‘IDOL,’ ‘MODEL’ TRYOUTS MAKE PERFECT STORM
GET off the streets - what is expected to be the largest cattle call New York has ever seen, kicks off this weekend. “American Idol” and “America’s Next Top Model” are looking for new contestants starting Saturday (”ANTM”) and Sunday (”AI”).
The three-day affair begins with a pre-registration Sunday and Monday when lines are expected to form early outside the Meadowlands’ Izod Center.
The actual auditions will begin on Tuesday (Aug. 19).
In the past, contestants who have impressed producers enough - for good reasons and bad - were called back to make second and third appearances at a TV studio at the Chelsea Piers on Manhattan’s West side.
That’s where the show’s judges - Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul - will hear the best and worst of the New York tryouts late next week.
Idol homecoming
When Syesha Mercado makes her return to Southwest Florida a week from today — for a 7 p.m. performance at Tampa’s St. Pete Times Forum with the rest of the Idols — she will not only bring that infectious smile and upbeat attitude, but also a little bit of Sarasota and Bradenton with her onstage.
Her run on the seventh season of “American Idol” was amazing, inspiring and surprising, but that was only the beginning.
The 21-year-old Booker High School graduate has big plans, evident in a phone interview before she hit the road on her first national tour.
More Idol Headlines After the Jump…
American Idol, the Live Tour is headed to South Florida
Randy and Simon both told her she’s got a voice for Broadway, and everywhere she went, people agreed.
“Can’t wait to see you on Broadway,” they would say, as if her career path already had been picked out for her.
The encouragement, though well-meant, “kind of confused me,” said Syesha Mercado, the American Idol finalist from Sarasota who attended Florida International University in Miami. “I kind of got sad, and a little down and disturbed.”
It’s not that Mercado, 21, doesn’t want to sing in musicals. She just doesn’t want to be limited.
American Idol Auditions Draw Thousands in Jacksonville
‘Entertainment Tonight’ was on hand in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday for the ‘American Idol’ season eight auditions, where thousands lined up at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena for a chance to go to Hollywood. Watch highlights below the fold.
Life in line at the ‘American Idol’ auditions
JACKSONVILLE — It’s 5 a.m. It’s raining. I’m standing in a line that stretches for at least a mile. There are approximately 8,000 people ahead of me. This is “American Idol.”
After two days of registration, folks began lining up dark and early Wednesday in Jacksonville for their opportunity to audition for the ratings Goliath that’s the Fox singing competition.
After a 2 1/2-hour wait, my wife, Kayla, one of the Idol hopefuls, and I make our way inside the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena to wait some more.
Ryan Seacrest Stops By American Idol Auditions in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, FL — The host of American Idol weighs in on the talent in Jacksonville. Ryan Seacrest was at the American Idol auditions in Jacksonville today. The popular show’s host anchored his radio program from Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.After his radio show, Seacrest spoke about the day’s tryouts. Seacrest says the South always has a large talent pool, noting that many past Idol winners are from this part of the country.After two days of a grueling registration process, some 11,000 hopefuls had the chance to audition in front of the show’s producers today.
‘Idol’ draws starstruck crowd
While many people stumbled out of bed Friday morning, thousands of excited and screaming people patiently waited for their chance at stardom.
The Fox television show “American Idol” held auditions for its eighth season, set to air this winter, at Kemper Arena.
Contestants started lining up at 5 a.m. Friday in the arena parking lot, hoping to make it inside to audition. The Idol wannabes had 30 seconds to impress a team of 24 judges who decided which singers make it further into the competition.
These auditions served as the screening round. The contestants who made it Friday will return to an undisclosed Kansas City location where they will sing for Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson for a trip to Hollywood.
The Travel Gnome Is An American Idol Fan! (as if there were any doubt!)
OK, I am loving seeing everywhere our Travel Gnome is jetsetting these days - Paris, IRLs, he’ll soon be going to Khazakstan - but I have to say, these pics I just received from Tracey take his travels to a whole new level!
She took in the American Idol concert tour this past Sunday and had some of the coveted Meet-n-Greet passes for after the show. Not only did she get to meet quite of few of the Idols up close and personal (Carly is smaller than you think, Brooke is very waifish, sadly David Cook was MIA), our Travel Gnome got in on the action!
