In the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine, Adam Lambert holds nothing back when discussing Gene Simmons’ stupid comments about his sexuality from earlier in the year. The American Idol runner up said “Gene Simmons spouted something, that he thought I’d ruined my career by coming out. He’s obnoxious, and what a hypocrite – all he talks about is his sex life. He was being a dick – and he’s not the greatest singer. I guess he’s a good businessman. I’ll give him that.” Well, Gene is kind of a diva. I wonder if the aging KISS rocker will bite his big tongue or come back with even more insults.
A lot of celebrities had pretty good costumes for their Halloween gigs or whatnot but my favorite has to be Kelly Clarkson when she dressed up as ‘Family Guy’ character Stewie Griffin during the singer’s Halloween Concert at the Family Arena last weekend in St. Charles, Missouri. The 27-year old original American Idol champ performed a few of her songs dressed up as the cartoon and danced around on stage, shaking her Stewie butt. It’s a complete riot to watch! Kelly even danced to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ at one point. Kelly and ‘Family Guy’ ruled my Halloween world that’s for sure!
The music event is apparently going to be taken over by all of the Simon Cowell’s minions from previous seasons of the “talent” show American Idol. Apparently, the awards will feature Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry and perhaps even more. There are all American Idol trained. It looks like Simon Cowell has finally achieved his life’s goal of producing and authentic, functional and seemingly respectable star factory. Ah, the blood of industrialization runs deep in his British veins. Who could possibly compete with his skill and the large number of “Idol” shows he has established across the span of his mere lifetime.
American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi makes a guest appearance on an upcoming episode of Miley Cyrus’ hit Disney show ‘Hannah Montana’. In the episode ‘Judge Me Tender’, Miley’s character fills in for Kara alongside judges Andy and Byron on the reality show ‘America’s Top Talent’. Her stint as a guest judge turns complicated though when her friend Oliver (Mitchel Musso) auditions and delivers a knock out performance. Kara’s episode of ‘Hannah Montana’ will premiere next Sunday, October 18 at 7:30PM ET/PT on the Disney Channel. I wonder why it was Kara that they had as the guest. Maybe they’re all trying to make her more likeable for the next season of AI.
Apparently, one of Carrie Underwood’s song writers met with country singer Brittany McDonald after hearing and loving the latter’s song ‘Bang’. The meeting took place well before the 26-year old American Idol champ’s new single ‘Cowboy Casanova’ was written and recorded and now there is suspicion that Carrie’s latest single is a plagiarized song from Brittany. I’ve listened to both songs and they do sound eerily similar. While there are a lot of songs out there that sound similar, it’s highly suspicious that one of Carrie’s song writers met with Brittany before Carrie’s song even came to life. I hope Carrie isn’t involved in any shape or form in any plagiarism acts.
American Idol champ Kris Allen has released his new single ‘Live like We’re Dying’ off of the singer’s as yet untitled album which is scheduled to come out on November 17. Let me say this – I am quite sure that this is going to be a smash hit! The song is actually a cover from the Irish pop rock band The Script. Just like Kris did with Kanye West’s song ‘Heartless’, he totally sang the cover song as if it was it was written for him to sing. Honestly, he’s the only one I know who can make a cover sound totally original.
Kelly Clarkson had some fighting words for Kanye West after Sunday night’s fiasco with the rapper and Taylor Swift at the VMAs and the American Idol alum took to her blog to say them. Kelly said “…I’ve seen you do some pretty shitty things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, asshole ways. It’s absolutely fascinating how much I don’t like you. I like everyone. I even like my asshole ex that cheated on me over you…which is pretty odd since I don’t even personally know you… Is winning a moon man that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really??” And that’s just half of the letter that she wrote.
