Posts Tagged ‘American Idol’

On March 10, Brad Pitt and Ellen DeGeneres will host “A Night to Make It Right” at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, a star-studded event for the Make it Right Foundation!

In 2007, Brad Pitt was touring New Orleans when he was shown the Lower Ninth Ward. Shocked by the lack of repairs and rebuilding of homes a full two years after Katrina, the actor decided to take things into his own hands to help the people of the devastated region.

With advice from former President Bill Clinton and with backing by the local government, Pitt established the Make It Right Foundation, an organization dedicated to rebuilding the homes of the Lower Ninth Ward and helping bring residents back to the area.

The Make it Right Foundation has linked up with over 20 architectural firms to build over 150 energy efficient modern homes for those who lost everything to Hurricane Katrina. The foundation has also raised millions to help those who suffered the most, and has recently expanded services to Newark, New Jersey, as well as Kansas City, Missouri, to provide sustainable housing for disabled veterans and disadvantaged communities.

The gala event in New Orleans on the night of March 10th will be hosted by Brad Pitt and Ellen DeGeneres and will feature an incredible start studded lineup of entertainers. The list includes, but is not limited to, Rihanna, Seal, the Neville Brothers and Sheryl Crow all performing for the crowd of guests, which currently includes the gorgeous Blake Lively, director Spike Lee, Randy Jackson of American Idol, Djimon Hounsou, Kevin Spacey, Sean Penn and NBA superstar/Los Angeles Clipper Chris Paul! As the event nears more big names are expected to RSVP, but tickets are still available for sale. The official after party is being hosted by comedian Aziz Ansari, and promises to be just as entertaining as the fundraiser itself.

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are excited for A Night to Make it Right in New Orleans, and laud Mr. Pitt for all he both has done and will do to help those in need. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets please go to www.NightToMakeItRight.com, and to learn more about the Make it Right Foundation please visit MakeItRightNOLA.org

As always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

For some artists, 2011 was Positively Awesome! Check out my list to see which musicians I think had a superb year.

Jennifer Lopez

In 2010, most would have described Jennifer Lopez as the MILF wife of Marc Anthony whose fashion business was booming while her music star was fading.

But there was a new tale for JLo in 2011.

Apparently, being on American Idol does as much for a judge’s career as it does a contestant’s. After joining the AI crew, Jennifer released her seventh album, Love?, which sold 83,000 copies its first week. With hits like, “On the Floor” and “I’m into You,” JLo went from being just a red carpet star to being the star of her own super sexy music videos.

And no one wears a break-up better than Jenny. She shook off some dead weight – aka Marc Anthony – and got (kinda) naked on stage during her steamy performance at this year’s AMAs.

Adding to her mega star visibility is her Fiat campaign. Pinky swear, I never noticed a Fiat on the road before JLo’s commercials, now, I see probably 10 a day. That, folks, is what Jennifer Lopez can do for you.

Big Sean

After years of releasing mix tapes and waiting for his big break, 2011 was the year that hip hopper Big Sean was Finally Famous.

Having heavyweights like Kanye and Wiz Khalifa on debut studio album Finally Famous helped boost Big Sean’s fan base. But it was the remix of “Dance (A$$)” featuring Nicki Minaj that put the “Big” in Sean’s success this year.

Adele

Since her 2011 release, 21, went platinum in the United States and in the UK, the only thing Adele is “Rolling in the Deep” in is the dough.

Those heartfelt lyrics on 21 that made Adele a household name were all inspired by a painful breakup. All I can say to Adele’s ex is, “she’s definitely the one that got away.”

2011 has been the Year of Adele for more reasons than one. The British songstress has one our generation’s most talented voices as well as the ability to translate heartache into beauty through song. But what is most attractive about Adele is that she is unafraid to be herself.

In June, she gushed to Rolling Stone that she has no time to worry about her weight and that she hates the gym. Adele even admitted to experiencing severe anxiety attacks before live performances.

Comforting to know that someone we admire despises working out and is afraid of large groups of people like the rest of us.  Adele, we heart you.

