Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦
Daughtry Wins Big At American Music Awards
Chris Daughtry may not have won “American Idol, ” but his band, Daughtry, earned high enough honors at the American Music Awards last night (Nov. 18) to share the spotlight with Carrie Underwood and Justin Timberlake. For the first time in show history, winners were chosen by public votes cast online.
Daughtry made good on its three nominations, winning favorite pop-rock album for “Daughtry, ” as well as breakthrough artist and adult contemporary artist…………
Music awards rely on ‘American Idol, ‘ lots of improv
Forget writers; what would awards shows do without “American Idol?”
“Idol” alums dominated Sunday’s American Music Awards, with Daughtry taking home awards for breakthrough artist, favorite adult contemporary artist and favorite pop/ rock album and Carrie Underwood waltzing off with favorite country female, favorite country album and — cross-promotion alert! — the T-Mobile text-in award for favorite artist.
Hitmakers outside of the “Idol” machine also fared well, with Justin Timberlake taking home awards for favorite soul/ R&B album and favorite pop/ rock male artist. Other winners included Akon (favorite soul/ R&B male), Rascal Flatts (favorite country band, duo or group); Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (favorite rap/ hip-hop band, duo or group); and the “High School Musical 2” soundtrack (favorite soundtrack). Beyonce — who has apparently already earned “special appearance by” status — was given the program’s international award……..
Underwood, Daughtry Rule at American Music Awards
Simon Cowell may not have been in the crowd at L.A.’s Nokia theater Sunday night, but the American Idol vibe was alive and well at the 35th Annual American Music Awards.
While the striking writers left four-time host Jimmy Kimmel to wing his shtick (and attempt the Souljaboy dance), Idol alum Carrie Underwood, straight off her three gets at the Country Music Association Awards earlier this month, picked up three more trophies.
“This is one heck of a night, ” she gushed, accepting the award for favorite country album. She also won favorite country female artist and an audience text-in award for favorite artist. And, ever the Southern belle, she was overheard saying “holy cow” as her name was read for the second time.
Chris Daughtry, the other nominated Idol, joined his eponymous band, Daughtry, at the podium three times as they won favorite pop-rock album for Daughtry, as well as breakthrough artist and adult contemporary artist.
“Wow. I can’t believe we’re in the category with Justin Timberlake and Linkin Park. It’s pretty awesome, ” Daughtry said…..
CMA New Artist Spotlight: Carmen Rasmusen
Canadian-born Carmen Rasmusen has pulled off what some artists twice her age have yet to achieve. She doesn’t just stir memories among those who watched her rise at age 17 to the finals of “American Idol” in 2003 – or, for that matter, those who caught her first stage appearances when she was just 4 years old. More than that, Rasmusen establishes herself as a vocal stylist with a sound so distinctive that it can be recognized almost instantly………….
Idol Worship at American Music Awards
The American Music Awards resembled a greatest-hits version of “American Idol” on Sunday, as two former contestants of the hit talent show, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood, each won three prizes.
Daughtry’s eponymous rock band and country singer Underwood overshadowed the likes of superstars Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, possibly with some help from new voting rules.
In a move that mimicked the fan-based element of “American Idol, ” the producers of the ratings-challenged awards show allowed fans to vote online. Winners were traditionally determined by an opinion poll of 20, 000 music buyers.
Producers said about 1.2 million people voted online at a Web site established by the show’s U.S. broadcaster, ABC. By contrast, 74 million votes were cast by telephone for the grand finale of “American Idol” on Fox in May………
In the goddess’ realm
……That won’t be a loss, because there’s always a new goddess in the wings. This week, Jordin Sparks, the latest “American Idol, ” takes her first official turn in the role. Her debut album, “Jordin Sparks” (in stores Tuesday), is a friendly outing, steered by star production teams such as Bloodshy & Avant and Stargate; it’s not the intriguing country-soul-Broadway amalgam her “Idol” performances hinted at, but that’s OK — she’s a teen and she sounds right doing teen pop.
Deep into the album, though, there’s a ballad called “God Loves Ugly” written by Christa Black, with whom Sparks once toured, backing Christian pop star Michael W. Smith. It’s the kind of song that will make many cringe and just as many weep. A story of, yes, magical transformation due to the love of a good man (or God or inner self — or all of those, in no particular order), “God Loves Ugly” builds quietly, like a cloud getting ready to rain. Sparks approaches it with a show-tune lover’s sense of distance; she shows a glimmer of self-consciousness amid the tears. Who knows? Maybe Sparks will grow to be a goddess we haven’t heard from yet.
Dion leaving Las Vegas, with next stop a world tour
….Dion had admirers of her own among the other performers.
“I’m a closet Celine Dion fan, ” said Chris Daughtry, the former “American Idol” contestant who won three trophies.
