Mariah Carey Talks ‘American Idol’ Judging Strategy – “I try to be honest and I try to be constructive,” Carey told THR on Wednesday night at a Peggy Siegal Company party for Penny Marshall’s new book, My Mother Was Nuts, at Monkey Bar in midtown. “I don’t know if that means that I’m nice or mean or whatever,” she continued. “I’m a producer and I’m a songwriter, and I look at myself as a singer as kind of third. But I look at these kids as though we’re in the studio producing a record. And if I feel they should have done something a certain way, I’ll say, ‘you can try this, you can try this,’ only in a constructive way, to sort of be a guide and someone to give them guidance rather than, like, judging somebody.” – Read more at the Hollywood Reporter
Fans get to see Top 10 Idols up-close – MANILA, Philippines – The “American Idol” fever is not going to die down anytime soon as the season 11 top 10 finalists toured Metro Manila malls to give their fans the chance to see them up-close. The top 10 Idols attended separate meet-and-greet sessions on Wednesday, two days ahead of their much-awaited concert at the Araneta Coliseum on September 21. Erika Van Pelt, Elise Testone, Deandre Brackensick, Heejun Hann and Jessica Sanchez went to Eastwood Mall in Quezon City, while Hollie Cavanagh, Colton Dixon, Joshua Ledet, Skylar Laine and Phillip Phillips were at Glorietta in Makati. Hundreds of excited fans trooped to the two malls just to catch a glimpse of their favorite Idols. – See the photos at ABS-CBNNews
Jennifer Hudson lobbying Aretha Franklin role – Jennifer Hudson used a surprise performance Tuesday night to lobby for a role as “The Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin in an upcoming movie. The Oscar winner appeared in a short dress and sang a medley of hits by Franklin and Whitney Houston at a 125th anniversary party for Hearst. “She introduced the [Franklin] song ‘Oh Me Oh My’ and said it was her plan to portray Aretha someday,” said a spy. “Jennifer then asked the audience, ‘Is anyone listening?’ to imply someone in the crowd should give her that role.” (Franklin has mentioned a wish list of supporting actors for her life story — including Terrence Howard, Denzel Washington, Audra McDonald, Nia Long and Kerry Washington — but hasn’t endorsed a leading lady since floating Halle Berry’s name early last year.) – Read more at New York Post
First Look: Sarah Jessica Parker on Glee – Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker makes her stylish return to the small screen on the September 27 episode of Glee as Isabelle Wright, the frazzled and eccentric editor of Vogue.com, who takes intern Kurt (Chris Colfer) under her wing. Carrie Bradshaw would be proud! – See the photo at TV Guide
