August 2006 News Archive

A quote from Kellie Pickler, just before the latest American Idols Live! parade of fleetingly famous finalists paused for intermission last weekend at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, added a trademark, down-home spin to a line virtually every performer uttered:

"It's amazing how much your life can change in a year! One day I'm a roller-skating waitress at a Sonic Drive-In," K-Pick said. "Now people are interested in me!"

What may also be the case, according to the Orange County Register, is a return to relative obscurity. As terrific as their show (see pics below) was this weekend, they may not have staying power.

After all, by this time next year, Kellie and most of this season's Idols will have been replaced by a new batch of vocalists, commanding a corner of our shrinking attention spans, simply because we just rooted and voted for them on Season 6 of American Idol.

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The Los Angeles Times reports that reigning American Idol king Taylor Hicks has settled a lawsuit he filed last week against a Nashville producer over the rights to three songs he wrote and recorded before becoming a phenom on the FOX series this spring.

Under the agreement, Hicks gained possession of the master recordings of his material, documents filed in federal court Tuesday reveal.

The lawsuit was filed and put to rest in Hicks' hometown of Birmingham, Ala. In exchange for receiving the rights to his songs, which he alleged were released on iTunes by ex-producer William Smith illegally, Hicks agreed to cease further legal action against the producer.

Smith recorded Hicks several years ago and recently tried to market the songs. He claims he intended to give all royalties to Hicks, and only released the songs to show the true abilities of the American Idol winner. No money will change hands under the agreement.

The MTV Video Music Awards tomorrow, which may interest you. Don't look for rocker and new mom Gwen Stefani there, however.

The New York Post reports that she’s boycotting the show, apparently, because she’s mad she spent all of the previous year dressing up, marching around and playing to the cameras for nothing except the "lame" Best Dressed award.

According to the Post's gossip hounds, Stefani received many nominations a year ago and was under the impression she would be taking home at least one award. She didn't, and that's not all that steamed her.

A handful of awards went to our own Kelly Clarkson, and every time the first and most-popular American Idol star won an award, the cameras panned straight over to Gwen. The former No Doubt front-woman felt set up and embarrassed.

Moreover, Stefani also thought she was going to close the show with a live performance, but was stripped of that honor. Her last-minute replacement? You guessed it -- Kelly.

We can't speak to how accurate any of these rumors are, but we sure can say that Kelly deserved each and every honor she received. She rocks!

Maybe the two concerts she did in Syracuse, N.Y., last September with the American Idol crew had singer Carrie Underwood feeling at home Monday when she performed at the New York State Fair's grandstand.

Or maybe it was the summer out on tour headlining, or opening for megastar Kenny Chesney, helped the American Idol champion grow more comfortable.

For whatever reason, she was certainly having a good time on stage this week, the Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

"I am chatty tonight!" Underwood said midway through her show.

The happy crowd of American Idol fans, which you can spot by the way they hold up their posters of love or wave whenever they think their hero might be looking in their direction, was given a lesson by Carrie regarding the importance of education. Underwood talked about important it was that she went back to get her degree after her narrow Idol win over Bo Bice.

Then she admitted being a bona fide Star Trekkie.

Musically, as well as in terms of her stage presence, Underwood has certainly grown. As she started with the powerful "We're Young and Beautiful," it was easy to tell that the native of Checotah, Okla., has gotten a lot out of the past 12 months as a country music star.

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The Charlotte Observer reports that a member of the NFL's Carolina Panthers, his sister, and an American Idol champion are launching a chain of beauty salons, from which they hope to earn significant revenue and donate the proceeds to single mothers.

The project's driving force is Rosalind Beaty, sister of Panthers safety Mike Minter. Charlotte resident and American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino will be the third partner.

Their first shop, Imaj Salon & Spa, is scheduled to open in Concord, N.C., this fall. It's going in across from Concord Mills mall at the Colonnade at King's Grant shopping center, next to the Little Dooey Barbecue & Blues restaurant.

The group hopes to franchise the store and channel all of its profits into establishing a faith-based, non-profit home in Cabarrus County. The home would be for single mothers who need to get back on their feet.

Fantasia, who recently starred in a successful TV movie about her own incredible life story, continues to branch out in terms of her career aspirations. It's great to see this star, whose American Idol rags-to-riches we all know, use her good fortune to help others in unfortunate situations. She continues to be an inspiration to us all.

The public just can't seem to get enough American Idol.

Just when you think folks might have had their fill, and the show might be heading for a downturn, it posts its biggest numbers ever.

"Right before the fifth season started in January, the producers and Fox executives believed American Idol was due for a cooling period. "They and most critics just couldn't believe it could continue its phenomenal climb in ratings," says Susan Young, a MediaNews TV critic. "When the premiere clocked more than 35 million viewers, it rocked even the true believers."

Over the years, the American Idol phenomenon has moved beyond the small screen to the Billboard record charts and the concert stage.

