Selena Gomez received some social media love from fellow Texas pop star Kelly Clarkson on Twitter the other day, presumably after the ‘American Idol’ season one champ saw Selena performing at the MTV Video Music Awards. The pair write:
Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson): Dear Selena Gomez, you are by far one of the most beautiful, sexy, classy things on this planet. #Goddidgood #texasgirls
Selena Gomez (@selenagomez): @Kelly_clarkson Thank you :) #thebiggerthehairclosertoGod #lovemesometexans
Pop artists turned to Twitter to react to the news that 19 year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev of Cambridge, MA was apprehended on Friday following the Boston Marathon bombing and the death of his brother and co-conspirator in the terrorist plot, Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Among the messages celebrating the news and congratulating the law enforcement that brought Tsarnaev to justice:
GavinDeGraw (@GavinDeGraw): Got that LOSER !!! Great job to the Boston Police!!
Kris Allen (@KrisAllen): Came off stage to hear they got the 2nd suspect in the Boston bombings. Glad to hear that. Hopefully there is some peace for Boston tonight.
Kevin Jonas (@kevinjonas): I knew Boston was a tough town but this was other level! #bostonstrong great work everyone involved you were in our prayers
Blake Lewis (@BlakeLewis): So glad Boston has found there suspect. This week has been stressful and I’m blessed to be alive. Don’t take anything for granted and live!
Hilary Duff (@HilaryDuff): WAY TO GO all law enforcement agencies aiding #Boston proud to be an American! Prayers and love for Boston
Ingrid Michaelson (@ingridmusic): I can not stop watching CNN even though no new info has come since the arrest. I can not stop.
Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson): Well I have been in the middle of nowhere hunting with Brandon and we came back to civilization and there is all this news about the Boston Marathon tragedy. What is happening to America? I don’t get it? It’s so upsetting. My thoughts and prayers go out to Boston and everyone affected by this tragedy. #letsgetridofthecrazypeople
Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul): THANK YOU Boston law enforcement and emergency services for your courage and unstoppable determination. #BostonStrong
Kelly Clarkson recently visited with Andy Jackson of Wave 105.2 in Southampton to discuss being “new” to the industry, how she created some controversy on Twitter during election season endorsing Ron Paul, if she felt the television talent show landscape has changed since she was on the first season of ‘American Idol’, whether she’d advise others to try the television singing competition shows like she did, keeping in touch with ex-‘Idol’ and now ‘X Factor’ judge Simon Cowell, and how she enjoyed her opportunities to mentor others on those programs.
“You know I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of cool stuff. At the same time, I am new. I’ve only had 6 records maybe. 5 or 6. I’m fairly new. It’s not like I’m into the status of having 10 records or something. I’ve been very lucky, surrounded myself with some good people. I’ve got really awesome fans.”
On getting into Twitter “trouble” during election season, Kelly said, “Yeah, I don’t really call it trouble. I don’t think you’re ever in trouble if you just say what you think.”
Asked how the television talent show process may have changed since her time, Kelly said, “Honestly it’s no different from when I was on it. It’s no different from just a normal artist getting into the industry. There’s so many hoops that you have to go through, and it’s still the same industry and it’s all politics. It doesn’t matter if you come from a show or if you come from just walking into somebody’s office. There’s always going to be the same kind of hurdles and obstacle courses. I don’t think it really matters. If you want longevity and you want to be successful in the business, I just think you have to go with your gut and make sure you’re surrounded with some good people.”
Talking about whether she maintains contact with Simon Cowell, she said, “I just ran into him. I sang on ‘X Factor’. I did my single ‘Stronger’ this year on there and ran into him. It’s one of those things where that was for both of us. Nobody knew him in America. Nobody knew me obviously then. Both of us kind of blew up there in America and it was just kind of a cool moment, that first season of ‘Idol’ and I think with Randy (Jackson), Paula (Abdul) and all of us, it’s just kind of a special thing that we all kind of have with each other that is kind of priceless and it’s cool that it’s just such a magical thing we were part of. The biggest show ever to be in America on American television. That’s kind of cool that we all got to be a part of that.”
