Kara DioGuardi Predicts Who Will Sing in Idol Finale
With no mention of her cougar crush on Casey James, Kara DioGuardi made her pick for which of the show’s top three contestants will face off in next week’s American Idol season 9 finale.
“I think it will be a Crystal [and] Lee finale, ” the judge said at the BMI Pop Awards in L.A. on Tuesday. Though she refused to predict exactly who would take the Idol crown, she added of Bowersox, “It’s difficult at a young age to have a real sense of yourself. She hasn’t always made the perfect choice, but she’s always had a good reason behind things.”
We Are the Fallen to tour with Saving Abel
We Are the Fallen, whose Tear the World Down album debuted today at No. 33 on The Billboard 200, will tour with Saving Abel beginning June 30 in Kansas City, Mo.
American Bang and Taddy Porter also will be supporting acts on the tour.
BTW, We Are the Fallen singer Carly Smithson will attend this season’s American Idol finale May 26 in Los Angeles.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Idol Puts Stamp On BMI Pop Awards
A slew of songs by American Idols were honored last night at the 2010 BMI Pop Awards. The awards ceremony honored RedOne as the Songwriter of the Year and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” as the song of the year and also recognized the past year’s 50 most-performed pop songs on U.S. radio and television.
Nine of the award-winning songs were sung by American Idol alumni Kelly Clarkson (2 songs), David Cook (2), Daughtry (2), Jordin Sparks (2) and David Archuleta. Additionally, Idol judge Kara DioGuardi co-wrote three award-winning songs.
Lee DeWyze Has Pre-‘Idol’ History With ‘Simple Man’
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois — When Lee DeWyze sang Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” on Tuesday night’s “American Idol, ” somewhere in the greater Chicago area, Brian Friedopfer was freaking out.
That’s not surprising, because the “Idol” finalist’s low-key hometown pal has a deep history with DeWyze and the song, which Lee has been playing in his live shows for years. Along with his knockout take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah, ” the Skynyrd ballad might just have given former paint-store clerk and high school hellion Lee a lock on a title shot in the finale.
Lee DeWyze’s Friends Reveal ‘American Idol’ Finalist’s Improv Skills
We’ve gotten to know Lee DeWyze, 24, a bit on “American Idol” this season. We’ve learned that he struggled a bit in high school, used to work at a paint store and that he can make even an old “Idol” chestnut like “Hallelujah” feel brand-new again.
But the one thing nobody has talked about, that his friends and family say is actually one of Lee’s strongest skills, is his ability to improvise lyrics on the spot. There’s not really room on the show to freestyle, but if you believe his karaoke pal Brian Friedopfer, 27, Lee can throw down off the top of the dome with the best of them.
Lee DeWyze tops the latest Idol Meter tally
Lee DeWyze tops the Idol Meter today, as you might expect: After all, Lee got the prime closing spot for his Hallelujah and was the only Idol to trend on Twitter in a big way. However, writes Ken Barnes, between Hallelujah’s choir and all the lighting bells and whistles, “the season’s manipulation stepped over the line from obvious to crassly heavy-handed.”
Casey James, not surprisingly, comes in a distant third. “At a certain stage, some strong candidates almost seem to give up, ” Ken writes. “We saw a bit of it in Siobhan, and earlier, notably, in Jason Castro. Casey’s two tepid performances and laid-back demeanor gave off that vibe.”
Crystal Bowersox’s Friends Says She’s Earned ‘American Idol’ Finale Spot
Though she didn’t appear to have the same kind of moment Lee DeWyze did on Tuesday, Crystal Bowersox’s did plenty to earn herself a slot in next week’s season-nine finale, according to her hometown friends.
“Crystal left no doubt in my mind last night that she should win this, ” said John Schafer, who has booked Bowersox at Maumee, Ohio’s Village Idiot bar dozens of times. “[Her] ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ was a chilling rendition of McCartney’s song that I’d bet he’d be proud of.”
Casey James Will Have A ‘Big Career’ After ‘American Idol, ‘ Pal Says
It’s a bit late in the season for the usual conspiracy theories to arise, but there’s something about the way the “American Idol” finale is shaping up that has given Casey James’ supporters pause.
