Idol Headlines for 5/31/08

By On 05/31/2008 · 98 Comments · In Uncategorized

Jacko was too scared to sing

MICHAEL Jackson pulled out of a huge TV comeback à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ with stagefright.
Jacko, 49, was to sing live on the final of American Idol in front of a TV audience of 27 million.
But 24 hours before the show in Los Angeles he bottled out, saying: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t do it. Everyone will hate me.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  A source said: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“This was his big chance but he got stage-fright.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Spice Girls guru Simon Fuller is helping Jacko with his comeback, say insiders.

The Sun

“Idol” winner Cook scores digital hit with “Life”

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) – It’s the first time songs performed on “American Idol” have been made available for immediate download on iTunes — and the audience’s ability to make an instant-gratification purchase has paid off handsomely for winner David Cook.

“I loved my time on the show, but I’ve been looking forward to just being able to get back to the creative process of writing and recording,” he says. “It’s going to be interesting to be able to play a song and not have to wonder where ‘camera A’ is.”

For most of June, Cook will focus on rehearsals for the American Idols Live tour, which features the top 10 finalists and runs for almost three months. The trek begins July 1 in Glendale, Arizona, and wraps September 13 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Reuters

‘Idol’ Cook Dating, Having ‘Time of My Life’

Cook says that before going on stage during “American Idol,” he would listen to the Imogen Heap song “Hide and Seek” to relax. He added that the last song he performed on “Idol” à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  Collective Soul’s ‘The World I Know’ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  summed up the “exciting uncertainty” of the experience.

ABC News

American Idol: National Enquirer examines Jason Castro

The National Enquirer is telling us something most know about Rockwall’s Jason Castro — that he’s cool under pressure. But it’s funnier reading it in the Enquirer. In Mike Walker’s Gossip column, his “My Spy-dol” tells him that Jason needed very little post-American Idol “therapy.” According to the Enquirer, Idol’s therapy sessions are “hush-hush,” but Jason “zipped in and out in under 10 MINUTES!”

Conversely, in the case of Brooke White, the “therapy” took 90 minutes, according to the Enquirer. Walker concluded that “Jason’s the ‘Joe Cool’ of American Idols!’ ”

Neighborsgoblog

John Paul George Ringo and Cookie

Just how big a deal is the arrival of American Idol’s Season 7 winner on the charts? It’s unprecedented on a number of levels, but many of the records it sets have to do with the way the charts are tabulated and in the way the Idol producers have chosen to release recordings this season. (The full list of best-selling tracks by Cook, along with those of his fellow Idol competitors, was run down by Maura yesterday.)

The most obvious impact is near the top of the Hot 100, where Cook’s finale song, “The Time of My Life,” debuts at No. 3. He’s behind Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” and Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love,” both of which have the advantage of months of radio airplay. Cook’s hit is nearly airplay-free (a few stations likely played it on their morning shows, as a news item), and his chart position is entirely the result of his sales haul at iTunes, where “Time/Life” sold more than 236,000 downloads in the four days after the confetti came down.

Idolator

Carly Simon: Coming around again with ‘This Kind of Love’

CARLY SIMON isn’t the first name you’d expect to find on a list of classic-rock superstars who keep tabs on ” American Idol.” “I tune in whenever I get a chance,” she says in that signature dusky voice. “How could I not, when this season Brooke White sang ‘You’re So Vain’ and did such a nice job on it, and Carly [Smithson] was named after me?”

But even two recent manifestations of the sincerest form of flattery aren’t enough to make a complete “Idol” believer out of the woman who long ago defined female rock-star cool and who helped usher in a new era for female singer-songwriters in which they were no longer simply attractive voices and faces for music largely written and produced by men.

“There’s no question that through ‘American Idol’ we’ve gone back a couple of eras into the Berry Gordy/Supremes pulling-the-strings kind of thing,” said the jet-setting onetime paramour of Warren Beatty and Kris Kristofferson who later married — then divorced — folk-rock star James Taylor. This is the same woman who won a Grammy for best new artist after her conventional-marriage-questioning 1971 ballad “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” and who went to No. 1 with one of pop music’s most hotly gossiped-about celebrity comeuppances ever, the 1973 hit that turned up prominently on celebrity-worshiping “American Idol.”

LA Times

Celebrity Parade With Jeanne Wolf

Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar for her show-stopping performance in “Dream Girls.” But that didn’t stop her from taking a juicy supporting role in the big-screen version of “Sex and the City.” She plays Carrie Bradshaw’s new assistant. Jennifer wasn’t a regular viewer of the series. So to get ready she watched old episodes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ And now she confesses, “I cant stop watching.”

ABC News

New “College” in Town

Every summer big feature films take over the silver screens à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ movies that are full of action and superheroes flying around a concrete metropolis. But this summer, thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a movie that will tell the story of what we all know best à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ college. Directed by Deb Hagan, College is the story of a group of three high school seniors who embark on a weekend visit to a nearby college. On their trip, the trio become the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“pre-froshà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  pledges of a fraternity, become involved with some sorority singles and get themselves into some sticky situations.

