Jennifer Hudson surprises crowd, honors Aretha Franklin at 2019 Pulitzer Prize luncheon – Jennifer Hudson surprised the crowd to honor Aretha Franklin at Tuesday’s Pulitzer Prize luncheon, honoring the awards’ 103rd class of winners. Hudson took the stage at Columbia University at the end of the program and closed the show with a musical performance honoring the Queen of Soul. After honoring victims of gun violence in the afternoon’s program, Pulitzer Prize administrator Dana Canedy introduced Hudson as someone who, “too, has experienced unfathomable loss due to gun violence.” – Read more at USA Today
Jennifer Hudson’s backup singer and fellow season 3 Idol, George Huff, posted the program
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBIK-Bha2U/?igshid=gx2zylniat8u
Kelly Clarkson Understands Why Adam Levine Left ‘The Voice’ – Levine’s decision to exit the show after 16 seasons blindsided the show’s fans, but she said she understands why he needs to move on. “It was kind of a shocking thing,” she said. “But I kind of get it. He’s been doing it for eight years — that’s a long time. He’s got a couple kids. Still has a career. Still touring. It’s a very rigorous schedule fitting everything in.” Kelly admitted it would take some time to get used to the fact that Adam is no longer on the show, saying, “It’ll be weird going to work. ‘Where’s Adam?’ But I totally get how busy it is trying to fit everything in plus having a family.” – Read more at Extra
Kellie Pickler and Husband Kyle Jacobs Aren’t Ready for Kids Yet: ‘We’re Dog Parents’ – Never say never! Kellie Pickler and her husband, Kyle Jacobs, aren’t ready to have kids yet, but they do have a family of dogs. “We have two little small puppies,” the American Idol alum, 32, told Us Weekly exclusively on Thursday, May 23, on the set of Hallmark’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood. “We’re dog parents for now.” While she and the country singer, 45, who tied the knot in 2011, don’t have a little one on the way, one of their friends just became a first-time mom — Duchess Meghan! – Read more at Us Magazine
What Advice Does Carrie Underwood Have For Singers? – “Be willing to work hard,” shared Carrie. “People are like, “What’s the most surprising thing about doing what you do?” I never realize how much hard work it is. I mean, growing up, I was like “Ah they sleep all day, and then they get up, and they play a show at night. It’s an awesome and glamorous life. But there is a lot of work that goes into it.” Carrie went on to also share with Cody that the hard work is never-ending, especially in the country music genre. “It’s all about the songs, especially in country music. So, you’ve got to work, and you’ve got to write, and you’ve got to find those songs, baby!” – Read more at iheart.com
Jordin Sparks Is ‘Terrified’ to Ever Do ‘Dancing With the Stars’ But Says She’s ‘Game for Anything’ – While Jordin Sparks is a performer at heart, don’t expect her to put on dancing shoes anytime soon. The American Idol alum, 29, opened up about whether she’d be interested in appearing on Dancing With the Stars in the near future. While she admitted to being “game for anything,” she is still hesitant about agreeing to compete on the ABC series. “I’m so terrified. Give me a microphone, I am totally fine. Tell me to dance in front of an audience and I… Mm-mm,” Sparks exclusively told Us Weekly. – Read more at US
Ohio Weatherman Snaps at Viewers as Tornado Warning Interrupts ‘The Bachelorette’ (Video) – A meteorologist for Fox 45 in Dayton, Ohio snapped at viewers who complained on social media about a tornado warning that interrupted Monday night’s broadcast of “The Bachelorette,” saying that the cutaway was due to a “dangerous situation.” “I was just checking social media, we have viewers complaining already. ‘Just go back to the show.’ No, we’re not going back to the show, folks. This is a dangerous situation, okay,” Jamie Simpson said during the live broadcast. – Read more at The Wrap
Life In ‘Songland’: The Reality Behind NBC’s New Reality Show – Songwriting used to be a much more lucrative profession before the streaming era, and not just because of royalties. In a singles-centric landscape that is responding to rapidly declining album sales, that means fewer chances for a songwriter to even land a cut to begin with, let alone a radio hit. And with more and more writers collaborating on a track – a Kanye West song can have fifteen – that means a proportionally smaller share of any royalties. “Back in the day, you could make millions from album cuts, and then just retire to the Bahamas,” says Tedder. “You could have the fourth or fifth single on a Maroon 5 record. These days, if you don’t have the next single, with a release date in writing, you have nothing. All that to say, it’s not an easy time to be a songwriter.” – Read more at NPR
BMG Lands Recording, Publishing Contract With NBC’s ‘Songland’ – Songwriters competing on the new NBC show “Songland,” which premieres tonight, will see their music released through BMG. The company announced a global recordings and publishing partnership with the show. BMG will serve as worldwide distributor for Songland Records and its publishing arm will administer the show’s publishing company, called Eligible Music. – Read more at Variety
‘Songland’ and ‘The Voice’ Showrunner Leads Surge of Women Producing Competition Shows – “It was all men who sold the shows, and the showrunners were all men,” Katz says. “With tenacity and keeping your head down and doing the work, slowly women started to emerge more. I’m proud every time I see another female name out there as a creator or showrunner. There’s more of that in the world of scripted shows. In unscripted we’re finally getting our due as well.” Like “Voice” and “DWTS,” ABC’s “American Idol,” Fox’s “The Masked Singer” and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” are among the programs that feature female showrunners, executive producers or co-executive producers who are integral to the production. – Read more at Variety
