The Unofficial Danny Gokey FanSite |  |
- Didi Benami looks back on her time in ‘La-La Land’
- Alex Lambert’s shock and awe at post-’Idol’ ‘Dream’: ‘I felt like I actually had a chance’
- Jennifer Hudson shows off her new bod
- David Cook talks about his Ethiopia experience for ‘Idol Gives Back’ [Updated]
- Catching up with Bo Bice
- Danny Gokey single “I Still Believe” co-written by Kara DioGuardi
| Didi Benami looks back on her time in ‘La-La Land’ Posted: 03 Apr 2010 12:08 PM PDT
– Shirley Halperin Photo credit: Frank Micelotta / Fox
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| Alex Lambert’s shock and awe at post-’Idol’ ‘Dream’: ‘I felt like I actually had a chance’ Posted: 03 Apr 2010 12:08 PM PDT
It's not every day you get to witness the start of a new life. We're not talking "Special Delivery" jargon here, but rather a second chance to see your dream come true, no matter how far-fetched it may have seemed a year, a month or even a week ago. That was the prevailing emotion felt by all who were present when "American Idol" Top 24 castoff Alex Lambert entered his new home high atop the Hollywood Hills. Joining the cast of the Web reality show "If I Can Dream" as the sixth, well, dreamer, 19-year-old Alex was greeted by his new roommates, Justin Gaston, Giglianne Braga, Kara Kilmer, Amanda Phillips and Ben Elliott, with open arms. Although the conversation was a tad awkward at first (in the dreamers' defense, there were more than a handful of observers, yours truly included, just milling about, and staring), once Alex got the guitar out and delivered a bit of that blue-eyed soul, everybody relaxed and settled in. We spoke to Alex shortly after his arrival, as he was still familiarizing himself with his bedroom and its "1,000 pillows." Indeed, for a guy who shared his last apartment in North Richland Hills, Texas, with his grown brothers, it was a shock that went way beyond culture. And, of course, there was the awe of walking into a cavernous modern manse. Read on for our Q&A. Listening to you play here in the house, it's easy to see that you could have won "American Idol." You think so? I don't know about winning. I think I could've gone a lot farther than I did. A few people have said [so], but I'm not sure if I could have won the show. There's a lot of good people there. … I know this may sound bad for "Idol," but I feel like it's really good that I got eliminated when I did. I wish I could've stayed on the show, and showed everyone what I can do and really break out of my shell like I said I wanted to, but everything happens for a reason and it was probably the best time I could've gotten eliminated. That's how I feel; I always look on the positive side. What was it like to go home after "Idol"? Going home was probably the worst thing I've ever done in a while because I'd gotten so used to being in L.A. I love California now, and when I got sent home, I didn't really know what to do. Because I'm like a newcomer in the sense that I've never really done anything with my music before. I didn't really know what to do or who to talk to. All I was doing was writing lyrics and getting a set together to go play shows. So going home kind of sucked. What did you do on your first day back? I had to go hang out with all my friends. The first day, my friends threw a party for me and that was fun. It was supposed to be just me and my friends, but it eventually ended up being everyone, like, in the whole town. And how about the next day? I was just starting. I wanted to put "Idol" in the past and start my own career, putting together an album and stuff. Me and my brother and one of his friends were gonna start a band and go and play a bunch of shows. So that's what I was doing every day until I got the call to do "Dream." What kind of songs were you writing? Can you give us some titles? I had a song called "I've Been Working," "Feelings Don't Grow on Trees," and I have a song called "Butterflies" [written for Ellen DeGeneres]. Those are the three main songs that I wrote. My songwriting really escalated after "Idol" because I felt so much more inspiration. I felt like I actually had a chance. Before "Idol," I was just writing songs, [thinking] no one's ever probably going to hear these songs, and then after I got kicked off the show, I was, like, there's a chance that people might actually listen to this, so I better start stepping up my game. When did you hear about the petition that Jessica Bongiorno had started? I probably heard about the petition a little bit later than everyone else because I was so busy with my music. My mom called and I didn't think anything of it, because I'm thinking, every time someone gets kicked off the show, their fans are gonna make a petition. But then somebody was, like, "That's the first time anyone's ever made a petition for someone that got kicked off the show." I felt honored. I was so happy that Jessica did that. It was really awesome. I've been reading some of the things that people are saying about me on the Internet, which I shouldn't do because of negative things, but it seems like everyone was just full-on supporting me, and it's great because I've never had so many supporters in my life. And it feels good that people actually enjoy my music and my voice. The petition was basically demanding a recount. How do you explain it? Do you think there was a problem with the voting system or how they were counted? It's hard to figure out what happened. I still think about it to this day — if only a few more people had picked up their phone and voted. … But I don't think there was anything wrong with the voting. I don't really know.
