AMERICAN IDOL
Reports surfaced a few days ago that Nicki Minaj will be a member of the judges' panel on American Idol. Now rumor has it "Louis Vuitton Don" Kanye West might be joining her and Mariah Carey. [Huffington Post]
A burglar broke into LL Cool J's home in California, looking to steal cash, jewelry and other valuable goods. Instead he was knocked out, courtesy of the legendary MC. [HipHopDX]
Season 11 of American Idol concluded with Phillip Phillips being awarded a record deal and left fans wondering which musical acts/executives would occupy the show’s judge panel in the future. After two seasons, international pop superstar, Jennifer Lopez, and legendary rocker, Steven Tyler, decided that they no longer wanted to be a part of the highly-rated singing competition.
Ever since the announcement was made, numerous celebrities have reportedly been in serious talks with Idol producers to serve as judges for the upcoming season. In late June, Fox announced that they agreed to terms with multi-platinum, former R&B diva, Mariah Carey, to serve as a judge for at least one season. Her deal is reportedly worth a whopping $18 million. Apparently the network was willing to hand over whatever amount the singer demanded, despite her faded star status. The move was seen as a desperate attempt to revive the American Idol brand, which was at one point a highly respected singing competition between undiscovered, raw talents and Fox’s cash cow.
Joonbug sat down with Haley Reinhart, the first American Idol contender to play the big festival. Smart and soulful, Haley reflects on her career so far.
Ashley: Congratulations being the first American Idol contender to perform at Lollapalooza. How did the set go?
Haley Reinhart: It was amazing. I was more nervous just anticipating how the huge festival is and the fact that I’m a part of it. But when I got up there, the nerves went away, because I really enjoy live performing and I had my band and my whole family up there with me.
Ashley: What does it mean to you to be the first Idol performing at such a huge festival?
Haley: I am so happy to be a leading force in that nature. It kind of just tells me how far I’ve come and the fact that I’m breaking through. I’m breaking a lot of barriers, I’m showing people hopefully, that my music has depth and substance to it. I’ve been working really hard on it and it’s gotten me this far, so I’m really, really thankful.
Ashley: You have such a cool, retro vocal style. How did that develop?
Haley: I do give a lot of thanks to my parents just growing up in a musical household , filled with of classic rock and blues and soul and funk, and pop and more modern as well. I grew up with all that stuff. For me, it’s all been imbedded in my brain. It just came out naturally. I’m not trying to be anything in particular, I just love all kind of music. If I can just try things together and make my own sound, that’s great.
Ashley: What artists inspired you from your hometown of Chicago?
Haley: Doobie Brothers, The Blues Brothers, there’s so much music going on out there. Especially blues and soul. I’ve been all over town. My parents’ band played all over. My parents have been playing for over 40 years together, so I grew up in pubs. It’s really been in my blood.
Ashley: Do you have a favorite Chicago venue?
Haley: I’ve been to plenty of shows myself, all kinds of different venues. I love the theaters, like the Congress Theater. I love the intimate setting.
Ashley: You’ve made the move from the Midwest to L.A. What do you enjoy most about California and what do you miss most about home?
Haley: L.A. is the land of opportunity; it’s been an amazing journey out there. My experience has been so bright and wonderful; I love the weather! But we have wonderful summers out here in Chicago. I miss my friends and family out here like nobody’s business. So as often as I can make it out here, I try to.
Ashley: What was the most helpful advice or criticism you received from the American Idol judges? What really stuck with you in developing your career?
Haley: You know, I think going with my gut and following my intuition was great advice. Being true to self and finding what that niche is. Taking whatever cover you might be doing and making it “you” and putting your own little twist on it, bringing out all the great things you embody.
Ashley: Define the idol experience in a sentence or less.
Haley: Unbelievably huge platform and experience.
Ashley: What’s your advice for someone trying to break in the music industry, coming from a show like American Idol?
Haley: I think American Idol can take you in a lot of different directions, like anything in life. If you truly have your heart set on something…for me, I believe in intuition and faith. I just had a feeling this was going to be the only thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life—do or die, I was going to make this career. I think it’s all about timing, too. Do what you can, work hard for it and be dedicated.
