American Idol
Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart Backs Up His Daughter Kaya’s American Idol Audition: Watch
As it turns out, "sweet dreams" are also sometimes made of nepotism. Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart Backs Up His Daughter Kaya’s American Idol Audition: Watch Abby Jones
C.J. Harris, ‘American Idol’ Alum, Dies at 31
C.J. Harris, a singer who competed on the 2014 season of American Idol, died Sunday at age 31. The Jasper, Alabama, native was reportedly rushed to a local hospital after suffering a medical emergency, according to Variety, and the Walker County Coroner’s Office later confirmed his death. However, no other details, including cause of death, were given as of press time. Harris competed on season 13 of the singing competition, initially auditioning for judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. in Salt Lake City with a rendition of The Allman Brothers Band’s “Soulshine.” After making it through the Hollywood round, the hopeful was voted a Wild Card by the public in the semifinals and earned his way into the live shows with a soulful performance of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home ...
Here Are All of ‘American Idol’ Star Willie Spence’s Performances
Willie Spence marked second place during his run on the 2021 season of American Idol. Still, he was known as one of the most notable singers to come out of the show with powerhouse covers from artists that include Rihanna, Beyonce, Adele, Coldplay and more. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Unfortunately, the 23-year-old lost his life in a car accident while driving back to Atlanta from Tennessee on Tuesday (Oct. 12). He reportedly crashed into a tractor-trailer parked on the side of the road, TMZ reported. However, it was local news site Douglas Now that was first to report the news about the crash. The news was also shared by his fellow Idol alum Katharine McPhee-Foster, who took to her Instagram story on Tuesday (Oct. 11) to share her ...
Kelly Clarkson Shoots Down Daytime TV Competition With Jennifer Hudson: ‘There’s Room for Everyone’
Kelly Clarkson is returning for another season of her hit talk show, but she’s not about to bring any drama to daytime TV. In a new interview, the singer opened up about welcoming pal and fellow American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson into the fold. While America’s original Idol is stepping into the spot recently vacated by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she isn’t feeling too much pressure about filling the long-running talk show’s shoes. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I remember Oprah had that spot forever. And then Ellen came in. And I think what’s helpful for me is that those two women are very different,” she told Variety. “How they did their shows was very different, how they connected with people was different, their humor was different. One...
Don’t Worry, Katy Perry Isn’t Moving to Kentucky: ‘The Source Is Telling You No’
Katy Perry cleared up rumors that she’s relocating to Kentucky following the season 20 finale of American Idol on Sunday night. “You can’t believe everything you hear or read. You’ve got to hear it from the source, and the source is telling you no,” the pop star told Extra after the finale. “But I did spend a lot of time there because Orlando [Bloom] just wrapped filming a movie there for two months, so I was there for a month and change and I loved it. It was so beautiful to see the heart of America…Also just to be ‘Mom’ every day, all day — I love that.” Still, the “Harleys in Hawaii” singer gushed about her love of country music including “Where We Started,” the new collaboration with Thomas Rhett that she performed during the finale episode. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts an...
Ex-‘American Idol’ Star Caleb Kennedy Granted Bond in Fatal Car Crash
A South Carolina judge granted bond on Friday (May 20) to the former American Idol contestant accused of barreling into a man with his pickup truck and killing him. Caleb Kennedy, 17, received a $50,000 bond and was ordered to receive mental health treatment while in home detention, news outlets reported. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The country music singer had been jailed since February on a charge of driving under the influence resulting in the death of 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris. Police say Kennedy drove his truck up a private driveway in Spartanburg County and struck Larry Duane Parris, 54, pushing Parris into a building. A toxicology report showed that Kennedy had marijuana and Prozac in his system at the time. Ke...
