American Idol’s Jennifer Hudson to portray Winnie Mandela in movie
(AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Season three ”American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson has proven herself to be a talented actress. She has an Oscar trophy from her “Dreamgirls” role to prove it.
Now, the singer/actress is preparing for an even deeper role. According to Variety, Hudson will portray Winnie Mandela in an upcoming film titled “Winnie.”
Winnie Mandela is a controversial South African politician, and the former wife of Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa.
Shooting on the film will begin in late May.
Since placing seventh on “American Idol” in 2004, Hudson has four movies under her belt. They are “Dreamgirls,” “Sex and the City,” “Winged Creatures” and “The Secret Life of Bees.”
American Idol Blog Day
It’s “American Idol” day on the Celebrity Blog. Tonight will be the first night of the Top 12 finals on “American Idol.”
To celebrate this occasion, I am posting several blogs today that feature previous “American Idol” contestants.
Please check back frequently today to see what your favorite former Idol contestants have been up to since their season ended.
Jersey Shore cast is moving to Miami Beach
Four members of the "Jersey Shore" cast (AP photo)
The cast of “Jersey Shore” will not return to New Jersey for a second season. Instead, they are moving to Miami Beach.
Twelve new episodes will begin airing this summer. No word yet on whether the show will be renamed “Miami Shore.”
“Jersey Shore” debuted on the MTV network in Dec. 3 with 1.3 million viewers. During January’s finale, viewership reached 4.8 million.
“Jersey Shore” cast members were Mike “The Situation” Sorrrentino, Angelina “Jolie” Pivarnick, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola and Vinny Guadagnino.
I think Miami Beach is an excellent location for the second season. I visited Miami Beach last year, and that city was filled with beaches, clubs, bars, restaurant, tourist attractions and beautiful people.
Plus, there will be no shortage of drama in that city. This season should be better than the first season.
Patti Labelle says American Idol judges are unqualified
R&B music legend Patti Labelle is not a fan of the “American Idol” judges. The singer even suggested some of them are unqualified.
During an interview with the Associated Press, Labelle said “Some of the judges, I don’t think they’re qualified to even judge. The comments that were made, they could make you like wanna kill yourself.”
Labelle didn’t reveal which judges she felt were unqualified, but through the process of elimination, we might be able to figure out who she was referring to.
Simon Cowell had astronomical success as a music executive and television producer, so I think it’s safe to say he’s qualified to be a talent-show judge.
Kara DioGuardi is a successful songwriter. She has written songs for Leona Lewis, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Plus, most people don’t know this, but Kara can actually sing too. So, she’s qualified to be a judge.
That leaves us with Randy Jackson and Ellen DeGeneres.
Randy was a member of the group Journey. He played musical instruments for them. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he knows about judging musical talent.
Ellen is a funny comedian, and she has a successful daytime talk show. But that doesn’t necessarily mean she knows about judging musical talent.
So, there you have it. Patti Labelle was probably referring to Ellen and Randy when she said some of the “American Idol” judges were unqualified.
Again, this is just a theory. I’m not 100 percent certain who she was referring to with that comment.
Will Howard Stern replace Simon on American Idol?
Controversial radio personality Howard Stern confirmed rumors the Fox network is considering him as Simon Cowell’s replacement on “American Idol.”
Cowell is leaving the “American Idol” judge’s panel after this season to focus on another talent show titled “X-Factor.”
On his Sirius radio show, Stern said he’s interested in the job, but they would have to pay him a lot of money if he agreed to take it.
When I first heard about Stern as a possible replacement, I thought Fox executives lost their mind. However, after thinking about it for a few minutes, I don’t think it’s a terrible bad idea.
Cowell is known for making controversial and rude remarks on the talent show, and he shows no mercy when he verbally rips the contestants apart.
The person who replaces Cowell will have to be just as mean. Stern fits that’s description perfectly.
Plus, it would make for good TV to see the battle that would occur between Stern and new judge Ellen DeGeneres, who is known as the nice girl.
Other celebrities I think should be considered as Cowell’s replacement are Kanye West and Rush Limbaugh. Those two are rude and disrespectful just like Cowell.
Jersey Shore cast to appear on “The View”
The stars of my favorite reality show will be guests on “The View” toward the end of the month.
The cast of the MTV reality show “Jersey Shore” will be on ABC talk show Feb. 23, the network announced.
Meanwhile the show has been picked up for second season. The new episodes will air this summer.
Jersey Shore season two is in the works
Four of the Jersey Shore cast members (AP photo)
The network announced plans to air 12 new episodes beginning this summer.
