EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWS: American Idols Live Tour Members Dish On Who Should Be New Judge
Posted on Aug 13, 2010 @ 10:50PM - 3 comments
The American Idols Live 2010 Tour hit Los Angeles Friday night with the Season 9 contestants performing a concert at the Staples Center. This was the last group to experience the wrath of Simon Cowell before his retirement, so RadarOnline.com asked them who they think should replaced the judge who became more famous than any of the Idol winners.
“It doesn’t matter who it’s going to be,” the American Idol winner Lee DeWyze told RadarOnline.com. “The show’s going to go on and be successful. I think they should just bring in people who aren’t trying to be the next Simon, Kara, Randy or Ellen.”
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There were two votes for Harry Connick Jr. by Aaron Kelly and Katie Stevens, and she also liked the idea of Steven Tyler joining the show. Casey James told RadarOnline.com the next judge should be “Bret Michaels, because I like him.”
Andrew Garcia and “Big Mike” Lynch each thought THEY should be the judges, cracking themselves up with the idea.
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Check out the exclusive video on RadarOnline.com to find out which one of the contestants thought Pee-wee Herman should be the next judge on American Idol!
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VIDEO: American Idol's Top 12 Men Make Shaky Debut
Posted on Feb 25, 2010 @ 06:00AM - 3 comments
The tough criticism continued Wednesday as the top 12 men took the American Idol stage, hoping to make a bigger impression than the women.
But the men seemed just as nervous making their live debut as the women did on Tuesday and like the women, there were only a couple of standout performances.
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Todrick Hall was first up with his take on the Kelly Clarkson hit Since U been Gone. The Arlington, TX, native got a mixed reaction, ranging from Ellen telling him he's a "great performer" to Simon telling him he "murdered the song" and that his performance was "verging on stupid".
16-year-old Aaron Kelly managed to keep his nerves despite his young age, remembering all the lyrics unlike his first appearance, and performing a passable version of Rascal Flatts' Here Comes Goodbye. Although he didn't win rave reviews Simon conceded that it was "quite a good performance" before adding that he "looks embarrassed to be here". Kara was kinder, telling Kelly that he is her "favorite kind of performer". Randy carried on the praise commenting that Kelly has a "huge voice"...not adding much to justify her multi million dollar salary Ellen said "ditto".
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Jermaine Sellers got mixed reviews for his performance of Oleta Adams' Get Here. Elen commented that she's a huge fan of his but felt that he was "all into the performance instead of feeling the song". Randy told him it was a weird choice whereas Simon was less diplomatic quipping that it sounded like "the kind of song someone in their 50s would request in a piano bar." And stingingly added that he believed Sellers had just blown his opportunity.
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Tim Urban got through to the top 24 by the skin of his teeth, securing a place only after Chris Golightly was disqualified. Urban made a bad choice with his pick of OneRepublics' Apologise. Simon told the wanabee congratulations on his comeback but based on his performance they made the right choice first time round. Ouch!
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20-year-old Joe Munoz performed a sweet version of Joe Mraz's You And I Both. Kara and Randy gave rave reviews but Simon, in typical Simon fashion, rolled his eyes as he commented, "In 10 seconds time, we're going to forget this." calling the performance, "Limp and forgettable" ... adding, "Rather like our host."
70s rocker Tyler Grady took on American Woman, starting off strong but finishing on a bum note. Simon slammed him, saying that people will remember this performance, but down side is, not necessarily for the right reasons. Simon said Tyler comes across like someone who went to "trying-to-be-a-rock-star school," and that it doesn't seem natural.
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23-year-old Lee DeWyze sang a pretty forgettable yet passable version of Snow Machine's Chasing Cars. Ellen commented that it was a good song choice, "except when you started kind of screaming it a bit." Simon praised DeWyze though, even go so far as to say, "It was the best performance...by a mile".
John Park perforeds an unusual song choice, singing God Save The Child. The judges were left unimpressed with Kara saying there was no connection and that the song was "loungey and sleepy". Ellen disagreed though, saying that she thought he sounded great.
26-year-old Michael Lynch chose to jazz up Maroon 5's This Love for his performance. Randy, Ellen and Kara praised him, but Simon dourly commented that his performance "was like the support act before the main act, you delivered so little."
Texan student Alex Lambert rocked a mullet and performed James Morrison's classic hit Wonderful World. Simon awarded him with the the "most uncomfortable performance of the night" whereas Kara just added that she felt he "needs a hug". Ellen threw in her support of Lambert's hairstyle choice though before cryptically comparing him to a "not quite ripe banana."
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Kara is obviously a huge fan of Casey James and holds nothing back in her praise. James let down his long blond hair and gave a pitchy version of Bryan Adams’ Heaven. Kara DioGuardi didn’t seem to mind the missed notes as she swayed back and forth during the song and told him giddily afterward, “Casey I don’t recognize you with your shirt on.”
James even managed to unnerve Ellen DeGeneres, who stammered out, “I could feel Kara undressing you with her eyes, I couldn’t focus. You’re going to get votes like crazy.”
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Even Simon seemed a little knocked off his block. “Casey one thing I do understand is that we were both cursed with good looks. But somehow you have to manage the talent thing as well. Obviously the cougar here loves you.”
Finally, 24-year-old Andrew Garcia went out on a limb, performing a stripped down and acoustic version of Fall Out Boy's We're Going Down. Kara said it was a "strange rendition" and Simon was just plain blunt, telling Garcia that he found his performance "disappointing and kind of boring".
