Katie Holmes to dance tribute to Judy Garland

Published Saturday July 4th, 2009
E1

NEW YORK - So Katie Holmes thinks she can dance -- and in few weeks, she'll display her moves before a discriminating audience.

Nigel Lythgoe, who is the producer of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," confirms the 30-year-old actress will perform for the reality contest's 100th episode, airing July 23.

Holmes will pay homage to Judy Garland. In a taped number, she'll sing and dance to the Garland classic "Get Happy."

Holmes' TV cameo is meant to promote the new foundation she launched with Lythgoe and "Dancing With the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

The non-profit, called Dizzy Feet, aims to support dance education and programs, and talented dancers who can't afford training.

***

President Barack Obama called Michael Jackson a brilliant performer whose talents were paired with a tragic personal life.

"I'm glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer," Obama said.

Obama said he did not see any controversy in the fact that he did not issue a formal public statement upon Jackson's death and said he was unaware of any dissatisfaction in the black community with his response.

"I know a lot of people in the black community and I haven't heard that," Obama said.

The president said he grew up on Jackson's music and "I still have all his stuff on my iPod."

"I think that Michael Jackson will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers," Obama said. "His brilliance as a performance also was paired with a tragic and in many ways, sad personal life."

Jackson died June 25 at age 50.

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Celebrity Birthdays

* Actress Gloria Stuart is 99.

* Conductor Mitch Miller is 98.

* Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren is 91.

* Actress Eva Marie Saint is 85.

* Actress Gina Lollobrigida is 82.

* Playwright Neil Simon is 82.

* New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is 79.

* Singer Bill Withers is 71.

* Actress Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu in "It's A Wonderful Life") is 69.

* TV talk show host Geraldo Rivera is 66.

* Jeremy Spencer, former guitarist-vocalist with Fleetwood Mac is 61.

* Kim Berly, drummer with the Canadian rock group Stampeders is 61.

* Percussionist Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind and Fire is 58.

* Percussionist Domingo Ortiz of Widespread Panic is 57.

* Singer John Waite is 54.

* Guitarist Kirk Pengilly of INXS is 51.

* Steel guitarist Teddy Carr (Ricochet) is 49.

* Singer Michael Sweet of Stryper is 46.

* Bassist Matt Malley (Counting Crows) is 46.

* Andrew Creeggan, former percussionist with Barenaked Ladies is 38.

* Singer Stephen "Ste" McNally of BBMak is 31.

* Actress Becki Newton ("Ugly Betty") is 31.

 

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