Kellie Pickler, Paul Brandt, Gord Bamford added to country awards lineup
TORONTO — Former “American Idol” runner-up Kellie Pickler and Canadian country stars Paul Brandt and Gord Bamford are joining the lineup of performers set for the Canadian Country Music Awards.
Brandt and Bamford are among the leading nominees while Pickler has a new disc set for release next month.
The awards will be broadcast on CBC-TV from Winnipeg on Sept. 8.
MADONNA, NE-YO, CHRIS BROWN, PUSSYCAT DOLLS, TAYLOR SWIFT, TOKIO HOTEL, JORDIN SPARKS, LIL WAYNE, KATY PERRY, DANITY KANE AND MILEY CYRUS “2008 VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS” NOMINEES FOR “BEST NEW ARTIST” AND “BEST DANCING IN A VIDEO”
As previously announced, MTV’s 25th annual Video Music Awards will be hosted by comedian/actor Russell Brand and will air live and only one time in its original incarnation, on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT). Lil Wayne and the Jonas Brothers have already been confirmed to perform at this year’s show. Presenters and additional performers for the “2008 Video Music Awards” will be announced at a later date.
The “2008 MTV Video Awards” nominees for “Best New Artist” include Jordin Sparks and Katy Perry, who have both already received deserving nods for “Best Female Video.” Also up for “Best New Artist” are German quartet Tokio Hotel, who are already vying for a “Best Pop Video” award, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. Artists up for “Best Dance in a Video” are the multi-talented Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, Danity Kane, Pussycat Dolls and a woman who has received several VMA nominations in the past, Madonna, who received a nod for her “4 Minutes” video, featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.
Lythgoe quit ‘Idol’ to ‘get a life’
Nigel Lythgoe has admitted that he quit his role as executive producer on American Idol so he could have some free time. Lythgoe, dubbed ‘Nasty Nigel’ when he judged Popstars, told the Press Association that he needed to leave to “get myself a life”. He stated: “[Working on the show] is 24/7 and then some, you know. So you just need to get away from it. I’ve done it for seven seasons now.”
Chris Sligh: The ex-American Idol rocker without the boy band looks
Authentic’s release of ‘Running Back To You’ by Chris Sligh brings to British fans’ attention a singer who has already had huge US exposure thanks to his appearances on the enormously popular American Idol TV talent search. As it turns out, Chris’s soulful tones have already been heard on UK Christian radio thanks to “Run On For A Long Time”, his smouldering duet with Kevin Max on the ex-dc Talk man’s ‘The Blood’ album. Chris is at pains to emphasise that he was no inexperienced beginner when he first stepped before the American Idol cameras. ”
American Idol runner-up looks forward to tribute concert
It took more than a week of planning and multiple phone calls to finally get a hold of Bo Bice. With his upcoming tour, “It Was 40 Years Ago Today”, a tribute to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Beatles’ famous 1967 album, and the recent birth of his second child, Caleb James, Bice is a busy man.
While most people might associate him with American Idol, Bice has since moved on to other projects, one of which includes the Beatles’ tribute concert he will be performing this Friday at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
Bice said he was approached by Todd Rundgren and when told about the project, he was immediately interested.
Not All Hollywood Stars Shun the White House
It’s sort of a given in American politics that Hollywood tilts left.
After all, it is located on the Left Coast.
And a lot of its denizens — Barbra Streisand and Alec Baldwin come to mind — famously threatened to leave the country if George W. Bush was elected. Twice.
But now comes word from the White House that several actresses have agreed to serve the Bush administration, albeit in a feel-good cause on one of those commissions that any White House uses to reward its social friends.
So it is not that surprising that American Idol Jordin Sparks and Bo Derek of “10″ fame have been tapped by the White House to serve on a commission that encourages volunteerism.
Kelly Clarkson: Fan of the Red Sox, beer
It’s no secret that Red Sox Nation has a bevy of members who, you might say, elicit a mixed reaction from the general public. There’s Jimmy Fallon, Ben Affleck, Conan O’Brien, Steven Tyler… and yes, there’s Kelly Clarkson.
