February 2007 News Archive (Page 3)

Thank you to our friends at People magazine for this look at Jennifer Hudson on the red carpet.

As the former American Idol contestant prepares to probably take home an Oscar this weekend, we take a look at her styles on the red carpet throughout the awards season so far:

Signature Look: Figure-hugging dresses with deep V-necklines and shimmering fabrics. Hudson's hair is almost always wavy and loose, while her makeup tends toward berry lips and metallic shadows.Favorite Designers: The star has designer-hopped, wearing Vera Wang, Donna Karan and Prada to recent events. Shoes are often by Stuart Weitzman, with diamonds by Neil Lane.

What She Will Wear: According to an article in Vogue written by editor-at-large Andre Leon Tally, who is styling the star, Hudson will most likely wear Oscar de la Renta.

Lakisha Jones or Melinda Doolittle?

Chris Sligh or Blake Lewis?

This season of American Idol has produced debates and controversy already - but none more so than the Antonella Barba pictures that have surfaced on the Internet.

The New Jersey native is topless ... but covered up. She's young and having fun ... but a little too much?

Readers have left numerous comments, sharing their feelings.

We appreciate all views, ask you to keep it clean and are here to present a few more pics of Antonella from her past.

Again, we're not here to judge - we'll leave that up to Simon, Paula and Randy. We just wish to provide fans with all the information we can:

 

Clay Aiken has many, many fans.

But his supposed biggest Claymate, Diane Knappenberger, challenged the American Idol crooner to a trivia game on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet in New York on Thursday.

Although not pictured here, Knappenberger scored a tropical vacation for answering questions correctly about the Idol runner-up.

We can say this much about tonight: Lakisha Jones is safe. That's almost the only sure thing, so let's get to it ...

- Wow, quite the set of guest judges coming up this season: Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Toney Bennett, Martina McBride and an American Idol Worship favorite ... Jon Bon Jovi!!!

- Chris Sligh if funny, talented AND smart (too bad he's married!). He tries to clear up his tiff with Simon. Meanwhile, Brandon Rogers is assured that he's moving on.

- Some people may be upset about this one, but Sundance Head is staying. We still say this guy has a lot of potential - but he better step up next week.

- And that's it for Paul Kim. A lesson, as always: never rely on the bare foot gimmick.

- Okay, ladies, let's see which of you is going home. Not Jordin Sparks. Good. We like her a lot. Sabrina Sloan and Stephanie Edwards are safe, too.

- Not so much for Amy Krebs (pictured), though. Not too hard to see that one coming.

- Fantasia Barrino comes out and makes the announcement that she's be starring in The Color Purple. She also does a solid job on "I'm Here."

- Wow. Antonella Barba stays. We're surprised by that one. Due to the looks? The topless pics? Hard to believe it's the voice.

- In her place, Nicole Tranquillo is given the boot. We never got to know her well.

- Looks like Daughtry and the song "Home" will be this year's Daniel Powder. A better selection, we say. Too bad Rudy Cardenas had to hear it so soon, though. The singer of M-Pact won't be leaving an impact on this season anymore.

There's good news for Fantasia Barrino: the American Idol winner will perform on the stage that made her famous tonight.

But there's bad news for Antonella Barba supporters: she seems to be the most likely to get the boot.

The beautiful singer didn't impress anyone with her rendition of "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith last night. Randy Jackson said: "I have to keep it real, it was really pitchy ... real bland."

And, as you'd expect, Simon Cowell was even harsher:

"The good news is you're an attractive girl; the bad news is it didn't work. It (the song) was way, way, way too big for you."

Of course, the judges have been wrong before. Viewers now have full control over who goes and who stays. Still, Barba backers better heat up those phone lines if they wish to see her last another week.

To be honest, we didn't think much about Sabrina Sloan before last night's tremendous audition.

FOX seemed to feature other contestants, such as Chris Sligh and Melinda Doolittle, a lot more than this semi-finalist. But the world pretty much knows Sloan now.

Maybe we shouldn't award the crown to Lakisha Jones just yet. Sabrina was sublime. Therefore, we wanted to share a few quick facts about this singer to help spread the word:

• Not only does Sloan remember the age in which she began singing (three), she actually recalls that it was on top of a table at Chucky Cheese.
• Asked to choose her own American Idols, Sabrina points to her mom. And Oscar nominee Jennifer Hudson.
• She has a husband named Chip.
• A week after the 9/11 attacks, Sabrina moved into a "cockroach-infested apartment to pursue singing."

Now THAT's dedication! The kind that will take you far in a competition such as American Idol. After last night, looks like viewers are beginning to realize that.

