Kelly Clarkson’s earlier accusation that music producer Ryan Tedder supplied her with a “ripped off” melody of Beyonce Knowles’ Halo to record with has prompted Tedder to respond to the claims today – and he’s not happy.

Tedder said in a statement that the idea he’d given Clarkson stolen material was “hurtful and absurd,” but applauded the Idol winner on her “haunting and heart-breaking performance” on a track he believes sounds nothing like Beyonce’s Halo.

Tedder’s statement (including all spelling and punctuation errors as he’d written it) reads:

‘”Already Gone’ is one of the best songs I’ve written or produced since ‘Bleeding Love’ and stands tall on it’s own merits apart from ‘Halo.’ They are two entirely different songs conceptually, melodically, & lyrically and I would never try to dupe an artist such as Kelly Clarkson or Beyonce into recording over the same musical track, the idea is both hurtful & absurd. I think when people hear ‘Already Gone’ they will hear what I hear — one of the greatest female vocalists on earth giving her most haunting and heart-breaking performance on a song she helped write. I challenge people to listen and form their own opinions.”

If you haven’t listened to the songs already, click here and here to hear the differences between the two (if you can pick ‘em).

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Ok, I admit it: I sat through the entire length of Dreamgirls without falling asleep. But only just.

I won’t regale you with my thoughts on the movie – let’s face it, you either loved it, or you hated it – but what I will say is that the best part of the film is Beyonce and Jennifer’s character’s bitter relationship. I’d praise the pair on their superb acting, only I don’t think there was much acting at all in certain parts of the film.

Back when Dreamgirls was first released (and gaining all those nominations), rumours were flying left and right that the former Destiny’s Child frontwoman was so “jealous” of co-star Jennifer Hudson’s “almost instant” fame that the pair barely spoke. And of course, when Hudson won that Oscar, and Knowles didn’t even get a nod for her efforts, it made things between the two even worse.

Beyonce’s camp were quick to quell the jealousy rumours, so when Hudson’s family were brutally killed recently, no one thought anything of the Pink Panther star’s appearance at the funerals.

But according to “Superstar James” (a close friend of Jennifer’s and the Hudson family), Beyonce wasn’t actually at any of the funerals, and just “accepted credit” for going. In fact, if James is to be believed, the singer-turned-actress hasn’t even reached out to her “supposed” friend, Jennifer, at all.

This is what James had to say about the whole incident:

How evil can someone be?

So i wasnt going to write about this but it is really really bugging me. Especially when people are calling my phone saying how nice it was of Beyonce to come to the funeral and show her support. And i have to sit back and hold everything i wanna say inside. But i cant do it no more. Beyonce did not come to the funeral nor did she call, text, send a card or hell send a damn email. If there are millions of people who are leaving Jennifer and Julia and myself messages and sending there prayers and condelences and these people don’t even know them why couldnt she? Every singer that Jennifer admires and had been a role model for her growing up even until now has called, from Aretha to Shirley Murdock to even present day singers like Chrisette Michelle. And yall know how much Jennifer loves Beyonce and she couldn’t even have her assistant call or nothing. But yet her camp is allowing her to recieve credit for coming to the funeral and being there for Jennifer and her family. Bullshit! This just pisses me off. Once again thanks to everyone who has be there for us. And sorry if i offended any of Beyonce fans by writing this but if i just couldn’t keep sitting back and reading articles and emails and having my phone ring about how nice it was of Beyonce to come out!

There’s been no word from the Beyonce camp as yet, but with bad publicity like that floating around the web, I’m sure they’ll be releasing a statement on “Superstar James’” comments soon.

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Australian Idol has possibly snagged its biggest ever guest star!

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, two former Destiny’s Child performers have “been approached” to appear on this year’s Australian Idol finale show, set to air on November 23.

However, a source told the newspaper that a cameo appearance from the biggest name of all – Beyonce Knowles – isn’t looking too likely at this stage, with Beyonce’s peeps not “overly enthused” about the idea of the Grammy-award-winner appearing on a reality singing show.

“It’s not looking promising with Beyonce but we may end up with someone like [fellow Destiny's Child singer] Kelly Rowland appearing at the Opera House,” the soure said.

In its sixth season locally, Australian Idol is looking to revamp its aging format, and producers hope an appearance by a former Destiny’s Child bandmate will bring the massive audiences from previous series’ back to the Network Ten show.

Australian Idol, Season 6, will premiere on August 24.

