2007.

“Just get her acceptance speech together. I was watching the Golden Globes the other night, she won right? That’s what happens. You gotta win the Golden Globe to get to the Oscar, that’s the next step. And I was like, ‘Oh, it’s coming,’” Hudson said.

“But I think she’s a pro. She’s already ready.”

Hudson also had some advice for the American Idol franchise, which suffered a huge dip in ratings with its Season 12 premiere earlier this week.

“Everything has its time. I think it should just allow itself to go out on top and gracefully,” she said. “American Idol changed the face of television . . . and it’s always been a phenomenon. I’m really proud to have come from American Idol, so I just say, go out on top.”

Do you think ‘American Idol’ should quit while it’s ahead? Weigh in below.

Jennifer Hudson and Jessica Simpson put their slim figures on full display in the latest ad campaign for Weight Watchers, released this week.

In the 30-second spot, Hudson, 31, and Simpson, 32, are seen walking down a street as they explain their constant struggles with food and dieting.

“I obsessed about my weight my whole life,” Simpson says.

“I was overweight my whole life. I figured I was just born that way,” adds Hudson. “And then, Weight Watchers.”

And then, things get a little awkward when Hudson and Simpson meet up at a corner and basically smile and stare at each other for five seconds before entering some type of restaurant or cafe.

Bizarre, yes — but at least they look awesome.

Hudson has been with Weight Watchers for over a year, and reportedly lost over 80 pounds in her quest to slim down. Simpson, meanwhile, joined the program earlier this year, but will take a break as she prepares to give birth to her second child.

“[Simpson] will not be following the program during the pregnancy while her weight and well-being are monitored by her obstetrician, as is recommended for any woman during pregnancy,” a spokesperson confirmed in late December.

Simpson confirmed her pregnancy last month on Twitter. She welcomed her first daughter, Maxwell Drew, in May.

Hollywood A-listers such as Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Kidman and Jenny McCarthy have found the secrets to staying slim, and now you can, too — with a little help from Celebuzz.

With 2013 underway — and most of us already breaking our get-slim New Year’s resolutions — we’ve reviewed a mountain of diet plans and eating tips. They range from counting points and carbs to drinking vinegar and staying naked while you eat.

Now we’re ready to share what we’ve learned — and help you make 2013 your slimmest year ever!

At the top of our list is Weight Watchers — according to Shape magazine, its flexibility and support system make it the very best diet plan.

Followers can eat anything they want — in moderation. The diet uses a now-famous point system, with each portion of food being equivalent to a certain number of points. Points are limited each day until the dieter reaches his or her goal weight; followers also attend group meetings to find support with others in the program.

After dieters shed the pounds, the point tally is adjusted for a maintenance phase — like the ones that have kept Hudson and McCarthy super-sculpted.

Another way to get slim is the South Beach diet — a low-carb eating plan consisting of low-fat proteins and dairy, fruits, veggies, and even eggs. It’s the plan that Kidman prefers, and may be a healthier low-carb option than the famous Atkins diet.

Click through the gallery above to learn more about these diets — plus the ones that Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow prefer.  Then get ready to lose those extra holiday pounds — and keep them off!

Which eating plan are you going to try in 2013? Leave a comment below.

Jewel tones are the haute hues for fall, and emerald has emerged as the rich palette’s breakout star. Earning the most prestigious title a color can get, the deep shade of green has been named Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year.

But 2013 won’t be emerald’s first time trending on the red carpet. Either there’s a shady leak, or there are more than a few stylish stars with fashion ESP. Because Emma Stone, Kourtney Kardashian, and Kate Middleton are just a few of the ahead-of-the-curve celebs who sported the green hue in 2012.

It’s not hard to see why emerald has climbed its way to the top of the color pyramid and found a place in next year’s fashion forecast.

The deep green is a sophisticated way to bring color into your look, and unlike lime and seafoam, it flatters a wide range of skin tones.

And it’s easy to dress up or down; wear as an accent or allover. Working the trend into their everyday ensembles, Olivia Palermo hit a home run in an emerald blazer and yellow jeans, while Jennifer Hudson used the rich shade to break up an all-black ensemble.

But the most of-the-moment way to wear these hues is from head to toe. Rachel McAdams and Reese Witherspoon have proven emerald to be an elegant alternative to black for evening-wear, while Revenge‘s Ashley Madekwe showed off the color’s trendy side in an emerald pantsuit for a chic holiday party look.

With the color authority’s endorsement, we expect an emerald explosion for 2013, so if you haven’t already, there’s no better time to go green.

See all the psychic stars who predicted emerald would be big and get ideas for working the haute hue into your 2013 wardrobe here.