That part I didn't understand, because, like you said, I didn't have How did you react when the "If I Can Dream" idea was presented? When I first heard about it, I was kind of, like, wishy-washy. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it. But then I talked to one of the producers of the show and he was explaining what it's about and what it'll help me do and I was, like, "Oh my God, that's perfect for what I need right now. I'm so down to do that." I'm going to be getting voice lessons, which is awesome because I've never had any vocal lessons before in my life, and he was telling me I would be able to have co-writers help me write my songs and guitar lessons. … I need all of that. I need more experience onstage and they'll probably be able to hook me up with gigs and I'm definitely up for that. And when did you get the call about "Dream" and how did it feel when it all came together? Last Tuesday. It's awesome, it feels really good. It's a whirlwind. I've been so busy and I've never been as busy in my entire life. I've always sat at home and jammed and never really thought this would ever happen. Describe your apartment in North Richland Hills, Texas. My apartment at home is really small. It's on the third floor. Me and my brothers are pretty much grown now and there's four of us, so it gets pretty rowdy in that apartment. There's only one bedroom, but the living room is big, so we all usually just chill in the living room. We have, like, pallets. I know; it's sad. I always thought it was weird when I would go to my friends' house and they would have their own room and then there would an extra room. I was, like, why is there an extra room? I don't know how to respond to this right now. What was it like growing up? My mom got the room. So coming into this massive mansion, is it like culture shock? A little bit. I honestly don't even feel like I'm here right now. I don't know. It's surreal. What's an album or a song that made you wanna be a singer? The Beatles. The album would probably be "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." When I listen to that album, I realize that you can do whatever you want with your music. It doesn't matter what genre it is or what style it is. I was probably 15 and a freshman in high school [when I heard "Sgt. Pepper's"]. Everyone was always talking about the Beatles; like, my brother really loves them and my cousin too. When I started listening to them, I got into it like Beatlemania and couldn't stop. And I still can't stop. I see you have a suitcase here and a guitar – That's all my stuff. Everything I own, right there: mostly clothes, a few pictures, some posters, my laptop. … I got the guitar when I was on "Idol." I performed "Trouble" with that guitar. It was given to me by Gibson. You mentioned wanting to finish high school. Is that on the back burner right now? I'm still doing online courses. [It's important] to me to get my high school diploma. And if i don't get my diploma, I'll get my GED because I'll feel incomplete if I don't have that. You're 19, so were you held back a year? When I was in fifth grade, I got in a little bit of trouble. My parents got a divorce [that year], so my mom says that's the reason, but I was probably just a brat and I failed the fifth grade. So I had to do fifth grade twice. It's funny because my brothers were a grade younger than me, so when I failed they were in my grade. They were in some of my classes in high school and middle school. What's your plan for the near future? Right now, I just want to focus on writing music and writing as many great songs as possible and hopefully putting together an album. That's my main focus.
