Headlines: Inside Kelly Clarkson's Piece By Piece Return

Tonight, The Top 6 become the Top 5 on American Idol on FOX. Adam Lambert and Empire stars perform. We live blog at 8 ET.

Jason Derulo to Host iHeartRadio Music Awards – Jason Derulo will host the 2016 edition of the iHeartRadio Music Awards, parent company iHeartMedia announced on Thursday (March 17). The April 3 event being held at the Forum in Los Angeles will also feature performances by Zayn Malik, Chris Brown, DNCE, Fetty Wap and Demi Lovato. They join previously announced appearances by Justin Bieber and Meghan Trainor, with more to be revealed later. In a simulcast from Houston, Pitbull and Maroon 5 will take the stage as part of the March Madness Music Festival’s Capital One JamFest. The iHeartRadio Music Awards will air live on TBS, TNT and truTV at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter

Inside Kelly Clarkson’s Unlikely Radio Return with ‘Piece By Piece – “We have a lot of artists doing a lot of TV shows, and the truth of the matter is, it’s extraordinarily rare that something like this happens,” says John Fleckstein, executive VP of RCA Records. “In the world of instant gratification, the song was already out there, [and] it wasn’t anywhere on the charts, but it was so resonant on TV that it immediately spiked. That evening we were all immediately calling each other and emailing each other within our company remarking about how quickly it was moving up the charts. By the next morning, it was in the Top 10, and we were on the phone at 7:00 AM that day convening about what we should do.” For Clarkson, that reach is going to continue widening: Fleckstein confirms that, when it comes to the radio push for the new version of the song, “We’re going everywhere,” particularly Top 40 and Hot AC. – Read more at Fuse.tv

‘American Idol’ hopefuls MacKenzie Bourg and La’Porsha Renae sing Louisiana’s praises – Bourg: Coming into the week, we didn’t put a super amount of thought into the duet. We were kind of under the impression it was less of a thing where we’d be judged. I had no idea we’d actually be judged for it — and more just kind of like, just go out there and have fun. You saw during the (judge’s reactions) I was just kind of like laughing my way through what they were saying. It’s not that I didn’t agree. I was just like, ‘OK, let’s just get this over with so I can get to the real performance.’ – Read more at Nola.com

Jordan Smith on Finding True Love with Fiancée Kristen: ‘We’re Meant to Be Together’ – “I’ve known for a very long time she was going to be my wife,” says the season nine winner of NBC’s The Voice. “I knew we were meant to be together.” The couple first met at summer camp and have been dating for nearly four years. “I was a camper and she was a counselor. It was a little scandalous,” jokes Smith. “We just got along so great and it was such a perfect fit.” – Read more at People.com

David Cook talks Royals, ‘American Idol’ and independence on his new label – You recently appeared on an episode of the show. What can you tell us about that and how do you feel about the show being in its final season? A: Going back was great. As you go through that process as a contestant, you build relationships not just with the other competitors, but with the people behind the scenes. So getting to catch up with them is one of my favorite aspects of going back, but then to also get to help the new crop navigate this extremely unique experience is an added bonus. To see the show in its farewell season, my main emotion to that is sadness. It’s been such a great opportunity for so many, and to see that opportunity go away is a bummer. – Read more at Kansas City.com

Katie Stevens Talks ‘Faking It’, Karmy, ‘American Idol’ & More (Exclusive Interview) – JJJ: How do you feel about American Idol ending? Do you have a favorite contestant for this season?
KS: I can’t believe it’s ending! It truly is the end of an era! I am a big fan of La’Porsha! Her voice and presence is unreal! And I also love Mackenzie! He has this whole Ed Sheeran thing going on which I love! – Read more at Just Jared

Blood, Sweat & Tears still making fans so very happy – “I spent about a year moonlighting with Blood, Sweat & Tears,” Bice said in a recent phone interview from his home outside Atlanta. “Then it was two shows, then three turned into five into eight … that first year we did about 40 shows, the second year about 60 shows and last year about 80. “I’m very blessed to have this opportunity,” said Bice, who also has his own solo career — touring, songwriting and supporting the military and veterans. He took some time off in 2014 and 2015 from solo touring to focus on his gig with BS&T. – Read more at Frederick News Post

‘Passion’ for live musicals heats up on Fox – “I’ve always had a desire to act, but musicals (weren’t) one of the things I wanted to be in,” says Daughtry, an American Idol alum. It was only after he realized that it wouldn’t be another swords-and-sandals take on the Jesus story that he was game to give it a go. “I thought it was really cool that it wasn’t going to have that aesthetic at all, which makes it more relevant and compelling.” – Read more at USAToday

Fifth Harmony Brings Inspiration & Tears to Compton High School: ‘This Is What It’s All About’ – On Monday, Fifth Harmony came to Compton, California’s King/Drew Magnet School for a mentoring session sponsored by Urban Fitness 911, a Los Angles philanthropic organization addressing issues of disparity in health, fitness and academic skills among teens in low-income communities (the program was born out of a West Hollywood SoulCycle class, but that’s another story… ). “The whole program is about opportunity and showing these kids that they can be something, they can do something,” says Veronica Everett-Boyce, the founder, executive director and driving force behind the non-profit program. “People expect kids to know that and they don’t.” – Read more at Billboard.com

Carrie Underwood Set for Summer’s CMA Fest