Idol Headlines for 2/09/09
Plant/Krauss, Lil Wayne Win Big At 51st Grammys
Whitney Houston made a surprise appearance to present Jennifer Hudson with the trophy for best R&B album for her self-titled Arista debut. Hudson, whose mother, brother and nephew were murdered in Chicago last fall, was overwhelmed by emotion as she accepted the Grammy. “I would like to thank my family in heaven and those who are here today,” she said. The artist later performed “You Pulled Me Through” with the help of a choir.
Jennifer Hudson to Kick Off Tour in April
After a week of rousing performances, including her knockout appearance at Sunday’s Grammys, Jennifer Hudson is ready to take her show on the road.
The Grammy winner, 27, will kick off her first solo tour on April 2 in Philadelphia alongside R&B singer Robin Thicke.
The duo will co-headline a five-week U.S. tour that will wrap up ends in Houston on May 8.
“I am so grateful à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ my first Grammy and my first tour. It doesn’t get better than that,” Hudson told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
RIHANNA HIT BY CHRIS: REPORT
LOS ANGELES – Singer Chris Brown was arrested yesterday after allegedly roughing up a woman – and his longtime girlfriend, Rihanna, a no-show at last night’s Grammy Awards, was reportedly the victim.
Brown, a 19-year-old R&B star who had been scheduled to perform his love song “Forever” at the show, allegedly attacked 2007 Grammy-winner Rihanna, 20, after an argument in his car, according to E! News
Jennifer Hudson Thanks “Family in Heaven” After Grammy Win
Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to her slain family members while accepting the Grammy for best R&B album at Sunday’s show.
“I am just in awe right now,” she said after Whitney Houston handed her the Grammy. “God has brought me through [so much].”
Added Hudson (whose mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were shot to death last October): “I would like to thank my family in heaven and those who are here today … everybody, thank you all.”
Jordin Sparks Gets Her Hair Done Before The Grammy Awards
Jordin Sparks checked in with fans hours before heading to the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday (February 8). The ‘American Idol’ season six winner was joined by her family and stylist as her hair was being done. “Very excited,” Sparks said. “Keep your fingers crossed for me.” Watch the video below.
Backstage Report: Tearsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ and an Awfully Loud Silence
Carrie Underwood was scared. Jennifer Hudson was riveting. Chris Brown and Rihanna were MIA and almost as loud in their joint absence as Coldplay was on percussion.
The night’s backstage doingsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ and sayingsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ at an emotional and powerful 51st Annual Grammy Awards:
Backstage at the 51st Grammys
Carrie Underwood, who plans to soon start on a new album, talked about the increase in country acts on the telecast. “Two years ago we were doing tributes to Bob Wills and the Eagles. This year ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just flooded with country artists. Its huge testament to country music. I would never take a break from country music.”
Grammys 2009: Check The Winnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ List, Watch Videos
Lots of oddball mash-ups and fun performances at this yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Grammys show. Never thought weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d see Stevie Wonder rocking it with the Jonas Brothers. Ditto for Jay-Z and Coldplay. And Radiohead was channeling Fleetwood Mac with that parade band. Speaking of parades, that Lil Wayne/Allen Toussaint brass band romp was a blast. Say New Orleans! Weigh in on the eveningà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s choices in the comments section.
Hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a list of all the winners. Click on their names to see videos by each of them.
Carrie Underwood On Jennifer Hudsonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Performance: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹I Think It Was Very Healingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
Carrie Underwood commended her fellow à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ alumni, Jennifer Hudson, for the performance the grieving singer put on at the Grammys on Sunday night.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I think it was very healing,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Carrie told reporters backstage at the big show after she picked up her own Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s handled herself so wonderfully with all the media attention on her family and her personal stuff that sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s dealing with, but I think sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s handled herself with grace.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Sparks wears dress by Scottsdale designer
Jordin Sparks wore a black-and-gray rose-print dress by Scottsdale fashion designer Debra Davenport to the Grammy awards.
The full-length strapless gown with a short train was custom-made for Sparks, a Glendale native and American Idol winner. Sparks is a first-time Grammy nominee, up for best pop collaboration with vocals for à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“No Airà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ with Chris Brown.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wonderful that a local girl would choose another local girl,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ said Davenport, who showed a collection last fall at fashion week in Los Angeles.