Stay tuned Thursday for Season 9’s first elimination round and a performance from Season 8’s American Idol, Kris Allen.
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Posted on Feb 04, 2010 @ 01:38AM - Add a comment
Wednesday night was the last show of the auditions phase of American Idol Season 9, promising us the best and the worst of the auditions so far - and it didn't disappoint. "We've saved the best for last," Idol host Ryan Seacrest assured us at the start of the show, and it seems, for the most part, he was telling the truth!
With clips taken from all the auditions shows so far this season, American Idol The Road To Hollywood re-introduced us to some wanabees from past seasons as well as showcasing some fresh talent, and disasters!
First up though we get to relive what has probably been the most memorable and talked about audition so far this year - yes - it's welcome back Pants On The Ground!
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Then we are introduced to a previous Season 8 contestant, 20-year-old Jessica Furney, who sucked up to Simon by performing Footprints in The Sand, an original composition penned by Cowell himself - who knew he had so many talents - guest judge Posh Spice for one, who is astounded to hear of Simon's writing "talents". Needless to say Jessica's nod to Cowell, along with a little talent, guaranteed her a place through to Hollywood, the first of many of the night who won a coveted spot.
Boston contestant Amanda Shectman wasn't lacking when it came to standing out, entertaining with her bad impressions and proclaiming that she just wants her true talent to shine through, which she's "pretty confident it will". She didn't wow with her performance though, prompting Victoria Beckham to tell her, "I think you need to work on your expressions" and Kara to tell her she felt she was lacking in connection, a sentiment Simon agreed with. Shectman stood her ground though, protesting, "Singing is what I love to do man, please listen to me!" And after some deliberating she was passed through, prompting an Oscar worthy performance of appreciation.
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Lee Dewyze brought to the table his gravelly voiced rocker act, winning a ticket through to the next round.
Also sailing through was Crystal Bowersox, who kept her guitar over her shoulder, even though she wasn't allowed to play it.
23-year-old Church Event Director Lacey Brown, made it into the top 50 on Season 8, now, back for her second go she wowed with her version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, which prompted Kara to tell her, "You're definitely one of my favorites this season" and winning her a second shot at stardom.
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Someone that just doesn't seem to know how to take rejection is 23-year-old Stephanie Fisher, who appeared in Denver for her 7th attempt at American Idol fame. The overly tan Paris Hilton lookalike performed an overly dramatic and off-key rendition of the Peggy Lee classic, Fever. Simon judged her performance, "terrible" telling her "honestly, you can't sing sweetheart". Stephanie excused her poor performance on her nerves due to the presence of Victoria Beckham, explaining "she's my fashion icon." The judges awarded her another go, where she proceeded to murder Baby Love before Simon promptly stopped her and put an end to her dreams, once again. Better luck next time Stephanie, or maybe not....
Next up a trio of 16-year-olds. Rachel Hubbard, Thaddeus Johnson and Genesis Moore all showcased talent well beyond their tender ages and all were given a pass to Hollywood.
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Oversized 6 foot 8" 17-year-old swimmer Adrian Chandtchi, described himself as, "A beautiful man-flower", claiming that for America, "I am the only one" and sharing he has a slew of nicknames, including "Blondzilla". Chandtchi stunned with a falsetto performance of Elvis' Can't Help Falling In Love With You, prompting poor Randy to double over in laughter. Kara commented, "Adrian, there's like a small schoolboy trapped inside you" to which Simon quickly quipped, "Either that or you've eaten one." Rejected by all Adrian wasn't giving up easily, telling the judges, "You have my number, if you want to do re-call backs call me." Don't wait for that phone to ring...
Big buff 26-year-old personal trainer Michael Lynch tried out in Orlando, sharing before his audition that he just found out he has his first child on the way! The gentle giant sang Unchained Melody and the ladies commented, "You're like a singing teddy bear", maybe echoes of past Idol Ruben Studdard? We will see, as Michael got through to the next round.
Hollywood contestant 22-year-old waitress Didi Benami battled her emotions as she explained that she was auditioning in memory of her best friend Rebecca, who died four years ago. Singing the Beatles classic Hey Jude Benami gave a rousing performance, prompting Kara to note, "You really want it bad." Randy commented that "you sounded really cool, you had good range. I actually really liked you." And despite a "very small yes" from Simon the hopeful got through to Hollywood.
16-year-old Aaron Kelly had a sob story to tell. Living a migratory lifestyle with his parents when he was infant and moving from place to place Aaron shared that he was about to be taken away by social services before his kindly aunt and uncle stepped up to the plate and adopted him and his brother. He performed The Climb by Miley Cirus, garnering praise from Simon who told him, "I think the moms will like you." Kelly won 4 yesses and a place into the next round.
Kimberly Bishop declared that "I have what it takes to become the next American Idol because I have a really good heart." The 20-year-old nursing student murdered Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl, getting a unanimous rejection.
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In Dallas Shaddaiii Harris bought her mom with her, who confessed that when she was pregnant with Shaddaii she had a "vision" of her singing. Unfortunately Shaddaii's performance was beyond appalling, shattering her mom's visions forever.
Ryan teases, "We're saving the best for last" before introducing Hope Johnson who shares a story worthy of a Lifetime movie of the week, telling how she didn't know she was poor when she was little, taking food home from school to share with her starving little brother, declaring "there are a lot of things worse than going without". The pretty 19-year-old waitress won over the judges, with all of them commenting that they liked her. It was a unanimous yes for the last contestant of the evening and with that it's goodbye to the auditions and hello to Hollywood!
