Ex-‘American Idol’ Champ Ruben Studdard Says ‘I Do’
The 29-year-old “Idol” 2003 winner took out a marriage license with his 30-year-old bride-to-be on Monday, according to court records.
The Birmingham native, nicknamed the “Velvet Teddy Bear” on the show for his big frame and sonorous voice, has released three albums since his 2003 win, including the platinum CD “Soulful.” He is working on a new album.
BWW TV Exclusive: Rehearsals for Radio Broadway Sings the Hits of 1958
Broadway Presents “The Radio Hits of 1958” will feature a variety of Broadway stars, American Idol’s Constantine Maroulis and alumni from American Bandstand and will be presented on Monday, June 30 at 8 p.m. at The Town Hall, Times Square’s landmark concert venue.
Principal singers will include Max von Essen (Dance Of The Vampires, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables), Jennifer Hope Wills (The Phantom Of The Opera, Wonderful Town, The Woman In White), Nancy Anderson (Wonderful Town, A Class Act), John Treacy Egan (The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde, The Little Mermaid), and Lawrence Clayton (The Civil War, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dreamgirls). The evening will be hosted by Raymond Jaramillo McLeod (Drama Desk Award nominee ‘ Wonderful Town). American Idol’s Constantine Maroulis will be a special guest star.
Taylor Hicks channels Elvis as ‘Grease’ Teen Angel
Season 5 “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks is a little more Elvis, a little less Frankie Avalon than his predecessor in the Broadway revival of “Grease, ” now nearing its first anniversary at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
When Hicks signed on earlier this month as “Teen Angel, ” the first order of business was a costume redesign for his big moment as Frenchy’s mentor in “Beauty School Dropout.” Actor Stephen Buntrock, the earlier “Angel, ” had worn a bright white suit with silver glitter, evocative of the one worn by Avalon in the 1978 film.
Carmen Rasmusen pregnant with first child
Something is in the water for the alumni of American Idol. Season two contestant Carmen Rasmusen announced to a group of fans on Friday, June 20th that she is currently expecting her first child. The 23-year-old and her husband expect their baby to arrive around Christmas Eve, December 24th.
Other previous contestants who are expecting include Paris Bennett, Clay Aiken and Josh Gracin.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ judge Mary Murphy is a scream
ASEAT on the “Hot Tamale Train” is no longer the benchmark of success on “So You Think You Can Dance.” There now is a more coveted ranking, a sweeter place known as the “Tra La La, ” and, yes, only judge Mary Murphy can explain what that means.
She coined it this month, inspired by a Broadway routine performed flawlessly by hip-hop dancer Joshua Allen and his contemporary partner Katee Shean during Fox’s multidiscipline dance competition for aspiring performers. After the performance, Murphy screamed in her usual jubilant, uninhibited, practically deranged manner. “The two of you ought to come with a warranty — satisfaction guaranteed! Wooooo!” before exalting that Allen was “going right in here into the Tra La La phase of my heart.”
Come again? The dancer sensed it was a compliment, as did the studio audience. But that’s as far as anyone was able to get with the accolade until a post-show visit to Murphy’s dressing room filled in the blanks.
Heather Mills tries to get chummy with Simon Cowell
Heather Mills seems remarkably keen to get to know pop svengali Simon Cowell.
The ex-wife of Paul McCartney, who is dating 36-year-old DJ and holiday rep Jamie Walker, met Cowell at the opening of the new SonyBMG office in London last week.
A spy reports that she was so excited she insisted on having a tour of Simon private office area.
