The Top 10
ET caught up with the Top 10 — Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Michael Sarver, Megan Joy, Scott MacIntyre and this year’s “American Idol, ” Kris Allen — on the “American Idol 2009 Summer Tour.” Find out what they told ET about what is going on behind the scenes!
More Idol Headlines after the Jump…
“American Idol” interview series: Adam Lambert
I didn’t know what it was going to be. I didn’t know what the bus was going to be like, and it’s surprisingly comfortable. I didn’t think I was going to be able to sleep and I can actually fall asleep on that thing. It’s like being rocked to sleep like a baby. It’s just a lot. It takes a lot of energy, and it’s not just the actual getting on stage and doing your set. That’s not the most tiring part. It’s the interviews and the meets and greets ‘†we do one before the show and one after the show. I always try to sign autographs after the show for all the fans. And I want to do all that. It’s just ‘†it takes a lot of energy.
Riding a rocket
From the moment he sang for ‘American Idol’ voters in February, Adam Lambert became the subject of more pop-culture buzz than any contestant in the show’s history. But it wasn’t until ‘Idol’ ended in May that the Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone cover boy got to experience the Adam Lambert Effect for himself.
And frankly, it kind of freaked him out.
“American Idol” interview series: Michael Sarver
SFBG: Same first question as everyone else Ԡare you getting enough rest on tour?
Michael Sarver: Absolutely. Yeah, I would say I’m getting the rest I need. I mean, there’s nights when I want to sleep more than I do, and sometimes we’re on the bus and we’re sleeping and we get woke up, ’cause we’ve arrived at the hotel. So your sleep kind of gets interrupted and it’s a weird deal, but I mean overall, I can’t say that I’m not getting adequate sleep. There are certain days that are worse than others, though.
How did Idol director Bruce Gowers get nominated for an Emmy? and other reality-related Emmy injustices
Complaining about Emmy nominations is an unstated requirement of being a TV critic, whether that’s complaining about snubs or about the way the Academy ignores allegedly good shows that the masses watch, and I gladly play along, even while recognizing that we all really know that the Emmys are often ridiculous. Whether it’s giving repeated best drama awards to The West Wing as Six Feet Under and The Sopranos were ignored or just the absurd best reality show host nominations from last year’â€when Phil Keoghan was left out but Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel were both included’â€it’s often clear that voters are selecting shows and nominees they’re either not watching or think should be nominated, and the result is often a mess.
Battlefield (2009)
Battlefield certainly delivers on the artistic end: It’s packed with more hooks than a ‘ ¨ fisherman’s tackle box, none better than on the gorgeous title track, which sports a soaring chorus. When Sparks hits that ”Better go and get your armor” bridge, you can practically feel the wind whipping through your hair.
Second single ”S.O.S. (Let the Music Play), ” with its refrain copped from Shannon’s 1983 dance classic, may not be thrillingly original, but resistance is futile when Sparks, showing heretofore unseen vocal dexterity, takes to the dance floor to ward off a vixen who’s barking up the wrong boyfriend.
How Richard Marx Hooked Up Vince Gill and Daughtry
Daughtry, the hard rock band that launched after Chris Daughtry’s American Idol win, has a new album out called Leave This Town. And on that new album is a phenomenal song called ‘Tennessee Line.’ I say phenomenal for a few reasons. First of all, I think I hear a steel guitar. And I know I hear a fiddle in the decadently long outro. And the chorus alone sounds country, with its hook about ‘Tennessee line, I just changed my mind/Well, it’s my heart I’ll follow this time.’ And then there’s Vince Gill’s singing with Daughtry. How’d that come to be? Daughtry was writing with legendary pop star Richard Marx, who heard the song and said, ‘Dude, Gill would kill this song.’ Kill in a good way, though. So it all came together, and all Gill asked for in return was pizza and beer.
An Idol’s Return
Chris Daughtry finished fourth on ‘American Idol’ but his debut album, ‘Daughtry, ‘ was the top-selling album of 2007 and has sold more than 4.4 million copies. In writing his follow-up album, Mr. Daughtry says he drew on the confidence he built up during three years on the road that included opening slots for seasoned acts like Bon Jovi, ‘which was kind of like going to rock school.’ Recently, an online video of Mr. Daughtry performing an acoustic version of the song ‘Poker Face, ‘ by the pop singer Lady GaGa, has been a viral hit. He discussed a few songs from his new album, ‘Leave This Town.’
Playing ‘Color Purple’ in Washington
When Fantasia Barrino opens her mouth as Celie in the national tour of The Color Purple and belts out the lyrics to “I’m Here, ” she could be talking about her own life.
Like Celie, the heroine of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the teen-age Fantasia contended with rape and domestic abuse. And, like Celie, she launched a successful career against all odds when she won the third season of American Idol.
Two best-selling albums followed, along with a memoir called Life Is Not a Fairy Tale that later was made into a movie for cable television.
