Idol Headlines for 03/16/11 – The Evening Edition

‘Idol’ Contestant — The Nate Dogg Connection

Years before Jacob Lusk became a finalist on “American Idol” … he formed a very special relationship with the one and only Nate Dogg — a bond, TMZ has learned, that formed in an L.A. gospel choir.

Sources tell TMZ, Jacob auditioned for the gospel group called “InNate Praise” in 2007 — formed by Nate himself — and he ended up landing the part … and we’re told, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

According to sources, Jacob and Nate’s relationship blossomed over the next two years … as Jacob performed with the group at churches around L.A. County.

See the Video at TMZ

More Headlines after the JUMP…

Top 12 Compilation Album

Last week, for the first time ever, studio versions of the full-length songs performed by Season 10’s Top 13 finalists went on sale exclusively on the iTunes Store as a compilation album, and the release was a Top 10 seller on the iTunes album chart. This week, the “American Idol Top 12 Season 10” album compilation will go on sale once again exclusively on the iTunes Store at 10pm PST following tonight’s American Idol. Individual songs will also be available for sale.

The songs released on iTunes are studio versions recorded by the Idols under the guidance of Jimmy Iovine’s team, including some of the hottest producers in the business, such as Rodney Jerkins, Jim Jonsin, “Tricky” Stewart, Rock Mafia, Don Was and Ron Fair. The 12 individual tracks and compilation album that will go on sale tonight are being released on the 19 Recordings/Interscope label. The compilation album will sell for $7.99.

Via AmericanIdol

Idoloonies: Early Predictions for the Final Three! (Plus, a Chat With Kendra Chantelle!)

We’re just 11 weeks away from American Idol‘s season 10 finale — how scary is that? — and so on today’s installment of Idoloonies, I take a totally premature swing at predicting who will be the final three contestants standing. If that’s not enough to get you to click “play, ” my reader cohosts and I also bid adieu to Ashthon Jones, dish Paul McDonald’s sudden side-shuffle from glory, debate Casey Abrams’ record-selling potential, talk about what Pia Toscano needs to do right this second, and choose the very worst performances by a man and a woman during Top 13 week. Plus, we offer a wacky theory on why Lauren Alaina’s “Any Man of Mine” never got off the ground, a reason Haley Reinhart may need medical help, and a freewheeling chat with awesome semifinalist Kendra Chantelle. (I’m not proud of myself, but there may be a question about whether she’s, um, collaborating with Paul McDonald.)

See the video at TV Line

‘American Idol’ Preview: Can Casey Abrams And Pia Toscano Stay On Top?

Two months into its 10th season, “American Idol” is finally about to begin. After scores of multi-city auditions, Hollywood Week and pre-taped shows at a Los Angeles soundstage, the reality competition is set, at long last, to unleash a live performance episode on Wednesday (March 16). This is the “Idol” we know (and sometimes love), and it’ll be interesting to see how the reality of live TV affects the contestants as well as the judges.

This week’s 12 remaining hopefuls will be taking on songs from the years they were born — a theme last explored in 2009, when Adam Lambert wowed with Tears for Fears’ “Mad World” and Scott MacIntyre got the boot for a schmaltzy version of Survivor’s “The Search Is Over.” Will Casey Abrams and Pia Toscano cement their status as front-runners? Can Karen Rodriguez and Haley Reinhart avoid another trip to the bottom three? Those are among the questions lingering as we head into the show.

Read more at MTV

Jennifer Hudson Says New ‘American Idol’ Judges Are A ‘Good Fit’

“I haven’t had the time to watch ‘Idol, ‘ but every once in a while, my Twitter fans will send me a clip of it, and I get to see here and there, and I’ve seen a few of the commercials, ” she told MTV News while promoting her new album, I Remember Me. “And I’m looking, checking out the judges like, ‘OK, they seem like a good fit.’ And it’s been running for a long time, so I think that’s a good transition for them.”

See the Video at MTV

OK! Interview: ‘American Idol’ Castoff Ashthon Jones!

Ashthon Jones almost didn’t make it into the Top 13. After not getting voted in from the Top 24, this 25-year-old from Nashville was offered a Wildcard spot from the judges and snagged a spot in the Top 13. But unfortunately after singing Diana Ross’ “When You Tell Me That You Love Me, ” Ashthon did not get enough votes to sail into the Top 12. OK! sat down with Ashthon to talk about living in the huge Idol mansion, working with Rodney Jerkins and if she would have liked to have been judged by Simon Cowell.

Read more at OK

Simon Cowell: London Birthday Bash

Simon Cowell celebrates the birthday of Sir Philip Green on Tuesday (March 15) held at the Mosimann’s in London, England, UK.

See the photos at Just Jared

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!