Kris Allen Is ‘Sad’ Paula Abdul Is Leaving ‘American Idol’
You would think, what with him being the reigning “American Idol” champ and all, that Kris Allen would have been given some sort of super-secret debriefing about Paula Abdul’s shocking departure from the show. But you’d be wrong.
Seems Allen ‘†and the rest of his fellow “Idol” contestants ‘†found out just like you and I: They read the news on Abdul’s Twitter account.
Adam Lambert: The ultimate interview, Part Three
In Part Three of this four-part interview, the “Idol” runner-up talks about his time performing in the cast of “Wicked” and his decision to audition for “American Idol.” Part One of this interview can be read here. Part Two can be read here.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
American Idol Tour: Anoop Desai, Adam Lambert, and That Guy Who Won Show Jersey Some Love
The Top 10 American Idol contestants of Season 8 came to Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night. That meant lots of “Whattup New-ARK!”s and “I’ve always dreamed of performing in Jersey” announcements from the oh-so-sincere singers, who, if you recall (I couldn’t), are Megan Joy, Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Allison Iraheta, Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert, and Kris Allen.
‘American Idols Live’ tour review: Kradison rules, but Matt Giraud impresses, too!
It’s a credit to the top 10 finalists of American Idol’s eighth season ‘†or perhaps a discredit to the series’ production team ‘†that almost all of ’em came off better during their Idols Live Tour set in Newark, N.J. Sunday night than they did during their tenure on Fox’s ratings juggernaut of a reality competition. Whatever the reason for this improvement ‘†freedom from post-performance judgment, lack of weird songbook restrictions, the benefits of on-the-road job training and experience, faux fauxhawks for most of the male contestants ‘†it was an undeniable treat for an Idol geek like myself to see the contestants soar, even if some flew higher than others, and even if the touring band occasionally seemed to take a back seat to pre-recorded musical tracks.
‘Idols’ show moves from awkward to admirable
Poor Michael Sarver. He is largely alone on the stage, the band pushed to the background, the better to emphasize that there is just ‘ ¦ Michael Sarver. Michael Sarver, who finished tenth on the latest season of “American Idol, ” who is now pushing hard through his Gavin DeGraw cover, while the fidgety fans who came to see other people watch with palpable impatience.
It is a feature of the “American Idols Live” tour that each Idol is dramatically announced by a Vader-like voice intoning only final placement and name: “Number ten … Michael.”
The Top 10! Cover Tunes! Flying Bras!
NEWARK ‘†‘Should I show her this?’ one young woman wondered out loud to her friend, nodding at the item of clothing in her hand.
‘No, ‘ her friend replied, shaking her head vigorously. ‘No.’
And no, Leila Lambert probably wasn’t interested in a white jockstrap with pink lettering on it, a tribute to her son Adam, the runner-up on the ‘American Idol’ season that ended in May.
Not-so-glamorous life of an Idol star on tour
About halfway through a demanding 52-date North American tour with the other top-10 American Idol finalists, runner-up Adam Lambert exudes a kind of golly-gee lucky-me attitude.
It isn’t easy. Travelling mostly by bus ‘ actually three buses, one for the guys, one for the gals and one for the band ‘ the 27-year-old Californian admits the hit-and-run touring schedule is taking its toll.
“It is a bit tiring but it’s definitely worth it. Any time I feel a little bit tired when I get onto the stage for my set, I’m immediately charged up by the audiences, ” Lambert said.
When a star dies, Idols can crumble
Call it a ripple effect. Then keep in mind Ripple was a cheap, toxic-tasting wine.
The corpulent playboy Ryan O’Neal ‘ who admits he tried to pick up his own (estranged) daughter Tatum at Farrah Fawcett’s’s funeral but claims he hadn’t recognized her ‘ was not the only one affected by Michael Jackson’s death. Circuitously, that tacky, smash-hit circus American Idol got hit. And hard.
