Idol Headlines for 1/27/09
Has ‘American Idol’ lost its way?
‘American Idol’ debuted in the summer of 2002 with little fanfare as a summer replacement show with the tagline “The Search for a Superstar.” There were many skeptics who said the show would bomb and that Americans were too sophisticated to go for a repackaged TV talent show.
Of course, the critics were wrong. The first season was an unqualified success, due in large part to the discovery of Kelly Clarkson, an unknown cocktail waitress from Texas who charmed America with her outstanding vocals and goofy personality. Kelly went on to live out the dream, selling millions of albums and epitomizing the stated purpose of the show.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Tuesday night is Jacksonville’s night on ‘Idol’
There were actually three sets of auditions in the Jacksonville area.
An estimated 11,000 or more started lining up outside the arena in the predawn hours of Aug. 13 to audition in the first round.
“American Idol” would not say how many passed that audition, but about 450 were at the next round, held two weeks later at Amelia Island Plantation. That lasted two days.
A week later, the 100 or so who made it through that round went back to Amelia Island Plantation. That’s when the four judges that we see on TV – Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi – showed up for the first time, along with the cameras.
The new ‘American Idol’ judge finding her place
Being the new judge on “American Idol” has been a huge adjustment for Kara DioGuardi.
It’s not that dealing with the auditioners is a big change for her. She’s spent years working with singers as a songwriter/producer. But being the focus of media attention à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ suddenly becoming both a celebrity and, in a way, a performer à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ is outside her comfort zone.
“What I wear and how I look has never really been a huge focus of mine,” DioGuardi told the Deseret News. “I’ve been concentrating on writing the songs, producing the vocals, running my company. So that’s a change.”
Carrie Underwood: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“See You Onstageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
While waiting in the meet-and-greet line before Carrieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s concert
in Detroit, Vanessa met Hayley Ray, an excited but very polite 4-year-old whose biggest wish was about to come true. Vanessa watched as the wide-eyed youngster caught a glimpse of Carrie. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“She covered her mouth with one hand,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ writes Vanessa, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“then looked at us and said, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s real pretty.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Who Is Carrie Underwood’s Constant Companion?
Rumors about the men in Carrie Underwood’s life seem to make tabloid fodder all the time, but there’s only one constant companion in the singer’s life right now — her beloved little dog. Underwood says the two have a very special relationship: “My dog’s name is Ace. And he’s a rat terrier. And I always say I know that doesn’t sound very pretty: ‘rat terrier.’Anything with ‘rat’in the name. But he’s a good boy. He sleeps with me at night. We have our routines. We cuddle in the mornings. And he’s just there to make me happy, or to drive me crazy, whichever one. But, one way or another, he’s always makin’ me smile.”
Book Review: Sanjaya Malakar’s “Dancing to the Music In My Head”
The description of Sanjaya Malakarà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s new book, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dancing to the Music In My Head: Memoirs of the Peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Idol,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ promised us the most in-depth look at à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ever.
And although thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s true, thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s still so much Sanjaya could have told us, but didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t. In other words, it was a lot like his time on the showà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ potential that was never realized.
And quite frankly, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a little lameà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦
But thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not entirely Sanjayaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fault. In fact, I would blame the majority of the bookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s problems on what seems to be the complete absence of an editor.
Idol Worship: Battle Of The Book Deals
So reads the opening line to a press release announcing American Idol also-ran Sanjaya Malakar’s memoir, Dancing To The Music In My Head, which officially came out last week. A tad ostentatious? Maybe not in the eyes of the so-called Fanjayas, but what about the rest of the Idol-loving community? Do we care enough about a guy eliminated two years ago in the bottom half of the Top 12 to buy his book? Is out-there hair reason enough for a memoir?
Granted, we haven’t read the thing (yet), but it got us wondering: how much are publishers shelling out for these Idol memoirs? After all, Sanjaya’s not the first Idol cast-off to try the author route. Season 5’s Mandisa put out a book last year that was part-life story, part-self-help guide, and at least one runner-up, Clay Aiken, has found massive success with his publishing debut, 2005’s Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, which was a New York Times best-seller.
‘Idol’ Runner-up is Going Country
American Idol season 1 runner-up Justin Guarini has agreed to be on the third season of John Rich’s (from Big & Rich, as in “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy”) CMT show Gone Country, where he takes already-established music and entertainment stars and “immerses them in all things country for a chance to break out as the next big country superstar. The one who is most successful at crossing over by the end of the series will have a country single produced by Rich.”
