Black Eyed Peas frontwomanFergie had the time of her life this week, but, unfortunately, it wasn't allgood news.
On Thursday, she receivedBillboard's "Woman Of The Year" honor at the music industry bible's Women InMusic luncheon in New York.Glee's Lea Michele and R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan were also recognized.
When the Dutchess made heracceptance speech, she paid respect to all the honorees. "Congratulationsto all of the Women Of The Year," she said. "I'm so humbled to be in a categorywith so many strong females in the business."
Fergie earned the distinctionfor several reasons. As a member of the Black Eyed Peas, she shares the creditof having the "longest streak of consecutive weeks spent at No. 1 onBillboard's Hot 100 chart in the 52-year-old chart's history," as Billboard reported. Last year's"Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling" topped the charts for 12 and 14 weeks,respectively.
Fergie has also shined as anactivist for breast cancer awareness and found success with multiple businessventures: her Outspoken fragrance line, Fergie Footwear, and her acting career.
The timing of the award seemed to coincide perfectly with the release week of the Black EyedPeas' sixth studio album, "The Beginning." But that timeline is now debatableas experts estimate a less-than-impressive debut for the world-renowned popgroup.
While the Black Eyed Peas'last album, "The E.N.D.," debuted at No. 1 and spawned the aforementioned hits"Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta A Feeling," "The Beginning" is estimated to sell 125,000 copies its opening week, meaning a No. 1 debut ishighly unlikely. The Peas would be lucky to debut in the top 5, and this willmark a low the group hasn't never felt before; I swear. I'm exaggerating a little,but times haven't been this tough for the Peas since its early, pre-Fergiedays. (Be sure to lookout for Wednesday's edition of our Chart Watch blog formore details.)
After accompanying his wifeto the "Woman Of The Year" celebration, Fergie's husband, actor Josh Duhamel, madesome news of his own. According to TMZ, two officers escorted Duhamel from aplane from New York to Kentucky when he refused to turn off hisBlackBerry before takeoff as requested multiple times by a male flight attendant.Duhamel reportedly dismissed the requests by laughing. Guess he won't bereceiving the US Airways' Man Of The Year award anytime soon.
In related news, the Peasreceived four Grammy nominations this week, but the Grammy limelight shinedbrightest on Eminem, who leads the pack with 10. A morbid charity fundraiser forAlicia Keys' "Keep A Child Alive" backfired and failed to reach its optimistic $1million goal. Aretha Franklin had a surgery scare, and Britney announced thatshe will release a new album in March.
Explosive. Now, this is whatwe call a solid week of music news. Check back next week for even more.
THIS WEEK'S TOP 5 NEWS STORIES
1) The Time Of Her Life -Fergie named Billboard's "Woman Of The Year"
2) Full Recovery -- Eminem receives the most Grammy nominations
3) 'Til Death Do Us Part --Alicia Keys' "Keep A Child Alive" fundraiser backfires
4) Power Chart Couple -- Kanye West and Nicki Minaj debutat No. 1 and No. 2
5) Don't Call It AComeback -- Britney Spears preps new album
Follow Me: 
Follow Yahoo! Music: