UPDATE:
Coked-Up Idol is Dr. Drew’s Problem Now
After one of his former celebrity patients fought a cop and puked in her cell, a judge has decided to to allow Dr. Drew one last chance to help the pregnant, fallen “American Idol” finalist Jessica Sierra get her life straightened out.
With her family and the “Loveline” doc at her side, a Tampa, Florida judge cut a deal with the season four star Monday morning, giving her three years probation — as long as she completes a one-year stint at Dr. Drew’s Pasadena, Calif. treatment center. If she fails the program, Sierra will go back to jail.
Jessica Sierra arraignment scheduled for Monday
TAMPA — Former “American Idol” star Jessica Sierra will be in Hillsborough County court Monday, to hear charges she violated her probation.
Investigators say the charges stem from an incident December 1st in Ybor City, where a drunken Sierra was kicked out of the Full Moon Saloon, then allegedly harassed people on the street before struggling with police.
Sierra has been at the Falkenberg Road jail since her arrest in December. She’s being held with no bond, on charges of disorderly intoxication, opposing an officer, cocaine possession and felony battery.
Six Questions for Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken is not the first celebrity to hold a golf tournament as a charity fund-raiser. But he may be the first one who doesn’t actually golf. At all.
“I am barely a putt-putt golfer,” said the American Idol finalist and advocate, who nonetheless is coming to Mirasol Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens today for the first-ever “Golf For Inclusion” tournament to benefit his Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which seeks inclusion for young people with special needs.
More Headlines After the Jump…
In Step With…Randy Jackson
Since the 51-year-old has three kids, I started off by asking if he’d permit his own children to enter Idol, an experience I called “the meat grinder.”
“Yes,” he said. “I would, if they truly wanted to try. Oh, my god, you may think we’re tough, but the public is tougher. Mick Jagger had it hard at first. They threw stuff at Prince when he was an opening act. People will say, ‘What big ears, I don’t like that nose, look at her hair,’ even before they listen to the music.”
Randy Jackson’s Hit List
Happy New Year!!!
What’s Up Party People,
Happy New Year and Happy American Idol. I can’t wait for season seven to kick off in a couple days and I’m predicting a “Guy” winner this year!. Make sure you catch my weekly Idol Confidential on “THE HIT LIST” for all the inside scoop on this years Idol.
As Scripts Run Out, Reality Kicks In
The Hollywood writers’ strike, which has been wreaking havoc on late-night TV since early November, is now breaking out in prime time like a bad rash.
Pockmarks created by vanishing scripted shows are being filled with reality-series concealer. Beloved Oscar-walk-up trophy shows are succumbing — the Screen Actors Guild said on Friday that its members would not cross picket lines to attend this weekend’s Golden Globes ceremony broadcast on NBC.
In about two weeks, watch for the cataclysm of reality shows in the Wednesday 8 p.m. hour, when CBS’s “Power of 10″ meets NBC’s “Deal or No Deal” meets ABC’s “Wife Swap” meets Fox’s “American Idol” meets CW’s “Crowned.”
Back to reality
While they wait for The Hills, viewers can enjoy what was perhaps an inevitable addition to the reality genre: Celebrity Rehab. Premiering on January 10, it features Brigitte Nielsen, Daniel Baldwin and former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra trying to get clean and sober with the help of a doctor called Drew Pinsky.
Offering up a new crop of celebrities ready to be recycled into the rehab and reality stream later in their careers, American Idol returns on January 15 and will doubtless remain the highest rated show in America.
There’s this naughty British man…
It’s January and that means Paula Abdul and her pals from “American Idol” will be starting a new season on Jan. 15-16 (WJBK-TV, Channel 2, Fox).Ladies Home Journal felt it necessary to chat her up for the February issue and she emoted on:What ‘Idol’ has taught her: “I have a strength I didn’t know I had. It’s a live program, and a naughty British man is constantly making people think there’s something weird in my Coca-Cola cup. But I’m proud of myself. I always figure out a way to swim.”
Gossip Gal Delivers The Gossip
When I read TMZ earlier this week I was shocked! There was a report on , the former American Idol who made girls swoon, hosting a bingo night in Wisconsin. Wasn’t he suppose to have a development deal with FOX???
Note to Chris Daughtry. If you have a song a that is supposed to be in a movie but doesn’t make it, don’t leak it to the press. The New York Post had a story about this mid-week. Seems Daughtry was suppose to have a song in National Treasure that was cut because it wasn’t necessary. Chris, congratulations on the opportunity and maybe you’ll make it next time!
Related Posts
6 hours and counting, Tony. This town has gone nutso!
Just for the record, I think Phil is adorable :)
GEAUX LSU TIGERS!