The show premiered this past Saturday, January 24th and is on Saturday nights at 8 pm/7 pm central on Country Music Television (check your local listings right here on Zap2It). Guarini will be competing against:
New-ish Video: David Archuleta, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹A Little Too Not Over Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
OMD! Arch Angels, youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve totally already seen it already, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be remiss not to devote an entire post to David Archuletaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s latest video, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A Little Too Not Over You,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ known in the Archu-mmunity as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“ALTNOY.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Anyway, my digi camà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got blurry, fuzzy shots of, like, my cat and family vacations so ancient Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not even like related to those people anymore, but David Archuletaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s memory card is full of mature-sounding memories. Seriously, is David almost all growed up? Also, more importantly, who would dump Archie? NOT Buzzworthy, obvs! (And WHY was that girl so emo over losing at à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Rock Bandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ? Ew.)
The more I see the less I knowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦
This past weekend, I was invited to the 24th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival in Santa Barbara, California to see the World Premiere of AMAR A MORIR.
Athough I have always been a huge fan of foreign films, I found that this particular film introduced a new concept to the audience.
It opened a door that made one walk outside of the Hollywood frame of cookie cut unrealistic movie mentally, stepping into a theater of an independent foreign film in it’s mother tongue, and introducing a new set of generation morals tied with a foundation of hispanic cultural values.
Paula Abdulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s half up half down hairstyle at the 2009 SAG awards
As you can see in the photos Paula Abdul has her hair very long and sleek. Paula Abdulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s hair is then brought up/ brushed up on the sides and top. The sides are pulled back tight while the top is raised high. Using a product such as Got2Beà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s hair cement spray can help not only achieve this effect but just about guarantee there will be no fly aways! Paula Abdulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s hair is then left straight on the hair that is left down, no curls or waves. A hairstyle like this can be used for any occasion such as weddings, proms, special events or just as a casual hairstyle its just that simple! Pair this hairstyle with a pair of great earrings!
Griz cheer squad takes second in MTV cheerleading competition
The Griz cheer squad has newfound fame, thanks to a second-place finish in a nationally televised cheerleading competition.
Montana cheerleaders were chosen as one of five teams to take place in the inaugural season of MTVà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Paula Abdulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s RAH! Cheerleading Bowl,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ which aired Jan. 3.
Montana was defeated by Hawaii after the final round of competition.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“We were definitely happy to finish second,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ said senior co-captain Allison Pringle.
Donny Osmond Lets Slip He’ll Be on DWTS
Donny Osmond has let slip that he is about to step into his sister Marie’s shoes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ her dancing shoes.
While next season’s stars have yet to be announced for the ABC hit Dancing with the Stars, Donny appeared with Marie for a Monday taping of the syndicated The Bonnie Hunt Show for an episode scheduled to air Tuesday.
Asked by his TV hostess if, like his sister, he’d ever consider doing Dancing, the former teen idol, 51, flashed his trademark smile and said, “Well, I guess I am making an announcement. I’ll say I am seriously considering doing it, let’s put it that way.”
Never one for a poker face, Osmond added with a laugh, “I guess I just let the cat out of the bag.”
U.S. Takes Trophy in ‘Superstars of Dance’
Hey guess what, U.S.A. won the finale of “Superstars of Dance” Monday on NBC.
A hip hop routine that looked like it wouldn’t make the cut on “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Top Dance Crew” was enough to win what host Michael Flatley called “the greatest international dance competition on Earth” for the home team. The prize: a trophy.
The U.S. troupe won the gold medal over China’s adorable Shaolin Monks,which got a silver medal and Australia got a bronze.
The U.S. had done well throughout the five-episode competition that was shot in the U.S., so much so that it didn’t have to do well in the other two medal competitions.
ETA:
Abdul Does ‘Magical Things’ on Idol
Paula Abdul isn’t just a judge on American Idol – she’s a fairy godmother, too.
Former pop star Abdul has revealed she’s been secretly setting the TV talent show’s cast-offs on the path to singing careers.
She explains, “I actually do magical things.
“I will get their name and number, then I pass it on to producers who need session singers. They will email me saying ‘Thank you so much’.”
Abdul recently said that her relationship with new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi “bugs” her fellow panelist Simon Cowell.
She told Us Weekly magazine, “It’s great for me because she’s my old roommate, and we’re friends. And that bugs Simon”
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63 Responses to “Idol Headlines for 1/27/09”
Bittersweet, sniff, sniff.
The blog from David’s old friend’s Mom is lovely. She perfectly described what everyone else who meets David says about him.
My favorite part:
David didn’t recognize her at first but the way he made up for it was pretty awesome.
