‘Idol Gives Back’ Promises Bill Gates Surprise
Simon Fuller, the entertainment magnate behind “American Idol” and its charity event airing Wednesday, is trumpeting a starry lineup that includes Elton John, Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood.
But he played it coy when asked about the “Idol Gives Back” role of two other prominent people.
Bill and Melinda Gates, supporters of the fundraiser since it launched in 2007, “have done something very special, quite incredible, this year, ” Fuller said. Pressed for details, he would only advise that you must watch the broadcast.
Pumping up viewership — and donations — is Fuller’s goal. “Idol Gives Back, ” which has raised more than $140 million, this year will benefit Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children’s U.S. programs and the United Nations Foundation.
Idol’s Elliott Yamin on Idol Gives Back
Elliott Yamin placed third in Season Five of American Idol – narrowly finishing behind winner Taylor Hicks and runner-up Katherine McPhee. His first album – Elliott Yamin – was released in March of 2007 and went gold. His most recent album – Fight For Love – was released last year. Elliott travelled to Angola with Idol judge Kara DioGuardi in February as part of the Idol Gives Back effort.
LKL Blog: So you think it’s the guys’ year this year?
Elliott: I think so. Everyone is high up on Crystal Bowersox – and I like her too. Honestly, I just don’t think anyone is unique in their own right or really has the wow factor. I think everybody sounds ordinary, at best. And that’s not to take away from their talent. I think that all the contestants are talented in their own right. There’s just nobody with that wow factor or anybody with the really crazy story or personality. I don’t know, it’s been kind of tough.
Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson Tape Brooks and Dunn Special Last night
Carrie and Jennifer surprised Brooks and Dunn with covers of the duo’s songs for a special to air on May 23.
via @IdolsNow: Live Right Now: JENNIFER HUDSON’S stunning performance of Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe” @ MGM Grand.
via @IdolsNow CARRIE UNDERWOOD singing Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon” live on stage @ MGM Grand Las Vegas right now.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Rag on Ryan
‘American Idol” front-runner Crystal Bowersox is not denying she had “a moment” of weakness and talked to Ryan Seacrest about quitting the show — but she never expected Seacrest would tell the world about it.
The dread-locked singer reacted yesterday for the first time to reports that she was planning to leave “Idol” because she missed her young son — news that rocked the “Idol”-sphere.
But in a text message to a friend, Crystal yesterday said she’d been “betrayed by Seacrest” and had never been seriously ready to quit.
Stars turn out for Brooks & Dunn’s ‘Last Rodeo’
The night was filled with great performances. Lady Antebellum singers Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley coaxed Dunn and Reba McEntire on stage for “If You See Him/If You See He.” Chesney got them to sing along on “You’re Going to Miss Me When I’m Gone.” Miranda Lambert chose “Hillbilly Deluxe, ” she said, “because it rocks.” And Underwood sang “Neon Moon” the night after making history with her second entertainer of the year win at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Singer Jennifer Hudson then performed a show-stopping version of “Believe, ” reducing Hill and other members of the audience to tears.
“Girl, have you heard you?” Brooks asked the singer.
‘Idol’ Monday rehearsals: Casey’s sunburn, Lee’s nap, Carrie Underwood’s gift to the Top 7
It’s inspirational week on “American Idol, ” Alicia Keys is the mentor, and “Idol Gives Back “ is but 48 hours away, which means it was all about good vibes in the studio for Monday’s rehearsal. Once again, we were allowed unprecedented access to the production-in-progress so we could bring you this spoiler-free report. And what did we observe on this go-round? That Casey James got a nasty sunburn on Sunday that’s gotta hurt, that Lee DeWyze can fall asleep just about anywhere and that all the Idols received a very special gift from Carrie Underwood. Read on for a view from inside the Idol-dome…
Simon Cowell Says It Won’t Be Hard To Leave ‘American Idol’
Simon Cowell has not publicly talked very much about his feelings on leaving “American Idol” at the end of the current season. But on Monday night’s “Larry King Live, ” where the judges and Ryan Seacrest were promoting this week’s “Idol” season full of more on-screen tension than ever before, Cowell said that most of the testy back-and-forth between himself and Seacrest is a put on and that they are friendly in real life. “No, we get on fine, ” he said. “It’s right that it’s sport.”
