A year after Idol, what are Season 8’s top 13 up to now?
As American Idol’s new top 12 rises, last year’s finalists are launching their post-Idol careers: Danny Gokey and Scott MacIntyre both just released new albums. Find out what the rest of last year’s finest have been up to and hear samples of their post-Idol recordings.
Simon Cowell To Walk Down the Aisle This September?
Simon Cowell’s “Mr. Mean” persona seems to be a thing of the past. But, is it his newfound engagement to longtime ‘American Idol‘ makeup artist Mezghan Hussainy or something of the greener persuasion?
“Is it love or is it because he just got a billion dollar deal for ‘X Factor’?, ” jokes Miles Siggins to Fancast. “Is it for love or is it for the money or is it for the love of money? I don’t know, ” confessed the ‘American Idol’ stylist and friend of Hussainy at today’s Fox Mid-Season junket in L.A.
Adam Lambert’s All-Time Favorite Tracks
In case it was ever in doubt, rock crooner Adam Lambert professes to be a born performer.
Lambert recently sat down with “Nightline” at The Kimberly Hotel in New York City to discuss his recent work, his “Idol” success and some of his own musical idols, from Johnny Cash to Madonna.
Watch the full story tonight on “Nightline” at 11:35 p.m. ET
Here, Lambert talks about some of the music that belongs in his personal dream jukebox, and why.
When American Idol Meets Hair, It’s All Groovy, Man — Groovy and Naked
While the American Idol judges are asking current contestants to get emotionally naked for national TV, two old Idol favorites are getting naked, literally, on Broadway. On Monday night, season three runner-up Diana DeGarmo and season five seventh-place finisher Ace Young joined the new cast of Hair, taking over the roles of Sheila and Berger from Caissie Levy and the Tony-nominated Will Swenson. (The original “tribe” is moving the show to London for six months.) It’s the second Broadway outing for the Idols; Young had performed in Grease and DeGarmo in Hairspray, which, she said, is very confusing to many people. “When I got that play, people were like, ‘Is that the one where you get naked?’ And I was like, ‘No, HairSPRAY, early sixties. They kept their clothes on.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…keep checking back for more…
Carrie Underwood opens tour in Reading with lots of bells and whistles
Considering her booming voice and Covergirl looks, if there’s anyone in the country music business who doesn’t need any special effects or any high-tech wizardry during her concerts it’s Carrie Underwood.
Give this lady a microphone, a band and a playlist of songs and that’s a night of entertainment. It’s why she won “American Idol” and why she has gone on — as Simon predicted — to sell more records than other Idol performer.
But on her new “Play On” concert tour which debuted Thursday night at Reading’s Sovereign Center before a sellout crowd of more than 7, 000, Underwood seemed determined to give her audience much more than her music.
She has one of the most elaborate stage productions you’ll ever see for a concert and the stage became an attraction almost immediately.
Matt Giraud And Scott MacIntyre Lighten Up A Shocking ‘American Idol’
Amid the carnage and genuinely confusing results on Thursday night’s (March 11) “American Idol” (Aaron Kelly? Katie Stevens? Paige Miles?!?), two of last year’s hopefuls took the stage to lighten the mood with a sunny, dueling-pianos duet.
Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre — who just released a brand-new album called Heartstrings — joined forces on an upbeat version of Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It, ” trading verses and runs up and down the keys. Backed by the “Idol” house band, the duo muscled their way through the song, with Giraud hitting a few falsetto spots, each ripping off rocking, fleet-fingered solos.
Andrew Garcia Profile: Can He Break Out Of The ‘Straight Up’ Straitjacket?
If the “American Idol” judges are to be believed, this season is all about the girls. Yet Andrew Garcia has quickly established himself as a contender for the “Idol” trophy with unexpected stripped-down acoustic interpretations of pop songs, ranging from a Fall Out Boy hit to a Paula Abdul classic.
Best Performance: Garcia’s Hollywood Week spin on Abdul’s “Straight Up” was a rare highlight for this year’s unimpressive cast of boys. He’s never been more playful or imaginative on the show. Three weeks into the live episodes, “Straight Up” is still one of the most talked-about performances of the season.
Crystal Bowersox Profile: ‘I’m Not Letting Anything Go To My Head’
On Thursday night, “American Idol” revealed its Top 12 Finalists for the ninth season of the hit show. MTV News “Idol” expert Jim Cantiello whipped up a handy cheat sheet for each finalist, breaking down each candidate’s journey thus far. He also got the “Idol” hopefuls to weigh in when he caught up with them at Thursday night’s Top 12 Party in Hollywood.
Colonie bakery makes birthday cake for Underwood
Coccadotts Cake Shop in Colonie was commissioned to make a birthday cake for country singer and former “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood, who performs Friday at the Times Union Center in Albany. Underwood’s 27th birthday was Wednesday.
The cake made for Underwood is chocolate with butter-cream frosting decorated with blue fondant and polka-dots. It’s topped with a platinum-toned bow and “Happy Birthday Carrie.”