Collegeotr.com

Idol and Texas Stars Light Up CMA MusicFest

The names just keep on comin’. Recent ACM Award Winner Jack Ingram was added to the Friday night lineup for the 2008 CMA Music Fest Nightly Concert series. The Texas Country singer will be joined by fellow singer-songwriters Luke Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, Jennifer Hanson, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, Phil Stacey, John Stephan, Ashton Shepherd, Chuck Wicks, and Darryl Worley.

This year’s Fan Fair festivities will kick off at the VAULT concert stage at LP Field with season six American Idol finalist Phil Stacey singing the national anthem. Fans will then be greeted by Nashville’s mayor, Karl Dean, who will open the 37th annual event.

Country Hound

Phil Stacey’s Christian Roots Anchor His Country Album Debut

American Idol alumnus Phil Stacey has combined his Christian upbringing and a passion for country music on his new self-titled album for Lyric Street Records. As a consequence, the album is being worked in both musical formats.

“If You Didn’t Love Me” has already climbed to No. 32 on Billboard’s country singles chart, while “Identity,” an introspective album cut, is being programmed on several contemporary Christian radio stations. EMI Christian Music Group is distributing the album to Christian music outlets.

“I sing Christian songs on my country record,” Stacey says, a point rendered apparent by a close reading of the lyrics, many of which could allude equally well to earthly or spiritual love.

CMT.com

British TV viewers will decide who really has got talent

Has Britain really got talent? Packed houses or a swift return to obscurity beckon tonight as millions of viewers cast their votes in the climax of rival star-making shows.

After weeks of weeding out dancing ferrets and off-key singers, ITV1 viewers will choose the winner of Britainà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Got Talent, Simon Cowellà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s latest lucrative series. In the final episode of Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d Do Anything on BBC One, Lord Lloyd-Webber will finally reveal the publicà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s choice to play Nancy and star in a new West End production of Oliver!

Entertainment Times Online

Cowell on fixing broken Britain

But as he talks on the set of the smash hit ITV1 show, his thoughts drift towards the problems facing this country.

Simonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s nationwide talent search showcases all that is good in Britain. But the promising performers are merely a silver lining to the dark cloud of knife crime and violence hanging over us.

PM Gordon Brown is under severe pressure to tackle the knife epidemic blighting Britain à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ but Simon believes he could step in and solve the crisis.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the 48-year-old music and TV mogul says: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t stand as an MP but I would like to be PM for one day à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ with Jeremy Clarkson as my deputy!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

The Sun

Simon Cowell: The five acts that can win Britain’s Got Talent

Just five acts have any chance of winning Britain’s Got Talent, according to judge Simon Cowell.

The public will decide who triumphs in the final at 6.50pm on ITV1 tonight, with the results at 9.30pm.

But, out of the 10 who have battled to the end, Cowell reckons the five favourites are: Faryl Smith, Andrew Johnston, George Sampson, Signature and the dog act Kate and Gin.

mirror.co.uk

New season of Idol starts this Tuesday!

When the sixth season of Canadian Idol premieres this Tuesday, Jake Gold doesn’t even know what to expect.

“I haven’t seen the show. They don’t show us so I’ll be just as surprised as everyone else when I see it so that’s a good thing,” said the Idol judge of the country’s most watched summer program.

With the show promising to have some of the best talent viewers have ever seen, Gold said this isn’t just Idol hype and is definitely true if you look at the group as a whole.

“There may have been individuals who were better than some of the individuals we have but our best individuals are better than anybody we’ve ever seen and more mature,” said Gold. “The key word for me is there seems to be, on an overall basis, we have a lot of really confident people that seem, almost like less of an amateur kind of vibe.”

CTV.ca

 
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  • wfowfowfo

    Jacko was supposed to be the surprise guest? No fucking way. So we got longish George Michael instead?

    And, well, he’s right — we (well *I*) would have hated it.

    OMG! Do you suppose it’s true?

  • http://blog.syracuse.com/idolthoughts/ foxydonna

    Remember, the teaser was that they had booked the “biggest star in the world.” George Michael hardly qualified for that title! I’m actually glad he backed out. I would rather not see a repeat of the Britney MTV awards fiasco, and if he was that nervous about it, the performance could only have been a disaster.

  • cooktard76

    finally the answer to “just who IS this biggest star to which they are referring?”
    i’ve pretty much been over mj (the original mj, lol) for a while.
    tho, it may have been cool to see a mj/cookie “billie jean” duet…..

  • idolbeat

    Personal life aside, he is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. I saw him in concert back in the 80′s in Auburn Hills, Michigan. it was sold out – dancing room only. Not one soul was sitting – he had us dancing the entire time! He was electrical!

  • chchchchanges

    I think the ‘biggest star in the world’ was a reference to Mike Myers? Nigel did kind of hint that it wasn’t neccessarily a musician.
    I don’t believe that story about Michael Jackson – it was printed by The Sun – a notorious British tabloid. How is it possible that they were able to come up with a replacement act to fill Michael Jackson’s spot in less than 24 hours? Impossible. Even if George Michael was the back-up, how would they of organised that group medley so quickly? They wouldn’t have been able to. And the show was already full, it even over-ran by a few minutes… there is no way they would have fit Michael Jackson in there. So, take that article with a pinch of salt.

