Idol Headlines for 2/5/08

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Fallen Idols take à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Curtain Callà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢

Losing on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mean you canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t wind up a winner. Just ask Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler.

Now thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a new CD series, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Curtain Call: New Songs from Past American Idol Finalists,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  designed to give ex-à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  contestants another shot at pop music fame and fortune. Available exclusively through Wal-Mart and iTunes, the first volume of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Curtain Callà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  arrives today, featuring three songs each from two Top 10 finishers (Season 3à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Jon Peter Lewis and season 1à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Ryan Starr) and two who placed in the top 24, (Season 6à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s A.J. Tabaldo and Season 5à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Stevie Scott). Volume Two of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Curtain Callà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is set for release early next month.

Boston Herald

Available at iTunes: New Songs from Past American Idol Finalists, Vol. 1″

More Idol Headlines After the Jump

Frankfort singer to appear on ‘American Idol’

Frankfort’s Amanda Overmyer will be appearing on Tuesday’s edition of American Idol, confirmed the singer’s fiance Casey Taylor.

Overmyer attended the Atlanta tryouts on Aug. 14 for the hit reality television show. The tryouts will be aired at 8 p.m. Tuesday on FOX. Taylor could not comment on how she fared and Overmyer could not be reached immediately.

After the Atlanta tryout, Overmyer was involved in a crash on Nov. 20 in Logansport. Her 2003 Ford Mustang collided with a semi as Overmyer was attempting to cross U.S. 24/U.S. 35, according to the Logansport Pharos-Tribune. An unconscious Overmyer was airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne but was later released.

Journal and Courier

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s my à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll cry if I want to

What are you looking for in your American Idol? Is it a technical and/or expressive marvel of a voice? How about a confident, entertaining performance? Or maybe you’d prefer a triumph over life obstacles that have nothing to do with actually singing?

If it’s the latter, then youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re in luck because as anybody who’s been watching the current season has no doubt noticed, the recent audition episodes have had something of a recurring theme. From single mothers with special-needs children to teenagers hoping that winning “Idol” (or at least making it to Hollywood) will finally get them the validation that they so desperately crave, this season has been all about shoving sob stories down the viewers’ throats.

MSNBC

‘American Idol’ Recap, Super Bowl Edition: Paula Abdul Defies Expectations With Pregame Show

For most people, Super Bowl Sunday was all about watching the Big Game. Would the New England Patriots finish with a perfect season or would the New York Giants pull off the ultimate upset?

In my apartment, however, Sunday was about something else entirely. Not Tom Petty and the Pacemakers’ halftime show, not Jordin Sparks’ national anthem (although, can I get a witness?), not the commercials (even the ones with Richard Simmons). For the Cantiello Household, Super Bowl XLII meant one thing.

The return of Paula Abdul, superstar.

Sure, her pregame performance of “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” was pretaped. And yes, it certainly looked like she was lip-syncing Cotillard-style. But I have to admit, I thought she nailed it.

Before you start furiously commenting about me “going soft,” hear me out.

MTV

Justin Timberlake, Jordin Sparks Triumph At Super Bowl; Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson Drop The Ball

For years now, the NFL has been bedazzling the Super Bowl with busloads of Hollywood stars and singers in an attempt to distract viewers from the fact that the game is usually a snooze-worthy blowout. But thanks to the New York Giants’ historic last-minute victory Sunday night over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots, as well as an arena-rock-worthy halftime show from American icon Tom Petty, the people behind the big game finally got the mix of music and smash mouth right. (Except for the moments when it got things so, so wrong, which were also kind of great.) And so, we give you the first Super Bowl Musical Monday Morning Quarterback Report. (Also check out our take on Super Bowl movie ads à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  are you pumped for the next potential blockbusters?)

MTV

Phil’s Pages: 2nd installment

Here’s the second blog entry from Phil, who’s also celebrating the debut this week of his single, If You Didn’t Love Me, on the country chart at No. 55:

Thanks for all your great feedback and encouragement last week on my first blog. I saw that several of you wanted to hear more about the new record and being in the studio, so here goesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

After a week of visiting country radio stations in Chicago, Minneapolis, Madison, Green Bay and Milwaukee, I went back into the studio this past weekend.