The dress has one of Davenportà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s signature design elements that looked a bit puzzling on camera: A swirl-shaped piece of fabric that can be worn flat against the chest as Sparks did, or coiled into a rosette.
SIGHTINGS
Ryan Seacrest, putting Grammy winner Ne-Yo on the spot during a red carpet interview Sunday night in Los Angeles. Seacrest asked Ne-Yo and his date whether they were “an item.” Ne-Yo, who had been the epitome of poise and cool up to that point in pre-Grammy interviews, suddenly seemed flustered. “Something like that,” he said. … “American Idol” and “Gone Country” contestant Mikalah Gordon on Saturday celebrated her 21st birthday at Tabà º, in the MGM Grand. Gordon sang “Killing Me Softly,” a hit for Roberta Flack in the early 1970s and for The Fugees in the mid-1990s, followed by Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name.” The celebration included the presentation of a chocolate cake by the staff.
Simon and Paula not idle?
Are Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul dating?
My God, that would be like Darth Vader and Princess Leia hooking up.
During E!’s red-carpet coverage at the Grammy Awards last night (the actual ceremony aired on Global and CBS), seemingly lubricated interviewer Ryan Seacrest confronted the always seemingly lubricated Abdul about Cowell’s alleged advances. Seacrest, Abdul and Cowell, of course, appear together on American Idol (CTV, Fox).
The exchange went like this:
Idol Chartwatch, February 9: Kelly Clarkson Tops the Charts Again
Last week, Kelly Clarksonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s new single made Billboard history for having the biggest one-week jump in the history of the charts. This week, the single remains at the top of several charts. Find out all the details about Kelly and your other favorites from American Idol right here.
American Idol 8: Paula Abdul Predictions
While American Idol judge Paula Abdul was walking the walk on the red carpet at the Grammys last night, she was also talking the talk on the juicy tidbits for Season 8.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going to be a colorful season. Lots of fun,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Abdul told the LA Times. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I think a guy is going to winà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ there are more guys than girls.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Paula went on to say, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“there are a handful of great girls, but the guys are really great.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
So what if ‘Idol’ picks semi-pros?
But Pacitti is only one of many wannabe “Idols” this year who’ve already felt the heat of the spotlight. There’s an Osmond, a Miss New York USA, a “Sopranos” actress, an actor from “Wicked,” Jonny Lang’s sister, and more.
It’s hard to blame the producers. If they’re really supposedly looking for someone to sign to a record contract, it helps to have some singers who’ve proven they have the discipline to sing in a musical or work on a record, even if they don’t manage to make it big.
Jordin Sparks & The Rhythm Riders Mix It Up For Charity Concert Phoenix Az Feb 20th
Phoenix, AZ – The surviving friends and family of Phoenix resident Toni Davenport who recently passed away from cancer wished to do something in her memory to help others as she had done in life. The idea of having a concert in the Phoenix area to raise money for a great cause in her name was developed. The Shrinerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Childrenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Hospitals was selected as the beneficiary of this show.
The Rhythm Riders from Auburn California, a world class Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline Tribute band and friends of the Davenport group were invited to head up the show. The Rhythm Riders manager Anthony Kessman contacted Jordin Sparksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s management and invited her to participate and she agreed to perform a full set with her band. From there a variety show format and friends list was developed and the show is now growing in scope and size.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ finalist in concert at Centre
A 2007 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ finalist is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Chris tian Family Centre auditorium.
Chris Sligh, 30, said he is looking forward to his first trip to Adrian to bring his mix of rock and roll, alternative and Christian music to the Centre stage, 1800 W. U.S. 223.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“We put on a show thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s entertaining, and our focus is to put on a rock and roll show that includes moments of worship, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Sligh said in a telephone interview from Nashville, Tenn.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“My goal is to have fun and have people enjoy themselves,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ he added.
“Dancing With the Stars” Announces New Cast
The coveted mirrorball trophy is up for grabs once again as 13 superstars prepare to team up with professional dancers and face off on television’s hit ballroom competition, “Dancing With the Stars.” Past seasons have given actors, a racecar driver and two disabled contestants an opportunity to samba, fox trot and tango their way to victory.
Season eight, which begins March 9, brings seven men and six women the chance to hoist the super-silvery prize above their heads. And for the first time three real-life couples will face-off on the dance floor.
