Jordin Sparks News

KETC Channel 9 and Fox Concerts present CELTIC WOMAN 'Songs from the Heart' Tour at the Fabulous Fox Theatre March 30 & 31 for 2 performances each at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for both performances are on sale now and prices are $68, $58, and $48. All prices are subject to change. The Irish music phenomenon, Celtic Woman, are touring in support of their latest CD/DVD release of the same title, Songs from the Heart, which debuted at #9 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and #1 on Billboard Top DVD Chart. The group is set to delight live audiences with what the Cleveland Plain Dealer has called a 'highly polished, tightly choreographed extravaganza.'

The first results show of 'Idol' brought about at least one unexpected decision from America's votes, as 'Idol' said goodbye to four of the Top 24 competitors. The night featured performances from two performers from last year's 'Idol,' as well as the four losing competitors.

After last night's disappointing performance from the women, America, as well as the judges, was hoping from a step up from gentlemen. And, while they did have a better overall showing than the women, it was another disappointing night from the "Idol" contestants. Several of the performers were good, but none seemed to up the ante and knock their song out of the park.

In a year where 'Idol' is clearly pushing for a female winner, the first performances by the top twelve women was quite a letdown. Even the judges seemed to notice a rather lackluster group of performances from each of the twelve female finalists, with Simon seemingly growing more and more frustrated as the night went on. There were few bright spots in the evening that should have been a step up from the final performance in Hollywood, but none of the contestants progressed, with many of them taking a step backward on the first night.

According to the Huffington Post, American Idol Semi-Finalist Todrick Hall has caused some controversy regarding performance refunds for a show Hall wrote and directed.

AMERICAN IDOL's Top 24 semi-finalists walked the red carpet for their first star-studded special event held at STK + Coco de Ville in West Hollywood on February 18, 2010.

After learning the first seven of the Top 24 last night, tonight's episode left audiences in anticipation, waiting to see if their favorite singers would be selected through to the next round. Some of the choices seemed obvious (i.e. Andrew Garcia), while others left audiences wondering if they would receive good news or leave the judging room in tears.

On Wednesday, AMERICAN IDOL revealed the remaining 17 semifinalists in the season's top 24 contenders. (Spoiler Warning: Do not read ahead if you don't want to know yet who the top 24 are.)

In an 'American Idol' first, seven of the Top 24 contestants were revealed on tonight's episode. After featuring snippets of many contestants' performances, 'Idol' split the hopefuls into three groups, sending one-third of the contestants home before the final judging. Then, each remaining contestant sat down with the judges to learn whether they would be singing in front of America or ending their journey in Hollywood. Some performances worked, others fell surprisingly flat, but the big news from tonight's 'Idol' is who made it through Hollywood.

Here is the audition of Todrick Hall, who was seen on Broadway opposite Fantasia Barrino in The Color Purple. Hall has also appeared in 'High School Musical 2' and in a 'Beauty and the Beast' production at Disney World. He has also appeared on Disney cruise ships as well as writing, choreographing and directing his own original production called 'Oz, the Musical.'

Here is the audition of Todrick Hall, who was seen on Broadway opposite Fantasia Barrino in The Color Purple. Hall has also appeared in 'High School Musical 2' and in a 'Beauty and the Beast' production at Disney World. He has also appeared on Disney cruise ships as well as writing, choreographing and directing his own original production called 'Oz, the Musical.'

For the first time in the history of AMERICAN IDOL, the first 7 contenders of the top 24 have been announced, reports TVGuide.com.

Minutes prior to the start of the Olympic games in Vancouver on Friday, February 12, NBC aired an abbreviated version of 'We Are the World 25 for Haiti', a recording to benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake. The full video can be seen below. The single is available for download from iTunes with proceeds going directly to the We Are the World Foundation.

Corbin Bleu is the first star of the popular High School Musical film franchise to hit Broadway as he steps into the role of bodega owner Usnavi in IN THE HEIGHTS. Bleu will remain in the show through April 25, 2010. Jordin Sparks attended the show on Friday night, February 12th and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture her backstage! Sparks was the youngest winner ever of AMERICAN IDOL, doing so at the age of 17 for the shows' sixth season. She has since sold more than 9 million albums worldwide.

Tonight episode of 'American Idol' brought the always-entertaining group auditions. The remaining contestants form groups of three to five people, choose from a select list of songs, and choreograph the number to perform in front of the judges. Group auditions always provide for an excellent episode, as it is the only time in the show when contestants are forced to depend on others in their performance.

ET has released new footage of Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie's all-star recording of We Are the World to benefit Haitian earthquake victims. The pair assembled 100 actors and musicians for the re-recording, which ET's Mary Hart, who was grated access to the recording, calls 'phenomenal again.' She reported that some filming of the even was done in 3-D. BroadwayWorld brings you this latest footage from ET, featuring Pink and Mary J. Blige.

The first round of Hollywood auditions on 'American Idol' brought the welcome addition of Ellen DeGeneres to the judging panel. Ellen replaced Paula Abdul, after Paula was not hired back for 'Idol's' ninth season. Ellen was a refreshing change to panel, being brutally honest to the contestants, as well as providing several amusing comments about the performances.

Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie have begun work on the latest all-star recording of We Are the World to benefit Haitian earthquake victims. The pair assembled 100 actors and musicians for the re-recording, which ET's Mary Hart, who was grated access to the recording, calls 'phenomenal again.' She reported that some filming of the even was done in 3-D. BroadwayWorld brings you ET's newly released inside-the-recording footage!

'Idol' closed out its fourth week of auditions with a 'Best of the Rest' episode, containing singers from each of the seven audition cities. In typical 'Idol' fashion, some of the singers were quite talented, while others were simply pitiful. Very few standouts were seen in this last episode; however, one of the more interesting stories to take place thus far on 'Idol' was featured.

The 'American Idol' auditions made their last stop tonight, visiting Denver, the home to one of the biggest rock stars to come from 'Idol,' Daughtry. Since season five when Daughtry appeared on the show, the number of auditions to be the next 'American Idol' more than doubled, bringing the total number of contestants in Denver to over 9,000. Guest judge Victoria Beckham was back on the judging panel, bookending the auditions after joining the show on its first stop in Boston.