August 2008 News Archive

In a recent interview with celebrity gossip tabloid OK!, Kellie Pickler was asked about two things close to her heart:

1. Make up
2. Men

As for the first issue and how she typically gets ready for a photo shoot, the former American Idol finalist said:

"Well, I have a team of highly-trained professionals that get me ready because I can’t do it on my own," the singer said. "When I’m out on tour, I usually just do it myself but for TV and photo shoots I usually have people that help get me ready because it’s so stressful anyways."

For for men, Pickler is currently - and quietly - dating Nashville musician Kyle Jacobs. The couple keeps it casual when she's home from tour, chilling on the sofa instead of hit up wild night clubs and fancy restaurants.

"When I come in off the road, I like to crash and be a bum and sit at home on the couch and just talk," said Kellie. "We don’t really have to be doing anything. We usually just enjoy each other’s company and make each other laugh."

Here's your first look at the new quartet of American Idol judges together.

Kara Dioguardi joined Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson at auditions in Manhattan yesterday for season eight. It begins in January.

Paula Abdul may have needed a day or two to fully embrace new judging partner Kara DioGuardi, but Simon Cowell let his excitement about the addition shine through during her first public appearance with fellow American Idol judges yesterday.

The quartet were on hand in Manhattan for a round of season eight auditions, as Cowell talked to reporters about his new pal on the panel.

"It's like, you know, having dinner with three people for seven years, and getting quite bored of each other," Simon said. "So it's having a fourth person, new opinion, I think it's gonna be interesting."

Moreover, Cowell said: "Kara has a good reputation of A, having hits; and B, having an opinion. And that's a good combination. And she's cute."

Simon Cowell is excited to have Kara DioGuardi on board.

Paula Abdul has known new American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi since 1999.

Now, the somewhat insane singer tells Perez Hilton that she can't wait to work alongside Kara, despite rumors claiming she's concerned over the addition of a fourth panelist.

"I've been talking about her for years," Abdul said. "I hope the audience gets excited and accepts it. Sometimes its been hard when we've had four judges in the past. They always wanted four judges since the beginning. It'll be good to have two girls, and two guys. Kara's like a sister to me."

Are you excited for Kara DioGuardi on American Idol?

Having already voiced her support for Barack Obama, American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson will now have a chance to sing her support. For the entire country.

The nominee for President has asked Jennifer Hudson to sing the national anthem on Thursday, the day of the candidate's address to the Democratic convention in Denver.

"His reps called and said we'd love for you to sing the anthem on Thursday," Hudson's rep said. "She's thrilled and excited. It's a tremendous honor."

Jennifer Hudson is honored to support Barack Obama and sing at the Democratic National Convention.

Over the weekend, we published a story about Simon Cowell demanding changes to American Idol.

We don't know if this is what he had in mind, but Kara Dioguardi will be sitting next to Cowell next season on the show.

The Grammy-nominated songwriter has penned songs for mega-stars such as Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. She has also written for Idol finalists such as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.

"She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America's most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show," American Idol creator Simon Fuller said in a statement.

What do you think of the addition of Kara Dioguardi to the American Idol judging table?

I was a little bored.

Despite an American Idol finale that pitted two wildly popular contestants, David Arcuhleta and David Cook, Simon Cowell uttered the above quote to TV Guide in reference to last season.

"I'm not sure that they ever showed their real personalities," Simon said, complaining about the overwhelming media-savviness of the season's finalists. "They were like robots."

So, how would Cowell shake things up on American Idol?

"I think [last season] the talent was great, and the ratings were great, I just think it could be more interesting and controversial," he said, specifically criticizing the slow-moving middle and end portions of the season.

For a change, though, Cowell didn't fully speak his mind in the interview. He simply said he has "ideas... to introduce more jeopardy" to the proceedings. What do you think that means?

For now.

The real battle between these two American Idol finalists will go down in November, when each releases his debut CD.

But David Archuleta's first single, "Crush," has outperformed David Cook's initial song so far.

Archie's "Crush" debuted at number-two on the Hot 100 singles chart, a knockout blow to Cook's number-three bow in June with "The Time of My Life."

As a result, David A. is the first American Idol runner-up to out-rank the winner in head-to-head single competition since Clay Aiken outsold Ruben Studdard in 2003. And we all know how the future for those two artists turned out.

Stay tuned to see if Archuleta can have Aiken-like success in the future!

Kristy Lee Cook is set to release her first post-American Idol album.

The CD Why Wait will go on sale to the public on September 12.

Among the singles on the album will "God Bless the USA" and a song co-written by Carrie Underwood called "Not Tonight."

Will you buy the Kristy Lee Cook album?

Former American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry has been chosen by CNN to provide the theme song for the network's League of First Time Voters initiative.

The song of choice? Foreigner's hit "Feels Like the First Time," of course.

"Getting to rerecord a classic song like this was a real honor for us, and we hope it helps inspire people to vote,” said Daughtry. "We strongly believe that it doesn’t matter who you vote for, as long as you vote."

Foreigner's Mick Jones, who wrote the song back in the late '70s, gave the Grammy-nominated band his seal of approval, saying their version is "very cool" and "more than captured the essence of the original."

The single, set to premiere on Campbell Brown: Election Center today will also appear on Daughtry's upcoming expanded version of its album, Daughtry Deluxe, due out September 9.