Two men who could be regarded as acting royalty have been crowned with official titles in West Africa. Acclaimed actors Forest Whitaker and Danny Glover were introduced as chiefs in the ancient town of Nkwere, Nigeria after a DNA test revealed that they both have Igbo ancestry. Read more.

Forest Whitaker to Announce Oscar Winners
Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker will announce this year’s Academy Award nominations Thursday morning, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced, People magazine reports. Whitaker, who won the best actor award in 2007 for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, will unveil nominations for 10 of the 24 award categories along with AMPAS President Sid Ganis. The 81st Annual Academy Awards will air live on ABC on Feb. 22 from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

J-Hud is Gradually Coming Back
Jennifer Hudson, after a three-month hibernation period following the murder of her family members, is gradually climbing back onto the scene. In late October, the Oscar-winning, former American Idol lost her mother, brother and nephew to a crazed gunman.  Hudson, 27, has been nominated for three Grammy awards and will perform at the awards show next month. She is nominated for best R&B album for her self-titled album, best female R&B vocal performance, and best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for her duet with Fantasia, “I’m His Only Woman.” On Feb. 1, Hudson will perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl.