‘Crying Girl’ Ashley Ferl Auditions For ‘American Idol’
Ashley Ferl, the little blonde girl who gained national fame by breaking down in hysterics after watching Sanjaya Malakar perform on season six of ‘American Idol, ‘ made her own play for singing stardom yesterday.
Ferl, dubbed ‘Crying Girl’ for her uncontrollable tears over Sanjaya, turned 16 this year, making her eligible to try out for the competition. She and 11, 000 other hopefuls hit the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for round one of the season nine auditions. She was among the first in line outside of the Rose Bowl gates.
American Idol Record Deals: What’s Up With the Others?
So far, American Idol winner Kris Allen, runner-up Adam Lambert and fourth-place finisher Allison Iraheta have all inked recording contracts. But what about the others?
We caught up with the top 10 at their tour rehearsals recently to hear the status of their post-Idol plans. And here’s what they have to report…
Danny Gokey: “I’m sitting down with record labels next week. I hope to sort it out before tour. But I don’t want to wait too long, the quicker the better.” In the meantime, he continues to grow his Sophia’s Heart Foundation, which he created in honor of his late wife. “We’re planning a food and clothing drive in Milwaukee. And we’re looking for a facility there or here in L.A. for the foundation’s events. We might have the L.A. facility running first before Milwaukee. It’s a turnkey operation, so I can start running programs right away.”
Cowell: SuBo’s music is fantastic
Simon Cowell has revealed he is delighted with the results of Susan Boyle’s first day in the recording studio.
The 48-year-old Scottish church worker – who became an overnight global internet sensation on YouTube after auditioning for ITV show Britain’s Got Talent – has recorded her first track.
Simon told The Sun: “I’ve cut one track with her and she sounds fantastic on record – she’s so good, the album is not just going to be show tunes, we’re going to take our time with this.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘American Idol’ hopeful finds auditions to be contrary to what show portrays
About a month ago, Brittany Philippi’s friend, Danielle Mann, convinced her to tryout for the next season of ‘American Idol.’
‘I’ve been told that I should tryout before, but she (Mann) had gone online and said auditions were June 30, I didn’t have a choice, and she was getting off work to go with me, ‘ Philippi said.
Auditioning was a two-day process.
On Sunday, Hemet residents Philippi, 21, and Mann woke up at 2 a.m. to be at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where auditions were held, by 8 a.m. when they started.
American Idol: Where Are ‘Idol’ Performers?
The “American Idol” concert tour kicks off in Portland on Sunday, but some “Idol” performers are already in the Rose City.
FOX 12 viewers have spotted some of the performers around town.
On Wednesday, Allie Dicken said she was dining at Pazzo Ristorante in downtown Portland when she made her “Idol” sighting. She was seated in a booth near performer Scott MacIntyre.
Michael Jackson On Track For More Billboard Charts Records
After his record-breaking chart week, the late Michael Jackson will continue to shake up the charts next week, too.
According to SoundScan’s Building Chart data, more than 110, 000 Jackson albums were purchased during the first two days of the new tracking week (June 29-30).
Billboard estimates that the seven merchants that report to Nielsen SoundScan’s Building chart — Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, iTunes, Starbucks, Borders, Target and Anderson Merchandisers — make up about 60% of all U.S. album sales. Nielsen SoundScan’s sales tracking week runs from Monday through Sunday of each week.
Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last For Months
In the days following Michael Jackson’s June 25 death, fans flocked to record stores and digital music outlets to purchase one last memory. And merchants say they expect the Jackson sales surge to last for weeks’â€maybe even months.
“With the around-the-clock coverage and questions about his death, this story will keep going, with every development giving it a new bit of life, ” says Kerry Fly, VP of purchasing and marketing at wholesaler Eurpac.
Jackson’s solo album sales in the United States skyrocketed from 10, 000 copies in the week before his death to 422, 000 in the week ended June 28, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
‘American Idol’s’ Matt Giraud Originally Thought Anoop Was ‘Nerdy’
American Idols Live kicks off in just a few days, and to celebrate, Fancast visited the Idols as they prepared for the upcoming tour.
So you might know everything about Adam Lambert’s favorite hair product, or Allison’s rocked out style. But how much do these Idols really know about each other?
We asked these baby pop stars to answer questions about their Idol buddies. Which pair knows each other so well they can probably finish each other’s sentences, and which ones seem like a couple of perfect strangers?
Scott MacIntyre & Lil Rounds Talk Magical Superpowers and Singing
So now you know that Matt Giraud spends a little too much on his clothes and that Anoop Desai HATES Aladdin jokes. But how much do you really know about Scott MacIntyre and Lil Rounds?
In another one of our Idol bromance/girlmance series, which catches up with ‘American Idol’ stars as they prepare for the ‘Idol Live’ tour – in pairs – Scott and Lil (should we call them ‘Lil Scott’ ?) talk about superpowers, and what advice they would give to each other on musical choices.
David Cook credits experience with ‘Idol’ win
Like millions throughout the world, 2008 American Idol winner David Cook grew up with Michael Jackson.
‘Michael Jackson’s important to me in the same way that he’s important to music in general, ‘ the touring Cook said Saturday from Aspen, Colo.
‘Michael took pop music and made it more than pop music. He made it pop culture, he made it music history. You don’t earn the nickname ‘king of pop’ on a whim. His contributions to music are incalculable.’
Daughtry CD Review: What’s Not to Love?
With rock albums, it usually takes me a couple of listens before I can decide whether I like it or not.
But with Daughtry’s new CD, ‘Leave This Town, ‘ I knew instantly’ ¦
I not only like it, I love it. And you will too’ ¦
Daughtry is not just picking up where they left off with their second CD. They’re actually improving on their first release by giving us a project that feels less like a collection of singles and more like a cohesive album.
That’s not to say there aren’t singles on ‘Town, ‘ because there are’â€good ones. But sometimes it’s nice to hear more from an artist than just songs on the radio. And ‘Town’ gives us that whole package’ ¦
‘Idol’ finalist Blake Lewis to perform at ’09 Rock ‘n Blues
Blake Lewis, American Idol 2007 finalist, sang at the White House for First Lady Michele Obama in April. Now he will come to Novato to perform at the 7th annual Rock’n Blues By the Lake on Sept. 26.
Lewis is said to be one of the most popular Idol finalists. He’s the only idol that has a nickname because of his unique style, ‘the Beat-Boxer guy.’ One of the most downloaded songs from the No. 1-rated television show is his version of Bon Jovi’s ‘You Give Love A Bad Name.’
Rock of Ages Cast to Perform and Sign CDs July 7 at J&R in Manhattan
To celebrate the in-store CD release of the Rock of Ages original cast recording, cast members from the Tony-nominated Best Musical will take part in an in-store event at J&R in Manhattan July 7.
The 12:30 PM event will feature Rock stars Constantine Maroulis, James Carpinello, Adam Dannheisser, Mitch Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Paul Schoeffler and Wesley Taylor.
The artists will offer a live performance, which will be followed by a CD signing.
THEATER: ‘Purple’ reigns supreme at KenCen
The Great White Way is littered with the sorry carcasses of celebrities — Usher, Debbie Gibson, Rosie O’Donnell come to mind — who’ve attempted to star in a Broadway show.
So, does an “American Idol” winner have the chops to pull off a major role in an emotionally complex musical?
The answer is a resounding “yes.”
Fantasia, the 2004 “Idol” winner, has the voice — powerful and tremulous with feeling — and the presence to make an indelible Celie in the musical version of Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Color Purple.”
Star singer Cook latches onto top horse at GP Downs
Kristy Lee Cook and trainer Brenda Estes have claimed Rabatash, the leading thoroughbred money winner at Grants Pass Downs this season.
