Headlines: Adam Lambert on Rise of LGBTQ Artists, David Archuleta Mental Health

Rob Riggle to Host AMERICAN VALOR: A SALUTE TO OUR HEROES – The American Veterans Center’s annual broadcast special in honor of Veterans Day, American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes, will once again return to television this year. Emmy Award nominated actor/comedian and veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Rob Riggle, will reprise his role as host for the evening, paying tribute to our service men and women spanning from World War II to the present day. Noted celebrities will lend their voices to tell the stories of service and valor, including Terry Crews, John Cena, Lauren Fishburne, Gary Sinise, Mike Rowe, Allison Janney and Clint Eastwood. Joining American Valor as a presenter of these stories of service and sacrifice is Kyle Chandler, Ben Foster, Kellie Pickler, and Charlie Weber along with White House Correspondents Kyra Phillips (ABC News) and John Roberts (Fox News). American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes, presented by Northrop Grumman, will be nationally Syndicated to over 100 million households on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations nationwide. – Read more at BroadwayWorld.com

Ricky Duran enters ‘Battle Rounds’ on ‘The Voice,’ gets offer from Worcester Red Sox to sing at Polar Park in 2021 – Worcester County native Ricky Duran is representing his home with style on NBC’s “The Voice,” as he heads into the “Battle Rounds.” But when he gets home, the Worcester Red Sox have an offer waiting for him. Duran spoke to MassLive Friday and said Worcester Red Sox President Dr. Charles Steinberg offered to have Duran sing the National Anthem at Polar Park in 2021. “It’s been awesome,” Duran said. “My hometown of Grafton and all of Worcester County has just been so supportive and I just get messages every day.” – Read more at MassLive

Adam Lambert: Happy to see more LGBTQ artists find success – NEW YORK (AP) — Adam Lambert, who rose on the music scene as the runner-up on “America Idol” in 2009, says he’s happy to see more mainstream LGBTQ artists find major success. “I think it’s less taboo to be queer in the music industry now because there’s so many cases you can point to like, ‘Oh, it worked for him. It worked for her.’ I think 10 years ago, it was a lot different,” Lambert said in a recent interview. “Ten years ago, it was kind of like no one really knew. And I met a lot of amazing people in the industry — executives, people, publicists, marketing people — who on a personal level were cool with me and totally open, but didn’t understand how this was going to work in mainstream America, or the world for that matter.” “Now, I think there’s been some research and they know better. Now, people aren’t as scared. They’re not as fearful. There’s answers. There’s examples,” he continued. – Read more at Associated Press

Cassadee Pope Proudly ‘Poached’ Some Maren Morris Fans After Girl: The World Tour (Exclusive) – When Cassadee Pope joined Maren Morris on Morris’ Girl: The World Tour, she was grateful for the opportunity to perform in front of larger crowds than she could draw on her own, at this stage in her career. Although Morris and Pope are good friends, on and off stage, Pope proudly “poached” some of Morris’ fans, who quickly became fans of Pope’s music as well.
“That tour was so great,” Pope told PopCulture.com. “It was a perfect fit. She and I are very similar in our outlooks and I feel like we are sort of left of center when it comes to being a country artist. But ever since then, I think it’s just been a lot of being on the road. It’s been going out there and promoting the songs and the album. – Read more at Popculture.com

Inside American Idol Alum Josh Gracin and Wife Katie’s Intimate Baby Shower for Son Luka – Josh Gracin and his wife Katie are one step closer to welcoming their son Luka into the world! The American Idol alum, 38, and Katie, 28 — who are expecting their first child together — are giving PEOPLE an exclusive look inside their gorgeous baby shower. And the event was extra significant for the couple. “The shower was in St. Louis, where Katie is from,” Gracin tells PEOPLE, opening up about the intimate affair. “We were surrounded by 30-plus family members and friends.” – See the Photos at People

David Archuleta | Behind the Brand – This might be David Archuleta’s most in-depth and vulnerable interview where he shares never-before-heard stories from American Idol; his ongoing struggle with depression and an important message about taking care of your mental health.

Bobby Bones Credits ‘American Idol’ for His Close Friendship With Luke Bryan – Radio host Bobby Bones is juggling his time on his award-winning The Bobby Bones Show with his time taping shows for the upcoming season of American Idol, among other projects. While Bones enjoys plenty of aspects of being on the reality TV talent show, the best part for him has been becoming close friends with Idol judge Luke Bryan. “It’s great,” Bones told PopCulture.com. “I love the people there. I just wish people could see how nice of a dude superstar Luke Bryan is. ‘Cause he’s a superstar, but, I get to spend time with him as friends now, and a lot of time he’s just the greatest dude. And the more I hang out with him, the more I’m like man I wish people [knew him]. – Read more at Popculture.com

About mj santilli 35110 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!