‘American Idol’ Top 24 Semi-Finalists Party: Ace Young Performance
Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Ace Young joins the Top 24 along with other “American Idol” alums to perform the first single, “Scattered,” off of his new album.
‘Idol’ knows what kids want: Pop-Tarts and Ace Young
Chad is only 14, but that didn’t keep him from hitting up a hip Hollywood club last night for the “American Idol” Top 24 party. Chad scored a ticket to the bash because he’s a star camper at Idol Camp, a performing arts summer camp for 10- to 15-year-old crooners with a passion for all things “Idol.”
I caught up with Chad at the party and asked if he planned to audition for “Idol” when he turned 16. “If my musical career hasn’t taken off yet,” he replied.
According to Chad, last summer’s perks included Pop-Tarts at breakfast, appearances by former “Idol” contestants and even a visit from Macy Gray. So, was Chad impressed by Ms. Gray’s performance?
Sure. But “Ace Young was better,” he confided.
Ace Young, who appeared at Idol Camp last summer, will be back for more this year. When I caught up with Ace at the Top 24 party, he was already getting pumped for his visit. “Idol Camp rocks,” he exclaimed, “and I’m gonna rock Idol Camp!”
‘American Idol’: The top 24 live it up. Then it’s back to work.
I arrived at the American Idol Top 24 party around 7, and made a beeline for the restroom. The top 24 “Idol” contestants had already pranced down the red carpet, and were awaiting their grand unveiling inside. The gathering was sponsored vigorously by Garnier Fructis, and held at The Day After, a Hollywood club that, according to people far cooler than myself, is actually a pretty hip spot right now. And judging by the $20 parking fee, they must be right. But I digress. I pressed past some shampoo-themed decorations and into the ladies room, where I waited behind a pint-sized brunette who was fixing herself in the mirror; frantically pinching, tucking, lifting, fluffing.
Eventually, she turned and asked me for help, motioning toward the clear plastic bra straps that she was struggling to remove. As I helped her unhook, I caught her reflection in the mirror and realized I was fighting with the bra straps of none other than Amy Jean Davis. Top 24 Amy Jean Davis — she of the underwear photos that have already circulated the Internet.
More Idol Headlines After the Jump…
IDOL WORSHIP: And we love her, too
So American Idol contestant Carly Smithson loves SignOnSanDiego.com. That’s not a paid endorsement.
That’s just what she said to me on Thursday night when we met at The Day After, a club on Hollywood Boulevard so haute that it has an unlisted number and no name out on the street. (Apparently if you don’t know about it, you’re not their kind.)
But Thursday night was a special party for Carly and the other 23 Idol contestants who had made it past the Randy-Paula-Simon meat processor the night before.
Carly is the lone contestant actually from San Diego, but I don’t need to tell you that. When not singing, she bartends at The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant on Fifth Avenue and helps her husband at their tattoo shop just down the street.
The others who earned their Idol spots, based on San Diego auditions: Chikezie Eze, 22, Inglewood; Danny Norriega, 18, Azusa; David Archuleta, 17, Salt Lake City; David Hernandez, 24, Phoenix; Garrett Haley, 17, Elida, Ohio; and Michael Johns, 29, Los Angeles/Atlanta.
Meet American Idol’s Top 24
A kickboxer! A nanny! An ex-boyfriend of Britney’s! Get to know the singers vying for the top prize.
American Idol’s magic 24
Feb. 15: Keith Olbermann and Countdown’s “Idol” princess Maria Milito discuss American Idol being whittled down to 24 contestants. Plus, Sanjaya’s new hosting gig.
MSNBC
American Idol: Hollywood Week Results Show
All right, dolls. This is it. First I’d like to thank Flippy and T.Vo for sharing writing duties on this one, cause I am obsessed with American Idol, and have been since the day this show first aired.
The First of Many Hell Weeks
One hundred sixty-four people walk into the garbage compactor on the Death Star. Twenty-four walk out. The rest are turned into Soylent Green. I know I just mixed my movie references. Sue me.
