andPOP » american idol

Paula Abdul Needs Help Walking Red Carpet

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:56:51 +0000

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul needed three assistants to help her walk the red carpet at the American Music Awards, reports TMZ. The 47-year-old had trouble maneuvering in her gown, which featured an enormous train.

Ryan Seacrest Gets Restraining Order Against Stalker Chidi Uzoma

Vanessa Baker — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:10:07 +0000

Ryan Seacrest was granted a temporary restraining order against an alleged stalker, reports TMZ. Chidi Uzomah, who was arrested Friday at the E! building, must remain 100 yards from Seacrest and may not contact the American Idol host or go near his home, work or vehicle.

Uzomah, who was convicted of three misdemeanors last month after attacking Seacrest’s bodyguard at an Orange County hospital, is being held in jail on charges of felony stalking.

He showed up at the E! building in Los Angeles with a knife in his pocket – not the first time he has gone to Seacrest’s place of work with a weapon. Earlier this month, he was looking for him at a Burbank, CA radio station. He also had a knife in his pocket when the incident with the bodyguard occurred.

One of the terms of his probation for pleading guilty to the three earlier misdemeanors was to stay away from Seacrest.

Daughtry – They Are More Than Just American Idol

Jordan Bortolotti — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:32:03 +0000

When you think Daughtry understandably American Idol comes to mind, however there is more to the story. Daughtry is a band that actually makes music that people want to listen to, and more importantly music that people actually want to buy! That is no small accomplishment in this day in age. So we caught up with the boys to talk about music, life, G.I. Joe’s, but NOT American Idol.

Cat Deeley To Present At The Emmy Awards

Vanessa Baker — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:10:20 +0000

So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley will be presenting an award at Sunday’s 61st annual Emmy Awards, but many say she should be among American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest, Survivor host Jeff Probst, and Heidi Klum of Project Runway as a nominee for best reality show host.

At the G-Star Raw fashion show, Deeley told E! News two people had already told her she deserved a nomination in the 20 minutes since she’d arrived at the show.

“I’m a little bit nervous about it though,” said the Brit about presenting. “I’ve done it back in England, and I’ve hosted award shows back in England, but I’ve never actually done it before here. But I’m excited, you know? It’s a really exciting thing to do. I’m having a whole plethora of dresses coming in. I know I’ve got Matthew Williamson and [Burberry's] Christopher Bailey sending me over things so far, but I’m sure there’ll be more.”

Deeley said she’s also nervous about her show making the switch from a summer reality show to a staple in Fox’s primetime line-up this fall.

“I’m approaching it with a little trepidation,” she said. “There’s one part of me that is actually like, ‘Oh goodness, it’s really competitive, and we’ve just finished the last season, so is it too much too soon?’ But then I turn around and I go, ‘Well, Fox seems to have confidence in us, and the audience loves the show, so provided we keep doing what we’re doing and do it bigger and better than ever before, we should be OK.’”

Judges Bench A Hot Spot on American Idol Season 9

Emma Renda — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:44:53 +0000

As American Idol gears up for a new series this fall, its roster of judges is expanding its horizons.

Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne will be the latest stars to sit alongside Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul’s replacement Kara DioGuardi during the last round of auditions in Los Angeles.

Throughout auditions, the show has welcome Victoria Beckham, Shania Twain, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Mary J. Blige and Kristen Chenoweth to have their say.

Abdul abandoned the show in August in a rather abrupt move that many speculated had to do with salary. But in an interview with the New York Daily News, Abdul said the decision was more about pursuing her career (whatever’s left of it.)

“I stand on principle where many people stand on money,” Abdul told TV Guide. “I’m a hard-working artist. I’ve lasted in this business for 23 years. And you can’t do that unless you are good at what you do.”

DioGuardi originally joined the show when Abdul was still sitting, in hopes of balancing out the battle of the sexes on the judge’s bench. Now with Abdul out of the picture, DioGuardi will take on Season 9 on her own but her resume certainly boasts chops that are up to the task.

