There were so many stars on the red carpet last night for the American Idol season 8 finale that I wouldn’t even dream of trying to list them here. 

Of course, there were the finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, along with the rest of the Top 13 and judges but the celebrities (and former contestants) came out in droves to see who would win the singing competition. 

It looks like season four winner, Carrie Underwood, hurt her knee somehow since she’s got her “owie” all covered up with four Hello Kitty bandaids. She still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

SEE MORE GREAT RED CARPET PICS AFTER THE JUMP!

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American Idol season 2 winner, Ruben Studdard, has released the video for his single “Together.”  I really like the song which is from his upcoming album Love IS (available on May 19, 2009).  The video is pretty cute too.

Here’s the tracklisting from the album which was produced by the dynamic duo, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.  I’m looking forward to hearing the full album because I think they, along with Ruben, could make a really great combination.

1. Together
2. More Than Words
3. Song For Her
4. How You Make Me Feel
5. Don’t Make ‘Em Like U No More
6. I Can’t Help It
7. Just Because
8. My Love Is A Rock
9. The Long and Winding Road
10. For the Good Times
11. We Got Love (That’s Enough)
12. Footprints in the Sand

Enjoy the video and let me know what you think of it:

image: Amazon

Sister 2 Sister magazine publisher, Jamie Foster Brown, caught up with American Idol season 2 winner, Ruben Studdard, and took the opportunity to ask him about his new album, as well as clear up some rumors. 

He talked about his upcoming album (due out the day before Mother’s Day) on which he had the chance to work with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis who, in case you aren’t familiar with them, have an incredible track record in the industry.  I’m really looking forward to hearing what they came up with! When Jamie asked what fans can expect from the album, Ruben said: “It’s just a lot of great, classic songs. I got a chance to do a record with some guys that I looked up to in my adolescence, and that’s Boyz II Men. Yeah, I did a song with them, a Bryan Adams record, “Heaven.” I did a song with Kenny G, “Careless Whispers.” It’s just a lot of great music.  Terry kept saying that he wanted us to pick songs that people can really see the Ruben that they voted for [in] and not somebody that let people pick the songs. They just wanted to hear I could really, really sing.

Ruben also explained why his album The Return, released in October 2006, was pulled from the shelves: “Man, the record company (J Records) designed my cover, my inserts… You know Louis Vuitton?  They kind of got upset about it. Yeah, that’s what happened. Me, I got sued. Britney Spears, DaBrat, Alicia Keys—we all got sued for using their logo as a part of our product.”

In the end, J Records’ “parent company, Sony BMG, was sued for trademark infringement by LVMH. All of the label’s music that featured Louis Vuitton’s toile monogram and multi-colored logo had to be removed from stores, and the label had to pay LVMH 100,000 euros.”

Fortunately, the album is being repackaged so fans will be able to get it along with the new one that is coming out this spring.

Ruben also tells Sister 2 Sister about how he ended up changing labels, the current status of his relationship with his godfather who has been missing since he stole money from the Idol champ and more.  Pick up the March issue to read it all – it’s on newsstands now!

If you need a little more Ruben in the meantime, here’s a cute video of Ruben explaining how he wanted to propose to his wife, Zuri, and how he eventually did it, after his first two plans were ruined.

image and quotes used with permission

I cannot put up pictures yet of what I saw while I was inside the American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios but I can tell you a few things! There were five finalists and we were given instructions about how to vote for the person we liked best (there’s a voting panel on the armrests).  The only problem is that you can accidentally change the vote of the person sitting next to you, which happened to me (fortunately, it was my husband).

At the event, all of the former American Idol winners were brought on stage where they were presented with awards made especially for this occasion (they looked like old-fashioned microphones).  This was the first and only time that I saw Kelly Clarkson. 

Season 7 winner, David Cook, did an acoustic version of his hit, “Light On” and then season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, also performed an acoustic rendition of her song “All-American Girl.”  They pair then sang “You Can Go Your Own Way” together and it was such a good duet that a lot of people were later saying they should actually record and release it as a single.

