‘Idol’ tour gives contestants a chance to do what they love
Reporting from Portland, Ore. — For non-devotees, “American Idol’s” summer tour, which launched Sunday at this city’s Rose Garden Arena, may seem an afterthought. But to fans of television’s most popular program, this year’s 52-city tour showcasing its 10 finalists is like seeing the ducklings burst forth and become swans at last.
The young talents, who will make a stop July 16 at Staples Center, can finally fly free of the pressure of competition, scowling judges and an often unforgiving media corps. At last, they can throw themselves into songs they have had weeks to practice, and at last can have fun without the looming sword of a Bottom Three designation.
Interview with Paula Abdul on the set of ‘Drop Dead Diva’
On Monday, I was able to grab a few minutes with Paula Abdul on the set of ‘Drop Dead Diva, ‘ a new Lifetime show set to debut July 12.
I didn’t glean any definitive news about her status with ‘Idol.’ But she sounded optimistic. ‘I will probably be back, ‘ she told me. ‘What would Simon do without me?’ She used stronger language with an AP reporter soon after, saying she was ‘confident’ she’d be back next season. I’d say she is playing a bit coy simply to milk things while negotiations are ongoing. But I’d say it’s almost a done deal she’ll be back with a nice raise.
‘I’m very proud of what I brought to the show from day one and helped build the empire, ‘ she added. Here’s the unedited video of my interview:
‘American Idol’ auditions begin this morning in Orlando
This is it, the big day, your first pivotal step to fame, fortune and a sweet catfight with Kara DioGuardi! Starting at 6 a.m. today, registration for American Idol auditions will run for 48 straight hours at Orlando’s Amway Arena. Once you get your magic wristband, you’ll be ready to warble almighty at Thursday’s auditions for the show’s ninth season.
We’ve provided important logistical information for all you future Fantasias; we also strongly suggest checking out the labyrinthine rules at americanidol.com.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
American Idol registration underway
Registration for Season 9 Orlando auditions of American Idol is underway Tuesday at the Amway Arena.
Audition Information
Orlando registration will continue for Season 9 auditions through Wednesday, July 8. Auditions will take place on Thursday, July 9. Both registration and auditions will take place at the Amway Arena.
American Idol excitement in Orlando — Season 9 auditions at Amway Arena July 9
If you’re between the age of 16 and 28 ‘ and you think you can sing ‘ then American Idol auditions are the place to be on Thursday, July 9 at the Amway Arena in Orlando! It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for singers looking to be discovered.
In May, after the Season 8 finale and Kris Allen’s visit to Walt Disney World following his big win over Adam Lambert ‘ it seemed Idol mania was behind us, at least for a while. But now as American Idol auditions are being thrust upon Orlando for the next several days, Central Floridians and those traveling great distances to be here have the unique opportunity to get caught up in the fanfare. I anticipate traffic-headaches galore, as well as much excitement in the air! Registration starts on Tuesday, July 7 at 8 a.m. and runs for 48 hours.
‘American Idol’ finalists get ready to hit the road
Face to face at twin pianos, Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre strike the opening chords of “Don’t Stop Believin’, ” and playing in unison the two “American Idol” finalists start to sing the Journey classic.
They trade lines about small-town girls and city boys, and as the song unfolds the rest of this year’s Top 10 Idols join in more or less in reverse order of their finish.
Michael Sarver and Megan Joy trade verses, then Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai, Allison Iraheta and Danny Gokey take their turns.
As the song nears its end, Adam Lambert lets loose with one of those high swooping runs that earned him enough support to make the finals and finish second.
And standing in the back, almost unnoticed in comparison to some of the bigger personalities in the room, is Kris Allen, the most modest of “Idol” champions, taking his turn in the song but leaving most of the attention to the nine singers he bested.
Chart Watch Extra: Posthumous #1 Albums, From Glenn Miller To MJ
Michael Jackson always liked lists, and he probably would have liked this one, even though he had to die to get on it. The “King of Pop” is only the 13th artist to have the top-selling album in the U.S. posthumously since 1945, when Billboard introduced its album chart. Jackson’s Number Ones is the best-selling album in the country, according to Nielsen/SoundScan. It’s not listed on The Billboard 200, because the 2003 release is classified as a catalog album. Instead, it tops the Catalog Albums chart.
Big band leader Glenn Miller and rap icons 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. each had three posthumous chart-toppers. Kurt Cobain had two with Nirvana.
Carrie honors the teachers in her life and yours
Carrie Underwood’s mom was a teacher for 25 years and both her sisters are currently teachers, so it’s not a huge surprise that Carrie would choose to take part in a PSA to honor teachers.
Carrie, her mom and two sisters are featured in the newest award-winning “Behind Every Famous Person is a Fabulous Teacher” campaign which aims to show how important teachers and a good education is, even to those most famous of people.
‘Teaching was something that ran in my family, ” says Carrie. “I have always admired my mother and sisters for making a difference in the lives of so many.’
Lewis, Ebersole, Jenkins, De Haas, Thomas, Owens and More Will Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson
A host of Broadway favorites will take part in an upcoming tribute to the late Michael Jackson Oct. 19 at Birdland.
Part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series, the 7 PM concert at the famed jazz venue is entitled Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough. The evening will boast the talents of Norm Lewis, Christine Ebersole, Capathia Jenkins, Darius De Haas, Marty Thomas, Destan Owens, Anwar Robinson, Antonique Smith and Kendrick Jones.
An eight-piece band will back the artists.
