He said that he’s been enjoying a little time off since the grueling 52-date Idols Live! tour ended.  He said it was great being able to actually meet the Idol fans since he was used to performing and going straight home when he was on the show.  I can imagine that it was fun to see how people were truly reacting to them in real life!

Matt talked about his upcoming show, Make the Cut, which is a Michigan-based online singing competition.  He was asked to be a mentor and a judge which he said is like being on the other side of his Idol experience.  Of course, on a far smaller scale…

He talked about his writing and said that we can expect some bluesy music in the future.

Post from: Idol Stalker

First of all, can I just say that I’m so glad that Kris is putting “No Boundaries” behind him?  Yeah… and it’s not that I think the song isn’t good (although I really am not a fan of it) but it was clear that he was uncomfortable with it which really is a bad way to start a career.

Anyway, I really like this song and I think that Kris’ talent really shines through.  I think that he’s got an amazing voice which is incredibly radio-friendly so hopefully this song will do quite well for the most recent American Idol winner.

Post from: Idol Stalker

Joe Galante, chairman of Sony Music Nashville said of Gokey, "We absolutely love Danny. We haven’t had anybody like that (in country) since Ronnie Milsap or T. Graham Brown." He also praised Danny’s "soulful edge", which made viewers and the Idol judges fall in love with him on the show.

Danny also spoke on his choice for turning to country music, saying that while on the show, "I was so wet behind the ears, I didn’t know where I wanted to go. But I most related to the message and the music of country."

I’m sure Danny’s extremely excited and proud! I can’t wait to hear some music from him and see where he goes with this label. Hopefully, it’ll go well for him!

Image: Newscom

Post from: Idol Stalker

She said: "I might become a little bit of a buddy with Simon because whenever I watch that show, as much as he’s an asshole, he’s a very truthful, honest a**hole. I don’t want to break their hearts, but how many of us know that one person that has been trying and trying, and doing karaoke and little gigs here and there at, like, an open mic. And nobody has told them they can’t sing in pitch—for, like, 15 years," Perry said. "You’re like, ‘Somebody needs to say something’ and unfortunately, I might be that gal to tell you the truth."

Katy will be sitting in on the panel during the Los Angeles auditions.  Check out the video of her talking about it below (she also touches briefly on the death of DJ AM):

Post from: Idol Stalker

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Michael Becker / FOX

Here’s the thing – American Idol started as a three-judge show and now, since Paula Abdul quit, it’s back to being a three-judge show.  If they weren’t willing to fight to keep Paula, why do they need to find a stand-in?  Is it because they are worried that a panel comprised of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi is going to be dull?  If they aren’t, they should be because I’m not particularly excited by it.

People love Paula Abdul, especially those who are auditioning.  There have been times when she has swayed the vote and given someone a chance when Simon was too harsh.  She was weird and quirky but usually polite about having the occasional laugh and I will miss her.

Victoria Beckham has some experience.  Yes, she was part of the huge group, the Spice Girls, but that certainly doesn’t make her qualified to judge others.  She was the worst singer in the group (sorry) and the worst dancer.  I know she’s been able to generate a lot of buzz for herself but I do believe that a good part of that is due to the fact that she married one of the world’s most popular (and attractive!) soccer/football players, David Beckham.

Mary J. Blige is an amazing artist.  She brings a soul and depth to her music that I really admire.  She did struggle, however, with live performances until very recently but I can’t tear Mary down.  She’s got some real experience in the business (not gimmicky like Victoria) and I think that she’s kind-hearted but honest enough to do a good job.  I still don’t see the necessity of bringing her on.

Now let’s get to Shania Twain.  I live in Canada and I love her but why in the world was she chosen?  I’m sure that there are far better choices out there.  She’s not all that relevant right now and I’m not even sure that half of the viewers will have even heard of her.  Yes, I know she has some big hits and yes I realize that she has a lot of fans but is she a superstar?  No.

I’m not saying you need to be a superstar to be a judge either but I’m just asking why guest judges are being added at all if we’re not talking about huge household names.  Would I tune in to see Kanye West deliver some tough love?  Absolutely.  Heck, I’d even listen to feedback from Lady GaGa – um, okay I take that back.  It would be interesting and it would bring in some ratings, for sure, but I can’t go there.

So, tell me what you think!  Do you see the importance of guest judges?  Don’t hate on me if you do, I’m just voicing my opinion and I’d love to hear yours.

Post from: Idol Stalker

image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Idol Stalker

CBS News correspondent, Priya David, is quoted as saying the following:  "This all came down to money… [Abdul] was being offered a 30 percent pay raise that amounted to an eight-figure deal, but that, apparently, wasn’t enough."

The article speculates that this turn of events has occurred because Kara DioGuardi was offered a contract (maybe Paula thought Kara wouldn’t be sticking around?) and could all be part of negotiating hardball.

EW.com writer, Michael Slezak, was on the CBS Early Show this morning where he said that Paula could be coming back to the show after causing this big “summer soap opera” even though she “may have overplayed her hand just a bit.”  Watch the video:

Post from: Idol Stalker

I speculated that it might be a stunt to pressure the Idol bosses into giving in to her contract demands.  Apparently, people are asking Ryan the same thing.  He said “everyone that I’ve passed today here has asked is it true? Is it a publicity stunt?  As far as I know, it’s real. At this point she’s decided to leave.”

Would he be happy if she changed her mind?  “I would love that,” he said.  “I think that would be fantastic for all of us. That would be great…  Obviously she has her reasons for doing it and if she didn’t feel like she was getting what she needed, I understand that too.”

His message to her?  “Paula, please go back to Idol,” she said. “It would mean the world to me.”

Awwww!  Who knew that Ryan could be so sweet?  For what it’s worth, I hope she does return to the show.  It just will not be the same without her!

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

Post from: Idol Stalker

Tweet #1 – With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all..Cont’d…

Tweet #2 – I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon.

Tweet #3 – What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me

Tweet #4 – It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month

Tweet #5 – I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.

This could, of course, all be part of a ploy to scare the producers into giving her a better deal.  If it is true, I’m going to be really sad.  They’ve renewed Kara DioGuardi’s contract so maybe they had planned to push Paula out?  Whatever the case, I don’t think that Paula should leave.  Sure, there’s been lots of speculation over her possible departure but I thought execs said she could stay on the show “however long it lasts.”

This is the second judge in as many days to leave an Idol show (Kyle Sandilands was fired from Australian Idol).  What do you think?

image © 2007 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

Post from: Idol Stalker

If you heard the song and felt like you were having déjà vu you aren’t imagining things.  The music for the song is remarkably similar to that of Beyoncé’s song “Halo.”  This isn’t a case of Kelly copying someone else – both singers got the shaft.

Kelly that she wrote this song with OneRepublic frontman, Ryan Tedder.  She explained: "Ryan and I met each other at the record label, before he was working with anyone else. … I’d never heard of a song called ‘Halo’. Her [Beyoncé] album came out when my album was already being printed.  No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyoncé and Kelly the same track to write to.’  No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’.  In the end, they’re releasing it without my consent. It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over. I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a shitty situation, but. … You know, you learn."

Man… I would be FURIOUS!  Like off the rails pissed off if I were Kelly.  I am glad that she’s the outspoken person that she is and that she set the record straight because I definitely thought there was something weird going on.

Anyway, check out the new music video.  She looks really pretty:

Post from: Idol Stalker