The annual ‘Vh1 Divas’ event has finally been announced!  Entitled ‘Vh1 Divas Celebrates Soul’, the prestigious show will honor the genre of Soul music with the performances by Mary J. Blige, Jessie J, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Florence & the Machine and Kelly Clarkson.

‘Vh1 Divas’ will air on December 19th at 9pm ET. Backed by The Roots, who will serve as this year’s houseband, the dynamic group of women will pay homage to the great cities from which Soul music emerged -  Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia.

There is still no word regarding if the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, will attend the show but additional performers are expected to be announced within the coming weeks. Franklin was among the first group of women to perform at ‘Vh1 Divas’ in 1998, alongside Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Gloria Estefan and special guest Carole King.

Read the full press statement regarding ‘Vh1 Divas Celebrates Soul’ below:

NEW YORK – October 27, 2011 – VH1’s beloved, popular franchise, VH1 Divas, returns and will pay tribute to the cities where soul gave birth to music’s most powerful classics and inspired today’s divas. Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Florence + The Machine, Kelly Clarkson and Jessie J will pay homage to these cities and soul music’s timeless classics at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul premieres Monday, December 19 at 9 p.m. ET/8 CT on VH1.

“This years’ telecast will showcase the vast impact soul music has had on the 21st century’s music and pop culture landscape as our talented and diverse lineup will attest,” said Lee Rolontz, EVP, Original Music Production & Development, VH1 and VH1 Classic. “This year’s Divas offers a modern twist on soul music, all while tipping its hat to the legacy of key cities that created this musical heritage.”

VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul will bring together some of the best singers across the globe, men and women alike, to honor the soulful cities that inspired these divas and their art. The cities honored include: Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia. Accompanied by one of the most exciting groups of modern soul, The Roots, with ?uestlove as musical director, each diva will pay tribute through not only their own soul-inspired songs, but some of the greatest classics that have shaped a genre.

As in previous years, this edition of VH1 Divas will benefit VH1 Save The Music Foundation and its programs to restore music education in public schools. For more information, please visit vh1savethemusic.org.

This year’s sponsors for VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul include: COVERGIRL, GEICO, Hershey®’s, Old Navy and The Wendy’s Company.

Additional performers, presenters, special guests and sponsors will be announced as they are confirmed.

Visit DIVAS.VH1.com and Twitter at @VH1 and #VH1DIVAS for more information.

“VH1 Divas” is executive produced by Greg Sills for Chloe Productions and Lee Rolontz, Rick Krim for VH1.

Vh1.

Now this is a lineup worth watching! Rather than pad the performance roster with current Pop stars who could barely be defined as actual divas – such as Keri Hilson at the last event – the producers have gathered an excellent group of women who will undoubtedly put forward a great show.

Still, it will be excellent if Franklin, Patti Labelle or Gladys Knight made an appearance at the event because they were the women who defined the Soul genre. Furthermore, it is unfortunate that Fantasia is on mandatory bed rest as a ramification of her pregnancy because she would have made a great addition to the list of singers. Either way, I am very excited!

Thoughts?