Fourth place finisher signs a record contract

Seventeen year old high schooler,  Allison Iraheta, “American Idol,” has signed a contract with 19 Recordings, the company affiliated with the top-rated reality show.

Iraheta joins Adam and Kris with this company.

Fuller said Iraheta is one of the best teenage singers the show has ever discovered. Her big songs included the jazz standard “Someone to Watch Over Me” and Heart’s “Alone.”

Iraheta, who lives in the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, has said that she aspired to compete on “American Idol” since she was 9 years-old.

Jive Records, which is owned by Sony Corp will releas Allison’s album.

There has been no announcement about recording plans for third-place finisher Danny Gokey.

Simon Cowell’s “not so sure” take on our American Idol

After last night’s “upset”, seems like one of the judges is still not so sure about our newly crowned American Idol.

We already heard Simon mention more than once that  Kris Allen wasn’t “good enough” to compete in American Idol’s finale,  and Simon Cowell is apparently still not so sure that he deserves to have been crowned the show’s eighth-season winner.

Kris Allen  was crowned Idol’s eighth-season winner defeating Adam Lambert.

Cowell talked about his feelings on the winner; which we all know  he is not shy about , this morning during a radio show broadcast with Idol’s host Ryan Seacrest.

“[Kris] is probably the right winner in terms of being a nice guy,” Cowell told Ryan “[But] was he the best singer in the competition? No.”

“You know what my feeling on the show is,” Cowell added. “I mean he’s popular. If you allow America to vote, you live with the vote. I wouldn’t have said he was the best singer in the competition, no. He was like a little puppy dog.”

Seacrest then asked Cowell to rank Allen in comparison to American Idol’s seven previous winners, causing Cowell to just laugh and pose the same question back to Seacrest.

“I’d probably put him in the middle,” Seacrest told Cowell.

“In the middle?” Cowell laughed. “Okay, who’s below him?”

“Ruben,” Seacrest said, referring to second-season Idol champion Ruben Studdard.

“He’s below him?” Cowell asked.

“Yes,” said Seacrest.

“Okay, [who else]?” Cowell replied.

“Who’s won the show, I can’t remember!” Seacrest said.

“Taylor Hicks,” Cowell offered, referring the fifth-season Idol champion that Simon  has repeatedly has said to be  the show’s worst winner.

“[Yes], Taylor Hicks!” Seacrest said.

“Okay, well he’s above him,” Cowell replied.

Last week, Cowell’s remark was  that Kris was “not a good enough singer to compete with Adam” in the finale.  Cowell said that Danny Gokey  was “the only one who can compete with Adam on vocals.”

Once Danny was voted off Kris was left to battle it out with Adam.

“Listen, congratulations Kris. Anyone that gets the public vote, good luck to them,” Cowell said later in his interview with Seacrest.

……..and your Season 8 2009 American Idol is…………..

KRIS ALLEN!!!!!!!!

After a concert of many outstanding artists and an audience full of superstars and past American Idols  the announcement was finally made!!! It is quite a big upset (not that I was!) and I think very unexpected even by Kris himself to hear “Kris Allen” be announced as the next American Idol.

This two hour episode was filled with excitement and great talent and entertainment.  From Kiss to Rod Stewart and The Black Eyed Peas to Steve Martin.

Lil Rounds and Queen Latifa perform  “You’ve Got my Heart in Chains,” the first duet of the night.

Anoop Desai singa with Jason Mraz.

Kris then performs Defying Gravity and Kiss a Girl with Keith Urban.

The girls of season 8 take to the stage to sing ” Glamorous”  and are joined by Fergie.  Then Fergie sings” Big Girls Don’t Cry” and then she welcomes the Black Eyed Peas to the stage for a performance of Boom Boom Pow.  The audience is totally pumped after this, even Simon is standing!

The  Golden Idol for Best Attitude and the nominees are: Katrina Darrell aka Bikini Girl. Alexis Cohen. Tiffany Shedd. The winner is  Bikini Girl who comes out in ofcourse a “bikini”  along with some “new additions” and  sings  Mariah Carey’s ” Vision of Love”.  And then out of nowhere comes Kara with extrodianry vocals to do a duet with her.  Before the song was over Kara reveals her bikini! And for that it was said it was a dare and there would be a donation made to her favorite charity.

Allison Iraheta  and Cyndi Lauper performs a duet, singing “Time After Time.”

Danny Gokey takes the stage singing a solo and then a duet with Lionel Richie ” All Night Long.”

And then out came   Kiss all painted upto  take to the stage with Adam Lambert to sing ” Rock ‘n Roll All Nite.”

The Top 13 then perform with Carlos Santana.

Kris and Adam even got brand new 2010 Ford Hybrids courtesy of Ford.