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters have had a pretty quiet four years, but in 2011, the rockers re-emerged as one of alternative music’s most celebrated and respected groups with Wasting Light.

Wasting Light became the band’s first number one album in the US, and the Foo Fighters complemented that success with a string of concert performances including shows as far south as Kentucky and as far east as England.

This year, the video for “Walk” earned them an MTV Music Video award for Best Rock Video.

Who were your favorite acts last year? Who do you think is going to be huge in 2012? Comment below, and be sure to check back often right here on Positively Celebrity for more of the latest music reviews and news from Erica Renee Davis!

All kinds of craziness is going on in the last few days of 2011 for television watchers.  Here’s what you’ll have to look forward to next year!

Sadly, HBO just axed three (three!) of it’s series; “Bored to Death,” “Hung,” and “How To Make It In America” were all cancelled to make room for many more new shows.  I’m most excited about “Luck,” a look at the seedy side of horse racing starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, debuting January 29.

NBC is offering up three new shows I’m interested in:

A new musical drama, “Smash,” starring former “American Idol” contestant Katharine McPhee and Debra Messing.  It may not be the next Glee, but I’m all for more show tunes on TV.  ”Smash” premieres February 6.

“Fashion Star,” a mix of “Project Runway” with “X-Factor”  pits fashion designing wannabes against each other with the aid of mentors including Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie (I’m sooo watching this one!)  ”Fashion Star” premieres March 13.

“Are You There, Chelsea?” starring Chelsea Handler and Laura Prepon from “That 70’s Show,”  is based on Handler’s book, “Are You There Vodka?  It’s Me, Chelsea,” and premieres January 11.

There’s just one more show I’m aching to see…”GCB.”  It’s going to air on ABC and it stands for “Good Christian Bitches,” based on the book.  It’s The Real Housewives of Dallas mixed with a little bit of Desperate Housewives; love.  It premieres March 4.

What shows are you looking forward to midseason?  Leave us a comment and let us know!

Here’s a quick look at a few of my recent favorite videos!

“Radio Message”

There’s something awesomely nostalgic about hearing R. Kelly’s voice ring out over one of his signature ballads.

Whether you own a dusty 12 Play cassette tape or have been reluctantly amused by the Trapped In The Closet saga, R. Kelly has probably been a part of your life.

His newest video for “Radio Message” meets the R. Kelly, gold standard for love songs.

“Radio Message” is from R. Kel’s latest release, Love Letter.  Now that I’m obsessed with Message, I know my fixation with the album is only a “repeat” button away.

“I’m Into You”

Jennifer Lopez is officially “undecided” on whether or not she’s returning to the American Idol judging panel.

If the former Fly Girl is too busy to judge the ten millionth season of AI, it’s only because she’s somewhere working on getting sexier and prettier…which leads me to my 2nd favorite video:

“I’m Into You” featuring Lil Wayne.

Her hits’ contagious beats, I’m convinced, are responsible for most of her musical success. In other words, I never pay attention to J.Lo’s lyrics.  But even if you do pride yourself in knowing Ms. Lopez’s songs, watching this latest vid of hers makes it virtually impossible to hear anything she’s singing.

She’s too hot. Her make-up, hair, and wardrobe are smokin.’ The male model’s body … well, let’s just say he hasn’t missed a workout in a while.

And as much as I love Lil’ Wayne, I am as grateful for his crafty rap verses as I am that he doesn’t guest appear in the video.

“That’s Not What I Heard”

Satisfying your appetite for propaganda-filled news is as easy as reading your local paper or tuning into “Fux News,” according to Ninja Gun’s video for “That’s Not What I Heard.”

Ridiculing how news media outlets persuade viewers to believe everything they broadcast, I appreciate the punk rock group’s music video-turned-political satire.

After all, it’s not every day that a bunch of cartoon bunnies challenges us to reconsider the trustworthiness of our conventional news sources.

What videos are your current faves? Comment below, and be sure to check back for more of the latest music news and reviews from Erica Renee Davis right here on Positively Celebrity!

Do you hear that?? If you listen closely, you can almost here the chime of bells, wedding bells that is…yes, love is in the Hollywood air…and with all the new engagements, how can you not get giddy just thinking about it?!

