Idol Headlines for 01/03/08

Leona For Idol!

Leona Lewis will appear on the next series of American Idol in a bid to crack the US. The X Factor babe hopes to repeat her record-breaking chart antics across the pond this year, and mentor Simon Cowell, 48, believes his other TV talent show is the ideal place to launch her.

An American Idol insider said: …We always like to invite established guests onto the show to give the contestants an idea of the level they need to reach. Leona, with her incredible voice, fits the bill perfectly.

Playlist

Sugarland, Underwood Videos Most Viewed on CMT.com

Music videos by Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood filled out the Top 5 most-watched videos on CMT.com in 2007, making a strong showing for new female artists in country music. Sugarland’s “Stay, ” written and performed by lead singer Jennifer Nettles, topped the year-end list, followed by Underwood’s “So Small” at No. 2 and “Before He Cheats” at No. 3. Swift’s “Our Song” ranked No. 4, while Underwood’s “Wasted” entered at No. 5. Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink, ” Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You, ” Brad Paisley’s “Online, ” Kellie Pickler’s “Red High Heels” and Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most” landed at No. 6 to 10, respectively

CMT.com

More Headlines After the Jump…

Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban Take on New York with Show at Madison Square Garden Feb. 13

Two of country music biggest names, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, will continue their …Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride tour on Feb. 13 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Transworld News

Kimberley Locked and Loaded with Married Guy?

She lost 28 lbs. during her stint on “Celebrity Fit Club” — but did Kimberley Locke gain 190 lbs. of boyfriend from the experience?

TMZ caught the barely unrecognizable “American Idol” wannabeen attending a New Year’s Eve party at Mr. Chow Tuesday night, with her trainer from the VH1 show, hardass Sgt. Harvey E. Walden IV.

Though a rep says the Sarge is still married to wife Sherry, he and Kimberley looked very close … and it doesn’t look like he’s wearing a wedding ring.

TMZ

Fruit of the Zoom

Oh, and on that newly single Dylan McDermott, he hosted a New Year’s Eve bash at the Setai, where Oscar owner and chicken wing aficionado Jennifer Hudson was crooning. But apparently, Dylan failed to impress the crowd. “He was totally lacking in energy when he came on stage to introduce her, ” bitched one sandy, hard-to-please partyer. Thankfully, Jen Hudson knows how to work a crowd. She was rocking a tight red dress and a chic new bob for her performance and even invited a gay on stage to sing with her.

Ted Casablancas – The Awful Truth

J.Hud looks a dream as she sings in 2008

Poured into a long, red DKNY dress that would have made Jessica Rabbit jealous, modern-day Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson sang her way into the New Year.

The Chicago native ditched her city’s frost to heat up fans at her ”Beyond Paradise” New Year’s Eve party at The Setai in Miami Beach.

Well-heeled guests spent $1, 000 for a five-course meal and to hear Hudson belt out four songs.

Three of the four songs came from the Dreamgirls soundtrack. And yes, she sang And I’m Telling You . . . while guests belted — well, warbled — along while wearing stilettos, diamonds and fitted gowns.

Miami Herald

Fashion Good News, Bad News: White Doesn’t Work For Everyone

Exhibit # 1 this week is the good news, for those who prefer to binge before they purge. Jennifer Hudson looks like she finally ditched Andre Leon Talley, because for once she doesn’t look ridiculous. Although breathtakingly tight, her outfit actually fits for a change, and the longer length is more complimentary to her full figure.

The Bosh

STARRLIGHT: Fantasia at the Alhambra Palace

On Dec. 18, 2007, the very amiable, sweet and talented Fantasia wowed the dazzling crowd at Chicago’s Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph, where she performed for dozens of luminaries that included television anchors Robin Robinson and Art Norman; members of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team; models; producers; photographers; and social arbiters who mingled for hours while celebrating George Reynolds’ birthday amid the opulence of the gorgeous enclave.

Windy City Media Group

Not just another Idol runner-up Robinson movies on to musical theater

While he’ll always be known as the “music teacher” from American Idol Season 4, Anwar Robinson is not taking his 15 minutes of fame for granted. Since getting notoriety on the popular talent show — Judge Paula Abdul touted him as “technically the best singer of the competition” – Robinson has been busy taking on the role of Tom Collins in a touring company of Rent.

“It’s been a tremendous experience finding ways to make such a well-known role my own, ” Robinson said. “Sometimes I have the liberty to do some original things and some things I’ve been given by the director because he knows from past experience what works in the show.”

Boston Now

‘Rent’ comes through with roles for two ‘Idol’ winners

In 2002, South African Heinz Winckler was a student at Stellenbosch University in Capetown looking forward to a career in the law. But then he auditioned for a television show, the ”M-Net Idols” competition, the South African equivalent of ”American Idol, ” and won first place.

Not only did this change his life, but it launched him in a completely new career direction. Suddenly he was in show business, attracting audiences with his singing. Winckler went on to receive a major recording contract with Sony BMG Records, where he recorded several top-selling singles and albums. In 2003, he competed in England, finishing fourth in the 2003 inaugural ”World Idol” competition, and soon became an internationally known singer.

McCall.com

Despite earlier intentions, World Arena won’t be celebrating its 10th any time soon

Bad news for the dozens of people who were surely looking forward to helping the World Arena celebrate its 10th birthday next week: There will be no such celebration ‘  at least not in the original incarnation. As recently as the middle of last week, the World Arena was ready to par-tay. On its event calendar, it listed Jan. 10, 2008, as its “Birthday Bash.” The event was meant to celebrate 10 years of the sports/concert/family-event venue. And to help ring in the awkward tween-age years, the venue’s booking agents secured a lineup of country acts including Sawyer Brown, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Chris Young, Rissi Palmer and ‘  hey, look! ‘  sixth-place American Idol runner-up Phil Stacey!

But, for undisclosed reasons, the little-publicized birthday event is now off. Well, sorta.

Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say the event’s been changed. The all-country lineup: still coming to town. Now, though, everyone will be playing the much smaller Pikes Peak Center. And the title “Birthday Bash” has been changed, too. It’s now the “Winter Bash” because, well, who doesn’t like sore throats and frozen toes?

Colorado Springs Independent

About mj santilli 34832 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!