“American Idols Live!” in Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY – Even before Adam Lambert took the stage at Boardwalk Hall, Friday’s “American Idols Live!” tour stop felt like a coming-out party.
Now in its eighth year, the televised Fox talent show relies heavily on the big revelation. After months of being stretched and stomped, every weedy kid-turned-winner can claim to have been kneaded into shape.
But like balls of unbaked dough, the losing contestants never get their chance to rise – at least, not on prime-time TV
American Idol judges, minus Paula Abdul, hold Denver auditions
DENVER, Colo. – American Idol’s Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ryan Seacrest were on hand Friday as the hit TV talent show held callback auditions in Denver.
Out of several thousand contestants who auditioned at Invesco Field last month, only a handful were brought back to perform in front of the show’s judges. The callbacks were held at the Grand Hyatt.
Joining the panel was Victoria Beckham, a former member of the Spice Girls pop group, as a guest host.
American Idols Live! Tour 2009 to Ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell
The American Idols Live! Tour 2009 will visit the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City’s Times Square.
In honor of the occasion, the top 10 AMERICAN IDOL finalists will ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell.
Where:
NASDAQ MarketSite – 4 Times Square – 43rd & Broadway – Broadcast Studio
When:
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. ET
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Beckham on hand as ‘Idol’ resumes post-Paula
Victoria Beckham was on hand Friday for the first round of “American Idol” auditions in the post-Paula Abdul era. The former Spice Girl arrived at a downtown Denver hotel where call-back auditions were being held as scores of onlookers crowded against rope barriers, many snapping photos.
Fox, which airs the popular singing show, said Beckham and Katy Perry would be guest judges in Abdul’s place. But it wasn’t immediately clear whether Beckham did any judging Friday, and “Idol” spokeswoman Alex Gillespie declined to say what her role was. Perry was nowhere to be seen.
Victoria Beckham Hopes Simon Cowell Gives Her A ‘Hard Time’
Victoria Beckham, who was just announced as a guest judge for the upcoming ninth season of “American Idol”, said she can’t wait to sit next to the former A&R guy who once rejected the Spice Girls, fellow Brit Simon Cowell.
“He is the only man in the music industry who turned down the Spice Girls and said we would never work, ” Beckham told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show on Friday (August 7), just before she sat in on auditions in Denver. “I like that fact that he’s honest. I think he’s very funny.”
“Idol” judges in Boston next week
We’re told “American Idol” judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi will be in Boston next week to tape interviews with 50 lucky wannabes who were plucked from the masses who auditioned at Gillete Stadium in June. Word is the segments will be shot over two days at the State Room. Fox reps could not be reached today and State Room owner Jim Apteker did not return a call.
‘American Idol’ Stars Rock Out for GMA
Teaming up for quite the show, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and David Cook were busy performing live on Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series in New York City on Friday (August 7).
The ‘American Idol’ stars took the stage at Rumsey Playfield, treating a large crowd to some tunes after hitting the Big Apple following a tour show in Washington DC.
Adam Lambert on the Idols Tour
American Idol Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert is currently on tour with the rest of the Top 10 Idols. While he was traveling around the country, we had the opportunity to interview Adam and he opened up about his loyal fans, his upcoming album, and more.
Adam Lambert on Paula Abdul’s ‘American Idol’ Departure: ‘She Made Me Feel Safe’
Paula Abdul’s departure from her American Idol judge’s chair has left producers with a hole to fill, but Adam Lambert says it will be difficult to replace the unique qualities Abdul brought to the show in her eight seasons: support, love and heart. Last season’s runner-up tells Rolling Stone, ‘I love Paula, ‘ that he checked in with Abdul after her unexpected Twitter announcement, and is sure she’ll find success in her future endeavors. But there’s no question she’ll miss her role as hopefuls’ support system.
Stars Show Support for Paula
Former ‘American Idol’ contestants Adam Lambert and Constantine Maroulis and other celebs tell ‘Extra’ they don’t want Paula Abdul leave ‘Idol’
Former “American Idol” contestants Adam Lambert and Constantine Maroulis and other celebs tell “Extra” they don’t want Paula Abdul leave “Idol”!
Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert was honored on Thursday for his best-selling Rolling Stone issue. At the event, he told “Extra” Paula had his back when he was on the competition show. Lambert said, “She made me feel really save and loved when I was on stage.”
Syesha performs at Teen Summit
Syesha Mercado acknowledges she had plenty of help overcoming life’s challenges on her way to American Idol stardom.
While growing up in a poor neighborhood with a father who was not around much, her sisters and her mother encouraged her to never give up her passion for music. She also had a mentor who supported her along the way, and helped her make ends meet while she was struggling in college.
“I faced a lot of adversity and a lot of challenges, ” Mercado said. “I always wanted more for myself and my family.”
Jordin Sparks: American Idol “Dumb” to Lose Paula!
Jordin Sparks is not happy about the Paula Abdul situation over at American Idol.
