American Idols Tour provides mixed bag at the Dunk last night
For some of them, it’s a last obligation before they begin a recording career in earnest. For others, it’s the last time they’ll ever see the inside of a tour bus. It’s the American Idols Tour, and at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center last night, there were several members of each camp.
What’s the point of having a live show that consists mainly of the songs that the contestants already did on TV? Well, there’s the ritualistic laying-on of hands that happened every time a performer went up the ramps on the side of the stage and the audience rushed to touch him or her, but there’s also the chance to see how well these TV creations can handle the atmosphere of a live show. (Not surprisingly, it was a mixed bag.)
Jordin Sparks Defends Purity Rings on VMAs
Not everybody is laughing at Russell Brand at this year’s Video Music Awards.
Jordin Sparks spoke out against the British comedian’s jokes about the Jonas Brothers and their purity rings before introducing T.I.’s performance.
“I just have one thing to say about promise rings. It’s not bad to wear a promise ring,” Sparks, 18, told the crowd, off-the-cuff, “because not everybody – guy or girl – wants to be a slut.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Simon, Randy, and Paula invade Louisville for more Idol auditions
(WHAS11) - American Idol heads back to Louisville today for the second and final round of auditions. Randy, Paula, and Simon are all expected to attend, along with newly announced 4th judge, Kara Dioguardi. Nearly 10,000 people attended the first round of judging at the Fair and Exposition Center in July. Today’s auditions will take place at Churchill Downs.
‘Idol’ judges idle at 21c
It’s only fitting that the internationally known crew of “American Idol” judges stayed at the internationally renowned 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Louisville.
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I’m told Simon Cowell set up shop in the Pied a’ Terre — also known as “The Penthouse.”
The 3,000-square-foot apartment on the fifth floor is filled with art that challenges your perceptions and has a rooftop terrace that offers prime viewing of the River City.
Downs and out for ‘Idol’ hopefuls
Shortly after 3 p.m. yesterday, the sound of Churchill Downs bugler Steve Buttleman playing “Call to the Post” wafted through the air.
The tune signaled the arrival of “American Idol” judges Simon Cowell (wearing his signature tight white T-shirt), Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and newcomer Kara DioGuardi, along with host Ryan Seacrest.
The judges were whisked to the third floor of the Downs. There, the majority of an estimated 20 to 30 auditioning “Idol” hopefuls had their dreams dashed.
About an hour after the judges arrived, an angry Tiffany Felicia stormed out of Churchill Downs.
“All they look for is nerds — freaks!” the 18-year-old Cincinnati resident said, as she jetted toward the Gate 10 parking lot wearing three-inch stilettos.
Carrie Underwood Bids Farewell to the Big Apple
Ready to get out of the big city, Carrie Underwood was spotted leaving her NYC hotel on Saturday morning after performing for the Fashion Rocks and Stand Up To Cancer events.
As she stepped out of the hotel exit, the “American Idol” winner looked casual cute, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with comfy pants and slippers while carrying a skull print travel bag.
Kellie Pickler interview in advance of CMA Music Festival on ABC
I hope you all had a great weekend. I enjoyed mine, hitting both a Sean Hannity/Neal Boortz event and Kathy Griffin the same evening. Talk about polar political opposites.
Anyway, I interviewed Kellie Pickler in late July in advance of Monday night’s airing of “CMA Music Festival Country’s Night to Rock” at 8 p.m. She co hosts with Julianne Hough and Taylor Shift. She also sings her current single “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.”
After ‘Idol,’ recording, Pickler’s ready to host
Kellie Pickler finished in sixth place on the fifth season of American Idol. Don’t feel bad for her: The North Carolina woman used the opportunity to launch a successful country-music career, with a sophomore album due out this month. The bubbly singer also will host the ABC special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock tonight. Let’s hope it goes better than her notorious appearance on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, which earned her a spot of YouTube immortality. Pickler, surprisingly frank, called to talk up the TV gig.
