American Idol 7 News (Page 6)

American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe recently dished a bit on the upcoming season of American Idol.

Last season, he admitted, the show was chock full of big names such as Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani. But Lythgoe told reporters “we got carried away with the mentors,” and the focus will shift to the contestants this season.

“We will spend more time talking to the kids about their lives, what they want from this competition,” he said.

Of course, there will still be guest judges this year. But Britney Spears won't be one of them.

“Britney, at this moment in time, I don’t think is well enough to do anything,” he said. “I think she needs looking after. I think she needs to pull herself together.”

With ratings slipping a bit last year, Lythgoe said he has no illusions that the show will go on forever.

“I’m not that stupid,” he said. “I do think that it will dip in the ratings. That’s for other people to worry about. I just worry about making the best show I can make while I’m employed by that show."

A date has been announced for the second Idol Gives Back charity show.

The fundraiser will air on April 9, with a line-up that's yet to be announced. Last season's huge American Idol event of this nature raise $75 million for United States and African charities. It was viewed as a monumental success.

Get ready for the new season of American Idol on January 15!

Take the following names, photos and information with a grain of salt as big as Simon Cowell's ego.

But a poster by the name of "JoesPlace" on Idol Forums claims to have spent hours searching through MySpace and various media outlets in order to come up with a handful of contestants who made it through to this season's top 50.

With that in mind, consider the following American Idol spoilers for season seven. These are the names of possible finalists, along with various tidbits about them. Read no further if you wish to be kept in suspense...

Brandon Green
Residency: Nashville TN, Lucedale, Mississippi

Cardin McKinney
Hometown: Nashville

Jason Castro
Age: 20
Residency: College Station, TX

Lisa Aukerman
Age: 22
Residency: Gainesville, FL

Continue Reading...

It's rare, but all three American Idol judges agreed on something in a recent interview with Extra:

This season's field of American Idol finalists will be the best ever.

“This will be the strongest twelve we've ever had, and I've never, ever said that before,” Simon Cowell said.

And Paula Abdul actually felt the same way as her friend/rival for once.

“We've never had a top twelve like we're going to have this season,” she said.

Added Randy Jackson: “I think it's the best we've ever had.”

But will this year's Idol produce another Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood this year? “I'm going on record: There's more than one,” Paula said.

During one episode of American Idol next season, Dolly Parton will be honored as the evening's musician of choice.

But don't expect the country singer known for her large boobs to judge any contestants.

"I won't be a judge. I couldn't do that," she said. "I can't tell people they aren't doing a good job even if they ask me. To tell someone if they're good or bad, or if they suck isn't me."

Don't worry, Dolly. It definitely is Simon Cowell.

Those hoping to become the next Jordin Sparks have their chance... beginning this week!

American Idol 7 auditions kick off today at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.  Registration actually started two days ago and according to FOX 6 in San Diego, and thousands showed up and waited in line to claim their wristbands for the auditions.

The American Idol 7 San Diego auditions follow on the heels of the San Diego Comic-Con, which was attended by over 100,000 comic book fans .

Over the next several weeks, American Idol auditions will be also held in the cities of Dallas, Omaha, Atlanta, Charleston, Miami, and Philadelphia.  A list of rules, frequently asked questions, and a release form for the auditions can be found on the official American Idol website.

We wish the best of luck to all hopefuls trying to become the latest to follow in the talented footsteps of Sparks, Carrie Underwood and others.

Wanna become the next Kelly Clarkson? The latest Carrie Underwood? Maybe even Clay Aiken?

The chance to do so begins this Monday, as auditions for American Idol Season Seven kick off in San Diego. Before the latest batch of hopeful give their pipes a run-through, USA Today asked seven of last year’s finalists to offer a few tips…

Jordin Sparks: Know that they’re watching to see if you’ll crack under pressure. Sing something nobody else is doing, because by the 10th time they’ve heard it, they’re going to cut you off early, and you need all the time they give you. Smile. Dress nice, but not so nice. Maybe smart casual.

Blake Lewis: People have to realize it’s a show, and producers want what’s best for television. You’re trying to get a job. You’ve got to be yourself and be confident. I didn’t view it as television, so it was easy. You’re not even singing a whole song. Just be true to yourself. There will always be other auditions.

Melinda Doolittle: One of my friends did the whole audition with her eyes closed. She can sing beautifully, but she didn’t connect with the judges. Even if you’re nervous, look them in the eye. Sing a song you believe in, one that you can really sell. Capture their attention. They’re looking for more than singing.

Phil Stacey: You’ve got to be real. The truth is, I would have left a better impression if I had done the music I wanted to do from the start rather than wait until I was comfortable. Blake went a long way because he was crystal clear about who he is.

Gina Glocksen: Don’t get overwhelmed. It’s going to be a long day. Don’t sing Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston or Etta James. Make yourself be noticed without overdoing it. I remember this girl at the L.A. auditions who looked as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She made it through.

Chris Sligh: Be comfortable. Have fun with it, and show some personality. Maybe tell a joke. I mean, three jokes got me to the top 10. Be original, be funny.

Haley Scarnato: Stay true to who you are, which is hard to do when you’re on a TV show. Focus on the song and get caught up in that moment so you won’t let everything else overwhelm you.

It's never too early for information about American Idol 7, is it?

As USA Today reports, local auditions for the next Idol are already scheduled. Here are further details:

Just a month after American Idol winner Jordin Sparks was showered with confetti on the Kodak Theatre stage in Los Angeles, the top-rated Fox series is gearing up for Season 7 auditions.

San Diego, a first-time audition site, will kick off the seven-city tour July 30. New audition cities Omaha, Charleston, S.C., and Philadelphia join Dallas, Atlanta and Miami on the tour, which last year attracted 100,000 hopefuls, according to Fox estimates.

"We do like to see America," executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says of the annual search for vocal talent. Smaller cities, such as Charleston or an earlier site, Greensboro, N.C., "produce some wonderful stuff."

The tryouts will start a week earlier than last season because producers also will be conducting auditions for a new Fox reality series, The Search for the Next Great American Band.

Atlanta, Charleston, Dallas and Miami may bolster Idol's typically strong Southern flavor. Last season's finale, when Arizona's Sparks bested Washington state's Blake Lewis, was the first without a singer from the South, which provides one of Idol's largest fan bases.

After battling the elements in some earlier seasons, Idol will hold most auditions indoors, save for Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego and Dallas' Texas Stadium, which has a partly covered roof.

As with past audition tours, Idol producers will narrow each city's field to 300 to 400 of the best and worst singers. Lythgoe and co-executive producer Ken Warwick will then cull to about 120 per city to sing to judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

Producers want to find a way to make sure more good singers make it through the initial auditions and the Hollywood round and into the final 24.

"Too many slipped through the net," Lythgoe says, adding that no big changes are planned.