Kris Allen, Sean Kingston To Play Billboard New Year’s Special
Carmen Electra will host Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live special airing Dec. 31 from 11:00 PM to 12:30 AM on Fox. American Idol season eight winner Kris Allen, Idol finalist Allison Iraheta, and Sean Kingston are set to perform at the event, which will broadcast live from Las Vegas and Times Square in New York.
The special will showcase some of the most memorable moments from the Billboard Music Awards, and will count down the top 5 of the year in music, movies and television.
Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live special is executive-produced by Bob Bain, produced by Paul Flattery and directed by Michael Dempsey.
2010 Miss America Pageant Puts the Spotlight On National Judges Saturday, January 30, 2010 Live from Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, on TLC
LINWOOD, N.J., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ — The 2010 Miss America Pageant promises to be an exciting event with the announcement of the strikingly diverse panel of national judges. This year’s panel of seven esteemed judges includes a Miss America turned opera singer and philanthropist; an accomplished actress; an Olympic gold medalist; a six-time Grammy nominee; the most listened-to radio talk show host in America; a successful comedian, and an American Idol finalist. They will evaluate the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition, which will be premiering live from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 8:00PM ET live/PT tape-delayed, exclusively on TLC.
From the Field of Creating America’s Rising Talent – Brooke White – White is a singer and songwriter who is most known for her appearance as a finalist on season seven of American Idol. She recently released her debut album, High Hopes & Heartbreak, in which she shares with the world, her love for the music that has shaped her.
Been there, back again
This year’s “American Idol” might give you a serious case of djà vu.
Ninth season “Idol” auditioners will look a lot like those from last year’s tryouts — according to a poster on idolforums.com working off a tip from a “reliable source” — because several of them made it as far as Hollywood Week last year.
Among the repeat auditioners to keep an eye out for when “Idol” returns on Jan. 12:
More Idol Headlines, after the JUMP…
Christmas with Carrie Underwood
Christmas variety shows never played much of a role in Carrie Underwood’s Oklahoma home as she was growing up.
Yet the fourth-season ‘American Idol’ winner embraces them whole-heartedly in ‘Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special’ (tonight at 8 on WFXT, Ch. 25).
The multiplatinum-selling artist will be joined by such guests as Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Kristin Chenoweth, Christina Applegate and fellow ‘Idol’ winner David Cook for two hours of songs and skits.
Kissmas Bash delivers something for everyone
Judging by the level of screaming that followed the announcement of the night’s lineup, the kids were most excited to see Cobra Starship, a new wave/dance/punk ensemble from New York City, and Kris Allen, the most recent winner of “American Idol, ” who is pushing his self-titled debut album. But that’s not to say that every act didn’t get a rapturous reception.
Then it was Kris Allen’s turn. The reality star and his four-piece band opened with their version of Kanye West’s “Heartless, ” a performance that’s meant to show us what kind of artist Allen is ‘†a nice, acoustic guitar-strumming guy next door that’s not afraid to get soulful.
But his anemic Jack Johnson-ized cover completely missed the point of the original, which used cold, mechanical sounds as metaphors for the narrator’s romantic duress.
The return of glam rock
Just one look at Adam Lambert’s album cover makes it clear that he was never meant to be the ‘American Idol.’
With enough makeup and glitter to give any drag queen a run for his money, the former American Idol runner-up makes no apologies for his over-the-top fashion and music styles.
For an audience that thought Chris Daughtry was too edgy, Lambert must have seemed like the antichrist.
For Your Entertainment is Lambert’s first studio album, and listeners are likely to find that the songs are just as flamboyant as the cover.
Adam Lambert: ‘For Your Entertainment’
Unfortunately, Lambert’s music isn’t yet as advanced as his ability to shock. The template for the album’s sound is laid out in its first three tracks – the glammy metal of “Music Again, ” the attitudinal boy-band pop of the title track and the plodding hard rock of “Whataya Want from Me.” However, Lambert sings like a teen-pop moppet regardless of his song’s genre, and his well-scrubbed delivery just can’t sell the cuts that aim for sleaze and debauchery. While the album offers an impressive bounty of big, memorable hooks, it’s rhythmically lifeless.
(PHOTOS) Carrie Underwood performs in The Bahamas
Paradise Island, Bahamas – American country singer and songwriter, Carrie Underwood performed in The Bahamas at Atlantis on December 5th in a sold out concert with an audience ranging from pre-teen to senior citizens.
Breaking away from her country roots during the last quarter of the show with an electrifying cover of ‘Paradise City’ by Guns ‘n Roses at which point half the audience, already a little miffed by Atlantis’ heavily enforced “you have to stay seated at all times” policy rushed to the front of the stage to let loose and finally really enjoy the rest of the performance.
It was a great gig from an awesome talent.
Start of a red-hot career?
Allison Iraheta has come a long way since her awkward first interview with Ryan Seacrest.
The spunky 17-year-old singer ‘ who stuttered and stammered when the ‘American Idol’ host prodded her about school at the beginning of Season 8 ‘ went on to win rave reviews from judges, leaving a lasting impression with her take on Janis Joplin’s ‘Cry Baby.’