Dakota Fanning & Jennifer Hudson are Bee-st Friends
Actress Dakota Fanning and actress/singer Jennifer Hudson from the film The Secret Life Of Bees, pose for a portrait during the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival at The Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto, Canada on Saturday.
10+ pictures of Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Hudson becoming bee-st friends…
Jennifer Hudson Says She Still Watches ‘Idol’
Superstar and former “Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson tells ET’s Jann Carl that she made sure to watch “American Idol” while filming her new movie, ‘The Secret Life of Bees,’ with co-stars Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys.
“Tuesday, Wednesday, I said, ‘I don’t wanna hear anything, I don’t care about anything else!’ Every Wednesday, I still get nervous, especially now, watching them. I know exactly how they feel because that’s elimination night and they want to win and they want to do well.”
It’s Britney Spears’ Night At The VMAs, While Kanye West Ends The Show With A Bang
Britney won her first (and second, and third) Moonman, the Jonas Brothers flooded the fake streets of New York with screaming fans, Pink tossed a dude down a flight of steps, Weezy nearly lost his pants and host Russell Brand told a bunch of jokes you’re probably still trying to untangle, which, we can assure you, were very, very, very dirty. It was a historic night for rehabbing pop star Britney Spears, who not only picked up the first VMA of her career, but capped her hat trick with the ultimate prize: Video of the Year.
Canadian Idol final two happy for ‘great start’ to careers, regardless of winner
Most of 2008 is a blur for Mitch MacDonald and Theo Tams, but life isn’t bound to get any less hectic as they prepare to square off for the final time on Canadian Idol.
In between rehearsals and jet-setting to New York with Tams to meet Grammy-winner John Legend, MacDonald says he knows making his mark on the music industry could be a limited-time offer.
“I don’t think (I’m) completely ready to do all of this, but I’m going to try my best because I think it’s very important to try to keep the ball rolling,” MacDonald, 22, said from Toronto, where the CTV program is filmed.
“There is all this buzz and before you know it, there’s going to be another Canadian Idol going on and we’ll be old news.”
Another Canadian idol winds down, but there’s some spring in it yet
OK, so tonight’s Canadian Idol final performance show may not have captured the public’s imagination the way David vs. David did last May, but the contest pitting Theo vs. Mitch has much to recommend it.
Theo Tams, 23, of Lethbridge, Alta., is coming off a personal high, as he tore a cover off Bryan Adams’ Heaven last week in a performance resident Idol curmudgeon Zack Werner called “one of the top two or three performances in the history of the show.”
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http://www.cmt.com/news/hot-dish/1594224/hot-dish-visiting-with-carrie-underwood.jhtml
A nice article about Carrie at the above link. For those that have been saying shes gone all diva, this writer apparently sees her completely different. Ms Hazel, the writer, also mentions Kellie Pickler a little further down the page. She sure has some love for Kellie, whom she mentions more in her articles then anyother country artist except for Dierks Bentley, imo. She has slowly but surely warmed up to Carrie and become a fan too and has written several complimentary articles about her lately.
I apologize if I have missed this discussed elsewhere but I heard on the XM Hitlist on Saturday morning (9/6) that Jesse McCartney is writing the winner’s single for the upcoming season of American Idol.
A couple of reports from folks at TWOP who just watched Oprah:
It’s not on where I am until 4:00 this afternoon. I’m so anxious to see this now that I know he’s actually represented well!
And I always thought my vote counted
Yay!!! for the Oprah report!
Dang it! I have to wait and watch it at 5.
OMG, I can’t wait to watch Oprah TOML.
Want it NOW! Is the show on different times for different markets? I’ll never be able to figure out USA programming schedules. Too many time zones make my head hurt, LOL.
I must say, despite the success of ToML, I think that it is high time that they hire someone to write the winner’s song, rather than hoping that it all works out for the best through a contest. I actually wish that they’d have multiple songs in different genres written, so that if you have (say) a country winner, you’d have a country song, etc. Increase the odds of success for the winner.
