Previewing Tonight’s Finale
Tonight, American Idol will crown an 11th winner, and we all know by now it’ll be Phillip Phillips. So let’s instead focus on everything leading up to that crowning moment, the two hours of filler full of performances. There have been two high-profile deaths in the past couple weeks: Donna Summer and Robin Gibb. Idol will be paying tribute to both of them, with the girls focusing on Summer and the guys on Gibbs/Bee Gees.
There will also be many duets, with the finalists pairing up with established artists, and here are the ones that are confirmed at the moment: Jessica Sanchez and Kristin Chenoweth on “Enough is Enough,” Phillip Phillips and John Fogerty, Skylar Laine and Reba McEntire, Joshua Ledet and Fantasia, Hollie Cavanagh and Jordin Sparks, and Jessica Sanchez and Jennifer Holliday on “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”
Other artists that will stop by include Gloria Gaynor, Thelma Houston, Gladys Knight, Nelly Furtado, Sheila E., Chaka Khan and Neil Diamand.
Jennifer Lopez Clarifies Exit Rumors
There have been many rumors and speculation lately surrounding Jennifer Lopez’s future on Idol. First, she kept telling the press that she wasn’t sure if she would stick around since she has so many other projects to work on. Then an E! Online report had a source confirming her exit after the current season ends.
Now it seems everything has gotten way out of control, so JLo took to Twitter to clarify the rumors:
“There is no truth to reports that say I am definitively leaving Idol. All I said was I haven’t decided what I am doing next year.”
“When I know for sure what I’m doing I will let the#LOVE!RS know! #FYITweets.”
So there you have it: If you read between the lines, it becomes obvious that she’s in contract negotiations and doesn’t know either way what’ll happen as of now.
Casey Abrams’ Debut Album Coming in June
Out of the season 10 finalists, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Haley Reinhart and James Durbin have released albums. And now we can add Casey Abrams to the list pretty soon, as his self-titled debut album will be released June 26 on the Concord Music Group label. According to The Press-Enterprise, American Idol judge Randy Jackson is listed as one of the executive producers on the album.
Two songs from Casey Abrams, “Get Out” and “Simple Life” will be released on June 5. (To listen to “Simple Life” early, head on over to Abrams’ Tumblr page to receive a free download.) And if you followed season 10 closely, you’ll know that Abrams and Reinhart became really close friends; and now the two are teaming up for a cover of “Hit the Road Jack” to close out the album.
New Music Releases (Now Available)
Kris Allen: Thank You Camellia
Haley Reinhart: Listen Up!
The Top Idol Album Sales: Adam Lambert Debuts at #1
The music sales numbers from the past week have now been released. And a double congratulations have to be sent Adam Lambert’s way. Not only did his sophomore album, Trespassing, debut at #1, selling 77,000 copies, but be becomes the very first openly gay artist to debut at #1. Now, you may be saying, what about someone like Elton John, who is also gay? According to After Elton, “Other gay performers such as Elton John and George Michael have hit #1, but only before they came out, and they haven’t managed that honor since.”
Who else is at the top of the charts? Here’s the rest of the Idol Top 5, courtesy of USA Today:
Carrie Underwood‘s Blown Away at #3, Selling 54,000 units (Total Sales: 441,000)
Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger at #52, Selling 8,000 units (Total: 795,000)
Scotty McCreery’s Clear as Day at #97, Selling 5,000 units (Total: 1.053 million)
Daughtry’s Break the Spell at #171, Selling 3,000 units (Total: 442,000)
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
