‘Idol’ star’s weddding is New Year’s eve
Naperville will be rolling out the red — make that white — carpet for the New Year’s Eve wedding of “American Idol” finalist Gina Glocksen to Neuqua Valley High School science teacher Joe Ruzicka.
With “American Idol” being such a large part of Glocksen’s life over the past two years, the wedding and reception will have numerous “Idol” tie-ins, starting with the wedding party, which will include two fellow Season 6 contestants as bridesmaids — “Idol” winner Jordin Sparks and top 12 finalist Haley Scarnato. Both will stand up with six other bridesmaids at the ceremony, to take place at the Naper Settlement chapel on Wednesday.
“At the tour (American Idols LIVE! 2007) I asked all the girls (to be bridesmaids), ” said Glocksen, “Jordin and Haley carried through with it. The others took gigs. New Year’s Eve is one day you can’t ask a performer to take off.”
One of the hairdressers from “American Idol” will be flying out to do Glocksen’s hair. And, in addition to Sparks and Scarnato being a part of the wedding party, Season 6 contestants Lakisha Jones and Chris Richardson may also be in attendance.
Hudson family murder suspect back in court
The man accused of killing actress Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew is scheduled to make another court appearance today.
William Balfour, 27, is the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister, Julia. Prosecutors allege he killed her family members Oct. 24 in their home in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side because he thought she had a new boyfriend. Slain were Jennifer and Julia’s mother, Darnell Donerson, 57; their brother, Jason, 29, and Julia’s 7-year-old son, Julian King.
In addition to the murder counts, Balfour is charged with home invasion. He is being held without bond.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Take That, Alexandra Burke Rule U.K. Charts
The U.K.’s final weekly sales charts of 2008, published yesterday (Dec. 28), saw Alexandra Burke and Take That retain their singles and album crowns, respectively.
“X Factor” winner Burke’s “Hallelujah” (Syco Music/Sony BMG) sold another 311, 000 copies during the chart week ending Dec. 27 to take her two-week total to a giant 888, 000. Take That’s “The Circus” sold a further 133, 000 units for a running total of 1, 446, 000, making it the second fastest-selling million-seller in U.K. album history.
‹American Idol turns viewers into loons
For those of us who watch “American Idol, ” this is it: the last moment before we all lose our minds.
That’s because “Idol” makes us crazy. For five months, our sanity takes off for parts unknown. It doesn’t happen all at once, of course. That would kill us. No, it just sort of quietly dribbles away until people who were once rational, clear-thinking individuals (I don’t know you personally, but I’m assuming) have been transformed into raving loons.
That’s not only how “Idol” works, though, that’s exactly how “Idol” is designed to work. The show looks beyond the finale to the radio and sales charts. That requires a degree of fan devotion deep enough to last not only through the end of the season, but well into the months spent anticipating the contestants’ albums. And viewers are all too happy to oblige.
Disney Offers ‘Idol’ Experience In Lake Buena Vista
“American Idol” aficionados can emulate Kelly Clarkson and others who used the TV show as a path to stardom with the opening Feb. 12 of an attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Lake Buena Vista.
Disney promises “all the glitz and glamour” of the distinctive “American Idol” set in a production designed to re-create the lively tension and expectations of the TV show’s “Search for a Superstar” that debuted in 2002.
The attraction will enable Disney guests to experience the challenge of auditioning, performing onstage in competition or judging performances in a live interactive entertainment setting.
‘American Idol’: The Best Of 2008
The seventh season of “American Idol” will be remembered for lots of things: for allowing contestants to play instruments, for featuring the music of the Beatles, for the nail-biting David vs. David finale, and then there was that whole “Paula Accidentally Critiques a Performance Before She Actually Saw It” debacle.
But around the MTV News office, this season will be remembered as the year where we went “all in” with our coverage. With live blogs, 60-second recaps, breaking-news updates, exclusive music performances, in-depth home visits and “Idol” fanatic roundtables, MTV News had a blast dissecting every nanosecond of the pop-culture phenomenon. And without further ado, here are some of our favorite “Idol” videos produced in 2008.
Major Labels Consider Hulu Partnership, New Music Video Site as Alternatives to YouTube
Labels are continuing to grasp for ways to milk revenue out of their videos that appear for free online. Following Warner Music exit from YouTube last week, the majors are not only exploring a partnership with the NBC-owned video site Hulu but considering launching their own stand-alone music-video site.
According to reports, two major labels are considering an additional partnership with Hulu, the News Corp./NBC video venture that mostly used to stream NBC shows. While Hulu isnt a household name like YouTube, the site drew ad revenues in the $70 million range this year, not far behind YouTube $100 million, and the two companies are expected to pull in even more ad money in 2009.
It Was a Great Year For Outing!
Actually, celebs came out all on their own in ’08–they didn’t even have to be dragged out, kicking and screaming, like they usually do. That saved me a lot of pulling, yanking, and washing off of blood, so thanks, gays!
Among the highlights of the year in celebrity closet busting:
*Clay Aiken not only came out, he produced a baby and reportedly dated a Spamalot chorus boy. No longer is he “Invisible, ” to name a song of his when he had big hits.
Carson Daly not a fan of ‘American Idol’
Carson Daly loves music, but apparently not …American Idol.
…I missed the whole reality thing, the TV host and self-proclaimed music lover told reporters during a recent conference call. …… I dont like rubbernecking television. I just think quality is everything and Id rather be patient and put my stamp on stuff that I can wake up to and be proud of.
To that end, Daly has amassed an impressive lineup for his annual New Year Eve broadcast from New York Times Square, including T.I., Katy Perry, Ludacris, The Ting Tings and Elton John.
Music City Bowl bands to battle
Thousands of Music City Bowl fans are expected to turn out for what could be the biggest pre-game pep rally ever seen here.
The marching bands and cheerleaders for both Boston College and Vanderbilt University will duel for The Tennessean Spirit award at 6 p.m. today at Second Avenue and Commerce Street.
Third season American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo will perform and emcee the outdoor event. The Carter Twins also will perform. The event is free and open to the public.
Clay Aiken Blogs For Education
Singer Clay Aiken has blogged on the UNICEF website about the effect UNICEF-inspired gifts are having on children around the world, and has urged people to help give children an education.
…Every child has a right to an education, … wrote Aiken. …Often times in emergency situations, it becomes harder than ever for children to go to school. Natural disasters and conflict often destroy schools and supplies, leaving children without a place or the tools to learn. …UNICEF works hard to make sure that children receive an education no matter what the obstacle. For just $186 you can send children in need a School-in-a-Box kit, offering an opportunity to an education that otherwise wouldnt exist. Just think’ one kit provides a temporary school for up to 80 children at a time in an emergency!…
