February 2007 News Archive (Page 11)

A new Katharine McPhee album means a new slew of interviews with the American Idol runner-up. Here, she sits down with TV Guide ...

TV Guide: How did being on American Idol change you?
Katharine McPhee: When you're in that [competitive] place, everything you hear affects you because you're already so sensitive and stressed and tired and overworked. When people ask me, "How was the experience?" my first reaction is always negative, which is not right of me. I think I'll look back at this 40 or 50 years from now, and it'll be like, "Wow, I was part of history."

TV Guide: What was the hardest part?
McPhee: I think those Idol forums — like AmericanIdol.com — should be shut down. It's basically just an opportunity for people to say the meanest things without consequence.

TV Guide: Meaner than the judges?
McPhee: The judges never made me cry. But their comments hurt. I was constantly fighting the pain and putting Band-Aids over the wounds to keep going.

TV Guide: You've just released your self-titled debut CD. What was that like to make?
McPhee: The thing that was hard for me about the studio is that I love to talk. And I was so isolated in the booth. It was pitch-dark and quiet, and [the producers] would be outside talking and I'd be like, "Hello? Guys? What are you saying about me?" I would hope that my second record would be less of me judging me.

TV Guide: You judged yourself in another way: Prior to Idol, you were treated for bulimia. Are you staying healthy?
McPhee: Everything's changed for me, and it's pretty miraculous just to be in a healthy body and to promote healthy bodies. But what's still hard is body image. Sometimes I love my body and sometimes I think I look so ugly. I'm just being honest.

TV Guide: On your CD's liner notes, you tell your boyfriend (actor Nick Cokas) that you love him more than you can say. What can you tell us about him?
McPhee: I actually snuck out of the Idol house to see him in the beginning. It was great to have that touchstone, a confidant. And then, as the show progressed, I just got really wrapped up in it, and I wasn't nice to him.

TV Guide: Your CD is sassy, upbeat and very different from the power ballads you sang on Idol. Was that sort of the point?
McPhee: If anyone had ever asked me what kind of record I wanted to make, I would've said, "An R&B, pop/soul album," because that's what's on the radio right now. If the record succeeds or fails, at least I can say, "I chose to go this direction." Nobody molded me.

TV Guide: Will you be performing on American Idol this season?
McPhee: If they'll have me back, I'd love to. I love the producers, Ken [Warwick] and Nigel [Lythgoe]. I want to look them in the face and say, "This is the Katharine that I wish I could've been."

TV Guide: Did you ever break down?
McPhee: [Pause] The only time I cried was when Chris Daughtry was eliminated. They said, "Chris is going home," and the show ends and everybody's basically looking at me saying, "It should have been you." They're not actually saying that, but that's what I'm interpreting. Simon [Cowell] said, "You live to see another day." And I just started crying. It felt weird and bad.

TMZ.com has obtained a lawsuit filed against Paula Abdul by a production company claiming the American Idol judge tried to screw them out of a show based on Paula's life.

According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pilgrim Films and Television (PFTV) met with Abdul and David Russo (her producing partner) in 2004 and discussed a talk show featuring Abdul. According to the suit, after some false starts, the concept evolved into a reality show titled "Hey Paula," based on Abdul's wacky life.

The lawsuit alleges that the project fell apart after Abdul demanded final editorial control over the final product.

The suit claims PFTV was trying to get the show back on track by selling it to Oxygen. But PFTV claims the American Idol judge allegedly came clean and told the peeps at PFTV that "she had secretly taken PFTV's 'Hey Paula' project ... to Bravo."

Reportedly, she never mentioned that Russo was allegedly in on it. On January 12, Bravo announced "Hey Paula" will debut sometime this year on the cable network.

The suit asks for compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to an injunction prohibiting anyone from airing "Hey Paula."

David Russo's lawyer, Bill Abrams, told TMZ, "The allegations are baseless."

Abdul told TMZ: "While I'm not going to respond to this baseless lawsuit, I will say that "Hey Paula" is based upon my life and my ideas. Last I heard, I still own my own life."

Those who watched the American Idol auditions in San Antonio last night should be excited about two new hopefuls moving on to Hollywood:

1. Ashlyn Carr
2. Akron Watson

Legal problems are now swirling around each, however - and one looks to have been disinvited to Hollywood due to a brush with the law.

