Headlines: Alums Return to Idol to Help, The Voice Coaches Talk 10 Years

Why Ruben Studdard & James Durbin Returned to ‘American Idol’ to Help Out With a ‘Surreal’ Season – Studdard joined the audition waiting room several times over the audition process to discuss his experience with Patrick Lynn, a senior supervising producer who has been with the show since day one, to play a few clips from Ruben’s run in 2003, and do a short Q&A with the waiting singers. That ended up being the best words of wisdom possible because trying to learn new songs in the pressure cooker Idol environment can be super stressful, so Studdard made sure to share that pearl of wisdom and encourage this year’s contestants to “sing the songs you know!!” For him, of course, it was also personal. “I was told there was a female contestant, that lives with Tourette’s Syndrome that I’ve met on several occasions and asked them if it was Anilee!” he says. “I hadn’t seen or heard from her in maybe five years and was blown away when my wife Heidi and I listened to a video on Anilee’s Instagram. She’s an undeniable talent.” Because they kind of knew each other already, Durbin says he was excited to say hello and surprise List after she got her golden ticket. – Read more at Billboard – Read more at Billboard.com

The Voice 10th anniversary: Getting ‘this country guy’ to be their last coach, broken red chairs, and more – “I have been one of these artists, and it was cool because he actually gave a crap. He really cared, and it was nice. And I paid attention to that — I don’t think I ever told him that,” Clarkson admits, looking back to her first time on the show as a Team Blake advisor in season 2 (she joined as a coach in 2018). “I knew what to expect a bit because I’ve been on a singing competition, but I will tell you, nothing prepares you for the blinds. You turn around and you’re like, ‘What?! Whoa, you’re a different human than I imagined in my head.'” – Read more at Ew.com

‘America’s Got Talent’ Judges Talk Reuniting with Simon Cowell – “Extra’s” Terri Seymour spoke with Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Terry Crews as they promoted the new season of “America’s Got Talent.” As for how it feels to have the gang back together since Cowell’s back injury, Heidi said, “I’m excited that we get to have fun again.” – Extra

‘American Idol’ Finalist, James Durbin, Returns to his Metal Roots on ‘The Beast Awakens’ – “They are the go-to house of Rock and Roll,” Durbin told American Songwriter about the signing. “I wanted to do something heavier like classic metal, something really retro, you know in theme and style. I thought of Black Sabbath, Motley Crue’s Too Fast for Love, early Judas Priest, and older Sammy Hagar.” Genre-specific themes also accompanied the classic ‘80s heavy metal and first-wave of British heavy metal Durbin had in mind. “I wanted to write about dragons, wizards, warlocks and demons and stuff like that,” Durbin said about the album. “But I also didn’t want to write filler. I wanted every song to be the best that it could be. I didn’t write a pool of 40 songs, I wrote 13 songs, and there’s 13 songs on the album.” – Read more at American Songwriter

About mj santilli 34876 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!