S.African actors want Hudson ‘out’ of Mandela film
JOHANNESBURG ‘†South African actors want to stop Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson from playing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in a new film on the ex-wife of the nation’s first black president, reports said Monday.
The Creative Workers Union of South Africa said using foreign actors to tell the country’s stories undermined efforts to develop the national film industry.
“It can’t happen that we want to develop our own Hollywood and yet bring in imports, ” the union’s president Mabutho Sithole said in The Citizen newspaper.
Actors gun for Hudson
American R&B singer Jennifer Hudson should be barred from playing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in a film about her life, the Creative Workers’ Union of SA says.
The union said foreign actors should not play leading roles in South African movies because it undermined the growth of the local creative industry.
The union said it would push for a meeting with the departments of arts and culture and trade and industry as well as home affairs.
Kellie and Miranda Make the News
I understand that the wonderful Kellie Pickler has a new record producer, Frank Liddell. He also produces Miranda Lambert, and I love her music. And he’s married to Lee Ann Womack. I’ll be frank with you, Frank. You’ve got yourself surrounded by females, especially if you count the two daughters at home!
Kellie, the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, the Country Music Association and the Nashville Symphony have issued invitations to a holiday concert introducing the Keep the Music Playing All-Stars. What a treat — enjoying musical talents of students from public schools at the lovely Schermerhorn Symphony Hall. I hear the dandy Kellie may be presenting a check during Tuesday’s (Dec. 8) event. I’m also told the brave girl will be going back to Iraq on a tour with Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser to entertain our troops. Lastly, I hear Zac Brown is writing a song that could turn into a duet with Kellie.
The Recording Academy ® and Clive Davis Present the 2010 Pre-GRAMMY ® Gala
SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Recording Academy ® and Clive Davis will continue the tradition of the annual Pre-GRAMMY ® Gala. This exclusive, star-studded celebration ‘†attended by artists and industry VIPs in music, film and television and featuring special musical performances ‘†will take place on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., the evening before the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards.
As part of the evening’s festivities, the 2010 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons ® will honor Universal Music Group Worldwide Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Morris. The Academy will present Morris with the President’s Merit Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music. Past recipients of the GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons President’s Merit Award include Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, Mo Ostin, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, and Berry Gordy.
DioGuardi Gets Why People Didn’t Like Her
‘Last year was very difficult. I think because it’s already a great show with amazing ratings, people were like, ‘Why would they add somebody else and break up the chemistry? Why is there this fourth person? Is she replacing Paula?’ which was the most ridiculous thing, ‘ says DioGuardi. ‘People could barely pronounce my name. ‘ If you’re going to replace Paula, it should be some big star, not Karla DeLaGuardia’ ‘†that’s what most people were saying, ‘ she recalls. ‘Why would anyone ever think that I would be there to replace her? She’s someone who helped make the show as successful as it is.’
Joe McElderry is The X Factor hot favourite
Joe ‘ who is mentored by fellow ‘Geordie’ Cheryl Cole ‘ has wowed the audience and the judges with his flawless performances throughout the live shows. The cute 18-year-old even received a standing ovation from all four judges following his performance of Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me in week seven.
Last night Joe sang Open Arms by Journey and Michael Jackson’s She’s Out Of My Life and won the praise of all four judges. In tonight’s X Factor, Simon Cowell claimed that the talent competition had become ‘the Joe McElderry show.’
Danyl Johnson voted off X Factor
Schoolteacher Danyl Johnson has been voted off ITV’s X Factor, missing out on a place in the show’s final.
Olly Murs, 25, burst into tears when hearing he had made it through. He will face Joe McElderry, 18, and 20-year-old mother Stacey Solomon in the finals.
Johnson’s mentor Simon Cowell said: “There was nothing more he could have done. He’s gone out on a high. He’s a gracious loser.”
DANYL Johnson has admitted he found Simon Cowell’s antics embarrassing during his time on The X Factor.
The dance teacher, who got the boot from the show last night, said his mentor had acted like an “embarrassing uncle” after his performances.
Danyl, 27, told GMTV today: “Simon would stand up at the end, and I’d be like, ‘Simon sit down’ – a little bit embarrassed, you know, like when your uncle stands up and you’re like ‘sit down!'”
But he said he knew Simon’s cringe-worthy behaviour was well meaning.
Danyl added: “He’s been so proud. He’s always believed in me. Everyone says you don’t get that much time with Simon, but you do – if you want Simon – he’s there.”
Ralit: Hot-coal torture on ‘Top Chef.’ Carnies on ‘Jersey Shore.’ And…porn on ‘SYTYCD’?
Your attention please! We would like to kick off the season finale of EW.com’s groundbreaking-ish video series Ralit with three haikus that reflect this week’s featured shows: Bravo’s Top Chef, MTV’s Jersey Shore, and Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance. Press play below as my cohost Kristen Baldwin and I bid bittersweet adieu to this fall’s crop of unscripted ridiculata, and please do mark your calendars for the Jan. 15 season 4 premiere of Idolatry.
