“Idol”’s Carrie Underwood, Danny Gokey, Kellie Pickler on Top 20
The fastest way to a Nashville recording contract, it appears, is to do well on “American Idol, ” and nowhere is that more apparent than this weekend’s edition of GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown, hosted this week by Suzanne Alexander. Three former “Idol” contestants — Carrie Underwood, Danny Gokey and Kellie Pickler — own the top four slots on the list.
Carrie’s former No. 1 video, “Cowboy Casanova, ” regains the top spot from the Zac Brown Band, while her emotional “Temporary Home” clip makes its debut on the chart at No. 2. Kellie Pickler reamins at No. 4 with her Caribbean-shot “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You.” And Danny makes his first chart appearance at No. 3 with “My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me.”
Paula Abdul confirms she’s ‘doing a TV show’
Was Paula Abdul dropping hints this morning on the Johnjay and Rich Show?
When asked to give a clue as to her next project, she said, “Drop a clue? Oh, I’m gonna be going back to my roots and doing a TV show that has something to do with my roots, ” she said this morning on the morning radio program, after dodging several questions asking her to confirm rumors that she’ll be reunited with Simon Cowell on his new X Factor show.
“I’m going back to doing some teaching on television in that kind of capacity, ” she added. “And what else can I tell you? I might be doing something with the Laker Girls.”
Kris Allen, Adam Lambert And Allison Iraheta Reunite Onstage In NYC
NEW YORK — The “American Idol” stars aligned Friday night (February 12), as Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen took the stage for an exclusive live event.
Ryan Seacrest’s “Rock My Town” concert brought out hundreds of lucky ticket winners, all of whom braved the cold for hours to make sure they got the best possible spot in the intimate Highline Ballroom.
Performing in the order in which they were eliminated during the eighth season of “Idol, ” fiery-haired Allison Iraheta rocked out first in a dizzying set that showed off her raspy pipes and her criminally overlooked pop/rock songs.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Grease National Tour to End May 23
The national tour of Grease will play its final leg at the Palace Theater in Cleveland, Ohio, May 11-23. The planned Boston engagement of the tour, which was to have run in June, has been canceled.
The touring cast currently stars former American Idol contestant Ace Young as Danny and Lauren Ashley Zakrin (Sandy), and features American Idol’s Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel. The cast also includes Will Blum (Roger), Kate Morgan Chadwick (Frenchy), Bridie Carroll (Jan), Laura D’Andre (Rizzo), Kelly Felthous (Marty), Allison Fischer (Patty Simcox), Dominic Fortuna (Vince Fontaine), Jesse JP Johnson (Doody), Roxie Lucas (Miss Lynch), David Ruffin (Kenickie), Jamison Scott (Eugene), and Nick Verina (Sonny).
Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta Talk Reuniting For NYC Show
On Friday night (February 12), “American Idol” fans in New York were in for a treat. Season-eight winner Kris Allen joined breakout superstar Adam Lambert and fourth-place finisher Allison Iraheta for a special concert, exclusive to contest winners of a Z100 radio giveaway, the “Ryan, Rock My Town” event at the Highline Ballroom.
MTV News “American Idol” expert Jim Cantiello was on the scene to score the first-ever interview with Kradison (“Idol” fans’ affectionate name for the triumvirate) and was able to get the scoop on the reunion concert.
The Kradison Concert: Allen, Lambert & Iraheta Reunite For One Night Only
The three-pronged phenom known as “Kradison”–for the uninitiated, that’s the holy American Idol trinity of season 8’s Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, and Allison Iraheta–still remains strong, an unbroken Idol alliance of sorts, in the hearts and DVRs of diehard fans…even though the three finalists stopped performing together after the Idols Live Tour wrapped in September ’09, and they have since embarked on very different, very individualistic solo careers. But for one magical night only–Friday, February 12–Kradison flailingly came together at an intimate New York City club concert, and it was just like old times.
‘Idolatry’: Blondes with guitars, Ellen with pancakes, and Kristen Baldwin with a PSA for the men of America
Congratulations, Idoloonies, we’ve made it through the first two Hollywood Week episodes of American Idol’s ninth season — which means we’re thisclose to finding out who’s in the top 24! (Unless, of course, you’re into — eek! — spoilers.) And while unfortunately, Idolatry was unsuccessful in its quest to get Fox to send us the names of all 71 singers who survived the “group audition” rounds — we wanted to scroll ‘em up the screen, Star Wars-style, to calm those “did my fave get through?” feelings of panic — my cohost Kristen Baldwin and I have nonetheless attempted to make sense of everything else you experienced on your screens: An onslaught of super-talented blonde guitarists; Ellen as either a lobster or a stack of pancakes; and the inexplicable rage of one Mary Powers.