  • idolbeat

    I don’t know how to quote on here but cooktard, I think that duet would have been unbelieveable!

  • Lu

    Sigh Michael Jackson… like him or not he IS talented.. It makes me sad to think about him. He was a cute kid with everything going for him and he’s turned into a freak show imo. I admit that I still listen to the tracks off of Thriller. I remember his killer music vids. I wonder how he got so off track. Someone told me they recently read an article about the Jacksons and the only one who seems to have any success is Janet. The rest are broke.

  • IGetCranked

    I’m sooooo glad Michael didn’t come on the show. I think it would have upstaged everything else with the shock of it. All the headlines would have been more about him than the David’s. That would have been so unfair after all their hard work.

    Besides, I don’t think it was stagefright… his nose prolly fell off.

  • GwendolynD

    Didn’t Nigel hint at the biggest star not being a musician the day before the finale? That would have been 24 hours. Michael Jackson? Really? Wow & yikes!

    I did watch his reunion concert a few years ago. He was still pretty awesome then.

  • JessC77

    According to the Enquirer, Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s therapy sessions are à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“hush-hush,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  but Jason à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“zipped in and out in under 10 MINUTES!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    This does not surprise me!!! Jason is so relaxed, I used to be like him………Then I had kids!

  • gingerly

    Thank God for small favors. That would have ruined an excellent finale for me.

  • sciencefan

    I don’t know whether to believe that gossip tabloid’s story about Michael Jackson either.

    I certainly do mourn the loss of Michael Jackson’s talent.
    Oh, the GENIUS we are being deprived of!
    I was just last week thinking how incredibly sad it is. Here is one of the greatest talents the world has ever known, lost to us because of whatever trouble he has had in his personal life. It’s a tragedy, really, because he is a natural born musical genius. I was actually hoping that he maybe is secretly working on his music somewhere. How incredibly sad. Those who don’t know the old Michael Jackson don’t know what we lost.

    If the story is true, I hope Nigel is successful. Last I heard several months ago, Michael Jackson is living in Saudi Arabia.

  • dogncatmom

    I am glad Michael Jackson wasn’t on Idol. That would have been terrible, and yes, I would have hated it.

    I

  • SpenserJ

    Sigh Michael Jacksonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ like him or not he IS talented.. It makes me sad to think about him. He was a cute kid with everything going for him and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s turned into a freak show imo. I admit that I still listen to the tracks off of Thriller.

    Well, because Thriller is still one of the greatest albums of all time. The Michael Jackson story is a tragic tale of stage parenting to the extreme. Michael grew up in a horrific cycle of abuse, and because he was clearly the most talented and the star of the Jackson 5, he was also the one who received the most pressure and was the most isolated. He didn’t have a prayer of growing up normal.

    Of course, in his adulthood, he took grotesque to a whole new level. A big old chunk of the viewing audience would have been creeped out to see Michael on AI. And, if the story is true – well he made the right decision.

    But, all of his later freakshow antics and possible criminal behavior, do not negate the fact that Michael owned the American music scene in the early to mid eighties. He was a pop culture phenomon, an A entertainer who revolutionized the music video scene. So, for those of us who grew up with his music, it’s perfectly normal to abhor his actions – but still rock out to Beat It when it comes on the radio.

    The other night I was watching a cheesy little dance competition reality show and they played MJ’s Man in the Mirror over and over again. And, I couldn’t stop cracking up at the fact that the was the song to which I got my very first speeding ticket LOL.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    I believe that MJ was the guest… it was one of my guesses and has been rumored in the past. I agree with what Spense said above. My two favorite MJ albums were “Off the Wall” and “Thriller.”

    Sadly, no matter how much talent he may still have, he’s jumped the shark with his behavior. I don’t think his career can be resurrected.

  • http://everyopinion.blogspot.com Terrie

    I agree with all of you objecting to Michael Jackson’s rumored appearance on Idol. But let’s look at this from Nigel’s perspective as the grand finale producer — between Cookie’s performance of “Billie Jean” and Dadchuleta’s overbearing overmanagement arresting Archie’s adolescent development, Michael Jackson is one of the few guest artists that both of the top two finalists could relate to.

    If the Sun story is true and Jacko canceled at the last moment, I guess there wasn’t enough time for Nigel to book Gary Glitter or the Texas polygamists from the Yearning for Zion Ranch. [/sarcasm]

  • wfowfowfo

    Sheesh, Terrie… warn a girl! (Off to get the windex for my monitor)

  • hollygo9

    Michael Jackson’s comeback needs to be made as far away from young-looking teenage boys as possible. Perhaps he could tour with the Pussycat Dolls.

  • awilliams

    Terrie…ouch! (touche)

  • SpenserJ

    Michael Jacksonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s comeback needs to be made as far away from young-looking teenage boys as possible.

