American Idol winner, Phillip Phillips, will perform “Home” in a special pre-game, on-field MLB All-Star game performance. Kellie Pickler is set to sing the America The Beautiful at the 7th inning stretch. The game airs on FOX tonight.
After the ‘American Idol’ Live tour, they go solo – “If they paid attention to each person’s artistry, then they would know the difference between a lot of us,” Phillips said. “Kris [Allen] is different from David [Cook], David is different from Scotty [McCreery] and I’m different from all of them. I feel like I play the guitar and approach music a lot different than they do. “Season 11’s Colton Dixon, another early favorite, says finalists should take advantage of the show’s massive reach — even with a sizable dip in ratings the finale garnered 21.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen figures. “The year after the show is the most important year. You’ve got to get something out that’s good and current,” he said. “And you also have to stay true to who you were on the show.” – Read more at the LA Times
‘X Factor’ Contestant Butchers Britney Spears’ ‘Crazy’; Judges Storm Off – Auditioning with a Britney hit has become a semi-regular occurance on The X Factor audition tour, which has already hit Austin, San Francisco, Providence, Rhode Island and, on Monday, Greensboro, North Carolina — that’s where one season 2 hopeful “completely butchered” the Spears classic, according to a witness, causing fellow panelists L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato and Spears herself to walk off in protest. – Read more at Hollywood Reporter
Jordin Sparks, Jason Derulo Marriage Confession: Is the Young Couple Ready to Tie the Knot? – After rumors of their romance began circulating last September (2011), Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo publicly confirmed their relationship in January. Now, after less than a year together, the young couple has wedding bells ringing in their ears! The 22-year-old “Sparkle” star revealed the subject of marriage is a constant conversation piece between herself and her 22-year-old singer-songwriter beau. Sparks made the marriage confession on New York radio station 92.3 NOW. “If I’m going to be completely honest, [marriage] comes into conversation multiple times a day,” she revealed. “We talk about the future and it’s not a conversation that scares us,” she added. – Read more at AOLMusic.com
O. Perry Walker band members enjoyed encounter with singing star Fantasia Barrino – Members of the O. Perry Walker High School band reveled in a brush with celebrity over the last week, rehearsing and then performing with singing and acting star Fantasia Barrino. The Algiers band performed with the American Idol and Grammy winner at Essence Fest Sunday night. On Friday the star appeared at the school with a small entourage for a rehearsal. A statement from the Algiers Charter Schools Association described the students’ star-struck reaction through a comment from band director Wilbert Rollins. “You’ve got them shell-shocked,” he said during the performer’s visit, gesturing toward the trumpet section. “Look at this child. He’s gone. His mind is gone because he sees some he’s listened to on the radio, seen on videos and now he’s playing with them.” – Read more at NOLA.com
The Voice alum, The Sheilds Brothers, Sign to Potomac Records – Remember those kids, The Shields Brothers, from The Voice? They’ve been signed to a record deal by Potomac Records. Twenty-somethings Tristan and Rory were recently featured on NBC’s “The Voice” with judges including big name acts like pop diva Christina Aguilera and soulful Cee Lo Green. The brothers gained attention for their high-energy performance and interesting catch phrase about how they were going to “punchAmericain the face with Rock ’n’ Roll.” See some photos HERE.
Smash Shakeup: Megan Hilty Excited but “Sad to Not See Old Friends” – The cast and crew are getting together tomorrow for the first table read of season two. “It feels like it’s going to be the first day of school,” star Megan Hilty told me earlier today. “I’m going to pack my little lunch, lay out my clothes tonight, put a little name tag on. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m so excited. There are so many new faces.” One of those news ones also happens to be Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, who has signed on for a multi-episode guest-starring gig. “It will be awesome if we get to duet it out,” Hilty said, laughing. “I’m wondering if our characters get along or if she’s yet another person that I find intimidating and going to battle with, too.”
Shooting is set to begin next Tuesday. – Read more at EOnline
The Look: Mr Chris Colfer – Sitting there with his Tintin quiff, all skinny and tall, digging into the chips and guac in an otherwise empty Mexican café in West Hollywood, Mr Chris Colfer looks perfectly calm on the face of it. But here’s the thing – he has no right to be. Because Mr Colfer has a lot more on his plate right now than tortilla chips. “Yeah, by the end of next week – well, a bit after that – I have to write a novel,” he says, in his trademark high-pitched voice. “I haven’t started yet. I’m not even joking.” – Fashion photos and more at Mr. Porter
