Coming to Big Slick: Kansas City’s ‘American Idol’ winner, a CNN star and King Arthur – David Cook and CNN anchor Jake Tapper will return to Big Slick Celebrity Weekend, organizers announced Thursday as the guest list grows for the annual star-filled benefit for Children’s Mercy. Cook, a Blue Springs native and “American Idol” winner, has become a regular, performing at the party and auction at the T-Mobile Center. Tapper, of CNN’s “The Lead,” last appeared in 2021, the second year the fundraiser was held virtually because of the pandemic. Tapper’s wife is from St. Joseph. They’ll join their guests at a softball game at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, June 2, and the Big Slick Party & Show at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, June 3. – Read more at Kansas City.com
Hunter Metts Signs Publishing Deal with BMG – The American Idol season 19 alum Hunter Metts has signed a publishing deal with BMG. Hunter writes on Instagram: “Officially a member of the BMG family. I few months ago I was offered a publishing deal from BMG and it’s truly been a dream come true.” Season 19 winner Chayce Beckham writes in comments “Well deserved brother, this makes me so stoked. Let’s go!” A bunch of other Idol alums congratulate him in comments as well.
Scotty McCreery Celebrates New RIAA Platinum Certifications – Scotty McCreery has reached new heights with a few of his hits as “Five More Minutes,” the first of his five consecutive No. 1 singles, has achieved RIAA triple-Platinum status, and “Damn Strait,” the most recent of his back-to-back hits, has gone Platinum. “I’ve always said that ‘Five More Minutes’ is my favorite song I’ve ever written. For it to become my first triple-Platinum single means it has really connected with the fans, and as a songwriter that’s what you hope for,” says McCreery. “‘Damn Strait’ is one of the most fun songs I get to sing live each night. I’m excited to see the success of both of these songs recognized by the fans and the RIAA.” – Read more at Music Row
2023 Can’t Cancel Pride Returns With Star-Studded Lineup – Hosted by JoJo Siwa on June 15th, this year’s Can’t Cancel Pride will feature performances and appearances from influential voices in the LGBTQ+ community, including Elton John Impact Award recipient Brandi Carlile, Adam Lambert, Big Freedia, Ciara, Billy Porter, Hayley Kiyoko, Kelsea Ballerini, Kesha and more. Fans can tune in to Can’t Cancel Pride 2023 and watch the one-hour benefit special via iHeartRadio’s YouTube and Facebook pages, as well as iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com, Revry, The Roku Channel and The Advocate Channel on June 15th at 8pm ET/5pm PT. The event will then be available on-demand throughout Pride Month, until Friday, June 30th. – Read more at iHeart.com
Adam Lambert partners with Orly for limited edition nail collection – Orly has announced a limited edition High Drama x Pride collection with Adam Lambert. The Adam Lambert x Orly: High Drama set is a bold and vibrant collection inspired by the pop icon’s current solo album High Drama which earned him his fifth Top 10. While the collection will be exclusively available on orlybeauty.com starting June 2nd, fans can join the waitlist to receive in time to celebrate Pride Month. Proceeds from the collection will benefit Stand With Trans, a non-profit organization providing critical support for trans youth and families. Each shade was curated by Lambert and brings a different element to center stage. Individual polishes retail for $10.50 and the six-piece collection retails for $63. – Read more at The Music Universe.com
Keith Urban Talks Returning to ‘American Idol’ as a Mentor: ‘You Have to Believe in Yourself & The Journey You Are On’ – Nearly seven years after serving as an American Idol judge from 2012-16 (seasons 12-15 on Fox, before the show moved to ABC), Urban will return to the Idol franchise as a guest mentor and will also perform his 2022 top five Country Airplay hit “Wild Hearts.” “I had a great time as a judge and being on the show. Every season was a blast for me, so to come back and get to mentor and perform as well feels fantastic,” Urban tells Billboard. Urban spoke with Billboard about the keys to mentoring rising artists, some unique upcoming collaborations he’s been working on, and when fans might expect a new album. – Read more at Billboard
‘American Idol’s Iam Tongi Promises To ‘Give It My All’ In The Finale & Teases Post-‘Idol’ Plans – Regardless of the results in the grand finale, Iam is already planning for the future. “I just want to play concerts and live performances because I really love performing live,” he told HollywoodLife. “It just feels good when I’m on that stage and the lights and I just close my eyes and get into that feel. When other people witness that and also can connect to it’s just crazy.” – Read more at Hollywood Life
David Archuleta on coming out, struggling with suicidal thoughts, being ‘done’ with the church and dating men: ‘I’m 32 years old and finally knowing what it feels like to have a crush’ – “I feel like I’ve had to distance myself, really, from what I first based my faith on, and just faith in general,” says the former ‘American Idol’ teen star, who came out as queer after “attempting to be straight for 15 years.” – Read more at Yahoo
David Archuleta Calls ‘The Masked Singer’ Experience 15 Years After ‘American Idol’ ‘Healing – “It was so much fun,” Archuleta says. “It took some encouragement for my team to do something like this, because I developed a fear for some reason of doing competitions on TV, but I’m really glad I did it. It ended up becoming a very healing experience.” – Read more at People
