Simon Cowell expresses misgivings over the early ejection of one of AI 2008 lightning rods
…American Idol host Simon Cowell said that Josiah Leming, the weepy young hopeful who quickly became a lightning rod for the media and AI fans should probably not have been kept out of the 12 final male contestants.
Hollywood Today caught up with Cowell and co-judge Randy Jackson at a Playboy Mansion party for Hotel Byblos, a St. Tropez resort and nightclub hotspot currently doing a promotional soiree tour for its 40th Anniversary. He didnt want to do an interview at the social occasion but he did tell our reporter that he had misgivings about Josiah getting the boot after the audition phase. …We should have let him go through. It was not my decision and I dont think we should have had him leave so early.
Michael Johns, David Archuleta Huge Favorites to Win American Idol
American Idol hopefuls are surrounded by tough competition among the men (or in David Archuleta’s case – boys). Michael Johns and David Archuleta have been posted as huge favorites among the male American Idol hopefuls.
Archuleta was listed with odds of 5-2 at PaddyPower.com, a website that does not allow U.S. citizens to place bets. Johns was listed with 11-4 odds. Both were favorites among both the men and women.
The next big favorite was a surprising female Idol wannabe, Ramiele Malubay, who was listed with 5-1 odds. Syesha Mercado from Miami came in with 6-1 odds. Jason Castro was the next favored man with 8-1 odds, tied with Ireland’s own, Carly Simon. Asia’h Epperson was listed with 10-1 odds.
Rumor Control: American Idol’s David H. Go-Go Boy Past?
He’s gorgeous and has a powerhouse of a voice, and now American Idol Season 7’s David Hernandez has fun (for us) gay rumors spreading around the internets. We here at ACD don’t like rumors -we need hard evidence (like Big Brother’s Crazy James’s kinda hard evidence)- so we are asking YOU, our Phoenix and Phoenix-adjacent readers to fill us in….
*Remember, this is solely based on tips and rumors right now*
No Air – Jordin Sparks
Young singers Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown now share more than both being born in 1989: The unlikely pairing has crossed together into top 40 with the second single from the “American Idol” season-six victor’s self-titled debut album, following her top 10 debut, “Tattoo.” R&B singer Brown has already scaled the Billboard Hot 100 twice, with 2005’s “Run It!” and 2006’s “Kiss Kiss, ” both of which also leaned upon guests: Juelz Santana and T-Pain, respectively. “No Air” is a sweeping midtempo jam that pushes boundaries, allowing Sparks to show a looser, soulful side, while Brown is cast as pop crooner more than ever before. The result is organically convincing, and likely to offer both artists newfound crossover potential. Clever enough, and a fine song that ultimately gives the “AI” alum a heap of befitting credibility. ‘ Chuck Taylor
Fall – KIMBERLEY LOCKE
With seven top 10 AC hits since September 2004, Kimberley Locke has become the format’s consummate modern-day heroine. Current CD “Based on a True Story” has already locked in two chart champs on the AC and club charts, “Band of Gold” and “Change” (in addition to No. 1 AC Christmas release “Frosty the Snowman” in December). “Fall, ” a 2007 top five country hit for labelmate Clay Walker, is a stunning showcase for the versatile vocalist, as she delivers a powerhouse ballad’ perhaps alongside “8th World Wonder, ” her most satisfying single yet’ complete with production and melody bells and whistles that will leave listeners swaying as Locke serenades, “Go and fall apart, fall into these arms of mine, I’ll catch you everytime.” The track builds to a diva-worthy climax’ making upcoming dance remixes all the more propitious. Locke has proved her charms over and again. How could we not “Fall” with her? ‘ Chuck Taylor
Celie’s Journey Ends: Color Purple Plays Final Broadway Performance
The Broadway production of The Color Purple ‘ the hit musical based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker ‘ plays its final performance at the Broadway Theatre Feb. 24 at 7:30 PM. When it closes, the musical will have played 30 previews and 910 regular performances.
Broadway actress LaChanze created the role of Celie ‘ the young woman who learns how to love others, and more importantly, herself ‘ in The Color Purple, earning a Tony Award for her work. She was succeeded in the role by “American Idol” winner Fantasia, who drew raves for her performance. Celie is currently being played by Zonya Love, who is making her Broadway debut.
Yamin entertains with songs, stories In hometown visit, international star has adoring audience
As a kid, Elliott Yamin was a self-proclaimed “knucklehead.”
Now he’s an internationally recognized singing star with a debut album that has sold more than 500, 000 copies, a hit single (“Wait for You”), a full passport and a hometown that still adores him.
Appearing at the JCC Forum Series last night, a candid and smiling Yamin — who had just flown in from Los Angeles — addressed a sold-out crowd of about 600, including his mother, Claudette, with stories from his 2006 stint on “American Idol.”
“I understand that forever I’ll be synonymous with the show, ” Yamin, 29, said. “I really feel I learned so much about life and how to carry myself as a responsible, respectable adult.”
80th Annual Academy Awards Presented Feb. 24;
Emmy Award winner Jon Stewart hosts the 80th Academy Awards telecast, which will be broadcast live Feb. 24 from the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center on ABC-TV.
The half-hour red carpet arrivals will be telecast beginning at 8 PM ET. Regis Philbin, Samantha Harris, Shaun Robinson, executive producer Gil Cates and producer Dennis Doty will co-host the 30-minute segment that features interviews with the various stars as they arrive for the film world’s biggest night of the year.
Presenters for the Academy Awards, which begins at 8:30 PM, include Alan Arkin, Jennifer Hudson, Helen Mirren, Forest Whitaker, Amy Adams, Jessica Alba, Cate Blanchett, Josh Brolin, Steve Carel, George Clooney, Penelope Cruz, Miley Cyrus, Patrick Dempsey, Cameron Diaz, Colin Farrell, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Garner, Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway, Katherine Heigl, Jonah Hill, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, James McAvoy, Queen Latifah, Seth Rogen, Martin Scorsese, Hilary Swank, John Travolta, Denzel Washington and Renee Zellweger.
The few things to expect at the Oscars
Host Jon Stewart and his team of recently un-struck writers had only eight days to string together the jokes and between-award patter, which might have you thinking that this Sunday’s Oscar telecast might play out a bit more guerrilla than usual, but no, they’ll slick it up like they always do.
One sure thing, though – any time Stewart flubs a joke, wait for the gag blaming the writers’ strike.
Other sure things at Oscar’s big show:
Presenter Jennifer Hudson has learned a thing or two since she let that wingnut from Vogue magazine pick her horrible Oscar outfit last year. She’ll be the best-dressed woman onstage, or her career is toast.