Jackson’s death, like his landmark album Thriller , bulldozed everything in its path. O’Neal, still busy playing the grieving, ersatz widower (he and Fawcett were never married and he left her temporarily for another woman in 1998 because, he tells Vanity Fair, she was going through menopause) was said to be furious when Jackson died the same day as Fawcett, as all of his major scheduled interviews were cancelled.
The kids are all right! And they love the ’60s
You see other people their age on Facebook and MySpace who list the Doors and Jimi Hendrix as their favorite artists. You can hear in it musicians as diverse as the indie group the Fleet Foxes, who claim Simon & Garfunkel as a major inspiration, and retro-loving ‘American Idol’ contestant Brooke White.
‘The music of that time has a warmth that doesn’t exist in music today, ‘ says White, who is 25 and started listening to older music as a kid. ‘Over time, the music became a full-on obsession and to this day classic old music is what I love to listen to.’
Idol airplay top three: Daughtry, Sparks, Pickler
Daughtry continues to reign on the Mediabase-powered American Idol airplay chart this week, as No Surprise currently holds top 20 spots on the AC, Hot AC and Top 40 charts. Jordin Sparks’ Battlefield is now a top 10 hit in the Top 40 format, and it remains in the #2 spot here. Kellie Pickler’s Best Days of Your Life has fallen from the country top 10, but it stays at #3 on our chart.
Adam Lambert’s ‘Sexy’ November Debut Stocked With Surprises
The American Idols Live tour is in full swing, but Adam Lambert still has one eye on his debut album, due in November via AI’s 19 Recordings through a licensing deal with RCA. When Lambert stopped by the RS offices last week to discuss Paula Abdul’s departure from Idol, he stayed tight-lipped about any possible song names, lyrics or the album title ‘†‘Nope, can’t tell you yet ‘†it’s all a surprise, ‘ he says ‘†but stressed that assembling the album quickly is only adding to its intensity.
Clarkson offers spirited show for responsive audience
Kelly Clarkson gave a rousing performance before an enthusiastic crowd at Friday night’s concert at the Clearfield County Fair.
Ms. Clarkson’s dynamic vocals coupled with her driving pop tunes and an elaborate musical production showed Clearfield why she is an international singing star and the first and most popular American Idol winner.
Ms. Clarkson performed for approximately 90 minutes and she was joined on stage by a large ensemble of a dozen or so musicians that included a horn section, backup singers, keyboards/synthesizers, a DJ, guitars, bass and drums.
Kelly Clarkson Shoots Back at Weight Critics
Over the past few months, Kelly Clarkson’s weight has been a hot topic for critical bloggers. But the outspoken singer ‘ who has said “Of course celebrities have cellulite!” ‘ doesn’t let the body bullies get her down.
“When people talk about my weight, I’m like, ‘You seem to have a problem with it; I don’t. I’m fine!’, ” Clarkson, 27, tells the September issue of Self.
She also notes, “My happy weight changes. Sometimes I eat more; sometimes I play more.”
Diana DeGarmo Prepares For a Toxic Shock
Diana DeGarmo first entered America’s consciousness on Season 3 of Fox’s American Idol, when she ended up as the show’s first runner-up (losing the crown to Fantasia).Since then, the now 22-year-old performer has had an impressive recording career and worked steadily in musical theater. On August 14, she joins the cast of the hit Off-Broadway musical The Toxic Avenger at New World Stages as Sarah, the somewhat slutty blind librarian with a heart of gold. TheaterMania sat down with DeGarmo after a rehearsal to talk about the show, her career, and life on Idol.
Jordin Sparks Designs Office Depot Backpack for Charity at Teen Choice 2009: Photo Available on Business Wire’s Web Site and AP PhotoExpress
BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–‘American Idol’ winner, Jordin Sparks, in the Backstage Creations Celebrity Gift Retreat at Teen Choice 2009. Celebrities autographed and designed backpacks provided by Office Depot and Sharpie’s ‘My Project Backpack’ program to be given to patients at City of Hope, a leading treatment center for cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases. Jordin made a design in honor of her friend who battled cancer. Learn more about My Project Backpack at www.myprojectbackpack.com.