Tonight, the America’s Got Talent Semi-Finals air at 8 ET/PT pm on NBC. Join our Live Blog.
Even Carrie Underwood’s Parents Got Rid of Her Softball Trophies – What was “your” sport in particular? Definitely softball, I loved softball so much and played for nine years. We played slow pitch in the summer. I played fast-pitch for a little bit in high school but ended up having to quit the team because I kept missing practices due to my singing. I think I made the right choice! But I’m so glad I got those years playing. – Read more at People
What Sports Taught Me | CALIA by Carrie Underwood
Carrie becomes emotional when she returns to visit her hometown. She meets and encourages young local athletes.
‘American Idol’ Alum Avalon Young Makes a ‘Shift’ – “I’m not America’s sweetheart, and I’m a just a little different, so when I went home in top 8, I wasn’t really surprised,” she says. “At the end of the day, you have to realize 80,000 people auditioned and only one of them got to win. All the way up to top 8, I had been just so surprised I even made it. I thought I wasn’t going to get through Hollywood Week, and now here I am with my first album on the charts at No. 2. That has been crazy.” Young is still in charge of all of her decisions, remaining an independent artist and having a hand in co-writing every track on the album, which features production and credits by Midi Jones, Jbird, Jayme David Silverstein, Jonah Christian and frequent collaborator J. Dodd. To give fans a sense of that, Young released a behind-the-scenes video exploring the creative input into Shift. – Read more at Billboard
David Archuleta Helps Flood Relief Efforts in Louisiana – LDS pop star David Archuleta uploaded videos yesterday from his time in Louisiana where he has been helping with the flood relief efforts. He posted on social media: “Down in Louisiana helping out with the flood damage. Didn’t have time to post this earlier today but it is a good feeling to help however you can. It’s sad to see the damage to so many homes but amazing to see everyone come together. Service. Do it!” – Read more at LDS Daily
Lauren Alaina Sings an Alicia Keys Song on Helium
Jason Castro, Rockwall’s onetime ‘American Idol’ phenom, sheds dreads, joins siblings in new band – “It’s just a neat thing, being able to do this with your family,” says Jason. “In the past, every interview, every picture, every autograph … it was all on me. So I’m thankful I’m able to do this with their support.” Jackie, 21, says forming a sibling band was a natural progression after growing up in a tight-knit, music-loving Columbian-American household in Rowlett. When Jason was drumming in the local rock band Keeping Lions, he taught Jackie to play guitar and invited her onstage to sing Taylor Swift songs at the Door and the Prophet Bar in Deep Ellum. – Read more at GuideLive.com
Zayn Malik ‘Not Sufficiently Confident’ to Perform in Dubai – Anxiety is known to take a major toll on the careers of musicians like Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello of Fifth Harmony and now, Zayn Malik who was set to appear in Dubai at the Autism Rocks Arena on Oct. 7 but pulled out due to his anxiety. “I have been working over the last three months to overcome my extreme anxiety around major live solo performances I feel I am making progress,” Malik penned in a letter to his fans. Unfortunately, Zayn is no stranger to the crippling affects of anxiety. The “Pillowtalk” singer canceled his appearance at the Summertime Ball festival in London on June 11 and promised to make it up to his fans. – Read more at Billboard