I honestly forgot these cameras were here until you just said that. I think it'll be fine. It's cool that everyone gets to watch me. That's awesome. It seems like you and Justin are bonding already – We'll have to talk a little bit more. I want to give him my outlook on what I want to do with my music. Did it take a lot of convincing to get you to chop the mullet? I don't really care too much about what my hair looks like. I was kind of upset they cut off my mullet a little bit, but it's all good. I'll definitely grow it back. – Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter Photos: (Top) Alex Lambert and his "If I Can Dream" castmate Kara Kilmer on moving day; (Middle) Alex with his new roommates Ben Elliott, Kara Kilmer, Justin Gaston, Amanda Phillips and Giglianne Braga; (Bottom) Jam session in the "Dream" house living room. Credit: Lisa Rose
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| Jennifer Hudson shows off her new bod Posted: 03 Apr 2010 12:08 PM PDT Jennifer Hudson is in the midst of a media blitz. The Season 3 "American Idol" finalist announced Thursday that she would be the new spokesperson for Weight Watchers. Appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America," Hudson said her decision to lose weight (she's not saying how much) was prompted by the birth of her now 7-month-old son, David Otunga Jr. After she lost the baby weight and then some, she said, the people in her life barely recognize her. "After I had the baby, I made up my mind that I wanted to go in a different direction and find a better lifestyle and a better way, and so I set my mind to this challenge and I went after it," she told "GMA's" Robin Roberts, adding that she hoped her healthier lifestyle would serve as a good example for her son. "I feel like I've conquered the world," she said. (See video below.) Hudson has certainly conquered the week's news cycle. She appeared at a Boys & Girls Club in Chicago, her hometown, to introduce a new coffee cup she'd designed for the convenience chain 7-Eleven. Proceeds from the sale of her cups are to go to support the organization, which she credits with helping to give her a start in the music business when she was a kid. During her Boys & Girls Club appearance, Hudson discussed her upcoming wedding with the Chicago Tribune, telling the paper that her fiance, pro wrestler David Otunga, was chill about the planning process, which is leaving her a little stressed out: "The bride is always the go-to person. It's like, 'If you ask me another thing to figure out for the wedding, I'm going to go crazy,'" she said. She also told the Chicago Sun-Times that between planning the wedding, taking care of David Jr., working out and getting ready to go to South Africa to film "Winnie," a movie about Winnie Mandela, she'd been too busy to watch "Idol" this season. So, alas, the world will never know whether she thinks Crystal Bowersox or Siobhan Magnus has the stuff to take it all. – Amy Reiter
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| David Cook talks about his Ethiopia experience for ‘Idol Gives Back’ [Updated] Posted: 03 Apr 2010 12:08 PM PDT Most of us would never think that five dollars can change a person's life, but hearing Elizabeth Gore (executive director of global partnerships and Nothing But Nets for the United Nations Foundation) and Season 7 "American Idol" winner David Cook tell their eyewitness accounts of the challenges most teenage girls face in Ethiopia — where only 20% have any semblance of an education — makes you seriously reconsider the four-dollar latte you downed this morning… Or even the one you ordered as the conference call with Cook (who was still in Ethiopia on Wednesday) was happening. That's right. This journalist's question was beamed directly from the drive-thru Starbucks on Tujunga in Studio City to Cook's ear some 9,000 miles away, with a UN dignitary on the line as well as a couple dozen journalists from all over America. Technology truly is amazing, and the world is indeed small, which is a fitting preamble to this "Idol Gives Back" initiative. Cook and his guitarist/bestie, Neal Tiemann, went over with the United Nations Foundation and visited the Biruh Tesfa School in Addis Ababa, where they were very much moved by the resilience and enthusiasm of young girls who are eager to learn. The alternative? Without an education, these soon-to-be women, like millions before them, can fall into the sex trade, domestic servitude or any number of lifelong misfortunes. Read on for David's Q&A, where he talks about his experience in Ethiopia and addresses whether he might perform on the charity special, airing April 21.
I actually got a chance to meet two girls in particular. One was a 7-year-old named Mekdus. Both of Mekdus' parents have passed away, and she has been at the school for seven months. Given the circumstances — not having either of her parents, she's actually living with her aunt now – she is one of the most vibrant, joyous girls that I think I've ever met. The girls at the school genuinely want to learn. They want to have that education. They want to have that opportunity, and that's inspiring to see a 7-year-old girl want to build a better future for herself. I remember being 7 years old, and I didn't have that foresight. These girls are wise beyond their years, and both fortunately and unfortunately they've kind of had to be. What was your initial impression of Ethiopia and its people? I have to say, I was completely shocked by this country in an extremely positive way. When you hear Africa, I immediately think impoverished and everything that goes with that. But I came here, and the people here are so amazingly sweet. They are such nice people, very accommodating and get that we are out here trying to help. The city itself, Addis Ababa, is beautiful — really lush, very green. It definitely has an infrastructure in place. I think it's just a matter that they just need that kind of boost in the right direction. Do you think this trip will find its way into new music that you have been writing? It would be really hard to fathom that it wouldn't. I think anybody that isn't completely self-absorbed, it's impossible for them to come to this kind of a situation and not be moved by it and not be changed by it. To really drive home the fact that what these girls are dealing with — girls that don't get an education here are immensely more likely to fall into the sex trade or into domestic servitude and then that opens it up to so many other different things. HIV is one of the main killers here. And so, to see that firsthand, I would almost say it's a definite that I am going to bring that back, and it will find its way into my career path.