In any event, a video popped on YouTube a week or so back in which three woman toting beers belted out “Sweet Caroline” — you know, the kind of thing I could post every day here, until my eyes and ears slowly began to bleed. However, that same video was re-posted today with a new headline: “Kelly Clarkson in Red Sox Game.”
Daughtry to release Daughtry…again
What’s better than one Daughtry debut album? Two Daughtry debut albums, of course!
In the don’t-give-the-people-what-they-want, give-’em-what-they-already have category, Chris Daughtry, who leads the inventively titled band Daughtry, is re-releasing his inventively titled debut album, Daughtry, on Sept. 9. (Just curious, is his house named Daughtry? His car? His razor?)
Anna Faris: ‘Bunny’ business
She co-stars with up-and-coming members of young Hollywood, including Colin Hanks (”Untraceable”), Emma Stone (”Superbad”) and Kat Dennings (”Charlie Bartlett”). Rumer Willis (the eldest of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s offspring) makes her feature debut, as does “American Idol” runner-up Katharine McPhee.
Each of the girls plays a character with a shortcoming that makes her an outcast. Willis wears a body brace. McPhee is a hippie-dippy expectant mom. Stone wears Coke-bottle glasses. And Dennings has issues with men.
Faris admires her costars for their willingness to appear vulnerable on camera.
“All of them approached (their roles) with such enthusiasm,” she gushes. “All of them gave up their sense of vanity for the sake of the movie, whether it was Katharine being pregnant, Rumer with the brace or Emma wearing the weird glasses.”
‘Godspell’ in need of Broadway miracle
“Godspell” may not cast its spell on Broadway after all.
Word has circulated among legiters that the revival of the 1971 Stephen Schwartz tuner, which has not yet secured all its funding, has cancelled its upcoming Broadway run in the face of a fast-approaching Sept. 29 start date.
According to reps for the show, however, “Godspell,” remains on track for now.
“Godspell,” with a cast including Gavin Creel and Diana DeGarmo, remains skedded to open Oct. 23 at the Barrymore Theater.
Fourth Annual New York Television Festival Announces Independent Pilot Competition Selections and Industry Day Panel Series
The 36 original, independently produced television pilots selected for the Independent Pilot Competition come from all over the U.S., Canada, and Australia. An eclectic array of stars, such as Sarah Paulson (”Studio 60″), James Cromwell (”24″), Constantine Maroulis (”American Idol”), Richard Moll (”Night Court”), and Michael Gladis (”Mad Men”) all make appearances in scripted pilots, and Dustin Diamond (”Saved By the Bell”) and Gary Coleman (”Diff’rent Strokes”) appear as themselves in a reality competition pilot. The
full list of official selections is included below.
Drowsy Chaperone Cast Sings The Wrong Songs
Out came Drowsy’s Kevin Crewell to act as emcee and introduce Marla Mindelle (Miss Kitty in Drowsy) to sing “Here I Am” from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which had so many F-bombs and dirty words from such a sweet little girl in baby-doll blouse. “Date rape”? Reaaally, Marla?! Moving along, it was handsome Constantine Maroulis from American Idol and Broadway’s Rock of Ages (the first of the official honorary Drowsy cast members) to sing Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” from a very masculine perspective. And how WRONG was it when Richard Vida, Gene Lauze, and Robert Billig in fringed silk boxers were three strippers from Gypsy singing “Gotta Have a Gimmick?! We had Miss Mazeppa bump it with a trumpet; the electrifying Miss Electra turning on the switch of her crotch light; and the finesse of bumpin’ ballerina Tesse Tura spreading her only slightly clumsy wings.
Blake Lewis and pals chill out at MOA; Sheryl Crow pays a call to Hunt & Gather
“American Idol” alum Blake Lewis eschews being hatless.
The Season 6 contestant and a number of other young TV and music stars were enjoying the Mall of America to the fullest Tuesday during a layover on their way to Norway to play for the Hollywood Knights International celeb basketball team. The Knights were headed overseas to play in a benie for the Norwegian Cancer Society Children’s Ward.