Kim Kardashian, 30, recently announced that she is engaged to her New Jersey Jets NBA pro beau, Kris Humphreys. KK told People Magazine she walked into her Beverly Hills home on May 18, where her boyfriend of six months was waiting in her bedroom on bended knee. With rose petals, he spelled out the words, “Will You Marry Me?”. Kim says she was in complete shock, telling the mag, “I never thought it would happen at home, and I never thought now.” “

Apparently good things really do come in small packages, well for Kim, make that huge things! Kris popped the question with a hefty custom-designed, 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring.

All wedding plans aside, first things first, the happy couple is reportedly negotiating a prenup.

Kim and Kris aren’t the only ones to rush to the altar. Twilight’s Nikki Reed announced to E! Online that she is getting hitched to this season’s “American Idol” top 8 finalist, Paul McDonald…after just over two months of dating!!

Showing off her new bling on the red carpet of the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, Nikki gushed to E!’s Mark Malkin of her new fiance, “He’s the one”. And apparently the “American Idol” crooner has some new inspiration. Nikki says that Paul has been writing songs in her honor and tells her he is “going to release a Nikki Reed EP”.

The couple first met back in March when they both attended the Los Angeles premiere of Red Riding Hood. The actress reportedly complimented Paul on his singing, telling him “You’re amazing. I’m blushing, I should go.” Paul then asked the “AI” camera crew, “was she a famous actress or something? I’d hang out with her!” And the rest is history…

A little further into the planning process is “Dancing with the Stars” pro, Karina Smirnoff, and her baseball player fiancé, Brad Penny. The couple, who got engaged last October, will walk down the aisle on January 21, 2012, in Cozumel, Mexico.

Good thing Karina still has enough time to choose a wedding dress because she tells E! Online that she is trying to decide between SIX of them! Talk about options keeping your options open!

Congrats and best wishes to all the brides to be!!!

And be sure to check back often for more of the latest celebrity news from Jessica King right here on Positively Celebrity!

People revealed their annual Most Beautiful issue today, and gracing the cover was none other than American Idol’s Jennifer Lopez.

In the accompanying article, Jen says of her beauty regimine, strict diet and tough workouts, ”The thing is, it’s part of my job.”  Before you get annoyed, she also adds, “I don’t want anybody thinking it’s easy.  It does take time and it’s hard work!  HDTV wide-screen is nobody’s friend!”

Tell like it is Jen!  The wife, mother, and performer has never looked better in her 41 years! She’s also scored the role of spokesmodel for Gillette’s Venus Goddess campaign, and her legs look amazing!

In my opinion, no one can rival Jennifer’s hair, makeup and wardrobe on American Idol, and it gets better every week!

So what do you think?  Does Jennifer Lopez look better than ever?  Leave us a comment and let us know!

These new artists will be rocking our music worlds this year! Check them out!

PIA TOSCANO

I have a confession. I haven’t watched an American Idol episode in its entirety this season. So when my Facebook news feed was filled with statuses that read, “Pia’s gone…unbelievable!” and “Won’t be watching now that Pia’s off!,” I had to figure out why this chic was such a big deal. Thanks to YouTube and her slew of talk show appearances, I, too, fell under the trance of make-up artist turned Idol outcast turned the next-big-thing-since-Jennifer Hudson, Pia Toscano.

She has the vocal strength of a young Whitney, classic beauty comparable to Carrie Underwood, and the sophistication of a Miss America contestant (not to be confused with Miss USA…fyi).

The spotlight was already shining brightly on Pia because of her talent, and now that she’s media’s new obsession, Pia can bank on — well, laughing all the way to the bank – as her music career goes from 0 to 160. Rumor mill has it that Interscope is courting Pia and that she’ll release her debut single soon. Idol who?

CRIS CAB

Move over, Biebs. There’s a new, barely-legal heart throb taking over the music scene. And his name is too bad he’s still in high school Cris Cab.

Infusing hip hop, reggae, and pop, the Miami native has famed producer, Pharrell, in his corner as he works on his debut album.

