Idol Meter: Lee DeWyze, Aaron Kelly and Andrew Garcia
Last week’s Idol soul survivors put on a pretty good show, all told, particularly Crystal Bowersox and co-leaders Lee DeWyze and a daring Michael Lynche. Tonight it’s the Lennon-McCartney songbook, and since several Idols scored big in Season 7 with The Beatles, the odds are good that this crew can avoid a hard day’s night.
Jordin Sparks to Perform at Dove Awards
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) March 30, 2010 – Many of the most popular acts in gospel/Christian music continue to be added to the performance lineup for the anticipated 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards, gospel music’s biggest night of the year, held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Nashville’s historic Grand Ole Opry House.
The newest performers announced include Dove-winning Artist of the Year, TobyMac with Diverse City, famed GRAMMY-winners BeVe & CeCe Winans, and GMA’s reigning Female Vocalist of the Year for four consecutive years, Natalie Grant with special guest American Idol Season 6 winner, Jordin Sparks. The genre’s five-time Dove Award-winning Group of the Year, Casting Crowns plans for a mass children’s choir to join the live performance of its No. 1 song “Until the Whole World Hears.”
The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be televised nationwide on gmc (http://www.gmclife.com), Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 8 PM EST.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘Idol’ rehearsals: a view from the inside
Well, weren’t we just tickled pink to be invited into the secret lair that is Monday’s “American Idol” rehearsal. That’s right, just the Top 9, executive producer Ken Warwick, stage manager Debbie Williams, Rickey Minor and the “Idol” band, about a dozen support staffers and yours truly, trying not to ogle too conspicuously at the sweet country sexiness that is Casey James. And all this on Lennon-McCartney week, no less!
Needless to say, the offer left us speechless — both figuratively and literally, the latter referring to song choices, which we promised we wouldn’t spoil (but take our word for it, you will not be disappointed!). It wasn’t our first time observing the Monday run-through, but it certainly had been a while, and there was lots we didn’t know or remember about the process. So rather than recap and leave a bunch of holes, we thought we’d detail what we learned from observing Season 9’s Top 9, starting with …
Billy Bileca, The Man Who Coaxed Katie Stevens Onstage Before ‘Idol’
Bileca, a veteran performer who also teaches music, worked with the Middlebury teenager for months after she auditioned, knowing she would need more performance experience and a more diverse repertoire if she was going to hold her own. The married father of one is in close touch with Stevens as she continues her climb on the show. Over lunch, he recently talked about Stevens, her talents and his love of music while “spilling the beans” with Java.
Cape Cod rallies around Siobhan Magnus
(NECN: Josh Brogadir, Marstons Mills, Mass.) – Cape Cod is rallying around Siobhan Magnus. The 20-year-old Massachusetts native is in the final nine on “American Idol”.
Signs of support can be seen all across Cape Cod.
They call her the Cape Idol, and hitting those high notes, it’s not hard to see why 20 year old Siobhan Magnus is one of nine finalists, vying to become the next American Idol, on the wildly popular Fox TV show.
‘Idol’ castoff has critiques for show’s judges
Last week, they panned Benami’s performance of “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, ” calling it “old fashioned, ” “overdone” and “dramatic.”
Benami, a Tennessee native who moved to Los Angeles to pursue singing in 2005, also thinks the judges could tone down their reactions
“I would tell them to not be as harsh because some of the things they said were really, really hurtful and not necessary.”
Eliminated Idol Didi Benami: I Didn’t Want a Sympathy Vote
American Idol’s latest casualty, Didi Benami, knows the moment with Ryan Seacrest after the judges’ criticisms was awkward.
Benami, who chose to sing “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” in honor of her deceased friend, clammed up Tuesday night when Seacrest prompted her to share that tidbit with the fans.
“I didn’t want to try to get a sympathy vote, ” Benami tells TVGuide.com “I didn’t really feel like bringing it up. If you did a little research, you would know that I was there in honor of my friend, and I felt like that song was supposed to be an inspiration really.
Katelyn Epperly of ‘American Idol’ fame receives key to West Des Moines
West Des Moines, Ia. — The West Des Moines City Council on Monday gave American Idol contestant Katelyn Epperly the key to the city, praising the 19-year-old for her poise and professionalism as a semifinalist on the show.
Epperly, a musician from West Des Moines, made it to the top 16 on “Idol.” Following a council-chambers viewing of one of Epperly’s performances on the show, West Des Moines Mayor Steven Gaer called Epperly a “wonderful ambassador for our city.”
