Kris Allen on the Idols Tour

On the very last day of the 50 city American Idols LIVE! 2009 tour, we caught up with the American Idol, Kris Allen. He reflected on the tour, opened up about his debut album, and talked about the fans.

Many of the Idols have been battling bad colds during the last stretch of the tour, and Kris was one of the hardest hit. Fortunately, he’s doing better now and he feels good about ending the tour stronger and healthier than he was earlier this week.

American Idol

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP

Carrie Underwood’s ‘Cowboy Casanova’ climbs at country radio

Carrie Underwood’s Cowboy Casanova climbs into the top 10 of our American Idol airplay chart in just its second week, more than doubling its spin total from its first week. Kelly Clarkson’s Already Gone sees almost as much of an increase, enough to move her to #4 on our chart. Those aren’t the only new Idol singles getting extra action, though Kellie Pickler’s Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You (50-44) and Jason Castro’s Let’s Just Fall in Love Again (100-80) aren’t seeing anywhere near the plays Mediabase reports for Carrie and Kelly.

USA Today

‘American Idol’ David Cook rocks Allegan County Fairgrounds with humor, sincerity

Although David Cook didn’t sing “Time of My Life,” his “American Idol” coronation song, the experience had by the crowd of 3,500 at Allegan County Fairgrounds on Tuesday night was probably right up there.

It’s surprising, really, that Cook came off the 2008 Idol tour only one year ago. He displayed easy camaraderie with the crowd and his band members (two, guitarists Neal “Doctor” Tiemann and Andy Skib played with him back in the day on the Tulsa music scene in a band called MWK), flicking picks like a pro and bantering with the crowd.

mlive.com

Fantasia rocks home crowd in ‘Purple’ finale

Fans of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book and Oscar-nominated movie gathered Sunday, some adorned in purple ensembles, from near and far on the purple carpet of the War Memorial Auditorium to see the finale of the Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of the ‘The Color Purple’ .

Fantasia Barrino, the hometown ‘Idol’  and Grammy-nominated artist, brought down the house at the in the Greensboro finale.

She brought the crowd to its feet and to a thunderous uproar of applause from her first appearance to final bow.

A&T Register

Kelly Clarkson: ‘You Go Girl!’

Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson had a few things to say to Kanye West on her blog after West stormed the stage during Taylor Swift’s VMA acceptance speech. Hear what didn’t make the blog — and what Kelly had to say after hearing about the passing of “Dirty Dancing” star Patrick Swayze.

Extra

Film/TV & Recording Artist Katharine McPhee Signs to Legendary Verve Records

Katharine McPhee traveled between Los Angeles, Nashville and Boston to write and record Unbroken, which was produced by John Alagia (John Mayer, Jason Mraz). The album’s first single, “Had It All,” written by David Hodges, Mitch Allan and Kara DioGuardi, is an upbeat and infectious song reflective of Katharine’s evolving sound. Katharine co-wrote six of the songs on Unbroken with Rachael Yamagata, Paula Cole, Chris Thompkins and Ingrid Michaelson, among others. Fans can also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Unbroken on MySpace Celebrity. The webisodes follow Katharine throughout a week in the studio allowing fans to experience the recording process. Additional videos will roll out through the release of the album in January.

PR Newswire

Kellie Pickler thinks Kanye’s outburst helps pal Taylor Swift

I also asked Taylor’s tourmate Kellie Pickler, via Twitter, if she thought Sunday night would help Taylor’s CMA chances. “Absolutely!” she replied. Later, she expanded: “If Swift wins, it will not only be because she’s worked her a** off. She’s selling tickets, 10 million albums, movies, etc. She was a star before Sunday night!”

USA Today

Stars Visit CHOC

Soccer player David Beckham, singers Shakira and Kellie Pickler were among the celebrities who visited sick kids at CHOC on Tuesday to raise money for the hospital’s radio station.

KIIS FM’s Ryan Seacrest broadcast live from Children’s Hospital of Orange County, asking listeners to text in $5 donations in support of Radio Lollipop. Last year, the event raised about $30,000 for the program, which allows patients to go on air and request songs.

OC Register.com

Life Changing Lives Honors 9/11 with Star-Studded Gala

Life Changing Lives’ second annual gala fundraiser, aply themed “Live Changing Lives: One Nation, One Heart,” was held September 11th and honored the many lost that day as well as some very special heroes of today. Tibor “Ted” Rubin, seated, was one of three honored at the gala held at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point. The Holocaust survivor was so impressed with the compassionate U.S. Army troops who liberated his camp he vowed to come to America and show his appreciation. Seven months later he enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in Korea. His heroic deeds on the battlefield gave him medal after medal, and much later, America’s highest honor, the Medal of Freedom. Joining Rubin are gala co-founders and co-chairs Glenn and Mindy Stearns, left and second from right, and American Idol finalist Bo Bice, who entertained for the 500 guests. The effort raised $500,000 for the Wounded Warrios Project, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County/Inland Empire and Boys & Girls Clubs Orange County Alliance.

