Updates on several of the Idols...
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: American Idol (FOX): Updates on several of the Idols...

Seamonkey

Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 08:46 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1472049/20030522/index.jhtml?headlines=true

UNIVERSAL CITY, California — It's a good thing Ruben Studdard is so humble, because the latest "American Idol" winner wouldn't have time to celebrate if he wanted to.

After a few days of publicity appearances, the 24-year-old Birmingham, Alabama, singer will hit the studio to work on his album, due in September. Clive Davis, who has overseen the careers of Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston, is executive-producing the project and will release it on his own J Records through "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Limited.

Studdard has already recorded his first single, "Flying Without Wings," with producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The song, originally recorded by British boy band Westlife in 1999, is due June 3.

"It was cool recording with Babyface," Studdard said after the finale Wednesday (see " 'Idol' Winner Ruben Studdard Says He's Living Out His Dream" - http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1472028/05222003/american_idol_top_10_finalists.jhtml ). "He's, like, the man, so I was in shock when I met him. He's really cool."

Studdard's album, which he said will include his group from home, Just a Few Cats, will blend elements of R&B, soul and gospel. Davis also hopes to add a hip-hop flavor, including a possible collaboration with Fat Joe, he told the Associated Press. Studdard, who's been singing since the age of 3 and writing songs since 14, said he'd also like to work with Kelly Price on the album.

As for projects outside of music, the latest "American Idol" is open to acting, even possibly following in the footsteps of last year's winner and starring with his runner-up. That's only if Clay Aiken can find the time. Aiken's also set to begin recording an album for Davis, which he said will be in the vein of his first single, "This Is the Night," an original he performed on Tuesday's show.

First, though, he's got other business to take care of.

"I have 130,000 people to beat up," the Raleigh, North Carolina, native joked, referring to the number of votes he lost by. "Actually, I'm probably going to lay down on a couch somewhere and watch TV, or just do something and vegetate, 'cause I haven't had a chance [to relax]."

Aiken is also open to acting, including trying Broadway — something Cowell repeatedly said he would be perfect for. "It was never anything that I necessarily considered initially, but whatever doors open up I may explore," Aiken said.

Ruben and Clay are busy bees, but they're not the only "American Idol" stars hard at work. Here's a rundown of what some other finalists, from this year and last, are up to:

Justin Guarini, last year's runner-up, will release his self-titled debut on June 10, three days before "From Justin to Kelly" is due on the big screen. "I just talked to Clive Davis a little while ago and he's cool with it, so I'm excited," Guarini said Wednesday of his album. "We're getting the first single together now."

Tamyra Gray, who placed fourth in the original "American Idol" (see " 'American Idol' Finalist Tamyra Gray Gets Recording Deal"), will release her debut before the end of the year. Kelly Clarkson, who included Gray on her recently released album, will make a guest appearance, along with this year's winner. "I love Ruben," Gray said. "His voice, everything about him."

Carmen Rasmusen, the 18-year-old blonde beauty from this season, is in negotiations for a movie role, although she's focused now on preparing for this summer's "American Idol" tour. "I've been working a lot with my singing teacher, picking new and exciting songs," Rasmusen said.

Ryan Starr, the rabble-rouser from last year, is recording with producer Jed Leiber (Jeff Beck). She's also designing clothes and pursuing acting, most likely a play or something short-term to leave time for her album. "It's very edgy," Starr said of her music. "It's gonna be rock and roll, like hard rock and roll."

Vanessa Olivarez, the first of this season's final 12 to be voted off and the nude star of a recent PETA advertisement, is in negotiations for a sitcom and has also had stage offers. First, though, she's lobbying to be a part of the "American Idol" tour, which as of now will only feature the top 10 finalists. "It was 10 last year and they wanted to keep it a constant," Olivarez said. "Simon was very upset and has talked to them. There's some magic in the works."

RJ Helton, a finalist from the first season, announced Tuesday he will release his debut album in November on the gospel label Gospocentric/B-Rite Music. "I'm doing some inspirational [music], kind of getting back to my roots and doing some Latin and pop, R&B, urban," Helton said. "It's going to be really interesting. I don't really think people are expecting what's about to happen."

A.J. Gil, another finalist from last year, is releasing his first single, "I Got the Hots for You," in the coming weeks. "It's a hit summer song," Gil said. (egomaniac)

And capitalizing on "American Idol" fame is not limited to contestants. Ryan Seacrest announced Thursday that he will host a syndicated daily live TV show described as a newsmagazine/variety-show hybrid. The program is due in January.

—Corey Moss, MTV.com News

Texannie

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 06:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I saw Vanessa on a talk show talking about lobbying to be on tour and it kind of rubs me wrong that she thinks she deserves it. It's not like it was the final 12 last year and then changed it. It's always been the top 10 and she didn't make it! (end of rant!!! LOL)
I saw on ET last night that Clay signed with RCA.

Jbean

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 10:25 am EditMoveDeleteIP
thanks, seamonkey. that was a good article. i know a lot of people didn't like her, but i would like to see something on nikki mckibbin. the last i heard she was trying to get out of her recording contract with RCA because they wanted her to do COUNTRY. of all people to sing country, that is definitely not her genre. also i thought it was really rude, in one of the articles someone posted...i think the newsweek one, the article writer called her trashy. i know a lot of people thought it was a scandal that she stayed longer than tamyra, but that has to say something about her having fans.

sorry about the rant, that just kind of makes me mad. i think she deserves at least a little bit of respect. personally i would rather hear a single from her than from aj gil.