Ellen DeGeneres also denied any real tension between the men, saying they were more like battling siblings. “They really are like brothers, ” she said. “I think that Ryan likes to see what he can do to push Simon’s buttons. And Simon likes to see what he can do to push Ryan’s buttons. And they do it to each other. That’s just the way they play.”
‘American Idol”s Andrew & Katie Are Glad to be Done With the Judging!
Tonight, “American Idol” is down to the Final Seven and they will be singing inspirational songs in honor of “Idol Gives Back, ” which airs on Wednesday night. But Andrew Garcia and Katie Stevens will not be joining them, because they got the boot last week. Two hopefuls had to go home because the judges used their save the previous week to keep Michael Lynche in the competition.
“I am kind of relieved that I don’t have to be judged any more, ” Andrew tells ET. “I get some time off to see my son and my girl. All I have to do is write for the album and get ready for the [‘Idol”s summer] tour, so I am excited.”
Siobhan Magnus’ uncle: ‘Idol’ judges off key
If viewers are confused by the judges’ contradictory critiques on Fox’s “American Idol, ” so is Siobhan Magnus’ family.
“She’s such a great singer. It is annoying when the judges go, ‘I didn’t think that was so great, ’ ” said Magnus’ uncle Alan Ware, co-founder of the locally based Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra.
Fox bars contestants’ immediate families from speaking with the media at this point in the competition, but Ware is under such no gag.
Troy Fair sends Kelly best wishes
TROY – The Troy Fair is wishing Aaron Kelly good luck as he competes on “American Idol.”
“Good luck to Aaron from all of us on the Troy Fair Board!” Troy Fair President Cathy Jenkins said.
Still a contender on the show, Kelly has been stirring a buzz in his small hometown of Sonestown, Pa., where many of the locals already familiarized themselves with Kelly’s stage presence at area events such as the Troy Fair and the Bloomsburg Fair.
But those hoping to see the young entertainer perform at the Troy Fair this year are out of luck. He won’t be back at his familiar haunt.
From Hollywood to N. Broad
Former American Idol contestant Tyler Grady is a sophomore psychology major on Main Campus.
Sophomore psychology major Tyler Grady sat down with The Temple News after Spring Fling – a souvenir can of whip cream in his hands after being pied – and discussed music, Temple, his experience on American Idol and his band, Wailing Waters.
Adam Lambert Picks His ‘American Idol’ Favorites, Plans Another Visit
And since he had such a great time on the show, Lambert said he hopes he can make another appearance during the season-nine finale. He wanted to show up for this week’s “Idol Gives Back” event, but his schedule won’t allow it.
“I hope to come back for the finale. Unfortunately, I’m going to be gone for ‘Idol Gives Back, ‘ ” he said. “I leave this Sunday. I’m going to be in Europe for three weeks, promoting my album. … It comes out in the U.K. at the end of the month, and I’m so excited to see how it does over there.”
Kris Allen rocks Atlantis [PHOTOS]
NASSAU, Bahamas — American Idol season eight winner Kris Allen brought his rockin’ American boy style to Paradise Island over the weekend as the pop star wowed Bahamians and tourists alike with an incredible concert at the Atlantis resort on Saturday April 17th.
The 24 year old Little Rock, Arkansas native is on a whirlwind concert tour but left no doubt that he was enjoying his Bahamas visit. Only two days before Kris signed an exclusive world-wide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) whose roster of artists includes other past Idol contestants – the multi-platinum Chris Daughtry and Jason Castro. Next weekend he’ll be performing live with Keith Urban.
Ellen DeGeneres and David Arquette team up, give back, help feed…
From the minute you step foot into the Foothill Unity Center in Monrovia, some 25 miles east of L.A., you get the immediate sense that these people mean business. Sure, the guy greeting you at the door is pushing 90, but you learn soon enough that when it comes to Feeding America volunteers, they come in all ages, colors, sizes and creeds. Likewise, the center’s beneficiaries span every demographic. The person coming in for a cart full of basic groceries (a $10 donation equals 90 pounds of food) could be your neighbor, a friend, a teacher or anyone struggling to scrape by in a down economy.