Questioned whether she would advise others hoping for their break to take the TV talent show route, Kelly said, “I mean, I think you don’t want it badly enough if you don’t. I just think that’s silly, unless it depends on your sound. I’m saying for people that want to be a solo artist or in pop music if you’re a group, if you’re like a ska band or an alternative band, obviously that might not be your best route, but if you’re a solo artist, you’d be silly to miss out on that opportunity, obviously.”
Listen to the 2-part interview via Soundcloud below.
‘American Idol’ season one champ Kelly Clarkson took to Twitter (@kelly_clarkson) to announce she is set to walk the aisle soon. The Grammy-nominated singer, 30, and Brandon Blackstock, a Nashville-based talent manager, have been dating for a year. Kelly’s manager Narvel Blackstock is Brandon’s father and is married to Reba McEntire. Kelly writes:
I’M ENGAGED!!!!! I wanted y’all to know!! Happiest night of my life last night! I am so lucky and am with the greatest man ever :)
The announcement caught the attention of fellow Texan Demi Lovato, who wrote to Kelly on Twitter (@ddlovato):
@kelly_clarkson SO happy for you!!! He better treat you like a queen or I’m gonna have to come after him! :P
A fellow ‘Idol’ alum Kimberley Locke tweeted (@KimberleyLocke):
@kelly_clarkson that’s fantastic, congratulations Kelly! I’m very happy for you!
Kelly Clarkson and The Fray are joining forces for a 30+ city co-headlining summer tour. The tour will start on July 21st in Ridgefield, Washington, with special guest Carolina Liar, and end on September 15th in Nashville, Tennessee. Both headline acts will be touring in support of their most recent albums, Kelly’s ‘Stronger’ and The Fray’s ‘Scars & Stories’.
Tour Dates:
July 21 - Ridgefield, Washington – Sleep Country Amphitheater
July 22 - Airway Heights, Washington – Northern Quest Resort & Casino
July 25 - Concord, CA – Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord
July 27 - Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea – The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
July 28 - Murphys, CA – Ironstone Winery
July 30 - Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
August 1 - Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center
August 2 - Albuquerque, NM – Hard Rock Casino Presents: The Pavilion
August 4 - Thackerville, OK – Winstar Casino
August 6 - Orange Beach, AL – Amphitheater at The Wharf
August 8 - Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park
August 10 - Detriot, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
August 14 - Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
August 16 - Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
August 17 - Hershey, PA – Hershey Stadium – Summer MixTape Fest
August 19 - Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
August 21 - Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
August 23 - Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
August 25 - Mansfield, MA – Comcast Center
August 26 - Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
August 28 - Toronto, ON – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
August 29 - Canandaigua, NY – Constellation Brands- Marvin Sands PAC
September 1 - Tinley Park, IL – First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
September 2 - Indianapolis, IN – Klipsch Music Center
September 7 - Houston, Texas – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
September 11 - Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
September 12 - Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
September 14 - Tuscaloosa, AL – Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
September 15 - Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Kelly Clarkson checked in with fans on her blog at Whosay.com after performing the National Anthem before Sunday’s Super Bowl in Indianapolis. The ‘American Idol’ season one champ writes:
Guess what ….I’ve never been more nervous in my life than singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl tonight ….wow that was almost not fun I was so nervous! Fun night overall though! Thank you everybody for all of the nice things you’re saying about my performance! I really appreciate it :)
Kelly Clarkson checked in with fans on her WhoSay account, throwing her support in the Republican primary behind Ron Paul, but suggesting the libertarian from Texas likely will not get the party’s nomination. The posting created some negative response from many, mainly referencing Paul’s newsletters published in the 1980s and ’90s that had racist and anti-gay writings which there is dispute to the degree the congressman was aware of. The ‘American Idol’ season one winner writes:
I love Ron Paul. I liked him a lot during the last republican nomination and no one gave him a chance. If he wins the nomination for the Republican party in 2012 he’s got my vote. Too bad he probably won’t.
