Fantasia Hopes To Inspire Others On ‘Fantasia For Real’
Fantasia Barrino is working through her issues on her new VH1 reality show “Fantasia for Real, ” premiering Monday (January 11) at 10 p.m., and she’s hoping that the show will inspire others to achieve their goals as well.
“You get to see me doing homework and sitting down with the teacher, which is, like, totally difficult, ” she said of her return to school. “But my reason for doing that is so every person can see that it’s very important if you’re in school to stay in school, and if you’re not, it’s very important to go back.”
Paula-free ‘Idol’ should make more changes
As everyone knows, Paula Abdul is no longer part of “American Idol.” She provided hours of entertainment and plenty of media coverage during eight seasons as a judge, but her presence on the show was more about familiarity than usefulness.
Paula’s exit means the end of her constant horseplay with Simon Cowell and babbling, incoherent judging. As Paula exits, it’s the perfect time for some other stale, annoying things to leave the show, too.
Why Simon Is Quitting Idol
For years now, even as the show has continued to dominate the television landscape, life on the set was constantly tested by the love/hate battle that raged between American Idol’s creator (Simon Fuller) and its iconic star (Cowell)–a symbiotic relationship with stakes so high, few dared to imagine its end.
Backstage—as young singers fought to the death—a war smoldered. Just three months ago, at the over-the-top 50th birthday gala Cowell threw for himself (complete with waiters in Simon Cowell masks, Simon Cowell wallpaper and alphabet soup stocked with the letters S-I-M-O-N), the star alluded to the push-pull of his Idol brotherhood, many of whom were in attendance. Speaking to the crowd, he said, We may not always see eye to eye, but we both know that if one of us needed the other, we would be there.â€
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Fantasia is rebuilding her post-‘American Idol’ life
“American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino gets her house back in order on the first episode of her VH1 reality series, debuting at 10 p.m. tonight.
Despite a successful autobiography, a made-for-TV movie, a Broadway role in “The Color Purple” and a platinum album, Barrino fell into money problems after moving from High Point to Charlotte following her “Idol” win in 2004.
Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert get airplay gains
Kelly Clarkson loses nearly 300 spins for Already Gone this week, but she’s still got the No. 1 single on USA TODAY’s Hot AC chart and a top 10 record at Top 40 — as well as an easy No. 1 on the Mediabase-powered American Idol airplay chart.
Most other current singles near the top of the Idol airplay chart see increases in their spins — Daughtry’s No Surprise and Life After You, Carrie Underwood’s Cowboy Casanova and Temporary Home, and Kris Allen’s Live Like We’re Dying. Kellie Pickler loses a handful of spins for Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You but still makes the Country top 20.
The Intrigue Over ‘Idol’ Is Offstage
LOS ANGELES — With all of the questions hanging over the new season of American Idol, †the least interesting of all might be the oldest: Who will be the next American Idol�
As Fox prepares to raise the curtain Tuesday on the ninth season of its smash-hit singing competition, most of the intrigue has been focused beyond the stage — on the judges, the ratings, the voting procedures and the annual tinkering with the show’s format, which, at least to Fox and the show’s producers, never seems to be just right.
Not your average ‘Idol’
Now that the Christmas carols are finally out of your head, prepare for Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” to take permanent residence in it: It’s “American Idol” audition time.
Tuesday night, Fox treats us to two hours of screeching wannabes at the Boston open auditions. If the prospect of Celine Dion homages has you cringing already, imagine them with Boston accents.
Since season six, ratings for “American Idol” have steadily declined, despite Adam Lambert’s best efforts. Oh, it still dominates pop culture as well as the TV schedule — other networks haven’t called the show “the Death Star” for nothing. But this will be an especially interesting year for a few reasons.
The Last Word with Kris Allen
American Idol winner Kris Allen chatted with OK! and shared a story about the last time he sang to his wife and confessed which movie makes him cry — every time!
Last Meal I’d Eat Before I Die
Probably my mom’s chicken spaghetti. And the dessert would be her dump cake. I know, it sounds bad — it’s not really even a cake. You actually use cake batter and throw some nuts on top of it. And there’s fruit in the middle and it has 18 sticks of butter in it. It’s really incredible.
Adam Lambert Is A ‘Bigger Personality’ Than Kris Allen, Randy Jackson Admits
While “American Idol” has been the launching pad for a lot of singers, it’s what contestants do after the season ends that separates the Kelly Clarksons from the Kevin Covaises.
