Idol Headlines for 08/26/09
‘Idolatry’: Is Lil Rounds gutsy, or just plain crazy?
Yes, that’s the exact question I posed to Lil Rounds, the American Idol season 8 finalist who’s been closing her current tour set with a cover of Beyonc’s iconic ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).’ Press play below to hear Lil answer (after she stops giggling, of course) and to find out about the perils of belting while dancing, the ease of singing without fear of Simon Cowell, and the joys of shoe-bedazzling. (In other news, you all know this means there will be an Anoop Desai Idolatry interview comin’ atcha in about 24 hours, yes? And also: Follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak! Fun!)
‘Idols Live’ delivers mixed bag of performances
Watching Adam Lambert – the 27-year-old, now-openly-gay American Idol runner-up perform David Bowie’s theatrical 1971 tune Life on Mars? to an arena packed with screaming tweens – it seemed peculiar that the eccentric glam-rocker didn’t take home the gold in the singing competition’s eighth season.
Strange, too, was how a 10-minute medley of Bowie, Muse and Led Zeppelin songs (coupled with Lambert’s PG-13 gyrations and impromptu uses of both an oversize feather on a stick and a hot-pink bra tossed onstage) so enthused the mixed-gender, multi-age crowd.
Fallen idol Abdul might land in LV
Talks are heating up involving Paula Abdul and a show she is shopping in Las Vegas.
Now that she’s ended her eight-year relationship with “American Idol,” Abdul is reportedly fully committed to putting together a Las Vegas song-and-dance show that’s she’s been developing for several years.
There’s interest from a couple of resorts, I’m told. In June she was rumored to be discussing a deal with The Venetian about sharing Wayne Brady’s theater and there was talk she was looking at the Danny Gans Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas.
Add the Las Vegas Hilton to the mix. Her people met with the Hilton over the weekend.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Hanging Out With ”Idol” Stars.
When the American Idol tour came through Cleveland on Sunday, the press had a chance to meet with five of the performers: Anoop Desai, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre and Michael Sarver. (The tour rotates which stars meet with reporters in different cities.)
Nice folks one and all. And I was curious about what music they’re listening to now that they’re out of the Idol bubble and on the road.
Jordin Sparks = Force To Be Reckoned With
Jordin Sparks debuted on the Circus tour last night, and she came out like she owned the place. The girl has more bona fide smash hits than some artists twice her age, and she flaunted each and every one of them during her tight opening set. MSG lit up with camera flashes the instant Ms. Sparks appeared on stage (wearing a sick-looking feather skirt) to sing “One Step at a Time.” The crowd was less enthusiastic about the pair of newer album deep cuts she tossed into the set (girl’s gotta sell her new record!), but once she finished with a one-two-three punch of “Battlefield,” “Tattoo” and “No Air,” the room was bouncing and singing in unison. It didn’t hurt that Sparks sounded spectacular live, even with her ear monitor flying off two songs in. She is a fantastic addition to the Circus tour.
Q&A: Diana DeGarmo
News flash from Diana DeGarmo, alum of the musicals Hairspray (on Broadway) and Brooklyn (on tour): She’s no longer that 16-year-old girl on American Idol. ‘I’m 22!’ she says, topping an infectious giggle with the pixie-esque chirp she made famous on season three, when she was runner-up to Fantasia Barrino. ‘I do older, more mature work, and it makes people who remember me as the high-schooler on Idol nervous. But I’m a big girl now.’
Diana DeGarmo, Jonathan Groff, Bailey Hanks et al. to Participate in NYMF’s Next Broadway Sensation
American Idol alum Diana DeGarmo, currently starring Off-Broadway in The Toxic Avenger will host Round 1 of the New York Music Theater Festival’s Next Broadway Sensation, at New World Stages.
During Sensation, singers compete to win the chance to perform in their own solo concert. Celebrity commentators offer their opinions of the performers while the audience casts the votes that decide each singer’s fate. Confirmed judges include actors Jonathan Groff, Bailey Hanks, Orfeh, Kacie Sheik and Allison Case; composer/lyricist Paul Scott Goodman; and record producer Noah Cornman. The three rounds will be held September 13, September 20, and October 4.
Diana DeGarmo’s ‘TOXIC’ Blog: ‘OH MY GOODNESS!’
Diana DeGarmo, Season 3 “American Idol” runner-up and Broadway vet has returned to the New York stage where, beginning Friday, August 14th, she assumed the role of Sarah, the sexy, blind librarian in The Toxic Avenger – named the “Best New Off-Broadway Musical” by the Outer Critics Circle.