Seamonkey

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 11:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Jbean, I completely agree. No way does Nikki deserve all the abuse that has been heaped upon her. And I don't understand why Vanessa wouldn't have been included in the tour. Last year they toured the top TEN, because last year they HAD a top ten, not a top twelve.. this year they had top twelve and so of course they'd logically tour twelve (IMO).

Vanessa certainly shouldn't have been the first out.

Crazydog

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 02:43 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree with you Sea. The tour last year was of the finalists, not just the top 10 finalists. This year there are 12 finalists. If anything, Corey Clark should be staying at home since he was "expelled". I don't understand why they wouldn't want to include her, what could it hurt. There are certainly some people that were fans of hers and would be more likely to want to see the tour if she was there.

Nanarobin

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 03:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
NASCAR RACE NATIONAL ANTHEM SUNG BY INDOLS 7:

Today at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Nascar race, 7 of the finalists sang a great rendition of the National Anthem before the race began.

They all looked and sounded great!!

The race will re-air on Wednesday night on Speedvision...they usually cover the beginning of the race...so perhaps if you missed, you can see them again.

Llkoolaid

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 04:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I saw it Nana, great job, especially by Kim L and Julia, and as much as I like Clay and Rueben it was kinda of nice to see the others shine without them stealing the show. They really do so well as a group.

Seamonkey

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 05:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I wouldn't consider going to that concert UNLESS Vanessa was included.

Texasdeb

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 06:07 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Nanarobin - I was a "finger flapping" phone addict the last 3 wks Kim L. was in the compitition. I always had my fav - "CLAY" - but didn't ever vote for anyone until then. I just felt Kim L. "needed" me, & I wasn't going to let her down.

Jbean

Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 07:32 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
me either sea. i loved vanessa, and thought she was really talented. i don't think corey is going to be included in the tour because of the incident. so i think it will be the other 10 beside vanessa and corey. i am glad simon is rooting for her.

thanks for giving nikki some credit too. i know a lot of people don't like her, but she really kicked butt on the tour.

Seamonkey

Monday, May 26, 2003 - 09:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
On the Today Show, Ruben mentioned ELEVEN on the tour, so I'm hoping that means Vanessa WILL be on the tour!!

Draheid

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 07:46 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I don't know if there will be any of the past AI contestants on there, but there is a special on E! Entertainment tomorrow night (05/28) at 8:00PM CT called 'Your 15 Minutes Are Up" about "Former reality TV stars tell how there brush with fame has affected them.

<and I wanted the 10,000th post in this area! :O>

Nanarobin

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 10:21 am EditMoveDeleteIP
DRAHEID...are you an AI fan, as well....have not seen you posting here...welcome.....pls help us keep up on appearances...as we all are avid AI lovers here in this area!!

Hobobabe

Friday, May 30, 2003 - 05:04 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
KIMBERLEY LOCKE UPDATE:
http://www.tennessean.com/celebrities/archives/03/05/32884233.shtml?Element_ID=32884233

Draheid

Monday, June 02, 2003 - 08:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
FYI: E! Entertainment Television has a new show titled "Hometown Premier" beginning June 11 @ 8PM CT.
Hometown Premier
(2003) "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson returns to her hometown of Burleson, Texas.

This episode is 30 minutes and will repeat as follows:
6/12 9:30PM CT, 6/13 12:30am CT, 6/13 7:00pm CT, 6/14 10:00am CT, 6/14 3:00pm CT.

Nanarobin

Monday, June 02, 2003 - 08:44 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Drat...you might know I don't get E!...it is a premium tied to the Golf channel...for which I have no use. DraHeiD...maybe you can summarize it for us...and stop being just a lurker in the AI thread...

And thanks for all the info....not much going on with our idols...think Clay and Ruben are in Toronto early this week related to the Candaian Idol show...giving the Clay-nadians a thrill!!

Djgirl5235

Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:02 am EditMoveDeleteIP
WHAT?!?!?!?!?! CLAY IS HERE?!?!?!?!?!?!? Nanarobin - you have to give more info! I'm off work today & tomorrow... I'm soooooooooo excited!!!

Nanarobin

Monday, June 02, 2003 - 10:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
DJgirl....here is the link on TTC (That's the Clay) site where I found Canadian info...not confirmd as yet:

http://pub227.ezboard.com/fthatstheclayfrm16.showMessage?topicID=335.topic

That's all I know...more conversations at that site as those fanse are avid...lots of Clay-nadians there, as well!!!

canada

Djgirl5235

Monday, June 02, 2003 - 01:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thank you so much NanaRobin!!!

Nanarobin

Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 01:30 am EditMoveDeleteIP
AND WE ARE ASKING 'OUR' GUYS TO TRUST THESE EXECS:
--------------------------------------------------

ON THE RECORD Kelly's album shipped -- not sold -- over a million copies by the time of the ''Idol'' finale
by Jennifer Armstrong & Karyn L. Barr of Entertainment Weekly

Q: Did Kelly Clarkson's ''Thankful'' really sell 1.3 million copies in just five short weeks, as Clive Davis announced while presenting her with a platinum album?

A: Technically, only 702,000 copies of her debut album were SOLD by the time the May 21 finale aired. But to justify presenting Clarkson with the much coveted platinum status, the gang at RCA counted the 1.3 million copies shipped to stores nationwide (meaning 600,000 albums were still on store shelves). True, this type of slippery accounting is standard industry practice, but in any case, Miss Kelly has ample reason to be ''Thankful'': Her album will have sold more than a million copies by the time her beachy-keen movie, ''From Justin to Kelly,'' opens on June 13.

Nanarobin

Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 01:33 am EditMoveDeleteIP
FORGOT...above post found at:

http://kelly.neurox.net/