@RCAPromo: “Tomorrow is @LeeDeWyze Lee DeWyze’s chat w @KC1013! http://bit.ly/g1lVcr. Submit questions now, chat is at 2pm EST! #Idol
Will.i.am Returning to ‘Idol’ to Perform ‘Rio’ Song
Just two weeks after performing with the Black Eyed Peas on “American Idol, ” will.i.am will return to the Fox TV show to perform his song from the 20th Century Fox animated film, “Rio.”
“Hot Wings (I Wanna Party)” is a duet between will.i.am and Jamie Foxx in the film that opens Apr. 15. The song is not being released as a single, but will.i.am believes the song will become “a viral baton that is, in a sense, a single.”
Read more at Billboard
Simon Cowell Twitter Chat!
Simon Cowell took time out from his busy promo schedule to chat with fans on twiiter. You can read the Q&A at @XFactorUSA.
There’s nothing earth shattering to report other than Simon’s assurance that an announcement will be made very soon about the rest of the on-air cast. Cheryl Cole is still in the mix.
More Headlines after the JUMP…
Simon Cowell Dishes on ‘X Factor’ – Exclusive Interview
JJ: Why should an aspiring singer audition for The X Factor instead of Idol, The Voice, or America’s Got Talent?
SC: I think when you see the show in terms of the way the show looks and the performances and how they’re produced, the fact that you got people like myself or L.A. Reid mentoring you all the time you’re on the show means you hopefully get better week after week in front of millions of people. So by the competition ends, you got a really good head start. And there’s a massive open mindedness on the show. We showed that with the rules. You have to be at least 12 years old. Apart from that, you can be any age – you could be 100 and turn up for this show. You can be in a vocal group. You can be the next Boyz II Men. You could be the next Glee club. You could be the next Jackson 5. And on this show you walk away with $5 million cash. Not a bad prize, is it? I did that mainly to put pressure on us to find someone good and to say to these people that I’m not just talking about it. I really am willing to put my money where my mouth is. I really believe there is a star sitting out there so I’m ready to give the winner that much cash to prove my point.
Read more at Just Jared
Something Pitchy: ‘American Idol’s Goodbye Girls
Find out what myself, MJ Santilli (MJ’s Big Blog) and Rickey Yaneza (Rickey.org) think about the future of the ‘Idol’ ladies, in particular one Haley Reinhart. We’ve got a prescription for what she needs to do to win America over and some thoughts on the return of last season’s ‘Idol’ king, Lee DeWyze (plus Fergie’s face!) in this post-Top 12 elimination edition of ‘Something Pitchy!’
See the Video at Tv Squad
Simon Cowell Talks ‘X Factor’ Judges, Susan Boyle And Rebecca Black
Already, record exec LA Reid, whom Cowell raves about, is signed up; rumors have also had old friend Paula Abdul, rapper Nicki Minaj and Jessica Simpson joining up, as well.
Each rumor, Cowell says, is leaked by his company after he meets with the candidates, so if you’ve heard it, chances are there’s at least been a meeting. It’ll take a lot to sit in that judge’s chair, Cowell says, and there’s a lot at stake: a $5 million prize. With age limits and genre limitations more or less out the window, it’s a wide open competition, something Cowell believes will bring the next big thing to the public’s attention.
Read more at Huffington Post
Simon Cowell’s “The X Factor” Would Love To Find “Another Carrie Underwood”
Matt: Why does it seem like country music has helped to give past Idols sustainable careers, maybe more so than other genres?
Simon: Well, it was interesting. With Carrie Underwood, from the first day she came into the audition. It was honestly like everybody else was in black in white and this girl was in full color. She was the absolute total package. She looked the part, she sounded the part, and most of all, she knew who she wanted to be. So I was really one of the first to support her and I would love to find somebody like another Carrie Underwood. But what we look for on this show, all these shows is to find somebody who’s unique. So if we find a country singer through the process, I’ll be thrilled.
Matt: What is it about country music that you think makes it more open to accepting artists from programs like Idol and The X Factor?
Simon: I don’t know if it’s specific to country music. I like to think we try to be as broad-minded as possible. And we try to put together a panel who know what they’re talking about and can spot talent regardless of age or style of music. But, you get a good country singer on the show, they always get a very loyal following and do well on these shows.
Read more at Roughstock
Adam Lambert interview with French Canadian TV Show Musique Plus
Via Sandee Lambert
Carrie, Garth & Reba Shine at Tribute to George H. W. Bush
“The smallest thing can make a big difference, ” she told the crowd a bit later from the stage, after relating a story about a boy’s efforts to rescue a sea creature.”The world is changed one starfish at a time.”
Kid Rock opened the show with ‘Born Free.’ Carrie performed jaw-dropping renditions of ‘Reach Out and Touch’ and ‘Instant Karma, ‘ while Brad sang ‘Try a Little Kindness.’ Cee-Lo Green teamed with Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave fame) to sing ‘Soul Man.’ And Garth closed the almost two hour show with a powerful rendition of ‘Lean on Me, ‘ after a heartfelt performance of ‘America the Beautiful.’
Read more at The Boot
Karen Rodriguez on Good Day New York
Idol filming a Wrestling-themed video package yesterday?
.@NAdedapoAI10 getting her Michael Buffer ON during WrestleMania yesterday. Let’s Get Ready to RUMMMBBLLLE!!”
