Insider: ‘Idol’ star stands behind ejected Morristown teen
Simon Cowell is still a little miffed that Morristown, Tenn., teen Josiah Leming didn’t go farther on this past season’s “American Idol.”
“We should have put him through, ” Cowell said. “I was all for it. I wanted him in the competition.”
Leming made a splash on the hit Fox series earlier this year. He made the top 50, but was cut shortly before the top 24 was announced.
The judges were split on the decision. Randy Jackson was never a big supporter. Cowell wanted to see Leming in the top 24. Paula Abdul, as always, loved him, but eventually voted against Leming anyway.
HICKS FINDS NICHE
‘AMERICAN Idol” winner Taylor Hicks has finally landed with a record label more in-tune with his personality.
Vanguard Records, the longtime purveyor of jazz, blues and folk, has agreed to distribute Hicks’ next album, which he plans to cut on his own label, Modern Whomp Records.
The disc is expected to be comprised mostly of Hicks’ pre-“Idol” tunes and is slated for release in August.
American Saliva
Idol champ David Cook is warming up nicely to this whole celebrity thang. Davey partied with a bunch of pals, including new arm candy and ex-Idol ingenue Kimberly Caldwell, at Hwood nightclubbing douche epicenter, Les Deux. D.C. was celebrating his younger bro Andrew’s 21st in style at the chic spot, complete with bottle service in a posh private area, guarded by two body goons. Damn, how many security guards do ya think Taylor Hicks or Ruben Studdard are sporting nowadays? Give Cookie-hon another month and hell be as down-to-earth as John Mayer, driving all around town in the back of a limo.
Billy Masters
…When she was on ‹American Idol, she came in seventh. This year, the winner came in her! ‘ Billy Masters perhaps less-than-gallant introduction of Kimberly Caldwell prior to her performance at L.A. Pride.
School pooh-poohs rumors on Archuleta
Various news outlets have reported David Archuleta, Murray resident and “American Idol” runner-up, has not registered for his senior year at Murray High School.
The school year begins on Aug. 25, but Archuleta is slated to be on the “American Idol” tour, which runs through September.
A Murray High School administrator said the reports are inaccurate and surprising.
“We didn’t know those rumors were flying around, ” she said. “Those reports are up in the night.”
Jordin Sparks growing into the music business
Sometimes, it’s easy to forget Jordin Sparks is only 18 years old.
She has the big, powerful voice and poise under pressure of singers twice _ maybe, three times _ her age. She has a natural ease at being onstage, at being in the spotlight.
But catch her behind the scenes _ like backstage at Nassau Coliseum last summer, when she was bouncing around with Sanjaya Malakar, giggling like, well, the schoolgirl she was _ or talk to her about real life, like wanting to go to her prom or struggling to keep her room clean, and the teenager comes out.
J-HUD TALKS SEX, BOOBS AND ‘BEES’: Oscar winner discusses current film; upcoming projects and her big bosom.
*Jennifer Hudson is on a roll with her career ‘ having just shot a video for her new single “Spotlight, ” as well as preparing for the release of her debut album and enjoying attention from her turn in the current film “Sex and the City.”
“I guess God gives me the strength, ” Hudson tells E! Online of her nonstop schedule since becoming the breakout star of “Dreamgirls” two years ago. “In this field you just sleep when you can.”
On The Set Of Jennifer Hudson’s New Music Video
You’ve seen her in ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Dreamgirls, ‘ and now singer-turned-movie-star JENNIFER HUDSON is coming back with the first single from her upcoming album! Our KEVIN FRAZIER joined the bubbly singer on the set of “Spotlight, ” a song about relationship insecurities.
Although the song was written and co-produced by hit-maker NE-YO, Jennifer says, “It definitely tells a story of me and my life. What I sing really happens to me.”
Carrie Underwood takes audience along on a ‘Ride’
The last three years of Carrie Underwood’s life have spun like a Tilt-A-Whirl, going from winning American Idol to joining the Grand Ole Opry. And Wednesday night, she brought that Carnival Ride to the Cajundome.
