Before American Idol title, they were hopefuls just like everyone else
Once upon a time the seven previous winners of American Idol started in the same place: mere hopefuls looking to get a break. They were everything from cocktail waitresses to bar singers. Some lived paycheck to paycheck. Now, thousands of people are expected to line up outside Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Wednesday with the same dreams of making it big. Here’s a look at the past seven who did.
Carly Smithson: Classic rock dreams
When the American Idols Live tour comes to Hartford’s XL Center tonight and to Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard on Sept. 6, the talented Top 10 finalists will stick to a format that, for one, sixth-place finisher Carly Smithson enjoys.
The Dublin, Ireland, native said contestants will perform individual sets in the order in which they were eliminated from the hit TV series, beginning with 10th-place finalist Chikezie Eze and continuing through Smithson. At that point, the bottom six will perform U2’s “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” before the countdown resumes.
More Idol Headlines After the JUMP…
American Idol is all in the showmanship
If youre going to have one of the biggest cattle calls in North America, it may as well be in one of Missouri famous stockyards. What better location for tryouts for …American Idol than a part of town accustomed to judging steers and heifers?
This part of Kansas City used to be where livestock was herded, tagged and inspected. For three days, Team Idol did almost the same thing with people from as far away as South Dakota and Virginia.
Shouldn’t Elvis have a say about who he’s dueting with?
Oh wait, he’s dead. But why should that matter? First that Celine Dion duet on Idol, then “Viva Viagra, ” and now Amy Grant.
Dude, it’s gonna be a Blue Christmas…from beyond the grave.
Anyone else cringing at this idea? Speak up! (And I’m not bashing Ms. Underwood; in fact, I broke down and spent 99 cents on “Last Name” while I was writing this item. It’s true y’all!)
Kellie Pickler draws crowd of 9, 000
Kellie Pickler Friday night concert at the Douglas County Fair wasnt just a great way to kick off the weekend or a nice way to finish up fair week ‘ it was also the perfect way to wrap-up a …dude-cation.
Long before the Southern songbird took the stage, 13-year-old Spenser Austin had found his place in the reserved seating area, and waited to see his American Idol girlfriend.
And Katharine McPhee Heads For Hollywood
The “American Idol” star makes her movie debut in “The House Bunny” as a pregnant sorority girl. She spoke to Ramin Setoodeh.
Did you like playing pregnant?
It was fun. But I had to wear this big pad that was like a baby onesie. It clasped at the crotch. Every time I had to go to the bathroom, I had to unclasp it.
Interview: Former American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard and Tracy Ross
JACKSONVILLE, FL — He burst onto the national stage as the winner of American Idol. Now, Ruben Studdard is educating people about sickle cell anemia. Ruben Studdard and Tracy Ross, who has sickle cell disease, were interviewed during Good Morning Jacksonville Saturday on August 9, 2008. Watch the video clip.
Jesse McCartney & Jordin Sparks: Simple, spirited and fun
From any seat in the house, you could glean invaluable insight into the minds of teenage girls, the kind who spend all day handcrafting concert banners you can sometimes read from far away. There were a lot of two-sided homemade signs professing fervor for Jordin Sparks and Jesse McCartney at the Jobing.com arena Friday night. But whereas they screamed, …I love you at Jesse, to Jordin they yelled the less devotional …I love your shoes!
If you need debriefing, here are two young stars that made their mark through music and television. In McCartney case, he starred in the short-lived WB series Summerland and was the youngest member of the defunct boy band Dream Street. How successful is he now? Besides recently enjoying his first charttopper with Leavin, consider that he also co-wrote Leona Lewis worldwide hit Bleeding Love and starred as himself on Hannah Montana back when Miley Cyrus still had to wear a blonde wigs to be recognized.
Alicia Keys bound for Perth
Singer Alicia Keys will return to Perth in December to headline An Evening on the Green.
American Idol winner and Australian chart-topper, Jordin Sparks, will be the support act.
The Perth concert will be Sparks first live performance in Australia following the success of her number one Australian single No Air. Adelaide hip-hop funk act Lowrider will open the show.
Idol star sings at Christian concert
When Chris Sligh was a finalist on the 2007 season of American Idol, he was known for making people laugh.
Yesterday Sligh was still cracking jokes as he sat around with his bandmates before a special concert of Christian rock music last night at the West Forsyth Family YMCA.
However, Sligh’s attitude turned serious when he spoke about what his art means to him.
“I have a passion for making good music, ” Sligh said.
‹Idols’ in the making
LAKE ARROWHEAD, Calif. ‘ In a world of brand extension and merchandise obsession, …American Idol is king. Spearheaded by FremantleMedia, the company that owns the …Idol trademark, there are the requisite T-shirts, journals, water bottles and CDs. There is also Dreyer Choc N Roll Caramel …American Idol ice cream, Karaoke Revolution …Idol video game and a new attraction at Disney World.
Then the company opened Idol Camp.
No ‘walk of shame’ for booted ‘Canadian Idol’ finalists, say producers
Mark Lysakowski, supervising producer for the hit CTV reality series, says while contestants ranging from the fourth-place finisher to the 10th have to leave the mansion after their ousting (the Top 3 remain until the show is over), it doesn’t happen abruptly like it does in some other reality programs.
“It’s not like other shows where it’s like they have to do the walk of shame out, ” he says, noting the rejected hopefuls still have to do press the day after their elimination (another contestant will get the boot on Tuesday night).
“It’s very actually breezy, if you will. But usually for the most part, they will leave within one to two days of being eliminated from the show.”
