IDOL CHATTER: Candid Commentary on American Idol Performances

'Idol' winner focusing on 'not being put in a box'

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:18 GMT

For two years before she won American Idol, Candice Glover auditioned for the show, getting cut each time before the semifinal round.

Each year, she'd go home, swearing she'd never go through that again.

"I definitely was hurt and broken-hearted when I got cut," she says. But each time, a voice in the back of her head kept telling her that the next time might be the time it would work.

"I'd always...

Kree Harrison headed to the Grand Ole Opry

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:01:25 GMT

During the American Idol season, Keith Urban told Kree Harrison he saw her one day playing the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Now, he has delivered.

Thursday, the Idol judge, who joined the cast of the renowned Nashville radio show in 2012, invited the Idol runner-up to make her debut there June 4.

"Today's my birthday and that's the best birthday present I've ever gotten I'm my life," Harrison told...

'American Idol' winner: Third time's the charm

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:01:28 GMT

"I can't even ... Oh, my God ... Three years."

For three years, Candice Glover traveled from her South Carolina home to try out for American Idol. Thursday night, her efforts paid off. She became the 12th winner of the Fox singing competition, beating out Kree Harrison to become the show's first female winner in six years.

Glover, 23, not only had the night's final big moment, she was involved in...

'American Idol' live blog: Who'll be the winner?

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:01:29 GMT

For months, Candice Glover and Kree Harrison have impressed the American Idol judges and outlasted the competition to wind up in the Season 12 finale. Tonight, one of them will follow in the footsteps of Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks. But who'll get the confetti and who'll get the consolation prize? Tune in, and follow in along with tonight's live blog, then let me...

Where is he now? Season 11's Jeremy Rosado

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:01:24 GMT

Jeremy Rosado, the lovable teddy bear of American Idol's Season 11, was the first contestant eliminated from the top 13 last year. His sweet personality got him far in the competition and took him even farther afterward.

Rosado independently released his first single, Don't Be Afraid featuring Pablo, in April and continues to work as a Christian artist. He has toured with Acquire the Fire, a...

Where is she now? Season 11's Idol Hollie Cavanagh

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:01:23 GMT

Hollie Cavanagh, the bubbly blonde from American Idol's Season 11, went out in fourth place.

She recently made the move to Los Angeles ("like not even a month ago") to pursue her music career. She's writing and recording and will independently release single Outer Limit at the end of May. But she isn't planning on seeking a record deal in the near future.

"I think right now I am just focusing on the...

Where is he now? Season 11's Idol Colton Dixon

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:01:21 GMT

Colton Dixon finished seventh during Season 11 of American Idol, but that didn't impede his success. The punked-out Christian artist is signed to Sparrow Records and released his debut album, A Messenger, in January.

Dixon already had a music career pre-Idol but his career grew quickly after being sent home.

"As soon as you come off the show, especially that first week when you're eliminated, you're...

Is 'Idol' still capable of launching a star?

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:01:03 GMT

Whether Candice Glover or Kree Harrison emerges victorious from Thursday's American Idol finale (Fox, 8 p.m. ET/PT), she'll have one substantial advantage over the show's previous winners.

Rather than wait until November, as most Idols have done, this year's champ will release her album this summer. As soon as the finale's over, iTunes will begin accepting pre-orders.

Ideally, rushing the recording...

'American Idol': Who won the last round?

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:01:03 GMT

American Idol may have a fraction of the ratings it did just a couple of seasons ago, but it sure left viewers with a cliffhanger Wednesday.

After three performances each from Candice Glover and Kree Harrison, no obvious winner emerged. Both singers gave strong performances across the board, and both ended with their best.

Each singer performed a song picked by the show's creator, Simon Fuller, then...

'American Idol' live blog: Candice vs. Kree

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:01:03 GMT

It all comes down to this. Candice Glover. Kree Harrison. Three songs. By the end of the night, a new American Idol will have been chosen. We'll just have to wait till Thursday to find out who it is. In the meantime, follow along and post your thoughts here. -- Brian Mansfield

Seven thousand people pack into Nokia Theater tonight, as the first girl vs. girl finale since Season 3 begins - or, as...

'Idol' sales: Seven singers in the Billboard 200

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:01:03 GMT

It's always fun seeing how many Idols are on The Billboard 200 the week a new American Idol winner is named. Last year, there were five, with Adam Lambert's Trespassing at No. 1.

There's no Idol at the top of the chart this year, but the top 200 boasts seven Idol acts, from five seasons: Winners Fantasia, Phillip Phillips, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, as well as Jessica Sanchez, Mandisa and...

'American Idol' winner's album coming this summer

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:01:03 GMT

Fans of the new American Idol champion won't have to wait as long as usual to get her album.

In fact, they'll be able to pre-order it immediately after Thursday's finale, exclusively through iTunes -- a first for the show.

Candice Glover and Kree Harrison already have recorded their singles, which they'll perform on tonight's episode (8 p.m. ET/PT, FOX). The winner's album will follow this...

Which Idols had the season's top performances?

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:01:34 GMT

As we head into the American Idol finale week, I've created a list of what I consider Season 12's Top 10 performances. Frankly, this year's top finalists were so much stronger than the ones who got eliminated first, it was all I could do to keep the Top Three - Candice Glover, Kree Harrison and Angie Miller - from taking over the entire list. In fact, one could create a fine Top 10 list off...

