Thousands audition for ‘American Idol’ at the Meadowlands

Some walked away in tears. One woman collapsed and was carted away on a stretcher. And the lucky few got one step closer to Hollywood!

More than 15,000 American Idol wannabes auditioned for the hit show’s producers Tuesday at the Izod

Long lines, wristbands, waiting around and singing with strangers was the scene at the Meadowlands Sports Complex with tons of Idol wannabes trying their hand at wowing the judges.

Pocono Record

American Idol: A First Hand Account of the Jersey Auditions

Yesterday, MTV Newsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  expert Jim Cantiello announced his intention to audition for the showà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s eighth season. Now heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s blogging the big day, starting with his arrival at Jerseyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Izod Center.

8:50 a.m.: Welcome to my à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  audition blog. I just took my seat in the Izod Center. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been up since 3 a.m. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a dude teaching all bajillion of us auditioners how to sing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hit Me With Your Best Shotà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  in unison. He said it was the best ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s ever sounded in à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  audition history. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m so pumped, even though I think he was lying!!!

MTV

‘Idol’ winner David Cook announces album release date

But fans shouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t expect to see those songs that led him to the finish line on the new album.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve spent the last year of my life singing other peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s songs,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Cook said. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“At this stage ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not looking too promising (having his performances from the show on his album). I definitely want to progress past that and be an artist.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Cook, 25, is working with producer Rob Cavallo on his album. Cavallo has worked with artists such as Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Kid Rock, Goo Goo Dolls and Dave Matthews Band.

According to Billboard.com, Cook has, so far, collaborated with Collective Soulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Ed Roland, Our Lady Peaceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s, Raine Maida and others. His album will be released through 19 Recordings/RCA Records.

Patriot Ledger

Archuleta filming at Wynn’s Pond

Filmmakers were set up once again at picturesque Wynn’s Pond in Coweta County Tuesday shooting scenes for an upcoming release: the first music video from “American Idol” season seven runner-up David Archuleta.

On site all day for the shoot were Blackdog Films production crew members, the young video cast — some plucked from talent and modeling agencies in neighboring counties — excited mothers and, of course, Archuleta himself.

The group was also excited about a crew coming from “Entertainment Tonight” to tape a segment Tuesday for the entertainment news show.

Times-Herald.com

More Idol Headlines After the JUMP…

‘Idol’ fans flock to N.J. auditions

Do you have what it takes to be the next American Idol?

That is the question on tons of people’s minds this week at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. Yes, New Jersey, not New York like the network wants everyone to believe. When the show premieres in January and the auditions are shown, everyone will be screaming New York, not New Jersey. But they were at the Meadowlands.

Long lines, wristbands, waiting around and singing with strangers was the scene at the Meadowlands Sports Complex with tons of Idol wannabes trying their hand at wowing the judges.

Pocono Record

Thousands of ‘Idol’ Hopefuls Gather in New Jersey

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  About 10,000 people gathered in New Jersey on Tuesday in search of one dream … to be the next American Idol.

A sea of people lined up all the way around the Izod Center in East Rutherford à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  the last stop on the “Idol” audition train for his year. Many slept on the pavement overnight to secure a place near the front of the line. Other hardcore “Idol” wannabes had camped out since Sunday.

“Idol” host Ryan Seacrest showed up Tuesday to interact with the hopefuls. People who’d been waiting in line for hours brightened up when they saw the man known for the line, “THIS is ‘American Idol.’”

Fox News

A JERSEY MOB OF ‘IDOLS’

Forget about going to Hollywood – these “American Idol” rejects didn’t even make it past the New Jersey Turnpike.

“You think you have what it takes – and then you get here,” said Matthew Stoghill, 23, of Columbus, Ga., one of about 15,000 “Idol” wannabes who strode into the Izod Center at the Meadowlands Tuesday.

“They were nice about it, at least. They said, ‘You are not what we are looking for,’ but it was hard to hear,” he said. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told them I’m getting an MBA.”

NY Post

Leftovers from Monday’s Concert

Hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the Dirty Bird Falcons dance David Cook and Michael Johns attempted in Atlanta Monday night. (Earlier in the song, I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t tell if Carlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mike went out or she forgot the words. Can anyone tell?) They do the Mavid dance at the 2:00 point. Although Michael told me he didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think David got it quite right, it looked fairly coordinated to me.

There is normally a backstage meet and greet with all 10 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  contestants but Michael Johns had a special one just for him and 100 of his closest friends and fans. He even had free beer for everyone and encouraged them to hang out instead of just coming and going. He hugged old friends from his CJà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Landing days in Buckhead and even a gal from his Tifton college tennis days.

Access Atlanta

I remember her. As for the rest of ‘em…

American Idols Live is coming to Tampa Thursday, and for the life of me, I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t remember many specifics about last season (or the season before that, or the season before that, or…).

Okay, okay, I do remember Amanda Overmyer-Daly, but only because I was infatuated with the surly biker nurse with the Elsa Lanchester ‘do. But My Future Third Ex-Wife didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even make the top 10, and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s onstage this week, warbling their way into your guilty-pleasure zones (or at least your potent blog musings).

Tampa Bay

Daughtry, Everclear to play DNC week in Denver

Grammy-nominated band Daughtry – fronted by “American Idol” runner-up Chris Daughtry – will play an invitation-only, intimate show in Denver during the Democratic National Convention. As part of the Grammys Rock the Conventions series, Daughtry will play the Church nightclub on Aug. 26 with Everclear and Flobots in support, the recording academy announced recently.

Daughtry owns the No. 1 album of 2007, according to trade magazine Billboard. The band’s self-titled debut also was the fastest-selling debut rock album in SoundScan history. On Daughtry’s last swing through Denver, the band opened for Bon Jovi at the Pepsi Center in March.

