TV Watch American Idol
Bill Clinton blasted a mean sax, Harry Truman and Richard Nixon tickled the ivories, Andrew Jackson strummed the banjo, and John Quincy Adams tooted the flute – only not very well, according to his Harvard classmates.
Thursday night, the current occupant of the White House, President Barack Obama, showed off his own musical skills by delivering a surprise serenade during a campaign fundraiser at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater.
With the song's originator, the Rev. Al Green, in the audience, the Chief Executive vocalized a few bars of "Let's Stay Together."
"I told you I was going to do it," Obama said after singing. "Sandman did not come out," he added, referring to the late Howard "Sandman" Sims, the vaudeville tap-dancer who would give the hook to unpopular acts on Showtime at the Apollo's amateur nights.
The crowd ate it up. But do you?
Permalink | Filed Under: American Idol, Al Green, Barack Obama
The gold streak continued on American Idol Thursday as auditions headed to Pittsburgh, where 38 tickets to Hollywood were handed out to contestants.
It seemed like there was less time – mercifully – in the one-hour show for the ridiculousness that often unfolds at auditions. Thursday's show featured, for the most part, talented and creative performers. Here's a sampling:
• Heejun Han, 22, surprised judges when the nervous New Yorker (originally from Korea) sang Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" with control and a "beautiful voice," according to Jennifer Lopez. Randy Jackson was "really impressed."
• Reed Grimm, 26, has been singing with his family since the age of 2. His rendition of the theme song from the sitcom Family Matters was a fun and funky mix of talent and silliness. Watch a clip above. Steven Tyler called it "genius," and Jennifer said it was "so exciting to watch."
Permalink | Filed Under: American Idol, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler
Credit: Warwick Saint/FOX
Ryan Seacrest called it a "hot streak," and "one of the best starts we've ever had," on Wednesday's season 11 premiere of American Idol. The host joined returning judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson in Savannah, Ga., where 42 singers received golden tickets to Hollywood.
There were talented singers like Lauren Mink, who gave Jennifer "goosies" when she sang "Country Strong." And there were horrible singers, like Jessica Whitely, who botched "In This Song" by Charice and promised to return to audition in Texas, despite being told she was "awful" by the judges.
There were typical Idol antics: Shaun Kraisman, a contestant whose voice was mediocre, looked and sounded exactly like Seacrest. West African country singer Mawuena Kodjo had no hope of pleasing the judges with his heavily accented performance of "I Won't Let Go" by Rascal Flatts, but after Jackson rejected him, Seacrest took him out onto the streets of Savannah to seek approval of strangers. They returned to the judges' chambers with an old man and four little girls, who nodded when the host asked if he should be given a ticket to Hollywood. Maybe he'll be the next William Hung?
Permalink | Filed Under: American Idol, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, Steven Tyler
Credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX
Last year, all eyes were on Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as they settled into their new roles as American Idol judges at the start of season 10. But as the show ramps up Wednesday night (8 p.m. ET) with the judges' panel intact, all eyes this year should be on the talent – or lack thereof – as televised auditions begin.
But in an increasingly crowded genre, can one of TV's veteran singing competitions still make sweet music for viewers?
The judges clearly think so. In a recent interview, Randy Jackson referred to Idol as the "Picasso" of singing shows, the original that's been widely imitated.
Permalink | Filed Under: American Idol, The Voice, The X Factor, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler
Credit: Tony DiMaio/Startraks
Nearly two years after falling in love, American Idol alumni Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo are opening up about their relationship.
Season 5 heartthrob Young, 31, and season 3's runner-up DeGarmo, 24, met in the spring of 2010 when both signed on to costar in the Broadway revival of the musical Hair.
"We became best friends through Hair, ironically not through Idol," says DeGarmo, who now plays as a New Jersey Mob boss's daughter on the CBS soap The Young and the Restless. "It just blossomed into a beautiful relationship."
Permalink | Filed Under: Couples, American Idol, Ace Young, Diana DeGarmo
Credit: Todd Williamson/WireImage
Salma Hayek was the life of the party during a fiesta honoring the makers of her latest film, Puss in Boots, at Red O in Los Angeles. The actress joined costar Antonio Banderas and his wife, Melanie Griffith, plus a group of about 10 friends and colleagues, and spent the evening "talking excitedly and telling stories," an onlooker tells PEOPLE. The partygoers noshed on a variety of tamales, and sipped signature cocktails like spicy margaritas and sangria. The event broke up around 9:30 p.m., and Hayek left solo, followed shortly thereafter by Banderas and Griffin, who, though not overtly affectionate, "seemed to enjoy their night out together."
– Jessica Wedemeyer
Permalink | Filed Under: Couples, Hollywood, American Idol, Lounge, Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, W Hotel Downtown
Credit: Pacific Coast News
Detecting some jealousy here? Nick Jonas hit the town with big brother Joe Sunday night, grabbing a center table at the W Hollywood for singer Brenna Whitaker's jazz show. Soon after, former American Idol finalists Haley Reinhart and Stefano Langone sat down next to them – and Nick couldn't keep his eyes off of Reinhart. When Langone noticed the attention his lady friend was receiving, he "started making out with her frequently," a source tells PEOPLE. But there was no bad blood: Reinhart "looked like she was enjoying every minute of the attention," the source continues. – Dahvi Shira
Permalink | Filed Under: Couples, Hollywood, American Idol, Lounge, Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, W Hotel Downtown
Credit: James Everett
James Durbin sure knows how to kick off a new year.
The rocker and American Idol alum wed longtime love Heidi Lowe on New Year's Eve, Durbin's rep confirms. The couple made it official in front of 85 guests – including their 2-year-old son, Hunter, who served as ring bearer – in a chapel at the edge of a redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
"We are so in love and happy that we got to share our special day with our closest family and friends,” the couple tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Permalink | Filed Under: Couples, Weddings, American Idol, James Durbin
Credit: Splash News Online
Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler may be ready to walk this way down the aisle for the third time.
His girlfriend Erin Brady, 38, flashed a diamond ring on her engagement finger while in Maui during their Christmas vacation, sparking Internet reports that a wedding is in the works. The large diamond solitaire was hidden from view when the couple passed through the airport, but became visible when they posed for photos with fans.
The American Idol judge, 63, has been dating Brady for five years. His last marriage, to clothing designer Teresa Barrick, ended in 2006. He was married to Cyrinda Foxe, an ex-Warhol model, from 1978 to 1987.
Tyler's rep had no comment.
Permalink | Filed Under: Engagements, American Idol, Steven Tyler
Credit: Curtis Hilbun/AFF-USA
American Idol alum Danny Gokey, who tragically lost his wife three years ago, is engaged to marry his girlfriend, Leyicet Peralta. The happy news was announced on the website of the charity Sophia's Heart, which honors the memory of his late wife, Sophia.
The site states that the entertainer, 31, recently told friends and family of the couple's plans to wed, and that they are looking to hold the wedding late next month.
"He is thrilled to have found Leyicet who also shares his passion and desire to help children and families in need," says a message on the site. "Accordingly, Danny & Leyicet have requested to their wedding guests that all gifts be in the form of a donation to Sophia’s Heart."
Permalink | Filed Under: Engagements, American Idol, Danny Gokey
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