By Jessica Galang
“I’d like to thank the man upstairs for taking care of me first and foremost; my family, all the country music fans, God bless you. Thank you so very much for all the votes and this is the best day of my life.”
Those were Tate Stevens’ first words immediately after hearing he was the winner of X-Factor and the recipient of a hefty $5-million recording contract. Even without winning the show, all of the judges throughout the season have agreed that there was no way he wouldn’t have a future in the music industry.
From his first audition when he performed Anything Goes by Randy Houser, audiences fell in love with his humility and Southern charm, yet every performance had him command the stage. Though LA had a meltdown at the beginning after hearing he was the mentor for the over 25s, Tate always delivered for LA week after week. After performing “Dead or Alive” in the top 13, it wasn’t surprising to hear that he was America’s number one and clearly he stayed that way until tonight.
In the final minutes of the show, X-Factor’s past contestants came together on the stage with Tate Stevens as he sang “Tomorrow.” It’s been an emotional journey for everyone and it was nice to see everyone jamming along with the winner.
Here’s the video:
It looks like the audience of The X Factor will witness a happy reunion this fall.
AP reports that former American Idol judge, Paula Abdul has signed on as the The X Factor’s fourth judge. Abdul joins familiar face Simon Cowell as one of the show’s judges, alongside British singer Cheryl Cole, and former Def Jam president, L.A. Reid. Together the four music moguls will audition thousands of talented (and not so talented) artists when the competition premiers this fall on Fox.
Though Abdul and Cowell often bantered often on Idol, Cowell told Deadline.com, “I missed her the second she left. Always loved working with her, even though she can be a pain.”
The executive producer also told People that, “She’s very passionate and she cares. And she has good taste in music, though you didn’t always see that on TV.”
Indeed, Abdul may have become more notable for possibly being intoxicated while on Idol, than for her musical inclinations. Still, Cowell has reportedly been very calculated about choosing members of the judging panel.
Cowell called Reid his “Number one choice to sit alongside me on the show.” The famous Englishman also added that he thought fellow Brit, Cheryl Cole, “was bright, cute, knew what she was talking about.”
Though the audience may be able to predict the dynamic between Cowell and Abdul, don’t be so sure that arguments are out of the question.
“There should be tension to a point,” said Cowell. “I liked the Idol panel when we first started. We had different opinions, and I think it’s important you have different opinions.”
Well, seeing as Cowell has chosen to throw himself, British pop star Cole, American celebrity-maker Reid, and sweet but crazy Abdul to the show, I think there will be more than enough opinions to go around.
According to MTV News, Island Def Jam Record exec L.A. Reid has officially resigned as chairman to join none other than Simon Cowell himself on the hit reality show, “X Factor.” Reid, who has been responsible for launching the careers of music icons like Usher, J. Lo, and Pink (remember the boardroom scene in “Don’t Let Me Get Me?” – yeah, that’s supposed to be him,) will be appearing on the show as one of the judges, according to the label’s statement.
A memo from Reid said that, “I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ.” He goes on to remind anyone who may have forgotten that his time at the label has produced some of the most “phenomenal superstars” like Rihanna, the Biebs and Yeezy – just to name a few.
Seeing that Reid has been responsible for the careers of many of the same stars we write about here on andPOP, and in just seven years is honestly, a little depressing. I don’t know what I’ve accomplished in the last seven years, but changing the face of pop culture likely hasn’t been on the list.
Reid joined Def Jam in 2004, after 15 years at LaFace and Arista records. His contract with Universal Music Group was set to expire this December, but now that he’s left early, he’s free to join Sony Music, the same label that provides the winner of “X Factor” with a recording contract.
In the memo, Reid also said, “I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.”
And with the likes of Usher, Mariah Carey and Rihanna circulating on my iPod – so do I.
Rapper J-Kwon has gone missing, and we don’t mean from record sales. E! reported that the “Tipsy” rapper hasn’t been seen in almost a month, even his record label, Gracie Productions, has no clue of his whereabouts. The label has been asking fans for help in finding the rapper, including setting up a Twitter page, @WhereisJKwon, asking anyone for information or sightings.
“J-Kwon is a big part of the Gracie family, and we are obviously increasingly worried and want to make sure he is OK,” Gracie Productions CEO and President Tony Bucher said.
Fans are worried and have showed their support, but the label is still unaware of where or how to contact the 23-year-old rapper.
Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Carrie Underwood and Miley Cyrus are teaming up through song to combat cancer.
The pop powerhouses are among a who’s who collective of female singers — 15 in all – who appear on the track “Just Stand Up,” conceived by producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid.
The song will be released to radio and on iTunes Sept. 2 and will benefit Stand Up For Cancer, an organization formed in 2007 to raise money for cancer research.
All of the singers — rounded out by Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis and LeAnn Rimes – will then perform the track during the “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon on Sept. 5.
The benefit, to be aired on ABC, CBS and NBC, will also feature appearances by a host of celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Katie Couric, Meryl Streep and Forest Whitaker.