Let's start with Carr (pictured). The 18-year enjoyed a unique experience in front of the judges last night: Simon was the only one who approved of her audition. Because of his sway with Randy and Paula, however, Ashlyn was actually invited back for a second chance; upon which, she received her golden ticket.

However, an article on MySanAntonio.com talks about a Sam Houston student who was arrested for pouring sugar in her ex-boyfriend's gas tank. Carr reportedly admitted to the crime, which took place after her Idol audition. Therefore, the singer's Hollywood status is unknown at this time.

The same cannot be said for Watson. He's out ... for now. Despite impressing judges with his vocal talent, Akron has been dismissed from Hollywood. The reasons aren't known, but an arrest for marijuana possession has been assumed to be it.

Because other contestants with criminal records have made the journey, though, Watson is doing all he can to protest. You can read his side at Watson's MySpace page and take action if you wish to see this talent receive another shot at stardom.

It's our last show before viewers receive their golden ticket and head off to Hollywood with the rest of American Idol hopefuls. Let's see how it goes ...

Most jeg-lagged: Simon Cowell. He's also changed spots with Randy. We're scared and excited.

Most fawned over: Haley Scarnato. First, Ryan says she has the face for a CD cover. Then, Paula talks to her about fashion like her BFF. Most impressively, Simon is speechless looking at her. Oh, and she sings Bonnie Raitt pretty well.

Least biggest fan of Seabiscuit: Baylie Brown. This wanna-be city girl is headed to one of the most well-known in the world: Hollywood. We like her pluck. Move over, Kellie Pickler.

Coolest cousins: The first one couldn't sing, but we enjoyed William Green and Akron Watson. The former's faux anger at the judges was hilarious - and the latter could actually carry a tune. Just take your funny relative with you to Hollywood, Akron.

Toughest: Ashlyn Carr. Anyone who will go through a concussion in order to follow her singing dreams deserves a chance - and maybe a singing coach. You know, someone who will work on those weird faces.

Most Studdard-like: Jimmy McNeal. Wow, a decent audition to end the show. That's new. And welcome. Maybe Cupid had something to do with it.

She may have recently insulted American Idol a bit, but Jennifer Hudson still makes fans of the show proud.

Therefore, we're glad to bring you this picture of the singer/actress in front of a rather large statue. Not just any statue, of course. It's an Academy Award.

And a smaller version of this gold fella may be Hudson's to take home in a few weeks ...

Fourth-place American Idol finisher Chris Daughtry proved Sunday night to be a formidable concert draw. His band, simply known as Daughtry, played at a sold-out Slim's in San Francisco a few hours after the Super Bowl - an extremely difficult feat by anyone's measure.

Like the Indianapolis Colts, Daughtry put on a show that certainly connected with his exuberant fans. Artistically speaking, however, the singer still has a long way to go before he can be thought of as anything other than just the lucky beneficiary of all that television exposure.

As past Idol winners can attest, it's not how contestants do on TV that matters most. The competition begins when the show's season ends, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

The real chance for victory occurs when the alumni try their luck on the record charts. Just ask Ruben Studdard, the Season 2 champ who to this day fights comparisons to runner-up Clay Aiken, who has registered the more successful recording career.

Known as the rocker, Daughtry placed behind Elliott Yamin, Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks on last season's American Idol. That was a shocker to many, since he was widely considered to be the clear front-runner.

Yet, America had its say on the show, which is decided by votes from viewers, and Hicks was crowned the 2006 champ.

Now, the public is voting once again -- with its dollars -- and the winner appears to be Daughtry.

The 27-year-old North Carolina native is a major hit with record buyers. The self-titled debut CD from his band was released in November and went on to top the album charts. It's moved more than 1.3 million copies to date -- becoming one of the fastest debuts from any American Idol contestant to reach platinum certification.

"Daughtry'' sits at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Conversely, Taylor Hicks' eponymous debut, which was released less than two months ago, is down at No. 63.

Just like on Idol, the singer came across in concert more like someone trying to be a rock star than someone who actually is a rock star. And, without a doubt, he's trying too hard.

Opening with the new album's overwrought "Crashed,'' the vocalist filled the show with a staggering number of rock 'n' roll cliches - far more than should be allowed in a single 50-minute set.