In his video for recent release, “Good Girls,” Cab looks like he could be John Mayer’s long lost little bro, and his tone, voice inflections, and lyrics are eerily similar to those of Wyclef Jean.

Looking forward to Cris Cab’s takeover!

INTERCEPT

Their song, “Rest of My Days,” is featured on the popular Jam Party video game.  They’ve played Austin’s Red Gorilla Fest 3 consecutive years. Their inboxes are flooded with fan mail requesting Skype lessons to learn how to play their music. And despite thriving success, the four hotties that make up indie rock band, Intercept, are 4 of the most humble musicians ever!

I had the honor of crashing one of their studio sessions, and the quality of their songs in person sounds as perfect it does on the radio or on television. The group - Christian Knudsen (Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar), Jeff Knudsen (Lead Guitar), Jason Weiner (Drums) and Phil Romo (Bass) – has an extremely busy summer ahead as their tour includes shows in Nevada and throughout southern and northern California.

Intercept’s music has also been featured on ESPN, MTV’s The Real World, and the Ghost Whisperer. And in a time when mediocre music dominates airwaves, it’s the kind of music you pray to hear when you turn on your radio. Stay updated on Intercept news by following their pages – Facebook.com/intercepttheband, @Intercept1 on Twitter, and http://www.mspace.com/interceptmusic.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XVII was an astounding success on March 19 in Phoenix, and helped to raise over $6.6 million to benefit the Muhammed Ali Parkinson Center. The star studded event has now raised a staggering total of over $70 million over its 17 year history.

This year’s Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix brought a broad mix of celebrities, sports athletes and VIP donors to the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, for a night to remember. On hand were (just to name a few) stunning race car driver Danica Patrick, actor Billy Crystal, the top 11 finalists from this season’s American Idol television show (who performed an incredible Michael Jackson medley), Rob Thomas, Bret Michaels, Kevin Costner and Halle Berry.

The annual event has brought together people from all walks of life for a night in honor of Muhammad Ali, with incredible live auction items as well as musical performances from the best in the business. This year was one of the best in the event’s history, with auctions such as a private dinner with country music star and actress Reba McEntire at her Beverly Hills home which went for $800,000, a dinner in Los Angeles with Billy Crystal and Limitless star Robert De Niro (a great movie which is out now!) which sold for $400,000, and a one week stay on Eustatia Island, a private island located off the coast of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands!

Halle Berry, Academy Award winning star of Swordfish and Monster’s Ball, received the Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Entertainer Award, and also a hug and a kiss from the legendary pugilist. Former NBA and NFL owner Red McCombs received the Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Humanitarian Award, and Cristie Kerr, the top ranked women’s golfer in the world, received the Sports Achievement Award. Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons received the Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Entrepreneur Award, and Parsons himself donated $1,000,000 to the organization as well as purchased over $1,000,000 in auction items at the event.

Gorgeous former American Idol winner and Grammy award winning singer Kelly Clarkson closed out the incredible evening with a multiple song performance that brought the house down. “I had such an amazing weekend! I got the chance to be a part of Fight Night in Arizona and I had such a great time! I can’t wait to come back next year! I made some new friends with some big hearts and it was just a very inspiring weekend. Please find a few charities and/or causes and give your time, heart and/or money because we are all so blessed even when we think we’re not,” the 28 year old singer said of the event.

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are amazed at the amount of donations that the Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night event has brought in over the years, and can’t wait to see what stars will strut their stuff on the red carpet in Phoenix next year!

For more information on the event, please visit www.celebrityfightnight.org

Be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news and features from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

If you missed this week’s most talked about music moments, we’ve got ya covered right here in our music wrap up!

It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for since she gave a sneak peak of the song on New Year’s Eve in Vegas.

Kim Kardashian’s first single, “Jam (Turn It Up),” was released Wednesday. Officially, Kimmy K has made the music plunge.

The celebutante has The-Dream, to hate thank for producing the single, and allegedly, KK only agreed to record the song after several of her friends urged her to do it. Kim says the proceeds of the single will be donated to the positively awesome cause of cancer research.

