Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
Sparks: ‘I Couldn’t Ask For Anything More’
…Now that she’s been crowned “American Idol, ” Jordin is enjoying a new Sony Records contract and all the trappings of her new-found fame.
“It’s everything I could ever wish for. I asked for it. I got it. And now I’m doing it, ” the Arizona native said. “It’s so amazing. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”…
What to watch
Today on TV
Talk Shows
GOOD MORNING AMERICA // Daughtry performs; summer grill safety. (7 a.m., WMAR-2)
MORNING SHOW WITH MIKE AND JULIET // American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle performs; kitchen gadgets and appliances; Broadway’s A Chorus Line. (9 a.m., WUTB-24)
LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY // Fantasia performs a collection from Broadway’s The Color Purple. (10 a.m., WBAL-11)
Abdul Meltdown Recorded
American Idol judge Paula Abdul has been caught sobbing during a recent conference call, insisting her management have treated her badly.
In audio obtained by the New York Post, Abdul can been seen blasting former representative Howard Bragman – who she accuses of calling her …a whining bitch and a loser….
Spice Girls creator launches buyout of CKX
Simon Fuller, the creator of the Spice Girls, and Robert Sillerman, the billionaire entertainment mogul, have launched a $1.3bn management buy-out of CKX, the company that owns the rights to the American Idol television programme.
Mr Sillerman is the chairman and chief executive of CKX, which also owns commercial rights to the names, images and likenesses of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali. The group bought 19 Entertainment, which was founded by Mr Fuller, three years ago for £100m….
Sanjaya new ‘Idol’ for Jordin
Until now, when asked her favorite male singers, Jordin Sparks topped her list with John Mayer and Justin Timberlake. But, the new “American Idol” champ said she’s got another name to add: Sanjaya Malakar…..
PAULA ABDULS TEARY CONFERENCE CALL LEAKED: ‹Idol judge has meltdown while trashing former publicist
… “I do a call-in every week for OK! Magazine on ‘American Idol.’ Because of my brilliant job, they want to do a cover on me. I’m being told by Howard Bragman that I’m too old and no one will ever want to do a cover, she lamented during the call….
BACKSTAGE PASS
…In case you’re already going through American Idol withdrawal, here’s a tidbit to keep you from flatlining: Soul Patrol is headed for the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre this summer.
And if you have no idea what Soul Patrol means, you’re obviously not an Idol junkie — it’s Taylor Hicks, the gray-haired raspy-voiced singer who somehow convinced Idol judges and producers he was only 29 (they apparently make great fake birth certificates these days).
Hicks will do his best to make you proud on Aug. 25.
Tickets ($28-$48) go on sale at 5 p.m. today…
Judges to blame for Sanjaya
Wouldn’t happen on Canadian Idol: Flex
American Idol judges were asleep at the wheel when they chose the vocally challenged Sanjaya Malakar to be a finalist on the popular singing show, says Canadian Idol judge Farley Flex.
And, he boasts, there’s no chance he and fellow Canuck judges Sass Jordan, Zack Werner and Jake Gold could have a similar lapse in judgement.
“Sanjaya was put in there by the judges, it wasn’t the public that put him in there — the public kept him in there, but they didn’t put him in there, ” said Flex.
“I’m very confident in the integrity of our panel and our vision of what we see as being the Top 22 to turn over to the public, so I’m pretty confident in saying there wouldn’t be a Sanjaya scenario in our world.”……
Around the region
ST. CHARLES ‘ The …Salute our Troops fundraiser to benefit Operation Uplink is scheduled from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday in St. Charles.
Admission is free and money raised will benefit VFW Operation Uplink for the purchase and distribution of calling cards to Illinois troops around the world.
The event will be held in the parking lot of the RE/MAX office at 1772 S. Randall Road in St. Charles.
Events scheduled include appearances by Kane County Cougars mascot, Ozzie T. Cougar, and 1985 Chicago Bears linebacker Otis Wilson.
Also scheduled to perform will be The Moods, playing Motown greatest hits at 4 p.m. and St. Charles native and American Idol finalist Leslie Hunt at 6 p.m…
For Styx, still best of times
Supergroup embedded in ‹fabric of pop culture
…Young believes Styx style of music is becoming au currant again.
…Chris Daughtry performed ‹Renegade on ‹American Idol, and Simon (Cowell) called it a good choice of material, he says. …Obviously, Daughtry is what America is looking for in a rock band. Our mythology is getting reinforced by guys like Chris Daughtry.