OC Register

5th Avenue Theatre Takes Audiences Behind the Scenes of White Christmas and Joseph…Dreamcoat with Spotlight Nights

The 5th Avenue’s enormously popular Spotlight Night series, a free event that’s recently begun to attract record crowds, continues this Sunday with a special three-part program, featuring: profiles of two 20th century composer superstars; live appearances from the stars of Joseph and White Christmas and a roundtable discussion with five of the Theatre’s most critically-lauded directors about the talent, planning and temperament it takes to guide a professional musical from first reading to opening night.

Then in the second portion of the event we highlight the three stars of Joseph, American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov, Seattle favorite Jennifer Paz and the lead singer of The Dusty 45s and star of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Billy Joe Huels. This trio of singer/performers have had wildly diverse careers on TV, national tours, and live concert venues, and now all three get a chance to share a stage for the first time ever in our upcoming production of this early Webber megahit.

Broadway World

‘Idol’ talk at Badgley Mischka

There were also some American Idol favorites in the crowd: alum-cum-Broadway star Constantine Maroulis and judge Kara DioGuardi. The svelte music pro says she’s “ecstatic” about Ellen DeGeneres joining the Idol crew. “I’m going to lobby for her to sit next to me.” As for detractors who say the comic doesn’t have relevant music experience? “She is a star,” DioGuardi responded fiercely. “She can teach these kids to be unforgettable and stand out.”

USA Today

Backstage @ VMAs: Kara DioGuardi talks ‘Good Girls,’ ‘Idol’

And though the ‘Idol’  pre-season has been filled with turmoil with the exit of Paula Abdul and the unexpected entrance of Ellen DeGeneres, DioGuardi says it’s shaping up to be pretty good.

‘We have some great contestants,’  she said. ‘Obviously we’re very excited about Ellen. I think it’s gonna be a great season.’ 

DioGuardi said DeGeneres’ lack of music experience shouldn’t be a problem.

Newsday.com

Kara Dioguardi: She’s the judge

American Idol’s Kara Dioguardi sat front-row at Pamella Roland and for the record folks, is as nice as they come. After the show, we schmoozed a tiny bit. Did she like the show? ‘Loved it.’  Will we be seeing any of it on American Idol? ‘Idol nothing. You may be seeing some of that at the Emmys. I need a dress!’ 

Newsday.com

Fashion buzz

* Paula Abdul flaked on Douglas Hannant’s new boutique at The Plaza yesterday, leaving paparazzi shotless. Sources say a flustered Abdul called Hannant close to 3 a.m. to cancel, saying rehearsals for tomorrow’s VH1 Divas were taking much, much longer than she expected.

NY Post

Simon Settles Lawsuit with Arch Nemesis

The personal chef who sued Simon Cowell and Terri Seymour just hit the smallest jackpot we’ve ever seen in a celebrity lawsuit — a pair of old sneakers and some gas money!

As TMZ first reported, the chef filed suit against Simon and Terri earlier this month, claiming the “American Idol” judge wouldn’t return her running shoes — equipped with $500 orthopedic insoles. The chef claims Terri made her remove the shoes before entering Cowell’s Hollywood Hills mansion.

But yesterday, Team Simon and the chef reached a settlement — the chef got her shoes back … plus around $75 in court costs … and $9 for the gas!

We just spoke to the chef, who told us, “I got my shoes back … yayyyyyyy!”

TMZ

EXCLUSIVE: Susan Boyle Looks Tearful At The Bel Air Hotel

RadarOnline.com has learned that the famous 48-year-old singer was spotted looking fragile at the Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles Tuesday.

But Tuesday at the five star retreat Boyle looked disorientated as she appeared for breakfast at the hotel where she has private $1500 a night suite.

Wearing a pink top, blue sweat pants and no make-up, the performer sat alone at a booth holding her head in her hands and looking like she was about to cry at times.

RadarOnline

‘Dancing’ champ: No need for Abdul as judge

(CNN) — It says something about the popularity of “Dancing With the Stars” that the show’s professional dancers have become almost as famous as the celebrities they’re paired with.

Take Mark Ballas, who last season waltzed and tangoed his way to a first-place finish with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson — his second mirror ball trophy since he joined the hit series in 2007.

At just 23, Ballas is already recognized on the street, he’s in a band with fellow “Dancing” pro Derek Hough, and he’s thinking about branching out into acting.

CNN.com

Dancing with the Stars’ Tom DeLay Injured During Rehearsal

The curse of Dancing with the Stars endures: Former House majority leader Tom DeLay is the first Season 9 contender to be injured in rehearsals.

“Old age is catching up to me, may have a stress fracture in my foot. No worries, it’ll take more than that to keep me off the dance floor!” tweeted DeLay early on Tuesday.

But he soon learned his injury was less serious: “No stress fracture! It is a pre-stress fracture. I live for another day.”

TV Guide

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