‘The Four’: Zhavia and Evvie Tease New Music Is Coming While Explaining ‘Crazy’ Post-Show Stardom – Now, Evvie, the season one champ, and Zhavia, the fan favorite, will be making their highly anticipated return to the show on Thursday, for season two’s “Comeback” episode. The two will take the stage together during the opening number, performing a modern take on “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5. But even more exciting for Zhavia is the fact that she’s currently working on her own original music. She confirmed to ET on the day of our interview that “Candlelight” (dropping today!) is her first official full-length single, and an EP, featuring songs she wrote herself, is on the way! – Read more at Entertainment Tonigbt
For ‘American Idol’ winner Maddie Poppe, a wild ride to national stardom – “Being on the finale is my most vivid memory of being on the show,” says Poppe of the experience, where she dominated each round and impressed “Idol” judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. “When I look back at the entire season, I wish I had more memories every step along the way.” – Read more at The San Diego Union-Tribune
America’s original ‘Idol’ Kelly Clarkson shares her advice for Iowa winner Maddie Poppe – The star returns Aug. 3 to Iowa, headlining the first night of the newly-launched Newbo Evolve festival in downtown Cedar Rapids. She’s dedicated time to both programs, yes, but don’t ask her to take sides. ‘American Idol,’ that’s where I come from and that’s awesome,” she said. “‘The Voice’ is where I’m at now and it’s awesome. It’s all great and it all fits. There’s room for everything.” – Read more at DesMoinesRegister.com
Ada Vox applauds ‘Idol’ for embracing someone ‘a little bit different’ – “We like to say we’re moving forward as a country with acceptance and love and understanding of who people are and what they do, says Vox (aka Adam Sanders). “And these TV shows and producers are wanting to help move everything forward. It’s their way of saying ‘Hey, look at this, it’s OK. Here’s a drag queen with as much talent as anyone you see on your TV screen.’ “This is normal. The entertainment industry is basically run by gay people. Just embrace it. There’s no point in separation anymore, holding people off because they may be a little bit different.” – Read more at STLToday
You Will Know Katie Stevens’ Name – “I really feel like I made it,” Katie Stevens says quietly over the phone. It’s an odd statement coming from a 25-year-old with Stevens’ list of accomplishments—at just 16, the actress and singer auditioned for American Idol and made it into the top 9. Her television breakthrough was playing Karma Ashcroft on MTV’s Faking It, a teenager who would do anything to be popular, including pretending to be in a lesbian relationship with her best friend. But now that she’s Jane Sloan—a go-getting writer at the fictional Scarlet Magazine—in Freeform’s The Bold Type, people are starting to catch on. Recently, Stevens was at her favorite salad spot in Montreal, where the show films. “Somebody came up to me and was like, ‘I’m so sorry, are you Katie Stevens from The Bold Type?’” she says. “Finally someone knows me by my name and from what it is.” – Read more at Elle.com