He hit each number as if he were still trying to garner favor from the three-headed tribunal of Simon, Paula and Randy. He combined tired theatrics, such as continually hugging himself to illustrate just how much the lyrics meant to him, with an over-the-top, gut-wrenchingly earnest delivery that was straight out of Rock Star 101.

And it worked for him, at least in the crowd's eyes. His lightweight take on watered-down grunge rock, which seems modeled after that of Rob Thomas, had the crowd singing along at top volume to "Used To'' and "What I Want.''

"By looking out at the crowd, I can tell that most of you have the album,'' the star remarked early in the show. "You probably know the words better than I do.''

From there, Daughtry and the crowd continued to share vocals through the guitar-drenched rocker "Gone'' and the punchy power-ballad ``Breakdown.''

One of the night's better moments occurred when the singer played a solo acoustic-guitar version of a yet-unrecorded tune. The number - possibly called "My Hands'' - was penned with Thomas and should make Daughtry's next album.

The celeb had one surprise up his sleeve - a rendition of "Sunday Bloody Sunday.'' This American Idol vet, of course, is no stranger to cover material, and he delivered an admirable take on the U2 classic.

Daughtry closed his main set with the gooey-sweet original "Home'' and then returned for a two-song encore that included current radio hit "It's Not Over.''

In all, it was a moderately successful showing - just good enough to keep this critic interested until the next round.

Who knows if the rumor was ever true to begin with, but we can now confirm that Carrie Underwood is not dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo.

Following speculation that the two stars met in Dallas over Thanksgiving and have been an item since, Romo said:

"We're friends. She's a very nice, sweet girl, I care for her and whoever ends up with her will be a very lucky guy."

If a recent poll is any indication, the American Idol winner won't exactly have trouble finding that gentleman.

According to AskMen.com, Underwood is the 66th most desirable woman. In the entire world. That's not to shabby.

After her American Idol audition, Porcelana Patino was best known for sounding like Shakira.

The Queens native wishes that were still the case.

Instead, the hopeful singer has been spending time in the hospital, taking care of her father after a hit-and-run driver mowed him down the very night FOX aired the episode showing her winning the judges' hearts.

As millions watched her wrench a begrudging, "Well done, sweetheart," out of Simon Cowell on Monday, Patino, 27, was at her father's side at Elmhurst Hospital just hours after he was tragically struck on his way to work.

"The day everybody in the world sees the freaking show, I was here. I got a taped copy," she said yesterday after leaving her father's room. "I'm on the ICU floor with my dad, and everybody's like 'I just saw you on American Idol.' Is that you?' I have no makeup on and I'm bawling."

Patino impressed the judges in the New York auditions when she described the yearlong workout routine she used to shed 20 pounds to be fit for the show and then ripped through a brassy version of Mary J. Blige's "Love Without a Limit."

"I think you are pretty awesome," Paula Abdul cooed afterwards.

But Patino says she has put all Idol thoughts out of her head for now as her father, Mario Astudillo, 53, begins his long recovery from the broken shoulder, leg and ribs he suffered when he was hit.

We wish them both the best.

As new American Idol contestants - such as Sundance Head, Chris Sligh and Brandon Rogers - try to make a name for themselves, past singers from the show will grace your TV screen in the near future.

On Friday, February 9, past finalists Kevin Covais (pictured), Melissa McGhee, Diana DeGarmo, Ryan Starr, LaToya London, and Frenchie Davis (the disgraced, disqualified finalist) will be guests on The Dr. Keith Ablow Show.

According to a blurb on the official American Idol site, the finalists will "reveal the inside scoop about the hit reality show and share their opinions about Simon Cowell and the great success of fellow Idol Jennifer Hudson."

Maybe this will help people shed the image of Paula Abdul drunk:

The loopy, fun-loving American Idol judge will be hosting a star-studded benefit concert for the organization In Defense of Animals on Saturday, February 17. The event, which will raise money for animals affected by Hurricane Katrina, is scheduled to take place at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

Tickets for the event cost $275 per person. The $1,000 "Dinner Package" includes two VIP concert tickets, seating, and VIP Sponsor Celebrity Reception.

Meanwhile, there's no truth to the rumor that Abdul's friend and foe, Simon Cowell, is included among the list of animals.