Jailed former “American Idol” finalist Jessica Sierra is reportedly pregnant in Florida.
TMZ.com cited sources who said the baby’s father is a rap artist and Sierra is happy to be expecting.
Sierra, 22, is in the infirmary in Florida’s Falkenburg Road Jail and has been placed on a “pregnancy diet,” the report said.
The singer, who will soon be seen on the TV reality series “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” is facing two misdemeanor charges of disorderly intoxication and obstructing or opposing an officer, and two felony counts of possession of cocaine and battery, TMZ.com said.
She was arrested after she allegedly went on a drunken rampage at a nightclub earlier this month.
After pleading no contest to charges of felony battery and drug possession last month, the singer was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and random drug testing.
The alleged behavior that led to her most recent arrest reportedly violates the terms of her probation.
Rock icon Alice Cooper and “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks participated in the dedication of the site where a new teen music center will be built.
When completed, the $7 million center known as The Rock will feature a multiuse concert hall, recording studio, sound rooms, coffee house, and indoor basketball courts and rock-climbing walls.
The center at Arizona’s Grand Canyon University was designed to provide a safe, productive place to socialize and make music, the university said in a statement.
Cooper is a long-time contributor to Grand Canyon University, supports scholarships and received an honorary doctorate there, while Sparks, whose grandmother is a GCU alumnus, designated The Rock as one of the charities to which she would donate a portion of her winnings.
Both performers are Phoenix natives.
“With Grand Canyon University’s support, we are fulfilling a vision we’ve had for several years — to provide teens and children with a central place to learn, have fun, and explore their creativity in a supportive environment,” Cooper said in a statement. “I hope that in years to come, The Rock will be the first of many such teen centers in Arizona and around the country.”
He may not have won “American Idol,” but Chris Daughtry is the king of the album charts this year, according to Billboard. The “Idol” finalist’s band, Daughtry, sold 3.2 million copies of their self-titled debut, making it the most popular album of the year, according to the trade magazine.
The group was followed by Akon, whose “Konvicted” sold 2.7 million; Fergie’s “The Dutchess,” which sold 2.4 million; the “Hannah Montana” soundtrack with 2.5 million copies sold; and 2005’s “American Idol” champ Carrie Underwood, whose “Some Hearts” sold 2.3 million copies.
Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” was the No. 1 single of the year, followed by Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” Both have been nominated for a Grammy for record of the year. Rounding out the top five was Gwen Stefani at No. 3 with “The Sweet Escape,” Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry” at No. 4, and T-Pain’s “Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” at No. 5.
The Police’s reunion tour was named the top tour of the year, grossing at least $212 million
Blake Lewis’ debut album “Audio Day Dream” dropped at No. 10 on The Billboard 200 album sales chart after selling 98,000 copies during its initial week of release, according to Nielsen Soundscan data for the week ending December 9.
Debut album sales numbers for the American Idol sixth-season runner-up were lower than fifth-season Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee’s self-titled debut, which sold 116,000 copies and dropped at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 in its first week of release in February; as well as fourth-season Idol runner-up Bo Bice, who debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200 in December 2005 with “The Real Thing,” which sold 227,000 copies in its first week.
However Lewis’ debut numbers were higher than those of original Idol runner-up Justin Guarini — whose self-titled debut moved only 54,000 copies in its first week of release in June 2003; as well as third-season Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo, whose December 2004 debut “Blue Skies” moved 47,000 in its first week of sales.
Album sales for the week ending December 9 were down 23.3% from the same week last year (14.45 million versus 18.86 million), according to Billboard.
Fox has announced that American Idol will once again host an Idol Gives Back fund-raising event benefiting various U.S. and international charities, with the live two-hour concert and fundraiser scheduled to air Wednesday, April 9 at 8PM ET (PT tape-delayed).
Idol Gives Back’s 2007 charity event aired over the course of two late-April Idol sixth-season episode broadcasts, and the event raised $75 million from both home viewer and corporate contributions.
In the U.S., Idol Gives Back supported various charities that aid underprivileged children, providing them with medical care; food and grocery products; health and life skills; literacy programs and obesity prevention; and other important initiatives. The event also donated funds to charitable causes in Africa, such as organizations that support efforts to battle poverty through various health and education programs, including delivering medical supplies and providing clean water.
“This remarkable achievement hopefully will enable the launch of a stand-alone event in the coming years to expand upon this important beginning,” said Idol creator Simon Fuller following the event.
As part of Idol Gives Back, comedian Ellen DeGeneres hosted a benefit concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which featured performances by Earth, Wind & Fire; Il Divo; Josh Groban with the African Children’s Choir; a duet between original Idol champ Kelly Clarkson and guitarist Jeff Beck; and Annie Lennox.