At the risk of tainting my reputation, I’ll admit I’m an avid fan of this show. When I first heard about it, I had no plans to watch it because it looked like a sleazier version of “The Real World.”
But I was flipping through the channels one day, and I watched two episodes back-to-back. I immediately became hooked.
If you’re unfamiliar with this show, cameras followed housemates around while they live and party at the New Jersey Shore.
It could be compared to “The Real World,” but it’s five times crazier than that show. Also, unlike the “Real World,” all cast members are Italian-American.
Members of some organizations boycotted the show because they said it enforced negative stereotypes about Italians. As a result, some company’s pulled their advertisements.
But the controversy and attention fueled a ratings spike.
The show debuted on the MTV network Dec. 3 with 1.3 million viewers. When the season finale aired Jan. 21, viewership climbed to 4.8 million.
“Jersey Shore” was the top rated primetime show in the 12 to 34 age group when it aired Thursdays.
If you haven’t seen it yet, watch one episode, and you’ll be hooked too. Yes, it’s ridiculous. Yes, it’s sleazy. Yes, it’s dramatic. Yes, it’s crazy. Yes, it’s violent. But it’s so addictive, and I love every second of it.
Cast members are “Mike “The Situation” Sorrrentino, Angelina “Jolie” Pivarnick, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola and Vinny Guadagnino.
My favorite castmate is Snooki. If you’ve ever watched the show, you know exactly why.
Missing Paula Abdul on American Idol
I’ve been watching the new season of “American Idol” on the Fox network, and it occurred to me there is an element missing from the show. Something just doesn’t seem right to me.
Oh wait. Paula Abdul isn’t there anymore. That’s what is missing. I’ve been a fan of the show for several years, and Paula made the show more interesting.
I’ve enjoyed watching Paula get into heated arguments with Simon Cowell.
I got used to seeing Paula on the judge’s panel appearing to be high on prescription medication.
Seriously, there were days when Paula appeared so high on the show that she made Courtney Love look like a sober woman. That’s no easy feat.
Also, we all remember that scandal that occurred when season two contestant Corey Clark accused Paula of having a sexual relationship with him while he was competing on the show. (Paula denied all accusations, of course).
Those factors contributed to the show’s success, in my opinion.
Now that Paula resigned from “American Idol,” talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has been named as a replacement.
Ellen will begin appearing on the show sometime next month. She is a funny comedian. But unless Ellen brings her hot wife Portia de Rossi on the show too, I have no interest in watching her.
Maybe the changes in the judge’s panel will grow on me as the season progresses, and I’m sure the ratings won’t suffer in Paula’s absence. But I just wish Paula was still there.
Simon Cowell says he’s leaving American Idol
(Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Last month, Simon Cowell’s brother let the cat out of the bag when he said Cowell will leave “American Idol” after the 2010 season.
Now, Cowell has confirmed the news. This season will be his last on “American Idol” because he’s going to focus on “The X Factor”–a talent show that will begin airing in the United States next year, according to the Associated Press.
Cowell said he’s leaving “Idol” because it would be too difficult for him to be on both shows.
Paula Abdul is being replaced by Ellen DeGeneres this season, and that’s going to some getting used to by us “American Idol” fans.
But when C0well leaves, it might hinder the show’s success. Many viewers tune in to see and hear Cowell’s straight forward (yet rude) comments. It will be hard for the network to find a suitable replacement for him.
David Hasselhoff is leaving “America’s Got Talent”
"America's Got Talent" judges Piers Morgan, from left, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff. (AP photo)
Not only will we have to get used to watching “American Idol” without seeing Paula Abdul at the judge’s table, now we will have to get used to “America’s Got Talent” without David Hasselhoff.
Hasselhoff announced he is leaving the show after four seasons.
NBC executives released a public saying Hasselhoff has “been an integral part of the success of America’s Got Talent, and we are sad to see him go. We wish him all the best with his new show.”
No word yet on who his replacement will be when the fifth season airs this summer. His fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan will remain on the show.
American Idol briefs
Jason Castro (AP Photo/Frank Micelotta)
–The ninth season of “American Idol” will begin at 7 p.m. (central time) Jan. 12 and Jan. 13 on the Fox network.
–Season five contestant Elliot Yamin will embark on an eight-city tour in January. The tour will run Jan. 2 through Jan. 27. The eight cities are Alexandria (VA), New York City, Annapolis (MD), Pittsburgh (PA), Allentown (PA), Norfolk (CT), Virginia Beach (VA) and San Diego (CA).
