This Wednesday, millions of viewers will tune in to American Idol’s twelfth season premiere, and season seven alum, for one, Jason Castro can’t wait. That's because Castro’s new album, Only a Mountain, will drop the day before the show’s first episode, and the Texas native plans to celebrate both events in a big way.
When American Idol alum Tim Urban first heard that Taylor Swift and One Direction's Harry Styles were a hot item, he immediately took his thoughts to Twitter, asking his followers what the inevitable breakup song would sound like.
Suddenly, it occurred to him: why not write it for her?
Astute fans of American Idol got a big surprise in the opening moments of Wednesday night's X Factor when Jennel Garcia was joined onstage by a familiar face -- Todrick Hall.
For American Idol season seven alum Kristy Lee Cook, the road to a hit song may well have started in the jungles of Vietnam years before she was born.
Cook’s new single, “Airborne Ranger Infantry,” the first release with her new label, Broken Bow Records, was inspired by her father, Larry, who served during the extraction period after the Vietnam War. To cope with the realities of war, the elder Cook penned several poems about his experiences.
It's hard to believe a decade has gone by since Kelly Clarkson was crowned as the original American Idol on Sept. 4, 2002.
It was then that the cocktail waitress from Burleson, Texas emerged victorious over runner-up Justin Guarini in a voting contest that was a "58-42" split, according to Ryan Seacrest.
She was the people's choice then, and the people's choice now. Clarkson is the embodiment of the perfect pop star. Her unmistakable pipes are a powerful presence in top 40 and country, with forays into anthemic rock and dance. She has been invited to mentor on other singing shows (The Voice), helmed her own reality show (Duets) and even has a film credit (yes, we are referencing From Justin to Kelly).
Adjectives often used to describe Simon Cowell, especially during his reign on American Idol: cold-hearted, prickly, cruel. But off camera, departing from his TV persona, he could also be called a "hero."
When you think of Cash Money Records, the likes of Lil Wayne, Drake, Jay Sean and Nicki Minaj come to mind along with the label's irrefutable influence on hip-hop. But to American Idol season six finalist Chris Richardson, it simply represents home.
American Idol has produced its fair share of countrystars from the coterie of contestants, most of whom we recognize from their first names alone: Carrie. Scotty. Kellie. Lauren. And given the preponderance of heartlanders of all genres who’ve dominated the show, Southern Idol wouldn’t be too misrepresentative of a name change. So isn’t it about time the judges’ panel had some country representation, too?
For FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Groundhog Day arrives every July. At least it’s been that way for the past four years or so as the company’s flagship show American Idol has seen a revolving group of judges come and go, starting with Paula Abdul’s exit after season 8, followed by Simon Cowell in 2010 and Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres not long after.
Carrie Underwood may have recorded “Independence Day,” but it is Kelly Clarkson who makes American Idol history today, July 4, as the latest sales figures from Nielsen SoundScan confirm her current hit, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” to be the best-selling Idol single of all time, surpassing the long-time champion, Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.”
The Bryn Mawr, N.J., teen -- who you may remember from his time on The X Factor as a member of the group "InTENsity" -- was among the 5,000 strong descending upon the Prudential Center in Newark for the season 12 American Idol auditions.
American Idol's Season 11 top 10 Idols were all facing in “one direction” Wednesday morning, as they stood before a large assortment of print and electronic journalists to perform “What Makes You Beautiful,” the top 5 hit by British boy band One Direction, who happen to not only be X Factor UK finalists, but are also signed to ex Idol star Simon Cowell's label Syco.
American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe did something quite uncharacteristic following Thursday’s elimination show: He allowed himself a brief moment to mourn. “I lost my favorite tonight,” he told The Hollywood Reporter minutes after Joshua Ledet was sent home, leaving 16-year-old diva-in-training Jessica Sanchez and 21-year-old aspiring troubadour Phillip Phillips to battle it out at next week's finale.
Ryan Seacrest was there in the beginning, and he's here to stay -- for now.
The multi-tasking TV host and producer said he intends to remain on American Idol, and that an official announcement is forthcoming. His Idol contract is set to expire after the current season.
"I plan to stay there," he told the Today show's Matt Lauer on Wednesday. "I expect to be on that show."
