Glendale’s Jordin Sparks to sing at All-Star Game
Glendale’s American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, will sing the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15 in Phoenix.
“I’m really excited to sing at the NBA All-Star Game. Phoenix is one of the great cities for sports and entertainment, and I’m proud to represent it at the game, ” Sparks said Thursday.
Sparks, 19, sang The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XLII in Glendale last year, as well as at the National Football League’s NFC Championship Game in Glendale on Jan. 18.
American Idol’s Fantasia Goes Back to High School
The American Idol star, 24, says she’s ready to hit the books and earn her high school degree after giving up the chance to do so when she dropped out of school about a decade ago in the ninth grade.
“I’ve been talking about it for so long, ” Fantasia told me earlier today. “I have a lot of young people who look up to me, like my 15-year-old brother and 7-year-old daughter. It’s something that I really need to do and that I want to do.”
Thanks For Your Support
I was sitting in the second row of the Kodak Theatre, the judge table was to my right. I was sitting with my …group, and we were waiting hours and hours just for our turn to go on stage. We were group number 26 out of 28 to perform, so we didnt take the stage until about 10 oclock that night. It wasnt until around lunch that the freaky thing started to happen’ something that has never happened to be before in my career’ I lost my voice! Not just kind of ¦ or halfway ¦ but full-blown laryngitis ¦ GONE!
From midday on, I felt my voice just start slipping and slipping away, and I couldnt do a thing about it. I didnt feel sick at all, my voice just stopped working. It was so weird. I couldnt even get a tone out.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Hollywood round has been disaster for ‹Idol
The Hollywood round is the eye in the “American Idol” hurricane: its intense competition, singing, and critiques come without the insufferable studio audience or the tedious elimination ceremonies that start later this month. But so far this season, the Hollywood round seems more like a tornado, ripping around randomly before destroying itself.
While “American Idol” found a groove during this year’s auditions, it lost all of its momentum in Hollywood, which was given five hours and four episodes this year instead of three hours and two episodes last year.
Brookfield’s Nick Mitchell advances on American Idol
BROOKFIELD – Nick Mitchell, the underdog from Brookfield whose campy, then soulful rendition of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” on American Idol made him an overnight celebrity, faces the toughest hurdle of his burgeoning career on next week’s broadcasts.
That’s when Mitchell, 27, also known as “Norman Gentle, ” will find out whether he’ll make the cut and advance into the top 36 contestants on the planet’s most popular television program.
Boosting AI popularity
MANILA, Philippines’ The eighth edition of …American Idol has launched its 2009 search for new singing stars’ and its bid for renewed popularity with viewers (after its 8-percent dip last year). The reality of declining ratings has prompted the tilt producers to make some significant changes to help make up for the slack.
The most obvious innovation is the entry of a fourth juror in the person of singer-songwriter Kara Dioguardi. Viewing the 2009 edition early telecast, we immediately note that Kara arrival has altered the tilt …power balance in a major way.
Catfights, Spotlights, And Lots Of Tears In Hollywood
Last night was the second installment of American Idol’s suite of Hollywood Round episodes, and it took on the group round, in which egos clash and lots of tears are shed. The way the contestants took over the entire hotel where they were staying and the constant fighting between so many of them made me feel like I was looking in on a particularly overachiever-saturated session of drama club auditions’ so let’s turn this recap into a page from the 2009 American Idol yearbook!
Idol Worship: ‘Idol’ 8.4 Redux
Finally, after a somewhat saccharine start to season 8, week three brought a little taste of the American Idol drama we crave. And as the total tally goes from an unmanageable mass to some 100 hopefuls, we also got to see some impressive talent. But we’re still left with 64 to cut and who knows how our faves ‘ we’re lookin’ at you Danny Gokey, Jasmine Murray, Anoop Desai, Lil Rounds, Jorge Nunez, and Mr. White Chocolate Matt Giraud ‘ will fare on the next round. Of course, we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves, lest we risk jinxing our chosen front-runners (the rumored Top 36 list can be found on votefortheworst), so instead, we give you a look back at highlights from the hot mess that was Hollywood week. Now, bring us more!
How fans measure ‘Idol’ success
If first is the worst and second is the best, how come Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and David Cook all seem to be doing so well?
“A good singer from the very beginning, American Idol contestants have made their mark on the music industry giving this year’s Idol hopefuls a lot to live up to.
Michael Slezak, Entertainment Weekly, said, “There’s no better way to start an Idol fan war on the Internet than to ask who is the most successful Idol because the Carrie, Kelly and Daughtry fans all come up with their own numbers: number of singles sold, numbers of albums sold, overall albums sold.”
‹Idol’s Bikini Girl weighing Playboy offer
LOS ANGELES – Katrina Darrell didnt make a lot of friends when she auditioned for …American Idol in a bikini, but Playboy sure took notice.
