American Idol’s Judges Are Still Negotiating
Contrary to published reports this week that all four judges are definitely back for season nine of American Idol, we’ve learned that no final decisions have been made.
While Fox reps declined to comment, we caught up with Paula Abdul’s rep to give us the real deal. Here’s what he has to say…
“The RadarOnline info is incorrect. Negotiations are continuing. You probably won’t hear anything until closer to September, when judges are needed back to go on the road, ” Paula’s publicist, Jeff Ballard, tells us.
Despite year-long rumors, all four judges’ Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi’ have said in recent interviews that they hope to be back next season.
6/18: Oops, Im at auditions again
The 10, 000-plus people are now inside the Dome and being made to sing the …group song, which is …Oops ¦ I Did it Again by Britney Spears. The reason? …Idol has been here five times so they thought this song would be a good theme. (Ive been here four times.)
I caught a few of the smokers outside one of the entrances who were sick of singing that song over and over again.
…When I came in this morning and they were playing it, I was fine, said Kate Lovely, 18, of Atlanta. …When they made me sing it 20 times, I was I totes oves it. (That her cute way of saying …totally over it.) She admitted the smoking (American Spirit) …does nothing but harm me ¦ but I cant stop. Lovely is planning to sing …Hot and Cold
Simon Cowell set to rake it in with revamped X Factor voting lines
Canny Simon Cowell and ITV are set to rake in millions from the X Factor by opening the voting lines for an extra 24 hours.
They are moving the results show to Sunday night and will go head-to-head with BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing.
Channel bosses hope to boost advertising revenue across the weekend while also raking in more cash from their premium rate phone lines.
It is hoped the extra day of voting time will encourage more viewers to cough-up for the cost of the call.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
6/18: Early look at American Idol auditions in Atlanta
It 6:15 a.m. I am going to post multiple times this morning. Here my first look:
It big. They already have more than 9, 000 people registered, far exceeding Boston 7, 000. And since everyone is allowed to bring someone along, Id say there are probably 14, 000 people in line and it still two hours until the Georgia Dome guards let them inside.
Alexis Grace, who finished 11th and is NOT on tour (a darn shame), is doing work for the TV Guide Channel just like Brandon Rogers did two years ago. I couldnt grab her for an interview because she had to do work herself but Ill try to catch her later.
The line snaked halfway around the Dome and they even kept folks in …pens on a field by the Georgia World Congress Center. …Idol told folks to get here at 5 a.m., not because they had to but because they want those long lines for the cameras.
If you registered early Tuesday, youll probably get your first audition done earlier.
David Archuleta’s dad pleads no contest in prostitution sting
The father of Utah singing hero and “American Idol” star David Archuleta pleaded no contest in January to patronizing a prostitute.
Midvale police cited 47-year-old James J. Archuleta on Jan. 14 at a massage parlor called Queens Reiki, 7350 S. State Street, said Sgt. John Salazar.
Police had been investigating the business for several days after patients at a nearby doctor’s office complained, Salazar said.
The business was cited for operating without a license and Archuleta was given a citation for solicitation of prostitution “because he was sexually gratified by one of the masseuse girls, ” Salazar said. The masseuse was also cited.
Lambert Milkshake Brings All The Boys to the Yard
Even boys that are your Grandpa and boys that might not be allowed within 500 feet of a school, as evidenced here:
Idol parents visit Jacksonville
The Jacksonville chapter of AARP held its monthly meeting Friday and honored successful Jacksonville residents. Among those recognized were special guests who were thanked for their help during Kris Allen childhood before he grew up to become America latest …Idol.
Mayor Tommy Swaim, Mayor-elect Gary Fletcher, Aldermen Kenny Elliott, Reedie Ray and Marshall Smith, kindergarten teacher Diane Ashenburger and newly assigned Northwood Middle School principal Kim Forrest were on hand for the special program recognizing …products of Jacksonville.
Return of the Idol
How exactly do you move on with life after winning …American Idol?
It a question David Cook is still grappling with more than a year after his victory on the reality television behemoth in 2008. This Blue Springs-boy-made-good continues to ride the wave, currently touring in support of his platinum-selling self-titled album.
It been a tough year for Cook, whose brother Adam died last month after a decade-long battle with brain cancer, but he continues to forge onward with his post-…Idol career.
Ruben Studdard, American Idol Winner and R&B Pop Star, Spreads the Word about Sickle Cell Disease and the Dangers of Iron Overload
# Performance by Ruben Studdard, including the world premiere of “I Am a Fighter, ” a song inspired by Be Sickle Smart
# United Nations declaration of World Sickle Cell Day
# Mayor Bloomberg of New York declares his support for the Be Sickle Smart program
# Free screenings for a serious and under-recognized condition called iron overload
Who Doesn’t Know She’s Got Bunny Ears?
Not only did this star take home top honors at the CMT Awards, she also unknowingly received a pair of bunny ears in a photo op with Kellie Pickler!
We’re sure it was all in good fun though…these two girls are actually close friends.
Another surprising situation the star in question popped up in? A music video collaboration with a well-known rapper.
Think you know the girl who’s getting goofed on? Find out if you’re right…
Kellie Pickler Doesnt Have a Monkey Anymore
…It became really challenging because she cant travel really well when we are on the bus, the singer told reporters backstage. …She couldnt fly and I had to go to L.A. for two to three weeks and work and theyre illegal in California. So I didnt take her and plus I couldnt fly with her. My sister, Courtney, wanted one so bad. Well, I let her keep Ella the monkey while I was gone. And when I came back, Ella was so attached to Courtney. I mean, she wouldnt eat. She was depressed. And I said, ‹Courtney, would you like to be the mother of a monkey? Because she wants you to adopt her. She like, ‹Oh my gosh, please! I was so glad because I knew she was going to be in good care. She comes and visits but she loves Courtney way more than me.
