posted by Administrator on Jun 25
He won the affection of millions of people on “American Idol,” but this weekend, Ruben Studdard is giving his heart to one woman.
A representative for the former “Idol” confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that Studdard, 29, plans a Saturday wedding. He and Surata Zuri McCants, 30, took out a marriage license on Monday, according to court records.
The Birmingham native, nicknamed the “Velvet Teddy Bear” on the show for his big frame and sonorous voice, has released three albums since his 2003 win, including the platinum CD “Soulful.” He is working on a new album.
posted by Administrator on Jun 24
Simon Cowell admits that Josiah Leming should have been an American Idol seventh-season semifinalist, however he’s placing the blame for why it didn’t happen on his fellow judges.
“We should have put him through,” Cowell told the Knoxville News Sentinel in a Friday report. “I was all for it. I wanted him in the competition.”
Leming auditioned for Idol’s seventh season last summer in Atlanta and wowed the judges with “To Run,” a song he wrote. He made it through to the Hollywood Round and continued to impress the judges with both his vocal ability and piano-playing skills on “Grace Kelly.”
However he faltered badly during his final Hollywood Round performance when he was ill-prepared and sleep deprived, singing a rendition of “Stand By Me” with no musical accompaniment.
While Randy Jackson called it Leming’s “worst performance” and Paula Abdul added it “didn’t work,” it’s not as though Cowell was completely blameless, as he characterized the 18-year-old as being “a teensy-weensy bit annoying” and singing with “overconfidence.”
Still, Cowell said he wanted to send Leming through to the Top 24 only to be shot down by both Jackson and Abdul.
“I don’t know what they were thinking,” Cowell told the News Sentinel. “I wanted him through.”
Idol’s loss worked out pretty well for Leming, who recently signed a recording and publishing contract with Warner Bros. Records. His debut album is currently scheduled to drop in September.
“I think I was proven right,” Cowell told the News Sentinel.
posted by Administrator on Jun 16
The American Idol judge and her restaurateur beau have called it quits on their romantic relationship, her publicist Jeffrey Ballard told E! News in a Friday report.
“They broke up months ago,” Ballard told E! News, while a rep for Torregiani “insisted” the two are still together.
The 45-year-old Abdul and 32-year-old nightclub owner first met last April following an Idol taping and began dating as the sixth-season wrapped its broadcast run last May.
The couple moved in together last October, however Ballard told E! News that Torregiani — who is a partner in The Dolce Group, the Los Angeles restaurant group that was co-founded by Big Brother second-season houseguest and All-Stars winner Mike “Boogie” Malin — is currently living with a friend in the Hollywood Hills.
“[They] still are friendly, though,” Ballard told E! News.
posted by Administrator on Jun 12
Singer David Cook is to perform and comedian Jimmy Kimmel is to act as host of a California charity event to raise money for cancer research, organizers said.
The Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation at UCLA, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising private funds for highest priority cancer research, said it is planning its 13th annual Taste for a Cure event June 21 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Fox Broadcasting Company President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly will be honored with the Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award, while Kimmel will emcee the event and 2008 “American Idol” winner Cook is to perform.
Taste for a Cure is a wine and food tasting reception followed by a seated dinner with creations by award-winning chefs selected to prepare the tasting menu and dinner.
This year’s chefs are Lee Hefter and Ari Rosenson of CUT; Joachim Splichal of Nick & Stef’s; and Paul Villa and Nick Kislo of BOA Steakhouse, the foundation said.
posted by Administrator on Jun 9
Jordin Sparks is set to sing during the “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular” show in New York, NBC said Monday.
Also slated to perform at the event, which is to be televised on NBC, are Kenny Chesney, Natasha Bedingfield and Katharine McPhee.
Natalie Morales, NBC’s “Today” national correspondent, and Tiki Barber, “Today” correspondent and “Football Night in America” studio analyst, are to preside over the Independence Day festivities.
“Macy’s 2008 Fourth of July Fireworks will kick off a season of special events nationwide celebrating Macy’s 150th Birthday. The nation’s biggest fireworks show begins with a resounding musical fanfare accompanied by a dazzling pyrotechnic salute to the world’s largest store,” Robin Hall, Macy’s Fireworks executive producer, said in a statement. “Macy’s Fireworks is always rated the No. 1 show in America by the American Pyrotechnic Association, and we’re convinced the 2008 show will be no exception.”
posted by Administrator on Jun 6
Nigel Lythgoe won’t question David Cook’s vocal prowess but thinks the American Idol seventh-season champ could use a personality pick-me-up when performing.
“He can certainly sing, and I’d like to see a bit more personality when he’s singing,” the Idol executive producer told OK! Weekly in a Wednesday report.
If the 25-year-old winner does find that charisma, Lythgoe said he might someday rival the success of former Idol fifth-season finalist Christ Daughtry.
“[Cook could be] enormous for a long time,” Lythgoe told OK!.
Lythgoe added Cook wasn’t the only seventh-season finalist who could use a boost of character.
“That was the only thing that I think our finalists lacked a little bit this year, was more charisma,” Lythgoe told OK!.
Idol finalists weren’t the only people Lythgoe apparently has a problem with, as he also took aim at President George W. Bush.
Lythgoe claims Bush’s “people” insisted the President participate in Idol Gives Back for the second year in a row despite producers being disappointed at Bush’s lack of effort in fighting poverty.
“The President is always saying ‘I want to be on [Idol Gives Back],’” Lythgoe told OK!. “We didn’t ask the President this year to say anything because we are all a bit embarrassed about him, and the office insisted that, because the [primary] candidates were on it, the President would like to come on and say ‘Thank you.’”
Lythgoe said he plans on continuing to help those in need through his capacity as a So You Think You Can dance judge and producer by having audience memebers donate canned goods before entering.
“So if you want a ticket for So You Think You Can Dance, all you have to do is bring a can of fruit or vegetables or something,” he told OK!. “And I’ll come and collect it each week and just take it away.”
posted by Administrator on Jun 6
“American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta signed with 19 Recordings/Jive Records and is expected to cut his debut album later this year, the U.S. label said.
Archuleta, 17, is gearing up for the “American Idol” tour, which kicks off July 1 in Glendale, Ariz.
“Signing a record contract with 19 Recordings/Jive Records is truly a dream come true,” Archuleta said in a statement. “Being a fan of ‘American Idol’ since season one and admiring the alumni, I am honored and humbled to be a part of that group. I’m really excited to start working on everything.”
Simon Fuller, creator of the popular singing competition series and chief executive and founder of 19 Entertainment Label Group, added: “It was fascinating to watch David’s journey through ‘Idol.’ He is a genuine pop star, and is a gifted singer who instantly won over a huge audience when he first appeared on the show. Since then, he has dealt with the pressure and the high level of expectation with real fortitude; he’s given us some of the best performances of the season. Without question David Archuleta has a great future ahead of him.”
