Steven Tyler to judge American Idol

Rocker Steven Tyler has signed up to judge American Idol.

The Aerosmith frontman agreed to join the hit show as Simon Cowell’s replacement, according to the New York Daily News.

“Steven is doing American Idol. The ink is dry on that,” Tyler’s bandmate Tom Hamilton told The Star-Ledger of Newark newspaper.

JLo Gets Dropped from American Idol

Jennifer Lopez has reportedly been dropped as a potential judge for the upcoming season of American Idol. As to why that is so, a source claims that the Latin pop singer’s demands just got too much for FOX. The source said “Her demands got out of hand. Fox had just had enough.” It sucks for her because I think she lost her last chance at ever becoming relevant again in the entertainment business. With just one month to go before aspiring stars undergo the audition process, I’m pretty sure that the show’s execs are pretty much scrambling to get things straightened out.

Fantasia Barrino Talks Scandal

Despite some charges of leaking a sex tape featuring her and another woman’s husband, American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino says that she is not responsible for breaking up the marriage of one Paula Cook. The singer’s manager, Brian Dickens, was quick to release a statement claiming that Fantasia is “certain that she is not responsible for the deterioration of the Cook’s marriage. Fantasia will weather this storm with the dignity and grace that she has exemplified throughout a life in which she has repeatedly overcome obstacles and challenges. Fantasia’s faith in God, herself and family remain as strong as ever.”

Aerosmiths Steven Tyler in talks with American Idol execs

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has revealed that he has been approached about a judging role on American Idol, but that it’s “a work in progress”.

Tyler, 62, is rumoured to be one of the new judges on the US talent show, alongside singer Jennifer Lopez, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Asked about the reports on a US radio show, Tyler confirmed that executives on the Fox show have contacted him.

He said on Kidd Kraddick’s radio show: “Well, you know, this beautiful girl from Fox came up to me and made an offer.”

He added: “It’s a work in progress, it’s just one of those things. They mentioned it and I listened and… we’re on tour, so I’ve got to give it some time.

Asked what kind of judge he would be like if he were to take the job, he said: “I would be honest to the ones that think they have it, and I would be truthful and sensitive to those who haven’t.”

Source: Splash News

J-Lo and Steven Tyler linked to American Idol judging jobs

Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler have been lined up as the new judges on American Idol.

J-Lo and Tyler would replace Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres who both left the show after its last season.

The judging panel on the talent contest would go back to three, with Idol veteran Randy Jackson keeping his job, the New York Daily News reports.

Tyler and Lopez are the latest names to be linked with the jobs, following the likes of Chris Isaak, Justin Timberlake, Sir Elton John and Harry Connick Jr.

Representatives for FOX and Fremantle Media had no comment.

Source: Splash News

Simon Cowell: I have huge respect for Ellen DeGeneres

Simon Cowell has said he respects Ellen DeGeneres’ decision to leave American Idol.

DeGeneres, 52, announced yesterday that she was leaving the talent competition after just one season.

And Cowell, a former judge on the show, has implied that he thinks she has made the right decision.

The 50-year-old media mogul told the Hollywood Reporter: “As I got to know Ellen, I grew to really, really like her.”

He added: “I have huge respect for her because she’s always been in control of her own destiny.”

It is not yet known who will replace Cowell, who left the show in May to start work on the US version of X Factor.

Recent reports in the media have claimed that singer Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith star Steven Tyler could soon be taking their seats on the judging panel.

Source: Splash News

American Idol Lawsuit

Back in May, Dane Cook was under fire when he reportedly threatened American Idol reject Ian Bernardo after the contestant stole the microphone from him at the live finale. The wannabe singer claimed that the comedian and his manager made some offensive comments about his sexuality and threatened him. Now, Ian has filed a lawsuit against the show for $300 million. According to the documents, Ian alleges that the producers were behind his behavior and instructed him to be outrageous during the event. However, he said that they did not support him after the incident with Dane. This is so lame.