–Season three winner Fantasia Barrino’s new reality titled “Fantasia For Real” will premiere Jan. 11 on the VH1 network.
–Season six contestants Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey will perform Dec. 29 at Scott Hamilton’s Holiday Concert on Ice.
Season seven contestant Jason Castro will embark on a U.S. tour from Jan. 20 to Feb. 25. Click here to view the tour dates.
Source: Idolonfox
My encounter with a Real World celebrity
J.D. Odonez and his "Real World" castmate Baya Voce took a picture together in Brooklyn. (MySpace)
During a recent Florida vacation, I traveled with friends to Miami Beach. The Miami Beach area is a tropical location with plenty of beaches, sunshine and nightlife establishments.
We went on a celebrity homes tour and saw mansions owned by Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Gloria Estefan and Shaquille O’Neal among others.
Although I never actually saw any of those big-named celebrities listed above, I did manage to see one minor celebrity by accident.
While experiencing the nightlife scene, we went to a small hole-in-the-wall bar When I went to order bottled water, I noticed the bartender looked familiar.
(MySpace)
It took me a few seconds, but I realized it was a reality show star named J.D. Ordoñez.
Ordoñez was a castmate on the 2009 season of “The Real World” on MTV. While he was on the show, he was notorious for having anger management issues. He threw temper tantrums, broke glasses and screamed at people.
I can testify that he is the exact same when you meet him in person. When he walked up to me, I asked “Aren’t you that guy from The Real World?”
He became angry and yelled “Yes.” Then he walked away from me without taking my order. He didn’t want anyone to recognize him, so he was mad at me because I knew who he was.
I waited 20 minutes for him to return to take my order, but he avoided me like the plague. He was waiting on everyone except me. Plus, there were only seven or eight people in the bar that night.
Finally, I walked up to him and said “Look. I don’t care who you are. I promise I will not tell anyone who you are. I won’t blow your cover. All I want is for you to take my drink order. I want some bottled water.”
With an attitude, he angrily brought me some bottled water. Then, he yelled at me and said “$5 dollars.” I said “$5 dollars for a baby-size bottle of water????” He yelled “Yes.”
The bottled water was only eight ounces. It shouldn’t have anywhere near cost $5. I think he purposely jacked up the price because he was mad at me.
At this point, I was offended by all of his rudeness. My Christian upbringing prevents me from getting into a physical confrontation or a cursing match with someone, so I chose to to pay the $5 and leave.
But before I left, Satan came over me momentarily. I took my camera, turned on the bright flash, put it in his face and took a picture of him. That made him even more angry at me, but I didn’t care. I hope that picture turns out good when I get it developed. By the way, I didn’t leave him a tip either.
It’s understandable if he didn’t want anyone to recognize him. But if he didn’t want recognition, he shouldn’t have gone on a reality show for five months. Most importantly, he shouldn’t have taken his frustrations out on me.
Fantasia’s new reality show
(AP Photo/Jim Cooper)
The 2004 “American Idol” champion Fantasia Barrino’s new reality show is scheduled to debut Jan. 11 on the VH1 network.
VH1 executive Jeff Olde released a statement that said “Fantasia has one of the most fascinating stories in show business, from her tough upbringing to her meteoric rise on the national scene thanks to American Idol. Her challenges from fame and her unwillingness to fail have combined to create a larger-than-life talent who appeals to music lovers around the world. So many people wanted to work with her on this, but Fantasia is now part of the VH1 family, and we’re so happy to have her.”
Since winning “American Idol,” Fantasia released her debut album titled “Free Yourself” in 2004, and her self-titled album was released in 2006. During the past couple of years, she has kept a low profile.
When Flavor Flav, Tiffany “New York” Pollard and Ray-J aired their reality shows on VH1, it resurrected their career. The same will probably happen for Barrino.
Bobby Brown, Kevin Federline to film reality show together
R&B singer Bobby Brown and Kevin Federline are considering a joint reality television show.
Brown told a TMZ photographer “We’re thinking about doing a show, K-Fed and Bobby.” When asked about the show’s details, Brown refused to give any information.
He said “I don’t know. You’ll have to wait and see.”
This should be an interesting show because Brown and Federline have a few similarities.
They are both has-been celebrities, they were both married to pop music superstars (Whitney Houston and Britney Spears) and they both said they were treated unfairly by the media.
Before marrying Houston, Brown dominated the music scene during the 1980s and the early 1990s as part of the boy group New Edition and as a solo artist.
Before marrying Spears, Federline was a dancer for Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Destiny’s Child and Pink.
Brown’s life eventually spiraled out of control when he became entangled in drug, alcohol and domestic abuse.
