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Kelly Clarkson: Stronger
It’s been nearly a decade since the world watched Kelly Clarkson, the Texas-native girl next door, take the title as America’s first Idol. Nine years later, and still one of the show’s most successful spawns (aside from country Queen Carrie Underwood), Clarkson emerges with her fifth album entitled Stronger. No stranger to pop-anthems and power ballads – Clarkson’s last efforts taught the master class -, it’s those missing elements that keep this album from actually living up to its title. Sure, the disco-inspired title track “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)” has all the makings of a Top 40 mega-hit. It bursts into the turbulent, feel-good chorus we’ve come to expect…
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Andrew Garcia, Crystal Bowersox, David Cook, kara dioguardi, Katie Stevens, Ke$ha, Lilly Scott, paula abdul, ruben studdard, Todrick Hall
Idol Recap: Top 16
What is there to say about the Top 16 showdown on last week’s American Idol? It was all wrong — everything from song choice to the hopefuls that got the boot. The girls kicked off the week with a mild “bang”. Most of the ladies failed to make any kind of impression, including Paige Miles, who butchered “Smile” the same way she’s ruined every other song she’s chosen over the past three weeks. And Katie Stevens, once a front-runner, proved she doesn’t have what it takes to take the title. But sadly, neither of those ladies were sent packing, instead it was the most unique contestant, Lilly Scott, and Katelyn…
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American Idol, Blog, Casey James, Crystal Bowersox, Danny Gokey, Ellen DeGeneres, Entertainment, Hayley Vaughn, kara dioguardi, Katie Stevens, Lee Dewyze, Miley Cyrus
Idol Recap: Top 20
Idol kicked off this week with the news of Crystal Bowersox entering the hospital for what is rumored to be a severe case of diabetes. The singer’s illness left the producers unsure whether she’d be well enough to sing on last Tuesday’s show, so they pulled a last minute switcheroo instructing the boys kick off the week. And the boys seemed okay with the mix-up on Tuesday night’s American Idol showdown, which brought out a smidge more talent than we saw in the first go around. Unfortunately, compared to the show’s previous seasons it is clear this crop of guys isn’t going to leave viewers overly impressed. The most improved…
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American Idol, Andrew Garcia, Ashley Rodriguez, Blog, Casey James, Ellen DeGeneres, Entertainment, Hayley Vaughn, kara dioguardi, Katie Stevens, Kelly Clarkson, Todrick Hall
Idol Recap: Top 24
American Idol‘s ninth season officially kicked off last Tuesday, as 12 guys and 12 girls performed live for America. The troupe of girls went first, performing a variety of songs chosen by them on Tuesday’s performance show. And there lies the problem: song choice. An early Idol Insider front-runner, Ashley Rodriguez, chose to take on the power ballad “Happy”, but failed to reproduce Leona Lewis’ powerhouse chops. Janell Wheeler, who was another favorite during Hollywood Week failed to create a star quality on stage, letting her nerves get the best of her. Other early favorites, Lacey Brown and Katie Stevens, also failed to shine, picking songs that weren’t suited for…
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American Idol, Andrew Garcia, Ashley Rodriguez, Blog, Casey James, Ellen DeGeneres, Entertainment, Hayley Vaughn, kara dioguardi, Katie Stevens, Kelly Clarkson, Todrick Hall
Idol Recap: Top 24
American Idol‘s ninth season officially kicked off last Tuesday, as 12 guys and 12 girls performed live for America. The troupe of girls went first, performing a variety of songs chosen by them on Tuesday’s performance show. And there lies the problem: song choice. An early Idol Insider front-runner, Ashley Rodriguez, chose to take on the power ballad “Happy”, but failed to reproduce Leona Lewis’ powerhouse chops. Janell Wheeler, who was another favorite during Hollywood Week failed to create a star quality on stage, letting her nerves get the best of her. Other early favorites, Lacey Brown and Katie Stevens, also failed to shine, picking songs that weren’t suited for…
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The Ultimate Idol Surprise
American Idol Season 9 contestant, Angela Martin, came into Hollywood week hoping that this year would be her year. Martin, who has tried out for the show three years running and made it to Hollywood each year, has overcome a lot of struggle – her dad was murdered one week before her first shot at the Top 24 and traffic violations landed her in jail her second go around. This year it seemed the Idol hopeful’s dreams were going to come true – she got plenty of on-air time during the audition process and seemed to be a favorite among the judges. So when Kara DioGuardi moved from her seat…
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Play On and On and On and On
Carrie Underwood will release her new album, Play On, on November 3rd and it will feature 13 brand new tracks from the country diva. The album is expected to be her most versatile to date, with collaborations including Max Martin, Kara DioGuardi, NeYo and many more rock, pop, and r&b writers than are typically found on a country disc. The 13-track set will also feature a song with the winners of the reality show The Next Great American Band, Sons of Sylvia. I guess the reality star winners have to stick together and help each other out. If you just can’t wait until November for more Carrie, you can check…
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Get Ready to "Play On"
Carrie Underwood unveiled the cover and title to her 3rd album, due out November 3rd – a week before she co-hosts the Country Music Awards with Brad Paisley. The album, titled Play On, is going to be produced by Mark Bright, who produced her previous efforts Carnival Ride and her debut, Some Hearts, which has been certified 7x platinum and is the best selling debut album from a female country singer in history. Underwood has been working with some great writers for this new album and it should be interesting to see how it all comes together. It seems the album may take a stab at more crossover hits, with…
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Judges Speak Out
In Denver, the remaining Idol judges spoke out, for the first time about Paula Abdul’s choice to not come back to the show. Simon, sad? Who would have thought that’d be the case. Plus, Victoria Beckham joins the bunch to fill in and shows off some nerves. Oh, how we love her!
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Denver is so Posh
It’s official! Our beloved Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham has arrived in Denver to fill in as a guest judge in the place of Paula Abdul. From the moment the Beck beauty stepped off the plane at DIA (Denver’s International Airport), she lit up the city in her very posh, purple dress. All the judges – Randy, Kara, Simon and even Ryan are here for the official Idol auditions. A production insider has said that Beckham was trying “too hard to be nice”, and with her dry sense of humor it came off “icy and wooden”, which didn’t go over well with the contestants who were already bummed to come to…
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Blake Lewis, Britney Spears, Cher, Chris Brown, christina aguilera, Cobra Starship, Colbie Calliat, Jay Z, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Jessie James, Jordin Sparks, kara dioguardi, Kristinia DeBarge
…And We’re Back
WOW! That was insane – The 2009 UMS rocked our socks off – and now we are back after some much needed relaxation. We have so much to update you on, so let’s get started: Yesterday, Paula Abdul announced via Twitter (and it was confirmed by Fox this morning) that she would not be returning to Idol in its ninth season. Money seemed to be the reason behind the split and Paula was not happy with the minimal amount that producers were willing to offer her. Kara DioGuardi is officially signed for the 9th season of American Idol and will be the only female judge on the hit reality show.…