[Laughs] Very few people here know who I am. We had to explain to the little girls who I was and why I was there. But we did get a chance to play some music for them. My guitar player came out here with me, and then they sang for us. It's always cool to see music be this universal language… but I definitely had to win them over. They didn't quite know what to do with the tall, tattooed white guy, I guess. Most of us have no idea what it would be like to live in or let alone travel to a Third World country. Can you tell us, now that you are there and are experiencing it, what is it about your travels that makes you most thankful for what we have in North America? That's a tough question. Just being out here for the short time, you immediately kind of appreciate the bubble that you have built for yourself, but also, I feel kind of guilty for the bubble I've built for myself. This reality is so far removed from even what we see on TV. What the people here have to deal with on a daily basis is real, and it's heavy, and it's something that truly deserves our attention. I've said that a lot in conjunction with this trip. If you take on this mantra that we are only as good as the people that we surround ourselves with, you take that on a global level, everybody is struggling right now. But we, as a country, are only as good as the countries that we surround ourselves with. It just becomes more imperative to reach out on an international level and a global level and really promote change. The people here need a helping hand, and I feel like we are in a great position to be able to give that to them.
I wanted to be involved with the Biruh Tesfa School and the initiative set up by the U.N. and the U.N. Foundation specifically because women are the backbone of society, in my opinion. Every family has a matriarch, and they are the glue that holds that family together. You have to give these girls a basis. You have to give them a platform with which to start from. I don't think anybody can deny that education plays such an important role across the board. And the fact that it's not a right for these girls, but in a lot of cases it's a privilege, that's pretty abhorrent. So that was a major mitigating factor for me. That's why I wanted to get involved. Are you going to be performing on the "Idol Gives Back" special? There's been no discussion of a performance. I'm going to do everything within my power to be present because I do want to continue to really drive this point home of the help that's needed out here. So I will definitely be involved in some [capacity], but as far as a performance, I'm not 100% sure. Sorry, that's a non-answer to your question. Could you tell us emotionally what went through your mind when you were at "Idol Gives Back" as one of the contestants? What did that stir up in you, and how did that make you want to go further with this? I actually remember specifically, on my season when we did "Idol Gives Back," that we all snuck up to the balcony and got a chance to watch Annie Lennox's performance from the front of the house. It was just her on the piano, and in the background, they were showing images of children, and it just tore me apart. I think to have that kind of visual moment when everything kind of clicks and you realize that my reality is not their reality, it really puts you in a position where you want to help, and so from that point on I was just kind of chomping at the bit to get involved with "Idol Gives Back." This couldn't have come at a better time. [Update 5:29 a.m. A previous version of this post incorrectly identified Elizabeth Gore as Tipper Gore.] – Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter Photo: (Top) David Cook receives a hug from 7-year-old Mekdes during a visit to
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| Posted: 03 Apr 2010 12:08 PM PDT
Having weathered his share of health problems (mostly stomach-related) and seen his major label deal go south, it seems Bo was never truly able to make the most of his "Idol" name or fame. After all, he did advance all the way to the finale, behind Carrie Underwood, no less. More than anything, it's always been a timing issue for Bo, who was in and out of hospitals for most of 2005. Now healthy, living in Nashville, with hair 11 inches shorter and finally content with his role as father and rocker, Bo brings us up to speed on where the last few years have led him, and what's coming next. Read on for Bo's Season 9 favorites, his undying devotion to David Cook and his "Idol"-induced flat-iron phobia. In the last few years, it seems like you retreated somewhat. Was the transition from "Idol" back to a normal life difficult for you? When I got sick after "Idol" and after getting dropped from RCA, I intentionally wanted to take time to be a dad. With "See The Light," I became a guy wearing three different hats: trying to be the artist, a producer, and the record label guy, and also a dad and a husband. So I think I kind