Idol Headlines for 7/21/08

Johns, White Castro grab center stage

Chikezie Eze, kicking off American Idols Live at a packed Allstate Arena on Saturday, hit on an unfortunate truth with the first words he crooned: “One of these days you’re gonna look for me and I’ll be gone.”

Nowadays, the career-longevity of “Idol” contestants is almost on par with the life span of the common housefly. Second-season winner Ruben Studdard managed to release three albums before getting dropped by his label. Last year’s runner-up, Blake Lewis, lasted just six months before being cast aside by Arista.

Chicago Tribune

‘Idol’ runners-up ready to shine on tour

Season seven of American Idol eventually reached the battle of the two Davids, but it also offered engaging personalities in Brooke White and Jason Castro.

White, 25, was the sunny, chatty, vulnerable one from Van Nuys, Calif.

The one-time nanny flashed a smile as bright as Goldie Hawn’s and — with her flowing, golden locks — had the aura of a ’60s flower child. She also wore her emotions on her sleeve, sometimes looking nervous and teary-eyed before the judges.

No other finalist this year lived so much on the edge.

Columbus Dispatch

Spotlight On Australian Entertainers

One musician who is fully expected to follow the lead of his successful Aussie peers is American Idol contestant, Michael Johns. Although Johns, 29, lives in Los Angeles with his wife (sorry, ladies!), he was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. After the jock-turned-singer came to the United States on a tennis scholarship in 1998, he began performing with the Atlanta band Film. Johns soon caught the attention of Maverick Records execs, who signed him with a new band called The Rising. Though the band recorded an album, Maverick dropped them before it could be released. After a few close calls with fame, Johns decided to try out for “American Idol” and, when he made the Top 24, became an instant judge and fan favorite. Shockingly, Johns was eliminated during Top 8 week, causing fans of the show to cry foul. His ouster turned out to be a good thing, however, as he became a much sought-after talk show guest, was befriended by everyone from Dolly Parton to Demi Moore, and left legions of new fans clamoring for a record, which Johns is expected to start working on after the Idol tour is over.

Starplus.com

Who would be ideal mentors?

Every year, “American Idol” snags some of the biggest names in the music business to mentor and help judge the contestants.

On these guest-mentor nights, the competitors usually select a song from the guest’s catalog. In some cases, their options widen to include songs that inspired their mentors.

To prepare, the finalists and the already-idols work in one-on-one sessions to perfect the performance. The mentors are usually pleased with their students’ stab at their hits.

But on rare occasions, they’re horrified. During season six, Stefani seemed disturbed by Sanjaya Malakar’s incompetent version of “Bathwater.”

courier-journal.com

Join ‘Idol’ winner for school supplies

‘American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks is teaming up with DoSomething.org to help collect school supplies for deserving students just in time to head back to school.

Now through Aug. 31, teens can collect school supplies and drop them off at Staples stores.

Need some ideas?

Paper, pens, pencils, notebooks, dividers, rulers and note cards are just some of the items needed to help.

Staples has already kicked off the campaign by donating $50, 000 in school supplies, and customers can get involved by donating $2 at any store location, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting Boys and Girls Clubs in Fontana, Redlands, San Bernardino, Beaumont, Temecula and Cathedral City.

More information about the drive can be found online at www.dosomething101.org.

svgtribune.com

Carrie Underwood Break Up Rules Help Hollywood Women

One time American Idol Carrie Underwood has he love life examined fairly well by the weekly entertainment magazines as the adorable country singer usually swerves out of Nashville and into Hollywood because of her good looks idol roots and her dating habits that include some pretty famous guys. Carrie was once with Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo and also ‘Gossip Girls’ star Chace Crawford.

OK! magazine notes that Carrie leads the way in surviving and being “better after the break up” noting that thanks to her break up rules of staying healthy and positive (the country cutie broke up with Chace Crawford in March) and she’s since become the hottest thing in country music.

National Ledger

Kim Kardashian Dragged Into American Idol Battle

It appears another cute little battle with American idol host Ryan Seacrest and bad boy British judge Simon Cowell has spilled all the way over to reality TV show and sex tape princess Kim Kardashian. According to a report from “The Enquirer” columnist Mike Walker, Ryan and Simon were doing one of their familiar “back and forth” debates on the air and the discussion spilled over into their other projects.

In the bulls eye was Kim and the rest of the Kardashian family, the report claims. According to the report from Walker, while taking a break from “American Idol” in London, Simon Cowell phoned Ryan Seacrest’s LA radio show to promote his TV reality hit “America’s Got Talent.”

National Ledger

Jordin Sparks Coming to Atlanta August 31

Jordin Sparks is coming to Atlanta to perform after the US 10K race, a charity event on Cobb Parkway in Vinings September 1 at a post-race concert.

If you volunteer for the race, you can get in free to see Jordin.

Here is the actual event, based on the Web site:

The U.S. 10K Classic is Atlanta premier multi-event road race, bringing runners, walkers, inline skaters, wheelchair athletes and professional cyclists together for a single cause – raising awareness and funds for children charities in Georgia and for the future development of the World Children Center.

Access Atlanta

Happy birthday, Blake Lewis!

To honor American Idol’s season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis on his birthday*, I will risk the scorn and ridicule of those who have not heard his underappreciated Audio Day Dream by embedding the disc’s best track, “Know My Name” (featuring Lupe Fiasco), below. I’ll admit, the Audio Day Dream CD cover was hella bunky, and yes, I spent more on my breakfast (a sesame seed bagel and a bottle of Diet Coke) than Arista Records’ total budget for Lewis’s pitiful debut video for “Break Anotha, ” but all that aside, I dare you to press play on the track below and tell me it wouldn’t have been a sizable hit if the dude had gotten even a modicum of support from his label.

Entertainment Weekly

So You Think You Can Dance: FOX Summer Press Tour

Here are some great photos of the stars of So You Think You Can Dance as they attended and performed at the FOX TCA press event at the Santa Monica Pier on July 14. Check it out:

Dance Watcher.com

About mj santilli 34832 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!