“We’ll give him time off to eat grass and be a real horse, ” said Cook. “Then we’ll take him to California.”
The 5-year-old Kentucky-born gelding ran this year at Golden Gate and Hollywood Park before winning his two outings here.
Cook, the “American Idol” singing sensation from Selma, was at the track Wednesday to see her racehorse Go Zags.
“He hasn’t broken his maiden, ” she said of the 3-year-old gelding, who will run in Saturday’s second race.
America’s Cole rush
Cheryl Cole celebrated an X-tra special birthday – as it was revealed she is set to front a US version of The X Factor.
Looking stunning in a partly see-through, frilly white mini-dress, the Girls Aloud singer turned 26 with a £60, 000 surprise party thrown by Chelsea and England soccer star husband Ashley.
And the icing on the cake came when she learned she had been hand-picked by Simon Cowell to take his top-rated TV show across the Atlantic.
Senior US executives from NBC are due to fly to Manchester this weekend to see her in action at the live auditions.
Cowell signs fan’s boobs
The X Factor judge, 49, was bombarded by a group of adoring female fans when he arrived back at his hotel in Manchester, who got him to sign various parts of their bodies.
The rowdy middle-aged women – thought to be on a hen party – pounced on Simon and got him to sign one excited lady’s boobs – and another one’s stomach.
He willingly obliged – and seemed more than happy to be the centre of attention.
Holmes, Lythgoe team for Dizzy Feet
Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator and exec producer of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance, ” has teamed with helmer Adam Shankman, “Dancing with the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba and thesp Katie Holmes to launch the dance scholarship fund, Dizzy Feet Foundation.
Aimed at providing underprivileged youth the opportunity to participate in dance programs, the foundation also plans to award scholarships and grants to dancers, choreographers and teachers at accredited dance studios.
“I think it’s important for children to experience music and dance, ” said Holmes. “Every child should have the opportunity to discover what it is they like and have access to the very best in that pursuit.”
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ recap: Top 14 Performance
Before I get to last night’s So You Think You Can Dance, a little housekeeping: First, I want to thank my colleagues Alynda Wheat and Kate Ward for taking most excellent care of this TV Watch while I was gallivanting through the (ridiculously gorgeous) Pacific Northwest. Second, I want to share (most of) your outrage about the Top 18 eliminations, although technically part of the fault for them falls on the shoulders of the voters for whom the Chbeeb can do no wrong ‘†you know who you are! Third, I must confess that after a marathon DVR viewing of the Top 18 week and especially the torpid Top 16 week, I entered this week’s Top 14 feeling uneasy about the prospects for this fifth season of SYTYCD.
Ratings: ‘America’s Got Talent’ wins Wednesday
Repeating its chart-topping performance from Tuesday, NBC’s America’s Got Talent was the most-watched program Wednesday night. It helped the Peacock edge out the Eye for the title of the evening’s most-watched network by about 40, 000 viewers, according to overnight numbers. ABC’s Wipeout took the 8 p.m. hour for the third week in a row, and was followed by Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, which held second place over the course of its two-hour telecast. (It averaged 8 million viewers in the 9 p.m. hour.) A repeat of CBS’ CSI: NY dominated at 10 p.m..
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: The kiss of death!
Vitolio Way to go, America and judges: Last night I couldn’t figure out who on “So You Think You Can Dance” should go home, but I couldn’t agree more with the decision.
Before we got to the unpleasantness, the dancers performed a group number to “A Brand New Day” from “The Wiz” as choreographed by Tyce Diorio, and it was a joyous Broadway number (and probably a mini Michael Jackson tribute).
As we got to the first part of eliminations, I was surprised to learn that Karla Garcia and Vitolio Jeune were in the bottom three instead of Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak. The judges were lukewarm for Randi and Evan’s frug, and I expected the fun factor of Vitolio and Karla’s quickstep and the novelty of her quick-change dress would have had the calls rolling in.
