Man held after trying to get into Ryan Seacrest’s car
A Lakewood man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a security guard who tried to stop him from getting into a car with “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest after he made a charity appearance at an Orange County hospital, police said today.152835
Seacrest was signing autographs Tuesday afternoon after leaving Children’s Hospital of Orange County. One of those who got a signature was Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr., 25, said Sgt. Dan Adams of the Orange Police Department.
As Seacrest got into his car, Uzomah allegedly tried to enter the vehicle but was stopped by security guards. Seacrest took off as a scuffle broke out between the suspect and the guards, Adams said.
“Ryan pulled away as the thing started, ” Adams said. “He wasn’t involved and didn’t see anything.”
The suspect allegedly choked one of the guards, who nearly became unconscious.
Okie stars inducted into state’s Music Hall
MUSKOGEE — Thousands gathered at the Muskogee Civic Center on Thursday night as Oklahoma country music superstar Carrie Underwood, Tulsa Sound legend Rocky Frisco and Western swing songbird Ramona Reed were inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
“I look at my life every day, and I’m in awe, ” the 26-year-old Underwood said during a press conference before the induction. “Everything that’s happened has been a gift from God.”
It’s also been due to a lot of hard work.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘Idol’ David Cook charms at Allegan County Fairgrounds
ALLEGAN — Although David Cook didn’t sing “Time of My Life, ” his “American Idol” coronation song, he probably gave the crowd of 3, 500 at the Allegan County Fairgrounds on Tuesday an experience about as memorable.
It’s surprising that Cook came off the 2008 “Idol” tour only one year ago. He displayed easy camaraderie with the crowd and his band members — composed of guitarists Neal “Doctor” Tiemann and Andy Skib, who played with him back in the day on the Tulsa, Okla., music scene in a band called MWK — flicking picks like a pro and bantering with the crowd.
At one point, he grabbed a homemade sign made by a crowd member — “Neal is my Guitar Hero” — and, grinning, plopped it behind a bandmate.
VH1 Divas share a grand night of singing, fashion, laughter
Location: Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House
Attendance: A sold-out crowd of 2, 100
The event: After a four-year absence, VH1 revives its Divas franchise with a star-studded live broadcast Thursday night from Brooklyn, hosted by Paula Abdul. Featured divas (and their singing partners): Kelly Clarkson (Melissa Etheridge), Jordin Sparks (Martina McBride), Jennifer Hudson (Stevie Wonder), Adele (India Arie), Miley Cyrus (Sheryl Crow) and Leona Lewis (Cyndi Lauper).
Anything Ellen Can Do, Paula Can Do Better
Who better to bring the love than Paula Abdul?
The pint-size popster came roaring into her role as host of tonight’s VH1 Divas special, gushing with love for the honorees (especially the Idol babies she “practically breast-fed”) and eager to prove that she doesn’t take herself’â€or diction’â€seriously.
There were so many Paula highlights, from her opening introduction as “Paula Abdul” to her trading “firecrotch” jabs with Kathy Griffin to pretending not to know Liza Minnelli, only to hand over her shoes when Liza paid them a compliment.
‘VH1 Divas’ Ushers In A New Class With Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson
Four years after the TV special last aired, “VH1 Divas” returned to the airwaves with Paula Abdul assuming host duties and a slew of fierce performances by Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Leona Lewis and Jordin Sparks.
Making a return to prime time more than a month after leaving “American Idol, ” Abdul began her emcee gig with a dance routine set to her vintage hits. Starting with “Cold Hearted, ” she segued into a performance of “Opposites Attract” with MC Skat Kat — familiar to anyone who remembers the 1989 music video ‘†dancing and singing on a screen behind her. From there, Abdul hit “Straight Up” and “Forever Your Girl, ” ending the medley as her backup dancer picked her up and lifted her toward the ceiling.
Kelly Clarkson To Put Ryan Tedder Drama To Bed On Upcoming Tour
So when MTV News caught up with Clarkson on the “VH1 Divas” red carpet, we asked her if she had settled her differences with Tedder or if she would advise her fellow “American Idol” alumni against working with him in the future as a result of the controversy.
“Oh no. I have a lot of songs that I’ve done with Ryan, and they all sound very different. It’s just, unfortunately, in that situation, they sound exactly the same, ” she laughed. “But our melodies are different. Beyonc and my melodies are different [on the songs].”
Fall music: Brian Mansfield’s picks
Adam Lambert’s on second-place American Idolfinish did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm for his debut, which the singer has described as modernizing glam and classic ’70s rock sounds with electronic and dance elements.
Adam Lambert Untitled (Nov. 24)
Preview: How much did America really learn about Adam Lambert on American Idol this year? Only that he’s the most enigmatic, visually exciting performer in the show’s run. Lambert’s second-place finish did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm for his debut, which the singer has described as modernizing glam and classic ’70s rock sounds with electronic and dance elements. If his set on the Idols Live tour is any indication, it’ll fall somewhere between Led Zeppelin and Muse, between Tears for Fears and David Bowie.