According to the recently ousted chanteuse, known on the show as Bikini Girl, the men magazine is one of the many places that has expressed an interest in the booted reality hopeful following her …Idol departure on Wednesday episode.
…[Ive had] a lot of different offers, like Vegas promotion offers. Of course Playboy has called, Darrell told Access Hollywood Tony Potts on Thursday afternoon.
Bikini Girl: ‘There Were a Lot of Jealous Haters’
Katrina Darrell got kicked off “American Idol” last night — and the Bikini Girl chalks up getting the boot to some of her green-eyed competition!
“Extra’s” full interview with Bikini Girl airs Friday, February 6.
“I think there were a lot of jealous haters out there and a lot of them were female, so it made it very difficult to work with them, ” dishes Darrell, “and also I was very tired.” Darrell also opened up about her infamous bickering with judge Kara DioGuardi. “I think she had it out for me in the beginning, which was sad because we could’ve been really good friends.”
An Osmond Kicked Off of ‘American Idol’
“It was crazy. It was insane, ” David tells ET. “I’m sitting there in the Kodak Theatre [with the] judges to my right, my group’s there ready to go and my voice slips away.”
More than 26 million people watched as Donny and Marie’s nephew was sent home.
David continues, “By lunch, I started to have a vocal problem. I didn’t know what it was. I wasn’t sick or anything. By dinner, I couldn’t sing a note. I couldn’t get a tone out, and I had full-blown laryngitis within about eight hours.”
Napa’s McNamara advances on American Idol
Napa County Kristin McNamara has …made it to Hollywood, as part of the hit TV series American Idol.
McNamara, 22, described on the show as a karaoke hostess, is closing in on being one of the 36 semifinalists to compete for the Season 8 American Idol title.
McNamara performed on Idol this week from Hollywood as part of a trio with Nancy Wilson and Nathaniel Marshall. McNamara and Marshall advanced to be part of the remaining 75 contestants, while Wilson was eliminated.
‘American Idol’s’ Tatiana del Toro: Worst reality-show contestant ever?
Watching Tatiana del Toro on “American Idol” is like meeting someone at a party who for a fleeting moment or two seems likable and charming but long before the end of the evening has turned into an inescapable nightmare, like the monster in a sci-fi movie. She is relentless and disloyal and endlessly destructive in the service of her only cause, which happens to be — surprise! — herself. She is the ex-girlfriend who won’t be ignored, the sorority sister bent on destroying the sorority because, well, because she can.
To those who haven’t been following the show — maybe there are a few of you? — a bit of background:
American Idol Comes to Miami for Secret Performance
Miami usually boasts a number of stars, but one of my personal favorites was in town yesterday ¦
David Archuleta was at Y100 studios on February 4 2008 for a private concert. The Season 7 American Idol runner up was featured as part of the Y100 Underground Concert, a secret concert exclusive for members of the Underground. Lucky to be part of the afternoon, I listened to him sing …A Little Too Not Over You and his hit single …Crush. He just as good as he is on TV ¦.take a look and judge on your own.
EXCLUSIVE: DAVID ARCHULETA IS A BEANIE BABE
David Archuleta, the cutest little Mormon American Idol has ever seen, stopped by the Y100 studio in Miami yesterday afternoon for an exclusive performance. The singer played some stripped down versions of his songs “Crush” and “A Little Too Not Over You.” After entertaining the crowd, David relaxed backstage on some piles of bean bag chairs, that is when he wasn’t diving into them. (Personally I always enjoyed taking those things for rides down the stairs.)
David will perform the National Anthem on Sunday at the ProBowl in Hawaii. “[It’ll] be my first time in Hawaii! Woot woot!” he blogs. “That means more sunshine.” Can I hide in your suitcase please?
My First Grammy: 9 Of The Year First Time Nominees, Will They Win ?
*While the Grammys are always historic in their own way, this Sunday, nine R&B/soul singer will attend the awards for the first time ‘ some for the first time completely and others for the first time as nominees.
In the past, first-time Grammy nominees have not fared well, but then there were other times (ex. Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, John Legend) when first-timers swept the awards.
With that said, let take a look at nine of this year Grammy First Timers:
Grammy Events: Style Studio Day 2, Westwood One Radio Remotes Day 1, MusiCares Signing Day 1
The Grammys are this Sunday and the events will keep coming until the show airs. Yesterday was Day 2 of the Style Studio. Jordin Sparks was spotted checking out some of the sweet swag.
Over at day one of the Westwood One Radio Remotes, more stars were spotted grabbing up free goodies and promoting their new projects like Elliott Yamin, Colby ODonis, Eric Benet, Ginuwine, Kings of Leon and Sara Bareielles.
