United Kingdom to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023 – The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the BBC are pleased to confirm that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted in the United Kingdom on behalf of this year’s winning broadcaster, Ukraine’s UA:PBC. Following the decision that, regrettably, next year’s event could not be held in Ukraine for safety and security reasons the EBU explored a number of options with the winning broadcaster. As a result of discussions, the BBC, as runner up in the 2022 Contest, was invited by the EBU to act as Host Broadcaster for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest. “We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor. – Read more at Eurovision.Tv
New Competition Show A2K to Assemble Global Girl Group Through K-Pop System – A new competition series is setting out to turn a group of American artists into superstars — after they train like K-pop idols. On Monday, July 25, JYP Entertainment and Republic Records announced that they are launching the series, called A2K, to form a “global girl group.” Produced in partnership with Federal Films, A2K, which stands for “America to Korea,” will debut the group after members are recruited and selected, and undergo training through the K-pop system. Semifinalists are selected from in-person auditions taking place in five cities in the U.S. — Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Dallas, and Los Angeles. They will travel to JYP Entertainment’s headquarters in Korea and train with choreographers and producers. The final members of the girl group will be chosen from among the contestants, and they will debut in the U.S. – Read more at TV Guide
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE REVEALS STAR-STUDDED CAST FOR ITS “SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL” DEBUTING ON NORWEGIAN PRIMA – Former “American Idol” Contestant and Star, Kimberley Locke, Joins World-Class International Performers to Play Donna Summer in Headlining Act. The Tony Award®-nominated musical narrates the story of Donna Summer’s prolific rise to fame, showing the Queen of Disco at three of the most pivotal stages of her career: Diva Donna, Disco Donna and Duckling Donna. “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” premiering aboard the all-new Norwegian Prima this August. – Read more at PRNewswire
The Voice Alum Whitney Fenimore Marries Olympian Kendall Wesenberg: ‘It Feels Great to Have a Partner’ – The love story of Whitney Fenimore and Kendall Wesenberg began in 2019, when The Voice semi-finalist and the USA Olympian liked a few of each other’s Instagram pics. “It really was that simple,” says Fenimore, 33, during a recent interview with PEOPLE. “Kendall and I started talking, and we never stopped.” From there, the talented twosome battled a series of challenges on their way to love, from a long-distance romance to a surging pandemic. But last month, the two proved that love always wins when they were married earlier this summer on the picturesque grounds of the Tahoe Mountain Club in California. – Read more at People
‘American Idol’ finalists share what they sacrificed to compete on the show – Maddie Poppe, who won season 16 of “Idol,” took a few days off of her first semester of college to audition for the competition. The singer thought she might be able to juggle school and the show at the same time. But when Hollywood Week started the same week as her second semester, everything quickly became “chaotic.” “You don’t get any sleep. I think they purposefully try to push you to your limits emotionally and physically and mentally just to see how you react,” Poppe told Insider. – Read more at Insider
“American Idol’s” Grace Kinstler stops by WGN-TV – Crystal Lake native Grace Kinstler placed third on “American Idol’s” 19th Season in 2021. She is now living in Los Angeles and pursuing her music career. Kinstler stopped by the WGN News at 4 to talk about a live performance she will be doing October 1, 2022 at St. Jude Dream Chicago in Millennium Park.
Carrie Underwood and Family Visit Dollywood
The American Idol season 4 winner and her family took a trip to Dollywood. “Amazing!,” Carrie wrote on Instagram. “Everyone was so friendly and helpful and the kiddos had a blast riding all the rides! I think this is going to become an annual thing for the Fisher clan! Thanks #Dollywood for the fun times and the memories! We’ll see you again soon!”
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Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, And Morgan Wade Score A Spot On Ashland Craft’s “Dream Collaboration” List – Many The Voice fans felt coach Miley Cyrus made a poor move hanging on to Ashland Craft, while giving away the eventual winner of the show, Chloe Kohanski. But look who wound up with a record deal (Big Loud Records) after the confetti flew? In a piece from CMT, Ashland shares what she learned competing on Team Miley Cyrus: ““It brought me so many amazing things. I can’t help to be so grateful for that experience,” she said while reflecting on her start story. “It gave me a lot of confidence. I think the whole experience made me a better person and musician. I think it was the push I needed to be in Nashville because I definitely wasn’t planning on moving. I didn’t really think the opportunity or the possibility was there for me. Once I did ’The Voice,’ the board started opening.” – CMT.com
Nicolle Galyon Has a ‘Tendency’ to Write Hits For Other People, Now She’s Writing Her Own – Nicolle Galyon has a tendency to write No. 1 songs – she just typically does it for everyone other than herself. Galyon has penned nine No. 1 songs, including Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic” and Dan + Shay’s “Tequila.” She’s won the Academy of Country Music’s coveted Song of the Year twice. She was named BMI Songwriter of the Year in 2019, earned a Triple Play Award for having three No. 1 songs in one year, and produced RaeLynn’s critically acclaimed, chart-topping album “Wild Horse” as one of the only female producers in country music. She partnered with Big Loud to create the female-focused record label Songs & Daughters. But her resume isn’t what she wanted to convey with “First Born.” – Read more at CMT.com
Katharine McPhee’s Sister, Adriana, Files For Divorce After 11 Years Of Marriage – Katharine McPhee‘s sister Adriana McPhee Collin is filing for divorce from her longtime husband, Edouard Collin. The “American Idol” alum’s older sister filed the lawsuit on July 20, asking that their union be dissolved. The estranged couple became legally married on June 30, 2011, and their date of separation is listed as January 8, 2022, meaning they haven’t lived together as husband and wife for more than six months. Adriana and Edouard share two minor children, William Robert, 5, and Georges Daniel, 2. Both parties are seeking joint legal and physical custody of their sons. Details of child support haven’t been disclosed yet. (Adriana works as a vocal coach on American Idol and I Can See Your Voice) – Read more at The Blast
