The Season 6 Top 10 begin the big Pop Tart tour in Fort Lauderdale, FL on July 6. At this very moment, they are in Los Angeles rehearsing for the tour. Here’s an update on how they’ve been keeping busy in the weeks since the finale. Part 1 starts with the Top 5 (after the jump).
Jordin Sparks – Jordin did the typical Idol media rounds after the finale, but since then, all has been quiet on the Jordin front, including any news about her record deal. Last season, Taylor Hicks’ signing with J Records was announced within a week of the finale, before the end of May. Rumor has it her parents are managing her, but that is, strictly a rumor at this point. She performed at the Walmart shareholders meeting on June 1. She recently sang the National Anthem before Game 2 of the NBA finals. She, Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle will be featured in NBC’s 4th of July special airing on the evening of the 4th. There are rumors that she’ll perform the National Anthem when the Super Bowl heads to Arizona in January 08. Want to know more about Jordin and her family? Here’s an illuminating article from the conservative christian website Worldnet.
Blake Lewis – No news of record signings for Blake either (Katharine McPhee’s deal was announced on June 7 last year). However, in this radio interview with KISS 106 in Seattle, Blake says that he will be managed by Simon Fuller and the peeps at 19 Management. Blake also did the typical media rounds. His most recent TV appearance was The View. (Jordin Sparks appeared on the same day in an earlier segment). He also took a little R&R in Las Vegas, where he unfortunately caught the attention the gossip columnists. Blake has been chosen by People magazine as one of the Hottest Bachelors 2007. The issue is on newsstands now. Of course, for all things Blake, check out Team Plaid.
Melinda Doolittle – Since leaving the competition in third place, Melinda sang the National Anthem for Game 5 of the NBA playoffs and did a press tour in NYC that included seeing Fantasia in “The Color Purple” with Jordin Sparks. Whether she’s picked up by 19R/M remains to be seen.
Lakisha Jones – Lakisha finally got her homecoming after the Idol finale wrapped up at the end of May. She was celebrated in both Houston, Texas where she lived for 6 years and her hometown in Michigan. You can read all about it at Mlive.com’s Idol Chatter Blog. Some of the festivities included an official Lakisha Jones Day in the State of Michigan on June 11, a performance at the State Capitol in Lansing, a rally in Flint, Michigan and a homecoming performance at the church she attended in Houston.
Chris Richardson – Did you know that although Chris and Phil Stacey were eliminated together during what was technically the Top 5, Chris was the contestant who officially came in 5th, while Phil came in 6th. That’s according to this interview with Larry King. Besides hanging out (and annoying little old ladies, presumably) in Las Vegas with Blake Lewis, Chris was also seen recently at the Elliott Yamin concert at the Roxy in LA along with Blake Lewis, Ace Young and Constantine Maroulis. He appeared with Ace, Paris Bennett, Lisa Tucker, Kevin Covais, Sabrina Sloan, Kimberly Caldwell and Will Makar at Summerfest 2007 on June 2 in Brea, CA. Check out his performances on You Tube here, here and with the entire Idol gang here.
Part 2 coming soon!
