American Idol season 19 runner-up Willie Spence heading to London for the first time

Willie Spence is performing at the Trinity Baptist Church in London on November 12.

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Former ‘American Idol’ contestant opens Liberian and barbecue restaurant near Drake – Ten years ago, Romeo Diahn was draped in a printed sweatshirt with a white V-neck T-shirt underneath performing “Is This Love?” by Bob Marley on the set of the hit singing competition “American Idol” in Portland, Oregon. The then-22-year-old shared his life story of leaving Liberia alongside family as a refugee in front of the show’s panel, which included longtime “Idol” judge Randy Jackson, Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler, and A-list actress and singer Jennifer Lopez. Diahn, or “Chef Tony” in a culinary uniform, decided to choose a life with culinary arts as his main dish and pushed singing to the sides menu in the years after “Idol.” Now Diahn’s coming to the Drake neighborhood with a new Thursdays-only restaurant called Chef Tony’s Culinary Delights, housed in the kitchen rental building Kitchen Spaces at 1139 24th St., with barbecue and fare inspired by his childhood in Liberia. – Read more at Des Moines Register

American Idol Winners just played a writers showcase together

Season 14 winner, Nick Fradiani, Season 15 winner, Trent Harmon and Season 16 winner Maddie Poppe performed a showcase together recently in Utica, New York. The singer’s shared booking agent, Madison House, puts these gigs together.

“So great to play some music with these ridiculously talented musicians and people,” Nick wrote on Instagram. “Thanks @jo2thabu and @madisonhouse for putting a few of these shows together. I hope we get to do it again soon. Also, swipe right to see my genius idea of writing a set list on a cup. Might keep that going.”