Carrie Underwood met and performed for the soldiers at the ‘Salute to the Troops’ concert at the Division Parade Field taking place in Fort Campbell, Kentucky last week. As part of the 2009 Week of the Eagles, the 26-year old American Idol alum was joined by fellow country singer Hank Williams Jr. The event-filled biannual celebration pays tribute to the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division who will soon be returning from their service in the Middle East. Welcome home guys! And thanks for protecting the country and the rest of the world from terror. You’ve made a lot of people proud.
A lot of American Idol fans are feeling the sting of the news that Paula Abdul will no longer be part of the show. Ryan Seacrest recently went on his Twitter to tell us how he felt when he found out. The host said “Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons..I can’t imagine the panel without puala. She’s a star @ a great friend.” Funny how he can’t even spell her name right. I wonder how Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson feel about their fellow judge leaving. I think anyone could care less about Kara DioGuardi’s thoughts on the matter.
It was recently announced that American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has tripled his pay check with the reality show after he signed a new three year contract, making him exclusive to CKX for any TV work. CKX is the parent company of 19 Entertainment, which produces American Idol. If you are wondering how big triple is, it’s to the tune of a cool $15 million. If you do the math with the contract, Ryan just signed a $45 million deal! That may seem like a lot, but then again, he still isn’t making anything near what Simon Cowell rakes in. There’s still no word on the contracts of Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi or Paula Abdul though.
I’m sure that Adam Lambert felt a bit of pressure from his new record label to release a statement regarding an album of some of his older work being released this summer. But did he really have to lie? Indie label Hi Fi Recordings plan on releasing an album of the American Idol runner up’s work from 2007 and 2008. After repeatedly denying his contribution to and condemning the record, the proof is in the credits. A new legal document has been dug up which shows that the singer co-wrote 9 of the 11 songs on the album. Is the album that bad that he doesn’t want his name attached to the songs he co-wrote?
Music mogul Simon Cowell is reportedly teaming up with retail boss Sir Philip Green to create a new TV network that could rival Disney, according to reports.
The deal would reportedly see the two men owning the rights to successful shows such as Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor and American Idol.
It is claimed the deal could be worth billions and could make the company bigger than Disney.
Simon sold his share of shows X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and American Idol to Sony a few years ago and it is claimed he could get a share of their profits through the new venture.
A pal of Simon’s said: “He doesn’t have any shares in them, he has nothing of the content. They are all owned by Sony or 19.
“All his contracts are up for renewal next year and he’s decided he wants to develop his own content – he will be onstage as a panellist, he will be the producer and he will also be the developer, right across the world.”
Simon is the man behind the hit reality TV shows and the new venture will enable him to take a more hands-on role on the shows.
A source said: “He’s [Simon] a genius behind the camera as well as in front of it. He’s just started filming the next series of X Factor in the UK.
“He edits the programmes himself, often staying up half the night to get them absolutely right, sitting in the editing suite himself.”
Simon Cowell reportedly left a lapdancing club with red lipstick across his face.
The recently-single American Idol judge was spotted leaving Stringfellows, which has a strict rule that clients can look but not touch.
Cowell was spotted out with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest. A private chauffeur picked them up at 3:30am and took them back to Cowell’s posh London home.
Cowell refused to confirm he had kissed any of the girls and reportedly said: “It’s just a rash.”
Meanwhile, it was recently reportedly that Cowell has put Britain’s Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle up in a converted convent in London while she performs on tour.
Carrie Underwood exchanges a microphone for a softball bat this past Wednesday when she participated in the 19th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge which was held at Greer Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The 26-year old American Idol alum played for the Grand Ole Opry Team while Dancing with the Stars cast Julianne Hough and boyfriend Chuck Wicks played on the other team, After Midnight. Carrie’s team won 11-5 after the country singer scored a run, hit a double and got an RBI. Who knew Carrie could play such good ball? She can have a career in sports if she wants to.
