Fantasia Exits Broadway’s The Color Purple Jan. 6
Fantasia Barrino, the “American Idol” winner who earned critical love letters for her Broadway debut, concludes her run as Celie in The Color Purple at the Broadway Theatre Jan. 6.
Originally scheduled to end her Main Stem bow in October 2007, Barrino renewed her contract through the New Year.
January 9 will also mark the arrival of Grammy winners Chaka Khan and Bebe Winans in the roles of, respectively, Sofia and Harpo. “American Idol” finalist LaKisha Jones, who joined the cast Dec. 19 in the role of the Church Soloist, will also play Sofia at matinee performances beginning Jan. 9.
Rehab And Relapse Go Hand In Hand, Series Shows
In the second episode of “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew, ” there is a moment when we see former “American Idol” contender Jessica Sierra at her most vulnerable.
The 22-year-old troubled Tampa singer breaks down in tears while talking about her mother, who died of a drug overdose while Sierra was auditioning for “Idol.”
During a group therapy session on this new VH1 reality show, she says she hates her mother for abandoning her, doing drugs and becoming a prostitute. When others in the group suggest that her mother may have loved her but fell victim to the same demons that they all face, Sierra sobs and covers her face with a blanket to hide from the camera.
A&E ’08: Local artists and arts organizations looking forward to a big year
Ace Young, Boulder native and season five “American Idol” finalist, finds out Feb. 10 if he wins a Grammy as part of the songwriting team behind Chris Daughtry’s hit single “It’s Not Over.” Young also plans to release his first solo album — on his own label — in March or April; collaborators include Daughtry, songwriter and producer Desmond Child, power-ballad expert Diane Warren, and Swedish songwriter Andreas Carlsson, who has written songs for Backstreet Boys, ‘NSync and Britney Spears.
More Headlines After The Jump
‘American Idol’ chatter: It’s (almost) back!
Season Seven of “American Idol” kicks off next week with the offbeat audition shows that producer Nigel Lythgoe called “Cirque du Lack of Talent.”
“It’s all the ones that we can smile at and laugh at and say, “Thank God it wasn’t us!'” Lythgoe said in a conference call last month. The wacky auditions usually include a few people in costume, several who can’t sing a note, and many who are offended by the news that they pretty much stink as entertainers.
TV stations’ stalled season
With their revenues down and the reservoir of prime-time programming drying up, Baltimore’s traditional big three network affiliates face a new year laced with doubt — and the looming specter of a new season of American Idol.
Last year ended on a down note: Estimated fourth-quarter ad rates dropped 6 percent overall, and total revenue was down 5.7 percent. While Fox stations, such as WBFF 45, can take comfort in the Jan. 15 return of ratings behemoth American Idol, there’s little joy elsewhere on the TV dial. The Hollywood writers’ strike is putting most established dramatic and comedy series on hold, while a collection of second-string shows replace them.
Heinz Winckler lays down the law
He was working hard in law school, but then he became an idol.
Heinz Winckler has never looked back.
Winckler won the first …South African M-Net Idols competition ‘ the equivalent of …American Idol ‘ in 2002, and a showbiz career was launched.
It has taken on several different aspects. Band member, singer, actor ¦
Winckler is in Massachusetts for the first time this week to appear in the national touring production of …Rent at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston Tuesday through Jan. 13. The show also has a date at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence Jan. 18-20. Winckler plays the troubled rocker Roger in the musical about artists and outcasts in New York City East Village. The cast also includes Anwar Robinson who placed seventh in the fourth season of …American Idol.
The Truth About the Contestants of American Idol 7
When American Idol debuted in 2002, its supposed goal was to find the best undiscovered talent in America. Singers like Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, who had dreams of stardom but never had the connections, were catapulted to megastardom. The producers found diamonds in the rough and launched their careers. But a disturbing trend has surfaced with the spoiled contestants of American Idol 7 ‘ theyre no longer even remotely undiscovered talent. A large percentage of them are failed singers and entertainers who have already had their shot at fame. Yet Idol thinks that repackaging these failures is a good idea to make us watch their show. Gone are the days where you or your friends could try out for Idol and make it big. Now you have to already have connections. Read on to find out more about how this year show will just be a boring hash of recycled pseudo-celebrities who werent good enough to make it the first time around.