FolkFan, I think they do choose the coronation song. I don’t believe for a minute that my votes counted. Have you even heard of anybody who voted for Magic Rainbows? I certainly haven’t…
Think about how awesome Cook was with Dream Big and he was panned by the judges because it wasn’t sappy enough
*shake hands*
TPTB should have hired someone good to write coronation song years ago. Good they’re finally doing it, although it’s Jesse McCartney.
Mmm. I don’t know anyone who voted for the coronation songs, so….
I try not to think about the judges’ comments on Dream Big or TWIK Final 2 night. I find that I’m a happier person that way.
Am I the only now thinking that TOML’s success will only encourage TPTB to continue with the contest? In a way it kind of validates it if that makes any sense.
I still want to know how this Oprah thing came about. I used to watch her religiously before going back to work and I know she was always very hands on with guest choices. Something as major as this particular episode I’m sure she had a huge say in, and now TOML somehow became THE signature song of the Olympics?! My mind is blown here!
Well, it’s certainly the signature song of the Olympics now that Oprah said it was. LOL
I love this. I’ll love it more after I get to see it myself.
Who knew? The little Magic Rainbow sure has gotten bigger than I could’ve ever guessed.
Okay, the inner-fangirl is going nuts today. I’ll just say that made me squee on the inside and leave it at that, lol. I can’t wait to see Oprah. I have never said that before in my life
I’m not too surprised about the news that Jesse McCartney is writing the coronation song, especially if Simon is taking a bigger role behind the scenes. I remember reading somewhere that Simon lurves Jesse due to Leona’s success with “Bleeding Love.”
Jesse sings like a eunuch goat, but his songwriting skills are decent. I’m guessing that they’re looking for a pop/r&b winner this year?
I’m happy for Cookie’s Oprah appearance and all, but after this, I want no more televised Majik Rainbowz performances. He can’t be launched as a rock artist in 2 months if he’s still tasting moments and spreading his wings.
My sentiments exactly. Was it even part of the official soundtrack?
David Cook’s mother is probably flipping out.
…and a behind-the-scenes shot from O.com.
Lol, cheese. I totally agree with you on that one, and I suspect Cookie himself might just feel the same way. With the tour coming to an end and the album’s release date creeping closer and closer, I’m guessing he is just about ready to send Magic Rainbows into retirement. It’s been a nice run, but….it’s time.
Re. Jordins comments at the awards show, good for her! That took courage to say that, especially there. However, I wish they would hire a new stylist for her. Shes so pretty but I seldom see her in a flattering dress and that hair do has got to go.
Wow, the Oprah news is lovely to read.
If a year ago somebody had told me that I’d find it thrilling to be somebody’s fan I’d have thought they were crazy. No me, nuh uh, no way. But it really is fun to be his fan.
Anybody interested in Taylor’s Grease After party pictures from his last night on Broadway…..Pix with Ace and Constantine… http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=taylor hicks&assetType=image&ep=3&src=quick#
Your link isn’t working. Why was Constantine there????? Ugh.
Try this link
Not sure if this is the correct place to put this, but DC’s myspace now has a picture on it that says “Want to be the first to know the name of my new single? Click here to sign up for my newsletter”. So I’m thinking maybe this is the countdown to the single’s release (or it could just be wishful thinking on my part, lol).
Thanks AInoob for correcting my link….jpfan, not sure why Constantine was there except that he is doing a Broadway Production too …or maybe he is BFF with Taylor…LOL
“American Idol” Star to Perform at Land Rover America’s Polo Cup
http://sportstravel.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/american-idol-star-to-perform-at-land-rover-americas-polo-cup/
Ok, did anyone else read that review from Projo.com? Good grief - I can’t believe how negative the critic was! It was ridiculous!
