Clay Aiken returning to Broadway
Claymates, get ready to head back to Broadway: “American Idol” alum Clay Aiken returns to the Rialto production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” this fall in a four-month stint.
Aiken will reprise the role of Sir Robin, which he played earlier this year in an engagement that ended May 4. David Hyde Pierce originated the part in the 2005 tuner, based on the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”
Introducing Clay Aiken Jr
Photos just surfaced of Clay Aiken and his baby mama, Jaymes Foster (not pictured), leaving a Durham, N.C., hospital Monday with their bundle of joy in tow.
While not much of li’l Parker Foster Aiken is visible beyond this baby blanket, papa Clay is apparently comfortable enough on daddy duty that he can carry the kid with just one arm. Seems like the man’s a natural.
Huge crowd turns out for ‹Idol auditions
A big storm system moved in from the west; the thousands of American Idol hopefuls came in from all over. And they met just before dawn at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Wednesday morning.
The rain forced the show organizers to speed up the schedule and open the doors earlier than planned.
Patrick Lynn, senior producer for the show, said more than 11, 000 people had registered for the Jacksonville auditions. He said that was the largest crowd so far this year. Before the doors were opened, the line of hopefuls stretched from the arena, around the baseball stadium and through the football stadium parking lot. It was much longer than the Monday morning line for registration, which officials estimated at 7, 000 people.
More Headlines After the Jump…
Barbie(TM) Soundtrack Showcases Fresh Sounds From Girls’ Best Friend!
Girls everywhere, get set to sparkle… when KOCH Records introduces “Barbie(TM) & The Diamond Castle, ” a shiny-new collection of upbeat pop songs based on the first “best friends”-themed Barbie(TM) musical movie! The new movie and CD release features “Connected” performed by Katharine McPhee. “Barbie(TM) & The Diamond Castle” soundtrack makes its national retail debut September 12, 2008.
Carrie Underwood Opens Up About Past Relationships On The Cover Allure Magazine This September
Carrie Underwood gets up close and personal in the September issue of Allure magazine as she shares ups and downs in dating, including her past relationships.
The country music sensation, 25, recalls a time when she has just found her success on “American Idol.” A guy who ignored her in college suddenly “wanted to explain.”
She tells the beauty magazine, “You never really know why somebody wants to be around you, or if they do genuinely like you. I wish everybody had a label on their forehead so you could automatically tell their intentions.”
Carrie Underwood: Tony Romo Still Calls; I Don’t Always Pick Up
Carrie Underwood’s ex-boyfriend Tony Romo ‘ who now dates Jessica Simpson ‘ still calls her sometimes, but she doesn’t always pick up the phone, she tells Allure magazine in the September issue.
“The phone will ring and it’ll be him, and I’ll maybe not answer, ” says the singer, 25, of the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, adding that the relationship wasn’t serious. “We were both small town people doing very big things, and we relied on each other, dealing with fame.”
A serenade, storytelling top off McCartney, Sparks sets
Abravanel Hall was full of screaming girls holding signs proclaiming their adoration on Monday night – and they weren’t there for the Utah Symphony.
Teen stars Jordin Sparks and Jesse McCartney performed their pop and R&B hits for an audience of young girls and their bored parents. The venue never reached more than half-capacity, leaving gaping holes of empty seats.
Sparks proved to be a gracious performer, continually thanking fans and shaking outstretched hands. She provided plenty of stories about each song, seeming to say whatever popped into her mind, such as that her pants were falling down. The audience loved her for her candor, and Sparks got a great response when talking about her experience with teen relationships.
Teen idol wows young crowd
A deep bass shook the wall of Abravanel Hall on Monday as Jesse McCartney and Jordin Sparks smeared their bubble-gum hip-pop music all over the gold decor and chandeliers of the venue. The place was a party as teeny-boppers bounced to the music in padded chairs.
Sparks was likable and related well with audience members, asking “Have you ever liked a guy and he didn’t like you back, and then when you didn’t like him, he liked you?”
Needless to say, the crowd, made up largely of females between 10 and 15, screamed.
Daughtry tours ahead of deluxe album release
Rock outfit Daughtry [ tickets ] is readying a deluxe edition of its wildly successful 2006 debut as the band gets ready to head out on a month-long North American tour.
Daughtry, which toured with Bon Jovi earlier this year, will return to the road beginning Friday (Aug. 15) in Las Vegas. The group plans to crisscross the US, stop in the Canadian province of Ontario, and play shows for both national political conventions to promote the ONE Campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger and disease. The itinerary is listed below.
‘Idol’ star to be at GOP event
Denver gets Kanye West and the Twin Cities get Chris Daughtry. That’s the announcement made Tuesday by the Recording Industry Association of America and the One Campaign, which are hosting large private concerts at the Democratic and Republican national conventions.
Daughtry joins the list of music acts slated to play private events during the St. Paul convention, also including LeAnn Rimes, Sammy Hagar, Gretchen Wilson and Smash Mouth. The rock band led by the successful “American Idol” alumnus Daughtry will perform Sept. 3 at Epic nightclub in Minneapolis, an invitation-only event intended to trumpet the causes of both organizations.
Jerry Lewis Ready To Star In 43rd Labor Day Telethon For MDA
Legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis will continue his battle against muscular dystrophy this Labor Day weekend on his 43rd Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Originating from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, the live show will air for 21 ½ hours, beginning at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday, Aug. 31, and will be shown on some 180 “Love Network” stations nationwide. Check http://www.mda.org for local stations and start times.