Wayne Kirkpatrick is producing the album -à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s produced the last two Little Big Town albums -à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ and weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re recording out at his studio. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s probably not what you would imagine if you were thinking of a Nashville recording studio. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s in a wooded neighborhood outside of town -à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ you wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even notice it was there if you didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know to look for it. Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve already recorded three songs, including my single, If You Didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Love Me. This week, we put down vocal tracks for three more. We have to have everything recorded and delivered in March and the CD will be in stores on April 15.

Idol Chatter

Kelly Clarkson: All Is Forgiven

Kelly Clarkson had a bad year last year, you may recall. Her album, called “My December,” was a dud. But before it was released, she wound up in an unfortunate war of words with legendary J Records label chief Clive Davis, whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s also the head of BMG North America.

But time heals all wounds. The magnanimous Davis has held out a very key olive branch to Clarkson by including her photo among just a few select acts in the glittery invite to his annual pre-Grammy dinner gala.

Fox News

Passive Aggressive Management 101

Kelly Clarkson didn’t have the best 2007, and a large part of that was because of her very public tussle with record label honcho Clive Davis over the artistic direction she took on her most recent album, My December. Since that tumult–which culminated in her tour being canceled and only one single being released from the album–she’s been taken under Reba McEntire’s wing and played some intimate shows in theaters. And Davis has taken notice, waving an olive branch in the form of his glittery invite to his annual pre-Grammys dinner party in Clarkson’s direction. Since our invitation apparently got lost in the mail, Roger Friedman’s breathless description follows:

Idolator

McEntire, Clarkson concert a success

Saturday night’s 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour stop at the CenturyTel Center featured more than just a little bit of country and a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll.

It also showcased the talents of country music superstar Reba McEntire and inaugural American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. The dynamic duo obviously are having a lot of fun performing together on their 15-city tour and their enthusiasm was transported into the packed house which appeared evenly divided between Reba and Kelly fans.

During their 26-song set, fans got to hear some of Reba’s best including “I’m a Survivor,” “Tell Me Why” and “The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” With 33 No. 1 hits, there was no way McEntire could hit them all, but she included enough of her best during the evening to please the older crowd.

Shreveport Times

Clay Aiken Reflects on Charity Trip to Mexico

Before making it to the finals of Fox TV’s “American Idol,” Raleigh native Clay Aiken gave a good deal of his time to helping local kids with disabilities. Since American Idol, he has been helping kids worldwide.

WRAL Anchor Lynda Loveland sat down with Aiken about his trip to Mexico with UNICEF.

After his Christmas tour and before beginning his stint on Broadway in “Spamalot,” Aiken took his mother and brother south of the border. Instead of Christmas in Raleigh, they spent the holiday touring flood-ravaged parts of Mexico with UNICEF.

WRAL

Kellie Pickler Posts USO Diary on GAC

February 4, 2008 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  Kellie Pickler joined the long list of country stars who’ve gone on USO tours during December, and she kept a video journal of the trip when she brought along GAC. Her time in the Middle East will air as a special, Kellie Pickler: My USO Diary on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. ET.

During her trip overseas, she performed at a number of bases and outposts around Iraq, getting from site to site via Black Hawk helicopter.

“That was one of the coolest things we’ve done,” Kellie says. “I’d never flown in a helicopter before, and now… I think I want one.”

GAC TV

‘Idol’ Singer, Radio Jock Host Films On WMOR

TAMPA – When Melissa McGhee had surgery 16 months ago, the former “American Idol” finalist feared that she would lose her distinctive “smoky” voice.

Removing polyps from her vocal cords did make a difference, she says.

“I was kind of depressed for a while because it changed my sound,” she says. “I was always known for that sexy, raspy voice, and I came out of surgery crystal clear.”

But it has turned out to be a change for the better, the 23-year-old says. “I’ve got a top range now that I haven’t had since I was 14, so it helped me.”

The Tampa native, who finished in 12th place in the fifth season of “Idol,” is still working toward a singing career. She has a following and has continued to be a local celebrity.

McGhee starts a new gig this week as co-host of “Suds & Cinema,” a Wednesday night movie series on WMOR, Channel 32 (channel 11 on Bright House Networks).

TBO.com

We take you from dancing with Paris to caucusing with Scarlett

Bet it was difficult for David Koch to line up Paris Bennett for the opening of r.Norman’s Steakhouse.

“No,” CEO Koch said in total seriousness Thursday at a gala attended by about 3,000 at the new Block E meat market, which includes a nightclub and sushi bar. Maybe if I start calling him “Uncle David,” which is how Paris refers to him, Koch could tell when I’m kidding.

