Lil Wayne, Coldplay, Alicia Keys Lead 2008 American Music Award Nominees
The nominees for the 2008 American Music Awards were announced Tuesday (October 14), with Alicia Keys leading the pack with five nods, including one for Artist of the Year. The AMAs have been scheduled for November 23 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and will air live on ABC with Jimmy Kimmel as host.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
More ‘Bees’ buzz on casting choices
What others involved with The Secret Life of Bees have to say about what Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Keys brought to their roles:
Jennifer Hudson (Rosaleen). “Every time Sophie was doing anything, all I could see was an Oscar glowing above her head. Alicia ‘ we have crossed paths several times. This is different. I knew she was going up for the part, and I am pleased they let her get it. I’ve always looked up to Alicia and Queen. And Queen has such a beautiful spirit. She’s just so outgoing. You get happy when you see Queen walking around.”
‹Bees actresses buzz about sweet roles
Hudson, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her 2006 film debut in …Dreamgirls [trailer], stars as nanny Rosaleen in …The Secret Life of Bees.
But Prince-Bythewood had a surprise in store before filming in North Carolina, to help the 27-year-old actress get a better understanding of how bad segregation was 44 years ago.
Hudson was sent to a local store with co-star Dakota Fanning.
Reality star drops in to the Jewish Mother
“American Idol” veteran Blake Lewis has taken it on the chin recently, but he’s still swinging ‘ and still singing.
Earlier this year, Lewis was dropped by his record label, Arista.
But Lewis, who is set to perform tonight at The Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach, said he’s not bothered by critics who reacted gleefully to news of his career difficulties.
“I never read anything about myself, I don’t get on the Internet, ” the 27-year-old singer said last week. “I only talk to my fans on MySpace because that’s all I care about. If you’re not a fan of ‘American Idol’ and not a fan of me, I’m not going to try to change your mind. I don’t really care about all that stuff. I make music because I’m passionate about it and I love to create.”
RTA celebrates HealthLine opening in big way
CLEVELAND — A free concert by “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks and a scavenger hunt along Euclid Avenue highlight the grand opening of RTA’s HealthLine on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The celebration signals the completion of the $200 million, 7.1-mile Euclid Corridor project. The bus rapid transit system will travel from Public Square to the Stokes-Windermere Station in East Cleveland. Work began in March 2006.
Rock of Ages: So Totally Awesome!
I have to admit, I walked in there groaning a little at the thought of watching star Constantine Maroulis with his brooding, kicked-off-American-Idol pout, but I swear that boy can belt out Foreigner like you wouldnt believe. And that look worked for him so well as Drew, a looking-for-love-and-fame rocker. By the end of the show you may just want to hug him.
Put aside your expectations and walk into the theater open-minded and you wont be disappointed. Straight out of the late 80s, the set list was fantastic, the singing was great and the costumes were everything youre picturing as you read this. Cleverly written, well-acted and all-around rockin, I recommend this show to anyone of any age.
LeAnn Rimes Gets Vocal For Reba McEntire
LeAnn Rimes paid tribute to Reba McEntire at Monday’s 2008 ASCAP Country Music Awards in Nashville, belting out one of McEntire’s signature songs, “I’m A Survivor.”
Kelly Clarkson and Brooks & Dunn also joined in, with Clarkson ‘ who was rewarded with a standing ovation ‘ singing “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” and Kix and Ronnie performing an emotional rendition of “For My Broken Heart, ” another McEntire standard.
American Idol gives back: Grant funds meals for low-income single working parents
Now, the Family Meals Program of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is giving low-income single working parents a nutritious take-out meal option, funded by a grant from the Idol Gives Back Foundation, which is administered by Feeding America and the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund.
Simon Cowell’s pillow secret
Simon Cowell sits on “three pillows” to appear taller on TV show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, his fellow judge Piers Morgan has revealed.
The music mogul – famous for his nasty comments to hopeful singers – relies on the boosting cushions to increase his height.
Piers said: “If you look carefully, Simon grows between shows. When we’re on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ he’s smaller then me, then suddenly his three pillows arrive and he’s taller than me!”
Simon Cowell’s Outstanding award
Simon Cowell is set to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at next year’s BRITs.
The ‘American Idol’ and ‘X Factor’ judge is being lined up to be honoured with the prestigious accolade in February, but his rumoured nod has sparked controversy as he would be the first non-recording artist to win the prize.
A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “It Cowell gets the big gong it will cause an almighty stink in the music business.
“He will be the first pop Svengali to win rather than an artist – the publicity worldwide would be enormous.
After ‘Nashville Star, ‘ Garcia gets right down to writing
NASHVILLE ‘ With a pick in his lips and a guitar in his lap, Gabe Garcia leaned toward the table to type a few lines on his laptop computer.
As part of a new generation of artists and songwriters making its mark in the Music City, Garcia is bringing inspiration from a modern marvel to some of country music’s tried and true themes ‘ such as drinking songs.
Garcia, the Lytle native who placed second on “Nashville Star” in August, was sitting down to a songwriting session with country star Rhett Akins and Bart Butler, a music publisher and songwriter from Hondo with such credits as Kevin Fowler’s “Loose, Loud & Crazy” and “Cheaper to Keep Her.”
Monday Night Ratings: Dancing With the Stars, Two and Half Men Lead Night
ABC had almost 18 million tuned in for Dancing With the Stars and the season two premiere of Samantha Who? held on to 11.7 million of them (though I am not sure that DWTS didnt run slightly into the 9:30 hour, if so the numbers will be revised a bit in the finals).
‘Dancing With the Stars’: Game On
Whoa ‘ major twist alert! Not only did Cloris Leachman get a leg up (so to speak…such a sundial, that one) on Rocco DiSpirito from the judges, but we found out all the couples will engage in one of four new dances on Monday night. The hustle, the jitterbug, salsa, and West Coast swing are all up for grabs. Oh, there will be grabbing.
‘Dancing With the Stars’: On the Attack
Rocco DiSpirito, the skinny chef you should never trust, departed Dancing With the Stars last night, with his mama and possible new boy toy, Bruno Tonioli, in tow. Yes, it’s sad and theoretically unfair, but at least our lasting image from week 4 will be Bruno humping Rocco’s tender loin instead of the increasingly dorky Corky humping Cloris Leachman for no real reason. Save it for the exit dance, pops. Was the elder Ballas always so grabby and weird, or has Cloris’ muted behavior merely amplified an already existent excess of shtick?
‘Dancing With the Stars’: Rocco DiSpirito 86ed
After all of the cooking/restaurant metaphors this season, there was simply no way to avoid one in this headline. As was foreordained last week ‘- and with nothing occurring this week to alter his fate -‘ Rocco DiSpirito had to say goodbye to …Dancing With the Stars. The show tried to draw it out, mainly by keeping the majority of the couples standing on stage until after all of the guest stars had performed and filler had been aired.