Paula Abdul — Stern ‘Hates’ American Idol, But …
Paula Abdul finally declared her opinion on the Howard Stern situation this morning …. but moments after taking a stand, the former “American Idol” judge seemed to flip-flop worse than John Kerry.
It all went down when Paula was on her way in to a radio interview in Phoenix, Arizona when a cameraman — not ours — asked what she thought of Stern possibly taking over for Simon Cowell.
Paula’s reply: “I don’t think that’s gonna happen … I don’t know … funnier things happen.”
When the cameraman asked why Stern would be qualified for the gig, Abdul responded, “He hates the show … I don’t even know why … He doesn’t hate a hundred million though.”
Carrie Underwood Hits the “Soul Surfer” Set
Ready to show off her acting skills, Carrie Underwood was spotted on the set of “Soul Surfer” in Hawaii on Friday (February 12).
The “American Idol” alum hit the beach in a casual-cute ensemble as she eagerly prepared to run through the day’s scenes.
As for the film, “Soul Surfer” is an inspirational film about 19-year-old champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who made headlines when she was attacked by a shark and lost her arm, only to fully recover and return to the sport she loves so much.
Carrie Underwood Tickets Sell Out in Less Than Three Hours
(Springfield, MO) — People started lining up as early as 11:00 p.m. Thursday night looking to score tickets to Carrie Underwood’s concert.
“Got to be first in line to get the good seats, ” explains Brice Morrison, a Carrie Underwood fan.
Tickets went on sale at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning and were sold out by 12:30 p.m.
The country superstar and American Idol alum will perform at JQH Arena on June 15. Tickets ranged in price from $35 to $55.
Fans say the wait to buy tickets is worth it to see a Grammy winner
Adam Lambert parties hard at the F-Word in NYC
Thank God for Twitter!! PhDj (@sethclark) was at the F-Word in Manhattan on Friday night where Adam Lambert was evidently drunk off his noodle!
PhDj broke the news by tweeting that Lambert is hanging out at Rebel nightclub tonight for Mistress Formika and Mark Nelson’s weekly Friday freak fest. According to PhDj, Lambert’s security bitches wouldn’t allow any pictures.
Thank goodness we have @sethclark to follow on Twitter for updates like those above. OMG, did Adam seriously try to rip Roze Black’s wig off? I feel a statement from the Black family coming!
‘American Idol’: The ‘Adam Lambert effect?’
In a recent interview with Zap2it, Kara DioGuardi mentioned the “Adam Lambert effect” on this year’s “American Idol.” We’d like to posit that this “effect” pre-dates Lambert by several seasons.
Adam Lambert turned Country Night on its head last year by performing a sitar-music version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Here’s a refresher:
Felicia Finley to Perform at Broadway Bears; Cheyenne Jackson, Constantine Maroulis, et al. to Attend
Felicia Finley will perform at the 2010 edition of Broadway Bears, to be held on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, beginning at 6pm. As previously announced, John Bolton will host and long-time Sotheby’s auctioneer, Lorna Kelly will preside over the evening.
Stars who are expected to be in attendance include Jim Caruso, Donna Drake, Ann Harada, Moisés Kaufman, Ron Kunene, Cheyenne Jackson, Gelan Lambert, Tshidi Manye, Constantine Maroulis, Paris Remillard, Loretta Ables Sayre, Craig Salstein, Christopher Sieber, and Michael Dameski, Alex Ko, and Liam Redhead from Billy Elliot.
Katharine McPhee on her Blonde Hair, New Album & Beauty Secrets
Katharine McPhee managed to silence a room full of beauty insiders last night when she took to the stage in downtown Manhattan to help Hearst celebrate the launch of its new beauty site, RealBeauty.com.
Kicking off Fashion Week in style, the American idol winner donned a mini cream-colored lace dress by Phillip Lim to sing two songs from her latest album and toast the publishing giant’s latest online venture. A mixture of beauty and health-related content from Hearst properties like Cosmopolitan, Bazaar and Marie Claire, Realbeauty.com made its official debut in November with high hopes from Hearst.
McPhee, Asner, Lawrence, Turturro et al. Set for Reading of 110 STORIES to Benefit Red Cross
An all-star cast has joined together in Los Angeles for a special benefit reading of 110 Stories, at 8pm on February 22nd at The Geffen Playhouse (10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles 90024). Proceeds go to the RED CROSS of Greater Los Angeles.