2009 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL ATTENDANCE UP 7.2 PERCENT
CMA Music Festival hit an all-time high attendance record in 2009 despite a downturn in the economy and a general decline in festival attendance across the nation with a 7.2 percent increase over 2008 during the four-day Festival, Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14, in Downtown Nashville.
“Even with gasoline prices more than $2 a gallon and weak economic conditions around the country, we saw increases in our attendance from local and regional residents, ” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. “We believe that is due in large part to a strong regional advertising push, the addition of free concerts, the popularity of our artists, and the entertainment value of the nightly shows at LP Field.”
Carly Smithson to join forces with ex-Evanescence musicians to become the Fallen
In its eight seasons, most of …American Idol 90-some alumni have gravitated toward solo careers, trying to capitalize on the name recognition the show brought them. One recent contestant journey is about to take a different turn, however, when she gives up her solo status to join a rock band.
Carly Smithson, …American Idol Season 7 intense Irish rocker, is scheduled to announce Monday that she will become the lead singer of the Fallen, a group led by three former members of Evanescence.
In addition to Smithson, the Fallen will include Evanescence lead guitarist and co-songwriter Ben Moody, along with Rocky Gray and John Lecompt. Completing the lineup is Marty OBrian, who was not in Evanescence.
SR Gospel: Fantasia Eyes Gospel Album
Building upon that foundation, the former “Free Yourself” singer has plans to record a Gospel song her third studio album and a full Gospel album after that.
Rumored to be slated for release early 2010, Fantasia’s third studio effort follows her self-titled 2006 album that spawned the singles “When I See You” and “Hood Boy”.
More tea, your Majesty? Glamour queen Joan Collins brings her very own regal poise to Royal Ascot
Elsewhere, Simon Cowell was back for another day at the races after making off with almost £20, 000 in winnings on Royal Ascot’s opening day.
The X Factor producer and Britain’s Got Talent star returned to Ascot yesterday to prove that his knack for picking winners was no fluke.
He was joined in his private box by an opportunistic Piers Morgan, keen, no doubt, to take advantage of Simon’s winning streak.
Fellow Britain’s Got Talent panellist Amanda Holden reaped the benefits on day one of Ascot after following up on Simon’s tip to bet on 5-6 favourite Mastercraftsman in the big race.
It’s not known yet quite how much money Piers and Simon made from the day’s racing, but judging by the smiles and cigars, they did not go home empty handed.
Ecollywood: Piers Morgan disses Simon Cowell’s bad eco-habits
America Got Talent judge Piers Morgan has a novel way of reducing his carbon footprint. …I refuse to go on Simon private plane anymore, he quips, referring to buddy Simon Cowell, the show executive producer. …It the ultimate sacrifice. But all kidding aside, the British TV host (most recently seen judging YouTube sensation Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent) and winner of the first Celebrity Apprentice is actually pretty green, and is involved with a competition that educates British schoolchildren about the environment. …We challenge them to come up with energy saving ideas, he notes.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Cat’s big red dress the most noteworthy part of the episode?
Top18 It’s still early in the season, but I have yet to find the dancers on “So You Think You Can Dance” who I look forward to seeing each week. I remember last season eagerly anticipating what Joshua Allen, Katee Shean and Mark Kanemura would do onstage each episode, but I’m not seeing anyone who’s getting near that breakout stage — yet.
Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak kicked things off with a Louis van Amstel-choreographed jive. I think the jive is a very, um, entertaining dance (I’m avoiding using the word “fun, ” which got overplayed purposefully and not that amusingly), and though I enjoyed the jumps and lifts between Randi and Evan, I yearned for a few more “kicks and flicks, ” as they say. Plus Randi especially seemed to be mugging an awful lot. The judges also liked it, but didn’t love it.
Melissa Rycroft To Join ‹Good Morning America
She tried her hand on primetime ABC reality hits …The Bachelor and …Dancing With the Stars ‘ but now, Melissa Rycroft is headed to a much earlier gig. Melissa will be joining ABC …Good Morning America, Access Hollywood has confirmed.
Sources have told Access Melissa will be working as a …special contributor during the summer, doing …maybe eight or 10 pieces for the popular morning show. And while the deal is not official yet, Melissa will …start soon.
On Wednesday, the reality starlet apparently couldnt hide her excitement and hit up her Twitter page to spread the word. …Guess who just got a job with Good Morning America??? WHAT?!? she wrote. When contacted by Access, sources for …GMA would not confirm the news.
Eli Mattson, runner up on America Got Talent 2008, performing in Freeport, Maine at the Harrasseeket Inn on July 3rd!
Eli Mattson, runner up on America Got Talent 2008, makes his East Coast debut in Freeport, Maine at the Harrasseeket Inn on July 3rd! Since stirring TV audiences internationally as …The Piano Man on America Got Talent, Eli has performed extensively in the past year to the crowds of sold-out West Coast and Midwest venues.
Though he didnt start taking lessons until age five, Mattson has been making music on the piano since he was two, started composing at age 11 and completed his first piano piece ‘written for his mom’ at age 12, and performed it in a school concert. Lyrics and vocals didnt appear on the scene until he found his voice at age 17. Since then, Mattson has been performing solo and with bands across the country.