Cameron Mathison, Greg Vaughn, Walt Willey, et al. to Appear at Detroit’s Masonic Temple Theatre
Fourteen of daytime drama’s top stars will appear in Soap Stars Live & Unscripted, to take place at 8pm on Saturday, October 10 and 1pm on Sunday, October 11 at Detroit’s Masonic Temple.
The stars will show off their singing, dancing, and comic skills, as well as act out hilarious spoofs of memorable soap opera scenes, and will get a chance to meet their fans. Participating stars include All My Children’s Melissa Claire Egan, Cameron Mathison, Crishell Stause, Walt Willey, and Darnell Williams; One Life to Live’s John Brotherton, Mark Lawson, and Bree Williamson; General Hospital’s Brandon Barash, Natalia Livingston, and Greg Vaughn; Days of Our Lives’ Nadia Bjorlin and James Scott; and 2009 Daytime Emmy Award winner Christian LeBlanc from The Young and the Restless.
In addition, there will be a special appearance from former American Idol contestant Matt Giraud.
Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Already Gone’ tops the Idol sales list
It’s been weeks since we’ve had a new best-selling track among the American Idol alumnae, but Kelly Clarkson’s Already Gone takes over the top spot this week. The third single from All I Ever Wanted had almost 42, 000 scanned downloads last week, an 11 percent increase, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That gave her an edge of nearly 2, 000 over Jordin Sparks’ Battlefield, which sold just over 40, 000. Battlefield did pass 900, 000 cumulative downloads last week — at the rate Jordin’s going, she’ll probably pass the million mark in three to four weeks.
Brooke White breaks through
Singer-songwriter Brooke White may have been introduced to the world through “American Idol, ” but with the exception of happenstance collaborator and “Idol” judge Randy Jackson, White is now out on her own, building a fanbase one self-penned song and one show at a time.
The Phoenix native, who moved to Los Angeles years before her appearance on “Idol, ” released her second album, “High Hopes & Heartbreak, ” in July. Unlike White’s 2008 “Idol” competitors David Cook and David Archuleta, White was not handed an album deal. Instead, after finishing in the Top 5, White went on the obligatory “American Idol” tour with the Top 10 finalists, and set out to record the album she had dreamed of making for years.
Two ‘Idol’ finalists take it to the Boardwalk
Once the “American Idol” tour ends each year, the Top 10 finalists are set free.
What beckons? A singing career, a stint on Broadway, working in a bar or perhaps just sitting in a Barcalounger watching football.
Season 7 finalists Brooke White 26, and Michael Johns, 30, have been anything but lazy. They both released debut albums this summer and embarked on a nationwide tour Thursday. There are 17 dates set, including stops in Phoenix and Reno.
VH1 Divas Backstage: Jordin Sparks ‘Learns Tricks’ From Other Divas
Check out Diva Jordin Sparks hanging out backstage before her big performance. Jordin considers being labeled a ‘Diva’ phenomenal and let us in on a little Diva camaraderie where the Divas share information and she is ‘always learning tricks from girls I admire.’
VH1 Divas Backstage: Jennifer Hudson Talks About Being A Diva And Mom
Jennifer Hudson has proven her Diva status a hundred times over, with her Oscar winning performance in Dreamgirls and her powerhouse voice, but still, humble Jennifer can’t believe, ‘I’m here and one of the Divas.’
With a five-week-old baby, Jennifer says her world has changed and she now ” ¦sees everything through brand new eyes.’ WE certainly can’t wait to SEE her performance tonight!
Carrie Underwood wows Civic Center
Hundreds inside the Muskogee Civic Center arena cheered when the very first image of Carrie Underwood appeared on the screen at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Concert and Induction, held Thursday night.
They kept cheering as the screen tribute said she was born in Muskogee and told of her journey through Checotah High School, Northeastern State University, Downtown Country, American Idol and one country hit after another.
Carrie Underwood thanks Oklahoma for her musical success
MUSKOGEE ԠPreparing for her induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Carrie Underwood was feeling the love and respect of her state, and reflecting on the impact her Checotah upbringing had on her career.
“I think a big part of why everybody at this table seems like pretty nice people is because of where we come from, ‘ she said. “This is where we all come from, this is where we all call home, so the fact that throughout all our lives and careers, the fact that we’ve had this amazing state behind us is a wonderful feeling.’
Katharine McPhee Leaves the Dark Side
“American Idol” wannabeen Katharine McPhee took a break from making music nobody listens to and picked up the peroxide and a pair of scissors.
The fifth season runner-up debuted her new blond bob last night at the Ann Taylor runway show in NYC.
Birmingham’s ‘American Idol’ winner Taylor Hicks making his way on Broadway
Taylor Hicks is still amazed at what’s happened to his life.
And he’s not talking about going from virtual obscurity to winning “American Idol” in 2006 or putting out two CDs — “Taylor Hicks” and this year’s “The Distance.”