American Idol Tour Tanks

Considering their crappy ratings and press from losing Simon Cowell, it should be no surprise that the American Idol Live tour isn’t doing so well. I would have actually been surprised if I found out that it was doing well. Things are so bad that organizers behind the tour are wrapping the show up sooner than expected. Eight concerts have already been cancelled and instead of ending the tour’s run on September 16th, there will be a two week hiatus beginning August 31st before the final September 14th show. Neither American Idol nor Live Nation gave a reason for the cancellation.

Simon Cowell gave expensive leaving presents to staff on American Idol

Music boss Simon Cowell reportedly dished out expensive handbags and wallets to American Idol staff when he left the show.

The 50-year-old star recently quit the long-running US show, and it is claimed he gave staff generous leaving presents.

An insider said to UK newspaper Daily Star: “The men got expensive wallets, the women got designer handbags. And tucked away inside was $1000.”

The gifts were given to staff including make-up artists, hairstylists and camera crews.

Another insider added: “Simon Cowell likes people to think he’s a nasty guy, but deep down, he knows how much work they all do.

“He wanted them to know he has valued their contributions.”

Source: Splash News

Lee DeWyze Does Marilyn Manson

Before he got crowned as champion of American Idol, Lee DeWyze flirted with the dark side and even covered a song by Marilyn Manson. The singer’s old record label has recently released Lee’s rendition of the dark rock singer’s hit ‘Beautiful People’, roughly a year after Lee recorded it back in Chicago. While I don’t think that the cover isn’t half bad, sources are saying that the song never made the cut on any of Lee’s old albums. Times change though, he may decide to cover that song again for his first album after Idol. I wonder what genre of music Lee will play up to.

Absentee American Idols Talk Finale

It’s been almost a week since we saw Lee DeWyze get crowned as the new American Idol and saw Simon Cowell bid farewell. In celebration of the judge’s departure, contestants from previous seasons sang a big tribute. There were some noticeable faces missing from the line up though, including season 7 champ David Cook and last year’s runner up Adam Lambert. Apparently, glam rocker Adam didn’t get an invitation to perform and was battling a case of laryngitis so he opted to stay at home. As for David, he had a charity gig in Kansas City but he went on his Twitter to give his congrats to Lee and express his sadness for not being able to attend.

Simon Cowell supports Bret Michaels’ bid for American Idol role

Simon Cowell thinks Bret Michaels would be ‘good’ as his replacement on American Idol.

The 50-year-old music mogul recently bowed out of the show following this season’s finale.

A replacement has not yet been confirmed, but Poison rocker Michaels has said he would like the job.

Talking about Michaels as a judge, Cowell said to Extra: “Actually, he’d be good. He’s funny. He’s got experience. He’d be a good choice – and you saw the audience reaction to him. They love him.”

Michaels, who performed on the season finale, said: “That’s what I’m saying! Let’s just say that I was to slip into Simon’s chair. I’m sorry he has to go, but sometimes things happen.

“Provided my health holds up, I think I’m taking that chair next year!”

Source: Splash News

Simon Cowell Bids Farewell

The season 9 finale of American Idol not only saw an awesome ending to an otherwise boring season but also saw the end of an era as Simon Cowell officially says goodbye to the show. All through the night, video clips and performances were shown in a tribute to the snarky music mogul. The first video clip saw some of Simon’s best insults throughout the years. Comedian Dane Cook even sang some of the insults along with the craziest contestants we’ve seen on the show. Paula Abdul even graced the Idol stage to say goodbye and even jumped into Simon’s lap as all the previous champions, with the exception of David Cook, sang ‘Together We are One’. They were joined by many former hopefuls to sing the tribute to the guy who gave them a start in the music industry. If you weren’t touched by that, I’m sure Simon’s speech did. He barely managed to hold back tears. It’s definitely the end of an era and nothing will be the same with Simon Cowell gone.
p.s. I love Janet Jackson new haircut on American Idol

American Idol Finale Week

It’s almost over and everyone is gearing up for the big finale on American Idol tonight. There are several performers and a couple of Idol alums slated to appear. Kris Allen, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias are all confirmed to perform. Taylor Hicks and Elliot Yamin will also perform a duet. The 2 finalists are said to be singing with Joe Cocker. Paula Abdul will also be making her Idol return in a video tribute to Simon Cowell along with more past Idol contestants. Janet Jackson, Chicago, the Bee Gees and Hall & Oats are also rumored to be taking part of the show.
The only thing we do not know for sure, who will win American Idol 2010?

