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Ellen’s American Idol Debut
‘Idol’ Denver auditions: not the usual suspects
Catching up with Season 8’s Alexis Grace
Today in ‘Idol:’ Denver auditions, Beckham’s back
Adam Lambert celebrates his birthday — and the Grammys — in style
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Posted: 03 Feb 2010 01:49 AM PST

The excitement has been building, and the moment America has been waiting for is almost here! Ellen DeGeneres joins judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest to help winnow down the American Idol contestants during the Hollywood Round beginning Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 8/7c on FOX.

During the Hollywood Round beginning next week, hopefuls from around the nation will endure an intense rehearsal schedule and pressure-packed auditions as they vie for a coveted spot among the Top 24. Contestants will be put to the test during solo performances and group numbers Tuesday, Feb. 9 8/7c, Wednesday, Feb. 10 9/8c and Tuesday, Feb. 16 8/7c as the judges decide who will make it through and who will go home. Finally, on Wednesday, Feb. 17 9/8c, this seasons Top 24 semifinalists will be revealed.

The following week, it will be solely up to America to decide who will garner a spot in the Top 12. On Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 8/7c, the Top 12 female semifinalists take the American Idol stage for the first time to perform LIVE for the judges and for the nation. On this seasons first night of voting, the contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning Americas vote and surviving another week in the competition. Tune … read more
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‘Idol’ Denver auditions: not the usual suspects

Posted: 03 Feb 2010 01:49 AM PST

In her second turn as guest judge, Victoria Beckham proved she truly belongs in the Paula Abdul chair, because, like her predecessor, Posh found something positive to say about even the worst performances (i.e. complimenting delusional screamer Kenny Everett for his song choice). It makes you wonder why Vic, who shows more personality at the judges' table than we've ever seen, looks so sour all the time.

As for the Denver auditions, they too had plenty of attitude — and altitude — but also a higher-than-average talent turnout, which was a welcome change after the last couple of weeks. The singers who went through to Hollywood (and there seemed to be stacks of golden tickets handed out) were not the usual suspects. Dare we say, they were different in a good way.

So here's to nonconformity, best demonstrated by these three girls and two guys…

Mark Labriola: First off, points for picking a stellar tune, Squeeze's "Tempted," that quickly drowned out his never-ending parental kidnapping back story. This Jack Black look-alike has major underdog potential. Here's hoping he can handle Hollywood Week.

Kimberly Kerbow: This Marina Del Rey native was trying a little too hard to impress with her sassy, finger-snapping 'tude (and, possibly, a wig), but there's no doubt her rendition of Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am" came from the right place. Now if she could just put aside the act, we'll welcome a chance to see what's behind the façade.

Danelle Hayes: This mom, karaoke hostess and cover band singer has the pipes to make it on a national stage, but considering she suffered a minor emotional breakdown before singing the first note of Melissa Etheridge's "The Only One," it has yet to be seen whether she can stand the heat of competition. Still, there's no doubt that a fiery power lurks underneath a fragile shell.

Casey James: Simon says he had no charisma, and he's right, but that's the beauty of "Idol": It can transform a shy, reserved, ridiculously good-looking dude like Fort Worth's Casey James into a star. To be honest, we stopped listening about five seconds in, but we look forward to hearing much more from this one.

Haeley Vaughn: Here's the perfect example of how someone can be understated yet so very fierce. Ft. Collins' Haeley came out with your semi-typical sob story, but quickly proved nothing about her was ordinary. From her style, to her soulful voice which, oddly enough, shows a natural knack for country music (singing Carrie Underwood's "Last Name"), she's unique in every way, and seems destined to go far.

Who were your favorite Denver auditioners? Do any of these hopefuls have what it takes to make the Top 12? Chime in, "Idol" fans!

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

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Catching up with Season 8’s Alexis Grace

Posted: 03 Feb 2010 01:49 AM PST

One of the funniest moments on the Grammy Awards red carpet was when a feisty Alexis Grace walked up to the TV Guide Network cameras and essentially insisted they interview her!

Pretty presumptuous for someone who didn't make the Top 10 last season, right? Well, it turns out she had a good reason. Alexis will be a correspondent on the network's "The Road to Hollywood" show, which will air sporadically during the season.

But that wasn't the only reason Alexis returned to Los Angeles. She's also working on new music and actively looking for a label deal. "Hopefully, I'll put out a country album by the end of the year," she told Idol Tracker. "I'm out here writing with different people and shopping different labels. It's a long process, but I'm so excited and so grateful for everything this past year."

Alexis was extra appreciative of the effort Idol Tracker put forth last year in campaigning for her to join the "American Idol" summer tour, which only features the top 10 finalists. "It was great to feel like you have so much fan support from the show," she said. "It obviously didn't happen, but I did go on an 'Idol' Christmas tour with Michael Sarver; Gina Glocksen from Season 6; and David Hernandez from Season 7."

