After the Britain’s Got Talent backlash, Simon Cowell finally admits: ‘Sorry, I did make mistakes’
However, as you might have noticed, the show has not been without controversies.
Chief among them, of course, were the difficulties experienced by runner-up Susan Boyle, and the children who broke down in tears in front of millions on the live show. That has provided a field day for the armchair pundits.
The show has been accused of being a cruel circus that sets out to exploit the vulnerable in a cynical bid to boost ratings. And I, of course, am inevitably portrayed as the evil ringmaster.
So love the shows or hate them, the time has finally come for me to set a few things straight. And I’m the first to hold my hands up and admit I’ve made mistakes.
I didn’t get into showbusiness to make little children cry or upset a nice lady like Susan Boyle.
Adam Lambert Pre-‘Idol’ Debut Album Due This Summer
According to Hi Fi, Lambert co-wrote the material that will appear on the album and even made a trip to the Wilshire Records studio in Los Angeles as recently as May 2009 to hear it. “He was in the Wilshire Records studio right before the finale actually, and he was blown away by the material.”
Hi Fi Recordings did not notify 19 Entertainment about its intent to release Lambert’s debut album before announcing the news on Friday afternoon. “I bet they know now, ” Hecker says.
When pressed for more information on the terms of Lambert’s non-exclusive agreement with Wilshire Records and whether or not the singer will see any compensation from the album, Hecker responded, “I don’t really want to talk about the nuts and bolts of the business deal…but I can tell you that Adam will share in the success.”
The CEO says he’s “100%” confident that his company has the legal right to debut its Adam Lambert album before 19/RCA does theirs. “We would never put anything out that wasn’t fully owned by the parties involved with all the rights secured. We were really careful.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Julianne & Chace: Footloose Dance Partners
Chace Crawford is pretty darn close to having one hot country gal by his side.
Sources tell me that Dancing With the Stars hoofer and rising country music singer Julianne Hough is finally in negotiations to star opposite People magazine’s Hottest Bachelor in the upcoming remake of Footloose…
A source says talks have gotten down to the nitty-gritty issue of timing. If schedules could be worked out, the movie will mark Hough’s first major film project. She actually had an uncredited role as a “Hogwarts schoolgirl” in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone back in 2001.
Paramount has announced a June 2010 release date for the remake, which will be a musical similar to the hit Broadway adaptation of the movie.
‘DWTS” Maksim & Karina Headed to Broadway
You can catch two of “Dancing with the Stars”‘ most famous lovebirds on the Great White Way this summer.
Engaged couple Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff are set to star in Burn the Floor, a Broadway dance showcase.
Maks and Karina will appear in the show for the first three weeks of its run, which kicks off on July 25 for previews and officially opens on August 2.
Happy Birthday, Kris Allen!
June 21st is American Idol Kris Allen’s 24th birthday! This last year has been the busiest and most momentous year of Kris’ life. Just 9 months ago, Kris Allen married his high school sweetheart, Katy. He spent the first half of 2009 competing on American Idol’s eighth season, and ultimately won the title of American Idol.
My night with David Cook (No, not like that)
I had the good fortune of setting up a Meet and Greet for myself and my friend, Lori, before David Cook’s show and, although we didn’t chat while sipping martinis for hours (like in my dreams), it was a lot of fun. We were certain we’d be the only ones waiting to meet him that were over 30, but we were surprised to find a pretty diverse group of Cook fans. We got in line at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and were ushered in for a quick photo with the former American Idol winner. Even though the meet-and-sort-of-greet was done in a flash, he was as polite and gracious as one would expect.
Kellie Pickler: Southern Belle
She’s only 22, but Kellie Pickler is already a classic rags-to-riches story: Raised in a North Carolina trailer park, she burst onto the music scene in 2006 as an American Idol finalist. Two albums later (and 30 pounds lighter), the country music queen’s crisscrossing the continent with Taylor Swift’s Fearless tour ‘ and sleepin on her bus.
Bon Jovi Gives Songwriters A Good Name
Bon Jovi writing team of Bon Jovi and Sambora were inducted by …American Idol alum Chris Daughtry, of the multiplatinum rock band Daughtry.
“They’re a huge influence on our career as songwriters, as performers, as people, ” Daughtry said.
The bandmates were honored with Daughtry rendition of the Bon Jovi 1989 tune …Ill Be There For You.
Bon Jovi and Sambora then rocked out to the band 1986 tune …Wanted: Dead or Alive.
Happy Birthday, Christina Christian!
Season 1 finalist Christina Christian took the stage each week of Idol’s inaugural season with beauty and grace, and typically sung big, smooth ballads. Making it all the way to sixth place, Christina wasn’t at her final results show to say goodbye. The morning of her elimination, Christina suffered from exhaustion, fatigue, and dehydration, so she was hospitalized and unable to attend the results show.
Since appearing on American Idol, Christina has acted in an episode of CSI. In 2004, Christina got married, and in 2006, she had a baby boy.
‹America Got Talent wants its own Boyle
LOS ANGELES – …America Got Talent has got a problem: Susan Boyle.
Will the NBC talent show, which begins its fourth season Tuesday, be able to find its own version of the 48-year-old Scottish singing sensation? Boyle first appearance on the British production earlier this year generated millions of YouTube hits and sparked an unmeasurable amount of attention. The show judges are putting the onus on the auditioning public. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture between NBC Universal and Microsoft.)
…I think the Susan Boyle effect has had a huge effect on the show, Piers Morgan, the British judge who serves as arbiter on both editions of the competition, said during a break from a recent Los Angeles audition.
‘SYTYCD’: Cat Deeley blogs episode 9
What a week! Revelations a plenty…. Mary Murphy struggling to raise an eyebrow and then telling the nation it was a physical impossibility due to Botox! All I can say is, I love that woman! I have never met someone more full of life and infectious energy. We’ve had a couple of crazy nights out with the production team, cast, crew, and Prince. Yes, I mean Prince! I’ve asked all my girlfriends if her admission makes them love her more — and the answer is a resounding …Hell, yeah!”
We held the L.A. auditions for season 6 this week. Lots of amazingly talented dancers and some familiar faces. Evan’s brother Ryan came back and auditioned again. He did an incredible dance and poetry piece — truly unique. He got a ticket to Vegas. I love it when people work hard and improve, and it culminates in success! I did get some severe ribbing from Evan during rehearsals, though, due to the fact that I cried when I found out Ryan was through! Just couldn’t help it!
Stephen Baldwin quits ‹Im a Celebrity…
Stephen Baldwin has quit …Im A Celebrity ¦ Get Me Out Of Here!, Access Hollywood has confirmed.
Baldwin had been a strong contender in the Costa Rican jungle and many ‘ including recent evictee Janice Dickinson ‘ considered him a frontrunner to win the competition, which ends next week.
Details about Baldwin departure for the jungle ‘ the fourth castmate to quit, and the eighth castmate to leave camp overall ‘ were not immediately available.