Laine Hardy talks his ‘American Idol’ win, Elvis influence and ‘Vampire Diaries’ obsession – You and Alejandro were considered front-runners all season. What was it like going on this journey with him? Hardy: When it got down to about Top 14, me and Alejandro started getting coffee in the mornings together because we were all we had. Me and him just got close because we had the same mindset. He’s really smart with the music business and inspired me, and gave me a lot of good advice on stuff. We became good friends because when I had a bad day, he’d help me and when he’d have a bad day, I’d help him. You and Alejandro were considered front-runners all season. What was it like going on this journey with him? Hardy: When it got down to about Top 14, me and Alejandro started getting coffee in the mornings together because we were all we had. Me and him just got close because we had the same mindset. He’s really smart with the music business and inspired me, and gave me a lot of good advice on stuff. We became good friends because when I had a bad day, he’d help me and when he’d have a bad day, I’d help him. – Read more at USA Today
Laine Hardy Says He’s Feeling ‘So Many Different Emotions’ After Winning ‘American Idol’ (Exclusive) – “I’m still processing it but it’s been a crazy night,” Hardy told ET backstage after Sunday’s big finale, in which he beat out fellow finalists Alejandro Aranda and Madison VanDenburg. “My mind is so overwhelmed right now with so many different emotions. I really need to let it sink in. It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Hardy added. “I’m still processing it but it’s been a crazy night.” – Read more at ETOnline
Laine Hardy Reacts to Winning “American Idol” | E! Red Carpet & Award Shows
Ahead of The Voice Finale, the Top 4 Talk Winning and Losing – There are two four-chair turns left in the competition: Team John Legend’s Maelyn and Team Blake Shelton’s Dexter, but does that even mean anything at this point in the competition? “Not really,” frontrunner Maelyn tells Parade.com. “You have to work at it every single day. You have to make sure you are keeping the bar high and challenging yourself. I honestly don’t think about that anymore. I am, ‘What is the next thing I need to prepare?’” – Read more at Parade
‘American Idol’ Winner Maddie Poppe On Why Passing The Torch To A New Winner Is ‘Scary’ – “It is very scary, to be honest, but also it’s like, I think it’s time,” Maddie EXCLUSIVELY told HollywoodLife about passing the torch to a new American Idol winner. “It’s like now, it’s like as much as I loved talking about American Idol, it’s like now I’m not going to be interviewed about that. It’s going to be more about my music and what I’m really up to.” Maddie was also joined by her boyfriend and 2018 American Idol runner-up, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, 20, at the L.A. event, and they both admitted that stepping down from being on television every week and now trying to make their own way with their music, is a challenge, but a welcomed one. – Read more at Hollywood Life
Adam Lambert responds to claims Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody ‘whitewashed’ singer’s sexuality – Adam Lambert responds to claims Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody ‘whitewashed’ singer’s sexuality “People walk out of the film loving him and I think that’s the most important thing.” – Read more at Digital Spy
Fantasia’s Daughter Is All Grown Up and Graduating From High School – Fantasia’s daughter just accomplished something her mom didn’t get to do when she was her age. The singer’s 17-year-old just earned her high school diploma, and Fantasia proudly shared a picture from the moment on her Instagram page recently. In a simple Instagram post on Thursday, Fantasia uploaded a photo poising alongside Zion Quari Barrino and Zion’s father, Brandel Shouse. – Read more at Atlanta Black Star
Fantasia finds her peace – “I’ve been through a lot and I’ve learned a lot,” she recently told CNN. “I believe that that was necessary and on purpose for me to be able to be the woman I am today and run a business.” Since she first wowed audiences with her powerful pipes, “American Idol” has been rebooted by ABC.
On Sunday night that show crowned its latest winner. Speaking to CNN before the finale, Fantasia said her advice for the winner would be to “put God first.” “Everyone’s path is different,” she said. “Make sure you have the right people around you, because when you do, things will be a lot smoother.” – Read more at Cnn.com