Jamecia Bennett and her “American Idol” alum daughter were seriously rockin’ to Erykah Badu’s “On & On.”

Star Tribune

Lyric Culture to Launch LYRIX “American Idol” Line for Girls at Macy’s

Lyric Jeans, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: LYJN), the parent company behind the Lyric Culture brand, today announced that its LYRIX brand for girls will be sold at Macy’s.

Lyric Culture, a premium adult contemporary apparel line, is launching LYRIX, its first brand extension based on the songs and style made famous by the hit television phenomenon “American Idol,” which premiered its seventh season on January 15th and 16th. Apparel co-branded with “American Idol” will hit 157 Macy’s stores in February 2008 to coincide with show’s Final 24 episodes. The initial LYRIX-”American Idol” collection focuses on the tween market, with plans to further expand into kidswear and accessories.

Market Wire

Who Is Taylor Hicks’ Mystery Ladyfriend?

Of all the things that don’t quite add up about Taylor Hicks and the case of his maybe fake girlfriendà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ and there are lots of themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ the one that bothered us most was this: if Caroline Lyders and the girl from the beach are actually two different people, why has Beach Girl never come forward? (More background detail can be found here.)

After all, at one point, Hicks was a relevant national figure. A properly-timed revelation from Beach Girl outing the sham would have been big news, and could have garnered her material gains far beyond what Hicks could have conceivably paid her. (Assuming that a bribe is why she never talked in the first place. If she exists.)

Radar Online

 
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  • http://inkdbylilyanna.com carolina

    wooo hoooo — Taylor’s come outta his shell! ’bout time.

    as if I believe he needed to pay escort. :rolleyes_wp:

    Although, the article was listed on AOL’s home page entertainment section today.

  • timbooty

    Men pay escorts to go away and keep their mouths shut.

  • Kirsten

    I dontà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ know Kirsten, I think based on the image that Taylor Hicks has attempted to project

    What image was that? A down on his luck bar singer who had previously been arrested for drug posession? A dude who smokes, drinks and cusses in songs. Yes, I can see why seeing a callgirl would be so out of character for that image. Somebody might think he actually had money to pay her.

    I also see the anchors motivation loud and clear.

    Yes, I agree whole heartedly. Goodness knows that no woman would ever become a journalist because she is serious about the profession. They are all in it just so that they can get their pictures on TV. So, why not fake date a has-been reality show winner who can’t even get a famewhore to put out for free? You know that your reward will be that people in internet message boards can say rude things about you. What’s not to like about that? It’s like all those woman doctors. They just go into the profession so that they can meet rich patients. I’m just an engineer so I can pick up hot nerds who wear pocket protectors.

    You know though, I think that you are missing a critical point of the plot. The theory is actually reversed. Watch, all the pieces will fall into line like a perfect game of Tetrus. What actually happened is that Taylor hired the journalist fake-girlfriend first. Then, he paid escorts all over the country to have plastic surgery so that they would look almost identical to the journalist. All those sightings around the country? Different call girls.

    Now, all you have to do is get the investigators to track down the surgical records (you can bribe the nurses to give them to you by telling them that they will get their names in the paper…all women are famewhores so they will jump at the chance) and this theory will be proven to even the most doubting Thomases out there.

    You’re welcome. Please don’t forget to spell my name correctly in the movie credits.

  • gabam

    People make up stories about stars quite often for their own amusement. A poster somewhere else was laughing about sending a fake story to Perez. Even posted the e-mails they sent back and forth. Perez posted the story. In a few days it was on some of the entertainment shows. Anyone wondered why David Spade and Jennifer Anniston were reportedly seen walking together recently? Oddly, there were no pictures of it.

  • http://www.idolicious.com Kat

    I also donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t believe that some random blogger would just make this stuff up.

    I know I always believe everything I read on the Internet, especially from tabloidy publications with very little credibility. And this Lois Gibson seems like a nice enough and talented person, but if you Google her, you’ll see that this isn’t exactly the first conspiracy theory she’s attached her name to. (I’m not passing judgment on her skills, as she’s apparently very successful in the law enforcement community.)