Ex-MCA Records flop advances on “American Idol”
The integrity of “American Idol” as a contest for raw, undiscovered talent was called into question again after an Irish singer who once had a major-label deal, and solo album that flopped, advanced to the top rung of the competition this week.
Dublin native Carly Smithson, who formerly recorded for MCA Records under her maiden name, Carly Hennessy, was one of the 24 “Idol” contestants who made it on Wednesday to the semifinal rounds voted on each week by the show’s home TV audience.
Online critics immediately seized on her initial success, and her professional recording background, as further evidence that “the fix” might be in for the top-rated show on U.S. television.
Glendale singer cracks ‘American Idol’s” top 24
David Hernandez of Glendale could be the nation’s American Idol. He is also a former restaurant employee.
That’s not a non sequitur. Hernandez, 24, was canned from his job with the Oregano’s pizza chain last year because he had missed too much work. The reason for his absences? He was working on getting into American Idol, of course.
“I’d been gone too much,” he said on Thursday, the day after it was revealed that he is among this season’s 24 finalists.
AZCentral
She’s not an ‘Idol’ yet, but fans worship her
LaToya London. Tamyra Gray. Chris Daughtry.
Any loyal “American Idol” viewer recognizes these names. They belong to contestants voted off the show too early for their talent, great singers who put on stellar performances but did not get the telephone votes they needed to advance to the next round.
But that is not going to happen to Syesha Mercado, the Booker High graduate named Wednesday to the top 24 of “American Idol” this season, if her family, friends and mentors have their say.
Meet the 3 Hoosiers in ‘Idol’ lineup
We’ve heard the American Idol finalists sing. Now we get to learn about their experiences in their own words.
Keeping quiet for this long has been a difficult task for all of the contestants, including the three from Indiana: Crawfordsville native Luke Menard, Purdue graduate Amy Davis, and Mulberry’s Amanda Overmyer. Thanks to this trio, Indiana is the second most represented state in the competition (California has five). They are also the first Hoosiers to make it this far in the hit reality show on Fox, which debuted in 2002.
Eliminated ‘Idol’ Josiah’s Next Step
Ah, the manipulative power of television. I’ve just gotten off the phone with Josiah Leming who, thanks to the producers of “American Idol,” is now enjoying his 15 minutes of fame in a big way. I’m not sure why 18-year-old Josiah was the chosen one this season to become the person they gave so much airtime too (and then send packing!) but believe me he is not complaining. OK, well he sort of isn’t complaining,
Wellington’s ‘Idol’ wannabe cries foul
American Idol judge Simon Cowell pegged her “the most annoying” ever. Online message boards savaged her, calling her a brat, a Paris Hilton, someone who should be slapped.
And the A.I. footage she’ll be remembered by shows her begging — “Paula, please, Paula!” — for another chance after messing up a note, then crying.
Now, West Palm native Brooke Helvie and her family are crying foul over the elimination of the 19-year-old beauty queen. She was thisclose to making the final field of 24.
“I was wrongly portrayed,” the picture-perfect Helvie says. “They made me look unintelligent. I didn’t even know I talk that way.”
Her dad, country music drummer Jeff Helvie, was much more blunt.
“They (producers) wanted to make a fool out of her,” he says, “and they succeeded. She’s not a nerd. She doesn’t have fake boobs, and she’s not anorexic, as those people on message boards all claim.
“My daughter’s a fun-loving girl. Just a nice person.
Asked if he would have been ready for his little girl to enter a world rife with scandals — including Abdul’s rumored affair with a younger, hunky contestant and the release of a porn tape starring A.I. almost-winner Jessica Sierra — the elder Helvie says: “She wouldn’t be like that. She’d make the show proud. She’s a nice Christian girl who’s still a virgin at 19. She’s gone on a couple of dates with (proudly Christian UF star QB) Tim Tebow, but that’s about it.”
Fil-Am among‘American Idol’s’ top 24 finalists
It looks like Filipino-Americans are indeed a force to reckon with in the “American Idol” arena.
Ramiele Malubay, a Fil-Am from Miramar, Florida, recently made it to the top 24 of American Idol Season 7. Malubay wowed the crowd and the judges with a powerful voice that seemed not possible from a four-foot-eleven immigrant.