“It was dumb on American Idol’s part, ” the winner of season six told us earlier today at 102.7 KIIS-FM’s Teen Choice Awards gifting lounge at the W Hotel in Westwood. “I love American Idol and I respect them. It’s because of them that I got my start, but Paula was one of the original judges. She helped soften the blow for contestants when we didn’t do well. I love Paula.
“The show will definitely not be the same without her, and I feel bad that future contestants will not get to experience having her on the show, ” she continued. “I’m so sad.”
‘American Idol’s’ Next Judge: Queen Latifah Approached, J. Lo Out
Queen Latifah has been approached to be a guest judge on ‘American Idol’ in Paula Abdul’s place, a source tells Access Hollywood.
The multi-talented star would join a list of celebs who have already been tapped to fill the gap at the judges’ table such as Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry.
Latifah’s rep could not be reached for comment.
One star who won’t join the judges, though, is Jennifer Lopez. A rep for J. Lo told Access that a Media Take Out report that the star was in active negotiations to replace Paula was not true.
Paula Abdul’s First Day Not at Work
For eight seasons Simon Cowell has had the pleasure of taunting, teasing and tickling Paula Abdul on American Idol. But for the first time on Friday, Cowell and fellow judges Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson plowed ahead without Abdul. Spice Girl Victoria Beckham subbed in for Abdul in Denver.
‘I’m going to miss her. She’s my buddy, ‘ Cowell told PEOPLE before entering the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Denver. On hand for Idol’s season nine second round auditions, Cowell said he isn’t sure how things will be without Abdul by his side. But, he assured, he’s talked to her ‘every day’ since she Twittered on Tuesday that she was not returning to Idol. ‘Paula has been very cool about the whole thing. And let me tell you, Paula is going to be fine.’
Melinda Doolittle Moves Paula Abdul To Tears With ‘Idol’ Blog
On Thursday afternoon, from the set of Lifetime’s ‘Drop Dead Diva’ in Atlanta, GA, Paula Tweeted that an emotional post from Season 6 contender Melinda Doolittle brought out the water works.
‘Melinda, what you posted about me on your blog http://mdoolittlesblog.blog’ ¦ brought me to tears, which my make-up artist’ ¦ didn’t appreciate since I was seconds away from filming a scene on the TV show Drop Dead Diva, having said that I soo appreciate your’ ¦ reflection of your experience with me and paying me such honor & respect. I love you Melinda and I am so proud of what you are achieving!’
In her tear-inducing blog, Melinda called the newly ex-‘Idol’ judge ‘the heart’ ¦ the artist’ ¦ the mama’ of the show.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ could waltz off with Emmy
This summer, “So You Think You Can Dance” is one of the hottest TV series on the air, drawing nearly 8 million viewers an episode. Such intense interest in this sizzling show can only help to give it an extra kick in Emmy voting. The Fox summer smash about everyday folk vying for a chance to dance has won the choreography Emmy for the last two years in a row, while the ABC hit that pairs celebrities with professional dancers has been an Emmy also-ran for three years running.
Last year, “So You Think You Can Dance” contended in three of the five slots, with “Dancing with the Stars” earning a single nod for Julianne Hough and “High School Musical 2” competing as well. Two years ago, “Dancing With the Stars” was the lone loser, while the high-energy “So You Think You Can Dance” took two Emmys for choreography and “Tony Bennett: An American Classic” won a third. And three years ago, despite three nominations, “Dancing With the Stars” was left on the sidelines as “High School Musical” won the only Emmy awarded for choreography.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Chatting with winner Jeanine Mason
Still high on the excitement of being voted America’s favorite dancer, winner Jeanine Mason sat down for a conference call with journalists (in which she revealed, amongst other things, that the large cut viewers may have noticed on her shin came from tripping over the giant toy box during last week’s Tyce Diorio clown dance)
On her winning night: It was the craziest night! I went to press and I felt like I slipped out of my normal life and was thrown onto some Hollywood red carpet, it was amazing. I’m trying to take it all in! After that we had the wrap party with cast, production, the dancers and the choreographers and we did a whole lot of dancing and then I went home and I tried to sleep but it didn’t really work so I just talked to my friends in Miami. I think I slept three hours and I was up doing more interviews this morning. It’s still enough adrenaline to hold me up, though.
IWU Senior Places Third on So You Think You Can Dance?
He may not be ‘America’s Favorite Dancer, ‘ but Evan Kasprzak is still Illinois Wesleyan University’s favorite dancer, as well as the favorite of millions who voted for him across the United States. Kasprzak, an IWU senior from West Bloomfield, Mich., has won third place on Fox TV’s So You Think You Can Dance?, a hit reality TV show in the style of American Idol.
A music theatre major and a dancer since the age of six, Kasprzak was the first contestant dancing the Broadway style to compete on the award-winning show’s top 20. He was also the only dancer of the top 20 in season five who did not have to ‘dance for his life’ to stay in the competition. Each week, the TV audience phoned in votes for their favorite dancer, and there were sufficient votes for Kasprzak to advance without impediment every round of eliminations this season.