    I’m not “somebody” within the Taylor fan community (nor, honestly, do I really care to be; most who know me know that I stay far away from fansites), but — and for what it’s worth, I have no first hand knowledge of this, nor do I know names or care to know names — I have been told that the original blog that started this whole thing was created by an obsessed fan who thought that they were “in” Taylor’s inner circle and had it later made clear to them that they were “out.” (And just so there’s no confusion, in NO way am I referring to Gray Charles). Knowing that there are obsessed fans out there, to me that scenario certainly makes more sense than Taylor Hicks hiring an escort to frolic with him in a public place, then, instead of passing it off as a one-night stand or a girlfriend who he’d quietly kept under wraps, scrambled to hire a lookalike fake girlfriend.

    As for the story having “legs,” I think most of us remember how the story about Taylor “dissing” AI had “legs”, too — and how many, many news outlets reported that story incorrectly.

  • jersey

    LOL, after googling Lois Gibson (thanks Kat) I’m going with the fame whore forensic artist conspiracy theory!

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Hmm. I just skimmed the info on this.

    Did the news reporter claim to be in Hawaii with Taylor? Maybe he just happens to like blonde’s with short hair?

  • Kirsten

    Did the news reporter claim to be in Hawaii with Taylor?

    Yes, but Taylor hasn’t claimed to be in a Hawaii either. Are we sure that he didn’t hire a look alike call-boy to frolic with a look alike call-girl in Hawaii just so that he could get his name in the paper? Do we have any investigators on this?

    Maybe he just happens to like blondeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s with short hair?

    What? PJ, woman, when did you become an obsessed Taylor fan? Stop doubting what is right before your eyes. Get a grip. Nobody has types. Why go with the simple explanation when you can go with the convoluted, unreasonable, illogical, complex explanation? Have you no imagination?

    BTW It’s been a half hour since I posted my plastic surgery theory. I’m quite disappointed that nobody has turned up any medical records yet. I don’t think that people are as committed to my theory as they should be.

  • jersey

    :lol_tb:

  • poporange

    So does that mean the other members of the guy season 5 who are single are going to cover up too? Thier is an angle for all of them. this is soo low it is amazing even being disscussed.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    What? PJ, woman, when did you become an obsessed Taylor fan? Stop doubting what is right before your eyes. Get a grip. Nobody has types.

    *blushes* Okay, I’m canceling my cut and dye job. I’m going to look into parking cars, though. Sounds like there’s a lot of money to be had!

  • jpfan

    How can a story have legs when it’s so absurd? I’m sure most of Taylor’s fans could care less about him being seen with a bimbo and many might prefer him having a one night stand type to a serious girlfriend. Anyway, who cares what they think? Hopefully, not Taylor. Elliott’s gf poses half nude in Maxim on a regular basis and I don’t hear a peep about it from his rather conservative fanbase.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    So does that mean the other members of the guy season 5 who are single are going to cover up too?

    LOL, you must have missed the tabloid stories during Idol that Ace’s brother Ryan was sneaking into his room to sleep so that Ace could be with his secret girlfriend, Essence Atkins. Later Ace did admit that he had dated Essence, but he was not sneaking out and Ryan wasn’t impersonating him.

    But who knows? Maybe it’s true! Maybe the guards couldn’t tell that Ryan had abot 5 inches or more on Ace?

    ETA: One other thing. News reporters have visible jobs. It would be easy enough to confirm if she was on the air when she was supposedly in Hawaii with Taylor, but no one has picked up on that angle. I have to suspect they would have if it were true.

  • Kirsten

    ETA: One other thing. News reporters have visible jobs. It would be easy enough to confirm if she was on the air when she was supposedly in Hawaii with Taylor, but no one has picked up on that angle. I have to suspect they would have if it were true.

    Oh, come on PJ. Use your brain. If he can get one fake look-alike. He can get two. Her double was on the TV. Oh, wait, wrong theory. Tough to keep these things straight, she isn’t supposed to be on the air in order for this one to work, but she can’t be in Hawaii. OOo! Of course, he paid her to call in sick that day and she stayed home, ate bonbons and made crank calls to people asking them if they had Prince Albert in a can.

    Quick, somebody check her phone records and the police reports to see if there was a rash of crank calls that day!