Chicago American Idol Leslie Hunt Recording Debut Album
CHICAGO, IL. (Leslie Hunt official website)–American Idol’s Season Six (Season of Sanjaya) semi-finalist, Chicago singer and songwriter Leslie Hunt is recording her debut album, which she describes as ‘pop with a strong jazz element, and some ’80s and alternative music influences.’ The album, to be released on her own label, Benesklie Music, is produced by music veteran Rick Chudacoff, the Nashville hit-maker whose credits include Grammy-winning country bluegrass queen Alison Krauss, and Chicago producer Christian Cullen, who has worked with band members from Prince, Damn Yankees, Lynrd Skynrd, Starship and more. Hunt is recording locally at Chicago’s Gravity Studios, as well as studios in Nashville and L.A.
Canadian Idol: Amberly’s Idol Exit Interview
“As much as yesterday was my worst Idol moment, it was probably one of my favourites too. The final performance was just like this is what I have accomplished and these are my buddies, these are my friends. And singing one last time with everyone was pretty cool,” she said.
She said she had a feeling she might be in the bottom three this week and was a little worried.
“I had been worried, yeah, after the comments and going first [on Monday] and it was a such good show afterward. I was worried that I would be in trouble. When they called Mookie down, but they didn’t say bottom three, that’s when I was like, ‘okay maybe they’re just splitting us up,’ ” she explained about the way in which Ben Mulroney announced this week’s bottom three.
Melissa Lawson to Sing at Grand Ole Opry
Nashville Star winner Melissa Lawson is about to reach a milestone on the road to country music stardom. The mother of five boys from Arlington, Texas, will debut at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday Aug. 16.
“Since I was 17 years old, I have been performing on the Opry circuit in Texas,” Lawson said in a statement. “To be acknowledged by the Grand Ole Opry and asked to perform is such an honor.”
Related Posts
For anyone interested, Kat will be on Regis & Kelly tomorrow morning to talk about “House Bunny”. Don’t know if she’ll be singing, but I don’t think so.
David Cook - Skechers photo shoot
I wish the sound was a little better but the fan who posted it did what I would’ve had I seen it on tv, lol. Thank you Gwendolyn for finding, and sharing, that. I can’t wait to see the ads.
haha that video of Kelly at the Red Sox game was funny.
OMG!!! I’m so happy I checked this thread before I headed off to work!!! (No YouTube at work. HaHa!!) David looked mighty fine in that photo shoot. He’s definitely the total package. He takes my breath away!!! :) Thanks, Gwendolyn!
Star-Studded Benefits in Denver and Minneapolis Support the GRAMMY Foundation
In an effort to spotlight the issues that affect the creative community and the importance of music education, GRAMMY®s Rock The Conventions will bring live music to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions… Three-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Daughtry, GRAMMY-nominated rockers Everclear, and chart-topping alternative/hip-hop group the Flobots will perform an up-close-and-personal acoustic evening in Denver at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, during the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, The Recording Academy will host “The Songwriters Circle: The Songs We Love,” an intimate event that includes performances of hit songs by the songwriters who created them. Participating artists include GRAMMY-winning songwriter Brett James (”Jesus, Take The Wheel” by Carrie Underwood and “Blessed” by Martina McBride)...
Business Wire
Okay, I’ve searched and I don’t see this posted anywhere. Sorry if it’s a double….
8/13: Michael Johns interview is now up
By Rodney Ho | Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 05:03 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The fans at michaeljohnsonline.com sent me more than 20 questions for Michael Johns. Thank you! I only had 15 minutes by phone but I asked as many key ones today as I could in advance of the “Idols Live” tour at Gwinnett Arena August 18.
Interesting tidbits….
Early release: He asked to be released from the 19 Entertainment contract that is normally thrust upon all “Idol” finalists (at least the top 12 that I know of) for six months after the finale or the end of November. But Johns asked to be let go early and for the first time that I know of (though it may not have been the first), 19 agreed. “They were amazing to me,” Johns said. “They said, ‘Look- we realize you’re 29 years old. Good luck.’ I was so thankful. I’ve been able to work and get things done instead of wait around.”
