Nonprofit buildOn Partners with Katharine McPhee to Expand School-Building Program to Burkina Faso – STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — buildOn, an organization dedicated to ending the education crisis in the U.S. and around the world, announces today its partnership with Katharine McPhee and her husband Nick Cokas to expand its school building program to Burkina Faso in West Africa. Students from underserved high schools in the South Bronx and Brooklyn will join the village of Taga in Burkina Faso to break ground on the school today, February 21, 2014. – So wait…Kat is back with her husband? – Read More at GlobeNewsWire
‘American Idol’ top 13 party, on the scene: Judges and finalists talk format changes, song choices, more – The contestants definitely share the love too. “Harry is so amazing,” finalist Majesty Rose told EW. “He’s like our father and he’s hilarious. How could you not love him?” The feeling seems to be mutual, though Harry wishes he was allowed to reciprocate more. “I wish I could take them all home and sit them at the piano,” Connick joked. “I have to remain impartial and can’t know what’s going on. I have much less involvement now than I did when I was a mentor.” But the family man showed his soft side and hugged all of the contestants after being eliminated, telling them that “this particular moment wasn’t yours.” – Read more at Entertainment Weekly
‘American Idol’: Top 13 Reveal What To Expect – “American Idol” crowned its Top 13 on Thursday night, with 10 contestants advancing and three wild card picks from each judge. Access Hollywood spoke to all 13 about how they were feeling about making it to the next round in the competition and what fans might see as they battle it out for votes. Here’s what the Top 13 told Access: – Read more at Access Hollywood
‘American Idol’ Top 13: Were the Wildcard Performances Fair? (Video) – “They would get called and have to sing — C.J. [Harris] had to sing in the moment, immediately,” Urban told THR about how the hopefuls had to perform within seconds of being announced as a wildcard contender. “Whereas Jena [Irene], she had a commercial break, you know what I mean?” Lopez added of Irene, “And got a little massage from Ryan too!” Viewers brought up the discrepancy in the comments section of THR’s recap, noting that the commercial break gave Irene an unfair advantage when she reprised her original song from Hollywood Week. Some commenters noted that the commercial break was probably timed so she could set up her keyboard while off the air. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
Party of five! Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman step out in New York with their three babies… newborn Eric and pooches Squiddly and Diddly – Before he became a father seven days ago Simon Cowell’s two babies were his dogs Squiddly and Diddly. And although the proud papa couldn’t be more delighted since he and Lauren Silverman welcomed baby Eric into the world, Simon isn’t forgetting about his beloved pooches. The music mogul and his expanding family left their New York hotel on Friday and the former Mr. Nasty sported a huge smile as Lauren juggled Eric and one of the dogs while he carried his briefcase and one of the others. – Read more at DailyMail.co.uk
Get Ready for Her- Lea Michele to Play Fanny Brice in Ryan Murphy’s FUNNY GIRL Revival? – Now in a Teen Vogue interview between Michele and her Spring Awakening co-star Jonathan Groff, Michele reveals that plans might already be in the works. She told Teen Vogue: “I want to do movies. I have some exciting things coming up! And I would also love to go back to Broadway. Ryan Murphy just bought the rights to Funny Girl, so we’re hoping to do that at some point!” – Read more at Broadway.com
Christina Aguilera Is Pregnant! Newly-Engaged Star Expecting Second Child – Another Fighter is on the way! Almost one week after Christina Aguilera announced her Valentine’s Day engagement to boyfriend Matt Rutler on Twitter, a source has exclusively confirmed to Us Weekly that the Grammy winner is pregnant with her second child. – Read more at US Magazine.com