  • Desdemona

    God, I heart you, Kirsten!! :clap_tb: :clap_tb:

  • JOJOSIE

    My only comment on the Taylor conspiracy theory is that to find two women that look exactly alike is about as likly to happen as buyin the winning lottery ticket. Oh, there was a fansite that did allow this to be dicussed and it went on forever. I did post on that site that the whole height thing wasn’t very logical as every picture they( the crazy site) used where the girl appeard tall next to Taylor you never saw their feet. If you looked at the pictures on the beach where they are laying down you can see the bottom of her feet end at the middle of his lower leg and she had a small frame. My theory from that and what my two eyes tell me is that she’s short and he’s tall. They also tell me that it Taylor and CL. Maybe I did make more than one comment. I quess this thing got legs because it is so way out there. I’ve got some land in Arizona and some time shares I’d like to show some folks as there seem to be lots of gullible folks out there.

  • Kirsten

    Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got some land in Arizona and some time shares Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d like to show some folks as there seem to be lots of gullible folks out there.

    Oh, don’t waste the stuff on us. Save it for the Idols. Clearly, the male Idols need a more out of the way place to bring their call-girls. Are these time shares discrete? Oh, never mind, just tell them they are. Clearly, these male Idol morons will fall for any scheme. Some would just not go out on a public beach with a call girl when it would be a HORRIBLE blow to their carefully crafted image and the family show which made them famous, but not these brainiacs. They would much rather get caught and hire a fake girl friend instead. They’ll fall those time share speils without batting an eye.

    So, send the details to Uncle Nigel. I’m sure that he will pass it on to all the contestants. It’s his family show after all.

  • Lu

    But who knows? Maybe ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s true! Maybe the guards couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t tell that Ryan had abot 5 inches or more on Ace?

    I just felt compelled to highlight this. Please dont judge me.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    LOL, Lu!

    Re: Taylor. Has anyone considered that the woman in question was a news reporter by day and call-girl by night? Seriously, the call-girl thing was part of an investigative piece on celebrities who use such services. Unfortunately, she fell for her “client” and that’s why she parted ways with her local station. She didn’t deliver the story.

    Ah I’m bored watching local election returns…

  • abbysee

    What fun this is, lol. I mean truthfully if this girl was a working girl, and I have no problem with pros I mean a girl has to eat, and put herself through law school. But is she were indeed a hooker, I mean all he would have to do is say I did not know. Not hire a journalist to pretend to be a doppleganger. This is ridiculous. Now I am going to google this Lois person. Damn being a fan is hard work.

  • neonorange

    People create and become obsessed with conspiracy theories all the time. No rational motive needed.

    Yep, and they are called Schizophrenics. Has anyone seen this forensic scientist? Perhaps she is just a shadowy figment of the bloggers illness. I find that person is a working scientist AND a Taylor fan highly suspect since it is a well known fact that all Taylor’s fans are retired. I am still holding on to my survival of the fittest theory. I say rip all the celebs apart and see who is left standing – that’ll be my American Idol *heh*

    Anyway, forensic image comparison is still very much an artform and not pure science. Distances between fixed anatomical points in the face, which are needed for an objective, anthropometric comparison, vary strongly according to the position and orientation of the camera. There has been some cool 3D rendering programs that help with the success rate but I can’t believe they pulled out this type of technology to see if American Idol is doin a ho. Shit, I think I just got pulled into this loon’s world – hope I can get some of that Haldol to make the trip worth it.

  • http://www.myspace.com/mignonette33 purplesmile

    But who knows? Maybe ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s true! Maybe the guards couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t tell that Ryan had abot 5 inches or more on Ace?

    I just felt compelled to highlight this. Please dont judge me.

    LOL, Lu! I swear I was thinking the same thing you were! Is it a function of our, err, both being E fans? :lol_tb: Yes, peeps, please do not judge E fans by this… ;)

    The newscaster/fake girlfriend has attended several concerts around the country.

    And out of the country. CL was in Manila with Taylor. True, I never saw her myself during the shows, but there were photos of her (and them) with Filipino fans. Unless those photos were also fake? Or, maybe, that woman in the photos (and that some people I know claimed they saw with Taylor here) was the original, or some other, look-alike escort Taylor hired specifically for Asia. Dang! This is all so complicated it’s giving me a headache (or maybe I’ve just been laughing too hard and bumping my head against the floor while rolling thereon). ;)

  • jersey

    LOL at the Ace/Ryan comment, Lu.

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    How terrific to wake up, sign on and to find all of this! Thank you all for a most enjoyable cup of coffee this morning…..although my computer doesn’t appreciate the spit takes! :lol_tb:

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