Lewis will share the stage with a variety of celebrity co-hosts, including Emmy-nominated Tom Bergeron of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Dancing with the Stars;” Jann Carl of “Entertainment Tonight;”veteran comedian Norm Crosby; award-winning singer Billy Gilman; Alison Sweeney of the daytime TV drama “Days of Our Lives” and host of the reality TV show “The Biggest Loser;” and “American Idol” finalist Ace Young.
Cowell looking for new global star
Simon Cowell said he is looking for the new Amy Winehouse in this year’s X Factor.
The show is back for its fifth series on ITV1 from Saturday, with a new line-up featuring Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.
Cowell said he was looking for someone who was going to be an international star.
He said: “I want someone who is going to represent this country all over the world for the next 10, 20 years – that’s what I’m looking for. I want somebody who is different and unique and I want to find somebody as good as Amy Winehouse – I’d love to do that.”
Nigel Lythgoe Thinks America Got “So You Think You Can Dance” Finale Right
Last season on So You Think You Can Dance, Nigel felt that home viewers werent correct in their voting strategy for the finale, but this year he feels that they got it right in voting Joshua Allen and Twitch Boss as the fourth season finalists.
Nigel Lythgoe was quoted as saying, …I think America got it pretty much right to have Twitch and Joshua there in the final two.
Last year when Sabra Johnson took home the SYTYCD crown on the third season of the show he stated he thought runner-up Danny Tidwell should have taken the title because he was …far and away the best.
Exclusive Interview: Courtney Galiano of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
Courtney Galiano may have surprised a lot of people this season on So You Think You Can Dance, but the person she ended up surprising the most was herself. This was the first year that Courtney was old enough to try out for though she had high hopes, she kept her expectations realistic. Yet, she achieved a new goal week after week, getting a ticket to Vegas, making Top 20, making Top 10, and finally, making it all the way to Top 4 before being eliminated in the season finale. Courtney was praised by Mary Murphy for being an inspiration to young girls and Nigel Lythgoe loved her endless amount of spirit both on and off the stage. She left the show with no regrets and today, spoke to BuddyTV in an exclusive interview about her time on the show.
Joshua Allen Talks About So You Think You Can Dance Win
Every year the talent just seems to keep getting better and better on So You Think You Can Dance. Last week, Joshua Allen beat out fellow top four finalists Twitch Boss, Katee Shean, and Courtney Galiano to claim the title for the fourth season of So You Think You Can Dance. After his emotional victory, Joshua took time to talk to reporters about his experience on the show.
Judge Nigel Lythgoe often made a big deal about how well Joshua was doing for someone who didnt have a lot of technical dance training. When asked to elaborate on his dance background before the show, Joshua said, …I took modern class, I took ballet classes, and I took some jazz classes, but I wasnt technically trained, like William, Mark, or Matt. I just took classes, and I knew what everything was. I didnt want to go into the competition dumbfounded and act like I didnt know what anything was. I felt like if you want to do well, and be a well-rounded dancer, that you should know a lot of the different styles of dance. I took classes, but I wasnt a technically trained dancer, of course.
Canadian idol Recap: Another Idol Goes Home
We start with the dreaded Idol medley (boy that guy Amberly grabbed was so not into her performance, and did not rock along with her at all). After 3.3 million votes, one Idol is still going home. Ben says that Monday night the Idols showcased the best of Canadian Rock (really? I thought it was Made in Canada week). Simple Plan will perform tonight and the Idols will answer some of our questions (oh please, no – I hated this segment on American Idol, I hoped it wouldn’t move north). We meet the judges and go to Monday’s recap.
Idol loses last woman
Alberta’s brunette beauty Amberly Thiessen was voted off Canadian Idol last night with 3.3 million votes deciding the result.
Thiessen appeared unburdened after host Ben Mulroney announced her elimination. The 19-year old student from Seven Persons, Alta. summoned the remaining five finalists to join her on the Idol stage as she gave a relaxed performance of Feist hit 1234.
The singer was often criticized by the judges for lacking a polished stage presence.
“Nashville Star” winner peforms on NBC’s “Today” show
BEIJING, China (AP) – Surely it’s another surreal moment for “Nashville Star” winner Melissa Lawson.
She performed live this morning on NBC’s “Today” show from Beijing, China, where the summer Olympics are under way.
Lawson is still awed by her sudden newfound fame, noting recently, “I almost get tired of myself saying the word surreal. I can’t find any other adjective to describe it.”
During her short stay in the country, Lawson also performed at the Great Wall of China. She calls the experience “breathtaking” and says “It brought tears to my eyes to see the Great Wall.”
Next up for Lawson is performing this Saturday at the Grand Ole Opry. On September 12th the Nashville Star Tour kicks off in St. Louis. It features the final four contestants.
Vanessa Hudgens, Bucky Covington attract distinct audiences to the Midland County Fair
While Covington’s band partied through its sound check — and fans craned for a look through the locked gates — Morgan rode his motorbike up and down the grassy field behind the stage.
Covington talked glowingly about Sawyer Brown, a band that got its act together in mid-Michigan country bars, and then did an amazing imitation of lead singer Mark Miller while performing its No. 1 hit “Thank God for You.”
