For “American Idol” Kris Allen, the holidays are about family time and reindeer PJs.
What a difference a year makes — at least when you’re the winner of “American Idol.”
Last Christmas, Kris Allen spent a cozy holiday in Conway, Ark., with his wife, Katy. “We were only married three
months and lived in a little bitty apartment, ” the boyish 24-year-old singer says with an aw-shucks smile. Back then, Allen was earning roughly $110 a week as a shoe salesman who sidelined as a worship leader at his local church. “We definitely weren’t rolling in money, so Katy and I only bought each other one or two presents.”
Idol punk princess Iraheta’s album arrives Just in time
“It’s a pop album with a rock edge over it, ” Iraheta says. “There’s some hard stuff — like when you’re at a concert, it makes you want to lift up that lighter … or iPhone.”
Jive Label Group general manager/executive VP Tom Carrabba says the label will focus on Iraheta’s peers in the teen market with targeted radio, TV and online campaigns, but will also reach out to the Latin market. A Spanish-language version of “Friday I’ll Be Over U” will be promoted to radio. “She does speak Spanish, and it really works, ” Carrabba says. “It’s not contrived.” (In 2006, Iraheta won Telemundo’s singing competition Quinceanera: Mama Queiro Ser Artista.)
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Anger as ‘GMA’ books Brown
ABC has booked Rihanna-beater Chris Brown for an interview and a performance on “Good Morning America” — right after the network canceled guy-kisser Adam Lambert.
Brown will do a taped tell-all with Robin Roberts, followed by a performance of songs from his new album. But TV insiders say the appearance, slated to air the week after next, has outraged feminists and gay activists who wonder why a convicted girlfriend abuser is more palatable to the network than an openly gay man who broke no laws with his raunchy performance on the “American Music Awards.”
Debut CD from season eight finalist “American Idol” Allison Iraheta’s ‘Just Like You’ drops on Tuesday
Another well-anticipated debut CD from the season eight cast of “American Idol” drops on 19 Entertainment/Jive Records on Tuesday..
The good folks there sent me an advance copy of Allison Iraheta’s work, and the 13-song collection “Just Like You” provides a pop canvas for the teenage singer from California’s big voice.
Iraheta’s forte on the Fox show was big and passionate rock.
After one listen, you can hear her love of rock ‘n’ roll.
A few words with the accidental ‘Idol’
For American Idol fans, all-American boy Kris Allen’s recent surprise victory over the dynamic and flamboyant Adam Lambert likely still burns fresh in their memories. But the year before provided almost as much drama, with gruff-voiced rocker David Cook beating out the angelic David Archuleta in the Season 7 finals.
Cook proved to be the “stealth Idol”: Sure, he never ended up in the Bottom 3, but who predicted he would actually win? Since his victory, Cook has flourished, with his self-titled debut album opening at No. 3 on the Billboard charts and ending up a platinum-seller.
He talked to The Miami Herald about his first solo tour, “Declaration, ” which hits the Don Taft University Center at Nova Southeastern University Sunday night.
Katharine McPhee Rocks the Macy’s Parade
Getting into the holiday spirit, Katharine McPhee was among the stars on hand for the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday (November 26).
The ‘American Idol’ alum looked seasonably fashionable as she posed for a few pictures, also taking the stage to perform the song ‘Had it All’ during the day’s festivities.
Trying to keep up with Chris Daughtry is exhausting
Tracking down Chris Daughtry for a few minutes on the phone is not easy. He’s a busy man. It takes persistence while schedules are juggled and appointments are made and then pushed back.
The week I was trying to chat with the chrome-domed rocker, he had just played a concert in Virginia that was broadcast live on Billboardlive.com. Next, he was off for an appearance at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles and getting ready to play a gig on Thanksgiving at the pro football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders. Too boot, he even ended up on People magazine’s annual list of sexiest men alive.
