Shania Twain Boards Scott Borchetta’s Singing Competition Series as Mentor – Shania Twain has boarded Scott Borchetta’s TV singing competition series, which is being shot in Toronto.
The country superstar joins Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, assisting fellow mentors, including Borchetta, on The Launch, a six-part talent search series that sees unsigned musicians battle to create the next chart-topping song. Twain earlier this year joined The Voice to help prepare top season 12 artists alongside coaches Adam Levine, Alicia Keys, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. The Launch producers are also set to shop a format to international buyers. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
Two-Time Tony Award Winner Matthew Broderick Cast as the Narrator in FOX’s Live Musical Event, “A Christmas Story Live!,” Airing Sunday, December 17, on FOX – Two-time Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick (“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “The Producers,” “Manchester by the Sea”) will star as the narrator in FOX’s live musical event, A CHRISTMAS STORY LIVE!, airing Sunday, Dec. 17 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. As the narrator, Broderick will play the grown-up “Ralphie Parker,” who looks back with love and humor on his favorite childhood Christmas. Broderick joins previously announced Emmy Award nominee Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live,” “Bridesmaids”) in the three-hour live musical production. Additional casting information to be announced soon. Read more at FutonCritic
Kelly Clarkson Reunites with Simon Cowell at AGT Finale
Always love seeing my favorite judge @simoncowell & my new twitter bestie @tyrabanks ! Thanks @AGT for a fun night! pic.twitter.com/N2M3skMig6
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) September 21, 2017
‘American Idol,’ ‘The Voice’ Nab Top Host Talent for Top Dollar – When ABC announced in May that it had closed a deal to return “American Idol” to television, it did so with the help of a high-priced star. The network announced that pop singer Katy Perry would anchor the judge’s table on the rebooted unscripted juggernaut. Perry, it was soon learned, would make $25 million for her work on the first season of the new “Idol.” The move to secure her set off a scramble for talent in the unscripted arena that would see A-listers such as Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend and Scooter Braun courted to launch or reinvigorate unscripted franchises to compete with the new version of one of television’s most successful shows. – Read more at Variety.com
Carrie Underwood responds to song theft lawsuit by Canadian songwriters – “We are aware that a lawsuit was filed regarding the authorship of ‘Something in the Water,'” a spokeswoman for Underwood said in a statement Tuesday. “We want all of Carrie’s fans, and everyone, to know that ‘Something in the Water’ was written by Brett James, Chris DeStefano and Carrie Underwood. This is a deeply personal song regarding Carrie’s faith and she is saddened that anyone would attempt to challenge that for financial gain. Neither Carrie nor any of her co-writers ever received or heard the plaintiffs’ song. We fully expect that Carrie, Brett and Chris will be vindicated in the courts.” – Read more at the Tennessean
American Idol season 14 singer Clark Beckham Hitting the Road with Jon Bellion
Back at it again. #BeautifulMind @jonbellion pic.twitter.com/TF0yKqf00U
— Clark Beckham (@ClarkBeckham) September 19, 2017
The Bright Lights Christmas Tour Featuring Jessica Sanchez and Jeremy Rosado
Season 11 alum. It looks like they’re in the process of pitching the show to promoters.
David Foster Talks ‘American Idol’ & Living With Ex Yolanda Hadid’s Lyme Disease – As American Idol star Pia Toscano joined him on stage and remarked that married life with her husband of nine months, Jimmy R.O. Smith, was going well, Foster quipped, “Sorry,” before the pair performed hits by Celine Dion, whose career Foster helped launch. Belting out Dion’s music alongside Foster was “an absolute dream come true” for Toscano, who is now a part of Jennifer Lopez’s All I Have residency at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. “When I was a little girl, I would listen to Celine and Whitney [Houston] songs and that’s what inspired me to sing and challenge myself as a vocalist, and David created all those masterpieces,” she told ET. “I would watch him on Oprah and think, ‘I hope one day I can work with him!’” – Read more from Kat McPhee and Ruben Studdard at 9news.com
Jordin Sparks Wants Everyone to Know More About Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Yesterday, multi-platinum recording artist, American Idol winner, actress and avid cancer activist Jordin Sparks was at an in-store event during which four young cancer survivors were surprised with a full fashion makeover and new fall wardrobes. Jordin Sparks really does seem to have sunshine in her veins, since she seemed to bubble over with positive feelings during our conversation. Here’s some of what she had to say. – Read more at Parade.com
Kellie Pickler relishes having a full entertainment plate – “It’s DIY, we partner with the Home Shopping Network, small businesses, and owners that get to come on the show, help their products come to life,” she said in a recent phone interview. “We shine a light on good people doing great things in their community.” “We’re hoping the audience will support the show, allow us to grow, give us a chance,” Ms. Pickler said. The CMT series came from famous producer and host Ryan Seacrest, who pitched the idea. “I said as long as its fun and happy and positive, drama-free, then we’re good,” the singer/songwriter recalled. “I love to laugh. We shoot in our home, different locations.” – Read more at QCOnline
Dancing Pros Living the American Dream – Maks was 14 and Val was 8 when they moved to New York City. Within eight months the family went through their entire savings. “My dad had two college degrees but came here and was boxing pizzas,” says Val. “He was willing to pay his dues for the opportunity to live here and breathe this air.” Maks was mugged for his Rollerblades on his second day in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and both brothers recall being bullied because of their accents and last name. “We had challenges,” says Val. “But we never let it chip away at the gratitude we felt for the opportunities we had.” – Read more at Time.com
Teaneck’s Ray Chew makes the music happen on ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ – Ray Chew plays many instruments, including piano, drums, mallet and xylophone. And he wears numerous hats, among them composer, musician, bandleader, arranger, conductor and producer, not to mention businessman and guiding hand to the next generation of musicians. He played with the Saturday Night Live band, was music director for Showtime at the Apollo and American Idol, and led the band as Barack and Michelle Obama enjoyed their first dance together as president and first lady in 2009. – Read more at NorthJersey.com
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