‘American Idol’ champ Kris Allen on going country, reading tour reviews, and tackling Twitter!
Kris Allen is a man of contradictions. The American Idol season 8 champ is scared of Twitter, and yet at the same time, loves the concise social-networking site. He’s reluctant to give scoop about his hotly anticipated debut disc, and yet he gives Idolatry exclusive info about his two newest songwriting collaborators. He reads tour reviews ‘†even the too-cool-for-the-room negative ones ‘†and yet ultimately, he doesn’t give a hoot about what he refers to as the ‘blahdee blah blah-blah.’ (And this is why we love him.) Press play below to see what Kris reveals about himself (and where he chooses to remain coy) from his tour stop in Albany, N.Y. There’s Bonus Wolfgang, and even a Bonus Anoop reference (from Kris’ own lips, so pay attensh)!
Danny Gokey turns the tables on ‘Idolatry’
Like Denise Richards’ E! reality series, the relationship between Idolatry and Danny Gokey is complicated. But when we caught up with American Idol’s season 8 second runner-up during the Idols Live tour stop in Albany, NY, Danny took control of the interview for a hot minute to ask me some tough questions of his own, and to give a shout-out to his nemesis, Idolatry co-host Kristen Baldwin. Press play below to hear what he had to say,
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
FremantleMedia, MGM form pact
LONDON — FremantleMedia and MGM have formed a partnership to develop online casino-style games based on the studio’s film and TV brands.
The agreement, which covers territories outside the U.S., enables FM Gaming exclusive access to games based on MGM titles like “Fame, ” the “Stargate” franchise, including new series “Stargate Universe, ” “Robocop, ” plus iconic oaters “A Fistful of Dollars, ” For a Few Dollars More” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”
FM Gaming has already developed some of its TV skeins such as “The Price Is Right” and “The X Factor” into online games for a range of Internet casino operators.
Clay Aiken’s Foundation Becomes The National Inclusion Project
The National Inclusion Project, formerly The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, recently launched its new name and website at inclusionproject.org. The National Inclusion Project grew out of the relationship between Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel and Diane’s then 13-year-old son, Mike who had been diagnosed with autism. The bond between them grew strong as they shared a vision of a world where children like Mike could be fully immersed in society. They had both witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly turned away from activities opened to typical children.
‘We are excited to launch the National Inclusion Project. From our inception, we have impacted the lives of children and families across the nation. Our new name will better suit our position as a national leader on inclusion as we continue to grow, ‘ said Clay Aiken.
David Cook’s Permanent
For his older brother, David Cook did what he does best. He wrote and sang a song.
It’s called Permanent.
‘And I think that song, ‘ Cook told IdolChatter in a phone interview last week, ‘is gonna be a cornerstone song for me.’
Adam Cook, 36, fought brain cancer for 11 years before he passed away last May 2. Prior to his passing, David had composed and recorded Permanent for Adam.
‘I thought it would be difficult to write it cause I never really thought about it before, ‘ Cook said. ‘But it was surprisingly easy. The music kind of fit a vibe and I was in a great position cause all I seemed to have to do was put it on paper and not even think of anything else.’
David was on tour last May when his brother died. Adam never got to hear David sing Permanent on stage.
Live review: Daughtry at Henry Fonda Theater
Chris Daughtry has spent much of the three years since he was on “American Idol” trying to convince people that he’s not the only member of Daughtry, but it hasn’t been easy.
For one thing, the “Idol” machine creates (or burnishes) solo acts, not bands; it’s designed to make us see the multitudes in an individual, rather than the other way around. For another, on Daughtry’s 2006 debut, Chris Daughtry was in fact the only member of Daughtry — session players hired by producer Howard Benson performed the rest of the music.
Review: Daughtry in concert
How many different ways are there to say the word boring? My thesaurus lists 24 synonyms for it.
That’s probably not enough to adequately describe Daughtry’s show on Thursday night at the Fillmore in San Francisco. So, I might have to look up some synonyms for bland as well.
Chris Daughtry _ the leader of his own self-named band _ is a major star in terms of record sales and other industry-related stats. On the concert stage, however, he came across like someone that would finish in fourth place, competing against a rather weak field, in some TV talent show.
30 Seconds With… Taylor Hicks
Tough love: That’s what Simon Cowell gave Taylor Hicks throughout his climb through the ranks on American Idol in 2006, and now Hicks gets to dispense a little himself. This week, he’ll be at the Carr Performing Arts Centre in the touring Broadway revival of Grease playing Teen Angel, Frenchie’s soulful voice of reason in the musical number “Beauty School Dropout.”
Everybody remembers Frankie Avalon as Teen Angel from the film version Ԡhow did you approach it?
I just tried to keep it as signature as possible, from the writing of the horn lines to the R&B, adding the harmonica bit ‘†it’s definitely Taylor Hicks playing Teen Angel.
Charley’s hanging with Taylor Hicks
Former American Idol winner Taylor hicks is in the Bay Area this week, performing as the Teen Angel in ‘Grease’ at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center .
FOX 13’s Charley Belcher spent Wednesday morning with him talking about the production, his new CD and an Idol season without Paula.
Taylor Hicks – Studio 10
Video: “Seven Mile Breakdown”
Video: The Soul Patrol visits Studio 10!
