Paris Bennett, the fifth season American Idol finalist that received a surprisingly early boot that year, is expecting her first child.
The Rockford, Illinois-native's mother, Jamecia Bennett, told The Minnesota Star Tribute that the father "chooses not to be in the public eye," adding that Bennett "has a ring" and is expecting to have a baby shower in August.
We wish her nothing but the best.
A thank you to USA Today for the following track-by-track review of the latest album from Paris Bennett, Princess P...
1. All Hail the Princess: The ego has landed in this Prince-like conceit. It's probably best taken tongue-in-cheek, as something of a goof, and it's short enough that you can do so.
2. Ordinary Love: Probably my favorite track, an R&B/rock-riffing fusion also singled out in Elysa Gardner's review. Cool stuff.
3. Dreamin': Doesn't really go anywhere or capture your attention, except for the neat backwards guitar figure at the end.
4. Daddy: Sad tune about fatherly neglect, kind of singsongy and dullish, but it wound up building nicely. Not bad.
5. Let Me Rap: This is the one with Kevin Covais, proudly adopting his Chicken Little identity, and it's a total distraction. It's obviously intended to be a goof, and a self-deprecating one ("I'm just tryin' to do better than Kevin Federline," proclaims our Kevin, quickly following with an apology to Federline). But believe me, heard once, you'll never want to hear it again.
6. My Boyfriend's Back: So we've shifted from funk princess mode to teen pop novelty girl. Paris plays it for giggles, and it's kind of likable, even with the added rapping, scratching and occasional updated lyrics ("he's kind of gangsta and he's awful strong"). But we're wandering all over the place musically by now.
7. Can't Control Myself: And matters are further confused by this pretty contemporary R&B ballad with acoustic guitar, one of the best tracks but completely at odds with the preceding two.
8. Duet: Imaginative title for what is in fact a duet, with J. Isaac, and a deathly dull ballad, the nadir of which is the unwelcome appearance of some of those dreaded smurf/Chipmunks sped-up vocals.
9. I'm So Hot (interlude): Now we're back to the original Princess P persona, first with this brief intro, then continuing with ...
10. I'm So Hot: ... the song itself, loaded with wobbly, oscilatting funk riffs, sort of a "queasy listening" sound.
11. Get Bizzy: Another funk tune, but a big improvement, intricate, absorbing sound, another of my favorites.
12. Caught Up: Continues the positive trend with a rather pretty tune.
13. B-Bye: A dullish upbeat number featuring chants of the title phrase, failing to hold much interest.
14. Burnt Up: A pretty good ballad gimmicked up with tons of male vocal interjections, many distorted or slowed down, another Princess of Funk effort.
15. I Will: But enough of that, it's time to close out on a gospel note, with a big chorus plastered over a fairly tedious ballad (although not without its affecting moments).
16. Best Friends: With mom and famous grandmother (Ann Nesby) on board, this turns into a big gospelized diva-fest in which Paris gets lost in the crush of sheer vocal power.
Two former American Idols release albums this week: Paris Bennett and Kimberley Locke. USA Today's Elysa Gardner and Steve Jones, respectively, take a listen and review them below:
Paris Bennett, Princess P:
The latest American Idol also-ran (last yearâs fifth-place finisher) to strike out on her own is an adorable 18-year-old, who recorded this debut on an independent label owned by her uncle (later attracting distribution from a much larger indie, TVT Records). If the results are less polished and predictable than a typical Idol affair, Bennett and her collaborators, who include Beyoncé colleague Jon Jon Traxx (and, briefly, fellow Idol Kevin âChicken Littleâ Covais, who ârapsâ on the brief, appropriately titled Let Me Rap), tend to cling to tried-and-true contemporary pop-R&B formulas.
Still, the album offers enough homespun charm to leave you rooting for the plucky upstart.
Kimberley Locke, Based on a True Story
The former American Idol contender (third place behind Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken in Season 2) takes the pain of a shattered relationship and turns it into an edgy, rock-fueled journey through heartbreak and redemption. Locke, who co-wrote most of the songs on her second album, uses her powerhouse vocals to unleash pent-up emotions about love gone bad and finds strength in learning to trust herself.
Gee, think Paris Bennett is bitter at all?
Last season's petite powerhouse phoned into the Tone E Fly Morning Show in Minneapolis today, and called American Idol "a joke." She said herself and a few other contestants are using the website VotefortheWorst.com to screw with the results.
"We want to see him [Sanjaya Malakar] win because it'll kind of prove that American Idol is kind of losing its taste," said Bennett, "It kinda isn't going for talent anymore and more for popularity."
As Paris Bennett prepares to release her album in March, she found time to sit with Entertainment Weekly and discuss American Idol auditions so far ...
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: With the new season of American Idol, do you have any favorites so far?
Paris Bennett: I've only seen the first two shows, so it may change, but I liked Jared Fowler, from Minneapolis. He was the guy in the Navy, and he can really sing. Doing that Rascal Flats song, he was great.
Do you miss being on the show?
Not at all. I'm not into that whole compete-for-your-talent thing... I want to know how long this can go on. It's going to start repeating itself, finding the same people over and over until you've seen it all. They already have an Idol in every genre. How long is it before you're bored and it just becomes a popularity contest?
What do you make of Paula's recent behavior?
