Validation

As 2006 came to an end, the final numbers could be added to the record books. History will show that the best selling album of the 2006 was Some Hearts, by Season Four Miss American Idol Carrie Underwood.

As if that was not validation enough that a worthy superstar won the American Idol crown, just two weeks ago at the 2007 Grammy Awards, Carrie was honored with the award for Best New Artist. With this award Carrie now joins the ranks of previous multi-platinum winners Toni Braxton, Sheryl Crow, Leann Rimes, Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey.

An American Idol with both critical praise and massive sales. Congratulations Carrie!

Speaking of validation and congratulations, I am overjoyed for Chicago's own, Jennifer Hudson. I knew that when she was the Season Three Miss American Idol sixth runner up, that was not the last we would see of her.

It was over a year ago when I first heard that she was cast in the showstopping role of Effie White in the movie version of DreamGirls. It was perfect casting and I waited with anticipation until I could finally see her blow us away on the big screen. She did not disappoint.

A month ago she was honored with a Golden Globe for her amazing performance and now she was awarded the highest accolade in show business: The Academy Award. The history books now show that an American Idol finalist is an Oscar winner!

Carrie and Jennifer are talented artists and they don't need awards for validation. But it sure is nice to see them get the biggest recognition there is for stuff that I saw in them from their very first auditions.