'American Idol' made its way back to the location of its season one winner, visiting the city of Dallas and home of pop superstar Kelly Clarkson. The guest judges joining 'Idol' in the state of Texas were teen heartthrob Joe Jonas and television and Broadway star and Tony Award host Neil Patrick Harris. Dallas brought some excellent singers into the mix and some will definitely make a splash in Hollywood.
The fifth stop on the audition tour of 'American Idol' landed in 'Idol's' own backyard, Los Angeles. Joining Simon, Randy, and Kara were two young pop stars themselves, Avril Lavigne on the first day and Katy Perry on the second day. Lavigne was rarely seen on screen and did not seem to add much to the judging panel; Perry, however, was one of the few guest judges to truly understand the competition. Instead of joining Kara as the 'feel-good-judge' and sending people to Hollywood if they came in with a good story, Perry only voted 'Yes' to singers who she felt would actually have the chance to win the competition. A welcome change to the judging panel, Katy was more reminiscent of Simon and made her decision based purely on talent.
Day 4 of 'American Idol' kicked off in Orlando tonight with guest judge and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth. Many remember Chenoweth's show-stealing, Tony-winning performance in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and her triumphant star turn when she originated the role of Glinda (or Galinda) in Wicked, which earned her a Tony Award nomination. Chenoweth most recently starred in the ABC series Pushing Daisies, for which she just won the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She'll next be seen back on Broadway in the revival of Promises, Promises. Although Chenoweth was only available for half the episode (one day in Orlando), her presence was welcome to 'Idol' and Broadway fans alike.
After two very successful audition dates in Boston and Atlanta, 'American Idol' made its way to the Windy City. With the largest attendances as yet, 'Idol' came to Chicago with high expectations. 5-time Grammy winner Shania Twain served as guest judge for the 12,000 hopefuls and Chicago looked to be a promising stop on the long road to Hollywood.
AMERICAN IDOL hopeful Mike Davis may have the most interesting day job of any other contestant on the show: he is an actor on a speedboat. As he tells during his Golden Ticket interview, Davis is part of the 'Codzilla' speedboat experience, a tourism attraction with a theatrical flair.
Contestant Ashley Rodriguez who was singled out by judge Simon Cowell for having the 'it' factor, talks about the time she sang in front of Smokey Robertson at the Berkeley Commencement Concert. See video of Ashley's Golden Ticket interview below, as well as her audition from the show.
AMERICAN IDOL's Amanda Shectman who is a seasoned musical theatre performer and trained opera singer recalls the daunting task of having to perform an Italian aria at the mere age of 7 years old. Watch the video of her interview with AMERICAN IDOL below.
North Carolina native Noel Reese, now proud owner of an AMERICAN IDOL Golden Ticket, recalls in this interview her early start in the arts, as an admittedly nervous 7-year old, performing songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'The King and I' and 'The Sound of Music'.
AMERICAN IDOL's Golden Ticket Interviews features 19-year-old student Carmen Turner who hails from Baxley, Georgia. In the interview piece, Turner speaks about her own idol, Kelly Clarkson, and her role as Dance Captain for her high school's show choir. Turner auditioned for AMERICAN IDOL with a friend, both hopeful to make it past the first audition, but it was Turner who eventually wowed the judges and landed a Golden Ticket.
Day two of the hit reality TV show 'American Idol' continued tonight, moving the audition phase to Atlanta, Georgia, with guest judge Mary J. Blige. Atlanta proved rather comparable to last night's Boston auditions for the less-than-stellar singers, but, for a city that has featured the likes of Fantasia Barrino and Jennifer Hudson (both who held their initial audition in Atlanta), seemed to lack some of the more extraordinary performers. Although there were several good singers in the mix, the more colorful performances stole the show.
Another season of the hit reality TV show 'American Idol' kicked off its ninth season last night, bringing the familiar faces of Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, and Kara DioGuardio as America's favorite judging panel back to the silver screen. The show that has brought talent such as Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken takes talent from across the country and lets America choose who will be the next 'Idol.' Now in its ninth season, 'American Idol' has been one of the biggest reality TV show hits of the decade and has taken the country by storm.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Glee,' 'The Addams Family,' David Cromer, Grammy Award nominations, 'The Merry Widow,' more.....
You might not think that R&B icon Ruben Studdard would cover a country song, but that's just what he and producer John Jackson did.
RUBEN STUDDARD WANTS TO SPEND 'CHRISTMAS IN YOUR ARMS' 'Christmas in Your Arms' Out December 8 Via All Digital Retail
Nominations for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced tonight by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest over the past year in music, as determined by the voting members of The Academy.
You might not think that R&B icon Ruben Studdard would cover a country song, but that's just what he and producer John Jackson did.
RUBEN STUDDARD WANTS TO SPEND 'CHRISTMAS IN YOUR ARMS' 'Christmas in Your Arms' Out December 8 Via All Digital Retail
Hip-hop dance phenomenon The Groovaloos, best known for their breakout winning performance on NBC?s ?Superstars of Dance? and appearances on FOX?s ?So You Think You Can Dance,? will open The Joyce Theater season in the groundbreaking original production Groovaloo. Limited engagement: Tuesday, September 15 through Sunday, September 27.
Hip-hop dance phenomenon The Groovaloos, best known for their breakout winning performance on NBC's 'Superstars of Dance' and appearances on FOX's 'So You Think You Can Dance,' will open The Joyce Theater season in the groundbreaking original production GROOVALOO. Limited engagement: Tuesday, September 15 through Sunday, September 27.
Hip-hop dance phenomenon The Groovaloos, best known for their breakout winning performance on NBC's 'Superstars of Dance' and appearances on FOX's 'So You Think You Can Dance,' will open The Joyce Theater season in the groundbreaking original production GROOVALOO. Limited engagement: Tuesday, September 15 through Sunday, September 27.
