Mega Idol Update! Billboard Interviews from the Set of American Idol Extra

By On 04/12/2009 · 39 Comments · In Uncategorized

UPDATE: I just got an email from somebody who is in regular contact with Syesha Mercado, and according to this source she told him that she is NOT scheduled to perform on Idol.

Billboard Magazine interviewed a slew of Idols the day they taped performances for Fox Reality’s American Idol Extra.   Each mini-interview gives a summary of where the Idols are in their careers at the moment. Also, each Idol gives advice to the new crop of Idols.:

  • Blake Lewis – VIDEO – Blake is signed to Tommy Boy records and is working on his second album, which he describes as   pop/electro/hip-hop and very danceable.
  • Syesha Mercado – VIDEO – Syesha is working on her album with “amazing Grammy award-winning producers and songwriters.”   Some folks she’s working with include the “Listen” writers, Scott Cutler and Anne Preven and one of Babyface’s producers. Plus, she’s reading some scripts. Note: According to Vote for the Worst, Syesha is set to perform on the Top 5 Results show.
  • Kristy Lee Cook – VIDEO – Kristy Lee is working on some music and has some gigs coming up this summer. She bought a house and is working with her horse rescue foundation.
  • Taylor Hicks – VIDEO – Taylor just finished his album The Distance. He thinks it’s his best work as an artist to date. Currently, he’s playing Teen Angel in the national touring company of Grease.
  • Brooke White – VIDEO – Brooke is working on her new album High Hopes and Hearbreak due to be released June 2. Her single “Hold Up My Heart” hit the iTunes Top 10 after its release.
  • Michael Johns – VIDEO – Michael is releasing a single and album, but the release dates have been pushed up since this interview. The album, Hold Back My Heart will drop June 23rd.   The single, “Heart on My Sleeve” April 14. More HERE.
  • Carly Smithson -VIDEO – Carly was just putting the finishing touches on her record. “Industry felt differently about a direction for me,” says Carly, “I felt I needed to go away and finish songs I had already written to show them, ‘No, this is who Carly really is.’”
  • Jason Castro -VIDEO – According to Jason, he’s been signed. “I found a home at Atlantic Records,” he says. The plan is to release an album out by summer.   There’s more about Jason’s upcoming album HERE.

 
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  • Jolene

    According to Vote for the Worst, Syesha is set to perform on the Top 5 Results show.

    GTFO, Seriously?

    Elliott has a new single out and he could use some AI pimpage… I hope he has one of the performance slots. Syesha is just about the last person I’d guess, right under Kristy Lee Cook.

    Her single à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hold Up My Heartà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    The album, Hold Back My Heart

    The single, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Heart on My Sleeveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    What is it with the excessive use of the word “heart”? :blink_tb:

  • downeast

    Well, it must be a holiday weekend, because with the possible exception of Jason (and I’m being really generous) that’s like the ultimate list of AI who gives a crap.

  • weareallinnocent

    ^^Thought the same thing about the hearts! Dang. Don’t forget “High Hopes and Heartbreak!”

    I’m no Syesha fan, but girl can sing, so if she’s featured, I’m happy for her.

    I didn’t watch Elliot’s season, but I agree that any former Idol who has new music to promote should appear on the show if at all possible. They’ve shown results shows can easily accommodate two acts, one Idol, one not. So AI should not be heard to say they need bigger acts for ratings and revenue purposes.

    And, again, no fan, but AI needs to suck it up and have Taylor on to promote his album. They owe him that, he’s one of their winners forgodsakes.

  • leome

    According to Vote for the Worst, Syesha is set to perform on the Top 5 Results show.

    Hope so! Good to see some confirmation that she’s really working on something.

  • Trina

    I really, really liked Syesha so I’m happy to hear this. I love me some Elliott but he’s been on the show twice already since his season ended so I don’t have a problem with them giving some time to Syesha. She did come in 3rd after all. Poor Taylor is the one I really feel bad for. If they don’t have him on this season to promote his album, well that’s just cruel. He truly is the red headed stepchild of the winners then.

  • Skylark

    Brooke really likes the letter H!

    Never too much Elliott for me!

  • Dr. Tracey

    Jason cracks me up……..”good luck sucker” LOLOLOL
    I’m looking forward to hearing his CD, if it ever appears, who knows with Atlantic.
    I wasn’t a fan of Syesha but if she’s been working with one of Babyfaces’ producers i’m at least interested enough to take a listen.
    Personally i’d rather see Elliott on the show performing his new single than her any day.

  • brie200

    Hopefully Syesha will at least be singing a non Idol cover. I only say that because even her AI Extra performance (when these interviews were filmed) was a cover she did on Idol. Seems kind of stupid to not use the free publicity.

