Toby Keith Performs at Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert Tonight – The star-studded lineup of performers, now being assembled, will include Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Carrie Underwood, and Ronnie Dunn. Proceeds will benefit The United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund. Updates on the event and lineup will be posted at www.tobykeith.com. – Read more at Broadway.com
Danielle Bradbery with her mom, dad, Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen (Pres of Republic Nashville), and more Big Machine Group executives:
Jimmy Harnen tweets, “With Danielle Bradbery, her mom & dad and Team BMLG!”
Nicki Minaj Spills on Her American Idol Experience: “No Complaints Whatsoever!” – You’d think after all the backstage drama, on-camera fights and lackluster ratings, Nicki Minaj’s American Idol gig was less than fun for her. But you’d be wrong, according to the singer herself. “My experience was great! It was a blessing,” she told us exclusively at the launch of Myx Fusions Moscato in New York on Thursday. “I had a wonderful time and I learned a lot about myself; I learned a lot about the world’s perception of me. And I think it was a great thing for hip-hop to see me transcend, and then I can come come back and still do the BET Awards and still be authentic in what I do.” – Read more at EOnline
Paula Deen’s Book Sales Increase Following N-Word Controversy – The celebrity chef, whose upcoming title was canceled, saw sales of her previous books rise during the week ending June 30. Paula Deen’s forthcoming cookbook was canceled by her publisher after her admitted use of the N-word, but the celebrity chef’s previous titles saw a sales increase during the media frenzy last week. Deen’s book sales increased from 500 to 4,000 copies sold during the week of June 30, according to Nielsen BookScan figures reported by Publishers Weekly. The title that saw the largest sales increase was 2011’s Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible with 1,300 copies sold. – Read more at Hollywood Reporter
Insecurities Loud and Clear – Katharine McPhee’s character on the ill-fated TV series “Smash” may not have been happy when Ana Vargas, played by Krysta Rodriguez, started to edge into the spotlight. But for some of us it was a pleasure to watch Ms. Rodriguez in some of the stronger numbers. Fans of Ms. Rodriguez, who originated the role of Wednesday Addams in the 2010 Broadway production of “The Addams Family,” can see her on Broadway again in “First Date,” a musical comedy that begins previews this week. She stars with Zachary Levi, new to Broadway but known on TV as a charming nerd in “Chuck.” – Read more at The New York Times
