Idol Headlines for 3/8/13

‘American Idol’ Makes A Play For A Little Variety – Last night, the 10 American Idol finalists were announced, and one thing is for sure: the five-year streak of pleasant-seeming, guitar-playing white dudes (in reverse order: Phillip Phillips, Scotty McCreery, Lee DeWyze, Kris Allen, and David Cook) is over. Those who have lamented this streak — who often call it WGWG, or White Guy With Guitar — don’t necessarily dislike a white guy with a guitar, per se. But it’s a little weird that the show’s initial six-year run included three men and three women — two pop singers (Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks), two R&B singers (Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino), a country singer (Carrie Underwood), and whatever Taylor Hicks is. – Read more at NPR

‘American Idol’ needs more contestants like ‘adorkable’ Charlie Askew – Disclaimer: I know Charlie Askew. Several years ago, I had a conversation about music with Charlie, who’s now 17, while standing outside a pizzeria in Little Rock, Ark. A talented musician, songwriter and singer, Charlie knew about the blues, jazz, classic rock, Goth, punk and any other genre I threw at him. He possessed a waifish, other-worldly quality about him – think David Bowie. Askew is the “American Idol” contestant who should have made it through Thursday night’s first round of voting, but didn’t. That’s because Charlie, described early on in the show as “adorkable,” clearly doesn’t fit the stereotypical mold that “American Idol” judges really want on the show. – Read more at Washington Post

Naima helps carry ‘Idol’ microphone through Chicago – The “American Idol” microphone’s cross-country tour blew through Chicago on Friday. Nearly a dozen local “Idol” fans — along with season 10 finalist and Milwaukee native Naima Adedapo — made up the relay team that helped shuttle the mike through the city. The relay members were randomly chosen after registering online to be part of the team designed to drum up publicity for the Fox singing competition, which announced the Top 10 finalists on Thursday’s show. Chicagoan Devin Velez, an 18-year-old senior at Rickover Naval Academy, made the cut. – Read more at Chicago Sun-Times

Nikki Reed & Paul McDonald: Sushi Sweethearts – Kicking off the weekend a little early, Nikki Reed and Paul McDonald showed up at Robata Jinya sushi restaurant for a romantic dinner date last night (March 7). The “Twilight” hottie and her “American Idol” hubby both looked stylish as they strolled out of the popular Los Angeles eatery to find a few shutterbugs waiting for them. – Read more at Gossip Center

Carrie Underwood to Celebrate First Anniversary of Turning 29 – Carrie Underwood is turning 30 on Sunday (March 10). Or is she? “It’s actually not my birthday,” she recently told reporters. “It is the first anniversary of my 29th birthday. So it’s more of an anniversary celebration than a birthday. I mean, I’ll still, like, blow out candles and stuff ’cause, you know, I want my wish, but it’s not a birthday.” So how will she celebrate this, um, anniversary? – Read more at Country Weekly

Ex-‘Idol’ Bowersox happy to have put up with ‘All That for This’ – WHAT’S Crystal Bowersox doing, playing the 125-seat Tin Angel (on Friday) and putting out her sophomore album on the “indie” Shanachie label? Exactly what she wants, apparently, to hear tell from the artist: “It’s like Ani DiFranco suggested in a song: ‘If you’re not getting happier as you’re getting older, you’re f—ing up.’ I’m in the best place I’ve ever been. And by the way, did you know, my husband [performer and sometime songwriting collaborator Brian Walker Linsk] is from Philly?” Nah, didn’t know that. We were quick to point out, though, the Elkins Park origins of Steve Berlin, producer of Bowersox’s powerfully percussive and mostly upbeat new roots-music scramble, “All That For This,” due out March 26. Like Bowersox, Berlin is now based in Portland, Ore., when the dude’s not off tooting his horn with Los Lobos. – Read more at Philly.com

Jim Cantilello – Idol in a Minute

‘American Idol’ Top 10 Finalists Weigh In: Is This The Girls’ Year? – On Thursday (March 7) night, “American Idol” unveiled its Top 10, and, though there were few surprises, one thing seemed clear: If the girls are going to break a six-year losing streak, well, this is definitely the time to do it. But, can a female singer actually end the streak of guys with guitars that have come to dominate the show? Or will “Idol’s” 12th season once again be won by someone with a Y chromosome? We decided to ask the remaining 10 contestants … and, though many are predicting this will be the girls’ year, there are some who say “Not so fast.” – See more at MTV

Keith Urban Glad ‘American Idol’ In Voter’s Hands Now – If there’s one thing we’ve learned about first-year “American Idol” judge Keith Urban at this point, it’s that it’s that he’s a big softie at heart.Yes, he will occasionally ding a contestant for picking the wrong song or not staying true to themselves, but overall the country thunder from down under has been all smiles, sweetness and encouragement to season 12’s wannabes. Hell, he’s even gotten a bit misty-eyed at times! – Read more at MTV

About mj santilli 34832 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!