  • hollygo9

    Elliott has a new single out and he could use some AI pimpageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    WORD. I’ve been hoping that he’d be on soon.

  • bigjr6633

    Like someone said already everyone on Idol should at least get the chance to perforn once so I’m happy for Syesha. Why isn’t Melinda Doolittle considered to be a guest on the show, seriously she has a new album out right now and a single that’s need promoting. If they don’t have Melinda on Idol this year, I will be pissed.

  • amy123

    I’m glad to hear that Carly is almost finished with her album and can’t wait to buy it!!! Plus I admire her for staying true to herself with her music-she seems so happy with the way it’s turned out. Her and Michael Johns were my Top 2 in Season 7 and I’m really looking forward to buying both of their albums.

  • kimberann

    Most talented season EVAH!!!

  • lydia

    Absolutely agree that Melinda Doolittle deserves to have the opportunity to promote her awesome album on Idol.

  • lizland

    So there are 5 more results shows before the finale. We know that Jennifer Hudson (next week) and Archie (final 3) are already booked. Who will be the other 3? I predict Melinda Doolittle is one. I can’t imagine them wasting a spot on Seyesha. Not because she isn’t talented, but if she doesn’t have a single to pimp what is the point?

    Also, I expect Michael Johns since they seem to like him and he has a single out this week. Last one should probably be Taylor Hicks if they liked him, so maybe it is Seyesha or Elliot gets a shot.

  • undercooked

    And, again, no fan, but AI needs to suck it up and have Taylor on to promote his album. They owe him that, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s one of their winners forgodsakes.

    So true. He deserves to be on there.

  • Lu

    Agree…. why Syesha? What is she promoting?

  • brie200

    I doubt they would have MJ again when he’s already been on once this season. Why should he get two shots before other Idols get one?

  • Trina

    I wonder if Daughtry will have a single ready to pimp on there before the season is up. He hasn’t been on to sing since he sang “Home” Top 2 night in season 6.

  • MN Sue

    I’ve never bought into the theory of Idol blackballing Taylor. They have more important things to do then persistently sabotage an Idol winner’s career. However, Season 8 is running out of performance slots (Syesha? WTF!). Ultimatum time: If Idol snubs Taylor and “The Distance” this season I will become a full blown proponent of the Idol Hates Taylor collective!

  • aly

    They do seem to like Michael. I would be estatic if he
    gets the opportunity to perform his new single
    “Heart on my Sleeve” on AI this year!

  • brie200

    I’m not doubting they like Michael. That much is obvious since I’ve never seen another 8th place finisher get so much attention from TPTB. What I’m doubting is they will give him 2 performance slots in the same AI season when others like Melinda and etc. haven’t even gotten one. But TPTB have done weirder things.

  • abbysee

    I would like to see Syesha, it was difficult power voting to keep her in the competition, but it had to be done. That will be my reward, but truthfully only is she has new material.

    Archie top three confirmed? I certainly hope so.

    Taylor note at all, sign me up for the sucks to be Taylor contingent. Damn, did he pee in someones Cheerio’s or refuse to give Simon a pedicure?

    Anyway, I would love to see Elliott and Melinda. They could be on the same show, or the same week. They could skip the incongruous chart topper thing they’ve been doing. Although I loved Lady Gaga, we could really scrap the other stars from here on out and only do idol alumni. Especially Taylor.

    I don’t expect Daughtry this year. He’s not promoting anything and it would be a waste frankly. Also for some reason I think that might be one invitation he might want to mistakenly overlook.

    I love Michael Johns, but he’s had his shot, it was premature, but he had it, so next…..

  • Suzanne

    I can’t believe one of those performance slots is going to Syesha when she isn’t releasing anything right now. Such a waste. That means there’s only two spots open right? Top 6 and Top 4. With Elliott and Melinda releasing CDs now, and Taylor with a release, seeing Syesha seems . . . I don’t know . . . baffling?

  • yeahyeahsure

    Syesha?! SERIOUSLY?! Ew. Well if she’s in fact performing, then I better see Elliott performing. I read somewhere that Jordin might be taping something this week. Has anybody heard that rumor? But what could she possibly be performing? Isn’t she in an in-between albums hibernation too like Daughtry?

  • shy215

    well i’ve said it b4 i’l say it again i havent watched since season 4 becuz dats when i realized da shyt was rigged and as for taylor da only reason he won was becuz america wanted 2 piss off simon and with sanjaya especially after da whole constantine fiasco da american idol is supposed 2 be fresh n new not lookin 40 yrs old at 28 and besides even tho there is talent dis year some how american idol is still very cheesy and da only way u get press is if u become a sex symbol…lol

  • undercooked

    Ok, I may be the only one, but I would love to see Blake Lewis come on and do one of his new dance track type songs.

