president bill clinton and actress elizabeth taylor will be among those honored at a gala hosted by amfarprofit foundation for aids research. the united nations estimates that there are now 33 million people living with hiv aids worldwide. >>> and happy birthday to singer song writer carol king. today she turns 69. >>> all day long, you can stay on top of the very latest developments in those stories and others as they break on msnbc. and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. a "today" exclusive. first lady michelle obama sits down for her first ever live morning show interview. and academy award winning actorç geoffrey rush talks about his oscar-nominated role in "the king's speech." >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

she said she was supposed to be honored by an organization amfar, and basically they said it was a combinationort of interesting like is she sick? is she not sick? rumors are spinning out of control right now. >> wish her the best to matter what. hollywood legend, that's for sure. >>> another legend already and only will get bigger and better for years to come, jennifer hudson. i'm a big fan of hers. such an amazing backstory. if you've seen those weight watchers commercials, she's lost a tremendous amount of weight, looks good. she was on opera yesterday and finally revealed the number quantifying how much she's lost. take a listen. >> so, you're not going to say the number? >> i really want to tell it. i'm like, enough of this. >> but you're jennifer hudson. >> i've lost -- hold on. i've lost 80 pounds. >> 80 pounds! >> 80 pounds dropped and looking good. she looks fantastic. such a talent. didn't win "american idol" but still got that oscar gold. great musical career. as part of that show, oprah gave everyone in her audience a one-year weight watch membership and two friends. jennifer hudso

amfar does research. a cure for aids will come from what amfar does. amfar has made a profound impact. it has helped save the lives of many people everywhere. the previous chairperson of the board agreed to step down only .f i took over > tavis: you mentioned the impact this had on the fashion industry over the years. i can probably prejudge your answer, given that you were one of the people who pushes this passion in front of us every day. what is the role that passion plays in our lives and whether or not a place too heavy a role? we live in the world consumption. everybody wants to have everybody else has. it is that old notion of "keeping up with the joneses." you guys put the stuff in front of us and everybody wants to have it. we'd look like a bunch of automatons. we all wear the same thing and look the same way. in your own words, what is the impact that fashion has in our lives every day? >> i make those documents every day -- i make both arguments today. it is relevant and hardly relevant at all. in the first case, you wicked in the morning an