American Idol top 10 slotted into clear personas for the 2009 tour
They’re regular folks ‘†the guy who changes your oil, the mall girl with muffin top, your server at Applebee’s.
They’re regular, that is, until American Idol plucks them from obscurity so that we may dissect their every move, judge them harshly, hate them and celebrate them. Fun!
American Idol’s Top 10 contestants let us do it in person, performing Tuesday at the St. Pete Times Forum. The show was slick, corporately smarmy and pretty entertaining.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Lambert wants to see where the music takes him
“American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert says he’s seen more than a few admirers show up in eyeliner and painted nails.
“I think a lot of the lady fans like to paint their nails and do all the make-up and wear bright colors, ” he says.
He says a lot of his fans are wearing T-shirts with the Egyptian symbol for the Eye of Horus in honor of a tattoo he has on his wrist.
“There’s a lot of other stuff, too, it really makes me smile when I see that; I think its cool, ” says the 27-year-old singer who many predicted would win this season’s “American Idol.”
Lil Rounds: Backstage At L.A.’s Staples Center
Lil Rounds has been one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of the Idols Live Tour for me, personally. She seemed to struggle on the program itself–with the judges’ backlash and often harsh critiques, with some sort of identity crisis, and with numerous showings in the dreaded bottom three–but since season 8 of American Idol wrapped, she has completely blossomed. It’s almost like she’s a different person. She’s performing with newfound superstar confidence, she’s doing choreography, she’s rapping (yes, rapping!), and she’s even rocking a fierce-as-Sasha stage outfit so glittery, I wouldn’t be surprised if Adam Lambert is just a little jealous of her rhinestone-studded tour wardrobe.
Phil Stacey CD release event coming up
On August 21, Phil Stacey (Wichita hometown favorite on American Idol in 2007) will have a CD Release party/concert at Westlink Christian Church at 7:00pm. General admission tickets are $15, with Gold Circle seating available for $21. Doors open at 6:00pm. For more information or to buy tickets, go to
American Idol’ Champ Jordin Sparks Says, ‘Keep Paula Abdul!’
With Paula Abdul’s fate on “American Idol” still uncertain, sixth-season winner Jordin Sparks is hoping that someone at the show comes to their senses and decides to keep the judge around.
“I don’t know the inside scoop or anything, but I heard [Abdul’s contract might not be renewed] and I was like, ‘Keep Paula!’ ” Sparks told MTV News while promoting her new album, Battlefield. “I don’t even care what’s going on, but she’s one of the original judges.”
Welcome to the new Idol Chatter!
Hi there! Some of you may be visiting the Idol Chatter community for the first time today. If so, we’re glad to have you and hope you find lots of reasons to come back often. You can find out more about the site’s new features here.
One of my favorite new features, @usatodayidol Twitter feed, gets the Melinda Doolittle Seal of Approval. “Love your twitter!” she Tweeted Tuesday, shortly after the launch of the new Idol Chatter look. “It lets me keep up with all my favorites. Thanks!!!”
‘American Idol’ Hopeful Alexis Cohen Remembered In Online Tributes
Shortly after the hit-and-run death of former “American Idol” auditioner Alexis Cohen on Saturday, tributes to the spunky singer began to pop up around the Web.
One of the first members of the show’s cast to comment was judge Paula Abdul, who’s in the midst of a seemingly contentious contract negotiation that might see her leaving the show. She weighed in Sunday night, tweeting, “My heart goes out to the family of Alexis Cohen. She showed great courage at ‘Idol’ and let’s all send our prayers to her family now.”
Simon Cowell picks Shaheen Jafargholi to support Leona Lewis
Shaheen Jafargholi has been picked by Simon Cowell to be the main support for Leona Lewis’s upcoming world tour.
The 12-year-old Welsh singer is reported to be “over the moon” to be get the gig after the Britain’s Got Talent finalist wowed the world with his performance at Michael Jackson’s memorial ceremony.
A source said: “Simon is convinced Shaheen can be a global superstar.”
Leona’s tour is planned to include 14 months of concerts, with the choreographer of Jacko’s London O2 arena gigs also on board.
Karina Smirnoff Calls Fianc Maksim Chmerkovskiy ‘Groomzilla’
They dance beautifully together, but planning the wedding may be tricky.
‘He’s the groomzilla, ‘ Karina Smirnoff says of fianc and Dancing with the Stars costar Maksim Chmerkovskiy. ‘He wants a big wedding and I want it small, so we’re still in negotiations.’
Speaking with PEOPLE at Animal Fair magazine’s 10th Annual Paws for Style fashion show sponsored by Svedka on Monday at M2 nightclub in New York, Chmerkovskiy’s bride-to-be explained his demands.
Exclusive Interview: Katee Shean of So You Think You Can Dance
Yesterday I had the pleasure of chatting with Katee Shean from Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance and star/instructor for the new So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit DVDs.
Katee and I talked about how she became involved in the DVDs, the difference between teaching dancing to a DVD audience rather than dancers, and the surprising work out that left her so sore she was barely moving the next day. She also took the time to tell me about her thoughts on Season Five, returning to So You Think You Can Dance for the 100th episode, and that little thing called an Emmy nomination.
Sassy Steps, From Salsa to Swing and Australia to Broadway
Jason Gilkison, the director and choreographer of the musical ‘Burn the Floor, ‘ was channeling his inner grandfather. During a recent rehearsal in a careworn Midtown building, he wiggled his hips, chanted ‘boom-ba-ba-ba’ and flung comments like ‘Sign your name on it’ to a company of lithe, sweaty dancers. It was several days before the musical, the first show of the new Broadway season, was to open, this Sunday at the Longacre Theater.
What Will Happen to the 2 So You Think You Can Dancers Who Stripped Down?
We’re taking a timeout from this season’s So You Think You Can Dance because, after Nigel Lythgoe’s homophobic-y comments, the show has lost most of its pizazz. That is, until two contestants allegedly showed up on GuysWithiPhones.com showing off their goods.
Ade Obayomi, 20, who’s still competing, and ousted contestant Jonathan Platero, 21 ‘†or two men who look remarkably like them ‘†popped up on the site in various states of undress. Platero is shirtless in the mirror; Obayomi looks to have gone into the NSFW region.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Jason Glover and Janette Manrara’s final words
After their (some would say surprising) elimination Thursday night, “So You Think You Can Dance” contestants Jason Glover and Janette Manrara chatted Friday with journalists on a conference call about their experiences on the show.