    Michael Jackson cannot possibly make a comeback here in the US. We’re a forgiving people, but I think we draw the line at pedophiles. I’ll believe Michael’s going to make a comeback right after Jerry Jones hires OJ to be the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    Carly posted a myspace blog today…

    Carly in Dublin

    JPL also sent out a bulletin, saying that “Break the Silence” broke the top 100 at radio and is climbing the charts!! (“I think I’m at 81 now!! :) ”) He also says he is putting out a pre-order for the CD, and that they’re gonna put the names of all the people who pre-order in the liner notes.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    Simon Cowell: Tabloid Stage Fright Rumors “Not True”

    Speaking today to Steve Wright on BBC 2, Simon Cowell of American Idol fame flatly denied the recent tabloid reports that Michael Jackson had pulled out of performing on American Idol this year due to “stage fright.” Today, Emily Smith of The Sun quoted an anonymous source as saying that Michael Jackson cancelled an American Idol performance 24 hours before show-time due to stage fright, the article has since circulated amongst other media outlets. According to Simon Cowell himself, these rumors are “not true” and there were never any plans for Michael Jackson to appear on America Idol this year. Furthermore, Simon stated that, when the possibility of a Michael Jackson appearance on American Idol transpires, “you just say ‘yes’ and hope one year he will [appear on the show]…”

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    Has this been posted yet?

    Coke Behind The Scenes: Season 7 Finale Week

    *Sorry if I simply missed the link before.*

    Idol Tour Possibilities

    …Cook also mentioned that they were talking about doing “Barracuda” with Carly on vocals, himself on guitar and Jason on drums. (!!!!!) Michael Johns, soon after his boot, said he’d like to do “Leather and Lace” with Brooke.

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

    Furthermore, Simon stated that, when the possibility of a Michael Jackson appearance on American Idol transpires, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“you just say à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹yesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ and hope one year he will [appear on the show]à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    I sincerely hope he never does. Talented though he is, I cannot think of a more inappropriate guest for AI.

  • JP

    I would love to see Michael Jackson perform again, freak that he may be. I saw the Jackson brothers perform in ’84 on their Victory Tour and they were AWESOME!! I can appreciate MJ’s musical talent even if his personal life is a train wreck.

  • sciencefan

    purplesmile! Awesome link!
    Guess what I found when I was there?!
    Apparently, there’s a book out that “proves” that Michael Jackson is innocent of any of the child molestation allegations.
    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576880443/michajacksrep-20

    After seeing what the public can do to an entirely innocent individual – i.e. Jason Castro – I have no doubt that all the hate could be entirely baseless, and actually have always hoped so, but that’s the way I am. But good news travels s-l-o-w-l-y. And the haters refuse to believe the truth anyway.

    But GOOD NEWS!
    Apparently, Michael Jackson DOES have an album in the works!
    I have a feeling it’s going to be phenomenal!!
    Woo-hoo!

  • sciencefan

    Being a Michael Jackson fan these days is kinda like being a Jason fan… you have to stalk the internet to find his music!
    http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1BpIuHkS5lg
    MJ – 2005 – Bucharest – Dangerous Tour – Billie Jean – all the classic dance moves!

    His breathing was a little labored though – but so is mine… we’re both 49 years old!

  • http://everyopinion.blogspot.com Terrie

    After seeing what the public can do to an entirely innocent individual – i.e. Jason Castro – I have no doubt that all the hate could be entirely baseless, and actually have always hoped so, but thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the way I am.

    Being a Michael Jackson fan these days is kinda like being a Jason fanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    Sciencefan, you are certainly free to give Michael Jackson the benefit of the doubt to any extent you deem appropriate, but I don’t believe Jason Castro has multiple accusations of child molestation or huge payoffs to accusers in his past.

    As you may have seen on Larry King Live, the subject of David Hernandez’s recent past as a stripper was raised. When Kristy Lee Cook said that “we all” have damaging things in “our” past, Jason said, “Speak for yourself.”

  • skylight1219

    I guess I’m one of the few who was very hesitant to accept the truth of the Michael Jackson story. In the back of my mind, was a nagging doubt that this was extortion, and, so it seems it was. What loving, caring, parent wouldn’t prosecute a child molester? Once they got the money, all charges were dropped. I guess they didn’t have to lock him up, they destroyed him in the media. That’s why I’ve very careful of everything I read and hear in the news, tabloids, etc. I’m not sure we live in an age of responsible journalism any more.

  • Duke

    Does Canadian Idol air in the US?

  • skylight1219

    Canadian Idol does not air in the US. Funny thing is, AI airs in other countries, but, we aren’t privileged to see the other idol shows from around the world. The winner of Canadian Idol isn’t allowed to release their album in the US either. I find that strange.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Does Canadian Idol air in the US?

    No, but you can find videos of the performances pretty easily. They are posted on the internet shortly after they happen.

  • erennick

    No Duke, CI doesn’t air here. But, somebody usually posts the episodes online. That’s how I watched last year.

  • http://blog.syracuse.com/idolthoughts/ foxydonna

    So if MJ wasn’t the “biggest star in the world,” who was? Inquiring minds want to know! I can’t seem to let go of this season, you know that!

