SIGN UP FOR THE “SPARKLE SINGING CHALLENGE”

"Sparkle" actress Jordin Sparks, Sony and Myspace have just announced a 15-city search for amateur talent kicking off this Saturday, July 14. Sparks confirms the "Sparkle Singing Challenge," which coincides with the upcoming film due for release August 17. Los Angeles is among the list of cities that will play host to the “Sparkle” Singing Challenge, beginning at 12pm. The Los Angeles winner will receive $500 in cash and a chance to compete for the national Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner will win a trip to New York, an appearance on BET’s 106 & Park, a recording session with the Punch Monkeys producer & writing team, and a Myspace homepage feature. The challenge is also taking place (the same day) in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Charlotte, St. Louis, Cleveland, Detroit, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Miami, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Philadelphia. Amateur singers between the ages of 13 and 40 will be asked to sing a 60 second a capella version of one of two songs: CELEBRATE, or SOMETHING HE CAN FEEL. Clips from the songs, official rules, along with more information about the contest, can be found at www.myspace.com/sparkle. SPARKLE, starring Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick and CeeLo Green, opens August 17th in theaters everywhere.

A HOT ARTIST BREAKS DOWN ABOUT WHITNEY HOUSTON

Fantasia Barrino broke down in tears in front of hundreds of fans during her performance at the "Truth Is" concert, staged at the Port of Spain's Ambassador Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend, the Guardian reports. The star who was celebrating her 28th birthday told fans she had been through many obstacles in her life but had emerged stronger with the help of God. "No matter what you've been through, know that you can fly. I have to tell God thank you because he has blessed me. Just when I thought it was all over, he kept blessing me," said Fantasia. "He's always been there. I made it through because of God ... Everything I went through is my testimony." Noting that the music industry is "very snakish," Fantasia said it got very tough sometimes, as she had to deal with a lot of negativity during her career. She said, "This year, we lost Whitney Houston ... They just wouldn't leave her alone. They did not understand that she was only human. We lose family, friends, all for the love of money. The only person who will never leave you is Jesus." To end her set, Fantasia sang American gospel artiste's VaShawn Mitchell's popular track Nobody Greater. With hands outstretched, the teary-eyed singer led the crowd in a worship session, as fans, young and old, put their hands in the air and sang along. "The only person who will never leave you is Jesus," Fantasia said, as she knelt on stage, before making her exit shortly after 1 am.

CELEBRITY QUICKIES

Move over Jennifer Lopez, a veteran singing diva is joining the ranks of judges on reality TV: Gladys Knight. BET's sister network Centric announced Wednesday that Knight will work as the "lead judge" on "Apollo Live." Knight will judge "Apollo Live" along with Doug E. Fresh and Michael Bivins. Comedian Tony Rock will host. The winning singer will take home a cash prize. Jamie Foxx, Marcus King and Don Weiner are the executive producers. Comedian-actor Tony Rock will host the show.

After a prosecutor overseeing Chris Brown’s felony assault case alluded to a possible discrepancy in the amount of work he has completed, a judge has ordered an investigation of the Grammy winner’s community service progress. Deputy District Attorney Mary Murray requested the review of Brown's progress, insisting the records are not documented properly as to how many hours Brown completed and where the work was performed. The next hearing will be held on August 21 and Brown has been ordered to attend. Brown is serving a five year probation sentence.

Robin Thicke, whose ABC series “Duets” wraps for the season this week, got into a little fender bender last night in Beverly Hills. TMZ is reporting that the singer slammed his high-end sports car into another car on Sunset Blvd. According to law enforcement, Robin told cops another car cut him off as he was leaving Chateau Marmont, forcing him to swerve his black convertible Porsche into a parked car. No one was injured. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved, and there is no criminal investigation. An officer even gave Robin a ride to his nearby home.