I saw the footage and laughed. Everybody makes mistakes, and she's only human. People give her such grief, but I love [Paula Abdul]. And all that stuff makes for great TV.
You got asked to judge auditions for a New Orleans high school production of Dreamgirls. How was it to sit on the other side?
I wasn't harsh, but I tried to keep it real. I would say, ''Singing's not for you,'' or, ''Do you have another talent? Maybe poetry? Keep that one.'' But the kids were amazing. McDonald High School is the first all-black performing arts school in New Orleans, and they lost their theater equipment after Hurricane Katrina, so they're raising money to get it all back and be one of the first high schools to put on Dreamgirls as a play.
I have a lot of respect for those kids, who are living in trailers and trying to go to school without enough teachers to teach them. It was a big learning experience for me.
Tell us about your upcoming album.
It's very pop, but at the same time, it could be played at any club. The songs are all about me - things that relate to my life, my issues about not having a dad around, negative influences of people around me, and relationships in general.
Any featured guests?
Kevin Covais is on my record. He does a rap.
Kevin, as in ''Chicken Little?''
Yes. We're good friends and decided to do this sweet, funny interlude called ''Let Me Rap.'' What the world doesn't know is that he can really rap! He should do a rap record.
What about your nickname, Princess P â what is its origin?
I was the first girl grandchild in my family. That's where it comes from, but it definitely suits my personality. My motto is that the world has been officially princessed, which means I've basically put you in my world, where everyone should live a life of royalty and love themselves.
As American Idol season six gets closer and closer, here's some news about a former finalist:
Paris Bennett has named her debut CD, Princess P.
Bennett signed with 306 Entertainment for her debut set. "Dreamin'," the autobiographical first single, is slated to hit iTunes and radio waves in January. The 18-year-old co-wrote the majority of the songs on the album, which also boasts production from Jon Jon TraXX, Darren Lightey and Rodney Jerkins.
Since appearing on Idol, Paris has toured nationally for the show, began developing her Tres P clothing line and performed recently at the annual Walt Disney Christmas Parade singing "Let It Snow" with fellow finalists.
Princess P is scheduled to hit shelves in March, while the sixth season of American Idol airs January 16 on FOX.
Following her performance at the Billboard Music Awards this week, Paris Bennett sat down with TeenMusic.com. Here's a summary of that interview:
TeenMusic: Did you go on the American Idol tour after the show was over?
Paris: I went on the tour this summer and now I'm getting ready for a promotional tour coming up on my own. We're all kind of on our own now and separated and I'm kind of sad but I get a chance to see them all. Lisa and me are best friends so I get to see her and [Kevin Covais] when I got to New York. I get to see everybody at least once or twice a month. I miss them all. That was my new family.
TeenMusic: Where are you from?
Paris: Fayetteville, Georgia. My family is still there.
TeenMusic: What's coming up next for you?
Paris: I have my new album coming out which is called "Princess P." My first single is "Dreamin'" coming out next week. The album comes out in February. We haven't done a video yet but we're getting ready. Basically, it's about my American Idol experience, my life before and life after. I'm co-writing it. This being my first album, I'm co-writing with Ray Issac, a new guy. I have a producer doing writing with me.
TeenMusic: Holiday Plans?
Paris: For Christmas, I'll be on the Disney cruise. Me and Bianca Ryan are performing on the cruise and my family is going to come and join me on the cruise. Disney has their own island. We're going to go to St. Lucia and it is fabulous. I only have to sing one day on the cruise so I'm going to get some rest and chill out.
TeenMusic: One thing you want for Christmas?
Paris: You know, Reggie Bush but I don't think...[laughs]. I really want is a Playstation 3 but I'm waiting to see what's in the box and under the tree for me.
TeenMusic: Who are you rooting for for the awards? Or, who do you wish was nominated?
Paris: I'm not sure of all the nominees but Fergie should be nominated and All American Rejects for sure. Okay Go really needs one for video. Ciara, Chris Brown and Ne-Yo.
TeenMusic: Who were you listening to as a teen?
Paris: Gladys Knight, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Holiday, Etta James. I'm a little person with an old soul so I go way back, Aretha Franklin.
TeenMusic: Who do you wish you could spend a day in Vegas with?Paris: Gladys Knight, just being in her presence is all I really want. I would do anything to hang out with Gladys Knight. She's my favorite.TeenMusic: Message to your fans?
Paris: Keep dreaming, be you.
We've shown your Clay Aiken yukking it up on stage and Chris Daughty rocking out on a similar platform.
One place the American Idol Picture of the Day has not taken fans, however? DisneyWorld. We figured it was time to change that.
Below, Kevin Covais, Mandisa, Paris Bennett and Ace Young all take in the sights. Among them, of course, was a certain happy, silly dog. He's quite goofy, if we do say so ourselves.
The American Idol tour may be winding down - but it's not too late to catch up with many of the performers.
Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee may be taking many of the headlines, but as images below prove, other Idols have been enjoying (and sleeping during) their time in the spotlight, as well.
Fans may still be upset that Chris Daughtry was voted off the show so early - but those that have seen the rocker in person are rather pleased.
During her recent impressions of the tour, Kellie Picker left out the part about jumping aboard a police horse. But we caught her!
Life as an American Idol is tiring. Just ask - or look at - Paris Bennett and Lisa Tucker.
