The official label on Clive Davis’ famed gala this year: Grammy
The Recording Academy’s week-long festivities running up to the Grammy Awards have never touted anything as flashy as the star-studded soiree Clive Davis has hosted for 30 years.
Confirmed guests include Quincy Jones, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Bill Maher, Missy Elliott, will.i.am, Babyface, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, the Foo Fighters, Gladys Knight and Chris Tucker.
Whitney Houston, returning from self-imposed exile and a messy divorce, will take the stage. So will Jennifer Hudson, emerging further into the spotlight after the October murders of her mother, brother and nephew.
Why Is ‘American Idol’ Rewarding Joke Contestants Like Bikini Girl?
For the most part in the past, “Idol” hopefuls who make it to Hollywood are serious singers who really think they have a shot at winning, with the costume-wearing, prop-toting jokers mostly weeded out during the audition weeks or not given screen time on the big stage in Los Angeles.
But a pair of singers ‘ swimsuit model Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell and stand-up comedian Nick “Norman Gentle” Mitchell ‘ who made it through the first round of Hollywood Week on Tuesday night’s show called into question whether that maxim is still true and whether prime-time minutes are being squandered on joke acts who have no intention of really winning the competition at the expense of more focused singers.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Exclusive: American Idol’s Biggest Scandal Ever
Talk about having a competitive edge! American Idol contestant Joanna Pacitti has superclose ties to not one but two American Idol execs.
In the Feb.16 issue of Star ‘ on sale now ‘ we report that the Season 8 contestant is no newcomer to the business, having released a major label album in 2006, starred in a MTV documentary, opened for Sheryl Crow and having her songs featured in movies and TV shows, including The Hills. But that’s nothing compared to her connection to two executives at the L.A. offices of 19 Entertainment ‘ the company that produces Idol.
An insider tells Star that Michelle Young and Roger Widynowski have very personal connections to the Idol hopeful, all of which we detail in our can’t miss story. How personal? Well, Joanna has referred to Michelle as her “manager” and “best friend, ” and credited Roger with “helping me get where I am today.” Plus, the three of them even lived in the same L.A. apartment complex for several years.
For some, ‘American Idol’ a second chance at fame
LOS ANGELES (AP) ‘ It has the makings of an all-star ensemble: an Osmond family member, a Rosie O’Donnell protege, the sister of a Grammy-winning blues singer, an actor from “Wicked, ” a former Miss New York USA, an actress who’s been on “The Sopranos” and a recording artist who was covered by Britney Spears.
But this is not the new cast of “Dancing with the Stars.” It’s a cross-section of the not-so-green wannabes who made it through to Hollywood Week on “American Idol.”
‘American Idol’ recap: Bikini Girl Has No Clothes
Get out your freshly sharpened No. 2s; it’s time for the American Idol: Hollywood Week Quiz!
Question 1: It’s episode two of Hell Week, focusing on group performances by 100 or so of the nation’s finest undiscovered singers. Would you rather: (A) Listen to the vocal stylings of Megan Corkrey, Michael Castro, and a dozen or so other contestants who haven’t made a peep since their memorable auditions? (B) Turn the first half of the one-hour telecast into a music-free experience that instead focuses on hysterical meltdowns by folks who appear to be suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Were Live-Blogging Day Two Of ‹American Idol Hollywood Week!
Resident …American Idol expert Jim Cantiello brings you a minute-by-minute recap of every episode right here! Keep checking for updates throughout the show, and dont miss out on his previous live blogs and other …Idol news.
Tonight I get to live-blog …Idol second Hollywood week episode. It group number day in …Idol Land, which should be much more interesting than last night ho-hum offering. Typically, this is an episode that guarantees standout performances, earth-shattering meltdowns and – my favorite – diva behavior to the nth degree.
Phil Stacey blog: Group Dreams
Tonight covered Day Three of Hollywood Week. Trust me when I say that these contestants are TIRED during this episode. When I was on “American Idol, ” Day Three was group day. I remember I stayed up all night with my group practicing harmonies and dance moves. I was literally out of it when we performed ‘- and so was the rest of my group. My roommate, Chris Sligh, however, was in a group with Blake Lewis, Rudy Cardenas and Tom Lowe. When they formed their group, they spent all of 15 minutes choosing a song and coming up with an arrangement for the following day. They were well rested and absolutely tore it up when they performed. Theirs was easily the best group event of the day. All four people easily skated through to the next round, while two members of my group were sent home. It just goes to show, sometimes you either have it ‘- or you dont.