Carrie Underwood, Ben Platt, Flo Rida, Gabby Barrett, & More to Perform on 2022 ‘American Idol’ Finale
After the top 5 American Idol contestants performed for mentor and fourth season winner Carrie Underwood on Sunday night (May 15), the show revealed the all-star line-up for the upcoming May 22 3-hour finale. The episode, which will air live coast-to-coast on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. ET, will have this season’s three finalists — HunterGirl, Leah Marlene and Noah Thompson — performing for one last time in their bid to take home this year’s crown. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In addition to songs from judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, next week’s season 20 finale will feature performances from Underwood, Ben Platt, Deana Carter, Earth, Wind & Fire, Flo Rida, Idol alum Gabby Barrett, James Arthur, Sara Bareilles, Melissa Ether...
‘American Idol’ Contestant Fritz Hager Tests Positive For COVID-19, Shines With Original Song
Mother’s Day wasn’t all hugs and roses for two American Idol contestants, as the final seven contestants were narrowed down to just five. Idol didn’t miss the opportunity to create a moment around every mom’s special day, as the Top 7 performed songs popularized on TikTok. Guest mentor Will.I.Am was on hand Sunday (May 8) to lend advice to the remaining few, who are fighting for their lives in the competition and doing so in front of a live TV audience. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news One of the standouts was Fritz Hager, the 22-year-old Tyler, TX native, who shone with a performance of his own song “All My Friends,” despite battling with the effects of COVID-19. Hager and Noah Thompson both tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which kept...
Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina Team For Alison Krauss Cover on ‘Idol Reunion’
When two old friends, or adversaries, meet up after years apart, it can get awkward, teary, or full-blown emotional. After a decade apart, American Idol alum Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina joined forces Monday night (May 2) for the Idol Reunion on ABC, and it was a country explosion. McCreery, who won the tenth season of Idol in May 2011, and Alaina, runner-up that season, melted country hearts with a rendition of Alison Krauss’ “When You Say Nothing At All.” McCreery and Alaina have gone on to great heights in their genre, but they started out as “Idols.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Watch below. [embedded content] [flexi-common-toolbar] [flexi-form class=”flexi_form_style” title=”Submit to Flexi” name=”...
Christian Guardino Rules Disney Night on ‘American Idol’ With This ‘Lion King’ Classic: Watch
Christian Guardino definitely became the king of everything the light touches on American Idol Sunday night (May 1). Taking the stage for the show’s Disney-themed showcase, the 21-year-old singer chose the perfect song to show off the lion’s-roar power in his vocals — Elton John‘s “Circle of Life,” aka the iconic Lion King song. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Joined by a choir of backup singers and silhouetted by a radiant yellow sun backdrop, Guardino pulled out all the stops to ensure that he secured a place in this season’s top seven contestants. Smoke billowed around him as he built suspense at the beginning of the performance, while fire cannons sparked once he weaved his way to the song’s high point with intricate,...
‘American Idol’ Contestant Noah Thompson Brings Country to John Mayer Cover: Watch
American Idol has reached the pointy end of the season, when just 10 competitors stay in the game. One of those is Noah Thompson, the teen construction worker for Louisa, Kentucky. On Monday night’s (April 25) Top 10 Live reveal, Thompson delivered the goods with a country-flavored take on John Mayer’s “Heartbreak Warfare.” It was a dramatic night that saw Tristen Gressett eliminated and Lady K saved by the judges. There was no such drama for Thompson. “I’m such a private person,” Thompson told Billboard ahead of the live broadcast. “I think I’m always going to be shy. I’m the guy who stays in his room and does his own thing while everybody else goes out to eat.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Shy or not, Thompson now has fans across A...
Meet 2022’s ‘American Idol’ Top 10
Just three days before the finalists on the current season of American Idol competed in a live broadcast to narrow the top 14 down to a top 11, they sat down with Billboard for their first in-depth interviews of their Idol run. One by one, over almost eight hours, they filed into dressing room 36G at CBS Television City in Los Angeles to be grilled about their lives, their hopes and dreams and their Idol journeys to date. Although each contestant was interviewed privately, they named many of the same series alums as their favorite Idols. Alejandro Aranda received the most mentions, with Kelly Clarkson right behind him. Last year, it was a three-way tie for first place among Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and Katharine McPhee. With the revelation of who made the current top 10 now announced on t...