Anyone heard Phil’s single yet? I have been waiting to hear that big, beautiful voice all day. I am going to have to resort to listening the country station…
I tried Phil’s myspace, but he still has Jordin’s Tattoo up. Geesh, what this man won’t do for his friends.
Billboard article re Taylor Hicks separating from JRecords/Arista:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003693390
For those who know more about these things than I do — some of the articles are reporting that Taylor was “dropped,” while other say that he and Arista have “split” or “parted ways.” Is there a difference in information here, or does it just depend on the way the publication is spinning it? Thanks.
Thank you, Julie - that is a much better way of presenting it, IMO. But, oh no, it sounds much more fun to report that he was dropped by the label because he’s such a failure.
ETA: Kat, surely you know that it’s way more fun to put the negative spin on it for Taylor. :)
At this moment we all know the same thing ~~~ Taylor is no longer on the JRecords/Arista roster. IMO, if JRecords/Arista had dropped Taylor, the news would have similar to that associated to the release about Ruben Studdard’s being let go. However, its always a journalist’s assignment to write an enticing headline and use differing verbs to describe the details of a story. Otherwise, it looks like everyone is copying the original story and it is therefore “old news”. So for now, we wait and watch.
However,at Taylor’s recent concerts, appearances and interviews, IMO he had a positive attitude and seemed extremely happy about his station in life. Take that for what it’s worth.
Des — oh yeah, definitely, sensationalism is always better. I was just wondering if there’d been any sort of official confirmation regarding whether the split was mutual or more one-sided.
Kat,
I think ‘most’ of them are reporting it as Taylor being dropped though. :(
I also think that ‘most’ of us who have been keeping up with Taylor are more convinced that the whole thing is Taylor’s doing - but prolly the label is almost as happy as Taylor and fans are. :)
P.S. Julie, I loved your ‘conversation’ between Taylor and Clive about the next cd! LOL!
As far as I know, the label had the option for two more albums and Taylor couldn’t say no. If Taylor refused, the label could sue him. I don’t think if the label really wants you, you can leave that easily or I’m sure Kelly Clarkson would be gone by now. However, it seems that both sides here are happy with the split.
I think Nevada probably know the details of the idol contracts more than I do.
Yeah, that sounds about right. I’d be more inclined to think that the label dropped him. But, maybe Taylor has got something else lined up.
It’s all speculation at this point.
ETA: Damn, that Billboard story really adds nothing…it just repeats the initial story, un-named sources and all…
“Taylor is going to record on his own for the next album,” said J Records publicist Liz Morentin, who did not give further details regarding Hicks.
(emphasis added)
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/01/07/arts/People-Taylor-Hicks.php
I’m a Taylor fan and my take on this is that J Records was ready to let him go. If he was able to buy out his contract, I think it would only be possible if they wanted to split also. So either way, J Records was not that gung ho on a second CD.
But I think that Taylor was ready to go also, so hopefully it is the best for all. I hope he gets to put out a second CD that is what he wants, whether independent or with another label.
agree 100% Fran Orl - good to see you!
Dante, good to see you also. I am so glad to read you are going to a lot of concerts now.
I am going to watch Season 7. I actually enjoyed Season 6 as, while I had favorites, I was not as invested in them. Melinda was probably my favorite. I loved her from auditions on. I hope she has a nice career.
You gotta add me to that list. It was Phil and Melinda for me!
Okay, I never post and this is why. I killed the thread.
So who is watching the game tonight?
Hey I want to be on the list too as my favs were Melinda, Blake and Phil.
Fran - I am a concert freak these days and loving every minute! Did you hear I got to stand up against the stage at Billy Joel and was seriously like 10 feet from him? Wow! Almost as good as standing against the stage at one of my Taylor concerts, but the BJ venue was 18,000 so it was a true test of my panic disorder. I am going to 3 concerts in the next 4 months - all involve Idols (Kelly C, Carrie and Chris) and I can’t wait!
Dante - been to see the Stereophonics yet?
Nice to see more of the regulars on here today.
Dante, I’m glad you got close to Billy Joel. I would love to see him. Other than the two Taylor concerts, I haven’t been to any this year. But my husband loves opera so I have to go to opera with him since he comes to Taylor with me. I will admit on this site, I do not like opera (don’t tell my husband, I try to be supportive).
Citizen Cope bought out his Dreamworks contract using an advance from Arista. Mariah Carey’s contract was bought out by Virgin Records from I think Columbia Records. Of course an artist can buy out their contract - it’s just a matter of price. Record company executives are business men not artists. They assign an expected value to a contract and whether they get that money through a buyout or through record sales I think is of little consequence to them (IMHO). I am sure the value of Taylor’s contract was set quite a bit lower than say Kelly Clarkson’s so a buyout may be plausible. However, whether a buyout did occur - who knows - but they do happen.