What do you think of Pantone’s choice for 2013′s Color of the Year? Which hue would you have picked? Share below.

Get more star-inspired ideas for going green — plus, how to wear the season’s other hot hues — in the video below.

Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker jetted-out of Norway without one of her team after a woman was nabbed for shoplifting just before take-off, a police official confirmed to Celebuzz.

The drama — which played out like a storyline from the hit show — unfolded earlier today as Parker, 47, prepared to board a United flight from Oslo to Newark, New Jersey with her team.

The shoplifter was arrested by Norwegian police and detained for snatching two pairs of glasses from an airport boutique just before the lunchtime flight departed, Norwegian police attorney Jom Letnes told Celebuzz.

“The woman who was arrested was with Sarah Jessica’s party and she was found in possession of two pairs of glasses that she had taken from an airport shop,”  said Letnes.

“Police officers prevented her from boarding the flight and she was taken for questioning where she accepted a fine of 8000 Krones ($1420.03 U.S. dollars) before being released.

“The original flight was delayed and Miss Parker’s party left without her,” he added. “I understand the woman concerned is still in Norway, but she is now free to leave the country.”

Letnes said he does not expect that the shoplifter will be prosecuted further.

Officials are not releasing the name of the woman who was caught after an eagle-eyed shop assistant spotted her taking the glasses without paying for them, the attorney added.

Parker and her team had been in Norway to attend the annual Noble Peace Prize Concert that she helped co-host alongside actor Gerard Butler on Tuesday night.

Guests from around the world were also treated to performances from Kylie Minogue and Jennifer Hudson at the prestigious event.

A spokesperson from the Nobel Institute confirmed the shoplifter does not work for the organization, according to TMZ: ‘This individual (shoplifter) is not an employee of and has no connection to the Nobel Institute, which awards the Peace Prizes and presents the Peace Prize Concert,” the rep said.

“She is a freelance make-up artist who was contracted by an outside agency that specialized in that area.”

A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed to Celebuzz that Flight 39 from Oslo to Newark had been delayed for about 45 minutes due to “airport conditions.”

A rep for Parker had no comment, but added “it was not her assistant which has been reported erroneously.”

The latest way stars are spicing up their holiday style? By showing some leg in — that’s right — shorts.

Though the shorts-and-tights trend was first introduced last year, it’s making a comeback for the 2012 holiday season, offering a fresh way to show off your stems all winter long.

Beyonce, Kourtney Kardashian, and Miranda Kerr are all swapping skirts for shorts this winter, and now you can steal their tricks for styling this summer staple for colder temps.

While the floral shorts Beyonce wore in Florida recently weren’t exactly out of place in Miami, where it’s shorts’ weather year-round, the busy print and coordinating top gave the warm-weather look a more seasonal feel.

For those of us not lucky enough to spend our winters in warm climates, follow the lead of Kardashian, Kerr and recent shorts convert Jennifer Hudson, who have all been spotted in leather shorts this season. The heavier material makes the summery style a winter-appropriate look. Treat leather shorts like you would a leather mini, and pair them with shorts, heels and long-sleeves on top.

If you’re looking for something a little less edgy, try a winter-friendly material like wool or tweed. Kristin Cavallari’s metallic tweed shorts are festive and fashionable yet cold-weather appropriate. A big fan of the trend, the new mom was also spotted in a hot pink pair earlier this fall, which she winterized with a billowy long-sleeve top and heels.

The best part about Cavallari’s shorts is that they’ll work no matter where you live (or where you’re traveling for the holidays), from New York to L.A. and everywhere in between — just add tights when the temps drop below 50.

Ready to try this trend? See how stars are styling their shorts for winter and steal their tricks here.

Are you a fan of shorts in winter? Dish in the comments below.

Hot holiday hairstyles to go with those stylish seasonal shorts in the video below.

Since losing 80 pounds, Jennifer Hudson has slimmed down to a size four and maintained a healthier lifestyle — but there’s one indulgence she hasn’t been able to drop.

“You have what you’re craving. Chocolate is what I love — I have it every day,” the Weight Watchers spokesperson said in the January issue of Lucky.

Hudson — who began dieting during her days on American Idol — has embraced a more nutritious palate, even recruiting several family members to join her on the Weight Watchers plan. All in all, Hudson’s relatives have lost a total of 2,000 pounds!

“It’s great because before we eat — say, before a holiday or a big family reunion — lots of us are saying, how many points is this, how many points is that, so we’re together on it,” she said.

Carrie Underwood is set to play the iconic role of Maria Von Trapp in next year’s live television broadcast of The Sound of Music on NBC.