Since there’s no concert thread yet, I’ll put this here. Cookie came out to the buses today in a new pair of shoes :D
(middle of the page)
http://www.david-cook.org/index.php?showtopic=13531&pid=390031&st=80&#entry390031
He’s such a goof.
tinydcfan,
I read it. It sounds like a grocery list. I can hear him at the keyboard: “Ok, singer #3…check. #4…check. How long before I can get another Red Bull? *sigh*”
Yeah, it’s pretty exciting stuff (yawn). Kinda hard on Chikezie tho, from what I’ve heard.
Wonder if said critic has ever heard Brother Iz’ version of OTR? If not, I can see how there would be confusion over the “lyric flubs.”
LOL, Emma. Did he steal Mickey’s gloves, too?
Mickey gloves! Too funny. It looks like he had to cut the bottom of his jeans so they could fit over the Mickey shoes!
OMG, that’s so funny. I want a full body shot of DC with those shoes. Pray someone got that.
Someone did
tinydcfan, I read it, too. Tough critic, huh?
Does this mean Jason is adorable like a puppy dog? You know charming, too?
Well, that does sound like a compliment. Interesting? That’s cool. I am not sure what Rick Massimo meant by stating David’s version of “Stand By Me” was lilting. Maybe a typo?
Maybe those are a new line of Sketcher sneakers? Mmmm….competition for “Air Jordan’s”. They could be “Air Mickey Mouse” or “Air Disney”
Hee! I.Love.Him.
Bwah! This? Genius.
Ace and Taylor look good.
Great interview with the Idols here:
Season 7 ‘Idol’ contests look back after tour
After two and a half months crisscrossing the country, the American Idols Live! tour and its exclamation point finally grind to a halt this weekend in Tulsa, Okla.
Once it’s done, this year’s top 10 will be free to either start working on their recording careers in an effort to catch up with David Archuleta’s smash debut single “Crush” or pack it up and rebuild their shattered lives.
Since that’s likely to be the last you’ll hear from them in a while, MSNBC presents some never-published excerpts from interviews with five of “American Idol” 7’s singers, taken from a speed-dating-style pre-show press junket before their Worcester, Mass. show.
MSNBC
I adore Jason.
That msnbc.com interview has a good set of quotes from just about all of the five that he interviewed. DC’s interview was, shall we say, different from any other interview I’ve seen with him.
Interesting article Gwendolyn. Thanks for the link.
Anyone else wondering who has to “rebuild their shattered lives”?? WTF???
http://www.rsaworldwide.com/spot.php?detectqt=false&pid=1730
Very HQ version of the Crush video.
I’m freaking out! i have no confirmation but i’m so ecstatic right now.
someone on d-c.org said that cookie’s new SINGLE is out september 15th, that’s NEXT MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!
there is also the newsletter message about the single on DC’s myspace so
COULD THIS BE TRUE?
I’m very skeptic. Shouldn’t we hear something if the single is that close? IDK. I could see them announcing a single and then have it come out early October, maybe, but the 15th?
Where did that person hear it? Is there any reason to think this is reliable?
jolene
i have no idea. i said i have no confirmation of this.
i’m hopping it’s true just because of the message on his myspace yesterday.
i read it here:
http://www.david-cook.org/David-and39s-Upcoming-Single-t13553.html
i remember a while back that i read about a single in september after the tour is over, but i can not remember where did i read this.
anyway i’m crossing fingers that it’s true. i need a new cook fix ASAP.
Not necessarily. I’ve seen times where there is no listing on All Access, or any of the other music sites and out of nowhere a premiere happens. Christina Agiilera’s new single kind of came out of nowhere. There was some e-mails exchanged from a BMG contact to someone in August and the end of the month they were sent this without even a title, then just a few days ago RCA issued a press release. That said if anything happens on the 15th I think we may find out the name of the single or perhaps it will end up on AOL First Listen. I think the MySpace graphic is an indication at least something is happening.
It would be totes WTFCook to do this. I’d swear I recall that he said several weeks ago something about September for the single and then there was no further confirmation of that. They sure know how to give us something to talk about. :)
This was posted in the Providence cellcert thread at dc.org the other night