Bits and Pieces
Fantasia Debuts in the Color Purple
Over $6 million in advanced tickets have been sold to the Color Purple since it was announced that Fantasia would be taking over the part of Celie. She opened in the role this past Tuesday, April 10. She rehearsed the role, despite coming down with strep throat.  View the photos of her opening night, where the typically emotional Fantasia cried through her curtain call.
Kelly Clarkson featured in Earth Day Line up
Kelly Clarkson joins Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews Band, KT Tunstall and many others for the US leg of the 24 hour 7 continent Live Earth concert taking place in Giants stadium in Rutherford, NJ on July 7.  Tickets go on sale Monday, April 15 at the Live Nation website.
Listen to a preview of Jennifer Hudson’s duet with Ne-Yo
It’s called “Leaving Tonight” and you can listen to it here. The tune will appear on on Ne-Yo’s sophomore album “Because of You.” The album drops May 1.
What You Didn’t See
The LATimes and Entertaiment Weekly both have bloggers who post recaps based on attending the live Idol shows. The LA Times Show Tracker blog is especially illuminating, and this week featured interviews with both American Idol music director Ricky Minor (he’s hella busy and super organized) and Gina Glocksen. People magazine posts What You Didn’t See and ET’s Popwatch blog usually has some interesting backstage tidbits (Simon told Jennifer Lopez that hers was one of the best performances ever on American Idol, and she was thrilled).
Et tu Brute?
Even the esteemed online magazine Salon.com has succumbed to Sanjaya mania. Sigh.
Posted in American Idol
3 Responses to “Bits and Pieces”
I totally agree with Simon re: Jennifer Lopez’s performance. That was really entertaining. Very current, too. I enjoyed that.
It’s nice that Jennifer Hudson has a duet with Ne-Yo (he’s hot right now), but I do not like that song. I can’t even listen to the whole thing.
Congrats Fantasia! She may not be very commercial, but critics love her. That’s a very good thing.
A friend of mine saw Fantasia in the Color Purple this weekend. He wasn’t impressed–he said her acting was good, the singing not so much…but if she’s getting over strep, I can understand that. Plus he’s just one guy with an opinion.
Just wanted to share what I heard. I have another friend going this weekend so we’ll see what she says….
Good for Fantasia. But still, that picture is NOT FLATTERING. Yikes!