Ashley: Any important updates for the near future?
Haley: I’m really close to some big touring dates. There are a lot of things popping up this fall. Check it out!
For more about Haley Reinhart, be sure to check out her official website.
This past Friday, teen music sensations Megan & Liz joined forces with digital video network Akoo, music discovery destination OurStage.com, and Secret Mean Stinks to band against bullying. The free concert included video messages to support Band Against Bullying from celebs like Justin Bieber, Flo Rida, Ke$ha, One Direction, The Fray, and more.
There were show-stopping performances by Megan & Liz and Hot Chelle Rae and OurStage.com contest winner and former American Idol contestant, Tim Halperin. The show also featured Z100's Trey Morgan and Elvis Duran, as well as The Morning Show's Carla Marie, Band Against Bullying creator Bruce Tyler, as well as OurStage and Akoo executives. The concert took place at BB King's Blues Club. Check our the pics!
After weeks of speculation the news is finally in!
Fox's American Idol judge, Steven Tyler, has made the official announcement that he will not be returning for the new season. Quickly after Jennifer Lopez released a "maybe I will, maybe I won't return" statement, audiences are wondering if the songstress will be following in Tyler's footsteps and departing from from the glorified singing competition.
But do not fret Joonbuggers, such is life. Out with the old and in with the new!
What sets the American Idol panel apart from other singing competitions is its consistency in choosing musically relative judges year after year. That being said we would not want to tamper with the formula of success. We have a few suggestions for AI's producer Nigel Lythogoe on who we would want to see in the judge's chair come next season.
After two seasons on American Idol, Jennifer Lopez has hinted that she may not return to the judges panel. She recently spoke with TODAY's Natalie Morales during an interview about her role in the latest Ice Age installment and she said, "I love everybody, I love the guys but I am thinking it's time for me to go and do other things I love to do, like films."
She has also metioned in other interviews that she puts a lot on hold in order to do Idol. "It's a huge decision, but I have to say there are so many things I do that I put on hold for that," Lopez reasoned. "It's a heartbreaking decision if I have to go," according to Us Weekly.
Jennifer Lopez stepped out in Santiago Chile on Monday with her beau Casper Smart, sporting a new do. During her time as a judge on at Fox’s American Idol, Lopez was photographed with a plethora of different hairstyles, all long with blonde tips. With her world tour co-headlining with singer Enrique Iglesias kicking off earlier this month she has been experimenting with different look. Most recently the superstar opted for shoulder length curls as oppose to the long locks she has been wearing for months. It seems as though the “American Idol” judge has the right idea for summer.
Way to beat the heat Jenny!
What do you think Joonbuggers? Do we love it or hate it?
Check J.Lo following the leader with Wisin y Yandel !
Ace Young (season 5) and Diana DeGarmo (season 6 runner up) are officially engaged. The singer popped the question to DeGarmo on the season finale of American Idol last night. The cute couple met when they were both starring on Broadway's revival of Hair and became inseparable. They also have collaborated on music together with DeGarmo signed on to Young's indie label Young Brothers Entertainment.
"We have conquered Broadway together, we have created new music together, we have an amazing group of people around us," Young professed right before popping the question.
You might remember Tony Vincent from NBC's The Voice, where he was on Team Cee-Lo and blowing away the audience with his incredible voice and memorable performances. Since the show, Tony has been focusing on writing and recording his own music, and has recently released a single called Starting Over. Joonbug gets the scoop on how it felt to be eliminated, what Tony is up to now, and Tony's secret special talent!
It was revealed during last night's episode of 'American idol' that Jermaine Jones, the 25-year-old vocal instructor from Pine Hill, N.J., was disqualified for lying to producers of the show and failing to mention that he has outstanding arrest warrants back home in New Jersey.
Jones has had multiple run-ins with the law, but when asked prior to being in the top 24, Jones lied and said he hasn’t been in a fight since high school, though police records prove Jones' pants are certainly on fire!
 |
 |
 |
 |