of sunk back into just trying to figure out who I was again. I knew who I was before "Idol," and I've always worked and dreamed of being the rock star, and then in the same year, I had that dream come true and I also became a husband and a father. At the time, I didn't know how to equate those, so I took a little time off and really dedicated myself to getting healthy. Now I've had a clean bill of health for three years, I have three kids, a beautiful wife, I'm able to do the music that I love and produce…. I'm happier. And this new album is almost like the blossoming of the flower. Not to be cheesy but, first you have to plant the seed, and no one knew me until "Idol" planted that seed and put me in front of 35 million people, then I grew through RCA both in business and songwriting, and now my career is finally blossoming, or maybe this is just the next phase, but I hope that people dig this album. I'm in a lot better place than I was about two years ago. There's been some talk of this next album being a country record. Is it? There's Why did you name the album "3?" Because Tell us about the decision to cut your hair… I cut my hair about 10 months ago, and did the Locks Of Love thing. It was down near my butt, and I cut about 10 or 11 inches off. Then I got the secondary haircut, and it wasn't that much, but it was apparently more drastic than I thought because everybody's been commenting on it. Again, not to be cheesy, but it was almost like shedding a little bit of the old to really embrace the new, and I mean that in every aspect. I would say I'm jumping back into what I love, but I'm not really jumping into or coming back from anything. I'm really just approaching the next phase of my career openly and whatever comes with it and the hair was part of that. How did it feel to lift your head after that first cut? About seven pounds lighter. I told the guy who cut it, "I wondered why I'd been having all these neck problems over the years!" I haven't had my hair that short in over a decade, but I've never had a day of cutter's remorse. It feels a lot better. I was always in a ponytail because I got tired dealing with my hair everyday, it was so long! Now, it's more comfortable, and I don't get people whistling at me as much. You know, I turn around and they see I've got a beard. That's always good. Are you getting recognized less often now? Not really. I did a Moe's commercial, which is a Southwestern grill, and people are always coming up to me now saying, "I saw you in that Moe's Have you been watching "Idol" this season? Yeah, I've seen a little bit. I have to be totally honest, and it's in no way a slight because I love "Idol." I didn't get to watch a whole lot of last year. But the season David Cook was on? I didn't miss a friggin' night, and I was so rooting for David Cook. This season, it's kind of weird not having Paula on there, though Ellen is so cool and I love going to her show. We'll have to wait and see how the dynamic changes once the head maestro leaves. I've been able to see this season sporadically, but I mostly watch vicariously through my wife. Who does Caroline like? She likes the rock 'n' roll guy, like me. Casey [James], is it? Chicks like that guy. I've gotten to see him play guitar and he's not a poser. He's not somebody that stands there and pretends to play. He's got some good guitar chops and he sings good. If I had the chance to talk to him, I'd tell him to try and put the guitar down and run around the stage a little bit. Listen, I've gotta help the rock 'n' roll guys out when I can, we're far and few! I think Crystal [Bowersox] is original. Also looking at originality, the guy with the glasses who plays guitar, [Andrew Garcia], he does his thing, But I think sometimes you have to step out of your own persona, and do something a little bit different. As long as they're not flat-ironing his hair, like they did on me one time. Are you still scarred by the flat iron? I am scarred. I don't even let my wife use a flat iron. I don't allow them in my house! One of my friends said to me the other day, "You got highlights in your hair?" And I said, "No, those are occupational enhancements." He was, like, "Whatever you gotta tell yourself." – Shirley Halperin Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter Photo credit: Ryan Smith
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| Danny Gokey single “I Still Believe” co-written by Kara DioGuardi Posted: 02 Apr 2010 10:49 PM PDT Kara DioGuardi, busbee and Barry Dean wrote this song for Danny Gokey. Included in his album “My Best Days”
 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
In Bo Bice's life, good things come in threes. The 34-year-old Helena, Ala., native has three sons — Aidan, Caleb and Ean — and is about to release his third album, appropriately titled "3" (out May 18). But when it comes to his post-"Idol" career, the Season 4 runner-up wants a second chance. 
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