Michael Sarver and Meagan Joy Corkrey  perfom with Steve Martin, yes I said Steve Martin, as he played the banjo.

The Idol guys sing Rod Stewart “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”   And then, Rod Stewart rises out of the bottom of the stage and performs.

And then it’s  the last Golden Idol award of the night. Outstanding Female. Tatiana Del Toro is  the winner of this award. She rushes the stage while Ryan tries to go to a commercial takes his mike and starts to sing Whitney Houston “Saving All My Love for You” which she sang almost every time she competed .

Adam and Kris perform”We are the champions”  together  by Queen themselves. And then out comes Queen.

Then comes the results we have all waited for……with almost 100 million votes………Ryan announces……………….

Kris Allen is the winner!!!!

Kris seems to be in shock and speecless with his modest adittude that he has had all season he says “Adam deserves this”.  Also saying that he doesn’t even know what to say.

And there you have it……………Kris is our winner.  Then he performs ” No Boundaries”  co-written by Kara DioGuardi.  This will be his first single.

The finale…………..who will be the next American Idol?

Tonight Adam and Kris got to sing three songs.

First was the repeat performances………………

Adam’s first song was  Mad World

Judge’s Opinions:

Randy…..”glad to see you show your sensitive side”  and “I give you an A plus…A for Adam.

Simon……..”it was too theatrical”

Kris did ” ain’t no sunshine” while playing the piano.

Judges said………….

Randy…..”you saved the best for last” and it was the best performance ever.

Kara………”if he doesn’t move you then there is something wrong with you.”

Paula…………..”awakened the spirit in all of us.”

Simon…..” When they announced your name  last week, I wasn’t sure that America had made the right choice.  I take that all back now.”

Then came American Idol creator  Simon Fuller’s choice.

For Adam is was “Change is gonna come” by Sam Cooke.  Randy called it “unbelievable.”  Kara said it was probably Adam’s best performance and interpretation of a song.  While Paula said it was the best she had ever heard Adam sing, ever ever ever.  She also said he looked like a superstar and was gonna be iconic.  Simon told him he was 100% back in the game.

Kris’s feedback  from the guys wasn’t as promising after his performance of “what’s going on” by Marvin Gaye.  Randy said it was a little light for him.  Although Paula said “you tore it up and made Marvin Gaye proud.”  Kara said he was the perfect person to sing this song.  While Simon said it was like three friends in a bedroom strumming a guitar to Marvin Gaye and called it too layed back for a night like tonight.

For the final performance the finalists were to perform “No Boundaries”  which will be the winners first single.

Adam took the stage first.  Randy said “dude you can sing anything.” Adding that it was a little pitchy and just ” alright” for him.  Kara says she is moved and proud.  Paula tells Adam that she is an Adam fan forever.  Simon calls him one of the best and original contestants ever and that they have found a star with Adam.

Then came Kris.  Randy told Kris that the song was a better fit for him and he should be proud.  Kara said she didn’t want him to be judged by this song and hoped America would juge him be the compelling artist he is.  Paula wished Kris the best of luck no matter what happened.  Simon told him he was surprised at how far he had come.  He also added that his highlight was his first song.

Then to end the night Carrie Underwood sang “Home Sweet Home” , Idol’s farewell song.

American Idol Finale

Tuesday’s finale will more than likely the most viewed and tightest race in Idol history.  Adam Lambert and Kris Allen will battle it out to become the next American Idol.  Will America pick the eyeliner wearing, screaming rockstar or the mellow, quite country boy?

adam and kris wednesday night after results

Carrie Underwood, four time Grammy Winner and Country Music Star, will take the stage for a second time this season.  Season four winner, Carrie, will perform “Home Sweet Home”; the season’s farewell ballad.  Part of the proceeds from the sale of her single will go to The Humane Society of the United States.  Carrie was just recently on Idol this season and performed her single “I told you so” with Randy Travis.

carrie underwood and randy travis

It has not yet been released who the other guests will be.

What will we see Danny doing next?

After never being in the bottom throughout the whole competition, Danny was sent packing last night.

Adam reacts when Danny is sent home.

Just because Danny has been voted off of American Idol does not mean we have seen the last of him.  Danny has big things planned for himself and his foundation that he started after his wife’s death.

Of course Danny will be touring this summer with the other top 10 finalists from this season.   The tour will begin July 5th in Portland Oregon at Rose Garden and end September 15 in Manchester New Hampshire at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Danny’s beloved wife Sophia had a congenital heart condition and during her life had underwent many heart surgeries.  When she was 27, last July, she underwent a surgery to install a pacemaker and never woke up from the surgery.  She was a fan of  American Idol and was forever trying to get Danny to watch, he finally did a year before her death.  She also encourage him to audition.  Shortly after Sophia’s death Danny decided to audition and advanced to Hollywood and has been a fan ever since.

click the logo to view site

After Sophia’s death, Danny started Sophia’s Heart Foundation. This foundation strives  to help needy children by providing food, clothing and shelters, along with offering scholarships.  Danny will continue to work faithfully with this foundation.