I am really sorry if I have offended anyone. Obviously that was not my intent. I do not support racism. I support gay rights, straight rights, women’s rights, men’s rights, white/black/purple/orange rights. I like Ron Paul because he believes in less government and letting the people (all of us) make the decisions and mold our country. That is all. Out of all of the Republican nominees, he’s my favorite.
Man my eyes have been opened to so much hate tonight. If y’all ever disagree with something I say please don’t feel the need to attack me. I will listen to what you say and any articles or viewpoints you have when you say it with respect. Being hateful is not a healthy way to get people to see or hear you. I was raised to respect people and their decisions and beliefs and I hope you will grant me the same decency. If you don’t agree with me simply unfollow me. It’s really that easy. I hope you don’t because I would love the chance to hear what you have to say but if you’re so blinded by hate you can’t seek peace and progress then that is your unfortunate prerogative.
Among the Twitter messages (@kelly_clarkson) that Kelly sent in response to the endorsement to those critical:
@msschantz we shouldn’t try & help/tell other countries how to solve their issues w/the poor when we can’t even solve our own.
@QueenVampireX @sexidance I am a Republican but I actually voted Democrat last election.
@BarkingTurtles I love all people and could care less if you like men or women. I have never heard that Ron Paul is a racist or homophobe?
@Jcourt3 I respect your opinion and I am about progress. Ron Paul is about letting people decide, not the government. I am for this.
@infinityguitarz I don’t believe in the death penalty. Most Republicans do but not me.
Among those responding to Kelly was one of her musical peers, Michelle Branch, who also was fielding incoming fire from upset Twitter followers (@michellebranch) for agreeing with Kelly’s Ron Paul preference:
@kelly_clarkson I wholeheartedly agree. #RonPaul
@dusteallen it’s my understanding that Ron Paul is not a homophobe but more importantly, I certainly am not.
Hmm. Didn’t mean to offend. I am not racist and am absolutely not a homophobe. Just trying to weed through the non-impressive choices!
I should listen to my father who said never to share my beliefs on religion&politics. However I will always share my view on civil rights.
Kelly Clarkson visited the UK to perform her new single ‘Mr. Know It All’ on ‘The X Factor’. The song is the lead single off the ‘American Idol’ season one winner’s fifth studio album ‘Stronger’, out now on RCA Records. Kelly’s appearance with a figure hugging dress has created a surge of web traffic wondering if the pop star is pregnant.
Demi Lovato was excited to see a compliment from fellow Texan Kelly Clarkson on Twitter yesterday. The ‘American Idol’ season one champ told her followers (@kelly_clarkson) that she loved Demi’s cover of ‘How To Love’ by Lil Wayne for the Top 20 Live set she recorded at VH1. Kelly writes:
I just saw a video of Demi Lovato covering Lil’ Wayne’s song “How to love” (which happens to be my favorite song at the moment) and she is so freakin talented and killed it! I am very excited to see where her career goes because she’s got soul in what can be such a vanilla music industry …..thank you Demi!
Prompting Demi to respond (@ddlovato):
@kelly_clarkson wow thank you!!! I Got my soul from singing to your Thankful album NON-stop!!! Best compliment ever…
Watch the performance below.
Kelly Clarkson is out with the music video to her new single ‘Mr. Know It All’, the first release from the ‘American Idol’ season one winner’s fifth studio album ‘Stronger’, out October 21st on RCA Records. Clarkson said the Justin Francis directed video is about “basically all the crap that’s been said about me that’s kind of funny or ridiculous… we’re playing with that… it’s how I handle it… kind of sarcastic and funny.” Watch it via YouTube below.