Kara DioGuardi Ties the Knot
In an interview after the wedding, Pastor Scott Nurse told press, ‘They are absolutely in love with each other. When I told him he could kiss the bride, everybody cheered. It was a very close, small family-type service.’
The intimate ceremony included 30 of the couple’s closest family and friends, though Kara’s ‘American Idol’ colleagues were noticeably absent. She explained, ‘I don’t think they’d appreciate an invitation to Prospect Harbor, Maine. I can’t really see Simon Cowell landing in Prospect Harbor. I don’t think that would happen.’
The President almost ruined Kellie Pickler’s second album
Awww Kellie Pickler, she’s always good for a story to make us laugh. She talked recently with my friend Jeff from the Ploughboy Mansion and of course the interview had a great Kellie story included.
Okay, Jeff doesn’t know he’s my friend, but I get quite a few stories from him so that makes him my buddy whether he knows it or not.
Anyway, Kellie tells the story of how she thought the President of the US was ruining her chances of anyone knowing her second album was coming out.
Idol’s Casey Carlson to appear at Lynx game
American Idol finalists Casey Carlson of Eden Prairie and Jesse Langseth are set to headline “Minnesota Idol Night” at the Minnesota Lynx game on Tuesday, July 7.
The Lynx will take on the Washington Mystics at Target Center, according to a news release.
“Prior to Tuesday night’s contest at 7 p.m., Carlson, an Eden Prairie, Minn., native and 2009 American Idol top 36 finalist, will perform the National Anthem. Langseth, a Minneapolis, Minn., native who fell just short of the final 12, will host a 30-minute postgame acoustical concert, ” the release said.
Kelly Clarkson closes the San Diego Fair
Last night, July 5th, 2009, Kelly Clarkson played the Heineken Grandstand Stage at the Del Mar Fairgrounds promoting her fourth album All I Ever Wanted. As the last performer of the season for the San Diego County Fair, Clarkson was everything that you would expect…except fat, as she has been called recently in the media.Associated Press/Peter Kramer
In fact, Clarkson is very proud of what her mama gave her. During the acoustic part ofher set, she sat middle-stage with two guitarists from her band, and stated so herself as her Mic-pack fell out of her back pocket. “Apparently my butt is big, ” she joked, “so my Mic-pack won’t stay.” Clarkson doesn’t want to look like your average “pop star” and that is what makes her that much better. She’s talented, there’s no pretense about her, she is who she is and that is a singer. Not a pop star with the glitz and glamour and distracting stage tactics and pyrotechnics. She is all voice and rhythm and appeals to the masses because of that fact.
Shaheen sings for Jacko
BRITAIN’S Got Talent schoolboy Shaheen Jafargholi is sensationally set to sing today at Michael Jackson’s memorial – which you can watch here LIVE from this afternoon.
The stunned 12-year-old, of Swansea, was invited by the Jackson family, who told him the King of Pop was a huge fan of his Jacko tribute act.
Watch a video of Shaheen singing on BGT (below) and see him arriving in LA (right)…
Madonna ‘in talks to perform on X Factor’
The pop superstar could be set to follow in the footsteps of Take That, Beyonc and Britney Spears if she takes up Simon Cowell’s offer to perform on the ITV1 reality show, famous for launching the career of Leona Lewis.
Other performers being lined up for the show include Lady GaGa and Rihanna, while Cowell is also reportedly interested in former Take That member Robbie Williams. Cowell believes that the show would be a great opportunity for Williams, who has been overshadowed by his former band, to relaunch his career.
TV Review: Can You Duet – Two More Duos Are Sent Packing
Two weeks ago the second season of CMT’s talent show Can You Duet (CYD) began, a scant 14 days that brought us to tonight’s third episode. Perhaps a short period of time for us, but for the ten singles remaining in the competition I’m sure it must have seemed like forever. Whether they came to audition as a solo or with a partner, it was now down to waiting for the judges to place them into permanent duos so they could make their mark in the field of country music.
As Lance Smith, CMT VJ and host of many specials, including this season of CYD, put it, ‘Singles Night, where the remaining top ten singers will turn into five duos, right before your very eyes.’ He ran down the turn of events for us; we’d see why each new pair were put together and they would perform. By the end of the night, three of these partners would remain in the competition to return next week with O’Shea, Steel Magnolia, and The Stellas, they having won their rounds last Saturday night.
A new, gay twist on Dancing with the Stars
Fans of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars who need a fix in between seasons might want to check out a new webisode series geared toward gay and lesbian viewers that will air throughout the summer on two websites.
Out.com began airing the series, Show and Tell, on Monday. The show featured DWTS judge Bruno Tonioli as the host. The weekly webisodes will also feature stars familiar to visitors of out.com and readers of Out magazine learn dances like the waltz, rumba, cha cha and foxtrot.
The stars include gay actors Chad Allen and Robert Gant, a drag performer named Lady Bunny, a transgender actress Candis Cayne (of ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ ) and ‘Hairspray’ actress Marissa Jaret Winokur.
The webisodes will appear on out.com/showandtell and on abc.com, and are scheduled to run through mid-September, when the new season of DWTS returns to ABC.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Karla Garcia and Vitolio Jeune, future Rockette and author
Cvk Karla on her week with Vitolio:
It was really hard, because after [former partner ] Jonathan [Platero] got eliminated I was really emotional, because we got attached and then all of a sudden I got paired up with a brand-new partner. I had to find an emotional connection in very little time, plus had an added layer of the hardest dance style to work with, so it was a challenge, but we’re both professionals and we both had that motivation to show America that we could attack this kiss of death. That’s what brought us together, and that made it easier.