I didn’t appreciate Phil until he was about to be voted off. I like him now and want to hear his single.
CarieB - I would go see them if they come to Kansas City as I am still quite the rock lover. I missed Van Halen here and I was sad. I am going to have to get a second job to pay for my tickets if I keep this up, but for now I am making up for not attending any concerts for so many years. I am having so much fun!
Oh Fran, I don’t like opera at all - wish I did though!
I am going to chatroom in case anyone is interested - taping Dance War so I can skip the commercials…
Dante, I am so excited for you!! I can’t wait to hear all about them!
I’m taping the Dance War thing too, watching the football game. I’ve already lost in my pool at work, and I have a tendency to pull for LSU since they’re in the SEC. But truth be told, I really don’t have a preference who wins. As long as my Colts win next weekend (Baxter, where are you?!), I’m happy! :)
O.K. did ANYONE hear Phil’s single because dadgumit I can’t find it anywhere and it wasn’t on the country station I had on in the background. Oh yes, I’ll go to extreme measures to hear Phil’s first single.
And someone better add me to the Phil list because I might be the sole owner of all of Phil’s AI mp3’s.
I too was a Phil shipper from the start.
I’m so frustrated. I got up this morning so excited thinking I would hear Phil’s song today and I’ve had no luck no matter where I looked or what I listened to. I’d be interested in a report from someone who has heard it at this point :-(
From Ken Barnes idol chatter http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/
Not content to co-headline a tour with country superstar Keith Urban, Carrie just had the first dates of her own Carnival Ride tour announced. She’ll be touring with special guest Josh Turner, a rising country star. Six dates have been announced thus far: Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Feb 18; Albany, N.Y., Feb. 19; Amherst, Mass., Feb. 20; Pittsburgh, Feb. 22; Providence, Feb. 24; and Bridgeport, Conn., Feb. 25, with more to come
On the Taylor/J Records split, perhaps more specifics will come out later on just who “dropped” who. All I know is that I am pretty much elated. Just hope the Stax Records deal is true.
I heard ‘lil Wolfgang is doing a great job on bass. Would love to see VH with Diamond Dave.
We’ve got a house full for the big game and are split evenly between Ohio State and LSU. To echo NOLA, GEAUX TIGERS!!!!
Hey, I was another Phil fan from the get-go! Can’t wait to hear the single.
You can hear Phil’s song sung by the songwriter here:
http://www.myspace.com/jasonsellersband
If there was a buyout, I can’t imagine why Taylor would buy out his own contract. That would be expensive and self-defeating. In the case of a buyout, another label would be involved, I would think.
I’m sure more will be revealed.
Primeminister, thank you. At least that’s something. A big hunk of cheese… yes, that will do nicely thank you. Can’t wait to hear Phil’s voice wrapped around this song. Yum.
Okay now THIS could make me want to go see Carrie. :)
Ok, Dance Wars.
Didn’t think I would watch, due to it being very close to SYTYCD, but Bruno & Drew make the show IMO.
Bonus, there are some good talent on there! I already have my picks & so it will be interesting.
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KTINTN - so glad you liked Dance Wars - I have it taped but haven’t watched it yet.
LU - I am a Josh Turner lover too - what a hunk! But I am looking forward to Keith Urban too.
Had quite a few chatroom peeps tonight - it was so fun - need to do it more often - guess with Idol coming up it will get busier in chat.
I wouldn’t put it past him. He is a bit of a maverick. However, my gut says it wasn’t a buyout but more of a mutual parting hence the vague wording of the statement.
As for Dance Wars, I loved it. Carrie Ann and Bruno were very respectful of all the contestants even the really bad ones. They laughed with the contestants not at them — huge difference! I really like this show so far and there are some really standout personalities already.
OK, Nola - I’m happy for you. But I think LSU might need an asterisk after this championship win ;) wink.
Wooooooooo, what a night!!!!!!
I LIKED Dance Wars tonight - didn’t really think I would, but Bruno, Carrie Ann and Drew made it fun and entertaining, and as neonorange said above - they laughed with the contestants, not at them.
In another ‘take’ (sorta) on the Taylor/J Records story, though Mary Colurso of the Birmingham News has a bit of a soft spot for him, she did say he ‘almost’ revealed more in a recent interview:
Breaking News…The Birmingham News
FOUND IT!!!! Ladies and gentlemen, Phil Stacey’s new song:
http://lsrpromo.com/artists/philstacey/music/If_You_Didnt_Love_Me-320kbps.mp3
Phil did a great job with the song! It’s better than the songwriter’s version ;)
Nice, very nice!
Definitely the best first impression of a song, for me, from any of last year’s contestants. Makes me want to hear more.