(Lil’) Romeo never quite achieved the No Limit musical acclaim as did his record mogul pops, Master P, and being besties with Demar DeRozan wasn’t enough to secure him a spot on an NBA roster.

So what do you do when your rap, acting, and basketball careers fail to take off? You join the cast of “Dancing With the Stars!”

Romeo hopes to rekindle fame’s flame with fox trots and mambos on season 12 of DWTS. If his dance moves look as good as his body, the competition should be a breeze for him.

Regardless of whether you love her or hate her, you can’t stop talking about her. And Gaga’s latest trick – a 7 minute long video for “Born this Way” that graphically depicts the birth of an alien race – has everyone buzzing.

The catchy single helped spawn 10 year old, Maria Aragon, into an overnight, singing sensation after her Youtube version of “Born this Way” got millions of hits. Gaga invited the lucky little lady to sing a duet of the song with her on stage in Toronto earlier this week.

Tis the season for everyone ever having anything to do with American Idol to take center stage - Weight Watchers spokeswoman, J Hud, has been dazzling all the red carpets, Kimberly Caldwell has a new single AND video (yes, you read correctly… Kim Caldwell has a new song), and AI judge, J Lo, is back on the music scene with Pitbull collabo, “On The Floor.”

Released in late January, ”On The Floor” has peaked at 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and 15 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs. If Jenny’s new song wasn’t on your radar before, then the sexy new video will certainly get your attention. It will be interesting to see if any of the current Idols’ music ends up competing against JLo’s new music on the charts. A Billboard Battle Between Judge and Contestants…I kind of like the way that sounds.

A birthday is an annual event in which our friends and family find ways to celebrate with us the passing of another year…of us becoming older and (hopefully) wiser. For singer Adam Lambert, his 29th birthday will be a special one for another reason: the 2009 American Idol runner-up and Grammy-nominated artist is asking all of his fans to donate to charity: water in lieu of gifts.

Charity: water is a non-profit organization based in New York City that has set quite an aggressive goal: provide clean water for 100 million people in the next ten years by helping to dig wells, provide rainwater collection services and more. The organization’s founder, Scott Harrison, began charity: water after a career running New York City nightclubs and restaurants left him wanting more in life than to waste away under the flashing lights.

“In 2004, I left the streets of New York City for the shores of West Africa. I’d made my living for years in the big Apple promoting top nightclubs and fashion events, for the most part living selfishly and arrogantly. Desperately unhappy, I needed to change,” Harrison said.

Charity: water was born out of that trip to Africa, which Scott undertook as a volunteer photojournalist with Mercy Ships, a humanitarian organization which offers free medical care in the world’s poorest nations. “Over the next eight months, I met patients who taught me the meaning of courage. Many of them had been slowly suffocating to death for years and yet pressing on. Praying, hoping, surviving. It was an honor to photograph them. It was an honor to know them,” he said.

Upon returning to the United States, Scott decided that the best way in which he could help the people that had touched his life would be to use his connections in high society to raise funds and organize clean water projects and began charity: water to fulfill his vision.

The company has started extremely strong since it’s inception in 2006, and has been able to provide water for over 1 million people, has raised over $20 million and has funded over 3,000 water projects in countries from Honduras to Bangladesh to Kenya. With an estimated 1 in every 6 people in the world lacking access to clean water, there is definitely a need for all that charity: water does.

Lambert initially sought for $29,000 to be donated to charity: water, but his fans surpassed that goal within 5 hours of tweeting out the request!

Due to the overwhelmingly positive support from all around the world, Lambert has increased his target goal ten-fold, and is hoping to be able to give upwards of $290,000 to charity: water for their clean water projects.

Said Lambert, winner of both the Young Hollywood Award for Artist of the Year and the Teen Choice Award for Reality/Variety Star in 2009, “I am so excited to be a part of charity: water and able to give back to those in need.”

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are proud of Adam for his selflessness on his golden birthday, and wish him and charity: water much success in their fundraising efforts! To learn more about this great cause please visit http://www.charitywater.org

The direct site for Adam Lambert’s donation page is:

http://mycharitywater.org/adamlambert

Be sure to check back for more great inspirational celebrity stories from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!  Thank you to everyone for your support!!