Simon Cowell Talks Idol Replacement

Simon Cowell is making it pretty clear that he doesn’t want his American Idol replacement to be a judge that lacks music experience, aka Ellen DeGeneres. The music mogul recently said “I think primarily, you’ve got to have somebody on that panel who actually knows what they’re talking about — because everyone is talking about casting the nasty person or this person or get another Brit. If we were judging ice skating, I mean, you wouldn’t have somebody on who’s obnoxious. You’d have somebody who knows the difference between a 10, a 9 and an 8.” Did he just call Ellen obnoxious?

American Idol Top 2 Revealed

Instead of having the top 3 perform a medley of songs on the results show of American Idol, we were able to see longer clips of their trips back to their hometowns. All the aspiring singers had very emotional homecomings. Casey James went to visit the hospital where he was checked into after a serious accident a couple of years ago to personally thank the doctors and nurses that took care of him. Crystal Bowersox was on a rollercoaster of emotions as we saw her crying and laughing. She also performed an original song for her hometown of Toledo, Ohio and was very emotional during that as well. Lee DeWyze was also shown crying during his performance of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘The Boxer’ when he went home. But for one of the Idols, the contest is over and they will be going home sooner than they thought. The top 2 has been revealed as we all say goodbye to Casey James.

Judges Pick American Idol Songs

The judges got their turn to choose the songs for the remaining three contestants on American Idol and before I heard any of them sing it, I was pretty skeptical. Simon Cowell chose to give Lee DeWyze ‘Hallelujah’. Tim Urban already had his turn with this song this season and Jason Castro had his moment with this too. Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson teamed up for Casey James and had him sing ‘Daughters’ by John Mayer. This is so far away from his genre that I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at it for lack of a better comment. Ellen DeGeneres actually picked the best song, ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ by Paul McCartney which was sang by Crystal Bowersox. How do you think the singers did with the judges’ choice?

Lee Dewyze Hallelujah Video

Lee DeWyze, 2nd song on Top 3, “Hallelujah”, American Idol 2010

Lee Dewyze Hallelujah Video:

American Idol Elimination

After all the celebrity performances, which I think are the highlight of this season, we finally find out who the top 3 contestants are on American Idol. The bottom singers aren’t revealed and instead, the top 4 were relieved of the stress one by one. Casey James and Lee DeWyze were the first to be revealed to be safe. Just by seeing who’s left to go home, I knew that it was going to be Michael Lynche leaving before it was even announced. And what do you know? I was right. Casey, Lee and Crystal Bowersox are in the top 3 and all of them will be heading back to their hometowns and see just how their stint of the show has affected everyone back home.

American Idol Top 4 Perform

Much like they did last year, the American Idol top 4 had to sing some duets on top of performing their solos. It was a tough one this week considering the limited song choices. Lee DeWyze was up first with ‘Kiss from a Rose’. He was out of tune and the song was obviously too big for him. Big Mike sang ‘Will You Be There’. His vocals were perfect but I wasn’t completely sold on his take on the song. Lee and Crystal were first up with their duet of ‘Falling Slowly’. They definitely stole the show with that one. Back with the solos, Casey James sang ‘Mrs. Robinson’. The vocals were good but he was boring. I wished he looked into Kara DioGuardi’s eyes given her crush on him. That would have made it interesting. Crystal Bowersox wins the night with ‘I’m Alright’. She sang it with a more bluesy feel and killed it. Casey and Mike ended the show with their duet of ‘Have You Ever Loved a Woman’ and you could just fall in love with them. If you could vote for them on that, you’d be having a tough time picking a top 3.