The 20-year-old sushi waitress sang Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” for her audition in Miami.
With the conquest, Malubay now holds the distinction of being the seventh Filipino-American to land on the top-24 list of the globally popular search for the next big singing star. The six other Filipino-Americans who earlier made it to the roster were Jordan Segundo in Season 2, Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco in Season 3, Melinda Lira in Season 4, Jose “Sway” Penala in Season 5 and A.J. Tabaldo in Season 6.
Gone Country’s Diana DeGarmo Moves to Nashville
Diana DeGarmo, an American Idol runner-up in 2004, has moved to Nashville. After wrapping the new CMT series, Gone Country, she ultimately accepted what people have been telling her for years — that she should pursue a career in country music. Just last month, she put down some temporary digs on 13 acres on the outskirts of town.
“I figured if I want to do it, I’ve got to be here,” she says. “So I’m here. I’ve been living the country life. I had wild turkeys in my carport a couple of days ago, and I about had a heart attack. I have deer in my yard all the time. I had some country history, so I’ve had a lot of old friends come out of the woodwork and say, ‘Finally! You finally came back from the dark side!’ It’s been fun. I’ve had lots of really huge writers and producers [contact me], so it’s all falling into place.”
“Another ‘Idol’ Alum Lands In Music City”
Another “American Idol” contestant has landed in Nashville.
Scott Savol, who appeared on season four of the show, is in now Music City, trying to make it as an urban artist.
Savol followed fellow contestant Jessica Sierra to Nashville after she signed with a management company.
Now attempting to launch an R&B career, Savol said he and his wife are hooked on the country music capital.
“Even walking down the street and people you don’t know waving to you or honking, saying ‘Hi.’ I mean, if somebody honks, you know, you have to duck,” he told News 2.
Savol hopes to have a single…
Brentwood teens present anti-bullying play
“Carefully Taught” is one of a number of creative anti-bullying initiatives, many launched in conjunction with local school districts. This month, students at East Broadway Elementary School in Levittown participated in an anti-bullying program with “American Idol” star Kevin Covais and other celebrities, and Glen Cove middle school students are writing poems and monologues as part of a “Sticks and Stones” workshop with the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville.
Reba & Kelly sell out Valentine’s Day show
TUPELO - It was a sold-out show for country music veteran Reba McEntire and first “American Idol” champ Kelly Clarkson at the BancorpSouth Arena Thursday night.
A total 8,500 showed up for the night’s concert, said Kevan Kirkpatrick, the arena’s marketing director. He said fans got lucky with more tickets being released on Thursday.
Clarkson and McEntire are on their “2 Worlds 2 Voices” tour. The two first collaborated on CMT’s “Crossroads” program, which usually pairs a country singer with a rock ‘n’ roll singer.
DJournal
Urban shines on guitar; Underwood polished & precise
Whoever put together Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban for a tour certainly knew what they were doing from a marketing standpoint.
The mix worked well, and — especially on Valentine’s Day — the show had something for everyone.
You’ve got the young mothers and ‘tween girls covered with the American Idol and three-time Grammy winner Underwood, and Mr. Nicole Kidman brought his guitar talents and gentle machismo for the guys, as well as his slightly more sophisticated songs for the grown-ups.
OK, well, his hunkiness works well for the ladies, too. A stray shot of his posterior on the big screen got one of the night’s wildest cheers. He had to turn around to see what the fuss was about.
Carrie Underwood Has Film in Sight
Carrie Underwood used “American Idol” to vault from obscurity to musical superstardom; now it appears she might use music to nudge her way onto the silver screen.
US magazine reports she hinted recently that her next project might well be a film, and there’s clearly some interest in her on Hollywood’s part. “I’m not going to say what I turned down,” Carrie noted. “We have had some offers for different things, but nothing has really felt right.”
At the moment, she’d be happiest if she could tackle something with a light, comedic air. “I know I am not going to be the lead role in some drama,” she said, “but if a small fun part comes open, then yes.”
Urban-Underwood double bill delights Boardwalk Hall crowd
Even though there was a fair share of ballads, Urban never let the show slow down too much. Songs like “Somebody Like You” and “I Told You So” kept the pace humming.
