‘We are looking for a superstar’: American Idol auditions in the Scenic City – CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — More than 1,000 people came to audition for American Idol in Chattanooga Tuesday. Patrick Lynn, a senior producer for American Idol, says they’re looking for someone with the right voice of course, but also personality and stage presence. “We are looking for a superstar,” Lynn said. “We try to tell people all the time don’t just stand there and sing, it’s not just about the voice, it’s about your personality, about who you are, it’s about your stage presence, it’s about a hundred different things.” – Read more at NewsChannel9
See Jordin Sparks’ Birth Plan Take a Dramatic Turn in Upcoming Lifetime Special – She may have walked the red carpet just days after giving birth, but Jordin Sparks’ road to motherhood was a bumpy one. Cameras rolled as the singer prepared to give birth to her and husband Dana Isaiah’s first child together in May, and E! News has an exclusive look at the moment Jordin’s water broke. In the upcoming Lifetime special, Jordin Sparks: A Baby Story, the 28-year-old American Idol alum invites fans to witness the latest chapter of her personal life. In the clip, Jordin’s loved ones gather at home to comfort the mom-to-be as she experiences the intense pain of contractions. Sparks would ultimately deliver a healthy baby boy named DJ, though another clip from before she went into labor further highlights the familial tension between her mom and husband. – See the Videos at E Online
Heart of the Batter with Jordin Sparks – A preview of Jordin Sparks new digital baking show.
Lauren Alaina Cancels Performance Due to Family Medical Emergency – Lauren Alaina has been forced to bow out of a planned concert appearance in Rochester, N.Y., after a family emergency sprang up. The “Doin’ Fine” singer was supposed to perform Wednesday night (Aug. 29) as part of the lineup for Bands at Barnard, which is the last show of the Summer Concert Series from country station 92.5 WBEE in Rochester. The station turned to social media on Tuesday (Aug. 28) to announce that Alaina would be unable to perform, writing, “Due to a family medical emergency @Lauren_Alaina will not be appearing Wednesday night at Bands at Barnard. Alaina turned to her own social media to apologize for the cancellation, writing, “I’m really sorry I can’t be there. Love you guys.” She has not shared any further information as to the nature of her family medical emergency, but on June 30 Alaina revealed that her stepfather, Sam Ramker, is battling Stage 4 cancer. – Read more at Taste of Country
Courtney has the scoop on the Queen + Adam Lambert residency – More at LasVegasNow
Queen and Adam Lambert Arrive in Las Vegas – Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and singer Adam Lambert arrive in Las Vegas by private jet Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. Queen + Adam Lambert will kick off “The Crown Jewels,” a 10-date engagement, on Saturday, Sept. 1 at the Park Theater at Park MGM. – See the Photos at LasVegasSun
Adam Lambert Defends Sam Smith for Saying He Doesn’t Like Michael Jackson: ‘Give Him a Break’ – Adam Lambert is setting the record straight about that viral video he accidentally posted in which Sam Smith said he doesn’t like the King of Pop. “We had been out at sea all day! We had had some champagne! I got home, and I was like, ‘I wanna post a picture of my new Gucci sunglasses!’ So I had my phone on mute because I wasn’t thinking. And I was looking through video, and I see a cute one of me in the sunglasses, and ‘Oh, there’s Sam, okay I’ll post it!’ I did not listen to the video,” says Lambert, who will front Queen during the band’s upcoming “Crown Jewels” residency in Las Vegas. – Read more at People
Kelly Clarkson, Billie Jean King highlight Opening Night Ceremony – The stars came out for a dazzling display of music and tennis on Monday night at the Opening Night Ceremony of the 2018 US Open. After looking back at the past, the US Open kicked off the present tournament with a stirring performance by three-time Grammy Award-winning artist and first-ever “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson, who performed a medley of her greatest hits. “I love opening for Serena Williams,” Clarkson told the crowd. – Photos at USOpen.org
Taylor Hicks No Bad Blood … McPhee’s ‘Runner-Up’ Tweet Was Brilliant – Taylor Hicks says even though Katharine McPhee’s recent tweet about voting seemed to shade him pretty hard … it’s really all in good fun, and for a good cause. Taylor praised Kat’s post as a brilliant way to encourage people to register to vote in the 2018 midterms. He says he and Kat remain supportive of each other — but he still threw some playful shade back her way. – More at TMZ
In Case you Missed It…
You’re right, voting DOES matter! But you’re a little late to the party, Kat ? https://t.co/gefcNBfeNu
— Taylor Hicks (@TaylorHicks) August 28, 2018
Jessica Meuse Explains Why Album Title ‘Halfhearted’ Doesn’t Mean What You Think – Your debut album, Halfhearted, has just been released. When did you first think about recording an album? After American Idol, I knew that I wanted to have an album, because I wanted to show people what kind of a musician, vocalist and writer I had evolved into after that entire experience. Before Idol, I only knew what I knew by teaching myself and now that I’ve been to Hollywood and been through a lot of the industry craziness, I learned so much about myself and that’s going to translate into my songs and I wanted people to hear that maturity. I’ve always had the idea of recording an album. I have an album that was very poorly and cheaply made back in 2010, when I had a different manager. He had a tin ear. He decided it would be a good idea to make the album without a click track. I have definitely come a long way and I’m very happy with how Halfhearted turned out as far as showing who I am as a person and how I’ve grown as a musician. – Read more at Billboard.com
Ally Brooke Signs to Latium Entertainment/Atlantic Records – It’s official: every member of Fifth Harmony has a solo deal now. Ally Brooke celebrated her signing with Latium Entertainment/Atlantic Records on Tuesday (Aug. 28) with a heartfelt post about how the occasion marked the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
“Story time friends… I had a dream since I was 12 years old to be signed to a label,” she wrote alongside a photo next to the Atlantic logo. “My parents brought me from San Antonio to LA at that tender age, simply because they believed in me. We didn’t have much, but we sure had a dream. We took every meeting, every session, every opportunity imaginable, and worked our behinds off for YEARS. Laughing, crying, sacrificing, hoping, wishing, and praying.” – Read more at Billboard.com
Derek Hough Talks ‘World of Dance,’ His Upcoming Solo Tour & a Possible Show With Sister Julianne – What made you say yes to this show? Derek Hough: People asked me why are you doing another dance show? I’d say just wait till this comes out. The talent is on another level. This truly is the next level of shows that are about dancing. Being a competitor throughout the world myself since I was 12 years old, I love the idea of opening up a dance competition to the entire planet. I love the different styles that have come onto the show. You’re always seeing an amazing performance because they’re at their peak after working hard for years to get to where they are now. – Read more at TVInsider.com
