Matt Giraud goes from Forest Hills Fine Arts Center to ‘American Idol’ and back again for 2009 season
GRAND RAPIDS — When American Idol’s Matt Giraud of Kalamazoo performs at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center in January, the irony of the venue won’t escape him.
“Two years ago, I auditioned for West Michigan Idol (at FHFAC) and didn’t make it, ” Giraud said in a phone interview from an “American Idols Live” tour stop in Sacramento, Calif. “I guess I’m coming full circle.”
Adam Lambert, Kris Allen Step Out in Los Angeles ԠPictures
American Idol stars Adam Lambert and Kris Allen were snapped outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles Friday. They were taking part in the American Idol Live show, which was being held at the venue. Lambert is in the first two pics; Allen is looking pretty dayum adorable in the third.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Jordin Sparks talks about beauty, being comfortable with yourself, and boys!
Jordin Sparks made her way to fame from the hit show “American Idol” and hasn’t stopped climbing and dominating the charts since. Exclusively in this interview, Jordin reveals her daily struggles to be confident, why she waited until 19 to consider a boyfriend, and why she’s still that quirky girl from Arizona! (she’s probably a lot like you too!)
Sparks’ sophomore CD reveals new range, depth
Two years of life experience since her self-titled debut album and a more relaxed studio schedule this time around have served Glendale’s Jordin Sparks well on her second CD.
Although her first effort showed Sparks starting to move to a more mature sound than she displayed in winning the sixth season of “American Idol, ” Sparks has added power, edge and soul to her delivery on “Battlefield.”
Battlefield
On her second album, 2007 “American Idol” champ Jordin Sparks collaborates with a small army of A-list songwriters and producers, including T-Pain and OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. A few ditties sound like Kelly Clarkson rejects, but Sparks’ effervescent voice sparkles on state-of-the-art pop concoctions such as “Watch You Go, ” “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)” (which samples ’80s disco queen Shannon) and the martial single from which “Battlefield” takes its title. In stores Tuesday, July 21. Grade: B+
How many #1 singles does Carrie Underwood have?
The Season 4 American Idol winner has had a record-breaking 10 number one singles. This makes her the first Country artist in history to have all their singles from their first two albums land the top spots on the music charts.
Her American Idol winning single, ‘Inside your heaven’ debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Five months later in November of 2005, Underwood released her debut album Some Hearts along with its first single, ‘Jesus, take the wheel’ , which was number one on the U.S. Hot Billboard Country songs chart for six consecutive weeks.
Original ‘Idol’ Clarkson still going strong
It’s easy to argue that ‘American Idol’ has produced more forgettables and regrettables than enduring pop stars.
Clay Aiken, are you out there? Reuben? Soul Patrol?
Suddenly, 15 minutes of fame becomes 15 nanoseconds. Next thing you know, you’re singing ‘Beauty School Dropout’ in a ‘Grease’ musical.
So it’s all the more impressive that Kelly Clarkson is still going strong and pumping out hits seven years after being crowned the first-ever winner of the popular televised contest.
Young fans go crazy over Demi Lovato, David Archuleta
Opening act David Archuleta, just 17 last year when “American Idol” made him an overnight sensation, referenced that too during his set. “I’ve got a lot of great memories here, ” he said at one point of the L.A. Live venue, where he sang in the Season 7 finale and finished second in the competition.
Idol winner Taylor Hicks gives musical theatre a go
Singer Taylor Hicks is on the telephone from Philadelphia the day after the Michael Jackson tribute, commenting on the power of celebrity and the impact Jackson had on popular culture.
‘There are very few entertainers like Michael Jackson who grew up with so many different generations of people, ‘ says Hicks, 33, who was named the American Idol winner in 2006 and is now touring in Grease. (The Broadway musical arrives in the nation’s capital July 21 for a five-day run at the NAC.)
‘Idol’ stars featured in Lyric show
How do you combine the popular appeal of reality television with the magic of live theater? Lyric Theatre’s solution was to cast two “American Idol’ finalists in its production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.’
Anthony Fedorov, 24, a Season 4 finalist, will appear as Joseph, the favorite of Jacob’s 12 sons. Diana DeGarmo, 22, the Season 3 runner-up to Fantasia Barrino, has been cast as the show’s narrator. They’ll be joined by 80 performers, ages 7 to 16, who are part of Lyric’s “Camp Joseph’ program.
Simon Cowell spotted chain-smoking in St Tropez – pics
For most of us holidays are a chance to fill our lungs with a bit of clean sea air – but not Simon Cowell. The X Factor boss was spotted puffing on one cig after another as he relaxed in St Tropez this week. Cowell, 49, barely stopped for breath (of fresh air) – even stopping his jetski to squeeze in another drag.
Simon Cowell: Susan Boyle’s Album Will Surprise You
Think you know Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle?
The producer of her new album, Simon Cowell, insists you’ll think again.
“We’re not going to throw out some souvenir album of show tunes which everyone expect[s], ” Cowell, who judged the Scottish singing sensation on the reality series, tells Extra. “We went through about 350 to 400 songs to choose from. She was blown away by some of the song choices…She’s going to surprise a lot of people with this record.”
Cat Deeley
Cat Deeley is the host of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” A former model, and therefore tall, she had a successful TV-presenting career in Britain before arriving on our shores with her fearless love of flashy clothes and talking to people on camera.
