Jennifer Hudson to Exit ‘Color Purple’; Enter Heather Headley – Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar-winning singer making a sultry Broadway debut as the nightclub singer Shug Avery, is planning to leave the cast of “The Color Purple” next month, the show’s producers said Thursday. Ms. Hudson will be replaced by Heather Headley, a Tony-winning actress who originated two major stage roles for Disney and then, to the dismay of her fans, left Broadway 15 years ago. Ms. Hudson’s final performance will be on May 8, and Ms. Headley’s first will be on May 10. – Read more at The New York Times
Tristan McIntosh to perform with Kellie Pickler at Rivers & Spires – Rivers and Spires has announced that American Idol alum and Clarksville’s Got Talent winner Tristan McIntosh will take the stage with headliner Kellie Pickler on Saturday, April 16. “It’s honestly amazing to know that I’m performing with THE Kellie Pickler. She is such a talented artist. She sounds just as amazing in person as she does on a recording,” Tristan said. – Read more at ClarksvilleNow.com
Agoura Hills ‘American Idol’ contestant performs, mingles with hometown crowd – Olivia Rox went from the “American Idol” finale’s packed Dolby Theatre stage on Thursday night to the Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center the next evening for a homecoming. The top 10 “American Idol” contestant described the TV singing competition’s final show as “insane.” “It was pretty much 50 past and present Idols all coming together for one spectacular night,” said Rox, who was eliminated from the competition a few weeks ago. “To be able to share the stage with them was such an honor.” – Read more at VCstar.com
Studio Tenn explores genius of Ray Charles – Whether it was gospel, rhythm and blues, country or rock and roll, Ray Charles had a way of bringing his own unique style to every song he ever sang. And with “The Ray Legacy: A Tribute to the Soulful Genius,” Studio Tenn Theatre Company promises a unique celebration of Charles’ vast influence and unmistakable sound. As with the company’s previous Legacy productions, “The Ray Legacy” offers no narration or dialogue. But according to artistic director Matt Logan, this “theatrical concert” format “allows the music to speak for itself.”Studio Tenn has recruited an impressive lineup of vocalists and musicians to bring Charles’ vast catalog to life. The cast features several newcomers, including “American Idol” finalist Matt Giraud, Chris Lee, the Rev. Lawrence D. Thomison and Meggan Utech, along with Studio Tenn favorites Libby Black, Piper Jones, Laura Matula and John-Mark McGaha. – Read more at the Tennessean
Carrie Underwood on Her ‘Little Sponge’ Isaiah: ‘He’s Growing and Learning Every Day’ – “He’s the best thing,” she told PEOPLE at the 22nd Annual Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday. “I never really knew what it was like to love something or someone unconditionally until I had him.”
The “Church Bells” singer added, “He’s so sweet and so smart. He’s a little sponge just growing and learning every day. He’s just the best thing.” – Read more at People.com
Clay Aiken hits out at NC bathroom law, chides Trump –
After the recent Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act passed in his home state, Aiken added his voice to the rising chorus of criticism against North Carolina’s bill, which requires transgender individuals to use bathrooms that match their “biological sex.” Aiken told CNBC’s “On the Money” in an interview he is disappointed and frustrated by the government’s action, calling the law “discriminatory.” He added that it was ” ironic, because it’s an anti-discrimination bill.” Aiken, who was a contestant on “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2012, also spoke out about Donald Trump. Aiken told CNBC the GOP frontrunner of today is not the person he knew just a few years ago. “I’m not even convinced that Donald Trump knows the person who’s running today,” says Aiken. – Read more at CNBC.com
‘American Idol’ Winner Fantasia Barrino Talks 3 Divas Reunion, Album Plans & More – When the three came together to reunite for the Idol finale earlier this week, Fantasia told Billboard she was overwhelmed with emotion. “It brought back so many memories. Those girls are soulful girls, and to bless the stage with them again meant everything to me,” she said. The end of Idol, she said, was emotional for her to “link up and see where everybody is at and what they are doing. This is where it started. I am very proud of them and I thank God for American Idol, because it allowed us to be everything that we are today.” Fantasia gave a sneak peek of her new single during the finale with a performance of her new song, “Ugly.” As for her full length album, the singer tells Billboard it’s almost ready. – Read more at Billboard Magazine
Better Days Ahead For Haley Reinhart – So what can fans expect from Better? It’s been a long time coming. Some of these songs were written four years ago, but they have lived on and taken a big place in my heart. I’ve collected the songs that I’m really proud of for this album. My collaborators give me a lot of freedom to explore different directions and dig deep. I think the best way to get close to your authentic sound is when you have that kind of freedom. I believe you will get to know me a little bit more through the songs I’ve represented. – Read more at Pollstar.com
‘American Idol’: Fantasia, Taylor Hicks, David Cook & Constantine Maroulis on Possible Return – Fantasia (winner, season 3): “If it does, they should bring [Paula Abdul], [Randy Jackson] and [Simon Cowell] back. That’s where it started, you know. I would come back. I really would. I always share my story of my life to encourage other young people who want to do this and whatever they want to be. In life there are struggles, and you go through some things. You may fall down but you got to get back up. I’ve always been an open book and I would love to do that and share my story to encourage them.” Taylor Hicks (winner, season 5): “I think that they ought to have all the winners do an Idol season. Like World Idol did. All the winners come back and go through different rounds and stuff. It would definitely be interactive.” – Read more at Billboard.com
Why Was Michael Johns Left Out of the ‘American Idol’ Finale? – Johns — an Australian singer who was a top 10 finalist on the show’s seventh season — passed away at age 35 due to dilated cardiomyopathy in 2014. As a face from Season 7, when Idol was still a major cultural force, Johns’ sudden death surprised and saddened America. So why wasn’t he anywhere to be found in the Idol finale? According to longtime Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, they made the difficult decision not to include mention of his death as it opened up “a can of worms.” Because there’s more than him and there’s other people that we don’t really know about… it opens up a can of worms.” – Read more at Billboard.com
Carrie Underwood on Feeling Nostalgic at the ‘American Idol’ Series Finale
Been home in Dallas for hours now but still in the airport. @SouthwestAir PLEASE find my bag. Please RT. #SWAFindDaltonsBag
— Dalton Rapattoni (@DaltonRapattoni) April 9, 2016
S/O @SouthwestAir for finding my bag. Thank you Maddie!
— Dalton Rapattoni (@DaltonRapattoni) April 9, 2016