…More and more young people are discovering us, Young says…
Meet the band: Night Breeze brings funk to the party
The lead vocalist for Tallahassee dance band Night Breeze, J.T. Tornes, just missed placing in the top 12 contestants of “American Idol’s” fifth season. He was number 15……
Kids pack Unocal for Rodeo opener
…American Idol semifinalist AJ Tabaldo sang the national anthem and then it was time for the kids of the Mini Rodeo to take center stage…
Sanjaya’s Mom talks about her kids
This story is very significant to the Indian community, ” says Jillian Rechi, or Jayaradhe as she was known in the Hare Krishna movement a decade ago.
The story is about her children Shyamali and Sanjaya Malakar who became famous overnight, thanks to the talent contest American Idol…..
Heinz’s marketing blitz paying off
Quarterly, overall income get a boost
H.J. Heinz Co. Chairman William R. Johnson had never actually seen “American Idol” until a few weeks ago when the Pittsburgh ketchup company sponsored the hit Fox show. “I found it quite interesting, ” he told analysts.
He did not disclose whether he liked Blake or Jordin……….
ABDUL STOPPED DATING DUE TO HAPPY IMAGE
American Idol judge PAULA ABDUL stopped dating men for a year because she found it impossible to live up to her cheerful public image. Abdul, who has just started dating again, finds it difficult being herself when everyone expects her to be happy all the time….
This Just In:
St. Louis favorites Old 97 will perform at the Pageant (6161 Delmar Boulevard) on Tuesday, July 10. The Pageant will also host American Idol superstar Taylor Hicks on Friday, July 13 and Interpol on Wednesday, August 1….
Idol Finalist Phil Stacey in Wichita Today
American Idol finalist and former Wichitan Phil Stacey is in Wichita Tuesday to raise money for the residents of Greensburg.
He’ll play a benefit concert at Central Christian Church, 29th and Rock Road. Stacey also hopes to tour Greensburg Tuesday…
RIHANNA DOUBLES UP BY TOPPING U.S. CHARTS
….American Idol winner Jordin Sparks scores the week’s highest debut – her first single, This Is My Now, enters the chart at number 15.
Idol runner-up Blake Lewis debuts at 18 with his version of Bon Jovi’s You Give Love a Bad Name.
Diesel Drives onto Melrose Place
…Guess she has one thing in common with fourth-season American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis, who has been wearing Diesel jeans for more than 10 years. …I think at first it was because they were expensive, and I wanted to have an expensive pair of jeans’ even though I was poor, he tells me. …But they fit great, and Ive been wearing them ever since. I think what Diesel captured was that rock ‹n roll chic, a trait he uses to describe his own fashion sense. Like his clothing, Constantine says his new album, which drops Aug. 7, is …just good, blue-collar rock ‹n roll. …
Hey Paula Premieres on Bravo on June 28
…Hey Paula paints a three-dimensional portrait of Abdul and her “Crazy Cool” world – from the stressed celebrity and tough business woman to the comedic prankster. Viewers will see Abdul up close 24/7 as she battles insomnia during the much-talked-about American Idol satellite media tour interviews; bumps heads with QVC execs; develops her own fragrance and plays practical jokes on her assistants. Through it all, Abdul has a knack for being able to laugh along the way. On her singing career, she quips, “Last time I had a hit record, Bill and Hillary were having sex…that’s a long time ago.” And Abdul jokes about Cowell with a QVC security guard, “If someone comes that has dark hair, that looks like Beavis and Butthead haircut and has a tight shirt…and he has a British accent, do not let him in.” …
Martina McBride, Idol Finalists Will Sing on July 4
Martina McBride will join the three finalists of this season’s American Idol for a July 4 concert in New York City. The event will be televised live on NBC. McBride will open the Macy’s Fourth of July Spectacular by singing “Anyway.” In addition, 2007 Idol winner Jordin Sparks and fellow contestants Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle will perform a patriotic song together. The telecast will be hosted by NBC personalities Natalie Morales and Tiki Barber.
Locke has an album, Daddy Lohan has religion and Ray J. has a rep
The GBB recently caught up with former American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, whose album “Based On A True Story” is out now.
So we’re gonna let you know what she’s been up to before we get to the drunken starlets….
PAULA WHINE CAUGHT ON TAPE
IN a sob-filled audio tape obtained by Page Six, “American Idol” princess Paula Abdul is captured having a meltdown during a recent conference call…….
`IDOLS’ RETURN FOR THE SUMMER Alabama Adventure books’em for concert series starting tonight with Taylor Hicks
All that’s missing is Diana DeGarmo.
Otherwise, Alabama Adventure has booked every “American Idol” finalist from the Birmingham area during its 2007 concert series. The Bessemer amusement park will present Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice and Ruben Studdard at its outdoor amphitheater.
