The American Idol Top 10 take the stage tonight in Los Angeles at the finals begin. 8/7c pm FOX. Plus, Survivor tonight at 8 pm CBS.
‘American Idol’ is giving its girls the edge – Opinion: Girls, girls, girls! “American Idol” has been hyping its ladies this season since the first auditions. The show’s message to the audience is clear: It’s time to end the stranglehold that the men have had on the competition. But as the final 10 prepare to start the sprint to the finish line, it’s evident that all of the hype around the women is not all the show has done to boost things for them this time around. It’s hard to blame “Idol.” For five years in a row, confetti has rained down on a white guy with a guitar during the finale. No woman has won since Jordin Sparks in season six, and only three times in the last five years has a woman even made the final two. Read more at Today
‘American Idol’ Season 12: Top 10 Finalist Red Carpet Interviews – Lazaro Arbos ‘American Idol’ – “I loved the reaction towards me, I loved that they loved me for what I love, so that is the most amazing thing,” Lazaro Arbos says about being selected as a top 10 finalist. The 21-year old ice cream scooper from Florida, who developed a stutter when he was six years old, has lofty ambitions for season 12, telling THR he hopes to “make the top 5 … because we get to go to Disney World!” – See more at The Hollywood Reporter
Fox tries to lift ratings of sagging “American Idol” – “You look at the declines and you get a little bit concerned when you see double-digit drops,” said Jason Maltby, who purchases commercial time for advertisers as the lead TV ad buyer at Mindshare. “You wonder how much of it is due to personality changes and how much is due to how long it’s been on the air. Has it started to run its course?” he said. – Read more at Reuters
Get to Know the American Idol Season 12 Finalists – American Idol isn’t just about finding a good voice (that’s another show) but finding the full package to be a star: stage presence, performance and personality. This show is as much about liking the person as it is their singing, and what better way to know someone than learn about their childhood? Or find out what they sing in their lowest moments? – Read more at TV Guide
Will ‘The Voice’ Out-Sing ‘American Idol’? – “I genuinely don’t care,” insists Idol executive producer Ken Warwick. “I would possibly care if they come up with a star at the end of [their season] that’s bigger than the star I produce. But so far there’s been nobody, so I’m quite happy.” “Compared to The Voice, Idol’s numbers hold up,” says Brad Adgate, senior vp research at Horizon Media. “Idol is still a force. It’s just in comparing it to season five — when it averaged 30 million viewers, and now it averages about half that — it gives the impression that it’s not a strong show.” Idol still commands an average of $340,825 for a 30-second spot, higher than the $239,866 Voice charges, according to Ad Age. But Idol spots are down from $502,900 last season and likely will dip again. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
The ‘Idol’ finalists, in their own words – USA TODAY’s Bill Keveney corners this season’s American Idol top 10, and gets the lowdown on who they are, where they come from, their music and their dreams. – See More at USA Today
‘American Idol’ Season 12 Finalists Interviews – The annual “American Idol” Finalists party is one of my favorite red carpet events to cover. It’s simultaneously wildly chaotic and yet efficient, as publicists take great pains to make sure reporters get a few minutes with each of the singers. And, let’s be honest, you don’t need a 30-minute sit-down with each of these kids. It’s just a good chance to get in a few key questions like… What’s up with Burnell Taylor and his “conducting” gestures? And… Since Paul Jolley is the only contestant capable of continuing the “Idol” White Boy With Guitar winning streak… Can Paul actually play the guitar? “I play a little guitar, just enough to write with. I would not get out there and perform with it and make a fool of myself, that’s for sure. Maybe later on down the road.”- Read more at The Hit Fix
Nashville’s Kree Harrison, Paul Jolley talk ‘American Idol’ top 10 – Two Music City residents – Kree Harrison, 22, and Paul Jolley, 23 – have made it into this year’s top 10, and thus will also be part of a post-season concert tour of arenas across the U.S. The pair told the Tennessean they’re looking forward to starting the Top 10 rounds on Wednesday, particularly after surviving an intense elimination episode last week. “There’s not as much pressure,” says Harrison. “Because either way, I get to go on tour with people that I’ve grown to love and adore. But at the same time, I want to do America proud and keep the judges rooting for me. I’m excited. I’m ready to get back on that stage.” – Read more at Tennessean.com
American Idol 2013: Kree Harrison Top 10 Interview – Exclusive – Nashville native Kree Harrison is already considered to be one of the frontrunners to win American Idol 2013. The 22-year-old’s gorgeous country voice and strong stage presence brings to mind former Idol winner Carrie Underwood, a comparison likely to do her far more good than harm.
If it is indeed time for a woman to win again on Idol, especially one with a country twang, Kree may just be the girl to beat. Wetpaint caught up with Kree after the Top 10 voting results were announced, and she tells us about the thrill of being chosen and how scary that moment was right before she was called to the stage. – Read more at Wetpaint
Naples American Idol hopeful Lazaro Arbos cheered – They know him as “Rey,” the 21-year-old with an affinity for horror flicks and mango Gelati. Tonight, Naples’ Lazaro Arbos — who goes by his middle name amongst friends — will compete for a spot in “American Idol’s” top nine. On Thursday, a crew for the FOX singing competition will film a private viewing party at Rita’s Italian Ice, near Coastland Center, as results are announced live, owner Jason Gibson said. Arbos worked at Rita’s last summer and fall, while he auditioned for “Idol.” The gelato shop owners were among the few willing to hire Arbos despite a speech impediment, Gibson said. Arbos stutters while he speaks but not when he sings. – Read more at News-Press
Megan Hilty Performs Two Songs from ‘It Happens All The Time’: Video – Megan Hilty’s a woman of many talents. She’s one of the leads on NBC’s musical drama series “Smash,” playing Ivy Lynn. She’s starred on Broadway a few times. And today, she releases her debut album, “It Happens All The Time.” The “It” Hilty’s referring to apparently is breakups. It’s overall theme of the album and two songs she recently performed in studio for Billboard focus on the feelings felt during a split. Watch the Videos at Billboard
Jessica Sanchez Ditches ‘American Idol’ Ballads For Ne-Yo’s ‘Tonight’ – “On the show, I was shy and conservative — the ballad singer,” Sanchez told MTV News on the set of her upcoming music video for “Tonight.” “I’m opening up to the world and showing everybody and my fans who I really am. I’m not just some timid girl. I love to have fun and I want to show everyone I can do that through my music and this song pretty much describes the whole album because it’s clubby and dancy.” – Read more at MTV.com
Carrie Underwood: Portrait Session in London – Making the most of her time across the pond, Carrie Underwood attended a portrait session at the Country to Country Festival in London, England today (March 13). The “Blown Away” chart topper looked darling in a shimmery pink dress as she flashed her pearly whites for the cameras. She’ll be performing at the O2 Arena festival this weekend. – See the Photos at Gossip Center