Now Alexis is hoping another "Idol" connection will come through. "I really want to work with Kara [DioGuardi]," she says. "She's written amazing songs for Pink, Christina Aguilera, and I just want her to write one for me. I talked to her and I'm going to send her some of my stuff. She's at the top of my wish list, and hopefully it will work out."

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photo: Alexis Grace at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

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Today in ‘Idol:’ Denver auditions, Beckham’s back

Posted: 03 Feb 2010 01:49 AM PST

Tuesday night's "Idol" heads to Denver's Invesco Field for two-plus days of auditions crammed into a single one-hour episode (Fox, 8 p.m.).

And for our guest judge? An encore appearance by Victoria Beckham, who at the time the callback episode was filmed (Aug. 5-6, 2009) came in as a last-minute replacement for Paula Abdul.

Days earlier, Abdul had announced she was leaving "American Idol," and almost immediately after, according to British tab The Mirror, producer Simon Fuller texted Beckham while she was still in bed. The message? "You're going to Denver."

Here's hoping she has more to say than Joe Jonas in Dallas last week.

As always, we'll be live tweeting on East Coast time. Join us on the @IdolTracker official Twitter!

– Shirley Halperin

Photo: Victoria Beckham sits in as guest judge for the Denver auditions. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

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Adam Lambert celebrates his birthday — and the Grammys — in style

Posted: 03 Feb 2010 01:49 AM PST

If there were an award for busiest non-performer or presenter on Grammy night, it might have to go to Adam Lambert. Last year's "American Idol" runner-up spent most of his time on Sunday's red carpet working it, as the special fashion correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight." Among the pop stars who made their way to Adam's corner: Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Katy Perry and the Black Eyed Peas.

The one-off gig capped off a jam-packed weekend that included the star-studded Clive Davis party on Saturday and his own 28th birthday blow-out at the Mondrian Hotel the night prior, which was attended by fellow season 8 finalists Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Lil Rounds and Megan Joy, as well as Slash and Lindsay Lohan, with Samantha Ronson manning the turntables. Before that, Adam spent most of Friday making the downtown L.A. rounds, hitting the official Grammy gift lounge, doing a few interviews and, suffice it to say, posing for hundreds of photos.

Whew! No wonder he looked exhausted (but still dashing) when we caught up with him at the end of the carpet. Here's some of what he had to say about Grammy fashions and Gaga.

How did your "ET" responsibilities go today?

It was fun! It was a great way for me to interact with my fellow peers in the recording industry, even though I'm just the new kid on the block. I got to talk about what I love, which is music and fashion. It was a nice little job that I got, and I think that the women especially appreciated that it was me reviewing them and not some catty woman.

Did you have to prep much for the job?

No prep. I like talking to people, and it was nice to switch positions and be the one asking the questions for a change. It was refreshing and also good for perspective. It can be tiring.

The Grammys are known for outrageous fashions …

That's one of the things I liked most about it. At the Grammy Awards, people shouldn't dress traditionally; they should express themselves and go out on a limb. People like Lady Gaga, of course, wearing a strange avant-garde fashion installation around her body. I'm loving that; good for her!

Did you talk to Gaga?

Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk to her, but I did get to see it, and I yelled her name and we made eye contact. I think I got a slight smirk; it was like an inside smile, because Gaga was in character.

Do you think there's a philosophy or narrative behind all her kooky outfits?

If there is, I'm not aware of it. I think it's just art. It's like looking at a great painting — it's pretty and interesting because it is. She puts thought into the dimensions, the dynamics, the colors, the proportions. … It's definitely high art and high fashion.

Who did you get to gab with?

It was nice to connect with Pink, who's responsible for my hit song right now. I've only seen her a couple times. She looked great and was so sweet. I love Katy Perry. She and I are friends, and we've hung out before in social situations; she always has such a great sense of humor. I saw Kesha, who I also love. The Black Eyed Peas, I think they're so stylish; they always look cool.

Taylor Swift?

Yeah, I don't know her that well. I've only met her once in passing, but she's so well-spoken and sweet. I just haven't really been up on her music, but lovely girl.

Tell us a little about your birthday party. We heard Rihanna was coming?

It was amazing. She was going to try to go, but she didn't make it, unfortunately. Samantha Ronson was my DJ, and she did a great job. It was a fun night.

How late did you stay out?

I had a suite upstairs at the Mondrian, and we stayed up till about 5. I had a bunch of people over; we continued the party well until the wee hours. It was a big year, I had to celebrate it appropriately.

– Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photo: Adam Lambert poses on the Grammy Awards red carpet. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

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