Kentucky Speedway will become Soul Patrol central July 14 when Arista recording artist Taylor Hicks entertains race fans with an exclusive concert before the green-flag start of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers."

The soulful artist also will perform the National Anthem live on SPEED Channel.

“I’ve grown up on NASCAR, so performing at the beautiful Kentucky Speedway will be an honor for me. I’m happy to go out and perform for new fans and support the great NASCAR legacy, ” Hicks said. “I’m also looking forward to being there in person to watch those trucks battle it out on the speedway."

Fellow Idol champ, Kelly Clarkson, has also signed a recentl deal with NASCAR.

“Our region is one of the strongest American Idol markets in the country so we know our fans will embrace the opportunity to welcome Taylor to our NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event for his only area appearance of the summer, ” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark. F. Cassis said.

As Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood storm the music charts, another American Idol finalist is savoring personal success.

Jon Peter Lewis has become the first Idol contesant to independently produce and release a full-length debut album with all original songs. Called a "true entertainer" by MTV, an "American Idol favorite" by Billboard magazine, and "brave" by Simon Cowell, industry insiders are not only impressed with Jon's passion and determination to create his own label and maintain control of his first record, but with his music as well.

JPL's eagerly awaited debut album, Stories from Hollywood, follows on the heels of his critically acclaimed singles, "If I Go Away," "It's Christmas," and "California Christmas."

Here are a few reviews:

"Stories from Hollywood is a collection of instantly infectious songs with clever, provocative lyrics ... in other words, it's the sort of album you wished more former Idols dared to make. We knew JPL was a true entertainer, now we know the kid can write."- Corey Moss Senior Writer, MTV

"Don't take a road trip without this CD. Jon Peter Lewis has many stories to share - all worth listening to." - Monica Rizzo, People magazine

"Jon Peter Lewis has real charisma as a person, a performer and recording artist. The songs are honest yet accessible and Jon sings them with warmth and conviction. I prefer this album to some of the other major label Idol releases." - Don Grierson, Former Head of A&R at Capitol and Epic Records

Ruben Studdard is telling kids in Alabama not to be like him.

The American Idol winner, who is a spokesman for the Scale Back Alabama weight-loss campaign, spent Tuesday taking a fitness message to schools in hopes of helping Alabama shed its weighty reputation.

"I don’t want y’all to be like me. I don’t want y’all to get to college and stop working out and forget all the things you have to do to be healthy," Studdard, 28, told students at Montgomery’s Capitol Heights Junior High School.

"I want y’all to continue working out for the rest of your life so you don’t have to start all over like Ruben Studdard, trying to get yourself back into shape," he said.

Studdard said in December that he had started a weight-loss program in the summer.

His comments Tuesday came a few hours after state Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks and State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton unveiled an Alabama KidFit initiative at a news conference across town.

Flanked by children wearing the program’s yellow T-shirts emblazoned with pictures of fruits and vegetables, Sparks and Morton expressed dismay at Alabama’s persistent ranking near the top of the nation’s list for obesity.

"This generation of young persons in Alabama . . . could be the first generation that does not outlive their parents in age span," Morton said. "That’s frightening."

SOURCE: The Associated Press

Wanna be the next Blake Lewis or Lakisha Jones? According to the following press release, you can begin training earlier than ever ...

FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, co-producers and licensors of American Idol, announced today the inception of Idol Camp, the first performing arts summer camp for kids between the ages of 12-15 based on the nation’s most watched television show and #1 talent search.

Born out of the desire to foster passion and creativity in young teens, Idol Camp will be a fun-filled and non-competitive training ground for America’s future stars.

“Utilizing the power of the American Idol phenomenon, we can provide a truly one-of-a-kind experience,” said Mark Brittain, Head of Sales and Marketing, American Idol, 19 Entertainment.

In fact, the Idol Camp experience will include master classes from surprise celebrity guest performing artists, favorite former American Idol contestants and other top industry professionals. Daily instruction will also be provided in a variety of classes from singing, dancing and acting to song writing and audition techniques as well as traditional camp activities such as swimming and field sports.

Idol Camp is located on a picturesque campus in Northfield, Massachusetts, and acceptance into the academy is based on limited enrollment and applicants demonstrating enthusiasm, dedication, a desire to perform and a passion for the arts.

In addition, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment will reward a certain percentage of students with fully paid scholarships based on financial need in an effort to reach a wide range of the country’s most eager performers.

“We want to honor a diverse cross-section of educational backgrounds and opportunities and provide a valuable experience to kids displaying a passionate motivation to learn and grow within themselves through the performing arts,” said Keith Hindle, Executive Vice President, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, North America.

“As in American Idol, the goal for our kids is to soar beyond their expectations; however, because Idol Camp is not a competition, every kid goes home a winner.”