As she raced to a rehearsal, the R&B star, who celebrated her 25th birthday Tuesday on stage, answered a few quick questions about her life and career.
American Idol David Cook Interview
David Cook chats with Van about his show next Thursday @ Washington County Fair, his late brother Adam and more!
Jonas Brothers / July 15, 2009 / East Rutherford, NJ (IZOD Center)
It was Jordin Sparks who really ignited the crowd in preparation for the Jonas Brothers’ set. Sparks strutted around the perimeter of the circular stage adorned in glitter, fringes, and high heels and previewed songs from “Battlefield” (due out July 21 on 19/Jive), including “S.O.S.” and “Walking On Snow.” The 19-year-old singer showcased her vocal prowess beautifully during, “Tattoo, ” her first-ever single, and fans swayed and waved glow sticks in response, uniting in a rare moment of blissful calm.
Michael Johns at Tin Roof Cantina Friday; Idol gets 8 Emmy nominations
Former Buckhead man Michael Johns from season seven is stopping by his old stomping grounds Tin Roof Cantina Friday evening at 7 p.m. He will do a meet and greet and play some tunes. He’s also going to be on Q100 that morning.
Tin Roof was the spot where his buds would watch the show every week last year. He worked in Buckhead for years earlier this decade, pre ‘Idol, ‘ including Tin Roof Cantina. The restaurant/bar is on Briarcliff off North Druid Hills.
Dancing in the Streets features music, food, classic cars and Amanda Overmyer
SATURDAY: Like the Taste of Tippecanoe, the summer festival Dancing in the Streets has grown steadily in recent years. It is counting on two of the area’s best resources to fuel this growth: local restaurants and local music. Dancing in the Streets has invested in a strong local live music line-up anchored by the return of Amanda Overmyer to downtown Lafayette-West Lafayette. She will lead the Tapawingo Park stage during the festival. Most know Overmyer from her “American Idol” run in 2008. But the Mulberry, vocalist whose skills as a bluesy rock vocalist catapulted the 24-year-old into millions of living rooms on the popular Fox reality show, is making a go at it on the road fronting a band of Lafayette rockers.
Reality TV’s Michelangelo
Soyon An designs costumes for So You Think You Can Dance and the wardrobe for the American Idol ladies and the current top 10 American Idols current national tour.
An’s designs have been seen by hundreds of millions and often her work is topic of discussion on both reality hits. She credits Allison Iraheta as her biggest challenge on American Idol this past season and time as her worst enemy on So You Think You Can Dance.
Ryan Seacrest to Host Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Hearts and Hands Gala October 24th
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (ARMHC) announces its Hearts and Hands Gala at 7pm on Saturday, October 24, at the World of Coca-Cola. Atlanta’s own Ryan Seacrest of ‘American Idol’ will serve as host of the black-tie dinner which will feature live entertainment and a silent auction. The Coca-Cola Company is the event’s presenting sponsor. The Event Chair is Javier Goizueta, Vice President, The Coca-Cola Company and President of the McDonald’s Division Worldwide. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company is Honorary Chair. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Shannon Murphy Courtney at 678-704-8086 or visit www.armh.com.
Lost purse mum thanks ‘softie’ Cowell
A woman who was assisted by Simon Cowell after losing money at X Factor auditions in Glasgow has publicly thanked the music mogul.
Lynn Phillips, 38, was handed £100 by Cowell after her purse went missing at Braehead Arena this week.
The purse, which contained £70 and a poem that the mum-of-three had written for her late father, has since been found with its cash contents missing.
Phillips told the Daily Record: “I had about £70 in the purse and it was gone. Thankfully, the poem was still there.”
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ recap: Bottom Four Surprise
I know I may be a little late to the Ade Obayomi party on So You Think You Can Dance, but, people, seriously, what does the guy have to do to satisfy you? Maybe next week, he should perform a paso doble, quick step, Russian folk dance, and a cotillion? Maybe Mia Michaels should forsake her judge’s seat and build a routine around his bum? Or, or, wait, I’ve got it, maybe he should just grow wings and fly Nigel Lythgoe back from the absent judge’s honorary academic holiday at the University of Bedforshire on his back? Will that be enough to get y’all to pick up your phones and tap away at your cell’s wee plastic keyboards in support? I know he’s not the most scintillating of personalities, and my colleague Alynda Wheat just e-mailed me to proclaim that she “DESPISE[S] the way Ade bounces around during the solo drum-out, ” but come on! The bottom two? Really?!
“So You Think You Can Dance”: Two more are eliminated (and not much else happens)
C102 There are some nights where you need to watch nearly every moment of “So You Think You Can Dance, ” and there are others where you can lean a little heavier on the ol’ DVR fast-forward button. I’m not complaining, though: It feels like so far this season there have been very few episodes that weren’t power-packed, so I didn’t mind having a lighter episode.