What's next for Idol's Angie Miller?

Fri, 10 May 2013 22:01:24 GMT

Sure, Angie Miller was shocked when she got eliminated from American Idol Thursday.

But the biggest surprise of the night? Learning Randy Jackson was leaving the show, too.

"I didn't find out till press later that night," says the 19-year-old third-place-finisher from Beverly, Mass.. "I didn't hear a word about it until after the show."

Miller could have a few more surprises up her sleeve as she...

'Idol' Angie Miller 'definitely shocked' by elimination

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:01:29 GMT

As Angie Miller walked off the American Idol stage Thursday night, her mind was already focused on her future.

"My first initial thought was, 'Okay, I got voted off. What's next? What's the future going to hold?" says the 19-year-old from Beverly, Mass., whose exit Thursday paved the way for next week's showdown between Candice Glover and Kree Harrison.

During a conference call with reporters...

'American Idol': Who made next week's finale?

Fri, 10 May 2013 02:01:21 GMT

It's down to country vs. R&B.

Next week, Kree Harrison, the country singer who's been kicking around Nashville since she was 10 years old, will face Candice Glover, who tried out for American Idol three times and finally will get where she has always dreamed of going.

That means Angie Miller, the piano-playing 19-year-old from Massachusetts who many had considered the favorite all season long,...

'Idol' final three results: The live blog

Fri, 10 May 2013 01:01:08 GMT

We're one week out from the American Idol finale, and some deserving singer has to go home tonight. But will it be Angie Miller, Candice Glover or Kree Harrison? And will tonight's results be overshadowed by Randy Jackson's announcement that he'll be leaving the show after this season? Alicia Keys performs, and former Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina debuts new single Barefoot and Buckwild. Tune in,...

'American Idol' Top Three: Who won the night?

Thu, 09 May 2013 03:01:13 GMT

Has American Idol ever had a closer Top Three? Season Two had Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Season Seven had the Davids, Cook and Archuleta. But has the show ever had three contestants so apparently well-matched, so deserving of making the finale?

It does this year.

Candice Glover, Angie Miller and Kree Harrison had to sing three songs Wednesday -- one picked by record executive Jimmy Iovine, one...

'American Idol' Top Three: The live blog

Thu, 09 May 2013 03:01:14 GMT

It's the week before the big finale on American Idol contestant. Who's peaking at the right time -- Angie Miller, Candice Glover or Kree Harrison? Watch tonight as the three singers have their hometown visits, then share your opinions about their performances. -- Brian Mansfield

The final three return tonight as hometown heroes, beginning the show onstage with their families.

"The grand finale takes...

'Idol' sales: Jessica Sanchez, David Cook, more

Wed, 08 May 2013 22:01:17 GMT

American Idol Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez debuted her Me, You & the Music album last week. It sold 14,000 copies its first week out, according to Nielsen SoundScan, putting Sanchez at No. 25 on The Billboard 200.

Season 3 winner Fantasia had the best chart position, though. Her Side Effects of You stayed in the top five of the Billboard albums chart, selling an additional 36,000 copies.

...

Carrie Underwood gets 'Sunday Night Football' theme

Tue, 07 May 2013 21:01:18 GMT

Goodbye, Faith Hill. Hello, Carrie Underwood.

She may have married into professional hockey, but the Grammy-winning American Idol champion will sing Waiting All Day for Sunday Night, the opening theme for NBC's Sunday Night Football, this season. She'll make her Sunday Night Football debut on Sept. 8, when the Dallas Cowboys host the New York Giants.

"I am thrilled to be a part of NBC's Sunday Night...

Listen: Mariah Carey's '#Beautiful' new single

Tue, 07 May 2013 02:01:22 GMT

Now we know why Mariah Carey's been dropping all those hashtag references into her comments on American Idol. She was setting up her new single, #Beautiful.

And, wouldn't you know, the single kinda lives up to its name. For the first verse or so, you wouldn't know it was a Carey track, though: It begins with a simple, twangy guitar lick that sounds like something Steve Cropper might have dreamed up...

Underwood to celebrate 5-year Opry anniversary in June

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:01:16 GMT

Carrie Underwood will mark five years as a Grand Ole Opry member next month, closing the June 7 edition of the Nashville-based live radio show with a performance.

"Throughout the past five years, Carrie Underwood has become both a certified country music superstar and a beloved member of the Opry family," Opry vice president and general manager Pete Fisher said via a press release. "It's been...

Eliminated 'Idol': 'I have what it takes to do it all'

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:01:08 GMT

Ultimately, a suitcase made Amber Holcomb lose it.

The 19-year-old American Idol contestant had pieced herself back together after an emotional farewell performance, during which she fought a losing battle against her tears while trying to sing Whitney Houston's I Believe in You and Me. Then she realized her suitcase wouldn't hold all the mementos she had acquired during her time on the show. And...

Why isn't Harry Connick Jr. an 'American Idol' judge?

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:01:25 GMT

Were you one of the many people who watched Harry Connick Jr. mentor the American Idol final four this week and thought, 'He's so good - why don't they just make him a judge?"

You're not alone.

Connick confirms to E! News that the show's producers broached the subject after his most recent mentoring stint, where he offered specific, reasoned suggestions to singers Angie Miller, Candice Glover, Kree...