Ticket prices $57-$83 and may be purchased http://geffenplayhouse.com/110stories or at Ticketmaster http://www.ticketmaster.com/110-Stories-tickets/artist/1396005
A VIP reception sponsored by South Africa’s Cape Classic Wines follows immediately afterwards.
Producer and original cast member (Public Theatre NY 2004) Stelio Savante, (Ugly Betty, My Super Ex Girlfriend, 110 Stories – Original Cast) is bringing the play to Los Angeles for this event and along with Producer Andrew Carlberg (The 4th Wall, ABC’s Castle, I Have It) has assembled an all star cast:
Nic Harcourt (KCRW, Editor At Large: Music & Culture for LA: The LA Times Magazine) is narrating. Performing are: Katharine McPhee (American Idol, The House Bunny), Ed Asner (Elf, JFK, Up), Michael Welch (Twilight, New Moon, Unrequited ), Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue, Grey’s Anatomy ), Michael Beach (Third Watch, True Romance, Soul Food), Diane Venora (Heat, The Insider, Bird), Maria Conchita Alonso (Caught, Saints & Sinners, Kiss Of The Spiderwoman), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, OZ, The Hand That Rocks The Cradle), Gail O Grady (American Dreams, Boston Legal), Stelio Savante (see credits above), Nick Turturro (NYPD Blue), Malcolm Jamal Warner, (The Cosby Show) & Sophie Sinise (CSI: NY, Anatomy of Grey). Directed by Mark Freiburger (Dog Days Of Summer) OTHER CELEBRITY PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED SOON.
Kellie Pickler and Little Brother Break Down Barriers
Kellie Pickler learned a powerful lesson about love and relationships while filming the video for her recent hit, ‘Didn’t You Know How Much I Love You, ‘ all thanks to her little brother. Taking nine-year old Eric along to the Dominican Republic for the video shoot, Kellie says she witnessed firsthand how children can transcend any obstacle, including language, to form a bond.
“There were two little boys there, ” the singer tells GAC. “One was French, and the other was Spanish, and they could not understand a word each other was saying. And the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen: I saw them tryin’ to communicate, but there was that communication barrier there, and Eric finally just ran up to me, he {said], ‘Sissy, I want to play with them, but they can’t understand me.’ And I went, ‘You’ll figure out a way to communicate with them.'”
Theater review: ‘The Color Purple’ with Fantasia at the Pantages
There’s a Sunday morning sort of feeling at the Pantages Theatre these days as “The Color Purple” visits town with “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino in the central role.
The reports about her Broadway appearance in the musical in 2007-08, toward the end of its run, are all true. Performer and character disappear into each other, emerging as something achingly real yet bigger, more wondrous than life. Her rise through the third season of “Idol” might have signaled that she is a singer of rare talent, but it is as Celie, a woman slowly awakening to her inner magnificence, that she explodes like a supernova.
Audrina Patridge: Hollywood Hottie
And while she’s currently in the midst of filming another season of “The Hills, ” Audrina has announced that she’ll be joining eighth-season American Idol finalist, Matt Giraud, to work on the YOBI.tv channel show “MAKE THE CUT, ” which is an upcoming original singing competition.
“There is so much undiscovered talent out there, ” Miss Patridge tells, adding, “I am excited to take part in such a dynamic platform that will give opportunity to so many.”
Dancing Flash Mob Surprises Ryan & His Mom
Love was in the air in Santa Monica, CA Wednesday as Ryan sat down to lunch with his mom Connie and was surprised by a dancing, kissing flash mob!
Disguised as a street performer, a lone guitarist kicked off the stunt with an imaginative acoustic version of Six Pence None the Richer’s hit single “Kiss Me, ” which led to the original track and beautiful choreography from the paired-up dancers. The routine, topped with a passionate kiss, came to a close as innocently as it began and the dancers disappeared back into the promenade.
Cowell to Wed and Have Kids
BROODY Simon Cowell could soon marry his new lover Mezhgan Hussainy and have kids, his close pal “Nasty” Nigel Lythgoe claims.
The So You Think You Can Dance? judge revealed that playboy Cowell, 50, has been close to Mezhgan, 36, for seven years – and says they make a “beautiful couple”.
And the producer – who gave Cowell his break in TV as a judge on Pop Idol – says the pop guru is so keen to be a dad, he has been collecting PETS as a substitute family.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/2852208/Dance-judge-Nigel-Lythgoe-says-Simon-Cowell-will-wed-have-kids.html#ixzz0fPz6Idvi