With the fourth week of American Idol auditions in full swing, we can’t help but speculate as to the (very early) favorites to win it all.
Here’s how The Hollywood Gossip, a great source of American Idol news, rumors and spoilers, sizes up the favorites so far …
- Kristy Lee Cook: Gorgeous Oregonian had a record deal with Arista Nashville - but with the way she sings, does anyone care?
- Michael Johns: Like Cook, once had a deal with a label (Madonna’s). The Aussie hunk has made a strong impression so far.
- David Archuleta: Former Star Search winner has the sympathy vote locked: he struggled with paralyzed vocal cords as a child!
- Samantha Sidley: Young beauty shined when she delivered a restrained, lovely version of Norah Jones’ ”Don’t Know Why.”
- Carly Smithson: The most cool, alternative candidate so far - tattooed Irishwoman displayed great range on “I’m Every Woman.”
- David Cook: No relation to Kristy Lee. Another Chris Daughtry type, hoping to become the first rocker to win American Idol.
- Colton Swon: His take on Little Big Town’s “Boondocks” ruled - and a rumor that he plays guitar in the Hollywood round? Wow.
David Archuleta and his fellow American Idol hopefuls have a long way to go, but at least we already know they’re all better singers than Heidi Montag.
Featuring will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and many other celebrities, this video was posted on YouTube in support of Barack Obama’s bid for the presidency.
Inspired by the “Yes We Can” speech delivered by Barack Obama on January 21, the stars sing and speak along with the Democratic Illinois senator.
This terrefic video stars will.i.am, Nicole Scherzinger, Scarlett Johansson, John Legend, Common, Herbie Hancock and many, many others.
Heidi Montag is a reality TV celebrity best known for appearing on the MTV series The Hills. Heidi Montag is also an aspiring singer. Really.
Here’s her latest music video, directed by her co-star and possible fiance, Spencer Pratt. It’s not good music. We only budget it to you because it’s so low-budget, nauseating and fake that it has to be seen to be believed.
Most young men can be forgiven for not knowing what they’ll be doing two days from now, but not the Jonas Brothers.
The superstars-in-the-making have every day mapped out for the next 24 months. If you’re not a ‘tween girl, you may not be in on the phenomenon of 20-year-old Kevin, 18-year-old Joe and 15-year-old Nick Jonas.
But it’s formidable.
They opened for Miley Cyrus on her fall Hannah Montana tour to the delight of shrieking girls everywhere. Their song, “S.O.S.,” catapulted to No. 1 on iTunes. Their second album, Jonas Brothers, has sold more than 900,000 copies.
Earlier this month, the band became the youngest act to sign a deal with concert presenter Live Nation. The multimillion dollar, two-year contract includes promoting 140 shows worldwide by the New Jersey-based brothers.
While some may consider putting such big money behind a still-developing act risky, Billboard’s Ray Waddell calls it a smart move.
“The Jonas Brothers are about as safe a bet as exists in the music business today,” he says. “This is a Super Bowl year for them.”
But will their appeal have any staying power?
The comparisons with Hanson are inevitable. Like Hanson (the 1990s model) these three brothers write their own songs and play their own instruments, giving them more credibility than the average boy band.
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