ABC's Duets Taps MTV Alum Quddus As Host
Quddus
Former MTV Total Request Live VJ Quddus (real name: Benjamin Quddus Philippe) has been named host of ABC's summer singing competition Duets. He joins a cast that also includes music stars Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke.
Duets executive producer Robert Deaton called Quddus "the perfect host" for the show. "He first and foremost loves music and that quality, combined with his great personality, will provide a special connection to both the artists on our show and the audience."
As host of TRL, Quddus earned a 2003 Teen Choice Awards nomination for "Favorite TV Personality." Besides interviewing stars such as Will Smith and Beyonce, Quddus was also tapped to host Showtime concert specials for Usher and Britney Spears.
ABC's Duets Lands Kelly Clarkson, Robin Thicke, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Nettles
More recently, Quddus has been a correspondent for Access Hollywood, worked as an A&R consultant for MySpace Records and appeared on CSI: Miami and Girlfriends.
Duets follows Clarkson, Nettles, Richie and Thicke as they search for undiscovered talent to serve as their duet partners. One winner will receive a Hollywood Records recording contract. "This show is going to take the singing competition genre to the next level and I'm absolutely honored to be a part of it," Quddus says.
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