The crowd itself, which nearly filled the Cajundome, was as varied as the faces you’d see at a carnival. There were young girls, looking up to Carrie and hoping their dreams would come true like hers have. There were young women Carrie’s age, singing along with her in solidarity and complete understanding of her songs’ messages. There were older couples, donning their cowboy hats and boots, out to enjoy an evening of good country tunes.
No idle time for former American Idol, Carrie Underwood
Simon Cowell knows talent when he see it.
The “American Idol” co-creator and judge predicted Carrie Underwood would win the competition and that she would outsell all of Idol’s previous winners. He was right on both counts.
Underwood brings her talent to American Bank Center Sunday for a stop on her “Carnival Ride” tour along with Billboard’s Top New Country Artist of 2007 Jason Michael Carroll.
Bucky Covington will ‹Walk into Indiana Theatre tonight
TERRE HAUTE ‘ …American Idol 5 finalist and Nashville recording artist Bucky Covington will perform his new single, …Ill Walk, at an 8 p.m. concert today in the Indiana Theatre at Seventh and Ohio streets.
The eighth-place finalist in the 2006 season of …Idol will headline the show sponsored by Terre Haute radio station WTHI-HI99.
According to CMT.com, Covington and his twin brother, Rocky, from Rockingham, N.C., auditioned for …Idol and only Bucky was selected for the hit talent-search show. After elimination, Bucky connected with Sawyer Brown management company and Sawyer Brown lead singer, Mark Miller, produced Covington studio sessions. Lyric Street Records then released his debut album in 2007.
Bo knows changes
When Bo Bice was disconsolate a decade ago as a fledgling musician in Huntsville, Ala., his grandparents tried but failed to cheer him up.
“They would say, “At least you have your health, ‘ ” Bice said. “I remember thinking, “I’m broke. What do I need my health for? I need money.’ ”
The cash finally arrived after Bice was the runner-up on “American Idol’s” fourth TV season in 2005. Bice signed a deal with RCA Records and finished his first major-label release, “The Real Thing.”
Nikko Smith, kazoos rock the Landing for July 4 holiday
Rockin the Landing returns at noon July 4, with DJs taking up residence on several street corners, performances from Nikko Smith, Earl, and Well Hungarians, a live broadcast with Tom and Jeff from KPNT-FM (105.7 the Point), and an attempt to break the Guinness World Record Record for the largest kazoo ensemble.
So You Think You Can Beat Fox in the Ratings?
A two-hour installment of Fox reality series …So You Think You Can Dance led the network to victory in the ratings on Wednesday as 8.8 million viewers tuned in to the show from 8 to 10 p.m., according to Nielsen estimates.
NBC and CBS shared runner-up status for the night in total viewers, with NBC faring better among adults 18 to 49 thanks to a 90-minute edition of …Deal or No Deal at 8 p.m. (8.2 million) followed by …Celebrity Circus from 9:30 to 11 p.m. (5.7 million).
What’s Wrong with “SYTYCD?”
Last week I complained that “So You Think You Can Dance” lacked a bit its usual magic and that the judges were being too nice with their comments. Well, it’s now week two and only one of those things has changed, and sadly, it’s the latter. The top 18 underwhelmed again, with only one couple really standing out for me — and for the judges: Katee and Joshua. Their Broadway routine was fast, fun and fabulous, and as Nigel Lythgoe remarked, “that’s what I’ve been waiting for all night.”
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: The Incredible Hulk
So here’s the question: Was last night buck, as Lil’ C would say, or banoodles, as Mia Michaels cornily coined? I vote banoodles. (And thank you, Mia, for doing the work for us! Love the hair, BTW.) For each moment of inspired choreography, there was footwork that didn’t bear it out. For every dancer who beat expectations in a genre wildly out of his/her comfort zone, there was a performer who failed to excel in her/his own discipline. And those clothes? All 19 flavors of banoodles.