Federline was a tabloid staple throughout his marriage to Spears, his divorce and the custody battle.
Brown’s and Federline’s reality show will probably center around them trying to make a comeback in the entertainment industry and repair their damaged reputation.
Brown and Federline participated in reality shows in 2005, but it didn’t boost their careers.
Federline and Spears filmed an MTV reality show titled “Chaotic” and Brown and Houston filmed a reality show titled “Being Bobby Brown” on the A&E network in 2005.
Both shows were a disaster. It placed a negative spotlight on the couples, and it fueled more tabloid fodder.
Maybe they will have better luck with this new show.
Nick Lachey to host talent show
Since Nick Lachey’s solo music career has stalled, the former 98 Degrees singer is turning to a television talent show to help jump start his career again.
NBC announced Lachey will host a talent show titled “The Sing-Off.” The show will feature eight musical groups who will compete for a record contract with Epic Records/Sony Recording.
The show will premiere Dec. 14.
American Idol winner Kris Allen overshadowed by Adam Lambert
American Idol winner Kris Allen during a photo shoot in West Hollwood. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert during the premiere of Michael Jackson's movie "This Is It." (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
The 2009 ”American Idol” champion Kris Allen released his self-titled debut album today (Nov. 17). Many people might not have known he was even releasing an album.
Although Allen was victorious on “American Idol” earlier this year, he didn’t receive a substantial amount of media attention after his win. It wasn’t because he lacked talent. It was because he lacked shock value. Allen is plain, average and simple.
Which explains why he has been overshadowed by Adam Lambert, the “American Idol” runner-up. Lambert appears to be a magnet for the camera.
As a result, numerous magazines were racing to put him on the cover and land interviews with him. Meanwhile, Allen was an after thought. Entertainment journalists ignored him and focused on Lambert because he was more shocking.
Even pop star Lady Gaga came knocking on Lambert’s door wanting to collaborate with him on new music.
I’ll admit, Allen didn’t have the strongest vocals on the show. But the majority of “American Idol” voters chose Allen as their champion, and he deserves to receive some media attention since he was declared the winner.
Allen’s album is in stores now. Lambert’s album “For Your Entertainment” will be released Nov. 23.
Kris Allen new music video: Live Like We’re Dying
The Jackson family reality show
Members of the Jackson family are starring in a new reality show set to air next month on the A&E network.
The show, titled “The Jacksons: Family Dynasty,” will feature Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon and Tito Jackson.
Cameras will follow the brothers around while they prepare for a concert tour. It will also show the brothers are coping with Michael’s death, according to the Associated Press.
Six episodes will air beginning Dec. 13. No word on whether Janet or La Toya will make any appearances on the show.
Before anyone assumes the Jackson brothers are trying to profit from their brother’s deaths, keep in mind, the Jacksons agreed to participate in this reality show one month before Michael died.
A preview is posted in the clip below
Elliott Yamin will answer fans questions
Season 5 “American Idol” contestant Elliott Yamin will answer questions from his fans Monday (Oct. 26).
Fans can submit their questions and hear Yamin’s answers on the “American Idol” Web site. Yamin placed third on the talent show in 2006.
He is currently promoting his second CD titled “Fight For Love.” He recently finished his USO Tour where he performed for troops stationed around the world.
Click here to submit questions.
Adam Lambert new music video: Time For Miracles
Big Brother winner accused of drug dealing
Most people who win a huge sum of money during a contest will spend it on a new car, a house, a vacation or to start their own business etc.
Adam Jasinski, the 2008 winner of the reality show “Big Brother” selected the fourth option. He chose to invest his $500,000 prize money by creating his own business.
However, the business Jasinski created was illegal.
Jasinksi admitted using his $500,000 prize money to purchase 2,000 prescription pills to resell them for a profit, according to the Associated Press.
Jasinski was arrested Saturday in connection with the accusations.
Most people try to leave the drug-dealing profession whenever they become wealthy.
Jasinski is the first person I’ve heard of who receives $500,000, and chooses to become a drug dealer.
Whitney Houston peforms on X Factor
Pop singer Whitney Houston made a guest appearance on the UK show “X Factor” (which is the UK version of American Idol).
Houston, along with Clive Davis, served as mentors to the contestants while they tried to sing her songs. S
She also performed her new song “Million Dollar Bill.” The performance clip is posted below.
This wasn’t one of her greatest performances, but it’s presentable. (althought there were a few odd moments). She even had a wardrobe malfunction.