American Idol runner up Adam Lambert has just been outed by judge Kara DioGuardi. The judge did a taped interview for The View which aired this past Friday. During the segment, Barbara Walters asked her if she though his perceived sexuality might have influenced the audience to vote for Kris Allen. Kara replied “Well, first of all, I hope not … because we should be judging on talent and viability in the music industry and they both [Lambert and Allen] had that. I don’t think that Adam [Lambert] was ever in [the closet]. I think he was always openly out.” When Barbara reaffirmed that it wasn’t the public’s perception that Adam was openly gay, Kara said “I think he was. I mean from what I’ve seen … I do. I never thought he wasn’t.” I wonder what Kara has seen that the rest of us haven’t.
While Queen has expressed their consideration of Adam Lambert to become their permanent front man, the American Idol runner up has high hopes for his solo album. He recently shared his plans to record, saying “Labels tend to try to put one box around every artist and keep them in one genre, but I think [my album] can be a collection of different styles. I don’t want to do one specific genre. I’m more about fusion. There are a lot of pop artists that are using the ‘glam’ kind of vibe in their music currently so I think I’m actually part of a wave. There just happens to not be many guys doing it right now.”
After ranting on his personal blog where he slams American Idol runner up Adam Lambert and the last handful of winners, Clay Aiken is now apologizing to the closeted singer. Clay recently wrote “I’ll be the first to admit that my opinion is just that, only my opinion, but for as much as some of the bloggers seem to dislike me and care so little about my thoughts, they sure can waste a lot of their space on what I say!… I am sure that some were upset by my choice of words describing my opinion of a performance I heard from Adam Lambert. I hope no one actually believed that blood truly poured forth from my ears when I heard him. I obviously meant it as a colorful statement to imply that I did not enjoy what I heard… so, I do apologize to Adam for my colorful (and negative) choice of words. I hope he can forgive me. I imagine he doesn’t give a damn! God knows he shouldn’t.”
Janice Thibideaux, the woman who attacked Simon Cowell’s ex, Terri Seymour, after last week’s American Idol finale, has come out to talk about the motive behind her attack. She said “I wasn’t cool with Simon Cowell choking Paula Abdul on the show last week and with her crying-out ‘help’ as he did so. Nobody said anything about that so I wanted to confront him about it because that is not appropriate behavior, is it? She was taking some photographs with her camera and I knew she was his girlfriend so I went up to her to tell her how I felt. We started arguing and then I put my hands around her neck and started choking her just like Simon had done with Paula. Then I walked away and I was tackled by the police but I don’t regret what I did because of what Simon did to Paula, nobody seemed to care about that.” Crazy!
Former American Idol finalist, MICHAEL JOHNS will be performing his new single “Heart on My Sleeve” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show next Monday, May 25th. The Aussie vocalist will be releasing his first post-Idol solo album, Hold Back My Heart on June 23rd. Encouraged by his mentor David Foster, who invited Johns to appear on his star-studded David Foster And Friends PBS special in December 2008, Johns chose the road less traveled, and for the first time in his adult life, went to work on an album with no deal in place. “Foster always said that the secret of his success is to look at whatever lane is open in the music industry and take it,” Johns recalls. “And the way my record combines old and new, I could open for Alicia Keys one night and John Mayer the next, it’s right in the middle.” Songwriter Diane Warren, who penned the knee-buckling ballad “Heart Is Weak,” was another key endorsement. “There’s nothing more validating than having these heavyweights behind you,” says Johns. “It’s like screw winning American Idol when people like David Foster and Diane Warren are saying you have the real thing here.”
With an album completed and ready to turn in, Johns had the rare freedom to shop it around, and when Downtown Records, home to Gnarls Barkley, Cold War Kids and Santigold, showed interest in a licensing deal, he jumped at the opportunity to finally control his own fate. “I think we’re in the most exciting period of music ever, because there’s so many ways to do it,” he says. And like most of his plans thus far, Johns is thinking big for his future. “The live show is going to be great,” he says excitedly. “I might even take it old school with different bands in different towns — almost like what Chuck Berry and all those guys used to do.”
Tune in to see Michael Johns on The Ellen DeGeneres Show next Monday, May 25th. Check your local listings for times.