But first: Julianne Hough is back. I know I’m not the only one whose bedazzled heart lost a little luster when Julianne said she was going to take this season off to focus on her music. But by the sparkly magic that is reality TV, this appendix-less pro will, in fact, return for Season 8. Not only that, she’ll be partnering with none other than her real-life boyfriend, country singer Chuck Wicks. Could there be any more happiness in this world?
And back on the pro side, a “So You Think You Can Dance” crossover alert: Dewy “SYTYCD” contender and fan favorite Chelsie Hightower (check out her fantastic “Bleeding Love” routine) will no doubt bring a much-needed gust of youthful energy as she joins fellow alum Lacey Schwimmer on the show.
ETA:
‘Idolatry’: All in favor of more singing, say ‘aye!’
Week one of American Idol’s season 8 Hollywood rounds was decidedly disappointing. Promising singers were booted with little or no explanation. Gimmicky fame-seekers received inordinate amounts of screen time. The show’s producers got off to an early start in choosing medal contenders in their all important Contestant Pimping Olympics. And, worst of all, there wasn’t much in the way of singing going on. But fret not: This week’s episode of Idolatry not only packs in the choicest Hell Week audition clips, but also features cameo appearances from Tarzan and Porky Pig, plus our own Idol-centric tribute to Beyoncà ©’s “Single Ladies” shuffle. If ya like it…then you should press play below, then share your own take on Hollywood Week in the comments section below.
Fantasia: Pal Jennifer Hudson “Sounds Good, Looks Good”
“She’s my baby,” Fantasia tells Usmagazine.com of Hudson. “She sounds good, she looks good, and it’s just a blessing, you know, after everything she’s been through.”
Fantasia adds: “She’s still a strong woman, and she hasn’t fulfilled her destiny yet. And she has a long way to go.”
And although she had her fair share of squabbles with Cowell before winning the 2004 Idol competition, she enjoys going back to the show for visits.
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66 Responses to “Idol Headlines for 2/09/09”
Cool blog post about David A. http://blogs.augusta.com/node/2167
Not in my world either. There is no excuse for violence, especially against women or children, or anyone smaller or weaker.
Sorry I got it wrong about Chris Brown being a rapper. I don’t follow Jordin Sparks or top 40 music much. Very true, mj, that domestic violence cuts across economic, racial and cultural lines. I shouldn’t have lumped it together with other violence.
Re: Clive’s party, it’s very likely the Davids weren’t invited, but it’s also possible that they had other commitments. I’m sorry they didn’t get to go, whatever the reason.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The whole thing with Chris Brown is really sad. He obviously needs some serious help!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not get dramatic. How do we know HE needs serious help? maybe SHE needs serious help.
Well, since you directly quoted me and then followed up with the “Let’s not get dramatic” comment, I feel compelled to respond. I firmly believe that he does need serious help if he committed an act of violence against someone. Allegedly the woman has a broken nose. I dont know people who go around hitting people so I think when people do, they need to get some help. That is not a normal way of responding. I dont’ care what she did or didn’t do, what he did was not justified. So I dont think I was being dramatic at all – jsut stating my opinion.
There’s never EVER EVER an excuse for domestic violence. I don’t give a flying FUCK what she did. If he hit her, he was WRONG.
http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/09/rihanna-bloody-and-bruised/
There is NO reason or excuse to do that to a woman. NONE. If the above is true he did a hell of a lot more than just HIT her.
He’s an idiot if the allegations are true. So yes, he does need help. Not just help, but significant jail time.
It’s sad that someone would throw their life away when they seemingly had everything going for them. The situation is sad on so many levels.
Honestly, could she have tripped and fallen to get these injuries? Maybe I’m completely naive, but I still believe in the whole innocent until proven guilty thing. Have any witnesses come forth? I realize everyone is saying IF, but I’d like to know more. Maybe I never will, but…
Having said that, anyone who hurts someone who is weaker than them deserves jail/prison time and needs major/major help.
Let me just preface this by saying that I believe Rihanna’s claim that Chris Brown hit her…BUT I’ve read about some women who set up men by having someone else hit them.
Which is probably not the case since if I were a devious bitch who looked like Rihanna, I probably would have planned on not breaking my nose.
I agree that there’s no excuse for violence, and no tolerance for it. If true, jail time is warranted and also getting help. Women in that situation might need help too.