“I don’t know, I think there’s something prejudicial going on, where it just seems like they’re stacking the deck against him, ” said Danny Ross, owner of the Fort Worth blues club Keys Lounge, where the top-three “Idol” finisher has jammed on and off for the past two years. On Wednesday afternoon (May 19), Ross said he thought James did well on Tuesday night’s show, but he just couldn’t shake the feeling that the show’s producers were trying to steer America toward a Lee DeWyze/ Crystal Bowersox showdown.
More post-performance show reaction from the Top 3
Here’s some more from the contestants’ post-show chat with the media (minus the part about their hometown visits — you can read all about those experiences here).
Two of you are staying, one is leaving; If it’s you, are you confident that you’ve got a great career ahead, no matter what?
Casey: Absolutely. I’m 100% percent confident. I wasn’t anywhere close to this, but I’ve been doing music my whole life, that’s not gonna change. I’ll play music everywhere, anywhere, it doesn’t matter, so I’m pretty sure this has given me the capability to do that on a much bigger level. And I’m so grateful no matter what happens.
Guest blogger Elliott Yamin laments the Top 3’s lack of urgency
Season 5’s Elliott Yamin has a unique perspective on this week’s Top 3 show. After all, he was in the same boat back in 2006, up against Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks and oh-so-close to the finish line. Elliott harbors no resentment at the outcome, but he doesn’t exactly go easy on this season’s crop, either. Now, the inevitable question: Who will be the Taylor — Crystal Bowersox, Casey James or Lee DeWyze? If he had to call it today, Elliott would put his money on the Sox. Read on for his reasons why, and look for Elliott at Wednesday night’s Lakers game, where he’ll be singing the national anthem!
Idol’s Kevin Covais: If Crystal Doesn’t Make Finale, I “Won’t Be Watching”
Season 5 American Idol finalist Kevin Covais is blogging for UsMagazine.com. Since the show, 20-year-old has appeared in films College and Labor Pains (alongside Lindsay Lohan). He also works with the Diabetes Research Institute.
Crunch time is upon us, Idol lovers! Season 9 is now down to the Top 3, and we find ourselves just one week away from the Finale. Or in other words, barring any major surprises, we are one week away from an inevitable Crystal/Lee showdown for the crown and also a wrap for Mr. Simon Cowell. It’s difficult to imagine this show without him, and this is coming from a guy who got a verbal beat down from the Simon nearly every week! But thankfully I survived all that and am still here to blog about last night’s performances!
OK! Interview: ‘Idol’ Castoff Michael “Big Mike” Lynche!
What was it like when other past Idols came back this season?
Adam was amazing. David Cook was super cool. Adam and Cook probably had the best reputations around the staff who takes care of us. Everyone always talked about how wonderfully prepared Adam was all the time. Preparation was a big part of my game so that you don’t have to worry when it comes crunch time. People always talked about how Adam always looked so great and not nervous on stage. That was one thing I wanted to make sure was tight in my game. And David Archuleta was really cool when he came back and he’s such a nice kid, kind of a jitter bug. They were just like enjoy it, it’s very different when you’re out of that Idol bubble. They treat us good, extremely good. Not enough people talk about how well they treat us.
Danny Gokey Stops By Good Day Chicago
Danny Gokey Inspires Big Dreams From Chicago’s Littlest Singers
Danny Gokey knows what it’s like to have a mentor. He had Randy Travis mentor him on season eight of American Idol. “Randy was the key to guiding me. He planted that seed in me to go country, and from that, a tree grew, ” Gokey told me Wednesday morning (May 19) in the cafeteria of a little elementary school in Bannockburn, Ill. And it was then Gokey’s turn to be the mentor.
He was there because the 188 kids in this school had won the “I Don’t Want to Miss” video contest from the Clorox Company. The grand prize was this visit from Gokey. So first they played his video for “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me.” Then he came out into the school gym and sang Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most” with piano backing from the school’s music teacher
Jennifer Hudson Chats About Her Weight-Loss Transformation
Jennifer Hudson offers up some details about how she’s preparing for her upcoming role playing Nelson Mandela’s wife Winnie, plus she reveals the reactions she’s been getting now that she’s shed some pounds.
