I’m sorry, Ashanti performing an intimate concert for me is NOT my idea of a good time! LOL.

She took to the (very small) stage on the recent episode of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” to do an inspirational chat and performance of the song “Shine” for the contestants. She looked great, but all that “emotion” threw me, as well as the singing (as usual). I swear one lady kept looking at her (and the camera panned to her face a couple times) and was either thinking “how cool!” or “how dreadful!” LOL. I promise you.

Does Ashanti have anything new coming out? This seems random. “Shine” was from her 2008 album The Declaration, but I applaud Ashanti and her managers and agents for getting her some work!

Ashanti is doing an off-Broadway (or on?) production of The Wiz and it features her, Dawnn Lewis, Tichina Arnold and more. Of course, she plays Dorothy. Check her out singing “Home” from the seminal black broadway/film.

My thoughts? Well, Ashanti is no Stephanie Mills but she does a decent job more along the lines of Diana Ross’ version. Ashanti is not a bad singer but her voice just lacks character and grit to me. Her in this role…I don’t know. I lol’ed at how the Musical Director said her voice was clear and whatnot. She’s no Toni Braxton, but she’s no Kathleen Battle either. Lizz Wright does a really good cover of “Home” too, if you can find it.

She’s also blaming the economy for her lackluster sales of The Declaration. Wamp!