Jennifer Hudson, Clive Davis, & Leona Lewis Gear Up for Pre-Grammy Party
ET was there as a brave Jennifer Hudson took the stage at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles Thursday to rehearse for her performance at Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Gala this weekend. We also spoke with the legendary Clive Davis and the Grammy-nominated Leona Lewis about the big bash.
Hudson, who has kept a low profile since the tragic shooting deaths of her mother, brother and nephew last October, shared a hug with Davis after her rehearsal. Hudson’s performance will mark her second major performance since her family tragedy — the first being her powerful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before last Sunday’s Super Bowl game.
Palm Harbor doctor provides $11, 000 to save Jordin Sparks charity effort
When a high roller reneged on a $10, 000 bid for a gift package benefitting a charity championed by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks during a Tampa Super Bowl fundraiser, organizers fretted they might have a serious hole in their auction revenue.
But WFLZ-FM morning guy Todd “M.J.” Schnitt rallied listeners Thursday, inspiring a Palm Harber plastic surgeon to pony up $11, 000 for a gift pakcage including two tickets to Sunday’s Grammy awards in Los Angeles, two plane tickets there from Tampa and a designer ring valued at $9, 200.
Botti rounds up star friends for live disc
What do Sting, John Mayer, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Katharine McPhee and Yo-Yo Ma have in common? They’re all pals of trumpeter Chris Botti, and they’re all featured on the live CD/DVD Chris Botti in Boston, due March 31.
Boston was recorded over two concerts at Symphony Hall. Botti is “most proud of the way the shows move around” to encompass the genres. “You have intense jazz, intense classical music and flat-out rock ‘n’ roll, with the backdrop of an orchestra. It’s an interesting mix of musicianship.”
What’s Up With Jon Peter Lewis
Jon Peter Lewis was one of the rare ‘Idol”s who could sing, dance and make us laugh.
Everything came together for him during the season 3 wild card round, thanks to a rousing performance of Elvis’ ‘A Little Less Conversation.’ The performance won him the public’s vote and pushed him into the top 12, where he remained for an additional five weeks.
After ‘Idol, ‘ Lewis kept busy recording music. In 2008, he released the CD ‘Break the Silence, ‘ a big success with critics.
Merle Haggard slams young country stars
Washington, Feb 06 (ANI): Country music legend Merle Haggard, who is recovering from cancer surgery, has condemned young country stars, insisting they are having hits with all the wrong tunes.
The 71-year-old says he hates the songs of country music current crop of leading ladies, with Carrie Underwood topping the list.
…Carrie Underwear, or Underwood. I mean, I like her, but where the songs. You have to get past the belly buttons and the videos, Contactmusic quoted Haggard as telling America Globe.
…Anyone can do a record nowadays – you dont have to stay in key; theyll (producers) put you in key, he added. (ANI)
Allen sends saucy text to Cowell
Singer Lily Allen is dreading her next meeting with music mogul Simon Cowell after accidentally propositioning him in a text message.
The Smile hitmaker, who recently said she would love to be a judge on Cowell’s talent series The X Factor, wrote a text about the star while on vacation over the Christmas period.
But when it came time to press send, she mistakenly forwarded the flirty note to the TV judge himself.
She explains, “I was kind of seeing this guy and then it was over. So I texted my godmother in Jamaica and told her and as a joke I said, ‘Maybe my next conquest should be Simon Cowell.’
“You know when someone is in your mind and you accidentally text them? He replied, ‘Sorry?'”
Springer leaving as ‘America’s Got Talent’ host
LOS ANGELES’ ”America’s Got Talent” isn’t getting more of Jerry Springer.
Springer says he won’t return as host of the NBC talent contest this summer.
In a statement Thursday, Springer said he’s leaving the show because of other commitments, including his syndicated talk show and a stage role. He didn’t offer details about the play.
Known for his freewheeling talk show, Springer got an image makeover when he appeared in 2006 on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and won viewers’ affection with his self-deprecating humor. The stint on “America’s Got Talent” followed in summer 2007.
Springer called his job on the high-rated show produced by FremantleMedia “an amazing ride.” His replacement for the upcoming fourth season wasn’t announced Thursday.
Dancing With The Stars: Three Contestants From Season 8 Leaked
Tom Bergeron may not be the only one doing the name dropping! Dancing With The Stars host is supposed to announce the season 8 cast this Sunday during Prime-time on ABC, but it appears that the cast of the show are being leaked in the same manner without all of the drama or the wait!
Yesterday, the names of three cast members of Dancing With The Stars were leaked to the public. On the list was one familiar name, Steve-O aka Stephen Glover the Jackass stuntman, but the other two names have not even been whispered to the public until now.