Video: A visit to Jamar Rogers’ workplace
Tribune’s Fox Six from Milwaukee, WI stopped by the PF Changs where Jamar tends bar.
Video: Idol Chat with Maria Elena Fernandez
Discussing the events of Hollywood Week with LA Times TV reporter Maria Elena Fernandez.
Rushfield Review: High drama hits Hollywood Week
Together, we have witnessed what may have been the most thrilling hour in the history of television. As previously discussed, American Idol’s Hollywood Week creates unprecedented drama in the tension seen when 150 young people, dreaming of stardom, are taken from their homes and placed inches from their dreams, only to see the dream turn into a nightmare. In a scenario taken from a horror film, “Friday the 13th” for instance, these 150 kids travel away from their homes to what they think is a fun-filled summer camp by the water, only to have an ax-wielding maniac leap out of the woods and massacre them a dozen at a time.
American Idol: Why Ill Never Watch It Again
There’s a scene in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange in which ultra-violent “droog” Alex DeLarge, played by Malcolm McDowell, undergoes “aversion therapy” to cure his violent tendencies by being forced to watch violent films while given drugs to induce a nauseated reaction, so that every time he feels violent, he’ll get sick.
I underwent somewhat the same thing while covering American Idol for another media outlet during seasons six and seven of the Fox behemoth. In effect, I was forced by my editors to watch American Idol and then write a blog after each telecast, which amounted to my sitting in front of the tube every Tuesday and Wednesday evening taking notes on all the action.
American Idol — Hollywood Week Ratings Down But Strong
OK, so I didn’t post last week for two good reasons: my computer collapsed again (I spent so much time at the Apple Store, they should have paid me an hourly wage) and I headed down south to Alabama for my mom’s 80th birthday party. Guess what? Old people tend not to have wireless networks in their home and the Starbucks in Birmingham closes really early. My quick impression of last week was that we saw a few more successful auditions (in short bursts) but quite a few questionable people got through.
Buzzworthy Blogs With David Archuleta: The Adele, Senior Ball And Miranda Cosgrove Post!
Welcome to Buzzworthy brand-new series in which we dissect celebrity blogs into delishy little bloggy bites, starting with our fave American Idol second placer (but winner in our heart), and prolific blogger, David Archuleta! His words are in bold, ours are in italics. Follow along, wont you?
David Archuleta Will Sing National Anthem at Pro Bowl
David Archuleta is the latest American Idol alum to show off his patriotic chops when he sings the National Anthem at the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday.
“[It’ll] be my first time in Hawaii! Woot woot!” Archuleta blogs on his MySpace page. “That means more sunshine.”
David Archuleta makes his debut as an actor this week
David Archuleta sang in for more than 31 million people for the finale of “American Idol” last year, and sure, he had nerves to conquer.
But ultimately, singing on stage, no matter how vast the audience was easy. It’s what he does.
Take him out of his comfort zone, though, give him lines to learn and deliver on a Hollywood sound stage. Now that’s a whole different matter, the 17-year-old heartthrob admits, laughing shyly as he recalls his acting debut on Nickelodeon’s “iCarly.”
‹Idol runner-up stirs up young female frenzy
The school day didnt stop dozens of teenage girls (and some boys) from coming out for a brief chance to see teen star David Archuleta.
As he stepped on a small stage adorned with only keyboard and mic, columns/ of screaming girls and their digital cameras were happy to meet him. Shouts of …We love you David! were sometimes met with
…We love you more!
David Archuleta: Pizza in Palm Beach Gardens
Enjoying time back in his home state of Florida, David Archuleta was busy making pizza at Vic & Angelos in Palm Beach Gardens earlier this afternoon (February 4).
Posing for pictures alongside the eatery owner, the …American Idol alum hammed it up next to the coal fire pizza oven before performing in the parking area for an what was described as an intimate crowd of about 500 screaming fans.