Opener Carrie Underwood didn’t pack the wallop that Urban did, but her 70-minute, 15-song set was nonetheless solid country pop. Underwood should be sitting in the back of every Urban performance to learn a thing or two from a master of the stage, because the “American Idol” is certainly not the most dynamic performer to hit Boardwalk Hall. But she certainly can hold her own.
Mandisa turns losing into winning proposition
Faith, fat and fame are subjects Mandisa weaves into her music. The fame she gained through her “American Idol” experience in 2006 has brought her joy and sadness. The emotions are reflected in the songs she writes and sings.
“I’ve had days that felt like a thousand years, and years that just fly by” are lyrics in “Only You,” a song on Mandisa’s debut compact disc, “True Beauty.”
Mandisa will share her powerful voice, strong Christian faith and message of encouragement Feb. 28 during Winter Jam 2008 at the Ford Center. The tour’s lineup showcases musical styles ranging from worship to rock and pop, featuring the Newsboys, MercyMe, Barlow Girl, Skillet and Mandisa.
Related Posts
Ok, we’ve got some publicity out there re Carly…but also there is Kristy Lee Cook inaccurate story and Michael Johns. And AI should at least mention the David A star search kid win.
If Carrie U. can’t put much emotion in her music, how the heck does anyone expect her to emote in any part for a movie? I don’t see it happening.
Oh Jbrad: bad, bad, but true true. All singers want to try acting, but Kellie Pickler has the personality to make it work.
According to the Wall Street Journal Andrew Lloyd Webber is going to be one of the guest coaches this year:
“I’ve found so many talented people this way, people that would never come through the route I normally see,” Mr. Lloyd Webber says of the TV casting route. He says he will appear on “American Idol” as a guest “mentor” in April. (Fox, the network that airs “American Idol,” declined to comment on the appearance, saying that the show’s guest-star lineup was not yet confirmed.)
Yesterday, Nigel said that there will be only 4 guest coaches this year. I wonder who the other three will be.
I also wonder what the theme for ALW week will be. The songs he writes tend to be range-y at the best of times (he had to re-write the parts of Evita so that Madonna had a chance). I hope that it’s just not his songs. He’s written some very pretty songs (and usually has great lyricists), but they won’t suit a lot of the contestants they have this year.
I didn’t watch much of Season 4, but I did watch the week where the theme was Musicals (and I think it was old musicals because nobody sang anything from the more modern musicals which might have some rock basis). That was a train wreck of epic proportions. Bo didn’t even really try. I seem to recall he said that he randomly picked a song from the approved list. I think that Simon even trashed Carrie that week (something about a Stepford wife)
Let’s hope that this time, TPTB are willing to shell out the money required to get some more up-to-date songs. I love musicals, but not everybody has a voice for Broadway (LOL always a tough week for Simon).
American Idol just lovs knocking them down as well as building them up . Correction –AI Ace co-wote one song with other poeple some of whom are not alums of the show. Wait till his cd is out before starting to butt kiss because it is the first I heard a nominee instead of grammy winner next to a name.
(this is not the emmys or oscers )
AI cockneyness towards D was right in sales but in the grammies snubbed was priceless.
Fantasia nailed broadway week and boy can she emote emmotion…Simon does dislike boradway week.
I didn’t see this posted yet. It’s a 9 minute video from the Top 24 party.
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1419799918
deleted
Has this been posted?
Chris Sligh is upset Josiah Didn’t Make the Top 24:
http://frommymindtoyoureyes.blogspot.com/2008/02/josiah-leming.html
And Chris offered to produce him for free.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31810036&postID=6808273552536013108
When is Ace’s single droppping?
It’s supposed to drop this month, he’s going to start the big push in March, going to radio stations to promote it. And the CD is supposed to come in May.
Hey guys, David Hernandez lost his job (in a “pizza chain”) because he was skipping out to audition for American Idol, and he lives in his car (really, sold all his belongings to hit the road) AND he’s all kinds of hot. When you’re not voting Luke, throw a vote Davids way. I would laugh my face off if Jason Castro, Jason Yeager, Luke Menard and Garrett Haley made the top 6 boys.