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=910573#ixzz0hyZ8022g
KATHERINE MCPHEE’S “COMMUNITY” CANOODLING
Katharine McPhee is guest starring on Community tonight and though she’s primarily known for her singing, the former American Idol contestant is on the hunt for a good sitcom of her own.
Now that’s she’s gotten a taste of comedy, McPhee is ready to fly solo, although she knows it’s not quite as easy as a one-shot appearance on an established series.
Community, ‘Basic Genealogy’: Katharine McPhee is Pierce’s stepdaughter
As for the comedy, Troy trying to talk while crying has now become one of the show’s most reliable laugh-getters, and the unlikely Troy/Britta partnership again yielded great dividends, with Britta’s more-enlightened-than-thou whiteness getting her a good switchin’. Katharine McPhee was fine as Pierce’s grifter stepdaughter (and certainly much more lifelike than fellow “American Idol” alum Carrie Underwood was on “HIMYM” last week), and it had been a while since we got some good Pierce/Jeff interaction. Early episodes had established that Pierce is who Jeff will become if he’s not careful, and it was nice to see Pierce himself recognize this and for once have the self-awareness to try to talk Jeff out of it. (And that also had a good talking-while-crying gag, with Jeff venting about “Glee.”) And the Pictionary/swastika/Rabbi Chang gag was wonderfully set-up.
‘American Idol’ Winner Taylor Hicks In Pittsburgh With Broadway Musical Tour ‘Grease’
PITTSBURGH — “American Idol” season 5 winner Taylor Hicks is in Pittsburgh with the Broadway musical tour “Grease.”
Hicks stopped by WPXI-TV on Thursday for an interview. He was charming and warm, just the way he appears on television and stage.
Hicks plays Teen Angel in “Grease, ” the character who tries to guide Frenchy when she drops out of beauty school.
“This is my first Broadway role, so it’s pretty exciting, ” said Hicks.
‘American Idol’: Syesha Mercado on Todrick Hall, ‘Dreamgirls’ and her debut album
Two years off her “American Idol” journey, Syesha Mercado is playing the glamorous Deena Jones in “Dreamgirls” and working on her debut album.
Deena Jones is the “Dreamgirls” role played by music superstar Beyonce, which must be some pretty big shoes to fill for Syesha.
“It was a little scary at first when I started thinking like that. It’s a lot of pressure, ” Syesha tells Zap2it. “But once rehearsals started I just tried my best to focus on who Deena Jones was and playing it as honestly as I could. I definitely pay homage to Beyonce, but at the same time I can only do what I can do.”
Clarkson ‘at home’ in South Africa
At a media briefing ahead of her three-concert tour of the country which begins today, Clarkson said that, unlike other first-time visitors, she had “no false expectations of South Africa” because long-time back-up singer Kate Rapier was born here.
Clarkson said: “I know about South Africa through one of my back-up singers and friends who grew up here . her dad has several non-profit organisations.”
The 27-year-old Grammy Award winner and winner of the first season of American Idol in 2002, added that she would be visiting tourist spots she had heard of.
Flint native Sophia Taylor is ‘Rehabin’ da Hood’ with local reality home improvement show
The local public access program chronicles Flint native Sophia Taylor and her business partner Andre White as they encounter the obstacles of flipping homes in Flint — from thieves stealing the electrical wiring (again) to plumbing-gone-berserk.
In the third episode, she gets a scolding from her father for painting the outside of a brick home — a definite no-no in his mind.
Along with Taylor’s father and 90-year-old grandmother, Flint’s former American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones also makes a cameo appearance on the show. Taylor cowrote a couple of songs on Jones’ album, “So Glad I’m Me.”
Clay Aiken Talks About Concert Special, Wake Co. School Board
Dressed in a blue button down shirt and blue jeans, Clay Aiken sat down for an interview with NBC17 Thursday at the Progress Energy Center.
Aiken announced in February that he will perform a one-night only special event to help kick off the release of his new album “Tried and True” and that this concert will be taped which will air sometime in June on PBS.
Within minutes of tickets going on sale, they sold-out. Many of those tickets were bought by some of Aiken’s most loyal fans who said they will travel across the country to see him perform. Something he hasn’t done in quite some time.
“It’s always a surprise when folks are willing to put so much effort forth, ” said Aiken.
A classic move
RALEIGH — When Clay Aiken hits the stage tonight at Memorial Auditorium, he will be performing for the couple of thousand people in the crowd, as well a future audience that could be much, much larger.
The concert, which will feature the first live performance of his coming album, “Tried and True, ” will be taped for a PBS special that will air this summer. It’s a one-time-only deal, and Aiken, the Raleigh native and “American Idol” runner-up, will sing each song from the new album.
“Tried and True, ” scheduled for a late May release, is Aiken’s first album for Decca Records. It’s also the first in which he didn’t feel record-company pressure to go in a pop-friendly direction. Working with Decca, he and longtime manager Simon Renshaw charted a different course for Aiken’s career.