Jennifer Hudson to Wed Soon
Jennifer Hudson is not only ready to put family tragedy behind her, she’s also reportedly ready to marry fiancà © David Otunga.
According to the National Enquirer (ya, we know!) Hudson plans on marrying David within the next month.
A source said: “It’s going to be real soon. Some people think Valentine’s Day. They’re head over heels in love.
E Street Band Didn’t Play Live at the Super Bowl, OMG
America’s self-righteous obsession with real-time musical integrity never ceases to surprise me. We already know Jennifer Hudson and Faith Hill’s Super Bowl performances were sung along with backing tracks, and now the Chicago Tribune reports that the E Street Band were playing to a pre-recorded track for their halftime appearance. Producer and Grammy Awards audio supervisor Hank Neuberger told the Tribune that Bruce Springsteen’s vocals were the only live audio element of the show.
Clay Aiken visit submerged in shellfish controversy
Did American Idol star Clay Aiken really drop by a South Baltimore restaurant and bar last Sunday?
Or was it … Clay Faiken?
When reports first emerged that Aiken had eaten crabcakes at Regi’s American Bistro, Aiken’s fans (commonly known as Claymates) cried foul.
“I don’t believe the story sence he was seen somewhere else plus he’s allergic to shellfish, ” wrote one anonymous commenter.
Music review: Melinda Doolittle, …Coming Back to You
Boy, Melinda Doolittle, where do you start? Having finished third in the 2007 season was no mean feat in itself. For those of us familiar with that season you are more than aware that that particular talent pool was as vast and deep as the Great Salt Lake. Any doubts or fears about the quality of music and strength of vocals one may have when considering a debut CD by this extremely gifted vocalist are aptly laid to rest in about the first six bars of the first song. To say that good R&B is as abundant today as it was 30 years ago is like saying there are about as many good Burmashave signs still around (insert age jokes here).
Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® Los Angeles County Affiliate Announces 13th Annual RACE FOR THE CURE ® Celebrating Breast Cancer Survivors and Raising Awareness
LOS ANGELES – (Business Wire) The Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® is pleased to announce the upcoming 13th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure ®, a walk and run to benefit the Los Angeles County Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure ®. The flagship event is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2009, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Race for the Cure ® co-hosts Emily Procter (…CSI Miami), Judy Reyes (…Scrubs) and Poppy Montgomery (…Without a Trace) will be joined by more than 13, 000 participants to raise awareness and educate citizens throughout Los Angeles County. In addition, 2006 American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks, will be giving a soulful performance.
Taylor Hicks hams it up in ‘Grease’
Let’s just get it out of the way – American Idol star Taylor Hicks delivers a perfectly acceptable performance as Teen Angel in the touring production of Grease that just hand-jived its way into the Hippodrome Theatre.
It’s true that Hicks hams it up so much, he should be served with a jar of mustard. He turns his back to the audience and wiggles his butt, he rolls his eyes skyward like one of Raphael’s winged cherubs, and he even gets off a few licks on his harmonica.
But subtlety isn’t necessarily an asset in performing a role as inherently kitsch as Teen Angel. And Hicks’ fans in the audience lapped up his performance, cheering for their idol far more loudly than they did for the show’s putative stars.
As befitting a man who won the fifth season of American Idol with more than 63 million votes, Hicks brings his own brand of bling to his solo. He croons his advice to a dazzled teenage girl who reacts as though she were a bonafide member of Hicks’ Soul Patrol.
The 32-year-old Silver Fox recently took a few minutes to chat by phone about his first foray into musical theater, his enthusiasm for the Baltimore Ravens, and his new album, which is being released next month.
Old-School Simon Cowell Is Disco-Tastic
(Feb. 3) — Hopefully ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell can take criticism as well as he can give it, because we have a feeling these photos of him looking very John Travolta a la ‘Saturday Night Fever’ will surely bring out a taunt or two.
British paper The Sun claims that the photos of Cowell are from the late 1970s. In the various snapshots, Cowell is seen sporting an almost-unbuttoned shirt, some seriously high-waisted jeans and best of all, a gloriously vertical, poofy hairstyle.