Denver Post

BET staple ‘106 & Park’ turns a corner with 2,000th episode

BET’s influential fan-voted video countdown show, 106 & Park, celebrates its 2,000th episode tonight (6 ET/PT) with guests who include Jennifer Hudson, T.I., LL Cool J and Keyshia Cole.

Since its introduction in 2000, the hip-hop/R&B-oriented show has become a cultural touchstone for fans and a launching pad not only for music but also for movies. Terrence (Terrence Jenkins) and Rocsi (Raquel Roxanne Diaz), the upbeat hosts of the daily live show, routinely greet such stars as Jay-Z, Madonna, Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey before an enthusiastic audience.

USA Today

House Bunny Stars Hit NYC Premiere

Sure, it may not be the next à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dark Knightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  or anything, but the college sorority comedy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The House Bunnyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is still making quite a splash.

And last night CosmoGirl magazine hosted an exclusive party and screening event for the new film (slated to hit theaters this Friday, August 22nd) at the Hearst Tower in New York City.

Celebrity Gossip.net

Katharine McPhee Debuts Video for ‘I Know What Boys Like’

Katharine McPhee channels her inner sorority girl in her latest video, “I Know What Boys Like,” the first single from The House Bunny soundtrack.

McPhee, 24, puts a twist on the ’80s hit, sashaying in the video alongside sorority sister costars in the film, Emma Stone, Rumer Willis and Kat Dennings. The singer has long had acting ambitions before her Idol fame.

People.com

PHOTOS: Sanjaya’s Hair-Raising Commercial

Former American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar goes to a guru in India to find the meaning of life.

“A haircut,” the guru tells the singer in a funny new Life Comes at You Fast commercial, from Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.

The ad, which debuts Wednesday, follows one starring Kevin Federline and plays on Malarakar’s much-discussed affinity for multiple hairdos when he was competing on Idol.

“I sing a song and I have a different hairstyle,” Malakar, 18, tells PEOPLE of the ad. “It goes to the next day, and I have a different hairstyle, different clothes, and I sing a different song.”

People.com

In photos: ‘American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks at Six Flags Great America

08/16/2008 – Jordin Sparks – American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks at Six Flags Great America “Park Jam”

Monsters and Critics

Broadway Revival of Godspell Postponed

The Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak’s Godspell, which was scheduled to co-star “American Idol” finalist Diana DeGarmo and Tony nominee Gavin Creel, has been postponed.

Producer Adam Epstein said in an Aug. 19 statement, “I am devastated that, due to the loss of a major investor in the harsh reality of a slowing economy, there were no other options at this time than to postpone. I could not in good conscience move forward without full confidence that the capitalization was in place and that all of those employed by the production could be responsibly taken care of. . . Even in light of the situation, my passion for this vibrant production is unwavering and it is my goal to regroup as soon as possible.”

Playbill

Matinee ‘Idols’

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t just à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the search for a superstar,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a search for someone willing to sing, act and shill any way they can just to be famous. So while most of the showà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s contestants are best known for the tunes theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve sung, a growing number of them are finding (questionable) success in movies.

It could have easily begun and ended with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“From Justin to Kelly,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  but five years after that snafu, the crossovers are still going strong. This month alone, Katherine McPhee and Kevin Covais have big roles in major releases. Others havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t been as lucky, but that hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t stopped them from trying. To see how theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve all fared, check out the best and worst à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  forays into film

Metromix

Nashville Star Winner Melissa Lawson Returns From China

Hi everyone! I am HOME! After 3 months on Nashville Star and 2 AMAZING whirlwind weeks after winning, I am finally HOME! =) I get to spend a couple of weeks with my family, no cameras, no interviews, just us Lawsons hanging out and lovinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ on each other. I am really looking forward to this time to recharge my batteries and get ready for the Nashville Star tour kicking off Sept. 12 in St. Louis and to begin working on the album, which will be released around the first of the year. Now let me tell you about what you really want to know about à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ CHINA! WOW! I thought Nashville Star was great, but it canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even compare to the last 2 weeks of my life.

CMT

Need a hit? Better get dancing

NEW YORK (AP) — Turn on the TV: There’s Comfort, lunging backward like it’s the forward thing to do, and Gev twirling on his head, b-boy style. Kourtni pirouettes bare foot as smooth as a turntable.
Allen

Switch channels: Football star Jason Taylor and his partner square off against figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi and her partner in a fast-break cha cha.

And if you graze again, you might find Mario Lopez introducing the kinetic moves of MTV’s dance crew competition.

Take your pick — there’s no shortage of dance on TV. Inspired viewers maybe even try out a move or two on the living room floor, or sign up for classes, secretly hoping that they, too, could hack it as a professional.

CNN

Mookie Sent Packing on Canadian Idol

(andPOP) – Five become four on tonightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s results show of Canadian Idol.

Starting the show with tired and contrived banter with the judges, Ben gives a recap of last nightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s performances followed up with a Beatles medley from the top five. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Blackbird,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Eleanor Rigby,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Get Back,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Revolution,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Let It Beà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  are the featured tunes.

In the first unnecessary video montage of the night, Jully Black visits the Idol mansion and asks what theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve learned from being in the competition. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Just to be in this industry, you have to have such thick skin,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  says Theo. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Get some lotion, baby,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  replies Jully.

ANDPop

Canadian Idol Recap: A Hard Day’s Night

We begin the show with the judges’ question and answer with some ribbing between Ben and Zack (these two have been worse than Simon and Seacrest this season!). And then we get a recap of Monday’s show – which went on longer than normal.

After the commercial break, we come back to the Idol Medley (argh) of Beatles tunes.

National Post

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