Idol Headlines for 02/20/11

Tourette’s Guy on ‘Idol’: I Wrote Songs About ‘Whores’

James Durbin — the Tourette’s-suffering guy on “American Idol” last week — wasn’t joking when he said he turned his life around … because just last year, he claimed to love singing about “sex” and “whores.”

It was all part of an interview he gave with his band “The Hollywood Scars” — they were competing in a local battle of the bands in Santa Cruz last April … and during the interview, Durbin says his favorite things to write songs about are “having sex with women … whores … [and] having a good time.”

See the Video at TMZ

***

Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole May Leave British ‘X Factor’ (Report)

LONDON – Simon Cowell could be quitting the British version of X Factor — along with fellow judge Cheryl Cole — so they can focus on the Fox version of the show that begins this fall, according to a report in the News of the World.

If true, it’s the news ITV bosses have feared for months, potentially impacting shares in the commercial network when they begin trading Monday.

Cowell and Cole have reportedly told ITV director of programs Peter Fincham that they have chosen to focus exclusively on Fox’s X Factor launch in L.A. rather than shuttling back and forth to headline both versions.

Read more at THR

***

More Headlines after the JUMP…

***

Lee DeWyze at work on second post-‘Idol’ album

Since winning the “Idol” title in May, DeWyze hit the road with the American Idol Live! Tour in July and released “Live It Up” in November, which debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard chart with 39, 000 albums sold. The raspy-voiced singer said a solo tour, which will include several universities, is in the works, and he revealed he is in the early stages of writing his next album.

“I’m always writing, ” said DeWyze, who co-wrote most of the songs on “Live It Up.”

Asked what he has learned about the music industry since winning “Idol, ” DeWyze responded “Everything … but it’s a matter of staying true to yourself and not letting people push you around. The label agreed not to do that. They have my back 100 percent and know I’ve got theirs.”

Read more at Chicago Tribune

***

Jennifer Hudson: A Star Is Reborn

After a few days of sleeping in a dank cell in South Africa, Jennifer Hudson started to lose it. In an attempt to channel Winnie Mandela for a new biopic about the controversial apartheid-era icon, Hudson opted to confine herself day and night to the prison set where the crew shot scenes depicting Mandela’s 500-plus days in solitary confinement. She wanted, she says, to “experience some of the hell that woman went through.” By the third day, hell had arrived. Her hair was tangled, her eyes sunken, and she started having imaginary conversations with her son. Reflecting on the experience still brings Hudson to a dark place. “They snatched her out of her home and she had no idea what happened to her children, ” Hudson says of Mandela. “Imagine living that? This was her life! This was real. As a woman, I am angry for her, hurting for her. And as a mom? God, being in solitary confinement, away from my son just for five days when shooting those scenes—it was too much for me. I was drained and stripped down. I was changed.”

Read more at Newsweek

***

Jordin Sparks tweets, “I was feeling hot last night! And I barely ever say that! ”

***

Katharine McPhee was out last night too, at the Open Heart Foundation Awards show, hosted by Jane Seymour at her home. Kat performed.

***

The Broadway musical, Rock of Ages featuring Constantine Maroulis is playing at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles right now. Watch an interview with Constantine posted at American Idol.com HERE. I get a shout-out of sorts HERE as Constantine answers fan questions. It’s in the first few minutes. I’m pretty sure he’s responding to THIS. LMAO.

***

Interview with former ‘Idol’ contestant La Toya London, now of ‘Urban Punk’

During her time on the third season of “American Idol, ” La Toya London, Jennifer Hudson, and “Idol” champ Fantasia Barrino were often referred to as the “three divas.” Delivering show-stopping performances, their incredible voices were must-see television each and every week.

After a critically acclaimed studio album in 2005 (“Love & Life”), and a stage turn in the Broadway play “The Color Purple, ” La Toya is now part of a new music group called “Urban Punk.”

Read more at the Examiner

***

Anoop Desai’s Zero.0 to drop on March 23 – Mark your calendar

Anoop Desai confirmed on Twitter that the first installment of his latest project, Zero, will be released on March 23. In an earlier Tweet, Anoop revealed that there will be multiple parts to Zero.

Read more at AnoopDesai.com

***

Julianne Hough & Ryan Seacrest: Los Cabos Getaway!

Julianne Hough and her boyfriend Ryan Seacrest enjoy some alone time as they relax on the deck of their suite on Saturday (February 19) in Los Cabos, Mexico.

The 22-year-old singer and dancer wore a white bikini as she and Ryan laid back and soaked in the sun.

See the photos at Just Jared

***

£8M SIMON COWELL IS NO IDOL THREAT FOR AMERICAN IDOL

ITV wants exclusive rights to broadcast Simon Cowell’s X Factor USA on prime-time British TV.

The deal could be worth £8million to FOX TV in America.

The Brit channel already has Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor.

But it could mean that ITV ditches American Idol, created by Cowell’s rival Simon Fuller.

Read more at the Daily Star

***

Mike O’Malley Reveals Double Duty Plans for Glee, New Fox Pilot

Burt Hummel fans, rejoice! Mike O’Malley tells me exclusively that there’s no need to worry about the future of Glee‘s greatest dad.

When Deadline reported Wednesday that O’Malley had landed the lead role in Fox’s new pilot Family Album, the web went wild with one pivotal query: What does this mean for Glee‘s Burt Hummel?! Well, fret not because barring another internal disaster, Kurts’s (Chris Colfer) beloved pops is here to stay.

“I hope Burt Hummel doesn’t have another heart attack and die because as part of my deal, I’m guaranteed six episodes of Glee next season, ” a dapper O’Malley revealed Saturday night at the Ace Eddie Awards in Beverly Hills.

Read more at TV Line

About mj santilli 35157 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!