Hicks opens the season tonight, followed by Bice later this month and Studdard in August. Just in case you’ve forgotten what made these singers famous, here’s a brief rundown on each of them:
A Stroll Down Idol Lane
After four months, 74 million votes, three songs and the longest finale ever, 17-year-old Jordin Sparks beat out Seattle beat-boxer Blake Lewis to take the American Idol title. What will become of Sparks now? Let’s go back five years to the beginning of the phenomenon:
Michael Warren: Changing Perceptions One Song at a Time
Independent music is rapidly becoming a major player in the music industry. Substantiating that point is the successful independent debut of American Idol Elliott Yamin. In light of that success, more musicians are opting to take the independent route for releasing their music to the public. Singer and songwriter Michael Warren is just such a musician. He may be independent, but Michael has shared the stage with major label acts such as Gladys Knight, B.B. King, Live, Taylor Hicks, and several others….
TONIGHT’S PICKS
We Love Ella! A Tribute to the First Lady of Song
PBS, 8:30 p.m.
Ella Fitzgerald would have been 90 on April 25. The First Lady of Song is commemorated here by the likes of Natalie Cole, k.d. lang, Nancy Wilson, Patti Austin, Quincy Jones and, believe it or not, Ruben Studdard.
Studdard was an American Idol winner several years back, but never achieved the fame or notoriety of that season’s runner-up, Clay Aiken. How Studdard ended up as part of this all-star lineup is a mystery.
MORNING STARS
HOW TO CATCH SEASON’S BEST ARTISTS FOR FREE
…Most “Today” concerts are available through iTunes, while CBS’ “The Early Show” broadcasts shows from around the country by artists including “American Idol” star Katharine McPhee (July 6), Hootie & the Blowfish (July 20) and Patti Smith (July 27)…
Today highlights
…Entertainment Tonight ‘ Katharine McPhee; John Travolta and Queen Latifah (…Hairspray); …Knocked Up; …Mr. Brooks; …Gracie. 5:30’Å¡p.m. on WPTA, Channel 21.
Hillary Clinton: Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Katharine McPhee and Caroline Rhea to Join Hillary at Launch of Club 44
Hillary for President announced that 10-time Grammy winner, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and American Idol finalist, Katharine McPhee, will perform for Hillary Clinton and a crowd of thousands at the kick-off of Club 44 in Washington, DC on June 6, 2007….
Hot Tickets
…The original “American Idol, ” Kelly Clarkson, will be at Verizon Center in August, a month before this year’s “American Idol” contestants mass their talent downtown. Chris Daughtry, the most successful also-ran in “Idol” history, shares a July Merriweather Post Pavilion bill with Nickelback, the Canadian band whose 2005 album is quietly approaching 6 million in sales…
LaKisha Jones Chats with FOX 26!
Our own Ruben Dominguez talked with American Idol star LaKisha Jones about the show, and about her future plans.
Awards show deserves an award
The night raised enough money to seed 52 new churches in other parts of the world.
The Well Done Awards should get its own award: Most Eclectic Award Show.
Within the span of three hours, mop-top, funny-guy “American Idol” finalist Chris Sligh skipped down a catwalk, modeling a new line of clothes printed with catchy Bible verses.
“American Idol” 2006 runner-up Katharine McPhee sang barefoot with a rock band……..
Weekend highlightsThings to do in the South Valley
Today
‘Idol’ contestant hits Tulare
TULARE — Bucky Covington, 2006 “American Idol” top 10 finalist, will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Preferred Outlets At Tulare. The concert is free…
“American Idol” owner agrees to CEO-led buyout
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – CKX Inc. , the owner of rights to the Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali names and the “American Idol” television show, said it would be taken private in a $1.33 billion buyout led by its chief executive.
Shares of the New York-based company soared as much as 44 percent following the announcement…..
….As of March 31, CKX had about 97 million shares outstanding, according to a regulatory filing.
The management group involved in the deal includes “Idol” creator Simon Fuller, the company said in a statement.
The deal would be accomplished through a merger with 19X Inc., a private company owned by Sillerman and Fuller. It would be funded through a combination of equity and debt financing.
Wal-Mart slows U.S. expansion; stock jumps
After star-studded performances at its annual meeting, Wal-Mart announces plans to scale back on new supercenters.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Comedian Sinbad, who entertained attendees for part of Wal-Mart’s annual shareholders meeting Friday, described the event as the “Wal-Mart Oscars.”
Indeed, this year Wal-Mart went all out on the entertainment factor, dedicating the first two hours of its four-hour meeting with investors to Sinbad’s comedy skits, a performance from the newest American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, and actors from the Disney teen hit High School Musical before executives finally got down to business….