  • sma11ie

    I wonder if Daughtry will have a single ready to pimp on there before the season is up. He hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t been on to sing since he sang à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Homeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Top 2 night in season 6.

    He was “kinda” on for IGB last year with the acoustic What About Now clip from the band’s trip to Africa. IIRC, that version of the single went on sale on iTunes for charity or something? And his songs got used a bunch of times last season in clips and stuff. But yeah, not the same as a results night performance slot I guess. I’m super surprised about the rumor about Syesha getting a slot. How many slots are there left after Jhud next week? We know Archie’s got one. That leaves what, like 4? I agree with everyone who says they should really only give it to Idols with something to promote.

  • lizland

    I wonder if they do market research to see who is likely to draw the biggest ratings. That may decide who gets the call. First priority would be 19 artists, then ones likely to pull in the ratings. I’m guessing Pickler was there to try to keep the country fans tuned in.

    I wonder how compensation works for artists who appear. None? Artists pay to be on due to the “promotion value”. AI pays the artists for the ratings boost?

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    OK. I just heard from somebody who is in regular contact with Syesha. He’s somebody who has slipped me reliable Syesha info in the past, so I know he is legit.

    According to this source, he contacted Syesha and she told him that she is NOT scheduled to appear on Idol at this time…

  • chicksineggz

    Ok, I may be the only one, but I would love to see Blake Lewis come on and do one of his new dance track type songs.

    I would LOVE that. (:

    And yay. Syesha is not performing.

  • Michelle

    Ok, I may be the only one, but I would love to see Blake Lewis come on and do one of his new dance track type songs.

    I would LOVE that. (:

    Me too! I’d love to see what he’s been working on since leaving the Idol Machine.

    LOL everyone sure is hard on Syesha. I wouldn’t mind seeing her again. Even though it seems vftw had bad info.

    I hope Melinda gets to come back.

  • cay

    I’d Looove Blake Lewis to come on and sing. It would be a great season for him to sing a dance track. I think the whole vibe this year is current, young and fun.

  • hardkandy

    I wouldn’t mind seeing Syesha again…as long as she’s performing new material. If it’s just a cover, then I’d rather see people who actually have something to promote.
    Now that Jason has signed with a non-Sony major label… does it mean we can write off him being a guest in AI? Has an idol who has signed with a non-Sony major label ever guested to perform in AI?

  • iloveidol

    This is one of those times where I wish VFTW was right. I would’ve LOVED to see Syesha come back and perform. She wrote on her Facebook page that Idol hasn’t asked her to come perform which is a bummer. She did say she’s working with some grammy award winning producers and writers, so she must have a song she can promote. Maybe she is gonna sing, maybe Idol just hasn’t asked her yet, i dunno. Either way, I’d love to see her on that stage again.

  • Grammie Kari

    I would like to see Season 5 winner, Taylor Hicks on the show!! Having Melinda would also be nice.

  • lefty

    Well, Lil’s lucky that Syesha’s not coming back. Love her or hate her, Sy schools Lil when it comes to the big belting.

  • CFIdolsfan

    Agreed that Melinda should be brought back. She’s got a cd out, plus has done charitable stuff with First Lady Laura Bush and has received several accolades (I guess that’s the word). And why not even Chris Sligh or Phil Stacey? Chris has done pretty well in Christian music and his one song is being sung by Rascal Flatts. Phil has toured like crazy and has done so well with his patriotic single, reaching out to the military and performed for them overseas. Evenif his cd has not done as well, his songs have done well with those doing fundraisers and such, because they are so positive and encouraging. And he constantly “tweets” about what is going on with his new cd. Seems like many have something against season 6 and its contestants.,

  • sma11ie

    Love her or hate her, Sy schools Lil when it comes to the big belting.

    So true. I just don’t get Lil. I think Syesha’s a great singer, and am glad things are going for her, but I just don’t think she should be invited back until/unless she has original music already out for sale. It’s a waste otherwise.

  • lefty

    You know, I was never a big fan of Syesha myself, although I think she has a fabulous voice. I did think that she was totally underappreciated by the judges much of the time last season. I find it ironic that there was so much emphasis on the “package artist” concept this season, as Syesha is really the ultimate package – drop-dead gorgeous and much more talented than any of the “packages” the judges served up this season. Too bad she didn’t wait until season 8 to audition. (not that 3rd place is anything to regret, of course)