  • skylight1219

    Here are some photo shoots from Sanjaya’s new Nationwide commercial. His hair is all kinds of funky. He looks like the Statue of Liberty. Hilarious!!

    http://www.nationwide.com/about-us/about-us-sanjaya.jsp?NWOssPos=1&NWOss=sanjaya

  • http://everyopinion.blogspot.com Terrie

    So if MJ wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“biggest star in the world,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  who was? Inquiring minds want to know! I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seem to let go of this season, you know that!

    Donna, according to FOX LA entertainment reporter Dorothy Lucey, Nigel told her on grand finale night that the “biggest star in the world” was Iron Man. That’s right, Robert Downey, Jr. Seriously. That would fit with the clue that the “biggest star” was not necessarily a singer, although he was a Pip. Sort of.

  • JulieR

    Terrie – I didn’t hear Dorothy Lucey call in to Good Day LA the morning after the finale, but I read about the call. In addition to what you mentioned, she supposedly reported that Nigel told her George Michael was late to rehearsal and Nigel had no idea George’s song would run so long. Iron Man was supposed to appear after George and before the announcement of the winner, but they had to cut it. And since the movie Iron Man was #1 worlwide that week, thus Nigel’s “biggest start in the world right now” comment.

  • skylight1219

    Found some pix on the net of the AI after party. Josiah Lemming was there, and, drunk as a skunk. Why is it the other 12 who made the top 24 weren’t invited,and Josiah was at the party? Was he a plant? Some of Cook’s fans aren’t going to like the report about him and Caldwell. I don’t see Jason in any of the pix, did he even attend?

    http://weblog.xanga.com/CareyGLY/658102554/american-idol—the-after-party.html

  • wfowfowfo

    Poor old Nigel. Sometimes he’s delusional. I did love Robert Downey Jr.’s pip routine and the movie Ironman, actually – but for Nigel to call him the biggest star in the world was nutz.

    Anyway-

    I’m miss my daily Cookie fix. My real life sux.

  • Lu

    Josiah Lemming was there, and, drunk as a skunk.

    What???? I’m shocked!!! Not really. If true, getting tanked for all the world to see at 18 years old shows that he’s definitely mature enough to hit the music scene. Yeah, he’s got it all together.

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

    http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20203587,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines

    Fans Show Support for Clay Aiken
    By Lesley Messer

    Originally posted Saturday May 31, 2008 03:45 PM EDT

    The “Claymates” are showing an outpouring of support after a rep for producer David Foster confirmed to PEOPLE that Clay Aiken is fathering a child with David’s sister, music producer Jaymes Foster.

    “OMG Clay Aiken is my Hero,” writes one fan on claymaniac.com. “I love him and wish him the best of luck!”

    Adds another on the same site: “Now today I almost choked on my sandwich, Clay is going to be a father? And in three months? It blew me over. All I can say is ‘Congratulations!’ That is going to be one handsome and talented baby.” ……

    As if anyone would expect any less of the Claymates! ;)

  • skylight1219

    Any congratulations from me will not come forth until after there is a confirmation of the Foster/Aiken story. The fact that so many reports picked up the story, doesn’t attest to its validity.

  • dfc

    I thought this was an inspiring story of a little of the behind-the-scenes of the Idol families. I don’t think it has been posted before. Dated May 8th, the week Jason left.

    http://mondaymorninginsight.com/index.php/site/comments/ministering_to_american_idols_literally/

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Found some pix on the net of the AI after party. Josiah Lemming was there, and, drunk as a skunk. Why is it the other 12 who made the top 24 werenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t invited,and Josiah was at the party? Was he a plant? Some of Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fans arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t going to like the report about him and Caldwell. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see Jason in any of the pix, did he even attend?

    http://weblog.xanga.com/CareyGLY/658102554/american-idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ the-after-party.htm

    Hmm. The link doesn’t work. Also, I saw a vid of Josiah trying to get into the after party and being turned down. He didn’t seem drunk. So, I’m a bit confused.

  • http://www.xanga.com/Cynarajane CJ

    @pj – Try this link:

    AI Season 7 After Party

  • Pam

    AI Season 7 After Party

    Since that info came from a friend of a friend it looks like, I’ll take some of that with a grain of salt.

    Thanks for posting the link CJ.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Thanks, CJ. Looks like that pic of Josiah is outside, not inside. Here’s the vid of him trying to get into the party. He seems pretty nice to me. Not drunk. YMMV. Also, I don’t care if Cook is dating Caldwell. We knew that already. LOL.

  • Pam

    Also, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care if Cook is dating Caldwell. We knew that already. LOL.

    I don’t either pj. That is old news. LOL

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Any congratulations from me will not come forth until after there is a confirmation of the Foster/Aiken story. The fact that so many reports picked up the story, doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t attest to its validity.

    Don’t you think, if that crazy bit of news was false, either Clay or Jaymes would have IMMEDIATELY sent out their PR flacks to refute the story? I cannot imagine why they wouldn’t.

