Idol Headlines for 6/12/07

Today Idol headlines after the jump ¦

The 2007 Tonys: The Day-After Dish
See our picks for the most-deserved award, best speech, biggest shocker, funniest line, and 10 other spotlight moments and head-scratchers from Broadway’s big night


WEIRDEST PASSING OF THE TORCH
The regal Jane Alexander introducing none other than The Color Purple’s Fantasia to perform. Well, if American Idol castoffs can win Academy Awards nowadays (something Alexander has sadly never been able to do), why not?

EW.com

Kelly Clarkson rocks my world

….I’ve officially upgraded my like to love. And just when you thought she couldn’t be any cooler, she goes and cements her status as the perfect antidote to all the BritneyLindsayParises of the world.

A short list of things Clarkson doesn’t want:

A clothing line.
A fragrance with her name on the bottle.
A television show.
A movie role.
A toy dog in a leather jacket.

Like I said, rock on.

After Ellen.com

Michigan’s `Idol’ star honored at state Capitol

Flint native and “American Idol” performer LaKisha Jones was greeted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and hundreds of other fans Monday at the state Capitol, where she continued a homecoming trip through Michigan before leaving to rehearse for an upcoming tour.

Jones wowed the crowed by singing “And I’m Telling You” from the film “Dreamgirls” and “God Bless the Child” ‘  both songs she performed on the top-rated Fox TV show. Fans held signs, snapped photos and cheered her along.

Jones said “never in a million years” did she dream she would be on the Capitol steps with the governor…….

MLive.com

The Summer’s Hottest Tickets

…In addition to time-tested oldies groups, promoters are also turning to concert versions of popular television shows to bring fresh material to the stage. An “American Idol Live” tour has sellers asking $500 and up in Nashville, San Antonio and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for floor seats that originally retailed for less than $100…

Forbes.com

Constantine Maroulis Releases Solo Album, August 7

Broadway and “American Idol” star Constantine Maroulis will release his debut solo album on August 7th, 2007. The albums is on the Sixth Place Records / Sony RED label.

Maroulis debuted “Everybody Loves, ” the first song off the album, on “The Bold & The Beautiful” on Wednesday, May 15th 2007. “Everybody Loves” is currently available on iTunes….

Broadway World.com

FRANKLIN (Somerset): Star 99.1 announces STARstock 2007

The Christian music station Star 99.1-FM will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love and the 38th anniversary of Woodstock with its own peace-and-love concert: STARstock 2007.

In the fields of Zarephath, an all-day festival and concert will take place July 21that will include performances by Sanctus Real, “American Idol” finalist Mandisa and Britt Nicole, all of whom record for event sponsor EMI/CMG Records….

Courier News.com

American Idol’s Clay Aiken’s Sexual Orientation Sparks War

…The war got so bad that the Official Fan Club at Clayonline felt compelled to shut down its message board, noting…”Due to reports of extensive unrest and disrespect amongst members that has been carrying on for several weeks, the Official Fan Club Message Board will be shut down until further notice. Please note that should tensions continue on other areas of the fan club, severe consequence!”

Play nice ‘Claymates’

Post Chronicle

Mandisa Continues to Gain Spotlight

Former American Idol finalist Mandisa and her single …Only the World continues to soar in the charts in the United States, sitting at #2 for the Billboard Overall Single Sales alongside Beyonce last week.

Mandisa recently made an appearance at the CBS Early Show Weekend Second Cup Cafà © and Fox & Friends.

Her debut album will release 31 July on Sparrow Records…….

Christian Today

Fantasia Barrino Sings the Praises of Literacy and Education

More than 30 million adults in the United States have below basic literacy skills and are unable to comprehend and use written information(1), yet the increasingly competitive job market makes education and literacy more important than ever. This is why beauty brand Suave(R) and Dollar General(R) stores are teaming up with American Idol winner, recording artist and Broadway star Fantasia Barrino to award scholarships to students who are dedicated to education, as well as to recognize their invaluable role models — especially mom’s who have encouraged others to pursue their dreams through education. The “Suave Essay Contest” invites students to write about how someone has helped them improve their life through education for the chance to win a $10, 000 scholarship and a trip to New York to meet Fantasia….

PRnewswire.com

Lansing honors LaKisha Jones

American Idol” performer LaKisha Jones of Flint entertained hundreds of fans on the state Capitol lawn Monday, following a homecoming ceremony during which Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared it LaKisha Jones Day in Michigan……..