Hmm…I had never heard of Jordan Segundo before now and I think I just very vaguely remember Melinda Lira (and this only after I checked out a couple of her youtube clips) from Season 4 but never realized she’s Fil-Am.
Speaking of potential cannon fodders, Melinda apparently was one. It was interesting to see her reaction after she was “voted out…” she actually “lamented” that her lack of previous exposure on the show before the Top 24 stage was what did her in (or out ;p), which Paula “sorta” acknowledged. It probably didn’t put her in a good light (particularly considering her performance the night before wasn’t exactly fantastic) - but there might have been something to her complaint. So good luck, Jason Castro, Jason Yeager, Luke Menard and Garrett Haley. Wow us (well, those who could vote, at least, heh) with your performances and beat the odds!
Has this Top 24 video (from the AI official page) link been posted?
The Competition Begins
(Music: What About Now by Daughtry)
Very nice. Certainly a very good-looking Top 24 group.
(Luke at 0:28 -
) Heh. ;)
It’s good to see Ace pimping himself out again.
Can’t wait for the album!
Nice of Sligh to offer to help Josiah. :-)
Oh, and thanks for the vid, Purps. It’s almost as if they’ve already had their makeovers!
Purple, thanks for giving the link for the top 24 commercial. I am really hoping they give someone else a chance at the exit song this year. I think the Ferras song (hey, I need to put my blue jeans on) was only for the selection of the 24.
Cant WAIT for Ace’s single!
why does this CD seem likely to become the Constantine CD? Remember Constantine’s CD — nah, nobody remembers it.
Just a reminder for all of our die hard fans of AI, that you need to get DialIdol.com set up for your power voting for Tuesday evening.
Hmm…
Carly Smithson toured in Les Miserables when she was a child. Does that give the Chosen One an advantage?
I didn’t see this posted:
http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123086561
Liberty serenaded by Idol for Valentines
2/15/2008 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England — Love was definitely in the air Thursday, but the mood could be attributed to more than just the Valentine’s Day chocolates, the “Hearts of Fire” meal hosted by the 48th Services Squadron, and Cupid’s arrows. American Idol season five star, Elliott Yamin, performed here, kicking off his United Services Organization, Armed Forces Entertainment European Tour.
In the Elliott article, this part was so touching to me. I bet it got to Elliott too.
looks like bo’s going to be a daddy again, according to his new blog on his website. i’m not a member…but i read it on some fan sites :p
Ace Young, Grammy nominated songwriter, for writing two lines in the chorus of “It’s Not Over” LOL!
Can anyone point me to the link of David A. sing for Kelly C.? I can’t seem to remember where I found it, and I was wanting to show it to my daughter.
So cool that E is doing a USA tour. I know Kellie did one, too. That has to be so much more meaningful to the troops than fans sending CDs.
Well, the chorus is arguably the most important part of the song in terms of producing a hit. Hey, Ace was nominated. Why not use it? Besides, it’s not like it’s his ONLY writing credit.
Oh, and I don’t really care how well Ace’s Cd sells, as long as it’s more than Constantine.
I wonder who Ace Young had to blow to get referred to as a “grammy nominated singer songwriter”. OK so you provided some falsetto suggestions to Chris Daughtry one night while drunk and naked in bed together on tour. Does not mean you wrote the damn song.
Kirsten inspired me to find this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoHu-mBnz3A
LOL!
ETA: Here he is looking like a cross between Jesus and a serial killer, but sounding amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmeS3v_w4Kk
Rant: American Idol Has Society By The Balls
…Face it, people, you’re being played. Played by industries, agents, producers, writers, and even Ryan Seacrest himself. It is disdainful and pathetic and partially our own fault. American Idol has become just another travesty blanketing the gap between the real marvels and the clowns, the real superheroes and the lackeys. Next to Thom Yorke, Clay Aiken can just juggle. Next to Joanna Newsom, Kelly Clarkson can just whine. If it’s all about image, than the image of the American society has gone to shit, and I expect less and less from established music sources all the time.
Blend Music