There was also a pretty hilarious exchange between Ryan Seacrest and Paula Abdul while they spoke to the “contestants” before the performances.  Paula went over to give them tips on how to relax and when she started massaging one girl’s shoulder, Ryan said something like “now, remember Paula about the rules regarding contestants?”  The audience booed but we also laughed when Ryan referenced the situation with former contestant, Corey Clark, who alleged that he had an inappropriate relationship with Paula.

That’s basically all I’m at liberty to say but, in the meantime, here’s a video that walks you through the attraction:

image: Jyle Dupuis

I just came back from the private opening of the American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios and I had a blast.  I’m thoroughly exhausted but it really was a lot of fun.  Disney really knows how to put on a show and I am extremely grateful to them for the fabulous trip!

I will cover the event in three parts (motorcade, American Idol Experience show and the after-party) over the next three days.  Today, I’ll kick things off by telling you all about the American Idol motorcade. 

The blue carpet was rolled out for the stars and one by one.  Mickey Mouse got things started but was then followed by Justin Guarini (runner-up, season 1).  He looked great and was all smiles for the fans and the media.
Next was Chris Sligh (finalist, season 6).  He talked a little bit about how his song “Here Comes Goodbye” was picked up by Rascal Flatts and is actually the first single off of their new album.

It was a star-studded event.  Check out more pictures including Carrie Underwood, David Cook and David Archuleta after the jump!

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This is our second day in our week-long countdown to the start of American Idol season 8!!!  So, what do you remember about the second season of your favorite singing competition?

It was the season of Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken.  Even back during the competition, I just could not decide.  I loved them both so much for two entirely different reasons.  Ruben had a smooth style and teddy bear-like quality that made him so lovable during performances like “Music of My Heart” but then Clay brought so much skill and growth to songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” 

I couldn’t wait to find out who won and then the day of the final performances, I went into labor.  It was high-risk so I was in a special unit with no television for days.  Naturally, having just had a preemie, I wasn’t even thinking about Idol so, I ended up finding out by chance when some nurses were chatting in my room.  What an experience!

Here’s a Top 5 medley featuring Ruben, Clay, Kimberley Locke, Trenyce and Joshua Gracin to help bring back the memories! 

Check out the Top 10.  Who did you like best?

1. Ruben Studdard –Winner
2. Clay Aiken – Runner-up May 21, 2003
3. Kimberley Locke – Eliminated May 14
4. Josh Gracin – Eliminated May 7
5. Trenyce – Eliminated April 30
6. Carmen Rasmusen – Eliminated April 23
7. Kimberly Caldwell – Eliminated April 16
8. Rickey Smith – Eliminated April 9
9. Corey Clark – Disqualified April 2
10. Julia DeMato – Eliminated March 26

image: Newscom

American Idol season two winner, Ruben Studdard, will be performing at the Bessie Smith Heritage Festival next month.  He has never performed in Chattanooga, where the event is taking place, but he seems pretty excited about it: “It’s going to be fun. It’s like inviting people to my living room. We have a party, and I’m sure it’s not going to be any different here in Chattanooga”

The festival is set to take place on August 23, 2008 with tickets going for $25 in advance and $35 at the gate.

Here’s a video of the medley that the top five contestants on the second season of American Idol performed.  I thought they did a great job but they were a really strong group of singers.  How can you go wrong with Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Trenyce and Joshua Gracin?  It was a nice mix.  Check it out:

Ruben Studdard, the winner of the second season of American Idol performed “Music of My Heart” and, of course, he did an amazing job!  I really loved his velvety, teddy bear voice.  I’m really surprised that he hasn’t been more successful but that’s the fickleness of showbusiness, right? 

Image details: American Idol 2008 Grand Finale - Arrivals served by picapp.com

American Idol winner, Ruben Studdard, has got a huge wedding planned for Saturday!  People magazine is reporting that there will be at least 20 groomsmen at his side as weds fiancée, Surata Zuri McCants this weekend.  The pair will tie the knot at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Congrats to Ruben and Surata!  May your wedding day be all that you hoped it would be!