Detroit News

2007 CMA Music Festival Breaks Attendance Record With More Than 191, 000 Country Music Fans Attending

…Surprise appearances are a hallmark of this event. And 2007 didn’t disappoint. The first night at LP Field included an unannounced appearance by first season “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson, who joined Reba McEntire on two songs — “Does He Love You” and their recent duet release “Because of You.”…

DMN Newswire

Dodgers get Posh treatment
Victoria Beckham, who was to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, works out at the stadium and films scenes for her upcoming reality series
.

…The reality show might air this summer. It will be produced by Simon Fuller, the “American Idol” magnate who managed the Spice Girls pop group that included Beckham.

Fuller manages both Beckhams and helped negotiate the famed athlete’s lucrative soccer deal.

LA Times

Wapello County Regional Fair ready to kick off on Wednesday
Annual event returns with improvements

…This year country concert will be a big one, too. Featured entertainers will be Blaine Larsen, American Idol finalist Bucky Covington and Sawyer Brown…

The Ottumwa Courier

Mika passion for pop illustrated in ‹Cartoon

…Indeed, much toil went into reworking the arrangements in Miami with producer/songwriter Jodi Marr (sometimes called the Latin Linda Perry) after Mika endured repeated rejections peddling his demos, including one from …American Idol judge Simon Cowell…

Boston Herald

‘Don’t Stop Believin’, but please stop usin’ that song

‘ The song was played on the performance night of the finale of season 5 of American Idol in a video montage featuring finalists Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee showing their paths from the auditions to the finale…

AZ Nightbuzz

American Idol: Kelly Clarkson speaks out

Nothing you are about to read is surprising. A record label wants to control a young, profitable artist. A studio head is only interested in making money. We’ve been here before, and it all makes sense, and former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson isn’t a hero for calling out Clive Davis and RCA in the July issue of Elle magazine (which she has). One way or another, it’s all publicity, and controversy in the name of record sales. Clarkson is probably correct in everything word she says, but that doesn’t mean she had to say them….

Buddy TV

Live Review: Keith Urban in Phoenix

…In between sets, DJ Debonair performed to keep the crowd–which included American Idol winner Jordin Sparks–in the mood.

Live Daily

SplashDown Beach Launches Pepsi Summer Beach Concert Series
Starts June 22, with American Idol Paris Bennett

June 22nd marks the launch of the Pepsi Beach Summer Concert Series at SplashDown Beach in Fishkill, NY. Paris Bennett from American Idol’s season five will be performing live at the water park. Paris released her debut album Princess P on May 8, 2007. Paris said …The album is based on my experiences before, on, and after American Idol….

Readmedia.com

Daughtry Gave A Wonderful Performance – And Reply

Many people flocked to Riverbend over the weekend to see Daughtry, and many claim they were disappointed. I fail to see why. Daughtry gave a wonderful performance.

Yes, it was rather short, but what do you expect from an American Idol guy who has just broken onto the music scene and who only has one CD out so far? Daughtry has the potential to be a major act, but they’re the new guys. They aren’t a major act yet…..

The Chattanoogan.com

Standout Hair and Follicle Follies

Jordin Sparks may have won American Idol, but the real star this season was Sanjaya’ in the hair world, that is. From crazy curls to straightened locks to that infamous pohawk, the once shy teen stood out among the other contestants and captured the heart of America.

An extravagant hair change like Sanjaya’s is a perfect way to get noticed at a party, as long as it’s done correctly. For fresh ideas, I’ve decided to talk to the American Idol hairstylist himself, Dean Banowetz…….

EOnline

Clay’s Fans Are Aiken To Get Into A Scrap

Long known for shutting out those who disagree with them, Clay Aiken’s fans, no doubt because of their insularity, have now turned on each other:

Idolater.com

Claymates Bring the Hate

DARE WE CALL IT CLAY-MYDIA? We hear there’s a rumblin’ and a grumblin’ in Claynation…

Readexpress.com

Taylor Hicks: Where Is He Now?

He was the hottest bachelor of 2006 ‘ but what’s his romantic status now? Catch up with the American Idol in our exclusive video!

WATCH IT

People.com

Towers coughs up Bonds’s 747th career homer

…Witness the appearance of somebody called Elliott Yamin – apparently last seen finishing third on the culturally bereft American Idol – butchering Take Me Out To The Ballgame during the seventh-inning stretch…

Globe and Mail.com

Legendary funk band to take Oakland higher with fundraiser

…The funky masters of New Orleans jazz, blues and zydeco, St. Gabriel’s Celestial Brass Band, will open the show, along with American Idol finalist Donny Williams, backed by Park Place…

Inside Bay Area.com