Linkin Park, Justin Bieber, Elliott Yamin And More Offer Music For Japan
While international efforts continue to help the people of Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, many musicians are doing their part by donating music to aid relief efforts. One campaign being put together by the organization Music For Relief finds artists such as Angels & Airwaves, Sara Bareilles, B’z, Counting Crows, Flyleaf, Hoobastank, Enrique Iglesias, Linkin Park, Plain White T’s, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Staind, Slash and Elliott Yamin offering new, unreleased songs to support Save The Children’s emergency response funds. The exclusive and growing catalog of songs can be downloaded at www.downloadtodonate.org for a donation of $10 or more. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be directed to Save The Children for the duration of the campaign, which runs through May 11.
Via FMQB
American Idol Finalist James Durbin Defies Tourette Syndrome and Asperger’s
James Durbin, the American Idol contestant often compared to Adam Lambert for his heavy metal edge and high-pitched wail, literally dazzled viewers—and the judges—March 16th with on-stage pyrotechnics during his rendition of Jon Bon Jovi’s power ballad, “I’ll be There for You.” Along with his flashy showmanship, the 22-year-old rocker from Santa Cruz, California has an inner fire that has propelled him to the top 11 so far in the competition, despite the challenges of battling two often misunderstood disorders: Asperger syndrome and Tourette syndrome.
Read more at Yahoo.com
American Idol-Winner Kris Allen Partners With Music Empowers Foundation to Raise Funds for Music Education for Kids
NEW YORK, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Music Empowers Foundation today announced that the official fan website of platinum-selling recording artist and American Idol Season 8-winner Kris Allen has just launched a permanent home page feature that will enable fans to donate directly to Music Empowers Foundation. In partnering on this initiative, Mr. Allen and Music Empowers hope to raise significant funds in support of music education for kids.
Fans who visit the Kris Allen website and click on the Music Empowers donate button will be taken to a Kris Allen Giving Page (where they will receive a special message from Kris regarding the importance of music education and be able to donate directly to Music Empowers Foundation).
“Music Education is something I’ve had a passion about for many years, ” said Kris Allen in explaining his support for Music Empowers. “I know that if I hadn’t had access to great music programs in school, I might not be where I am today.”
Read more at PRNewswire
Kris Allen’s Dog is Totally Adorbs (Now Modeling Doggie Shirts!)
Buy yours at Kris Allen.com
A talk with Shirley Halperin, author of ‘American Idol: Celebrating 10 Years’
“This is a book for ‘Idol’ fans who worship the show, ” Halperin said. As for wanting to do the book: “I’ve invested so much time and so much of my brain space. I wanted to have something to show for it. I do feel like an expert on ‘American Idol.’ ”
Halperin knew a book was coming and through some fortuitous connections with editors and publishers, she was picked last year to be the author. She spent several weeks watching every single episode of “Idol” from season one to season nine, feverishly jotting notes along the way. “It as insane, ” she said. “I had an Excel spreadsheet to keep tabs on things. I never have to watch those seasons again!”
Read more at the Atlanta Journal Constitution
Who will host the Emmys: Ryan Seacrest … or Charlie Sheen?
Academy officials, Emmy producers and Fox have an interesting selection of possible hosts from which to choose, especially following incredible emcee jobs by Neil Patrick Harris in 2009 and Jimmy Fallon in 2010.
Assuming Fox wants one of its own stars in the job (in order of possibility):
Read more at the LA Times
Matthew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow to duet on his upcoming album — EXCLUSIVE
Now the pair are hoping that energy translates to the recording studio. EW has learned exclusively that Morrison and the Country Strong star will duet on his self-titled adult-contemporary album, scheduled to drop this May 10. Morrison asked Paltrow to sing on the album during her work on Glee, but admits the conversation was slightly awkward. “The hardest part of doing this album was asking these people favors, like Elton [John] and her, ” says the actor. “I’m so not that guy.” Luckily, choosing the song for their collaboration was much easier. The pair will be covering a tune very familiar to Morrison and his Glee fans: the classic “Over the Rainbow.”
Read more at EW
Ex-DWTS Star Now a Registered Sex Offender
NFL all-timer and onetime Dancing With the Stars contestant Lawrence Taylor narrowly escaped jailtime on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a lesser count stemming from his 2010 rape arrest.
But Taylor is still getting a big black mark on his permanent record.
As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, the famed footballer copped to misdemeanor charges of sexual misconduct and soliciting a prostitute. In return, he was sentenced by a judge in Rockland County New York to six years probation.
He’ll also now be required to spend the rest of his life registered as a convicted sex offender.
Read more at EOnlline
‘DWTS’ Judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s State of ‘Grace’
“Dancing with the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba is venturing into TV drama with a new ABC pilot called “Grace.”
“I’m executive producing, ” Inaba explained to “Extra” after the “DWTS” Season 12 premiere. “We hired Eric Roberts to be our lead. We have Debbie Allen, and we have an amazing cast. It’s sort of riding on the coattails of ‘DWTS’ and everybody loves dance. I thought it’s time for a drama that includes dance, so we’re working on it. It’s a long way until it goes to series, but if it goes to series, you’ll be seeing it soon. It’s amazing, it’s my love it’s my passion. It’s time to bring dance on another level!”
See the Video at Extra TV