No pay rise for Simon Cowell as he signs new ITV deal (but he’s still on track to becoming a billionaire)
He has a fortune of £120 million, but Simon Cowell will not be getting a pay rise when he signs his new deal with ITV.
The talent show magnate’s £20-million ‘golden handcuffs’ deal with ITV ran out in December after three years.
Cowell, 50, is now on the brink of signing another exclusive deal this week , but a source close to the star said: ‘Simon is not getting a pay rise.
‘He is more concerned about the budget being raised for the X Factor to make sure it returns bigger and better.’
However, the lack of a pay rise will barely affect Cowell as he is on the brink of becoming a billionaire after winning back the rights to his hit shows, including the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.
‘Glee’ Stars Get Help From Madonna, But What About Adam Lambert?
In the “Power of Madonna” episode of “Glee” set to air on Tuesday night (April 20), fans will get more than just remixes of favorite pop tunes. The Material Girl herself praised how Mr. Schuester will use her songs to teach his students a little more about themselves, and possibly change the way they interact with each other.
Chris Colfer (who plays Kurt Hummel on the show) didn’t shed too much light on the Madonna episode, but did weigh in on the rumors that Adam Lambert may bring his glam-rock voice and style to the show. “He’s a sweetheart, ” he said. “I’ve only heard rumors, but I’ve never heard anything discussed with the writers or any of that.”
All-Madonna ‘Glee’: Like a Rich Virgin
If everyone hits the notes they’re supposed to, Tuesday’s Madonna-themed episode of “Glee” is going to leave the Material Girl very very happy — and not just from the female empowerment motif or Jane Lynch’s stylized version of “Vogue.”
For one thing, it’s the only episode so far of the hit series dedicated to a single artist.
“I could see it happening again infrequently in the future, ” Adam Anders, “Glee’s” music producer told TheWrap. “But Madonna was a great choice to start with because of the depth of her catalogue.”
‘Dancing’ movie theme was no blockbuster
It was “movie night” on “Dancing With The Stars, ” which makes two weeks in a row that the show — currently riding a wave of improved ratings and Gosselin-driven hype — has avoided straightforward routines in favor of things that allow greater use of gimmicky costumes.
Unfortunately, if these theme shows are supposed to drum up excitement, movie night was not a success, because those who are always bad were still bad, the presumptive favorite was returned to her throne, and the chosen punching bag was restored to the bottom.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Sweet Taboo
After Week 4 of season 10 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, Aiden Turner, former All My Children actor and a smash-hit on one moderately populated cruise ship, was voted out of the competition. He was FOILED! by his partner, you might say, if only because half of her body (generous estimate) happened to be draped in crinkled aluminum. Aiden, whom DANCMSTR Len Goodman referred to as his son because both of them are British, will be remembered best for his pixelated puke in Week 3, saying it with flowers, and playing an eye-patched card shark villain in the coming-soon 007-inspired film Dance Another Day.
More Headlines:
Bucky Covington Interview: 11 Questions
Bucky Covington’s success as a runner-up on ‘American Idol’ helped launch his country career, and he quickly achieved several chart hits, including ‘I’ll Walk’ and ‘A Different World, ‘ from his self-titled debut. He’s been hard at work on the follow-up to that album, ‘I’m Alright, ‘ which is due out later this year and will include his new single, ‘A Father’s Love.’
Bucky also recently returned from a USO tour to Kosovo, Amsterdam and Germany, and will be burning up the road throughout the summer on tour all across the country. The Boot quizzed Bucky about his favorite celebrity encounter (one that left him more than a little surprised), his favorite set of wheels, and one thing fans might not know — or should say “nose” — about the singer.
Five Best/Worst Possible ‘American Idol’ Alumni Mentors
The critics have spoken, and most seem to agree that last season’s runner-up Adam Lambert did a great job as the celebrity mentor to the Top 9 on this past week’s ‘American Idol.’ We even think he’d make a great judge. But why was Lambert the first ‘Idol’ alum to be invited back in the capacity of mentor?
