‘American Idol’ Front-Runner Almost Quit
TMZ has learned “American Idol” contestant Crystal Bowersox threw in the towel a little more than two weeks ago and was walking off the show, when Ryan Seacrest did some fast-talking and changed her mind.
It went down in a parking lot after an “A.I.” show. In front of several people, Crystal told Ryan she couldn’t handle the competition…. she said she hated the attention and said to Seacrest, “What’s the point?”
Crystal said she was going back to Ohio to be with her family, whom she missed terribly.
Ryan told Crystal that being on “Idol” was like starting a business, and if she won she’d get a recording contract and become a millionaire.
Seacrest sealed the deal by telling her, “The greatest thing I ever did was make enough money so I could buy my mom a house. You can buy your mom a house.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
ACM Awards features 24/7 online coverage ahead of Big Night
The Academy of Country Music is offering for the first time 24/7 digital coverage leading up to Sunday’s awards show live from MGM Grand Garden Arena. Our city is already heating up with dozens of top country performers, and rehearsals got underway yesterday with Taylor Swift.
Dancing With the Stars favorite and two-time pro champion Julianne Hough, actor Matthew McConaughey, rapper LL Cool J and Oscar and Grammy winner Jamie Foxx have been added to the list of presenters, with performances by Laura Bell Bundy, John Fogerty, Jack Ingram, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith with jazz saxophonist Dave Koz, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker. Previously announced performers are Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins.
Meantime, ACM is providing exclusive content to viewers before the show. Sarah Buxton, Danny Gokey, Jennette McCurdy and Emily West have teamed up to host ACM Awards Daily, ACM Awards Live! The Day Before, ACM Awards Orange Carpet Live and more. Fans can watch the live programming, vote for their favorite artists and ask questions to their favorite stars as they walk the orange carpet leading up to the show by clicking onto www.CBS.com/acma, www.ACMCountry.com and Facebook.com/AcademofCountryMusic, while the live streaming widget is at www.DickClark.com/acma/.
Danny Gokey’s new foundation launches it’s first music program in Milwaukee
WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE – A dream becomes reality for Milwaukee’s American Idol finalist Danny Gokey. Gokey’s Foundation, Sophia’s Heart, launched it’s first music & arts program in Milwaukee. Sarah Platt had a chance to hear the children’s choir, just days after the group’s first practice.
‘Idol Gives Back’ to Houston Food Bank
HOUSTON – An “American Idol” finalist is giving back to the Houston community, in a story Worth Your Time.
Lakisha Jones, a finalist from the sixth season of “American Idol, ” volunteered at the Houston Food Bank on Thursday.
As part of the Idol Gives Back program, “American Idol” finalists from across the U.S. work at local food banks.
A lot has changed since Jones became a star on “American Idol.”
Idol Alumni Give Back with City Harvest
MYFOXNY.COM – In connection with Idol Gives Back, former American Idol finalists Ace Young, Diana Degarmo, Julia DeMato, RJ Helton and Jorge Nuñez delivered food with City Harvest on at the Jan Hus Presbyterian Church soup kitchen and food pantry.
IDOL GIVES BACK, the Emmy Award-winning television event and musical celebration, will raise awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities during the Top 7 Results Show on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
Matt Giraud + Gilmore Keyboard Festival = ‘no-brainer’
KALAMAZOO — Let’s see, Kalamazoo is home to one of the most-renowned piano and keyboard festivals in the world and it happens to be held this year.
The Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival also was completing its final lineup shortly after “American Idol” finalist Matt Giraud, of Kalamazoo, finished his contractual obligation to tour with the show’s other finalists, opening up his schedule a bit.
Oh, and Giraud plays the piano — a lot, going back to his days at the Monaco Bay Piano Bar and Grill, at 300 E. Michigan Ave.
‘American Idol’ executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz shoots down rumors of encore for Paula Abdul
“American Idol” executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz Thursday shot down a report that the popular Fox series was trying to get Paula Abdul back on the show.
Abdul left the show as a judge over the summer and has since been replaced by Ellen DeGeneres. However, ratings, while still big this year, are down from last year, leading to speculation that producers were looking to juice the show.
“There’s no truth to that rumor, ” she told reporters on a conference call to tout next week’s “Idol Gives Back” benefit.
Paula back to ‘Idol’?
Ratings erosion on “American Idol” has ig nited speculation that Paula Abdul could return next season when Simon Cowell leaves the show.
While “Idol” remains a ratings winner, its slip has begun to show thanks to ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
For the last two weeks (March 29 and April 5), the Monday-night edition of “Dancing” has beaten both editions of “Idol” (Tuesday and Wednesday) in total viewers. (“Idol” has beaten “Dancing” in head-to-head battle on Tuesdays.)
It’s the first time in five years that any show has beaten both installments of “Idol” for two consecutive weeks, and the ratings shift has fanned rumors regarding Abdul — a fan favorite who left “Idol” after last season and was replaced by Ellen DeGeneres.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Vegas Week: On to choreography
It’s late afternoon in Vegas and the “So You Think You Can Dance” judges have already made early cuts. But the dream is still alive for a lot of kids.
First up?
Hip Hop… with the one and only Tabitha D’Umo — of Tabitha and Napoleon fame — assisted by Season 3 finalist Lauren Gottlieb who will return to “SYTYCD” as an all-star this season.
Check out a quick clip I shot in the theater lobby as the kids got warmed up…
