June 19, 2013

Ex ‘Idol’ Boss Wants Return of Judges Simon, Randy and Paula

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*Former “American Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has called for original judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson to be reinstated in a bid to save the flailing talent show. Lythgoe announced on Monday (June 9) that he and fellow executive producer Ken Warwick had left after 13 years in charge. The latest season [...]




Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio Confirmed for ‘X Factor’

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*Fox has confirmed that former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland and Latin singer Paulina Rubio will be the new “X Factor” judges for season three, joining executive producer-judge Simon Cowell and his fellow lone surviving panelist from last season, pop singer Demi Lovato. “It’s taken more than a decade but I’m delighted to finally be [...]




‘American Idol’ Champ Candice Glover: ‘I’m Ready to Work’

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*After her name was called as the winner of “American Idol,” Candice Glover headed to the backstage press area and faced a swarm of reporters. [Scroll down to view performances during the finale.] According to Billboard, the South Carolina native took the podium to discuss overcoming her nerves of singing with Jennifer Hudson, performing her [...]




Nicki Minaj Reportedly Next to Leave ‘American Idol’

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*On the heels of Randy Jackson’s announcement that he’s leaving “American Idol” after 12 seasons — and amid rumors that producers are firing the remaining three panelists — Us Weekly is reporting that Nicki Minaj is about to announce her exit as well. “It’s safe to say she isn’t coming back to Idol,” an insider [...]




Mariah Carey to Rock Medley of her Hits on ‘Idol’ Finale

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*Preparations are in full swing for Thursday night’s American Idol grand finale at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre where, following Wednesday’s showdown between Kree Harrison and Candice Glover, the entire audience was loaded out and a new one brought in for a pre-tape of Mariah Carey’s performance, according to The Hollywood Reporter. On deck for the [...]




Fox Prez on ‘Idol’ Shakeup: ‘Everything is On The Table’

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*Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly took questions about the status of “American Idol” during a conference call this morning. According to TV Guide, he confirmed that Randy Jackson will be exiting the show after the current season wraps this week, but would not comment on the statuses of the other three judges — Mariah Carey, [...]




Nicki Minaj Likes Being on ‘Idol’ and wants to Stay

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*Although Nicki Minaj talks a lot of crap about her cohort, Mariah Carey, she’s not planning to exit stage right from “American Idol” just yet … unless they can her and all the other judges as we’ve previously reported. When asked about the 13th season with Ryan Seacrest, she paused a while. … then said: [...]




Randy Jackson Confirms Exit from ‘American Idol’

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*Hours after rumors of an “American Idol” judging panel overhaul hit the web on Thursday, original judge Randy Jackson announced that he is leaving the show after the current season ends. “Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on ‘American Idol,’ I have decided to [...]




Randy Jackson No Longer Mariah Carey’s Manager

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*Mariah Carey and Randy Jackson have ended their business relationship and are going back to being just friends. The original “American Idol” judge is no longer co-managing Carey, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. In November 2011, THR first reported that Jackson and Irving Azoff were representing the singer. “Randy was more of an in-between guy,” [...]




Report: ‘American Idol’ To Fire Entire Judging Panel

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*”American Idol” is fixin’ to kick its entire judging panel to the curb and start fresh next season with four new celebs replacing Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, according to a new report. Even longtime executive producer Nigel Lythgoe will get the pink slip, according to the Wrap, citing an unidentified [...]




Harry Connick Jr. to Judge ‘American Idol’ Next Season?

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*As speculation grows about another judging shakeup, one friend to the show has popped up as a serious contender. Crooner Harry Connick, Jr. confirmed to reporters after Thursday’s results show that he has been talking with producers about joining next year’s panel. “They wanted to know if I would be interested and it’s a blast, [...]




Judge Limits Amount of Michael Jackson Siblings at Trial

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*Just one of Michael Jackson’s brothers and sisters can sit in the courtroom at one time in the family’s wrongful death suit against AEG Live, a judge ordered Tuesday. AEG Live lawyers argued at the start of the second day of the trial that there was “a risk in allowing any of them in the [...]




Candice Delivers Best ‘Idol’ Performance of All Time (Enjoy)

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*Candice Glover’s rendition of The Cure’s “Lovesong,” famously remade by Adele, caused a sustained and emotional reaction from the judges and audience on “American Idol” last night that hasn’t been seen since Fantasia’s “Summertime.” Each of the final six contestants had to perform twice – a Hal David/Burt Bacharach-penned tune for the first song (Candice [...]




‘Idol’: Nicki Minaj Shows Up Late; Candice Wows Again (Clips)

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Keith Urban, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey were on hand for the evening’s first performance by Curtis Finch Jr., while Nicki Minaj was just arriving to the studio. Host Ryan Seacrest explained that Minaj was “stuck in traffic” on the 405 and kept the show moving until she arrived. He announced that the top 10 [...]




USA Today: ‘Idol’s’ Curtis Finch Jr. Too ‘Arrogant’ to Win

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*“American Idol” has at least two contestants who can really sang – Candice Glover, who belted a Kim Burrell-style version of John Legend’s “Ordinary People” on Tuesday [scroll down to watch], and St. Louis gospel singer Curtis Finch Jr., whose rendition of R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” last night had all four judges [...]