Nothing was as it usually is on Sunday night’s (May 17) American Idol season finale. The contestants were all singing in their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Katy Perry had to perform on a green screen set instead of a big stage in Hollywood and host Ryan Seacrest had to pull his old Idol logo out of mothballs and set up shop in his garage to host the two-hour coronation. Also, Seacrest didn’t seem to be quite himself. As the show progressed, viewers noticed that something seemed a bit off with the typically unflappable, consummate professional host. His speech sounded slurred at points and his left eye seemed strangely larger and more wide-open than his half-shut right eye. A spokesperson for Seacrest, 45, responded to the questions on Monday morning (May 18), te...
If you lived through the ‘80s, you’ll remember “We Are The World” was just about the biggest number of them all. Featuring a “Dream Team” of pop stars, the song dropped in 1985 to shine a light on famine in Africa. Written by Lionel Richie and the late Michael Jackson, the charity single ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for four successive weeks after its release, and an all-star Artists for Haiti remake in 2010 was also a hit. Sunday night (May 17) during the American Idol finale, Richie assembled an all-star Idol lineup for a lockdown-era rendition of the blockbuster. Joined by his fellow judges, Richie led a cast that included 2020 winner Just Sam, Alejandro Aranda aka Scarypoolparty, Fantasia, Gabby Barrett, Jordin Sparks, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Laine Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Philli...
The American Idol finale had some massive moments, not all of them involved the contestants. Idol judge Katy Perry delivered her debut live performance of “Daises,” inside of a spectacular digitally-enhanced environment. Wearing a pink dress, no shoes and showing her baby bump, Perry looked like Alice in her animated wonderland, as walls and cartoon furniture appear around her and steep falls appear under her feet. “Daises” dropped last week, a triumph against the haters. Watch the performance below. [embedded content]
[Spoiler alert: This article contains the name of the winner of Sunday night’s American Idol finale.] No matter who ended up in the winner’s circle after Sunday night’s (May 17) two-hour American Idol finale, they were destined to make history as the first champ to celebrate from the comfort of their own home. Not by choice of course, by due to the way the 18th season of the beloved singing competition had to completely change things up mid-way due to the COVID-19 lockdown. And, like all aspects of the show since everyone was sent home, the coronation was… different, with host Ryan Seacrest calling the action from his garage instead of the big stage in Hollywood, judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie dialing in from their homes and the contestants making t...
Season 18 of American Idol has been a real rollercoaster. From the elation of making it to Hollywood and then getting ground to a fine dust by the grueling tinsel town cuts, to the joy of hitting the beaches and stage in Hawaii. And then, the shutdown. The contestants on this year’s Idol have had to contend with a working environment like no other, forced to become overnight lighting and sound technicians as they’ve converted their bedrooms, living rooms and backyards into remote TV studios. But tonight (May 17) they have reached the final stage. It’s not the big, Hollywood soundstage they dreamed of when they auditioned last year, but for the top seven — Arthur Gunn, Dillon James, Francisco Martin, Jonny West, Julia Gargano, Just Sam and Louis Knight...
Arthur Gunn continues to win hearts with his impressive American Idol run. But there’s one person who has always been in his corner: his mom. During Sunday’s Mother’s Day edition, Gunn delivered another standout performance with a cover of Bon Iver’s “Hey, Ma,” as his mom looked on. The Kathmandu, Nepal-born artist’s matured vocals had judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan suitably gobsmacked. “You’re spoiling us,” Bryan enthused afterwards. “You never have a bad performance.” Richie chimed in, “You could actually sing the phone book. And when I say that, I mean it as a compliment.” There’s much more to come. “Enjoy the ride,” the veteran singer said, “it’s going to be a great journey.” Perry, looking happy and heavily pregnant, told the contestant: “You’re starting to real...