Exclusive – Season 9 Contestant: “Idol” Has Turned Into “America’s Next Top Model”
Today, we had the chance to catch up with “American Idol” Season 9 Semi-Finalist Todrick Hall. He was very candid in addressing many hot topics, from the made up drama during Hollywood Week to the frustrating judging critiques to having to remain silent about the Wizard Of Ozz controversy. Read below for his Q&A.
Kris Allen Emotional For The People Of Haiti
American Idol Season Eight winner Kris Allen is not only a great performer, but also a kind and compassionate individual. Allen recently took off for a trip to Haiti to see how the country and its people are recovering from the devastating earthquake that rocked the nation on January 12, 2010. An emotional Allen took to the phones for an in-depth conference call with the media when he returned from the earthquake shocked country. RockStar Weekly joined in the call, as he expressed his feelings and thoughts for the people of Haiti.
Kris Allen won’t be singing at Heifer event Wednesday
If you’re going to the “Barefoot Bash” benefit Wednesday at Heifer International, you’ll get to hear American Idol and Arkansas’ own Kris Allen talk about his recent trip to Rwanda. But don’t expect to hear him sing here or in central Arkansas before the Saline Summer Daze Festival.
Those with Heifer say they never planned for Kris to sing at the Wednesday event. It’s all about charitable work. But you can hear him sing at Saline Summer Daze. He will be the headliner for the event. A contract with organizers stipulates when and where he can perform in the next 60 days.
Adam Lambert’s Thoughts on Ricky Martin Coming Out
Adam Lambert is privately asking friends, “What took Ricky so long to admit he is gay?”
Apparently, Adam couldn’t imagine “bearing your soul on stage when everything you were singing was a lie, ” a music insider tells me. “It’s not just Ricky Martin that bugs him, but all the other gay artists who sing about love and romance with girls and then go and kiss other men.”
Adam was the only artist that told the truth about his sexuality at the peak of his success. Elton John, Lance Bass and now Ricky all came out after they had made millions. Oh well, better late than never.
Matt Giraud – Life After American Idol
American Idol Season Eight had the makings of being the best year in the history of the the show, especially when you consider that Matt Giraud only placed fifth in the popular US singing competition. Many fans feel that if the Michigan pianist was in the latest season, he would undoubtedly be a finalist or maybe even the winner. Giraud added some evidence to that point with his killer performance of Billy Joel’s Tell Her About It with fellow season eight top-ten singer Scott MacIntyre on March 11. Giraud and MacIntyre outclassed the season eight contestants and left them looming in their dust.
‘New America’ TV Special Features John Leguizamo, American Idol Star Allison Iraheta
Today mun2, the No. 1 bilingual cable network for bicultural Latinos in the U.S., announced its 2010 news special, a project titled “The New America.”
“In a uniquely American voice, mun2 will depict what we call the New America through this special that tells the inspirational story of Latinos today and our growing impact on society, culture and trends, ” says Jacqueline Hernandez, the Chief Operating Officer of mun2’s parent company, Telemundo.
The hour-long special, featuring celebrities such as John Leguizamo, Allison Iraheta (American Idol pop star), Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons), and Aaron Sanchez (Celebrity Chef and Food Network star), will be hosted by Anjelah Johnson and air April 17th at 3:30 p.m. EST.
For Weight Watchers, Jennifer Hudson Wins a Losing Battle
THE previous campaign for Weight Watchers featured a furry critter that tempted dieters with high-calorie foods. Now, the company has decided to get real: its new campaign will star the actress and singer Jennifer Hudson, who will talk about what she has experienced in her quest to lose weight.
“She is very relatable and accessible, ” Ms. Callan said “And she’s interested in being a role mode.”
Dressed to Kilt Fashion Show
MYFOXNY.COM – Sir Sean and Lady Connery host the eighth annual Dressed to Kilt charity fashion show in Chelsea in New York City.
Fox 5’s Anne Craig checked out the show, which is known for drawing A-list personalities and bold-faced names, the 2010 Dressed to Kilt fashion show featured appearances by Kelly Bensimon, Kellie Pickler, Joan Jett, Mike Myers, and many others.
WE ARE THE FALLEN: New Audio Interview With CARLY SMITHSON – Apr. 5, 2010
Rustyn Rose of Metalholic.com conducted an interview with WE ARE THE FALLEN vocalist Carly Smithson on April 1, 2010. You can now listen to the chat in two parts below.