While this is a major role to play for the star, this won’t be the first time the Grammy winner has put on her acting shoes. The country superstar has previously made a splash on the big and little screens, most recently in the 2011 feature film, Soul Surfer, where she played Sarah Hill, the church leader who helped Bethany Hamilton overcome obstacles after her shark attack.

She made her acting debut a year earlier on a 2010 episode of the CBS sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. On that episode, she played Tiffany, a pharmaceutical rep that dates Ted (Josh Radnor), whose friends try to convince him is stringing him along.

But Underwood is just one of many American Idol alums who have got into the acting game. Many contestants have appeared on shows as themselves, such as Scotty McCreery on The CW’s Hart of Dixie, but there have been quite a group that has gone even further nabbing major roles of their own.

Most notable, of course, is Jennifer Hudson. Though she placed seventh on Season 3 of American Idol, she went on to win an Oscar for her amazing performance as Effie in 2006’s Dreamgirls. She’s also set to star with fellow Idol alum, Katharine McPhee, on Season 2 of NBC’s Smash.

But did you know that original idol Kelly Clarkson has also popped up on a few shows? And the Diana DeGarmo was on CBS’ The Young and The Restless for four months?

Click through our gallery above to see more Idols who turned actors and find out where they’ve appeared on the big and little screens.

Are you excited about Underwood’s new role? Which Idol alum had the best turn at acting? Sound off in the comments below!

Capes are no longer just for superheroes or vampires.

The fall runways — at show’s like Giambattista Valli, Alexis Mabille and Stéphane Rolland — all featured models flying down the runways in capes, solidifying their place as a fashion staple for fall and winter.

And now celebrities, from Kate Hudson and Rachel Bilson to Kim Kardashian to Jennifer Hudson, have been channeling their inner superheroes in the season’s new outwear must-have.

To show you how to pull off this superhero-inspired trend, we’ve rounded the caped crusaders who got it right.

Wearing a cape can be tricky, easily appearing costume-y or sloppy. If you’re trying the cape out for the first time, sticking to solids is the easy way to go, with black being the most fail-proof day-to-night choice. For a more casual look, turn to the season’s other classic neutrals: A camel, gray, or cream cape will look just as chic with a pair of leather pants, denim skinnies, or a printed dress.

Want to make a bolder statement? A bright color will feel festive — just keep the rest of your outfit simple and streamlined. Patterns, however, can be especially tricky when paired with this boxier style, and it’s easy to go overboard. Your best bet: Stick to simple patterns like Hudson’s stripes.

Fit is also important, even with such a drapey item. With longer capes like Kardashian’s, find a cut that hits your leg at the knee so your silhouette doesn’t look stumpy.  Shorter capes should hit just past the hips and can work with shorter skirts or frocks.

Finally, keep the look streamlined by pairing with pencil skirts, sheaths, and slim-fit trousers and skinnies on bottom. To avoid looking too bulky on top, don’t wear a chunky sweater or multiple layers underneath.

Check out our gallery to see how celebs are working this outwear trend.

What do you superhero-inspired look? Would you give it a spin?

Catch up on more of the latest fashion news in the video below.

Text by: Natasha Burton

Ratings for Tuesday’s election coverage are in, and among the broadcast networks, NBC won a plurality of viewers’ votes. Brian Williams and his ice-rink map drew 12.6 million total viewers, beating ABC (11.1 million), CBS (8.4 million), and FOX (5 million). Overall, there were 37.1 million viewers tuning into the big four networks to see Barack Obama win his second term as President of the United States. That’s a shade behind the audience for Obama’s first win in 2008, when 38 million people watched. [TVLine]

The sequel to Lifetime’s Five will include Jennifer Hudson and Modern Family‘s Sarah Hyland. As in the first anthology of five short films, which all focused on breast cancer, Jennifer Aniston and Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman will be among the executive producers. The sequel, tentatively titled Five 2, has also brought on Bonnie Hunt to direct one of the shorts. This anthology will target mental illness. [THR]

Author Neil Gaiman is writing another episode of BBC’s Dr. Who. The celebrated fantasy author of The Sandman and Coraline will see his episode air next spring. His installment will feature Cybermen, the monstrous cyborgs that the Doctor has been dealing with since 1966. Warwick Davis, Tamzin Outhwaite and Jason Watkins are all set to co-star in the hour-long episode. [EW]

The Sundance Channel has five new original scripted series in the works for the 2013/2014 development season including projects from Robert Redford, Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci, and Dan Futterman, Anya Epstein and Ira Glass. The channel will also premiere three new originals this winter: Restless starting Downton Abbey‘s Michelle Dockery on Dec. 7 at 9 PM, and Rectify and Top of the Lake in 2013. [Sundance]