Whitney Houston will be honored with the Billboard Millennium Award in a tribute performed by Jordin Sparks and John Legend at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday. Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and sister-in-law, Pat Houston, will make a special appearance to accept the award in her honor. Houston, who died Feb. 11 at age 48, holds the distinction of being the first artist ever to have seven consecutive No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 and over the course of her career notched four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, including The Bodyguard soundtrack. Her biggest hit, "I Will Always Love You," spent 14 weeks atop the charts in 1993. She earned 16 Billboard Music Awards, six Grammys, 23 American Music Awards and two Emmys, and has sold 170 million combined albums, single and videos worldwide. Beyonce was the recipient of the Millennium Award at the 2011 ceremony. Artists confirmed to be performing at the award show include Katy Perry, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, LMFAO, CeeLo Green, Kelly Clarkson, Usher, The Wanted, Linkin Park and Nelly Furtado.

Ellen DeGeneres is set to receive this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The comedienne/talk show host will be presented with the award on October 22 at a Kennedy Center event to be taped for broadcast. DeGeneres is the 15th recipient of the honor. Past recipients have included Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Lorne Michaels, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell.

Adele has reached another milestone as her career continues to soar ... she's become the fourth British star in five years to record the world's biggest-selling album. Adele has now shifted 18 million copies of her record 21, accounting for 1.6 per cent of total album sales around the world. It means she follows her fellow Brits Amy Winehouse, Coldplay and Susan Boyle, who have all topped the international album sales chart since 2007.

A reality show featuring Whitney Houston's relatives, including daughter Bobbi Kristina and mother Cissy, is in the works. Houston representative Kristen Foster confirmed the Lifetime show, which will be called The Houston Family Chronicles. It will focus on Pat Houston, sister-in-law and manager of the late singer. Pat Houston is also helping care for Whitney Houston's only child, 19-year-old Bobbi Kristina. The show promises to feature Bobbi Kristina and Cissy, as well as Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick, gospel singer CeCe Winans and other members of the Houston family.

After completing his two album commitment with RCA, American Idol star David Cook hasn't been resigned and lost his record deal. The record company opted not to resign him. Cook sang his new track "The Last Song I'll Write For You" to millions of viewers on American Idol last week and enjoyed a pretty positive response. David admitted after the performance that he didn't know exactly where to go from here: "If someone wants to hop on board and get behind [my new album], then great, let's talk about it. I just love making music and however I'm gonna do that is however I'm gonna do that."

Michael Jackson's stage costumes are to go on a world tour before they are sold at an auction in December. A series of costumes worn by the late pop superstar, including the suit he wore onstage during the Bad tour in the late 1980's and a crystal covered glove, will be exhibited around South America, Europe and Asia. The exhibit has been organized by celebrity auctioneer Darren Julien and will debut on May 18 at the Museo de la Moda in Santiago, Chile. The items will eventually be auctioned off on December 2, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Guide Dogs of America and Nathan Adelson Hospice charities.

Britney Spears is official!  After months of eight-figure negotiations, Britney has finally signed her contract to join Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid as a judge on X Factor. E! News confirmed last night that Spears finally inked her deal and will get $15 million for one season's worth of work. She agreed in principle to the deal weeks ago and had spent the last several days working out the fine print. A source close to Spears revealed, "The contract is signed. There's been a lot of back and forth over the past few weeks as they negotiated the small details, but she's on. It's all completed and Britney is beyond excited." This will be Britney's first network TV project since her short-lived Britney & Kevin: Chaotic reality series with ex-husband Kevin Federline. Now we're just waiting for Cowell and crew to finalize the fourth judge ... with Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato being rumored names tossed around. That announcement is expected by the time Fox announces its fall schedule on Monday.

Jennifer Hudson may finally have some closure. William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia,  has been found guilty of killing the actress’ mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. The 31-year-old Balfour was also convicted of home invasion, residential burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle. The Oscar-winning actress was in the Chicago courtroom Friday when the verdict was read and reportedly cried after hearing it.  Balfour faces  life in prison without parole.

After months of lying low and resting after having throat surgery, Adele is running headfirst into the spotlight with her own hour-long NBC special, to air next month. The feature, "Adele Live in London with Matt Lauer," will feature an exclusive interview and several performances from her "Adele Live At The Royal Albert Hall" DVD. The NBC special will premiere on June 5 at 8 p.m. ET.