In addition, Idol aired a version of “I’ll Stand By You” recorded specifically for Idol Gives Back by Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood. Thanks to the wonder of technology, Celine Dion also performed a duet with Elvis Presley, who’s been dead since 1977. (Dion was placed beside “The King” during a 1967 performance of “If I Could Dream.”)
Idol 6’s Top 6 finalists — Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle, Lakisha Jones, Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson — also performed “Time to Care,” an original song written by Quincy Jones, the music legend who produced 1985’s “We Are the World” Ethiopian famine relief song.
Idol Gives Back’s genesis began with Fuller and Richard Curtis, an Australian-born British screenwriter who annually organizes Red Nose Day in the U.K., which uses “comic relief” as well as both British and American celebrities to raise money and awareness for African causes through a special on the BBC.
Idol’s seventh season will premiere over the course of two consecutive nights on Tuesday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 16, with both two-hour broadcasts beginning at 8PM ET/PT. Idol 7’s first half-hour results show broadcast will air Wednesday, March 12 at 9PM ET/PT.
Troubled singer Jessica Sierra has pleaded not guilty to violating her probation by getting arrested after an alleged drunken rampage outside a Florida bar.
Sierra was ordered Thursday to remain in jail until at least her next court hearing Dec. 20, MyFox Tampa reported.
The 22-year-old former “American Idol” contestant was arrested early Saturday morning by Tampa Police who say she was kicked out of the Full Moon Saloon, and then became combative once she got outside.
Police records indicate Sierra was intoxicated when she engaged in verbal and physical altercations with other patrons, hit two police officers and tried to escape when taken into custody.
Sierra is also accused of being verbally abusive to police, who claim she offered sexual favors in exchange for her release.
She was later charged with disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence.
The singer was previously sentenced to 12 months probation after she pleaded no contest last month to cocaine possession and felony battery for hitting a man with a glass at Hyde Park Cafe in April.
Sierra entered a California rehabilitation facility in July and her progress was documented on “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” due to air early next year.
Former American Idol finalists Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Mandisa Hundley, and Chris Daughtry were all recognized by The Recording Academy when nominations for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards were announced on Thursday.
esh off his band Daughtry taking home 2007 American Music Awards for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist and Favorite Breakthrough Artist — while the group’s self-titled debut album was also recognized for Favorite Pop or Rock Album — Daughtry received three Grammy Award nominations.
The group’s self-titled debut was nominated for Best Rock Album, while one of its singles — “It’s Over You” — received a nod in the Best Rock Song category. “It’s Over You” was penned by Daughtry and songwriters Gregg Wattenberg and Mark Wilkerson, as well as Daughtry’s fellow fifth-season Idol finalist Brett “Ace” Young.
“Home” — a ballad that served as background music for Idol sixth-season eliminations — received a nod in the Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals category. In addition, the album’s producer Howard Benson was nominated for Producer of the Year.
Underwood — who took home two 2007 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Jesus Take the Wheel” — received three nominations this year.
“Before He Cheats,” which was written by John Kear and Chris Tompkins, was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Country Song. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Country Songs chart and has already been recognized with 2007 CMT Music Awards for Female Video of the Year and Video of the Year; a 2007 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Country Song; a 2007 Academy of Country Music Award for Video of the Year; as well as a 2007 Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year.
In addition, Underwood’s “Oh Love” duet with fellow country crooner Brad Paisley — a track that appeared on his sixth album “5th Gear” — also received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.
Underwood and Paisley will be pitted against Clarkson and her best bud Reba McEntire in the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals category, in which they were nominated for their duet “Because of You.”
Like Underwood, Clarkson also already has two Grammy Awards to her credit. The original Idol champ’s sophomore album “Breakaway” won a 2006 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, while its single “Since U Been Gone” received the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Award.
Barrino received her Grammy nod in the Best Contemporary R&B Album category for her second album “Fantasia.” The Idol third-season champ’s debut album “Free Yourself” received two 2006 Grammy nods in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album categories, however she failed to receive either award.
Hudson received a Grammy nomination in the Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media category for the Dreamgirls’ song “Love You I Do,” which was written by Siedah Garrett and Henry Krieger. The Dreamgirls actress — who received an Oscar for her role — performed “Love You I Do” in the film.
Rounding out the nominations was Hundley — Idol 5’s ninth-place finisher — who received a Grammy nod for her debut album “True Beauty” in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category.
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled to air live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday, February 10 at 8PM ET/PT on CBS.