The “Mavid Bromance”: The fans seem bemused by the close relationship David Cook and Michael Johns have developed. And they are wondering if the pair will work together. “I can’t see how we wouldn’t work together. We’re such great friends. Even though we’re a bit different stylistically, I used to do that kind of sound back in Atlanta. We really have a good connection. We keep each other sane. Working together - it’s something we talk about all the time.”
Edited - you beat me to it Gwedolyn, lol. It was a very interesting interview.
Very good interview with Michael Johns. Making it as an indie will be tough but he seems confident it’ll work out. This is the first Blake news I’ve seen in a while and I guess he’s part of a celebrity basketball charity event.
Is he still managed by 19? I’m not trying to be negative but I’m amazed at how quickly the TPTB have given up on him. Wow. I just think he shot himself in the foot by coming across so badly in those post Idol interviews.
Gwen, thank you so much for that Skechers video! I can’t wait to see the actual ads.
I wonder if they will only have one ad, or if there will be multiple photos. I seem to remember other male Skechers endorsers only having one picture (RDJ, at least, only had one that I know of).
Then again, I seem to also remember people saying they never even saw the older male endorsements, so hopefully this will follow a somewhat different trajectory.
LOL
Carrie and Ashlee Simpson both had a couple of different ads running at the same time when their campaigns were active. Carrie I remember had an altogether different set of ads pop up once the summer hit IIRC. Since his campaign will be running through different seasons he probably took a ton of different shots in different clothing/shoe styles and we’ll see the same thing.
He is still managed by 19. For the record, I haven’t heard any rumors at all–like the kind that were rampant about Taylor–regarding Blake not getting along with management or the label peeps.
They gave up on him because he didn’t sell enough records.
No, it’s weird it didn’t come up in my alerts this morning, and I forgot to check my rss feed. Duh! Thanks, I may post that out front.
ETA: I wonder if a condition of his early release was that he couldn’t sign with a label during that time? Maybe when he assured them he was going indie they agreed to let him go.
Don’t know where to put this. David on regis and kelly
http://regisandkelly.go.com/guest_guide_archive.html
It is weird because he has a show in Florida that day.
I just checked here. It’s a repeat.
Bummer. Talk about no promotion.
David is shooting his Crush video on Aug. 19.
He is on XM 20 on 20 at 7:30 a.m. ET on Aug. 20
Jordin didn’t start promoting “Tattoo” until after the tour. I’m sure that once he’s finished with the tour in 4 weeks (the tour is over two weeks earlier than it was last year) he’ll start promoting the single via TV appearances, etc.
No promotion? They have ads for his single on lots of radio sites, plus of course on iTunes, and I’d say the radio promotion is in full swing. I’m sure the TV promotion will start after the tour ends (he can’t really do it while on tour anyway) and will give the song exposure for quite some time.
I really don’t think there’s anything to worry about regarding Archie’s promotion. Seems to me Jive is 110% behind him.
There was a time when Simon thought a contestant was too much like Broadway and it was a put-down. However, after the recent success by so many Idols, it is now considered a compliment!
Syesha is depressed and discouraged by the compliments she receives? I just don’t understand. There are a few Idols who have done Broadway AND television or movies. My goodness girl, get it together. No one is putting you down.
There are so many talented Oscar winners who have done Broadway or are yearning to do it. It is a major challenge and I hope Syesha realizes that she can pursue various arenas of entertainment.
Who said Syesha has become a DIVA?
http://www.youtube.com/v/mkbLfetNojc
Cute video … well except for Syprah
Very funny video. I didn’t mean Blake got dropped because of his bad attitude. I just think Blake may have turned off some of the fans. The S7 crew seems to be going above and beyond to keep the fanbases happy with the video blogs, etc. I can’t see either David catching an attitude with their management/labels either. Of course, it’ll be adios if they don’t move the expected number of units no matter what great guys they are.
http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/08/carmen-rasmusen.html
I never watched her season but congrats!
oolala at David’s shechers add!
American Idols talk in D.C. today
Awwww Castro and his best buddy Archie - that video was too cute of the two of them
MJ and DC during D.C. Meet & Greet. According to the comments in the responses to the clip, Cookie was dressed up to take part in a Senate hearing for cancer awareness on Capitol Hill but I wasn’t able to find any links on that yet.