David Archuleta, “Christmas from the Heart” (RCA/Jive)
Like Clay Aiken before him, “American Idol’s” Archuleta offers a collection of holiday standards as his second studio album. And like Aiken, Archuleta is vocally talented, but artistically uninteresting, so these straightforward readings seriously make you wish someone would spike his eggnog. The new song “Melodies of Christmas” is the only time Archuleta breaks out and seems to crack a smile without sounding like a kid being dragged against his will to go Christmas caroling with his parents. GRADE: C+
David Archuleta to perform with Ann Arbor Symphony on ‘Christmas From the Heart’ concert tour
David Archuleta’s third “Christmas From the Heart” concert tour is going to be in Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium this Friday. I can’t wait to attend this exciting concert. Unlike any other show on the tour, Archuleta will be singing along with a full symphony and it is bound to be beautiful.
On Oct. 13, Archuleta released his first Christmas album, “Christmas From the Heart.” It is filled with many traditional carols as well as a few foreign jingles and one original Christmas tune.
Ruben Studdard embraces new holiday single, ‘Christmas in Your Arms’
Birmingham’s Ruben Studdard gives a silky spin to “Christmas in Your Arms, ” his new holiday single.
Ruben Studdard (Special)The song, written by Bill Anderson and Steve Wariner, previously was recorded by the country group Alabama. That makes it an interesting choice for Studdard and his producer, John Jackson. They’ve left the twang behind, arranging it as a smooth R&B ballad.
For a preview, visit Studdard’s Web site. Alabama’s version can be streamed on LaLa.com.
‘Idol’ grads invade Napa Valley for holiday concert
How quickly we forget Ԡnames, faces, voices, backstories.
Amy Davis. Haley Scarnato. Sundance Head. Nikko Smith.
They’re former “American Idol” finalists, and like other contestants on the show, they’ve discovered the fleeting nature of reality TV fame.
But even if “Idol” cast them aside, such singers continue to strive in the entertainment world, performing when and where they can.
Case in point: a Dec. 5 concert at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville, Calif.
Twelve “Idol” grads will be on the bill that evening in the Napa Valley, performing a two-hour holiday special called “American Christmas Live.” It’s linked to a 2008 CD, “American Christmas.”
Paula Abdul Gets Her Pooches Painted
It’s been so long since Paula Abdul left the ‘American Idol’ scene and the daily news cycle, and with no Paula fix on the way (as of now, at least), aren’t we all a little curious how the always-interesting judge/musician is doing? So, when word hit that Abdul made her presence known at the American Music Awards Luxury Lounge, Popeater’s ears perked up. After the jump, check out five absolutely alluring Abdul facts we learned about Paula from people at the event, including how she’s slimmed down quite a bit and how her puppies are well manicured.
X Factor’s Stacey Solomon shows fame has not gone to her head as she takes son to Harvester
She has admitted that she was ready to quit the X Factor as she struggled with the pressure of the live finals.
And Stacey Solomon was given a reminder this week of why she is fighting to win the show when she spent some rare time off with her young son.
The 20-year-old single mother looked tired but happy to be home as she returned to Dagenham to see 20-month-old Zachary.
Eminem wants to judge The X Factor
It was only a fortnight ago that we announced Simon Cowell’s graduation from Karaoke Oz to Karaoke Sauron, but already his powers intensify at a horrifying rate.
To wit: Eminem has announced that he wishes to be a guest judge on The X Factor. “No disrespect to the current judges, ” the critically garlanded rapper explains, “but you need people who are global, platinum-selling stars. You need to prepare contestants for what it’s really like out there, and what sort of pressure you are going to be under . . . A hip-hop star will never win a show like The X Factor without somebody like me on the panel . . . I am not sure I would have the time to do it full-time, but I would come and be a guest judge . . . Simon tells it like it is and I am down with that.”
Jedward in £10m boost to Si’s gigs
JEDWARD will rake in an extra £10million for Simon Cowell after 17 MORE shows were added to the X Factor tour due to demand.
Many dates for the February to April tour have already sold out – and it’s all down to John and Edward Grimes, bosses say.
They have bumped up the number of shows from 37 to a massive 54, making it the biggest tour in X Factor history.
An insider said: “The Jedward factor has shot sales through the roof. We’ve had a surge in families wanting to take their youngsters.”