Most notably, Kelly Clarkson, the first-ever champion (right), is now one of the biggest-selling recording artists around and a formidable draw at major performing venues. She attracted huge crowds across the nation during her "Addicted" tour this summer.

Other idols, including Fantasia Barrino (the Season 3 winner) and Carrie Underwood (the Season 4 champ), also have jumped to the big leagues both musically and in Fantasia's case, a hit TV biographical movie.

While Season 6 is right around the corner, those who want to relive Season 5 may find the American Idols Live tour just what the doctor ordered -- it rolls into the Bay Area tonight after hitting Sacramento last night. Catch Taylor Hicks and company live before the tour ends!

We may have gotten to know and love Katharine McPhee based on her singing talents, but the American Idol runner-up has different aspirations.

She's already signed on with boyfriend Nick Cokas and others as co-producer of a Broadway play, and now several sources tell AIW that McPhee is one of several final contenders for the coveted lead role in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of Wonder Woman.

Big-name stars such as Sandra Bullock and Kate Beckinsale have also been rumored to be in the running for the starring role, however, so the chances of seeing the name Katharine McPhee atop this movie poster may be slim.

You never know, though. Katharine's pal Rachel Bilson (with McPhee, pictured) dressed up as Wonder Woman for her comic-loving boyfriend (Adam Brody, her on- and off-screen beau) on an episode of The OC, so maybe there's some kind of connection there.

It's great she's trying out, regardless of whether Katharine lands the role. McPhee employs the same manager as actress Lindsay Lohan, so it's clear she wants to break into the field. The film will be directed by Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, among other works.

Regardless of whether she'll be sporting Wonder Woman's trademark outfit of red boots, tights and super hero bracelets, fans will still be able to see Katharine in a different kind of suit very soon. McPhee, whose struggle with, and victory over bulimia has been well documented, will appear in a bathing suit on the cover of the upcoming issue of Shape magazine.

Now in a much healthier place, both mentally and physically, the 22-year old McPhee will be showing off her body and talking about how she overcame her eating disorder. We look forward to it -- she's our wonder woman, for sure!

Who wouldn’t want a chance to date Kelly Clarkson?

MTV is setting out to answer that question. A new show, My Own, will air every weekday at 6 p.m. EDT and PDT. The premise of the show? Helping a freaky fanatic find the [man or woman] who most closely resembles their favorite celebrity heart-throb in every conceivable way!

In the case of the August 30 episode, a fan will get to pick the girl who looks, sounds and even thinks like inaugural American Idol champ Kelly Clarkson.

With the help of two friends, one lucky fan will have the opportunity to question, examine and audition an assorted selection of wannabe pop-stars hand-picked by MTV. According to Kelly's online fan club, the fan will inspect the six pop star wannabes, searching for the one who acts, talks and generally resembles Kelly.

After a series of challenges and eliminations, three finalists will square off, performing some of Kelly's hit songs (in other words, all of Breakaway). In the end, the wannabe that best embodies the look and feel of ultimately will be the one our super-fan calls... My Own.

We're not sure about this whole idea, but MTV has proven adept at cranking out guilty pleasures and reality programs we love to hate, yet can't stop watching. And let's face it -- Kelly is pretty awesome. Sadly for fans, it looks like Yellow Card frontman Ryan Key gets to date the real thing. Lucky. At least you'll have this new show... and Kelly's new calendar.

Yesterday, we reported that Taylor Hicks (right), Bucky Covington and Elliott Yamin skipped out on their American Idol tour after-party in L.A. to hit up a more serious music scene -- and pick up some industry cred.

The trio snuck away to perform at the notorious Hollywood rock club Viper Room. According to TMZ.com, Taylor jammed with the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, along with members of his own band, playing harmonica while taking shots on stage in front of a sold-out crowd.

This crowd wasn't interested in hearing any pop covers or standards, and Taylor Hicks proved he's more than a gimmick, drawing raves from the audience. Nice!

Elliott and Bucky (below, left) also got in on the action to the delight of the packed house which included tons of screaming fans... ones slightly older than the audience at the Staples Center earlier in the night.

Bucky hung with his wife Crystal, while Yamin was joined by his model girlfriend, Jamie (below, right).

As far as Taylor, when he wasn't on stage or fending off members of his Soul Patrol, he retreated to the confines of the closed-off VIP room.

With his widely-anticipated sophomore studio CD, A Thousand Different Ways, due out next month, Clay Aiken is making the TV rounds.

AIW has received news that Clay will appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday, September 15, 2006, and a week later, on September 22, he'll be appearing on the popular The View.

These appearances will come on top of the Good Morning America visit scheduled for September 19 (the same day as his album's release), and a concert/interview trip to Jimmy Kimmel Live on the 26th.

Looks like Clay's adoring fans will soon get ample chances to see their man. For the moment, you can hear new song, "Without You," by visiting Aiken's official web pages. Check it out at his official site and MySpace page!