Hopefuls camp out overnight for American Idol auditions in Knoxville – Excitement for American Idol audition in Knoxville has been building since the early hours of Thursday as hopefuls lined up for the chance to get noticed by America’s biggest singing competition. The search for the next superstar is on as the American Idol Bus Tour hits East Tennessee Thursday at the Knoxville Convention Center. Fans began lining up for auditions just after midnight Thursday, including 18-year-old Kalley South from Blountville. She arrived at 6 p.m. Wednesday to make sure she would have a spot before returning at 3 a.m. Thursday to get in line. – Read more at WJHL.com
Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About Her New Talk Show: ‘I Feel Like I Can Handle Anything’ – She now thinks of early days on Idol as “the ultimate boot camp.” With the network still figuring out the show’s concept during season one, the contenders were frequently whisked from one location to another, asked to perform songs they didn’t know minutes before taking the stage, and worked through exhaustion. “I feel like I can handle anything now!” Clarkson, 37, says confidently, which will definitely come in handy for her own show, as she will be filming The Voice and The Kelly Clarkson Show simultaneously, rushing from one NBC set to another on a golf cart. “It’s going to get a little tricky, but I think we figured it out,” she says with her signature perk and optimism. – Read more at Parade
Volunteers pack relief bags to help Bay District students -PANAMA CITY – The backpacks going out to Bay District students after Hurricane Michael aren’t just filled with school supplies and snacks—in the words of Mercy Chefs Founder and President Greg LeBlanc, “It’s filled with love.” Volunteers were busy Thursday and Friday filling the backpacks at Oscar Patterson Elementary School and unloading boxes of supplies. Nearly a year out from Hurricane Michael impacting the area, students are still dealing with the damaged campuses and mental health concerns. Mercy Chefs provided the space. Country musician Lauren Alaina, in town to perform at Gulf Coast Jam, dropped by Friday to thank and encourage everyone. “I’m proud of every person in this room. Shout-out to all of you,” Alaina said. “Let’s pack these backpacks!” – Read more at NewsHerald.com
American Idol Star Visits Diabetes Camp At Johns Hopkins University – At six-years-old, Crystal Bowersox was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the autoimmune disorder that researchers say affects more than 1.2 million Americans. Earlier this month, she visited “Camp Charm City,” at the Johns Hopkins University Athletic Center in Baltimore where, among other things, she participated in a “Camp Idol” talent show to showcase the various musical talents of the campers. – Read more at baltimore-times.com
The X Factor winners Rak-Su ‘dropped by record label RCA’ -The four-piece group were one of the most buzzworthy acts on the ITV talent contest in 2017, impressing viewers with their slick performances and original music. Since then, they have released another EP, ‘Rome’, and two more singles ‘Yours or Mine’ and ‘Rotate (Clockwise)’ – but none of them made a dent on the charts. Now, according to The Sun, chiefs have decided to part ways with Rak-Su, believing their “moment has passed”. “It’s a tough time to be in pop and the buzz for Rak-Su fizzled out fast,” a source said. – Read more at Telly Mix
