Broadway Veteran Todrick Hall Begins Performances in Kinky Boots – Broadway veteran and YouTube personality Todrick Hall joins the Broadway company of Kinky Boots in the role of Lola today. His run will be through March 5 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Hall’s Broadway credits include The Color Purple and Memphis. He was a contestant on the ninth season of American Idol. Hall will serve as a guest judge on the upcoming season of RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race. – Read more at Theatre Mania
The Voice UK Blind Auditions Wind Down
The Voice judge Jennifer Hudson refuses to swivel once for a wannabe in a whole audition – Our mole tells us new judge Jennifer Hudson, 35, is making a fair few demands and is proving extremely hard to impress. For one whole audition Jennifer did not spin her chair for a single wannabe singer. That’s even harsher than fussy coach will.i.am.
Perhaps the star of 2006 film Dreamgirls and American Idol finalist was just feeling uncomfortable. Our spy in the crowd told us: “Jennifer insisted on a cushion and also had a hot water bottle on her chair.” Maybe she is not quite used to the Manchester weather. The source said: “The other judges were excited by a lot of the acts, but Jennifer was less impressed and looked like she’d rather be anywhere else. “She seemed bored at some points and was given slippers and a blanket by staff.” – Read more at The Mirror
‘The Voice’ interviews: Atlantans Darby Walker, Aaron Gibson before Knockout Rounds – Oldies lover: Darby was actually familiar with the early 1970s novelty hit “Brand New Key” by Melanie. “Right off the bat, I was down. That’s one of my favorite songs. That’s a song I’ve been singing for a long time. I listen to a lot of old music. I’m an indie artist. I love music from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Music was so rich then. Everyone was discovering things for the first time. Me and Miley both like what we call hippie music. It’s something people can relate to.” – Read more at AJC.com
Post-‘Voice,’ Dave Moisan is ‘The Heavyweight’ – Moisan’s music has been super-charged by his recent appearances on “The Voice,” an NBC talent/reality show. He made it through a couple of rounds and performed three times to millions of people before he got booted last week, all of which was more than enough to revitalize his career. The renovations can wait a while, said Moisan, who’s performing Friday at Headliners Music Hall. “The show has been nothing but good for me,” said Moisan, 34, a Louisville native. “It has been such a huge kick starter for me as far as my reach and as far as the legs that my music has now. They tell you going into the show that everything you’re doing will be multiplied by 10 once you get on the show, good or bad. – Read more at Courier-Journal
Nigel Lythgoe Searches for Next Top Choreographer on ‘Every Single Step’ – Idol may be over — for now — but Lythgoe still has the magic touch in the world of dance with the second season of his latest show, Every Single Step, the choreography competition currently airing on Verizon’s go90 video service. Each week, ten choreographers compete against each other in a series of themed challenges, with one choreographer winning a $25,000 cash prize. – Read more at Billboard
Kelly Clarkson gets real about motherhood: ‘I could still screw it up’ – “I’m the kid who always wanted to do everything,” she added. “I stack my plate pretty full with all these things I’m excited about or want to accomplish. I think of all these things I want to do — and I can’t do everything.” Fortunately, she has a secret weapon in husband Brandon Blackstock. The pair married in 2013 and have two little ones (River Rose, 2, and Remington, 6 months); Clarkson’s also helping parent his two children from a previous marriage. – Read more at Today.com
How Carrie Underwood and Her Amazing Legs Are Prepping for the CMA Awards – “I wear minis because I’m short,” she tells PeopleStyle exclusively. “Sometimes I try dresses that are a little bit longer or even long dresses and I get lost in them cause I’m 5 foot 3. It just seems like above the knee works better for my height.” Underwood maintains that she’s always surprised and extremely flattered by the buzz surrounding her famous legs. “I just try to be strong. My legs are scarred from sports and from injuries, so I view them as being strong,” she says. – Read more at People
Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley Attend Pre-CMA Awards Event – Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley take the stage while stepping out for the eighth annual pre-CMA Awards special: All Access Nashville: Celebrating the CMA Awards, which premiered on Monday (October 31) on ABC. The country singers, who will host the upcoming 50th Annual CMA Awards, helped tease the big night with a star-studded evening of performances. – See the Photos at Just Jared
Cassadee Pope: ‘It’s Just Been a Really Good Year for Me’ – Cassadee Pope is nominated for Musical Event of the Year, for her No. 1 duet “Think of You” with Chris Young, at the 2016 CMA Awards. For the 27-year-old, being nominated for her first-ever CMA is just part of what she calls a whirlwind, career-changing year. “It’s crazy,” Pope told The Boot at the 2016 SESAC Nashville Music Awards. “Everything that “Think of You” has done for me is so rewarding, and to be recognized for it is just the best feeling … It’s just been a really good year for me. For Chris to bring me along on this journey has been amazing.” – Read more at The Boot
Silver Lining: Ryan Lochte Is Ready to ‘Take a Deep Breath’ and Start Wedding Planning After DWTS Elimination – PEOPLE caught up with the Olympic swimmer after his elimination from the ABC dance competition Monday night, and the recently-engaged star opened up about his upcoming nuptials to his Playboy model fiancée Kayla Rae Reid. “Now that the show is over for me I can sit down, take a deep breath and start thinking about the wedding,” Lochte, 32, told PEOPLE. “That’s what we’re going to be doing for the next nine months, 10 months, or however long until our wedding date.” – Read more at People.com
Ryan Lochte on Dancing With the Stars Exit: I Learned so Much on This Show – At least Ryan Lochte won his Dancing With the Stars dance-off. The Olympian and professional dance partner Cheryl Burke were sent home during week eight of the reality TV competition, but they’re leaving with their heads held high. “If we would have lost, I would’ve been like, ‘Crap, I really let Cheryl down.’ But, we went out on top and I guess that’s all you can ask for,” – Read more at ENews
Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Dancing with the Stars Exit Interview
