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NEW YORK - She was an “amazing talent,” a young singer with a wonderful voice who wrote beautiful songs. But she was no beauty, plus flat-chested and overweight to boot.

Remembering the aspiring star, music executive Jody Gerson still feels terrible about thinking: “She’s never going to get signed, even though she’s fabulous.”

Gerson might feel even worse after Wednesday night’s exit of the matronly Melinda Doolittle from “American Idol.” In today’s music industry, Plain Janes need not apply. Sex appeal was once considered a bonus for a woman; now it’s practically a requirement.

Thirteen years after Kurt Cobain's death, Courtney Love is making a commitment to move on, by selling her late husband's belongings. "I'm going to have a Christie's auction," she tells Spinner. "[My house] is like a mausoleum. My daughter [14-year-old Frances Bean] doesn't need to inherit a giant hefty bag full of flannel f***ing shirts ... A sweater, a guitar and the lyrics to 'Teen Spirit' -- that's what my daughter gets. And the rest of it we'll just f***ing sell." Love says her friends are supportive of the idea. "Everyone's been positive and behind me on it," she says. "We'll make a lot of money and give a bunch of it to charity."

The next day, I found myself sitting in Esplanade’s concert hall. Rachael and her band soon walked onstage and the show started. I had goosebumps the entire time.

She played a mix of old and new songs and charmed the audience with her wit and humor. “I don’t think anyone’s going to compare me to Norah Jones after this. She’s not drunk and swearing. She’s always beautiful and classy. This next song is about an a**hole that d*cked me over,” she said, as the hall exploded in laughter. She was hilarious. She said, “I’m sorry. I promised I wouldn’t swear at this show, it being a first impression and all, but I also have a policy about being true to myself.” The audience roared its approval. She seemed sincerely in awe that people halfway across the world knew her songs. Drummer Chris Giraldi began the intro on “Be Your Love.” The audience screamed. Rachael said, “You guys know the song by the drumbeat?” When people roared a resounding yes, she asked everyone to sing the first line. Then she said, “I love you all!”