Carrie Underwood Makes Forbes List
For someone who had shied away from the music business because she thought it was impractical, Carrie Underwood is making out just fine.
Not only does she have her seventh straight No. 1 country single, she also listed at No. 79 on the new Forbes list of the 100 Most Powerful Celebrities. The magazine estimates she brought in a cool $9 million during the last 12 months, which is actually 88th among the famous people on the list. But she ranked much higher in web hits, press coverage and TV/radio presence, all of which helped determine the overall rankings.
Syesha Mercado: Up close and Idol
Syesha is her name. Singing her way to the top is her game.
South Florida fans of American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado gathered at the Franks Beach Club at Gulfstream Park to celebrate her success on the popular reality hit show.
Mercado hoped to follow in the footsteps of Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks.
She came close as the second runner up to 2008 American Idol David Cook, and just behind runner up David Archuleta.
“Baby V” calls airport incident an honest mistake
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA – Former American Idol contestant and Fort Myers native Vonzell Solomon is calling this week’s incident at Southwest Florida International Airport, when a gun was found in her luggage, an honest mistake.
Vonzell Solomon Statement: “I in no way intended to enter the plane with a firearm. I was rushing to make a scheduled flight and simply did not realize it was in my handbag until I went through security.”
For the Record: US, R. Kelly, David Cook, Amy Winehouse, David Cook and More
Youd think that after conquering …American Idol with his rock-tastic covers, winner David Cook would be focusing on showing off some original material. But on Thursday night, he busted out a cover of the Foo Fighters …My Hero on the …Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Turns out he learned how to play guitar by listening to The Colour and the Shape.
Former …Idol finalist Vonzell Solomon week just got worse. First she was busted for trying to bring an unloaded gun on a plane, now the Bank of New York is reportedly trying to foreclose on her Florida home.
‹American Idol finalist Vonzell ‹Baby V Solomon home in foreclosure
A home belonging to “American Idol” finalist Vonzell “Baby V” Solomon is scheduled to be sold in foreclosure Monday, according to court records.
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Solomon, 24, who finished third on the Fox Network’s popular talent contest three years ago, bought the south Fort Myers house Jan. 6, 2006, from Betty Hack for $405, 000.
The purchase was made with two mortgages: one for $312, 800 and the other for $78, 200, court records show.
But on Nov. 19, 2007, Bank of New York filed a foreclosure action against Solomon for the house at 6617 Canton St.
On May 16, the foreclosure sale was set for 11 a.m. Monday on the second floor of the Lee County Courthouse in downtown Fort Myers.
Blake Lewis Interview
Coasters and Sparks at Six Flags
“American Idol” alum Jordin Sparks, who loves roller coasters, got to indulge that passion Thursday afternoon at Six Flags America, along with the dozen or so friends she brought along.
Sparks, in town to open for Alicia Keys last night, wore theme-park casual (white tank, plaid shorts, hair up, cute sunglasses). Escorted by park staff, Sparks and her entourage paid no admission fees, got to skip lines and stayed almost two hours after closing time.
Stars For Stripes Entertains Troops in Remote Locations
One recent Stars for Stripes performers was recording artist and American Idol finalist Bo Bice. Initially, the southern rocker says, he and his band members had some reservations about touring a war zone. “I said to them, ‘Y’know, these people we’re going over to entertain and to meet, they don’t have any choice and they have families too. And these people are dying?for us. The least we can do?you know, we ain’t gotta carry a gun or crawl through a ditch! We’re just goin’ over there to play a guitar and say thank you’.”
Spotlight shines on Hollywood hairstylist from Q-C
His journey has been more fun that a slapstick Hollywood comedy. When …Idol finalist Sanjaya Malakar came to the Quad-Cities for the …American Idol tour last year, he name-dropped Banowetz when describing his favorite part of the …Idol experience.
Malakar, despite having a not-so-great singing voice, made it to the finals of the competition by gaining audience support for his outrageousness, which included some harrowing hair styles.
…Im very calculating, Banowetz said of working on Malakar hair. …I knew people tuned in that year to see what he was doing with his hair. His mother hated me.
Carrie Underwood Rebuffs Jessica Simpson Offer
In Nashville for the CMA Music Festival, superstar Carrie Underwood seemed relaxed, happy and at the top of her game. But her mood changed when asked if she’d like to team up with Jessica Simpson, in town to promote her new country single. “No, ” Carrie told In Touch on June 6, rolling her eyes. “Not going to happen.” Earlier reports have claimed that Jessica became upset when she learned that her boyfriend, Tony Romo, 28, was still emailing and text messaging Carrie, whom he had dated in 2007.
So You Think You Can Dance: Jamie Bayard and Rayven Armijo Say Goodbye
“I think we both did really, really well for a ballet dancer and a ballroom dancer doing hip-hop, ” mused recently eliminated “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant Jamie Bayard during a conference call with the media this morning.
Then, predictably, the conversation turned to Jamie’s Janet Jackson moment; during his choreographed routine Wednesday, Jamie’s partner pulled his pants down, revealing his underwear. It was meant to be cute, but Nigel Lythgoe thought the brazen move might have offended viewers. When talking about the incident, Jamie took the Miley Cyrus “you can’t say no to Annie” route. He explained that the choreographers put the move in his dance, and you simply don’t say no to choreographers. Jamie did not, however, suggest he was uncomfortable with the move. “I have no shame, obviously, ” he chuckled.
So You Think You Can Dance: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty Get Real
On Thursday night, …So You Think You Can Dance lost its first pair of dancers: Jamie Bayard and Rayven Armijo. I caught up with the judges backstage after the show, to find out more about their unanimous decision.
Is it possible that performing first was the kiss of death for Jamie and Rayven?
Dan Karaty: I think being first can work for you and against you ¦ If your performance is great, everyone gonna remember it ¦ I dont think it was placement. I think they screwed it up.
Talking with ‘Nashville Star’ judge John Rich
Don’t get Big & Rich front man John Rich started on the subject of “American Idol.” He might blow a fuse.
The singer, who is a judge on “Nashville Star” this season as it moves from the USA Network to NBC, isn’t much of a fan of “Idol.” He lets you know it soon enough.
“‘American Idol’ infuriates me as an artist, ” he says. “I can’t stand watching it. I wouldn’t want to be on that show now if you gave me a $100 bill.”
Rich says the show appears scripted and contestants aren’t treated with respect by the judges. On the similarly formatted “Star, ” which airs at 10 p.m. EDT Mondays, Rich says the game will be free of all that.
For one, the judges — two singers (Rich and Jewel) and one songwriter (Jeff Steele) — will pay attention to what’s happening onstage, he says.
