‘I’m quite odd. I do get very dark moods’: Simon Cowell’s most revealing – and surprising – interview ever
Simon Cowell can’t stand untidiness. He says it distracts him, drives him nuts. ‘When I walked into this house, I literally arrived with my belongings in a suitcase. One suitcase, ‘ he says.
‘I’m not nostalgic about things. I hate belongings. I hate clutter. It really bothers me because I can’t think properly. If you’ve got distractions in front of you, your mind goes nuts.
‘I like things to be clean, to look nice. Then I can focus – hence the house.’
‘If I went to a psychiatrist, it would be a long session, ‘ he says. ‘I’ve always thought that I do have a number of issues that probably need dealing with, because I am quite odd in some ways. I get very dark moods for no reason.
Britain’s singing sensation Susan Boyle gets new chance to shine
LONDON ‘ Britain’s unlikely singing sensation Susan Boyle, the frumpy church volunteer who wowed the world with her angelic voice, was on Saturday voted into the next round of a TV talent show that propelled her to global fame.
The 47 year old, who lives alone with her cat Pebbles in one of Scotland’s poorest regions, will now perform in a live show on Sunday, weeks after her surprising performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical “Les Miserables” shocked judges and charmed tens of millions of people worldwide.
Boyle’s performance last month on the “American Idol”-style show “Britain’s Got Talent” has been viewed almost 60 million times on You Tube, and saw the shy Scot feted by celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Susan Boyle advances to next round of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’
Susan Boyle – the United Kingdom’s biggest singing export since the Spice Girls – is going through to the next round of “Britain’s Got Talent.”
The frizzy-haired 47-year-old made a splash last month when she captivated the world with her performance of Les Miserables’ “I Dreamed a Dream” on the popular British television show.
The Scottish church volunteer, who lives alone with her cat Pebbles, will perform on the show Sunday night.
A spokeswoman for the “Britain’s Got Talent” told the Associated Press that Boyle’s performance will be available online for her legions of fans around the world.
La Cage aux Democrats
THE most potent word in our new president lexicon ‘ change ‘ has been heard much less since his inspiring campaign gave way to the hard realities of governing. But on Tuesday night, the irresistible Obama brand made an unexpected and pointed cameo appearance on America most popular television show, …American Idol. In the talent competition climactic faceoff, the song picked for one of the two finalists, Adam Lambert, was Sam Cooke soul classic, …A Change Is Gonna Come.
‘American Idol’s’ Kris Allen: Future flop? Superstar?
Let’s fend off the nuclear attacks against Kris Allen now that he blasted Adam Lambert in the “American Idol” battle. Whether he survives and thrives ahead with a successful music career ‘ winning Grammys and achieving the sales and critical respect he craves ‘ may be discerned perhaps by observing how similar artists have fared so far.
According to the posters in The Envelope’s forums, the new “American Idol” winner fits the chiseled profiles of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Rob Thomas and Jack Johnson. Not only have they all reaped mega-sales, but, in terms of earning industry respect, they’ll all been nominated in the pop categories at the Grammys. Mayer and Thomas won. Mraz was also nominated for one of the top four prizes, best song (“I’m Yours”), a laurel John Mayer claimed for “Daughters.” Thomas nabbed one of the other top Grammy trophies: best record (“Smooth, ” shared with Santana).
Will Kris Allen join Idol rich? Latest champ no sure bet to cash out big
Can Kris Allen become a true, CD-selling Idol – or will he just be the guy who played one on TV?
“It’s really hard to make that transition from a TV personality that sings to a real recording star, ” says Keith Caulfield, chart czar for Billboard magazine. “Some seasons the winner makes a great TV story but it doesn’t translate to sales.”
Allen wouldn’t be the first Idol to fail in that way.
Signs of a Kris Allen upset were there
Everywhere I go from January until May, people want to talk to me about “American Idol.”
Some stop me in the hallway at work: “What did you think of last night’s show?”
A few regulars e-mail me every week or message me post-show on Facebook; some even call or write letters.
My friends text-message me during the show, which I love.
I even think it’s hilarious when people feel the need to brag about how much they can’t stand “American Idol, ” like they’re at home reading “The Fountainhead” instead. Guess what? I don’t like pro hockey, so I don’t watch it. Problem solved.
American Idols Kris Allen & Adam Lambert Live!
American Idol 8 winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert rock some shades as they leave the CNN studios after appearing on Larry King Live on Friday (May 22).
Also pictured below are your other favorite American Idols – Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta and Megan Joy!
American Idol: The other side of Kris Allen
Even now days after the spectacular American Idol finale, the discussion still seems to be on who didn’t win and why. Meanwhile, winner Kris Allen has stayed characteristically calm and cool about it.
Here’s Kris, a former worship and praise leader, performing the praise song “God of This City.”
Rogers takes command in local debut
Milwaukee’s other 2009 “American Idol” contestant was introduced Saturday night as “the legendary Jamar Rogers.”
The occasion was Rogers’ first Milwaukee gig, the earlier of two shows Saturday at the Times Cinema. If that introduction sounds a shade extravagant, allowances must be made. It came from his manager, Danielle Rogers, who also happens to be his mom, or, in her own words, “his momager.”
Saturday’s early show drew about 120 fans, mostly teenage girls and families, many of them from Faith Builders, the south side church Rogers attends along with Danny Gokey. In fact, the second Times concert was scheduled to allow members of the church to attend Saturday services and then still catch the show.
Rap/rocker KEvin Rudolph powerful but brief at Mayfair in Allentown
Supporting act Elliott Yamin also sang six songs in less than a half-hour, belting them out with such abandon his face turned red. He reached for the limits of notes and delivered with the intensity of a tent preacher on ”Know Better” and his hit ”Fight For Love” from his new album, and ”Free, ” ”Cold Heart” and ”One Word” from his first disc. He closed with his hit ”Wait For You.”
But the sparse arrangements — he was backed by a keyboard, acoustic guitar and hand-held percussion — left him to carry much of the songs with his voice. That was fine — Yamin was up to the challenge — but that and the large tent/outdoor setting sapped the subtlety he had at a 2007 show at Crocodile Rock in Allentown.
An ‘Idol’ also-ran awaits verdict on second album
BALTIMORE – For Elliott Yamin, the third-place finisher in American Idol’s fifth season, acceptance of his second album, the recently released Fight for Love, is all but guaranteed.
Acceptance, yes, but love?
The jury (or at least the critics) are still undecided on that question.
Some reviewers deride Yamin’s sophomore effort as formulaic; others find the material stronger than his maiden effort.
What’s an artist to do? Over the phone, Yamin, 30, whose self-titled debut peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 list, offers a vocal shrug.
