American Idol’s Sanchez sings at Eastlake High – Holding signs that read “Jessanity,” “Fanchez” and “Pinoy Pride,” thousands of fans welcomed top-three “American Idol” contestant Jessica Sanchez to Eastlake High School in Chula Vista on Saturday. Following a short procession along Eastlake Parkway, Sanchez, 16, made her way into the school’s stadium at exactly 11 a.m. “This is so amazing and I’m so happy to represent Chula Vista and San Diego, I love you guys so much,” she said after taking the stage. – Read more at UT San Diego
Celebrating an American Idol – It seems you can still hear the echoes of people chanting ‘Phillip Phillips’ in Southwest Georgia. Maybe it’s because you have to say his name twice or maybe it was because thousands turned out to welcome Leesburg’s very own American Idol finalist back for his Hometown Celebration. Phillip Phillips touched town on Georgia clay Friday night to a crowd of cheering fans. As one of the three finalists remaining on American Idol, he’s become a nationwide name but nothing could have prepared him for the love his hometown has for the former pawn shop worker. “It’s insane. I don’t really have any thoughts right now,” said Phillip Phillips, American Idol finalist. “It’s so overwhelming and amazing and I can’t even explain it.” – Read more at FOX31
Westlake’s Joshua Ledet receives hero’s welcome back to SW Louisiana – Westlake, La. — American Idol host Ryan Seacrest called him the pride of Westlake, Louisiana. However, from the moment his plane landed in Lake Charles on Friday, his supporters have shown Joshua Ledet, who is among American Idol’s Top 3, that the feeling of pride for the 20-year-old extends beyond Westlake’s borders. “It is the most amazing thing. You never know the support you have until you come back and see everybody,” said Ledet Friday evening, adding that he was almost brought to tears when he came off the plane. “You guys showing love and support helps keep me going [in the competition].” – Read more at SulphurDailyNews
DeAndre singing the National Anthem @ a West Coast Martial Arts ceremony
Kris Allen: ‘Thank You Camellia’ on ‘Extra’ – Kris Allen makes funny faces as he films a segment for Extra on Friday (May 11) at The Grove in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old American Idol winner chatted with Maria Menounos about his upcoming album, Thank You Camellia. The album drops May 22, and Kris hosted a preview listening party for a few lucky fans just after his interview.- Read more at Just Jared
Kris Allen Performs at CD Listening Party for Sophomore Album at Mixology 101 – Kris Allen held a listening party for his new album, “Thank You Camellia” at Mixology 101 in L.A. yesterday. The album, Kris’ second, features radio hit “The Vision of Love,” and hits stores May 22. And, set your DVRs — Kris will appear on Live With Kelly that day. “Hopefully, every album is a progression,” the singer told OK! prior to the release. “I definitely want to push myself, whether it be musical, vocally, lyrically. I have been trying to.” – OK Magazine
New Duets Promo
Video: Lauren Alaina and her mother have become road warriors – The mother/daughter comparison in Lauren Alaina’s debut single, “Like My Mother Does,” was much more than a great gimmick for a video treatment. It’s an accurate reflection of the bond between the “American Idol” runner-up and her mom, Kristy Suddeth. “The first time she heard it, she cried — bad,” Lauren teased her mom, imitating heaving sobs. Producers selected from 13 hours of Suddeth family home movies to show how the mom helped shape her daughter’s career and instill a love for her home and family. – See the Video at the Times Free Press
Photo Coverage: Rachel Potter and Constantine Maroulis Prep for Joe’s Pub Concert! – BroadwayWorld brings you photos of EVITA’s Rachel Potter and ROCK OF AGES’ Constantine Maroulis rehearsing in the studio for Potter’s upcoming release concert for her debut country EP, “Live the Dream.” She and Maroulis will perform at Joe’s Pub tomorrow, May 13. This independent release marks Potter’s first collaboration with songwriter and producer Justin York. “It’s got real guts,” says Potter of the co-written EP, “We wanted to make a record that joined pop country music with a rock edge – Think Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift with a Paramore twist. It’s a risk, but it’s exciting.” – Broadway World
Chris Brown to Perform at Billboard Music Awards – Chris Brown has been added to the list of superstars set to perform at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, which airs live May 20 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET from the MGM Grand Arena. Usher, Kelly Clarkson, Linkin Park and Nelly Furtado to Perform at Billboard Music Awards ‘Modern Family’s’ Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell to Host Billboard Music Awards Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber Among Billboard Music Award Performers. Previously announced performers include Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, LMFAO, Cee-Lo Green, Kelly Clarkson, Usher, The Wanted, Linkin Park and Nelly Furtado.- Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
Simon Cowell’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Season Finale Handily Beats ‘The Voice’ – LONDON – The season finale of Simon Cowell’s Britain’s Got Talent drew an average 11.4 million U.K. viewers Saturday night, handily beating The Voice U.K., which has been falling behind in the audience showdown here. BGT reached an audience of 11.9 million when including viewers on ITV1+1, which airs the talent competition with an hour’s delay. It became the highest-rated show of 2012, beating out a January episode of long-running soap opera Coronation Street, which had attracted 11.2 million viewers. – Hollywood Reporter