  • dfc

    Josiah didn’t look drunk to me. He seems like a nice kid. I wish him luck in his career.

  • pearl

    Josiah sure didn’t look drunk to me. He was respectful and pleasant…..don’t know why everyone’s coming down on him so hard…..I guess because of the Idol comment? He seems like a nice kid to me too, dfc!

  • Duke

    Mj are you going to post the Canadian Idol videos?

  • cheese

    This OK! magazine blog has some info on who David C is working with (his idol!), and what he plans to do with Analog Heart:

    http://www.okmagazine.com/blog/post/6997/Two-Idol-Davids-and-a-Syesha

    And also: Holy Magic Rainbow!

    http://mediabase.com/WebLogon/WebLogon.asp

    Do they usually push the crappy coronation song to radio like this? Hmm.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t you think, if that crazy bit of news was false, either Clay or Jaymes would have IMMEDIATELY sent out their PR flacks to refute the story? I cannot imagine why they wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t.

    Not just that. I can’t imagine a rep for David Foster confirming something involving his sister if it weren’t true. Seems like that’s their way of handling it. No big deal. I hope it works out for them.

  • skylight1219

    There was a story in the NY Post that said Jaymes would make a statement after the baby is born in August. And, I’m not sure, but, Clay is doing something for UNICEF right now. I don’t necessarily think they would come forward immediately after this hit the media. The truth will come out one way or the other.

    So, it looks like Josiah didn’t get in. Yes, I knew Cook and Caldwell were old news, but, we only knew they went to dinner. Personally, I don’t care what they do. Wonder why that link I posted wouldn’t work? Oh well.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Mj are you going to post the Canadian Idol videos?

    Yes! I plan on covering Canadian Idol. Not as extensively as AI, but I’m going to do episode posts.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    There was a story in the NY Post that said Jaymes would make a statement after the baby is born in August. And, I’m not sure, but, Clay is doing something for UNICEF right now. I don’t necessarily think they would come forward immediately after this hit the media.

    If it were false? Yeah, I think they would have come out with a statement within hours of the story hitting the media. The total silence from their camps leads me to believe the story is absolutely true.

    When both Clay and Jaymes are ready, they’ll make an announcement.

  • http://www.xanga.com/Cynarajane CJ

    So, it looks like Josiah didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get in. Yes, I knew Cook and Caldwell were old news, but, we only knew they went to dinner. Personally, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care what they do. Wonder why that link I posted wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t work? Oh well.

    That’s what I thought was interesting, that we only knew about dinner…but that wasn’t the whole story. I don’t care, either, who he dates, even though I don’t care for her, I’m not the one dating her, and I am surely not vying for David Cook’s attention (even though I lurve him…it’s just as a fan…my feet are firmly placed in reality).

    I think the title of the blog post was changed by the author, that’s why the link wouldn’t work. Not your fault!

  • Duke

    sweet. i know the talent is not as good as it is on idol, but at least its something. thanks

  • GwendolynD

    I’m surprised the Clay/Jaymes thing was quiet this long, considering the “bizarreness” of it all.

    Yeah, I think it’s true.

  • http://www.xanga.com/Cynarajane CJ

    I think the Clay/Jaymes thing is true, as well. I agree with MJ…we’d have heard major denials by now if it weren’t the truth.

  • Trina

    And also: Holy Magic Rainbow!

    Yeah!! RCA pimping the rainbow song!

    If it were false? Yeah, I think they would have come out with a statement within hours of the story hitting the media. The total silence from their camps leads me to believe the story is absolutely true.

    Absolutely. I remember from my days as a Claymate that Clay sometimes can be stubborn and chooses to stay silent about his personal life, but this is different and very much would impact someone elses name and life. Doesnt this Jaymes post on his fan club board? If something this huge weren’t true I’d be all over it clearing it up.

  • skylight1219

    And, maybe the Foster/Aiken camp is giving this a few days for the furor to die before they make any major announcements. One doesn’t always have to jump in while things are red hot. Sometimes, that is the worst approach, as a level head is called for versus just getting a comment out there. Not everyone approaches things in the same manner.

    I know in my own life, people have said things about me that weren’t true. And, while everything in me wanted to refute them, I would write things down, then tear them up. Sometimes I just chose not to address the situation at that particular time because it came off defensive.

    This is just so very confusing hearing 2 different stories. I still take the wait and see approach.

  • abbysee

    I hope that one day Michael calls Nigel and says, I’m ready. It might turn a few people off, but for others if he is good, it would cause a sensation. I fpr one would not turn off my set.

    I believe the Clay and Jaymes pregnancy thing, but something is not quite right imho, and it’s not the rumours of his sexuality. That is old news. But something isn’t right, I just can’t put my finger on it.

    Poor Josiah, he says the same things about idol that many of us do, but he can’t cause……?

  • LadyBeBop

    Yes! I plan on covering Canadian Idol. Not as extensively as AI, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to do episode posts.

    Goody. I haven’t followed Canadian Idol since Melissa won season 3 (internet flakey, and too little time), but with videos easily available, I think I’ll follow it this year.