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Earlier today, I posted the news that newlywed Beyonce Knowles is pregnant with her first child; however, new information has just surfaced that suggests the Bootylicious singer has been preggers before – back when she was just 15 years old!

Bossip.com posted a photograph today of a young girl who looks astoundingly like Beyonce, carrying a bulging baby belly. The picture was sent in by a reader, who claims the image is Beyonce, pregnant at 15.

No confirmation has been made at this stage, and it’s highly likely the girl in the shot isn‘t the 26-year-old just-married singer… though you have to admit, the similarities are striking.

What do you think? A secret pregnancy or a load of cods-wallop??

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While Beyonce Knowles still won’t confirm the existence of her April 4 wedding to rapper Jay-Z, a friend has come forward to the New York Post and said that, not only is the marriage real, but rumours of a shock pregnancy are true as well!

According to the pal, the former Destiny’s Child singer is pregnant with the couple’s first child, and that the surprise pregnancy was the reason behind the sudden nuptials.

“She has gained a lot of pregnancy weight,” the source revealed. “When she gains weight, she normally does the Def Jam detox, but not now.”

Knowles’ rep made light of the situation, turning the rumours that the singer is pregnant into a running joke.

“I don’t know if she’s pregnant,” the rep said. “Let me perform an ultrasound and get back to you.”

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Rumour has it that former Destiny’s Child singer Beyonce Knowles is up the duff… and that her shock pregnancy was the real reason behind her speedy wedding.

In just three short days from when Knowles and partner Jay-Z first applied for a marriage license in New York, the pair were wed, leaving the media to speculate whether their dazzling nuptials were a cover-up to hide an upcoming baby.

I’m not sure either way, but it is plausable. How many other celebs have done the shotgun wedding thing when a surprise pregnancy happens to pop up?

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In addition to the details I posted earlier, the New York wedding of singers Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z is rumoured to be a small one, with the tables beneath the tent set up for about 30 guests.

According to The E-Biz, Jay-Z’s gym room has been set up for Beyonce to use as her dressing room, with a vanity and flowers moved in for the big day.

The ceremony is said to have started at 4 p.m., with guests being asked to wear ivory only on their invitations.

And perhaps the biggest update of all… Beyonce and Jay-Z plan on having not one, but two weddings! An insider has just revealed that a second, possibly larger wedding is already being planned to take place in France in a month’s time.

“It’s going to be May 4 in France,” the source said.

The pictures (above and below) are of Jay-Z’s New York residence as it was in the process of being set-up for the surprise wedding.

Stay tuned for more updates and pictures!

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It’s happening today!!

The surprise nuptials of musos Beyonce & Jay-Z look to be on despite the poor weather, as floral arrangements, candelabras, and a big white tent have just been delivered to Jay-Z’s Tribeca apartment building.

A source said: “It’s [happening] tonight! A lot of their friends are booking hotel rooms.”

Earlier in the day, workers “erected” the white tent on the top of Jay-Z’s apartment block. As soon as the tent was up, an SUV arrived carrying AV equipment, as well as numerous deliveries of party rentals and flowers.

Another source told People.com today: “Amy’s Orchids was hired to provide 50,000 to 60,000 white orchid blooms from Thailand for a ‘big party.’”

As if that wasn’t enough proof that a wedding is taking place today, waiters outside the building were seen practicing their service for the event to come, and a source hanging around the proceedings revealed that Jay-Z’s spinner pal, DJ Cassidy, would be in charge of the entertainment at the reception.

“Cassidy mentioned a week ago that he was really excited for the Jay-Z and Beyonce wedding party to happen,” the source added.

Other close friends of the couple have been arriving in New York in droves over the past few days. Producer Rodney Jerkins, who is a friend to both Beyonce and Jay-Z, and also worked with Beyonce in the studio, arrived two days ago, as well as former Destiny’s Child bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

“It’s about time,” producer pal Dallas Austin said. “I think it’s great that they’re getting married.”

We first heard news of a possible wedding between the long-time couple on Tuesday, when they were seen purchasing a marriage license in Scarsdale, New York.

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The buzz in the entertainment world is that singers Beyonce & Jay-Z, who picked up a marriage license in New York earlier in the week, have set a wedding date already.

Sources close to the couple have announced that the loved-up pair are set to wed on Friday, April 4th… as in TOMORROW!!

I guess we’ll soon find out whether or not this is a bunch of hocus pocus…

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