Gig review: Alicia Keys in Auckland (+pics)
Keys was supported by Jordin Sparks, who performed a sweet and very brief set.
The American Idol success-story punctuated each song with a gushing: “Thank you guys so much, ” and then, “I’m so excited about this next song”.
But her enthusiasm was endearing and her big hits – Tattoo and No Air – were well received by the youthful crowd.
And those fans had no trouble recognising another diva who slipped into the arena just before Keys took the stage.
Kylie and her entourage caused a ripple of whispering, pointing and clicking of mobile phone cameras to sweep through the crowd.
David Cook’s balls: Martha Stewart auctions star-signed ornaments to benefit homeless
Martha Stewart is auctioning Christmas ornaments signed by a load of celebrities, from David Cook to chef Emeril, to benefit Taste of the NFL (a program that helps the hungry and homeless).
The eBay auction runs through December 12. So far the highest bid is $510 for one of David Cook’s autographed balls.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Hudson murder suspect William Balfour endured troubled life
At 14, William Balfour spoke so softly that the counselor at the youth shelter could barely hear him.
Depressed and angry, William already had been arrested on charges of heroin possession and possession of a stolen vehicle. He had little recollection of his father, who had been sent to prison for murder years earlier. His mother’s efforts to discipline him had turned abusive, state records show.
William said he knew his mother had given him up, turning him over to the state child welfare system.
“But my daddy didn’t, ” he told the counselor, perking up for the first time during the interview. “He still wants me. I know he does.”
American Idol’s Taylor Hicks makes transition to stage in “Grease” at Wharton Center
EAST LANSING — “American Idol” 2006 winner Taylor Hicks has one thing to say to those who have walked in his reality-show-winner footsteps — or will be:
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, ” the 32-year-old said in a phone interview from a rehearsal of the national Broadway touring company for “Grease.”
“The energy from 30, 000 people a night for five weeks will make anyone’s head spin. It’s exhilarating, and you have to keep your feet on the ground.”
Carrie Underwood
One thing we surely get about Carrie Underwood is she has come a long way in a short time, and she quite the popular gal.
We know this watching her trajectory from an …American Idol wannabe to a country music superstar, one whose …Carnival Ride tour sold out Chaifetz Arena Friday night.
But in case anyone at the concert didnt get the memo (and who are those people exactly?), Underwood sure let us know.
During one of her several costume changes when she left the stage, she “treated” fans with an instant reminder, a too-long tribute to herself that seemed to highlight every award, magazine cover, and talk show appearance featuring her, from Oprah to the Grammy Awards to Entertainment Weekly to her Grand Ole Opry induction, etc.
‘Idol’ Has Wasted No Time On The Road To Success
Before she was Carrie Underwood, American Idol, she was Carrie Underwood, also-ran.
“When I was very young, I had an artist development deal with Capitol, ” Underwood says by telephone from her tour bus. “They paid for me to record some songs. It didn’t go anywhere.”
What? Didn’t they know a star when they heard one?
“No. I mean, the reality is that there are so many people out there who have beautiful voices we’re not ever gonna hear, so what makes mine so special?” Underwood asks.
“The answer is nothing. Mine’s not any more special than anybody else’s, ” Underwood continues. “I got really lucky. Took a chance and tried out for “American Idol”. I had zero chance of making it to the finals.”
Christmas show has too much Smith, too little Doolittle
Here’s news for “American Idol” fans wondering whatever happened to Melinda Doolittle, the sixth-season soul sister with the shy demeanor and massive voice. Sadly, she’s not knocking them dead on a cabaret-style tour of her own. Instead, she’s playing second fiddle to contemporary Christian mainstay Michael W. Smith on a Christmas tour that drew 6, 714 folks to the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday night.
While Doolittle really should be headlining gigs on her own by now ‘ she’s finally releasing her debut album in February ‘ she did provide pretty much all the excitement during an otherwise subdued, even somber, evening.
Backed by a rock band and an orchestra consisting of local players, the 51-year-old Smith presented a pair of hourlong sets that drew largely from his trio of holiday albums, most heavily from last year’s “It’s a Wonderful Christmas.”
Beyoncà © sets Cowell feud aside for ‘X Factor’
Simon Cowell and Beyoncà © have agreed to put their differences aside as the singer prepares to make a guest appearance on The X Factor, according to a report.
Cowell once slated the R&B star in an interview, claiming that she was “not sexy” and “not a great singer”.
Her father and manager Matthew Knowles responded to the jibes by saying: “Simon wouldn’t know a hit song, image or talent if it hit him in the face.”
However, Beyoncà © is now said to be in talks to perform on next week’s X Factor final.
Simon Cowell’s old flame Terri Seymour says someday he’ll be known as her ex
…One day, Simon going to be introduced as Terri Seymour ex, she says, fiercely. …Wont that be lovely?
Terri, who dated the all-powerful X Factor judge for six years, still has some way to go.
The former Wheel of Fortune hostess is now a celebrity interviewer for American television ‘ thanks largely to Cowell ‘ but still virtually unknown over here.
She bridles: …In the States Im really well known, and not just for being Simon ex-girlfriend. It will be nice when I am recognised as a star in my own right in the UK.
…Obviously, being with Simon raised my profile. But Id have got there in the end, with or without him.
Terri, 34, certainly acts like a star. She troops into our photoshoot half-an-hour late and gets in a huff when we cant find honey for her tea.
She demands a specific brand of tongs, refuses at first to pose standing, controls the speed of the wind machine and insists we find …props, a Christmas tree and baubles. Not easy on an East London industrial estate at 4pm.