    Even though CI technically isn’t shown in the US, I know that if you’re close enough to the Canadian border, that you can get it. MJ, are you close enough to the border? Or must you rely on You Tube and torrents (the same as most of us)?

  • hollygo9

    Poor Josiah, he says the same things about idol that many of us do, but he canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t causeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦?

    Because he’s simultaneously trashing the show and feeding off the publicity it gave him. If it wasn’t for Idol, none of us would even know his name. I wonder if he’d have bad things to say if he were in David Cook’s position. It just comes across as sour grapes.

  • dfc

    This is funny. Jib Jab video.

    http://www.castrocopia.com/

  • Pam

    This is funny. Jib Jab video.

    http://www.castrocopia.com/

    That is too cute! :laugh_tb:

  • skylight1219

    I just had a very funny thought. Clay Aiken is notorious for upstaging whenever AI has had a male winner. When Ruben won, Clay out sold him, became more popular. When Taylor won, he appeared on the finale with a new “do.” This was talked about in the media just as much as Taylor’s win. Now, we have another male winner, David Cook, and, look at the media now. Somehow, I find it humorous. It’s like revenge of the nerds.

    I know this is probably absurd, but, I just find the timing suspicious.

  • Joleen

    Sorry if this has been posted previously, MJ, but TV guide has the second two parts of their interview with DC up. He talks about Analog Heart, preparing for performances, and his tattoos.:) Fun interview!

    http://www.tvguide.com/video

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Even though CI technically isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t shown in the US, I know that if youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re close enough to the Canadian border, that you can get it. MJ, are you close enough to the border? Or must you rely on You Tube and torrents (the same as most of us)?

    I don’t get CI on my own TV. But I know a site that puts up video almost immediately.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    And, maybe the Foster/Aiken camp is giving this a few days for the furor to die before they make any major announcements. One doesn’t always have to jump in while things are red hot.

    I just can’t imagine any PR person allowing a false rumor of a sensational nature to fester and spread all over the internet. That would not be smart. Any flack worth their salt would step in and stop it immediately. I don’t see what would be gained by waiting.

    If Clay were to allow a false rumor to spread just to upstage the Davids, or get his name on the front page of the papers to sell a few albums…then wow, that would be kinda effed up if you ask me.

  • Lu

    Poor Josiah, he says the same things about idol that many of us do, but he canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t causeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦?

    Well for one because he annoys the crap out of me!!! His sobbing, his arrogance, his wretched voice… I know some of you love him and I respect that but ewww just ewww. By the way, the other idols who’ve taken a swipe at idol have been hammered also… not just “poor Josiah”.

  • Kirsten

    I just canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t imagine any PR person allowing a false rumor of a sensational nature to fester and spread all over the internet. That would not be smart. Any flack worth their salt would step in and stop it immediately. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see what would be gained by waiting.

    LOL. Fake girlfriend-gate anybody?

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    The fact that David Foster’s rep confirmed it is enough for me. He’s on the inside. *shrugs*

  • GwendolynD

    Heh. I think the timing of the news is near-perfect. Clay’s album recently came out. Way to put your guy in the spotlight.

  • http://www.myspace.com/rjveritas MrRJ

    Canadian Idol….and I was just almost off the sauce….darn you MJ. (heck, I can’t really darn you, you are my hero)

  • sciencefan

    When I said this earlier:

    After seeing what the public can do to an entirely innocent individual – i.e. Jason Castro -

    I was referring to the scores of people I have read online, and spoken to in person, who insist that Jason is a pothead, and will not be persuaded otherwise.

    Haters hate. That’s what they do.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    LOL. Fake girlfriend-gate anybody?

    Does Taylor even have a PR person anymore? LOL.

    Fake girlfriend gate spread from some wacked out website to Radar and a couple of other websites? Hey, if it had actually gone up the news chain as far and as wide as Clay’s story did, maybe it would have sold a few more records for him.

  • skylight1219

    MJ, I was just joking about Clay and the upstaging thing. Just my whacked out sense of humor, and, yes, I think there should be some statement from either the Foster or Aiken camps by now. But, no one has made a comment one way or the other.

  • http://everyopinion.blogspot.com Terrie

    I was referring to the scores of people I have read online, and spoken to in person, who insist that Jason is a pothead, and will not be persuaded otherwise.

    Haters hate. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s what they do.

    Sciencefan, I understand completely your frustration with close-minded people who refuse to reconsider their stereotypes. Awhile back I wrote here about how I have been stereotyped as a hippie my whole adult life just for having long hair and never wearing makeup. Jason seems to take it all in stride, as he should, especially since his uniqueness has benefited him considerably so far. I suspect what some of his critics feel is more like envy.

    I am of the same generation as Michael Jackson and was a big fan of the J5. I think he is one of the world’s greatest dancers ever. Still I could explain how many of his public actions over the past 20 plus years are consistent with a willful pedophile instead of a misunderstood innocent, but this is probably not the right forum. Peace out, mkay?

    Pedophilia, artificial insemination, drunken Idol rejects, girlfriend-gate.