Theatre audiences in New York will remember DeGarmo’s critically acclaimed performance as Penny Pingleton in Broadway’s HAIRSPRAY and across the country in the cast of the first national tour of Brooklyn: The Musical and her starring role as Dorothy in the first national tour of Oz. Ms. DeGarmo will recently starred in the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Colbie Caillat Talks Breakthrough, Wants To Work With Hip-Hop Artist
One of the songwriters who worked with Caillat was none other than hitmaker/ “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi. The pair rented a house with friends on a beach in Hawaii and had their own “writing camp.” They spent their days Boogie-boarding, barbequing and writing songs. The “Idol” judge inspired the young singer/songwriter in the process.
“Honestly, she’s one of the best songwriters I’ve ever known,” Caillat said. “She’s just fearless and really taught me a lot about opening up and just saying what you need to say and just singing what you’re feeling and people will dig it.”
You can find fun in ‘Grease’
Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel sings his one song, “Beauty School Dropout” with comic aplomb, all raised eyebrows and goofy grins. Just in case you forgot how he made his name, a gratuitous American Idol reference is oddly tossed into the dialogue. Hicks fans will want to stay after bows: He performs his new radio single, an unusual final curtain call.
The main supporting cast brings the show its spark. Brian Crum is endearing as Doody and has a strong, lovely voice. His “Those Magic Changes” number is a knockout of music and staging. Will Blum and Bridie Carroll bring great comic timing to a very funny “Mooning.”
Kellie Pickler ‘“ ‘Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You’
The most powerful songs are often born from exposing a simple truth that is the root of a given emotion; they are born when their writers break through the barrier of convolution that stands between what we know how to say and what we feel, when clouded and distorted context makes way for raw essentiality.
There is no more essential post break-up question than this one: Didn’t you know how much I loved you?
Dancing with the Stars’ Kym Johnson Blogs for OK!
Heading into her seventh season on Dancing with the Stars here in the US Ԡplus three seasons in her native Australia Ԡthere are few people as qualified to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the ABC hit. So Kym Johnson has teamed up with OK! to update you every week on the triumphs and travails as she attempts to turn Donny Osmond into a ballroom champion!.
Hi, everyone! Welcome to my Dancing with the Stars blog for OKmagazine.com! In the coming weeks, I will be sharing all my season nine experiences with you, from the first rehearsals to the competition itself, which begins on ABC on Sept. 21.
Melissa Joan Hart: “I Hope I Don’t Throw Up” on DWTS
Melissa Joan Hart is a little anxious about Dancing With the Stars.
“I just hope I don’t throw up or cry from nerves,” she tells USA WEEKEND’s Who’s News Blog.
Hart, who will hit the floor with Mark Ballas, says she has a bit of experience: she and her husband, musician Mark Wilkerson, choreographed a “flashy, fancy and super fun” routine to “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS for their wedding.
Posted in 275 Responses to “Idol Headlines for 08/26/09”
RCA will almost certainly release Adam’s album in the US and Canada first. And, I agree with MJ, everyone involved with the album will do what is needed to get it released before Thanksgiving.
I really hope they come up with a great song. Wherever You May Go still gets a ton of spins everyday, and it’s several years old.
I have to say it again, I love David Cook’s tweets. He is so fun and witty. His band members are not at his level at all in any aspects.
Every year, I have bought the winner’s album. That’s what most of the public would do, buying the winner’s CD. Especially, last year, it was a rock genre, and rock albums sell better than pop. But David A’s big hit song really helps him put his name out and he made enough money to make the second (Christmas album) and the third album (pop). Every concert he performed in, Crush was an ultimate hit song that everyone sang along. He will be remembered as the CRUSH singer forever, LOL.
I read something on Idol forum about Jive’s strategies. An example was an unknown debut artist whose name I forgot who sold 250,000 albums, but had a smash hit song sold about double platinum. That money was good enough for him to produce his second album. Jive doesn’t spend much money for promos, so doesn’t throw away much money either.
BTW, out of all the winner’s albums, my favorite is Kelly’s. Carrie’s is not bad either, but I am not into country. Other than that, meh. JMO.
Kris belongs to Jive and it will be interesting to watch how they are going to handle his music sales along with promos.
Mr. Sixx is Neal’s (David Cook’s lead guitarist and bff) Great Dane. Aww, that’s so nice of Carly! Wow, I guess Dave and Carly are still really tight then. Don’t know who Super is though.