Smithson doesn’t see herself as replacing EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee. “Amy let the boys go, ” she told USA Today. “We just started a new band, called THE FALLEN. It’s got really nothing to do with EVANESCENCE.” WE ARE THE FALLEN initially may perform a few EVANESCENCE songs live, she said, “but we’re pretty much focused on new music. You have an amazing writing team here, and amazing musicians.”
Syesha Mercado: From third place on ‘American Idol’ to ‘Dreamgirls’
SEATTLE — “You have many people who were on ‘American Idol’ just going back to their normal lives after the show, and not doing music anymore, ” observes Syesha Mercado, an “Idol” contestant who came in third on the TV talent-show phenom in 2008.
“Then you have people who go on to do a lot of things — Broadway, hit records, movies.”
Mercado is angling for the latter category by signing on to a glitzy U.S. tour of the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls, ” which opens a Seattle stand on Tuesday.
Nicole Scherzinger Addresses ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Romance Rumors
Nicole Scherzinger and dance partner Derek Hough may have the kind of chemistry on the dance floor that gains them a large fanbase and high scores on “Dancing With the Stars, ” but the Pussycat Doll insisted it’s strictly business.
When MTV News caught up with Scherzinger at rehearsals for the show, she cleared the air about the romance rumors. “I don’t even know where they get these stories sometimes, ” she said, a sentiment similar to one she tweeted about — even alluding to her actual romance.
‘Dancing with the Stars’ Niecy Nash on love, marriage, foot rubs
“Dancing with the Stars” Niecy Nash and her partner Louis van Amstel talked after the Monday (April 5) show about the deeply emotional meaning of their dance about forbidden (in this case, illegal) love.
Is Niecy thinking about marriage? “I’m a girl, I’m always thinking about marriage, ” she says. “At least you can get married, ” Louis replies, eyes rolling.
“I have a good man, ” she says of her boyfriend, who rubs her feet after at night. And Louis agrees, adding that her boyfriend gave him his phone number and told him to call anytime.
Erin Andrews death threats investigated
NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk office of the FBI is investigating death threats against ESPN sportscaster and “Dancing With the Stars” contestant Erin Andrews, indicating they may have originated in that state.
Norfolk FBI spokesman Phil Mann said Monday that no arrests have been made. He declined to comment on a report by the celebrity gossip site TMZ that the emails were sent from someone in Newport News.
‘Glee’s Cory Monteith Shares His Favorite Routine
As anticipation builds to a gleektastic pitch for the April 13th mid-season return of Fox’s first-year ‘Glee, ’ we gathered the show’s stars to chat about their favorite musical performances thus far. The fourth installment in the series of interviews features Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson, McKinley High’s star quarterback-turned-glee club convert.
‘Dancing With The Stars’ Judge Naked! Bruno Tonioli Goes Nude For Cancer (PHOTO)
A group of celebs in the UK have stripped down as part of a Give Up Clothes For Good campaign to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Most names are strangers to US audiences, but ‘Dancing with the Stars’ judge Bruno Tonioli is among the streakers. As is visible in the photo, he is trained dancer.
The Italian Tonioli, 54, also judges the British version of the show, ‘Strictly Come Dancing.’
“Dancing with the Stars” recap: Pam gets smart
On my favorite dance show, “So You Think You Can Dance, ” they call the quickstep the “Kiss of Death” because it is intricate, quick and not necessarily as big a crowd pleaser as the more dramatic or romantic dances – so any couple who gets burdened with it usually ends up going home the next week. But it’s storytelling night, and if 78 percent of Americans believe that whole “Christ rising from the dead” business, then it’s certainly possible to get us to believe in a dance even when the steps are not accurate. Good thing, too.
Lysacek: I’ll Protect Andrews With My Blade
Evan Lysacek is ready to use his ice skates as a weapon — targeting the guy making death threats against “Dancing with the Stars” co-star Erin Andrews.
We got the two contestants leaving Industry after the show last night, where the Olympian said he’d “take him down with my skating blade” if he ever came face to face with the man who said “Somebody should shoot her [Andrews] in the face.”
Dancing with the Stars: What’s the Story?
Last night’s performance episode of Dancing With the Stars started out just like any other. The Sparkaliens descended the amazing Technicolor staircase. Tom let out his first six Chuckles, enough for a single serving of candy. Kate Gosselin mouthed ”I love you” to the camera to remind her kids, watching at home, that she loves the camera. But — dramatic plot twist! — last night turned out to be different… for once upon a time, on a faraway planet known as Mirrorballus, the week 3 performance episode was…STORY NIGHT.
