Posts Tagged ‘American Idol’

The singing competition show “American Idol” was once a ratings juggernaut but the bloom seems to be off the rose. Between other singing shows like “X Factor” and “The Voice” as well as judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler running for the hills, it doesn’t seem like a good time to be part of the show. But it looks like the Queen of Soul wouldn’t mind. According to TMZ.com, Aretha Franklin is still interested in being a judge, even now. it could be an interesting choice, however, I don’t know how I feel about it. On one hand, Franklin…

Jennifer Hudson has learned a valuable lesson in building her career: it pays to diversify your talents. Since she exited “American Idol” back in the day she’s known that success didn’t have to come through her singing alone. So we had JHud the actress and after that Jennifer Hudson the Weight Watchers spokesperson and after she lost more than 80 pounds, she added author to the mix. That’s a lot of hyphenates but she seems to make it work. So it comes as no surprise that she’ll be adding yet another title to the mix when she debuts her fashion…

Talk about a throwback our girl Jennifer Hudson is taking a cue from the likes of classic crooners like Bing Cosby and Nat King Cole and doing her own Christmas special on ABC. I am not sure exactly when it is going to air but  it will probably be slated somewhere between “Frosty the Snowman”, “A Very Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer”. (more…)

The last year I watched “American Idol” was when Jordin Sparks was a contestant. But I grew weary of the formula before she actually took the crown (not because of Jordin though). Anyway, since her win in Season 6, Jordin has managed to carve an impressive space for herself in the pop category. Her sophomore CD, Battlefield is out today. Besides the title track which makes me think of Pat Benatar, I really like her remake of “Let the Music Play” and some of the slower cuts “Was I The Only One” and “Faith.” Here’s hoping she sells ten million…

We haven’t heard much from the brother we dubbed The Velvet Teddy Bear during his winning run on “American Idol”. Although he stepped his toe into the Gospel arena, Ruben Studdard is back with a new CD called “Love Is” ($9.99) out today. I think that many of us had a soft spot for Ruben because he reminded us of the late, great Luther Vandross. Studdard is in no way ready to assume that mantle but he is at his best when he sings a love song. My favorites are “Song For Her”, “Just Because” and “The Long &…

File this under revenge is sweet. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Jennifer Hudson is set to return to “American Idol.” Now I am not saying that our girl JHud has been thinking about telling Randy, Paula and Simon (yes, especially Simon) ‘I told you so.’ Instead she has been building a fabulous career that in itself shows that these judges really are not the arbiters of true talent. (more…)

As I told you before, I gave up on American Idol a few seasons back so I didn’t see Melinda Doolittle during her run on the show. She didn’t win (precisely the reason I stopped watching) but this sister has got pipes. The songs sound like they are coming from down deep in her soul with a mix of funk, pop and old-school R&B. Check out “Fundamental Things” and “It’s Your Love.” ($10)

American Idol is back tonight with its circus-like auditions, and the shenanigans of Paula, Randy and the ever-caustic Simon (plus a new judge who may eventually replace Paula). But I won’t be tuning in. I’m done with the show because it jumped the shark for me three or four seasons ago. That’s when what I would like to call the Fox effect started to kick in. (more…)

There was a time when I watched American Idol like every other crazed fan. But I gave up that addiction a few seasons back, right after Carrie Underwood won. That’s when I realized that I was never going to see another black girl (or man) take the prize. I missed Fantasia’s return last night but I did catch it on You Tube. Y’all it scared me a little bit. The hair, the makeup, the nails and the performance were off the chain (and I’m not sure in a good way). (more…)