It is sad that a young person with so much going for him can’t control his inner demons, if allegations are true. Sad that the cycle of violence repeats itself. Hopefully he will get help with that. Anyone who acts out violently definitely needs help.
What happened to Jennifer Hudson’s family is a case of domestic violence taken to its worst extreme. Women and children are killed frequently due to domestic violence. It begins with hitting and usually gets worse.
It kills me to hear people blame the victim. That’s really disappointing but sadly it’s common.
Honestly, could she have tripped and fallen to get these injuries?
Not if the injuries are as described. Also charges were brought against him. There would be no charges filed if she tripped and fell.
Why are people looking for excuses to make for him? Is it because they like him and don’t want it to be true? Of course he hasn’t been tried and convicted, but it’s clear that violence occurred here.
Both DCTR and DATA are due to drop in Brazil in March according to Portal POPLine. The website is in Portuguese, but this is the translation:
The two American Idol finalistsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ albums in stores in March
David Cook and David Archuleta (pictured), will be released in Brazil. Their albums will be in stores in March. The winner and the runner-up of the 2008 season of American Idol, despite having the same name, have styles that are very different.
David Cook (right)
With a rock rhythm, his first single is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Light On.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ The video debuts tomorrow (02/10) at 9 AM (Brazilian time) on MTV Brazil. Soon, it will be on other TV channels.
David Archuleta (left)
Is a true pop star. “Crush,” his first hit, debuts on Wednesday (02/11), also on MTV Brazil, at 9 AM. Other TV channels will have the video on their programs by the end of the month.
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The albums will be in stores in March. Because of the carnival, I believe it will be in the second half of the month,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ said a Sony Music representative exclusively to POPLine. The record company plans to premiere them on pop radio.
Besides the Davids, another American Idol artist will be released. Jennifer Hudson will have her album debut here as well.
It has been sad to read articles online at various websites today and see the amount of excuse making on Chris Brown’s behalf. I think some of his fans are so desperate to hang onto their perception of him that they aren’t letting themselves see reality. Seeing a hero fall of a pedestal is never easy but that’s probably a good reason not to put any celebrity on one in the first place. We don’t KNOW any of these people. It doesn’t matter how nice they are on tv. It doesn’t matter how many autographs they sign and how many pictures they take. It doesn’t matter how religious they claim to be. Much of it is an illusion and we need to be careful not to buy into it too much.
As has been said ad nauseum in this thread, it doesn’t matter what Rihanna did or didn’t do. Even if she was the clingiest girlfriend in the world or the world’s biggest bitch, she didn’t deserve to be beaten. Chris Brown probably needs some therapy and definitely needs some anger management skills. Otherwise it WILL happen again, either to Rihanna or another girl.
Now that is something we can agree on. We have to be careful that we don’t expect these people to be perfect, because they are human.
Hitting someone though is a major is a pretty major mistake that you wouldn’t expect from a decent, reasonable person.
I can only answer for myself. I had personally never heard of Chris Brown before “No Air” and it wasn’t until I saw the name over and over that I realized he was even well known. (Never pursued him further.) I’m not even a Jordin fan in the sense that I own her music. I just believe in the whole innocent until proven guilty system in our country. (However, I’ll be the first to admit that this system doesn’t always work especially when the famous are involved.)
I also don’t know a THING about Rihanna, but I do know of a particular situation (perhaps the only abuse situation I know almost first hand) where the woman was the true abuser. So I’m only saying anything can be possible.
OMG! My heart so goes out to all of the women who are abused and don’t feel as if they can do anything about it! I cannot imagine being in this situation and I would be the first to fight for this person if I was aware of something like this.
The whole innocent until proven guilty thing is reserved for the court of law. Chris Brown will get his chance through the due process of law.
People are reacting to the news, which seems damning. The latest is that the person who called 911 was not Rhianna, which means there could be witnesses.
As far as I can tell, Chris Brown is healthy and not hurt in any way. So I’m not sure how the woman, in this case Rhianna, could be the *true* abuser. If she said or did something he didn’t like, that’s no excuse.
pj, point taken. My final word, may justice be served.
Some pictures online of Chris Brown in his lawyer’s car with his face covered showed bruises on his knuckles. If he hit her with his fist with enough force to cause those bruises on his hand, the punches must have hurt her very much.
They are so young. I wish them both well. I hope that she’ll be strong enough to get out of the relationship.