American Idol’s seventh-season “Hollywood Round” recently wrapped — and if you listen to judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, the crop of talent was the best they’ve ever seen.
“Season 7 is off with a bang dude. I’m telling you, the talent is unbelievable. It’s crazy dude! I can’t even believe it myself,” Jackson told EXtra correspondent Terri Seymour in a Friday report. “I think it’s the best [talent] we’ve ever had. People say, ‘Aw! You say that every season!’ But I’ve got to literally tell you it is so good… We found talent I didn’t ever think we’d found with this show and we found some things that really epitomizes what the show is really, really about.”
Jackson said some of the talent discovered during the “Hollywood Round” — where 160 hopefuls were narrowed to 24 semifinalists, 12 boys and 12 girls — rivals that of original Idol Kelly Clarkson and Idol 4 champ Carrie Underwood.
“I can’t imagine us not having an unbelievable Top 10, Top 12 this year,” Jackson told Extra. “All of them are just amazing in their own right, and different.”
Cowell agreed with Jackson and described the Idol 7 semifinalists as “very, very strong.”
“Potentially it is [the best season so far],” Cowell told Seymour, his longtime girlfriend. “It’s fresher. The talent is better. You know this year for me was all about identities. It wasn’t just enough to say you’re a good singer. It was you’re different — you’ve got your own identity — you’re unique. This will be the strongest [Top 12] we’ve ever had. I never, ever have said that before, but this year, genuinely, it’s the strongest we’ve got.”
Abdul said the “Hollywood Round” talent was so overwhelming that — Gasp! — even she had to be “harsh” on the hopefuls.
“We were saying, ‘No.’ to people that would normally otherwise be put through,” she told Extra. “We have had so many stand-out superstars now. I am so excited about this season. It’s equal guys to girls. It’s anyone’s game. Simon Cowell cannot predict the winner this season.”
While Abdul claims not even Cowell can predict the seventh-season’s eventual champ, she did describe the upcoming Idol installment as must-see TV.
“I’ve been telling people this is going to be a season that no one’s gonna want to miss,” she told Extra. “There are so many stars, I think that when you get down to [the Top 12], it’s going to be 12 possible contenders for record deals. It’s unbelievable. We’re shocked.”
Idol 7 will premiere over the course of two consecutive nights on Tuesday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 16, with both two-hour broadcasts beginning at 8PM ET/PT.
Following its two-night, four-hour debut, Idol 7 will slide into its regular one-hour Tuesdays at 8PM ET/PT time period beginning January 22 and its regular one-hour Wednesdays at 8PM ET/PT time slot on January 23. In addition, Fox announced Idol 7’s first half-hour results show broadcast will air Wednesday, March 12 at 9PM ET/PT.
Singer Jessica Sierra reportedly offered to perform oral sex on a police officer if he would let her go as she was being arrested in Florida last weekend.
The 22-year-old former “American Idol” contestant also repeatedly vomited in the police cruiser she rode in before she was placed in an isolation cell at Orient Road Jail, the Tampa Tribune reported Monday.
Sierra was denied bail Sunday and the judge told her she could face up to 11 years in prison if convicted of violating probation, the newspaper said.
The singer was sentenced to 12 months probation after she pleaded no contest two weeks ago to cocaine possession and felony battery for hitting a man with a glass at Hyde Park Cafe in April.
She was arrested again in Ybor City early Saturday after a brawl in the Full Moon Saloon and charged with disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest without violence and violating probation.
Sierra entered a California rehabilitation facility in July and her progress was documented on the new reality show, “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” to air early next year.
Seattle singer Blake Lewis hopes his debut album, “Audio Day Dream,” shows he’s more than just the latest “American Idol” runner-up.
But he has no complaints about the show that made him famous.
“Being on ‘American Idol’ was the lottery ticket,” Lewis said. “It’s one of the most amazing experiences I’ll never have again ever in my life.
“It’s an amazing way of communicating with people. I tell people that all I was put on this earth to do is communicate my art to people, and what better way to do that (than) on ‘American Idol.’”
Lewis co-wrote 12 of the 13 tracks on “Audio Day Dream” and had a hand in producing them with collaborators such as Ryan “Alias” Tedder of the rock band OneRepublic, J.R. Rotem, bt, Mike Elizondo and David Hodges and S*A*M & Sluggo. The first single is “Break Anotha.”
Fellow “Idol” finalist Chris Richardson co-wrote the song “What’cha Got 2 Lose?” with Lewis and Rotem, while Lupe Fiasco guests on the track “Know My Name.”
Singer Jessica Sierra reportedly offered to perform oral sex on a police officer if he would let her go as she was being arrested in Florida last weekend.