Now, sitting at an outdoor table at Vestavia Hills’ Diplomat Deli, Hicks is talking about his stint on Broadway and on tour as Teen Angel in “Grease.”
‘Color’ of love
Certain elements of the musical version of Alice Walker’s lesbian-themed ‘The Color Purple’ have remained the same since the production originated at the Alliance Theatre back in 2004. Yet one aspect is completely new for local audiences as the musical returns to Atlanta ‘†the addition of Fantasia Barrino to the large ensemble.
Barrino headlines the cast as Celie, while Latoya London reprises her role as Celie’s sister Nettie. The two are hardly strangers, having been on ‘American Idol’ together during the 2004 season, which Barrino won.
London has been with the touring version for more than two years and has her own definitive ideas of who Nettie is.
Ryan Seacrest: I’m the Reason Simon Won’t Be at the Emmys!
Is Simon Cowell ditching the Emmys on Sunday to avoid the possibility of having to witness Ryan Seacrest take home the award for Outstanding Reality Host?
“Simon has placed himself as far away from Los Angeles on Emmy night as possible, just in case I happen to get lucky enough to win one, ” Seacrest told us last night at Santa Monica’s Huntley Hotel, where he was celebrating his new ad campaign for Scope Outlast and Crest Plus Scope Outlast toothpaste.
“He’s confirmed he will be in London just so he’s not there in case of the little possibility that I walk away with it, ” he said.
Paula Abdul: ‘Idol’ Will Be a Different Show with Ellen DeGeneres
Paula Abdul gives her opinion of the choice to have funny lady Ellen DeGeneres replace her at the “American Idol” judges’ table.
“It’s just going to be a different show, ” she said of the change, while on the KISS FM Phoenix radio show Johnjay and Rich.
The radio hosts asked Abdul if she ever had second thoughts about leaving the show, of which she replied, “I think that happened during the time I was making that very difficult decision.”
Nigel Lythgoe on So You Think You Can Dance: interview
Television Centre, in its grey and windswept corner of Shepherd’s Bush, is a long way from Nigel Lythgoe’s office on Sunset Boulevard. But, as Lythgoe looks out over LA’s sunny skyline, he is clear about the benefits of his imminent return home to the BBC. ‘Chips, ‘ he says firmly. ‘Minced beef and onion pie. Better tea. And being able to call football ‘football’, not ‘soccer’.’
With his tan, his drivetime hairdo and the flash of his Cowell-white teeth, Lythgoe looks every inch the Hollywood TV producer. And, in the seven years since he’s been in the US, that’s just what he’s become. Lythgoe helped Svengalis Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell launch American Idol in 2002, and has since produced another talent show, So You Think You Can Dance, also for America’s Fox network. Now, after six hit series in the US, Lythgoe is bringing that format to BBC One.
video: Susan Boyle Opens Up About Post-Talent Breakdown: I Never Felt So Tired
Susan Boyle may not have taken top honors during last summer’s Britain’s Got Talent finale, but the 47-year-old Scottish singer won over American audiences during the U.S. version’s final taping Wednesday.
Taking the stage to belt out the world premiere of her first single, “Wild Horses” — from her Nov. 24 debut “I Dreamed a Dream” — Boyle’s appearance was her first on the American counterpart of the reality TV hit that earned her overnight success.
During her appearance, Boyle opened up about her hospitalization at a London clinic last May following the finale, as a result, she says, of severe exhaustion.
“From [having] no pressure to having all this pressure, I found it a bit suffocating, ” the singer revealed prior to her performance.
“I dont remember much about it after the final…all I remember is getting in an ambulance and getting taken to this clinic, ” she continued. “I never felt so tired and didn’t know what was wrong with me. I look back at it now and it was a necessity because I was tired.”
Robbie Williams to launch his comeback with a performance on X Factor
As his millions of fans would attest, Robbie Williams has always had the ‘X factor’.
Now the singer is to be a guest on the show of the same name with his first performance in Britain since 2006.
Williams has agreed with Simon Cowell, the ITV programme’s ringmaster, to sing songs from his latest album on this year’s live first show early next month.
Dancing’s Debi Mazar: I’ll Make Madonna Vote for Me
Contrary to widespread reports, Debi Mazar says she has absolutely no dancing experience on her rsum. So what’s with all that B-girl talk? “I did a hip-hop TV pilot for a friend, ” the Dancing with the Stars contestant tells TVGuide.com. “All of the New York City breakers were the B-boys. I was just the girl who liked to dance at the clubs.” But her rhythm in the clubs hasn’t easily translated to the ballroom. “It’s so grueling. I didn’t know how to keep my feet together. I’m, like, f—ing pigeon-footed, like I’m about to take a sh– or pee-pee. I look like an idiot!” the always sassy star says. Find out how she’s learning to focus (and who gave her the advice), why she chose Maksim Chmerkovskiy as her partner and more.