“It’s a huge difference to the point some people don’t recognize me, ” Hudson tells ET of her weight loss. “To me, I’m still the same, until someone reminds me.”
CARMEN ELECTRA AND KATHARINE MCPHEE’S NYX NIGHT OUT
Indie cosmetics line Nyx Professional Makeup celebrates its Decade+1 year with a star-studded beauty event held at The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood on Tuesday night (May 18).
On hand for an evening of fun and fashion? Jessica Lowndes, Carmen Electra and American Idol alum Katharine McPhee.
While Carmen sparkled in a long-sleeved LBD, Katherine and Jessica opted for whimsical ruffles to make their style statement.
HAIR Joins Oil Spill Efforts With “CUT IN” 5/24
HAIR is cutting for a cause! Producers of the Tony Award-winning musical announced today that the show is partnering with Bumble and bumble to throw a “CUT-IN” on Monday, May 24 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Bumble and bumble’s Uptown location (146 East 56th Street, between 3rd and Lexington). During this time, Bumble and bumble stylists will be on hand to give free hair-cuts to attendees. This event is open to the public. The hair trimmings will be donated to Matter of Trust, an environmental non-profit that has helped clean up oil spills since 1998 by reusing donated hair clippings from hair salons, barber shops, pet groomers, and wool farmers.
Ryan Seacrest Picks His ‘American Idol’ Top Two
‘Crystal has been a favorite for many, many weeks, ‘ the host says of Bowersox.
Did Lee DeWyze have one of those oft-discussed, ever-elusive “moments” during “Hallelujah” on Tuesday night? Was Crystal Bowersox’s soulful take on “Maybe I’m Amazed” enough to guarantee her safe passage to next week’s show? And why have the judges spit such cold-blooded criticism at Casey James after tolerating his cowboy-cool shtick for months?
These were among the many questions coming out of Tuesday’s penultimate performance show, and anyone who can successfully answer them has a good chance to predict which of these top-three finalists will get the heave-ho and which will make it into the top-two face-off next week.
Simon Cowell Hints That Ryan Should Fill His ‘Idol’ Judge’s Seat [VIDEO]
In a video shot right after the “American Idol” Tuesday performance show, Simon Cowell finally allowed cameras inside his secretive two-story trailer and gave Ryan tips on how to properly give critiques should he want to sit in Simon’s judge’s chair next season!
Inside the trailer, they discover Simon’s latest music import, hugely popular boy band JLS, the runners-up of British “X-Factor” in 2008. The group has sold over one million singles, 1.3 million albums in the U.K., and sold out their first tour in 30 minutes. Needless to say, they’re hot and looking to gain the same success in the states.
Is ‘American Idol’ Paula Abdul ready to judge on ‘Got to Dance’?
Paula Abdul may be ready to sit back down at a judges’ table and do her thing.
There’s some buzz that the former “American Idol” judge — poorly replaced by Ellen DeGeneres — will join CBS’ upcoming “Got to Dance, ” a U.S. version of the U.K. reality show competition.
“She’s about to sign a contract, ” Us Weekly reports in their new issue, now on stands. The one with Sandra Bullock and her baby Louis on the cover
Perez Hilton Says He’d Replace Simon Cowell On ‘American Idol’ For Free
Perez Hilton hasn’t been shy about his desire to come onboard as Simon Cowell’s replacement on “American Idol” next season. And he’s got one sound business idea that may get the “Idol” producers to warm up to the idea.
“My name has been mentioned several times as a possible replacement for Simon Cowell … mainly by me, ” he joked. “I’ve shamelessly been campaigning for the job and I am adamant and I believe I would do a great job. Plus, I’m not even joking, I would work for free the first season. After that, then we can talk about a fair paycheck.”
‘Glee’s’ Matthew Morrison bares his abs for Vogue and Raquel Zimmerman
Sue Sylvester can say all she wants about Mr. Shue’s hair … but we’re pretty sure she’d be speechless when it comes to his abs.
Wow.
“Glee’s” Matthew Morrison joins “Gossip Girl’s” Blake Lively as a feature in this June’s Vogue issue. Although it’s another gorgeous blonde who’s actually by his side in his summer-themed skintastic pics: model Raquel Zimmerman.