The ‘American Idol’ Judge Power Rankings: Sorting out the Top 12
Kara fights hard to keep her seat — and produces genuine tears! Meanwhile, Randy settles into his usual interchangeable phrases (this week: “I dunno, man. It was just aiight for me”). Simon’s weariness begins to show, to which I say, “You’ve only got yourselves to blame for this ho-hum lineup!” And Ellen still can’t do anything except make Kara and Simon look that much better.
‘American Idol’ EXCLUSIVE! Discover Kara DioGuardi’s Diet Secrets!
Ever since Kara DioGuardi strutted her stuff in a two piece on American Idol last season (take that, Bikini Girl!), we’ve been minorly obsessed with getting the 39-year-old judge’s sexy bod. Luckily for us, we ran into the always gracious Kara at APCH’s forth annual Stars & Strikes celebrity bowling and poker tournament in Los Angeles March 10, and she dished on how to achieve her fabulous figure.
“What really helped me get over any eating issues I had in the past was to figure out what I love to do in life and am passionate about and get focused on that, instead of focusing on what I look like, the calories I was eating — all of that nonsense, ” Kara told HollywoodLife.com exclusively.
On the Scene: ‘American Idol’ host Kara DioGuardi thinks ‘Bikini Girl’-inspired stunt saved her job
“I kept saying no! I mean, what crazy nut is gonna go out there in a bikini at almost 40 years of age?” she tells April’s Women’s Health mag, on stands Tuesday.
But she admits the stunt “probably saved [my] job.”
Says Kara: “It was a defining moment, like, ‘She’s … as kooky as everyone else on this panel.'”
Simon’s engagement was a surprise to many
Simon Cowell went from bachelor to betrothed before most people knew he was even dating his fiancee, Mezhgan Hussainy. Just how did this happen? According to recording artist Sinitta, one of Cowell’s friends, Hussainy patiently waited for the “American Idol” judge to come around.
Shane Sparks Pleads Not Guilty to Child Molestation Charges
‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ judge Shane Sparks has entered an official plea of not guilty to the eight counts of child molestation he was charged with back in December.
The Emmy nominee, who has worked with Aaliyah, Lindsay Lohan and Monica, was arrested on December 18. He was held on $590, 000 bail in a Van Nuys, California, jail, and was released the following day.
Derek Hough Sustains Cut During ‘Dancing’ Rehearsals
LOS ANGELES, Calif. —
Derek Hough got a little more than he bargained for with his new “Dancing with the Stars” partner Nicole Scherzinger.
The Pussycat Dolls singer left Derek with a cut on his face after accidentally kicking him during rehearsal for the show’s Season 10 premiere on ABC on March 22.
Derek told Billy Bush, who stopped by the studio for an interview with the ballroom pair on Thursday, that Nicole’s kick barely missed his eye.
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WKLB hosts St. Jude Kids Radiothon with rising stars
WKLB Country 102.5 kicks off a 2-day radiothoon to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital today. The station will broadcast their Annual Country Cares For St. Jude Kids Radiothon from the Jordan’s Furniture in Reading on Thursday and Friday. Joining them on site to deliver live performances will be a linuep of rising country music stars including Steel Magnolia, The Band Perry, Easton Corbin and Danny Gokey.
Fans are encouraged to stop in to Jordan’s to watch the performances and become a Partner In Hope by making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on site. Donataions can also be made online and by calling 1-800-963-HOPE (4673). WKLB will be broadcasting live on Thursday till 7 p.m. and on Friday until 9 p.m. The station is also hosting an inline auction to benefit St. Judes with rare memorbilia including autographed items from Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Leann Rimes and more.
‘Community’: Katharine McPhee Must Be Stopped
Please, won’t someone stop Katharine McPhee? The former American Idol contestant has dyed her hair blonde and set off on a television guest-appearance reign of terror, stopping last night to weigh down Community en route to the premiere of her own comedy, The Pink House, on NBC this fall. This time, she showed up as one of Pierce’s many ex-stepdaughters as the members of the study group suffered through Family Day at Greendale. Lessons about family abounded:
Matt Giraud Working On ‘Soulful Rock’ Debut
It’s been a while since America has seen Matt Giraud. The JT-like soul man who was a wild card “American Idol” finalist and recipient of last season’s controversial judge’s save has been working hard off-the-radar since his fifth-place finish on season eight.
Since his “Idol” run ended, Giraud’s been writing songs in Nashville for his debut album, working with such well-known songwriters as Marcus Hummon (Rascal Flatts, Dixie Chicks) and Monty Powell (Keith Urban). “I’m not really going country, ” he told MTV News last month, “but they appreciate soul down there and I’ve been playing with them and making great music.” So far, he’s recorded 15 songs, many of which he co-wrote, and is hoping to amass at least 30 before he starts shopping an album around.