American Music Awards max out on minis
Skimpy dresses and lots of leg ruled Sunday night 35th annual American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre.
As Fergie opened the show with a medley of her recent hits, …Fergalicous, …Clumsy and …Big Girls Dont Cry, she moved comfortably on stage in a short metallic number.
Among the stars looking forward to Fergie set was …American Idol Season 5 contestant Kellie Pickler, who bucked the mini-dress trend, though the cutouts on her long gown by Tadashi revealed almost as much skin. Pickler was …worried that the muffin tops will come out, but …theyre gonna do what theyre gonna do. Still, she braved the stage to sing and dance to Soulja Boy …Crank That (Soulja Boy) in a spoof with the last …Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, and host Jimmy Kimmel……
Arts, Briefly
….Calling Country Stars of Tomorrow
Country Music Television and FremantleMedia North America, the production company behind …American Idol, have announced the date for open auditions for …Can You Duet?, a new music competition show that aims to find the next big pair in country music. The cattle call will take place in Nashville on Jan. 12, but future Johnny and Junes or Kenny and Dollys can also submit videotaped auditions. (Details are at canyouduet.com.) Judges for the show, expected to reach the air next spring, have yet to be announced….
Daughtry, Underwood Not Idol at AMAs
Apparently, all the Chris Daughtry fans were just biding their time, while those Carrie Underwood fans just won’t quit.
The gravelly-voiced rocker’s eponymous band and the burgeoning country superstar won a leading three pointy prism trophies apiece Sunday at the 2007 American Music Awards, which for the first time in the show’s history left the voting process entirely up to fans, who could choose favorites online………..
Mother Goose Parade Kicks Off Holiday Season
….Among the television, film and music stars who appeared include Adam Rodriguez from “CSI: Miami, ” Dean Cain from “Lois & Clark, ” Drake Bell from Nickelodeon’s “Drake & Josh, ” Efren Ramirez from “Napoleon Dynamite, ” Emily Osment from Disney’s “Hannah Montana, ” singer Jesse McCartney, John Schneider from “Smallville” and “Dukes of Hazzard, ” Katharine McPhee from “American Idol, ” and Mario Lopez from “Dancing with the Stars.”
Disco ‘disaster’ enrages Cowell
SIMON Cowell stormed off the X Factor set after branding the 70s disco show an …absolute disaster.
The fed-up judge got into a strop before ITV2 Xtra Factor ‘ after seeing Saturday night lacklustre performances.
And he has scrapped next week planned theme of a Motown show. He later revealed: …I wasnt in a great mood and Ill tell you why.
…Disco week has been an absolute disaster. The contestants are better than what I saw. And my frustration was that nobody, including my own acts, performed their best this week…………
Sparks’ musical fire grows on strength of ‘Idol’ win
INTERVIEW | Star perks are ‘cool, ‘ but she likes being a teen
Her 18th birthday isn’t until Dec. 22, but trust us: This year, Jordin Sparks is going to be tough to shop for.
She’s already the youngest winner of “American Idol, ” and her self-titled album comes out Tuesday. Her first single, “Tattoo, ” has steadily climbed to No. 27 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list. She’s been dressed by Badgley Mischka. She’s met Diana Ross. Steve Jobs personally gave her an iPhone.
“That was really cool, ” recalls Sparks………
Hairless fakers, take note. Bald is in charge.
….Looking for someone to help make sense of the world again, I called the Obi-Wan Kenobi of bald men, baldrus.com founder Tony Snesko. (Phil Collins is the Yoda of bald men, but his number was unlisted.) Snesko pointed out that more famous people have been willing to embrace baldness in recent years – including two young “American Idol” contestants – and each one helps decrease the stigma about being bald. But he says a regular guy deciding to ditch his wig or comb-over can make their mark on the world, too….
Star-studded success
Glitzy new strategy helps attendance soar
….Schneider was hoping to get attention for the DVD version of his latest film, …Collier & Company. …American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee performed songs from her self-titled album. San Diego native Maxwell Perry Cotton, 7, walked the red carpet with Robert Wagner, who stars with him in the soon-to-be-released movie …A Dennis the Menace Christmas. ….
With Not a Joke Written, Jimmy Kimmel Hosts Music Awards
….In the first national telecast of a live awards show since the beginning of the Hollywood writers strike, Mr. Kimmel was notable mainly by his absence: after his opening remarks and a brief funny-dancing bit, he did not reappear until 49 minutes into the show.
He may have been glad for the break after the tepid reaction to the dance number, in which he dragged the …American Idol veterans Kellie Pickler and Jordin Sparks onstage to do …the Soulja Boy dance; it would have been hard for Ms. Pickler and Ms. Sparks to look more uncomfortable….
