HOPEFUL JAMES DURBIN WAS KICKED OFF AMERICAN IDOL
HOLLYWOOD, U.S.A - James Durbin was kicked off “American Idol” tonight, leaving Lauren Alaina, Scotty McGreery and Haley Reinhart as the show’s final three contestants.
American Idol 2011 Top 3:- Lauren Alaina
- Haley Reinhart
- Scotty McCreery
- Eliminated: James Durbin
Durbin’s elimination was particularly shocking since he had been a favorite with judges throughout the season, and many even predicted he’d win the whole competition. The rocker was understandably upset by the news, but looked forward to getting home to his girlfriend Heidi and baby Hunter.On Thursday, it was the budding rock star who received the fewest votes and was sent home to Santa Cruz. He immediately began to cry and performed his final song, "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney, on the show, which features contestants who sing in front of more than 20 million viewers each week.
- "I worked so damn hard to get here," said Durbin on the show after learning the news. "God, I was really hoping to get there, but, you know, I had a feeling today. I did so much stuff that's never been done on this show before ... In my eyes, in my mind, I did what I came here to do, and that was to give metal a chance."
Durbin's elimination was particularly shocking because he was long considered a front-runner, having never previously been on the bottom during his 11-week stint.He had consistently blown away the show's judges and fans with his powerful belting and shown a flare for performing and giving interviews that displayed his sense of humor and humility.
Durbin is known for his long sideburns, rocker hair and makeshift "tails" made out of scarves. Fan clubs have popped up around the country, including "The Durbinators," and he's amassed 170,000 fans on Facebook and T witter combined.
- “Durbin Day” was scheduled to showcase the hard rock singer's accomplishments on "Idol" and provide Santa Cruzans with a chance to cheer their new hometown hero.
- The motorcade through downtown Santa Cruz, autograph signings and a free concert at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, are all likely canceled, organizers said.
- On Wednesday night, Durbin sang "Love Potion No. 9" and received glowing reviews from all three judges.
- "You know what that showed me, James, you can sing anything," judge and pop singer Jennifer Lopez said. "I was not sure about that song for you. I was absolutely wrong."
- "You're peaking at the right time. That was hot," judge Randy Jackson said.
Wearing a black leather jacket and blond streaks in his disheveled hair, Durbin broke into dance moves he learned a few days ago from a surprising person. Lady Gaga coached the hard rocker, who is more used to singing in dive bars in Capitola and garages in Santa Cruz than collaborating with pop stars. The controversial and outrageous Lady Gaga, who raises eyebrows even in her native New York City, showed Durbin how to get his hips moving.
With this, my promotional corner on American Idol is also coming to an end.
KARA DIOGUARDI DEPARTS 'AMERICAN IDOL'
LOS ANGELES – Kara DioGuardi (photo) is following Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell out the door of American No.1 show, "American Idol."
Her departure leaves Randy Jackson, who's been with the singing contest from the start, the last judge standing, for now. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are the reported front-runners for the panel.
While the show has long been No. 1 in the ratings, it has to stem a slide in viewership to remain there.
A total of 24.2 million viewers watched the ninth season's final duel between Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, compared to the nearly 29 million viewers who saw Kris Allen win over Adam Lambert last year.
Source: AP
Her departure leaves Randy Jackson, who's been with the singing contest from the start, the last judge standing, for now. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are the reported front-runners for the panel.
Entertainment mogul Simon Fuller (photo), creator of the British show "Pop Idol" that was the template for the U.S. series he produces, called DioGuardi a standout songwriter whom he planned to work with in music "for many years to come."- DioGuardi, whose exit had been rumored, is a hit machine whose songs have been recorded by Gwen Stefani, Faith Hill, Marc Anthony and others, including past "Idol" winners.
- "I felt like I won the lottery when I joined `American Idol' two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave `Idol,'" DioGuardi said in a statement Friday, calling her experience as a judge on the show "amazing."
- Her statement, issued by Fox, didn't elaborate on her reasons for leaving. Her contract reportedly had a one-year option remaining that the network could have exercised.
- Although she offered informed critiques on "Idol," observers faulted her for lacking the pizazz — and unpredictability — that ex-judge Paula Abdul had provided.
DioGuardi's departure comes as the top-rated show continues auditions for its 10th season, which starts airing in January. Tryouts have been held in six cities, with a seventh announced this week for Los Angeles on Sept. 22.- The final decision on which would-be pop stars make it on the show rests with the judges, who are likely to begin filming their audition segments this month.
- Cowell started the exodus from "American Idol" earlier this year, when he announced he was leaving to launch another talent show for Fox, "The X Factor," based on the hit British program he created.
- In July, DeGeneres, who was brought in to replace Abdul, said she was leaving after a single season. The talk show host said she felt uncomfortable criticizing young talent.
- Some critics had complained DeGeneres was more of a cheerleader than an incisive critic in the fashion of Cowell, who was consistently blunt in his remarks.
- The judges' turnover gives "American Idol" a chance to recapture the Cowell-Abdul chemistry that helped make the show a hit, along with, crucially, its ability to launch such top-selling artists as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.
While the show has long been No. 1 in the ratings, it has to stem a slide in viewership to remain there.A total of 24.2 million viewers watched the ninth season's final duel between Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, compared to the nearly 29 million viewers who saw Kris Allen win over Adam Lambert last year.
LEE DEWYZE WINS THE 'AMERICAN IDOL' REALITY SHOW
LOS ANGELES – Former paint salesman Lee DeWyze was the surprise winner of "American Idol" on Wednesday, beating front-runner Crystal Bowersox on a night that saw the talent show's former champions reunite to bid farewell to Simon Cowell.DeWyze, a 24-year-old Chicago native, won the coveted title and a recording contract after a nationwide phone and text vote based on the contestants' performances the night before.
- "Idol" judges had all but anointed Bowersox the winner after her three songs on Tuesday outclassed a nervous DeWyze. But Americans made up their own minds and chose DeWyze.
- "I have never been happier in my life," said a stunned DeWyze, choking back tears after the result was announced at the climax of a two-hour finale that featured performances by Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson and Joe Cocker.
- "It felt like a huge weight is off my shoulders. Now that this big step is done, it's on to the next step, which is to make an album and go on tour and do all the things I've wanted to do for a long time," he told reporters later.
- Initially shy, he blossomed in later rounds of the show, and emerged as a serious threat to Bowersox after a rousing version of the Leonard Cohen classic "Hallelujah" last week.
- His cover of U2's "Beautiful Day", his first single, was made available immediately on iTunes. His debut album, on a Sony Music Entertainment record label, will likely follow in the fall.
Bowersox, 24, said she had sensed before the show that DeWyze would take the title. "I knew Lee was going to win and people seem to be surprised by that, but I just had a feeling.- "I couldn't be happier for him...We both win. Both of us are going to have very successful careers and we're going to be friends for a long time," she told reporters backstage.
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