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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2005 > April > 23
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Jessica, Nikko & Jennifer Hudson (AI3) in town this weekend
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Simon malls and Coca Cola are sponsoring an “Idol” tour around th country with three finalists. The more hype, the merrier, I guess is the “Idol” mantra. But here I am, Mr. American Idol geezazoid, driving out to Mall of Georgia for the second of two appearances by Jessica Sierra (AI4, 10th), Nikko Smith (AI4, 9th) and Jennifer Hudson (AI3, 7th).
I met the three of them briefly upstairs in a side room upstairs from a Hummer showroom. Since I figure they’ve all been asked the same ol’ same ol questions, I opted to simply ask each what songs they wanted to sing that “Idol” couldn’t get clearance from the song owners. (Note that songs by the likes of the Beatles, Nirvana and Mariah Carey have never been heard on “Idol.”)
Nikko, believe it or not, wanted to sing “Faithfully” by Journey and “Hotel California” by the Eagles. Given Nikko’s R&B predilections, those were interesting picks. But neither Journey nor the Eagles would give clearance. Jessica said she wanted to do “Piano Man” by Billy Joel at one point but no go despite the fact there was an entire Billy Joel themed night two years ago. Maybe Mr. Alcohol Rehab didn’t want to be reminded of the fact the “microphone smells like a beer.” Jennifer, who is still unsigned but has a personal assistant, couldn’t recall if anything she wanted couldn’t get cleared.
Jessica went shopping in the mall to buy a jacket (“I’m a shopaholic,” she told the crowd) since it was so nippy outside in the pavilion. A solid 600-plus people gathered and probably a good 1,000 over the 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. time period. Not bad. The publicist said a similar crowd showed up at Town Center in Cobb Friday night.
The show started with a talent contest. The trio were judges (all Paula Abdul friendly no matter how bad the singers were, using the popular “You did your thing” line repeatedly) as Star 94 plucked seven kids out of the crowd to sing. Most of the kids weren’t half bad but then they stacked the deck by bringing on Dakota, who appeared to be about six years old, to sing an old tune called “Big Time.” Cuteness ruled and a $50 Simon gift certificate and an “Idol” director’s chair that could probably be sold on eBay for more than $50.
Later, Jennifer sang a few songs to a karaoke backing track, including her farewell tune from last year’s show “A Weekend in New England” by Barry Manilow. She still has the chops. For some reason, no current AI contestant is allowed to sing full tunes in situations like this though if someone asks them to do something a capella off the cuff, they can. But Jessica sang a bit of “Broken Wing” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” (My friend Robin Eve, who subbed here a couple weeks ago when my VCR broke, requested it but refused to sign the “turn around” portion of the song so Jessica did both.) Among facts I recall her uttering, Jessica said her best friend on the show was Mikalah but she roomed with Vonzell & Nadia. Nadia got her own room — I guess she had seniority. Or maybe she needed the extra space for her hair. :)
Anyway, I had to leave before Nikko’s Q & A. By then, the sun was sinking and it was getting seriously chilly. Still, a couple of hundred folks had stuck it out. For all “Idol” addicts, it was good, harmless fun.
April 23: rival ABC investigating “Idol” relationships between contestants and judges
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
STAR STRUCK
By MICHAEL STARR, The New York Post
ABC is preparing a bombshell exposé on “American Idol,” reportedly exploring the relationship between the “Idol” judges and the show’s contestants.
The report will air on “Primetime Live,” most likely next month, and has been in the works “for several months,” according to Variety.
ABC officials had no comment yesterday.
“Idol,” now in its fourth season, continues to garner huge ratings for Fox, with its twice-weekly airings drawing more than 20 million viewers every Tuesday and Wednesday night.
ABC is not only taking on a rival network with the “Idol” piece, but could air its report on a Wednesday â€â€? perhaps even following the “Idol” finale May 25.
“Idol” has had its share of controversy over the years. Several past contestants were tossed off the show, and this season the wrong call-in number â€â€? used by viewers to vote for their favorites â€â€? was flashed on-screen, necessitating an unprecedented “do-over” show.
Another contestant this season, fan favorite Mario Vazquez, walked off the show unexpectedly amid rumors he’d signed a record deal.
And “Idol” judge Paula Abdul â€â€? who’s raised eyebrows this season with her on-camera demeanor â€â€? is featured on the cover of People’s May 2 issue.
In the article, she denies that she’s “addicted to pills of any kind” and says she’s clean and sober.
Fox officials had no comment yesterday.
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