A songwriter and co-owner of writer mentorship house Arthouse Entertainment, DioGuardi has penned songs for Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion and Carrie Underwood. According to AmericanIdol.com, she has released more than 264 songs on mainstream radios stations.

Idol has never had a hard time getting ratings, and this season will mark its ninth on the air. The guest judges are just one tactic the series has adopted to freshen up the program, as well as dozens of guest performances on the show from major music stars like last season’s Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Quentin Tarantino, Lady GaGa and many others.

Season 9 won’t air until January 2010.

Ben Stiller Tries To Mooch Ryan Seacrest Tweets

Robert Ostfield — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:15:51 +0000

Apparently Ben Stiller is trying to get huge with Twitter and is trying to Mooch Ryan Seacrest. See below for proof:

Mary J. Blige Guest Judge on American Idol

Vanessa Baker — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:29:41 +0000

Mary J. Blige will sit on the American Idol judges’ panel for auditions in Atlanta, Georgia, reports Perez Hilton.

Friday, regular judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi were joined by former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who helped judge auditions in Boston.

“The judges and production team have been having a lot of fun with Victoria,” said a source for the show. “She’s had a great response so far, and has been really warm with the contestants.”

Season nine of the Fox reality show will premiere in January. Paula Abdul, who has judged alongside Cowell and Jackson since season one, will not be returning to the show.

Paula Abdul May Be Next to Dance with the Stars

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:29:27 +0000

President of ABC Entertainment Stephen McPherson said he would absolutely love to have Paula Abdul as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, reports Perez Hilton.

“We would love to have her on Dancing whether it’s as a contestant, or a participant, judge, etc.,” McPherson said of the former American Idol judge. “I was a little stunned by the decision,” he said about her recent departure from the Fox reality show where she worked for eight seasons. “I think she’s a huge talent. There’s a sensitivity and emotion in her that balances out Idol and we’d love to get a piece of that.”

Abdul has also been offered a spot as a guest judge on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance.

Season nine of American Idol, which will premiere in January, will return to the show’s three-judge format with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all resuming their spots at the judges’ table. Ryan Seacrest will remain as host.

Paula Abdul Won’t Be Judging Season 9 Of A. I.

Ilan Mester — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:28:03 +0000

It’s official: Paula Abdul is leaving “American Idol”. The former “Idol” judge tweeted about leaving the popular TV show.

With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to ‘Idol,’” Abdul wrote. “I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon. What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. I do, without any doubt, have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.”

In light of her departure, Fox TV has released a statement. “Paula Abdul has been an important part of the ‘American Idol’ family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show,” read the statement. “While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.”

The show will return to its original three-judge format as Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi are set to return for season nine.

Abdul Threatens to Leave Idol

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:27:24 +0000

Paula Abdul is threatening to quit her job as a judge on American Idol, reports TMZ.

“Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on Idol,” her manager, David Sonnenberg, told the L.A. Times.

Auditions for the show’s ninth season begin August 6, but Abdul has not yet heard from the show regarding her contract.

“I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful,” continued Sonnenberg, who has managed Abdul since the end of June. “I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven’t stepped up and said what they want to do.”

Last year, Abdul earned $2.5 million from the show. Host Ryan Seacrest recently signed a contract giving him $15 million per year for the next three years, while fellow judge Randy Jackson has signed on to the show until 2011. Simon Cowell’s contract expires next year, and he has reportedly scoffed at figured nearing $144 million.

In an attempt to step away from the Idol scene, Abdul did a reality show with Bravo in 2007 titled Hey Paula. The series only lasted seven episodes.

“She’s not a happy camper as a result of what’s going on,” said Sonnenberg. “She’s hurt. She’s angry. I think at this point we’re going to be considering everything, including some kind of a competition show. She has tremendous ideas for a whole variety of shows.”