American Idol Kicks Off Season 9 Auditions
Who doesn’t want to be the next Carrie Underwood or Adam Lambert? On Tuesday, American Idol kicked off auditions for season nine and drew 11, 000 hopefuls to the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles. RadarOnline.com was there to chronicle some of the more colorful contestants who may be invading your televisions soon!
Click on the video to watch the Idol bonanza with RadarOnline.com host Mayleen Ramey.
You won’t want to miss “Nathaniel and his Cow”, “Funky Dress Girl” or “Swam from Hawaii.”
David Cook Remembers Michael Jackson, The Global Icon
In some roundabout way, it’s entirely possible that David Cook might not have won the seventh season of “American Idol” if it weren’t for Michael Jackson.
See, it was his edgy take on “Billie Jean” ‘†which was, for accuracy’s sake, actually a take on Chris Cornell’s version on the song ‘†during the sixth week of the competition that took Cook from underdog to frontrunner, eventually carrying him to the “Idol” crown, a platinum-plus debut album and millions of fans around the world.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Demi Lovato, David Archuleta concert in Louisville is cancelled
Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) – If you were planning on attending the Demi Lovato and David Archuleta concert in Louisville, it’s been canceled.
The concert featuring the Disney star and American Idol runner up has been cancelled due to scheduling difficulties.
It was planned for August 5th at Broadbent Arena.
Ticket holders can get refunds at the place.
‘Idol’ concert among SBC family events
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–“American Idol” season six finalist Phil Stacey presented a concert to students and their families as one of the many family activities during the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Ky., June 23-34.
Stacey, a preacher’s kid, was ministering at a church in Jacksonville, Fla., and in the U.S. Navy when he auditioned for American Idol. He now resides in Cleveland, Tenn.
He directed many of his comments to the sons and daughters of ministers as he sang, then moved the crowd by personally autographing a CD for each person in attendance that he and his wife Kendra, also a preacher’s kid, made in their home studio.
“I know the pressures on preachers’ kids, ” Stacey said. “I hope I planted a seed.”
Summer Celebration review: Kellie Pickler
As “American Idol’s” Simon Cowell once said: “You have just invented a new form of torture.”
Kellie Pickler may be America’s sweetheart, but that says more about this country’s bad taste than it does for Pickler’s talent.
This one-time “American Idol” runner-up has it all: Limited vocal ability, fake facial expressions, obviously rehearsed, between-song patter and sound-a-like songs.
Her efforts weren’t helped by the fact that Pickler’s limited range was often drowned out by the musicians she shared the stage with.
Then again, maybe that wasn’t a bad thing.
Carly Smithson will perform at State Games of America
Powerhouse rock star Carly Smithson will be the featured entertainer for thousands of athletes and fans at the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 State Games of America on July 30 at the Colorado Springs World Arena.
The Irish-born singer, who captivated millions during her appearances on American Idol in season seven, has just announced that she has joined an exciting new band, We Are The Fallen, as its lead singer, with three of the four original members of Evanescence, guitarists Ben Moody and John LeCompt, and drummer Rocky Gray, as well as bassist Marty O’Brian.
Interview with Kimberley Locke, host of ‘Gospel Dream, ‘ Idol repeat ratings poor
Gosh. Things are awfully quiet here in ‘Idol’ land this week, eh? I spoke with season two finalist Kimberley Locke a couple weeks ago and didn’t get a a huge amount of news out of her but she is co-hosting the Gospel Music Channel’s ‘Gospel Dream’ show, which is basically ‘Idol’ for gospel singers. (BET has a similar show called ‘Sunday Best’ ).
Like Matt Rogers (CBS’s ‘There Goes the Neighborhood’ ) and Kimberly Caldwell (TV Guide Channel), Locke is trying her hand at Seacrest-like hosting.
‘I was very excited, ‘ she said. ‘I’m just looking to expand my career into hosting and do more television. I was glad to be a part of it.’ (The show has been pre-taped.)
She is currently sans record label (like that matters in this day and age.). ‘I’m still doing some research’ ¦ I think the possibilities are out there. I just have to find out what works best for me.’
Broadway Barks 11th Annual Adopt-A-Thon
Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters will host the eleventh annual BROADWAY BARKS!, a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies.
The event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and sponsored by the SPCA and PEDIGREE with additional sponsorship by the New York Times will take place on Saturday, July 11 in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m.; celebrity presentations of pets from citywide animal shelters will take place between 5:30 ‘ 6:30 p.m.
They will join the previously announced…Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages)
Mary Murphy screams her way to stardom
It’s hard to miss Mary Murphy on ‘So You Think You Can Dance, ‘ especially if you have sensitive eardrums.
Murphy is the star of all the Fox commercials pitching the show, and in every single one of them the former ballroom dance champion and current ‘SYTYCD’ judge is loud. Her screams of approval serve as the show’s anthem, like Simon Cowell’s snark does for “American Idol.”
That piercing tone is part of the reason Murphy has become the face of the show, but she’s more than just a novelty act. She looks and acts like someone dreamed up from central casting: knowledgeable, boisterous, unafraid and enthusiastic. She’s just a little bit crazy and always seems on the edge of disaster, and yet can discuss form and technique with the best of the guest choreographers.
Rep: Susan Boyle Won’t Appear on Ugly Betty
Susan Boyle won’t be appearing on an episode of Ugly Betty, an ABC rep confirms to Usmagazine.com.
The UK Sun reported the Britain’s Got Talent runner-up, 48, was contacted by the network last month to “play herself.
“Susan has been bombarded with offers of work in America, but this is something she is really keen on and we hope to make happen, ” the source claimed.
Victoria Beckham and Naomi Campbell have filmed cameos on the comedy, which stars America Ferrera as an awkward magazine assistant.
Nanny: ‘I Never Pumped Jackson’s Stomach’
The nanny who raised Michael Jackson’s three children broke her silence today to deny a report that she’d said she routinely pumped the pop star’s stomach after he had taken large amounts of dangerous drugs.
But Grace Rwaramba, who worked for Jackson for 17 years, did not comment on what her role might be in the children’s lives going forward. The 42-year-old nanny was a close member of his inner circle and in many ways the only mother figure his children knew.
Her relationship with Jackson, and questions about whether she will mount a battle for custody of his children, have spurred interest and rumors about the Rwandan national.
Family Reviews Michael Jackson’s Will
Michael Jackson’s family is still reviewing the contents of his last will and testament, but PEOPLE.com can confirm details of the 2002 document:
The deceased pop star left all his assets to the Michael Jackson Family Trust and has named his mother Katherine, 79, as guardian of his children ‘ Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7. Attorney John Branca and John McClain, a music executive, are named as executors.
The will does not list any charities as beneficiaries, nor does it specifically exclude Joe Jackson, Michael’s dad, as had been rumored. “There are no numbers in the will, ” says a source familiar with the document. “The assets are going into the family trust.’
AP Exclusive: Insomniac Jackson Begged for Drug
Michael Jackson was so distraught over persistent insomnia in recent months that he pleaded for a powerful sedative despite warnings it could be harmful, says a nutritionist who was working with the singer as he prepared his comeback bid.
Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse whose specialty includes nutritional counseling, said Tuesday that she repeatedly rejected his demands for the drug, Diprivan, which is given intravenously.
But a frantic phone call she received from Jackson four days before his death made her fear that he somehow obtained Diprivan or another drug to induce sleep, Lee said.
