On ‘Good Day NY’, Chloe Melas of HollywoodLife.com took a closer look at the new judges panel on ‘American Idol’, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. They also discussed how Interscope boss Jimmy Iovine is going to be the new in-house mentor and may be the show’s “villain” to fill the role of Simon Cowell.
Video of the segment at MyFoxNY.com has since been removed.
‘American Idol’ has partnered with MySpace to provide online auditions from September 15th through October 6th. Hopefuls between the ages of 15 and 28 can submit an audition video at www.myspace.com/americanidol. Watch a message from ‘Idol’ host Ryan Seacrest about the news below.
Kara Dioguardi issued a statement confirming she’s no longer going to be a judge on ‘American Idol’, though it was widely reported the songwriter was given the boot rather than leave on her own. Kara said:
I felt like I won the lottery when I joined American Idol two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave Idol. I am very proud to have been associated with American Idol – it has truly been an amazing experience … I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on Season 10!
Ellen DeGeneres issued a statement earlier today to announce she is exiting ‘American Idol’ after only one season, joining Simon Cowell who left the show last season to work on the American version of ‘The X Factor’. Ellen said:
A couple months ago, I let FOX and the “American Idol” producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me. I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on “Idol” and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.
Lee DeWyze’s performances on ‘American Idol’ didn’t impress TMZ’s Harvey Levin, who said the man who the next night won ‘Idol’ had “choked” on Tuesday. Harvey said Lee literally choked because there was too much saliva in his mouth. Watch their report via MySpace below.
As expected by anyone who paid attention to Intrade or DialIdol this week, Lee DeWyze won the ninth season of ‘American Idol’ last night. The 24-year-old former paint salesman told EW.com afterward:
I didn’t know what to do when I won, man. It was a surreal experience. What do you do when you win American Idol? I don’t know — I’ve never done it before, you know? It’s just, it’s like something I can’t even explain to you right now. It’s amazing.
Recently ousted ‘American Idol’ finalist Tim Urban talked about being sent home packing and more at the “If I Can Dream” house in what appeared to be an online chat where he was reading questions off a big screen TV. “I wasn’t like really surprised,” Urban said of his exit. “I was kind of prepared for whatever [Ryan Seacrest] was going to say, so when he said my name I was like, ‘Oh, alright. Well, I guess I’ll be leaving now. I wonder what they put in my [compilation] package’.” Tim added that Ellen DeGeneres was probably his favorite judge since he got a hug from the comedian. Watch Popstar! magazine footage via YouTube below.
The National Enquirer reports that after Adam Lambert “bowled over” producers with his ‘American Idol’ performance as a mentor, the show’s executives are convinced he’d be an ideal successor for Simon Cowell when he leaves the show at this season’s end to begin work on the U.S. version of ‘The X Factor’. “They believe he’ll bring a fearless, youthful freshness to the show,” an ‘Idol’ source told the tabloid.
Kimberley Locke visited ABC News Now to talk about her new single ‘Strobelight’, what she’s been up to since her ‘American Idol’ season two experience, her picks for this season’s ‘Idol’, feeling the contestants this year are being “a little lazy” and not going for the high notes, and reports that Crystal Bowersox was thinking about leaving the show. “If she knows now that this business is not for her, then I say take it home,” Locke said of Bowersox. “If she wants to miss out. Listen, if I told you I never got homesick I’d be lying to you. I get homesick now… That’s life, and if she’s willing to give up this amazing opportunity that she has, honey rock on. I’m sure the other six will be happy that she’s gone. That’s one less competitor.”
The interview video has since been removed.
Last week’s ‘American Idol’ post show interviews at AmericanIdol.com featured ‘Idol’ judge Kara DioGuardi, mentor Miley Cyrus, and performers Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato. Miley said after her next album comes out in June, she’s “gonna take a break from music for a little while to do film.” Demi said the show was “great” and admitted to being “a little nervous” The Jonas Brothers singer talked about the message behind ‘Make A Wave’. Watch the brief interviews below.