Kellie Pickler tweets:
David Cook is adorable in this interview (video) with the rapid fire questions
http://www.king5.com/video/eveningmagazine-index.html?nvid=392417
Another review of the Columbus show. Mad props for both Adam and Kris…
http://media.herald-dispatch.com/blog/idol/2009/08/my-complete-recap-of-idols-live-in.html
Once again, thanks for the tweet girlygirl! Maybe the song can talk about playing blackjack in Vegas!!! Focus Alex, please make it a good one!!!
“Mr. Sixx is Neal’s (David Cook’s lead guitarist and bff) Great Dane”
Ohhhh. What color Dane? I have a “lethal white” Dane here at my feet, and have a fawn warming up the bed for me.
OK, now I’ve got to pay more attention to David Cook’s lead guitarist. Great taste in dogs. LOL.
“Adam’s album will not drop before Kris’ – will.not.happen.”
Why not?
I’d love to have an official release date, (even if just for the single), but I guess I just have to be patient….
yinyang, Mr. Sixx is a harlequin, I think.
…I don’t know how I learned that, but details about dogs stick in my head.
Ah. After googling, I figure it must be because I’m remembering this picture.
: )
yinyang
Neal’s Dog Mr Sixx
Mr. Sixx is a Harlequin Great Dane. David Cook had talked about getting a Great Dane too right after he won Idol, but I think he got talked out of it because it just wouldn’t be very practical on a tour bus (and thus, the Scottie instead). I kinda feel bad for Mr. Sixx actually. While Dublin has been able to go on tour with the band, Mr. Sixx has had to stay home.
ETA: Mr. Sixx’s Myspace — http://profile.myspace.com/hlmcradnasty
I’m amused that the song playing on Mr. Sixx’s myspace is Archie’s “Touch My Hand”
http://www.newyorkvinnie.com/aircheckdemo/marinersradiodemos.html
Seattle interview with New York Vinnie at the Mariners Stadium.
thanks 123 for the Cookie at Mariners Stadium interview. with bonus “Take me out to the ballgame” song.
OK – for those who enjoyed the little kid’s interview with David Cook, she’s added an bit of an interview with the now-famous stage chicken
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1o6Sw0R9K8&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claire-Elizabeth/112718440571&feature=player_embedded#t=382
Last part of KOMO interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJwDPqxLDnM
Here is the first part audio only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNqcwfM8f3c&feature=related
Mj: I am too. I enjoy things much better without them.
Michael has a deal? It sure sounds like it.
Do albums really only come out on Tuesdays? I guess they’re all trying to maximize first week sales numbers… I just really, really hope Adam and Kris don’t release their albums on the same day, because that just sets it up for a fan competition on the opening sales. Ideally for me, Allison’s album comes out first, then Kris’, then Adam’s. In the order of ascending apprehension I have about their music.
By the way, Adam has made it very clear that his album is coming out in November. There’s no way it would be released in December. That makes no sense from any point of view.
I know that last year, DC’s came out before DA’s. How has it happened in the past?
ETA: Oops, I mean DC’s was after DA’s.
Heh, cute interview. I liked the Take Me Out to the Ballgame duet
Yes, Cook’s album did much better than Archie’s the first week (and overall). However, let’s not forget that Archie’s album has the distinction of debuting (and peaking) at #2 on the Billboard 200. Rightly or wrongly, that bragging right seems to be tacked on to every other article written about him. Cook’s album, on the other hand, debuted at #3, even though it did much better than Archie’s. It was just the luck of the draw. Cook had much stiffer competition during his debut week, namely Beyonce (482,000) and Nickelback (326,000).
I would dread it if Kris and Adam are releasing on the same day, because then that would be a direct comparison. There can be no excuses about how my guy didn’t do as well as your guy because of the other artists releasing on that same day or that releasing on that particular week is more conducive to sales as compared to the week before (or after), because of it’s relative proximity to Black Friday, blah blah blah.
I’m so glad I don’t have a horse in this race this year. It’s just so stressful!! Whew! I’m getting shaky just thinking about it. (tm Archie)
@thedavidcook:
A long day of traveling. Airport logic: I can travel with my beard trimmer, but not an extra ounce of shampoo.?
Anyway, looking forward to the show tomorrow. See you @casperevents ~D about 6 hours ago from web
I think this is why Adam’s release date hasn’t been announced yet. I really think the label wants to guarantee him a #1 opening week, so they will wait for the competition to shake out.
Kris has some really tough competition, including Simon Cowell’s darling Leona Lewis, so a #1 seems unlikely for him.