    MJ, I think this thread has officially jumped the shark. And I blame Nigel.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    Bush call to college grads: Be responsible

    …Instead, he urged students to vote in November, saying he knows the democratic spirit is alive in the U.S., because, in his words, “there was a big vote recently: The new American Idol got about 55 million votes…”

  • awilliams

    This is funny. Jib Jab video.

    http://www.castrocopia.com/

    That WAS funny! I hope they see it.

    I saw that TV guide interview with Cook and must say he was very subdued. Must have been exhausted.

  • skylight1219

    While we’re blaming Nigel for all the ills of society, why not throw in Paulagate too?

  • http://inkdbylilyanna.com carolina

    already posted.

  • t2

    Aiken is infamous for not responding to the rags…at all. The only time I can remember him responding was when someone made comments about his family and friends.

    I have no idea what Jaymes Foster’s modus operandi to the rags is.

    I can’t imagine this will help him sell records…at all.

  • skylight1219

    Clay also responded when Kim Locke said that she, Ruben and Clay were going to do a reunion tour.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    This is funny. Jib Jab video.

    http://www.castrocopia.com/

    I don’t see anything. :( What’s in it?

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    RICHARD OSBORNE: Slovenliness creeps next to godliness for Idol worshipers in this new age

    …This much I know for certain: Cook wasn’t elected on his looks. I make no judgment about the mug that nature blessed him with, mind you. I am simply talking about that hair.

    Let’s start with the stuff on his chin. Far be it from me to criticize facial hair. I have had a generous share of it since many years before our young Idol was born. But what I don’t understand is how he manages to keep his at a perpetual two-days’ growth.

    I mean, at some point – every two days, if my math is correct – don’t you have to shave it off and start again? Otherwise, how do you manage to prevent it from getting to three days’ or four days’ growth? And if you do put yourself on the two-day cycle, shouldn’t there be a period of zero and one day’s growth?

    I just don’t get it. But then, I am no Idol. Cook obviously has not taken his cue from me. His role models – or, at least, beard models – are the professional athletes and performers who also somehow miraculously manage to keep their whiskers at a length just beyond stubble day after day after day.

    It is controlled slovenliness. The art of looking just a little sloppy…

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    Third Day keeps the faith

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Revelationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ also features Daughtry contributing vocals to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Slow Downà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ and pedal steel guitar virtuoso Robert Randolph adding his unique touch to the foot-stomping anthem à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Otherside.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢

  • Grammie Kari

    I believe there are barbers trained to cut a beard in such a way. I think he looks just fine, but I don’t have to kiss David every dau and night. Darn…

  • Grammie Kari

    Sorry typo… DAY

  • gelfling

    skylight1219 Jun 1st, 2008 at 2:03 am

    Clay also responded when Kim Locke said that she, Ruben and Clay were going to do a reunion tour.

    I believe the only place that Clay mentioned that was in a blog on his fanclub to his fans. I don’t remember him addressing it in the press at all. He doesn’t respond to gossip.

    Now just watch, he’ll go on Oprah with Jaymes and talk about it. This would be different though, he does stick up for family when he doesn’t bother with it for himself. He said tabloids and gossip are just part of the job. He also said that people can say what they want but it won’t make it true.

    You know she really doesn’t look 50. Maybe that part isn’t accurate either.

    http://i26.tinypic.com/28gzha8.jpg

  • smartcookie

    There are electric shavers you can set at different lengths (it’s not the blade that’s a different length, but this other thing that holds the shaver away from the whiskers) to give you a not-very-close shave or the artfully stubbled look. They were all the rage during the Miami Vice years and have never really gone out of fashion. My husband wears a whole beard (not just stubble) but I think his shaver can be set to take off more or less depending on how he wants his beard to look.

    Just a little shaver info for all those who wonder how Cook manages the 3-day beard every day, since Richard Osborne (above) apparently has no clue.

  • BigNLiddle

    Even though CI technically isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t shown in the US, I know that if youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re close enough to the Canadian border, that you can get it. MJ, are you close enough to the border? Or must you rely on You Tube and torrents (the same as most of us)?

    I think I’m correct when saying that where I live, we’re the only ones who get CI on tv. ( I live in VT). It’s a great summer show, but the talent is SO different than from AI, in my opinion.

  • BigNLiddle

    Canadian Idol does not air in the US. Funny thing is, AI airs in other countries, but, we arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t privileged to see the other idol shows from around the world. The winner of Canadian Idol isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t allowed to release their album in the US either. I find that strange.

    just a random tid bit: The only people from CI that actually released their CD in the US was the third placer from season 2, Jacob hoggard, and it was his band Hedley

    great band, btw. highly recommend it!

  • hollygo9

    Just a little shaver info for all those who wonder how Cook manages the 3-day beard every day, since Richard Osborne (above) apparently has no clue.

    Or maybe he just has so much testoterone that he can grow that much beard in an hour?

  • LKJ

    I also get CI in Washington state, near the Canadian border.

    It’s an okay show, but I’ll certainly prefer Nashville Star.