Stephanie Pratt arrested on DUI complaint
Stephanie Pratt fell from on top of “The Hills” and landed in jail cell.
Police say Pratt was arrested Sunday morning on a DUI complaint in Hollywood. Pratt was attending Holly Montag’s birthday party a few hours earlier.
Pratt joined the cast of “The Hills’ in 2007. She is the sister of Spencer Pratt.
TLC network is suing Jon Gosselin
Jon Gosselin exited a courthouse (AP Photo by Matt Rourke)
More bad news for Jon Gosselin. The TLC network is suing him for breach of contract.
The Associated Press story is posted below via NewsOK.
ASSOCIATED PRESS BY FRAZIER MOORE
The TLC network has sued Jon Gosselin for allegedly breaching his contract as a star of the hit reality show “Jon & Kate Plus 8.”
The lawsuit, filed Friday in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Md., alleges that Gosselin has failed to meet his obligations as an exclusive employee of the network, while appearing on rival networks’ programs for pay and making unauthorized public disclosures about the show.
Gosselin has starred since 2007 on the weekly “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” a ratings hit for the network that has been rocked in recent months by marital turmoil as Gosselin and his wife, Kate, feuded, then filed for divorce.
Gosselin, like his estranged wife, became mainstays on tabloid TV shows and magazine covers as Jon Gosselin was seen in the company of other women.
The couple are the parents of young twins and sextuplets whose family home is in Wernersville, Penn.
The suit is seeking from Gosselin unspecified compensatory damages and demanding he return income gained as a result of his breaches of the agreement, as well as to refrain from future violations of his contractual agreement.
“The network has been trying privately and patiently for months to get Jon to honor the contract he signed and to comply with his obligations relating to public appearances and statements,” said TLC in a statement on Friday. “Those efforts have been unsuccessful.”
Gosselin’s lawyer, Mark Jay Heller, said he had not yet read the filing and had no immediate comment.
The lawsuit says that, last June, in recognition of “the Gosselins’ difficult personal circumstances, TLC asked both parents to refrain from making public statements about each other, the divorce, or the program, and negotiated an agreed ‘cooling off’ period with respect to media communications” for 45 days.
Nonetheless, the suit alleges that Gosselin “in violation of his contractual exclusivity” to his own show, “entered a lucrative arrangement to appear regularly on ‘Entertainment Tonight’ and its companion show, ‘The Insider,’ to discuss his family and the problems he was having with Mrs. Gosselin, and he routinely sold photographic rights to various media outlets �.”
The lawsuit also claims that on Sept. 18, TLC requested that Gosselin be present for filming six days hence. He didn’t respond to the request, and no filming took place on Sept. 24, the lawsuit says.
In light of Gosselin’s alleged “erratic public behavior, unprofessional conduct and serial disregard for his contractual obligations,” TLC on Sept. 29 announced the program would be relaunched in November as “Kate Plus Eight,” with Jon Gosselin taking a back seat role to single mother Kate and the eight kids.
The lawsuit claims that he responded with a request to be released from his exclusive arrangement to pursue other paying opportunities while continuing to be compensated by TLC.
When TLC declined to comply with such a release, Gosselin notified TLC that he would attempt to bar TLC’s access to the family property and filming of his children, the suit says, “on the grounds that it is purportedly detrimental to the children.”
A few days later, Gosselin told CNN’s “Larry King Live” that it’s “not healthy” for his kids to continue appearing on the TLC reality show. He said he had had “an epiphany one day” and realized his 5-year-old sextuplets and 9-year-old twins shouldn’t be filmed at the family’s Pennsylvania home while their parents are going through a divorce.
TLC has since granted a judge’s request that filming of the eight children be suspended.
TLC spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said that, while both Kate and Jon Gosselin remain under exclusive contract to the network, the show’s longtime future remains in question.
Meanwhile, Gosselin was been embroiled in a separate legal matter. Earlier this week, he was ordered to return $180,000 in marital funds by Oct. 26, according to a lawyer for his estranged wife. Kate Gosselin, meanwhile, must provide an accounting of past expenses by the same date, lawyer Mark Momjian said. And an arbitrator will review another $55,000 she says she spent on household and child-related expenses.
Richard Hatch released from prison
The original “Survivor” winner Richard Hatch was released from prison Friday (Oct. 16) after serving a sentence for tax evasion.
Hatch was convicted in 2006 after he failed to pay taxes on the $1 million he won on the reality show “Survivor.”
Earlier this year, Hatch maintained the judge and prosecutor were discriminating against him because he’s gay.
Hatch was declared the champion on the first season of “Survivor” in 2000.