There is also an American Idol Finale Party planned for Danny on May 20th with Danny’s BFF Jamar Rogers as a special guest.

Danny also plans on starting his own eyeglasses line, imagine that.  Along with working on an album.

When asked what type of music he saw himself making he replied;

“I really want to do a soulful album, but I want to mix it with nice beats, like nice R&B beats, beats that get people’s heads moving, and mix it with a hint of a Latin vibe. I was with my wife for 12 years, she was Puerto Rican, and I’m so into salsa and meringue, and I want to mix it in one arena.”

Danny was also asked about when Kris was chosen first to enter into the finals, did you think you were going home?  Danny responded with…….

“I knew it was it for me. I was very confident in the fact that it was it for me. Actually, all day I thought it was it for me. Did I want it to be it for me? No. I wanted to go for the gold, just like they did, and it didn’t work out that way. The thing is, I’m a competitor by nature. I like to compete. I gave it what I gave it. Looking back, would I have done things different? Absolutely. But the one thing I can say is, I’m proud of my accomplishments, coming from losing my wife 10 months ago to where I am today. It wasn’t just a show I was in. I was battling different things. Not only in this competition did I keep my head up, but I also had to deal with that whole end of the spectrum, losing my wife. I saw strength in me that I didn’t know I had.”

Danny also added that the notorious scream could have been his down fall in all of this.  But no matter how this ended, this is one strong willed man.  I also believe that if someone can loose a loved one 10 months prior and go out a perform the way that he did that anything can be possible.  It also goes to show the dedication and love that Danny has for his wife.  I think all of this was in her memory.  And there are bigger things for Danny to come.

….and the 2 finalists are………….

The night started off with Alicia Keys introducing Noah with his performance of R. Kelley’s  “I am the World’s  Greatest.”  Noah learned the song in English in just one week.  Pretty impressive.  All proceeds from his performance, which can be purchased from iTunes, go to the charity Keep a Child Alive.

Rawanda Rapper Noah

Ryan first calls Danny Gokey to the stage the talked about his reunion with Jamar Rogers and his trip back to Milwaukee.  Danny was asked how he felt and he said he wasn’t sure how to feel right now.  Then they made him go wait on the couch.

Next up was Kris Allen.  They talked about his trip back to Arkansas and his free cheese dip for life.  Kris even got an official day named after him  in his honor in Conway.   Then they made him also go wait on the couch.  SIGH!!

To keep us all hanging in anticipation next came Season Six winner Jordin Sparks with her performance of her song “Battlefield.”  She showed why she was chosen as an American Idol.

Then came Adam Lambert.  Adam said it was a wake up call to go back home saying it’s like they have been in a little bubble.  They discussed Adam’s streaker and showed footage of his visit back to California.  And then came the results…………….ADAM TOO HAS TO GO SIT ON THE COUCH!!!!!

Then there was another performance……..ugh the anticipation…………

After about a billion commercials Ryan is sitting with the Top 3.  Danny says “let’s just get this over!!!!  Enough of the commercials.”  Adam belts out “I wanna see Katy Perry!”

Katy Perry performed “Waking Up in Vegas.”  Making it obvious who she is a fan of.  She started off showing us a cape with Adam Lambert’s name on it.  Wonder why Adam was so excited to see her?

With 88 million votes America decided that KRIS WILL GO TO THE FINALS????  And who will compete against Kris?  ADAM LAMBERT!!!!

It saddens me that Danny did not go but I know we will definitely see him again.  There is no doubt in my mind that Danny will get a record contract. Paula even cried.

So who will be the next American Idol?

The Boy’s Club battle it out

In American Idol’s 300th episode The Boys Club had to sing two songs.  One was the judges’ choice and the second was a song of the guys’ choice.   This is going to be a close one.

First up was Danny Gokey.  Paula picked Danny’’s song;  “Dance Little Sister” by Terrence Trent D’Arby.

The judges ofcourse put in their two cents.  Randy smiled saying “way to jump it off ” and calling it “dope.”  Kara said she liked the song choice and it was the “money spot” but did not like the dancing.  “Way to go,” said Paula also adding “way to go.”  Simon called Danny’s dancing “desperate” and said he would have picked a different song.

Randy chose Kris Allen’s song;  One Republic’s “Apologize.”

Randy said, I think the song showed us what kind of future Kris has in the music business.  Kara said she would have perferred this performance with the aucoustic guatiar and it was a  competent performance.  Paula claimed to have heard a “loud bum note,” as Simon disagreed as he usually does with Paula.  This sparks an argument between the judges.

