Never before has there been an artist who has been equally recognized, awarded and celebrated both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, as has Paula Abdul.  As a ground-breaking choreographer, dancer, song writer, performer, designer, actor and business woman,  this two-time Emmy Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist, selling over 60 million records worldwide, has continued to find new ways to entertain her loyal fans for over 20 years.  And, until only last year, after being bumped to number three by Adele, Paula Abdul reigned as the second longest charting album on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; the longest charting album ever.After saying goodbye to American Idol in 2010 and serving as executive producer and creative partner for the CBS reality-competition series “Live To Dance”,  Paula returned to network television in September 2011 with FOX’s highly anticipated “X-Factor”.  Paula can also be seen as a recurring guest star on the Lifetime hit series “Drop Dead Diva”.   Paula recently wrapped up a successful season as the lead judge on “So You Think You Can Dance Australia” which premiered February 2014.

Partway through the second American Idol competition in early 2003, guest judge Gladys Knight christened corpulent crooner Ruben Studdard a "velvet teddy bear," a nod to his smooth, Luther Vandross-styled voice and his Barry White-sized girth. The nickname stuck, since it captured the persona of the then 25-year-old native of Birmingham, Alabama, who had unexpectedly become the front-runner in the televised talent show.

After that, Ruben worked frenetically -- recording his debut, touring with his American Idol cohorts and filming a cameo for Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.

His first album, Soulful, was finally released on December 9, 2003 which quickly went platinum. After several other album releases (Soulful, I Need an Angel and The Return), Studdard took a well-received foray into theater by portraying Fats Waller in a revival tour of Ain't Misbehavin' in 2008.  In 2012, Studdard released Letters from Birmingham.  The following year, he competed on the reality TV show The Biggest Loser. His sixth album, Unconditional Love, was released in February 2014. 

Heather Thomson, this year’s celebrity guest, is a celebrated fashion designer, philanthropist and leading cast member of Bravo TV's ever popular Real Housewives of New York City franchise. Heather is a valued advocate for multiple philanthropic organizations. She is a cause Celebrity for Organ Donation and is deeply involved in supporting the public education efforts of the New York Organ Donor Network. Having personally experienced the impact of these advocacies with her son, Heather makes every effort to promote and support building awareness of organ donation both locally and nationwide. 

In addition to her philanthropic work, Heather Thomson is the force behind the successful Yummie by Heather Thomson fashion brand. She has single-handedly transformed the global perception of “the shapewear undergarment” and has set out to revolutionize the industry with the launch of her unique and form-flattering products. Yummie by Heather Thomson is where fashion meets function, where everyday shaping needs have been redefined and modernized.

Most people aspire to normalcy and arrive at complacency.

Most people reach comfortable and, for better or worse, decide to stay.

Michael English isn’t most people.

In a culture that would rather turn a blind eye instead of pursuing something more…something different…Michael stands among the few who intentionally and passionately pursue change from the inside out.

Not behavior modification...not a step-by-step program to self-improvement…but an active, daily encounter with our endlessly creative Savior.

Encounters that don’t let you settle…

With truths that are undeniable, a heart willingly transparent for the glory of God’s work and refined musicality that can only come after years in the studio of life, Michael English is once more affirming the source of his ultimate strength, the one who is endlessly creative and relentlessly in pursuit of the hearts of his children in the sweet spot of anointed collaboration and undeniable talent.

As enigmatic and soul-stirring as ever, Michael is proof positive that yes, for better or worse, some people do change; but the gifting from the one who sings His own melody of salvation, when committed into the hands of the Giver only get better and better as the years go by.