Is Huh this girl’s real name or her mom is using that to hide her daughter’s real name? Haha, if it’s her real name, it’s very peculiar and cute.
^^ I’m guessing Huh must be of oriental heritage. Huh is a common name among Koreans. That was an awesome story. Thanks for sharing it, Cruz.
I watched E! News tonight just before American Idol. They played a clip of Archie’s ALTNOY video right at the end of the show. Ryan Seacrest himself introduced it. He even made a little joke, saying that it rained when they shot his video. But we all know it wasn’t real rain. That’s great promotional exposure for ALTNOY!!
Celeste: thanks for posting huh’s mom’s blog. I’ve been away the last month and now just catching up on all the news, in fact just watched David’s acapellla performance of “I’ll be” at the HRC, that heart tugging performance and reading how he made up for not recognising Huh … *tears*
I pray that this young man will have an even bigger success this year, he deserves it so much.
It’s official! Lesley Roy will be the opening act for all of the venues where David Archuleta will be headlining. It’s on her official website…
I think this is awesome news. Lesley is a cross between Avril Lavigne and Melissa Etheridge. She has an edgier sound than David. So I think this will help to draw in a mixed audience, of which some would not normally go to a concert just to see David. So this is a great opportunity to win over some new fans for him. Like David, Lesley Roy is under the Jive label. Nice pairing, Jive.
Glad you all liked the blog
I didn ´t like very much the songs that I listened fron her, and she doesn ´t seem to has a lot of fans… :/
Digital sales:
– 1 CLARKSON*KELLY MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU 279605 999 0 279605
17 25 COOK*DAVID LIGHT ON 49488 -27 67995 641844
37 46 ARCHULETA*DAVID CRUSH 33258 -17 39909 1482347
airplay:
No. 38 – Kelly Clarkson ( 9.5 million)
No. 48 – David Cook (-0.2 million)
streaming:
No. 27 Kelly Clarkson – My Life Would Suck Without You
Really?! I think a lot of her songs are amazing! I especially love “Unbelievable.” That’s a big hit. “Dead but Breathing,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Comeback” are pretty awesome too, imo. She may not have as many fans. But that’s why she’s the opener and David is the headliner. I’m mostly just excited at the idea of someone opening for David, because just a few weeks ago we were trying to figure out who David could open for.
Yay for Crush!! Should easily be 1.5x platinum by next week!
^I know Ozarka, but the first song , I think it was Unbelievable or Unbeautiful, or whatever, I liked… for the other ones I was like “this is just Avril Lavigne wanna be” with all the respect that the artist deserve. I didn ´t get any emotion, none of the songs made me want to go buy the album, and none of them made me want to listen to them again… as MJ ´s always said YMMV.
I ´m guessing this is Jive work and is a way to reduce the cost for David ´s tour… I don ´t think she will made a lot of new people go to the venues…
In this I agree. Butit will be hard, most of the venues are stand up, so the longer she take, it will made harder for people waiting on David…
^^ But look at this way, Celeste. Jive is probably going for perception. David doing his own solo tour with someone else opening for him tells the general public that, hey, David is a SUPERSTAH! On the other hand, if you make David the opener for someone like P!nk or Beyonce… what does it tell the average viewer? It tells them that David is just another lesser star trying to work his way up the ladder. Perception is key in this entertainment business.
She rules.
No, and take this as the way I generally see marketing and promotion as calculated as it could be no mather if I ´m a fan or not, David is not a Superstar… he is still a kid trying to make it and it will need a lot of promotion and time before being able to do what Kelly Clarkson is doing now… Put in it simple David right now is what right now I will call a “Medium star” or “star in growing” and they are putting this girl with him to promote her, I ´m guessing she is not getting lots of play and most of people don ´t know her, her myspace is at 15k friends which is not great…
Personally I will prefear David opening for Pink, Kelly Clarkson, heck even Chris Brown, why? because I will love to see David with new fans, this is the strategy that I will have used for promoting David, and that they used for Jordin… but JIVE decided to go the other way around a small tour in small venues, why? maybe they couldnt find a big star that will tour around this time for David to go on tour with… so in a way to keep David on the news, he needs to keep appearing in the news specially during this new season to ensure that he doesn ´t loss his following, they decide to go on a small tour… not that this is bad, his fans will be happy but I don ´t spect a lot of new ones to be gain with this, is more about the noise and the experience that David will obtain in htis tour… and to made the cost less, I think somebody said that on tour the record label goes and the artis goes 50% -50% with the expense, they put Leslie Roy in it…
That ´s all… And don ´t get me wrong I ´m happy that he is touring but I also like to be a little cold when I do analize the way things are being made by the records and management…