So You Think You Can Dance: An Elimination Like A Punch in The Gut
“You can lose tonight, two of you, ” remarked Nigel, “but that doesnt stop you being great dancers.” Nigel complimented Chris on his passion, and I was sure he was just softening the blow. I was wrong. After stopping time with his minute long dance routine, Marquis was sent home. And that’s when I did something I thought I’d never do. I led my first “boo.” In an instant, the whole studio had joined me. We booed loud and we booed long and we booed hard. We booed for the people at home, who could not be heard. And we booed for Marquis, who could not boo, but instead, was forced to take the high road. “Thank you, ” he said. “It’s been a really awesome road, and I can’t wait to keep going on it.”
Week 2 results on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
We open with the group number which indeed is to “Elevator” by Flo Rida feat. Timbaland (with a touch of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” in the mix). It was great…too bad the directing sucked. But Shane Sparks is still the man.
Our first three couples take the stage shortly after the introduction of the judges (Mia, Mary and Nigel). Joshua & Katee are the first couple safe. We see the recaps of the performances of both Kherington & Twitch and Chelsea T. & Thayne before finding out that Chelsea & Thayne are in the bottom. I’m mildly surprised, but it makes sense unfortunately.
Ousted ‘Nashville Star’ group Third Town bashes judge John Rich
John Rich “loved” Third Town’s Austin audition, according to the trio, which also characterized the Nashville Star sixth-season judge and mentor’s subsequent oncamera criticism of them as a ploy to boost viewership.
“I got to tell you I think it’s ratings, ” Third Town member James “Little Tony” Kouns told reporters during a Tuesday conference call.
“We auditioned in Austin and he freaked out, asked me to sing the same note I did again and he goes, ‘My god, when Rascal Flatts hears you guys, they’re going to freak out. You are the best thing I’ve seen the entire audition process. You must come to Nashville now.’ That’s the direct quote. And then we got to Nashville week, he’s in front of the cameras and switches. And we’re like, ‘We get it.'”
As for what’s next, Third Town plans on returning to Vegas to cut a new album. But before that, they’ll be working with former American Idol sixth-season finalist Haley Scarnato.
“I know she’s cutting her CD and we’re going to be going in there and putting some backup vocals on it, ” said Fairchild.
It’s three weeks since they were on Britain’s Got Talent: So, are they living their dream?
Three weeks ago, the final of Britain’s Got Talent became the most watched entertainment show of the past four years with 14 million viewers.
Many of the stars, still reeling from their new-found fame, can no longer pop to the shops for a pint of milk without being accosted by fans.
All the finalists now have agents and with the offers rolling in, some of them are set to become very rich indeed.
Winner George Sampson, 14, has to have two bodyguards wherever he goes while choirboy Andrew Johnston, 13, has already signed to Simon Cowell’s record label.
Idol Kevin Covais Talks Chicken Soup and College
Let ´s start by finding out more about you. How long have you been performing? What ´s life like at home? What do you like to do in your spare time?
You know, I haven ´t been performing as long as people might think. I know most of the time performers will say that were singing at 4 or 5, but I didn ´t discover my love for it until about age 10. Life back at home in New York is great, but I am actually spending most of my time out in Los Angeles right now. I use my spare time the same way any 19-year-old would really, except that I am not much of the party animal. I prefer just having a good time with friends and playing video games or something. Sorry, that was a pretty strange second answer on that last question!
What else is going on in your world? Where can Kevin Covais fans find you next?
Well Kevin Covais fans can find me in “College” in theaters nationwide on August 29th, 2008! Go check it out! I also just got a part alongside Lindsay Lohan in the new comedy “Labor Pains”, which is shooting in LA right now. So that should hit theaters at some point next year! As I mentioned earlier, I am also keeping up with my work with the ADA as a diabetic of 8 years now. So keep a look out for me!
American Chronical