Video: “In Your Time”
Dreamgirls National Tour to Play Seattle, Philadelphia and Boston
Additional dates have been announced for the new tour of the Tony Award-winning Henry Kreiger-Tom Eyen musical Dreamgirls, which launches at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre on Nov. 7.
Dreamgirls is set to officially open at the famed Harlem venue Nov. 22 and will run through Dec. 6, prior to embarking on a national tour. Tony nominee Robert Longbottom (Side Show, Flower Drum Song) directs and choreographs the production, which features additional choreography by Emmy-nominated hip-hop artist Shane Sparks.
As previously reported, Moya Angela will head the cast as Effie White, with “American Idol” finalist Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones.
Kat Not Doggin’ for ‘Idol’ Chair
“American Idol” alum Katherine McPhee told “Extra” that she’ll miss Paula Abdul on the show — and says she’s not making a play for the judge’s empty chair.
“Can you imagine someone coming back from being on the show and saying, ‘You didn’t really have those notes’?” Katherine says. “I don’t think so.”
McPhee, who “Extra” caught up with on the set of her new music video, will miss watching Abdul on the panel. “I loved Paula, she always so great.”
Happy Birthday, Paris Bennett!
Season 5’s fifth place finisher, Paris Bennett, was just a teen when she made it onto the show. Paris is currently signed to her uncle’s record label, 306 Entertainment. In 2007, Paris released an album titled Princess P, which is the name that Ryan Seacrest gave her during her run on American Idol. In 2008, Paris released a holiday album, A Royal Christmas, which included standards and original tracks. Currently, Paris is working on her second studio album which she plans on releasing soon. This album won’t be as R&B oriented as her previous album. Instead, it will have a classic jazz feel to it.
Kellie Pickler wants the shoes of New York!
Boy, here’s a charity match made in Heaven: Noted shoe fetishist Kellie Pickler is teaming with Ladies’ Home Journal to encourage fans attending her Madison Square Garden show with Taylor Swift next Thursday to bring new and gently worn footwear to donate to Soles4Souls.
“I love shoes, but they are more than just a fashion statement, ” Kellie says. “They are a necessity and not everyone has access to them because of financial reasons or natural disaster.”
Soles4Souls, which distributes shoes in needy areas worldwide, will set up a drop point at the Garden entrance.
Covington may not sport a cowboy hat but he’s all country
Bucky Covington is no ordinary country crooner. He never wears a cowboy hat or a belt buckle, and with his signature long blond locks, he looks more like a rock musician.
But when Covington hits the stage Aug. 29 at this year’s Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo, it’ll be the deep, sexy sounds of country you’ll hear from the voice that made it to the top 10 on the fifth season of American Idol.
In a recent interview with the Herald, Covington talked about singing in the shower, where his high energy comes from, the Idol experience, being a twin, and how the simpler yet poignant sounds of country turned him away from his rock music roots.
Celebrities Strut Their Stuff in Hollywood to Help Neglected AnimalsEvery year in Hollywood, celebrities lend their time and talent by hitting the catwalk for charity, raising funds and awareness for animal rescues. This year’s Celebrity Catwalk Fashion Show will held on Thursday, August 27th at The Highlands and will be hosted by Hugh Hefner’s former girlfriend and the host of “Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches, ” Bridget Marquardt.
Stephanie Pratt of “The Hills, ” Loretta Devine of ‘Grey’s Anatomy, ‘ Kimberly Caldwell of ‘P-Diddy’s Starmaker, ‘ Pamela and Hayley Hasselhoff, Kim Coles from ‘Pay it Off, ” KayCee Stroh from ‘High School Musical 3-Senior Year, ‘ Megan Hauserman of ‘Megan Wants a Millionaire, ” and Carolyn Hennessy of ‘General Hospital’ will all walk the catwalk in clothes from Heather Mills’ line Be@1, Lane Bryant, Rocawear and Puma.
Paula Abdul: Blackballed?!
When Paula Abdul didn’t land on Dancing With the Stars, we were fine. When she didn’t land on Ugly Betty, we were fine. When So You Think You Can Dance’s Mary Murphy landed a pretty good jab, we were sure Paula was fine.
But when we heard her manager say, “You’re going to be seeing a lot of Paula, ” we lost it.
In Hollywood, “you’re going to be seeing a lot of Paula” means “Yeah, at the supermarket, where she’ll be drowning her sorrow at the Entenmann’s display.”
‘Dancing’ Pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy Opens Up About New Partner
“Dancing with the Stars” pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy cut to the chase about his new dancing partner, following his quality time with fiance Karina Smirnoff at the hairdresser.
Maksim tells Hollywood.tv of “Entourage” actress Debi Mazar’s dancing skills, “We’re working on them. … I’ll do my best to make sure of that.”
Karina will be dancing with singer/actor Aaron Carter.
Watch the video to see the dancing pros get their hair cut and catch a glimpse of Maksim’s abs!
Lou Ferrigno Angered by ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Treatment
After being rumored to be one of the contestants on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” only to be left off the dance card in the end, Lou Ferrigno is very, very angry, reports RadarOnline.com.
Best known as TV’s “The Incredible Hulk, ” Ferrigno’s manager/wife Carla told the Web site that the producers of “Dancing” blew it by not choosing Lou, and to make matters worse, this was the second time the show snubbed him.
Carla Ferrigno said that while they are disappointed, they hope to announce another project in the coming days.