Simon picked “One” by U2 for Adam Lambert.

Simon said this was one of his favorite songs in the world and said that  he recieved a call from Bono saying that he would be “my pleasure” to have Adam perform this song.  He got a “brillant” from Simon. With  Simon also adding that it would be the biggest upset ever if Adam was not one of the finalists.  Randy said it was “in the zone” but he was off the melody.  Kara liked that Adam did his own version of the song.

Next it was the guys’ turn to pick their own songs.

Kris did his own version of  Kayne West’s “Heartless” with only his aucoustic gauitar.

The judges take was promising for Kris.   Simon said he had written him out of the competiton after his first song performance but then said “that has all changed after that performance.”  Randy said Kris’s version was “better than the original.”  Kara called it “bold and fearless.”  Paula said Kris was the bravest artist and he picked a song about Simon Cowell.

Adam belted out his version of Aerosmith’s “Cryin.” Which was right down his alley.

“One of the best I have ever seen on this stage” says Randy, adding “you should be a rock star.”  Kara said she wondered how he hit those high notes, predicting that we will see Adam in the finals.      Paula says, “You set the bar so high in the sky. We’ll be seeing you next week and many years after that.” Simon says he’s not going to suck up as much as the others because you can’t assume anyone will make the final. He wants everyone to vote for Adam because he deserves to be there.

Danny slowed things down with “You are so Beautiful” by Joe Cocker.

Randy said that this just proved why Danny is here because he can sing. Which is what this competion is about.  Kara said “everything you didn’t do in your first performance you just did it” calling Danny’s performance “stunning.”  Paula said that he showed his gospel and R&B part of his  voice and that he “nailed it.”  Simon said the song did not need rearranging calling it a “vocal masterclass.”

So who will we see in the final two?  Who will America pick?  This season has been the most watched and these contestants have been the most followed contestants in Idol history.  It will be a nail biter and will come down to the votes of America.  We will see tonight.

“The Boy’s Club”

Tonight started off with the group preforming “School’s Out” with Slash.  Then Ryan talked with the four finalists about last night’s performances.  Danny joked about his “Friday the 13th” impersonation of Steven Tyler.  Allison laughed about her talking back to the judges and Kris looked back by saying his is surprised to have made it this far.

With much anticipation we sat through Paula’s debut of her single “I am just here for the Music.”

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Then we got a show from No Doubt with their performance of “Just A Girl.” Gwen Stefani got into it as usual, even doing some push-ups.

And then Ryan announces that Kris Allen is the first one in the Top 3?!?!?!

Still biting my nails………………..

Season-Five-fourth place finisher Chris Daughtry along with his band, debuted their new single “No Surprise.”  Chris reminisced about his last stand on American Idol.  Remembering it clearly but claiming he was over it in like “30-seconds.”

After receiving kudos from all judges Adam Lambert joins Kris Allen.  We are then left with Danny Gokey and Allison Iraheta in the bottom two.  And “you, Danny Gokey are…………safe!!!!

Even with tears rolling down her checks during an astounding  good bye performance of “Cry Baby”(how ironic) Allison still entertained the judges!

And then there were three!!!!  After more than 6o million votes and for the second year in a row we are left with just males.  “The boy’s club” consists of Danny, Adam, and Kris.

So who will be the final two?

Paula Abdul finally admits to addiction!

After 12 years of addiction and use of pain meds Paula Abdul, who turns 47 this month, is no longer dependent on pain medication.  In a recent issue of Ladies’ Home Journal Paula tells about her addiction and dependency as well as describing the withdrawal process which she begin around Thanksgiving of last year when she check her self into a La Costa Resort and Spa, in Carlsbad, CA..  Paula explains:

“I could have killed myself . . . Withdrawal — it’s the worst thing. I was freezing cold, then sweating hot, then chattering and in so much pain, it was excruciating. But at my very core, I did not like existing the way I had been.”

It was quite obvious by her actions over the years that there was something just not right with Paula.  Her slurring of words, outbursts, melt-downs, and dazed and confused episodes.  I am glad that she has finally been able to overcome such a horrific situation that many can’t even admit to.

Her issues began at 17 when she was a cheerleader and suffered some injuries of which she refused to have surgery.  Then in 1991 she broke her leg during a dance routine and then a car accident a year later.  In 1993 the saga continued.  Paula was in an airplane crash that left her partially paralyzed and this required her to have 15 spinal surgeries.  She still continued with her performances using addictive painkillers and Chinese medicine to  try to relieve her pain.  Then in 2005, Paula was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome which caused her to use a highly potent   pharmaceutical patch along with muscle relaxers and nerve pills.

Paula denies that she ever did an episode of American Idol “high”, claiming that her “weird” and “loopy” comments are more of a result from sleepless nights from the chronic pain.