With the ninth season starting Tuesday at 8 p.m., last year’s contestants are officially out of the “Idol” nest and exploring their new careers. What does judge Randy Jackson think of their progress so far? He’s optimistic — but he’s worried runner-up Adam Lambert might have tried to tackle too much, too soon.
“Adam is a giant personality, ” Jackson said Friday. “He’s unbelievably talented. The AMA thing, I guess, was something he wanted to do and try. An artist is really left up to their own ideas of how they want to do things.”
Kris Allen, meanwhile, hasn’t really been able to capitalize on the “Idol” crown with his debut album so far, but Jackson isn’t giving up hope.
“[Adam is] a far bigger personality, probably, than Kris, but I think they’re both equally talented, ” Jackson said. “Kris obviously won for a reason.”
Fantasia interview for her new VH1 show ‘Fantasia For Real’
Despite the fact there are plenty of good reality shows out there, the word reality show†remains stigmatized. So it’s not surprising when reality show stars try to deny that this is what they do. Take 2004 Idol†winner Fantasia.
I don’t call it a reality show, †she told me in an interview last month. People laugh when I say that. I think it’s more like a documentary. It’s people just being able to see me.â€
Keepin’ it ‘Real’
FANTASIA FOR REAL: B
It’s the rare reality show that makes the viewer like its star more.
VH1’s current bread and butter is taking C-list celebrities and turning their problematic lives into TV series. Think Rock of Love†with Bret Michaels, For the Love of Ray J†or Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.â€
Nice work for Nasty Nigel Lythgoe
When it comes to television you can blame Nigel Lythgoe for almost everything. Reality TV? He is the man behind the first UK series of Survivor, which came before Big Brother and begat I’m a Celebrity. Pop Idol? He brought its forerunner, Popstars, to our screens. Gladiators? Him too. The crop of dance shows spreading across our screens like a spandex fungus? Sort of.
Lythgoe co-created So You Think You Can Dance with 19’s Simon Fuller in 2005 in the US and his new UK version for BBC1 is battling Sky 1’s Got to Dance and ITV’s new series of Dancing on Ice for the nation’s sequined heart. He’s enjoying the battle but is convinced he’ll win because “after six seasons in the US I think we’re about as close to the arts in a mainstream show as you can get.”
MODEL JERRY HALL is dating TV talent show villain “Nasty” NIGEL LYTHGOE, The Sun can reveal.
The Texan beauty’s former lovers include rock icons BRYAN FERRY and MICK JAGGER.
But last night Jerry, 53, and 60-year-old Scouser Nigel were described as “gloriously happy” together.
A friend said: “Jerry and Nigel have been pals for a long time. But it’s blossomed into something much more recently.
Photo Coverage: Derek Hough Makes BURN THE FLOOR Debut for Show’s Final Performances
Dancing with the Stars’ champion Derek Hough made his Broadway debut in ‘Burn the Floor’ for the shows’ last performances on January 8-10, at the Longacre Theatre. Hough partnered with Kym Johnson. Hough replaces Maksim Chmerkovskiy who danced his final performance on January 7.
Kym Johnson was this season’s professional champion on “Dancing with the Stars, ” paired with winner Donny Osmond. Maks has been a professional on the show since its second season.
Howie Mandel’s New Deal: America’s Got Talent
Howie Mandel just scored a new deal…with America’s Got Talent.
The 54-year-old former Deal or No Deal host will sit at the judge’s table with Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne for the show’s fifth season, E! News has confirmed.
This announcement follows news of judge David Hasselhoff’s departure, who is leaving the NBC show after four seasons to focus on creating his own TV program.
“It’s been a rewarding experience and now I’m thrilled to be able to follow my dream to do my own TV show, which will be announced very shortly, ” the Hoff said in a statement Wednesday.
Jane Lynch Gets Animated For ‘The Cleveland Show’
Jane Lynch returned to the set of ‘Glee‘ this week to begin work on the final nine episodes of the first season of the Fox hit that has earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination.
Although the cast has become very high-profile since last fall, they have not actually worked together since July when they wrapped the first 13 episodes.
The kids were there [on set] and they were all flush with victory from the People’s Choice Awards [Wednesday] night, †she said.
