Jennifer Hudson Signs as American Idol Judge: Report

American Idol alumna Jennifer Hudson has reportedly signed a contract to be a judge in the upcoming 13th season of American Idol. 

According to E! News, the 31-year-old Hudson has already finalized a deal to sit as one the judges in American Idol Season 13 which is set to start auditions in July. Jennifer Hudson is one of the most successful Idol alumni. Although only finished seventh in the show's 3rd season way back in 2004, Jennifer went on to win awards at the Grammy and Oscars both as a singer and as an actress.

Reports also said that American Idol plans to have an all-alumni three-person judging panel in season 13, a revamp which aims to highlight its capability to produce top-selling recording artists. The producers are considering seating its first ever winner Kelly Clarkson and another alum which may either be Season 8 runner up Adam Lambert or Season 2 runner up Clay Aiken.

Veteran judge Randy Jackson (who has been a judge since the very first season) already announced during the season 12 finale that he will be leaving the show. His season 12 co-judges, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj are also reportedly not coming back for season 13.

According to E! News, The "superstar-alum" theme is aimed at reclaiming some of Idol's lost viewership. American Idol has suffered a serious competition from The Voice in the past two years and recent data showed that the Fox reality singing competition has hit its lowest viewership in the last season which crowned Candice Glover as winner in a historic all-girl Top 5.

Do you think American Idol will bring back some of its lost glory with an all alumni judging panel?

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American Idol 2013 Winner: Candice Glover Wins AI Season 12

Finally a girl won American Idol after six long years. On American Idol Season 12 finale held May 16 (May 17 in Manila), Candice Glover inherited Phillip Phillip's crown and was hailed American Idol 2013 winner.

Candice Glover is the fifth girl to win Idol in the historic season 12 where all boys were eliminated before the opposite gender. It was also the first girl vs girl American Idol finale since season 3 (way back in 2004) and the first to crown a female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007. The singer from St. Helena, South Carolina beat Texas' Kree Harrison in the finals held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

The American Idol Top 2 sang three songs each on the finale performance night—Simon Fuller's choice, their coronation song and the contestant's favorite song of the season. Candice's performances of Adele's Chasing Pavements, I (Who Have Nothing), and her coronation song I Am Beautiful were highly praised by the judges.

Candice helped co-write I Am Beautiful which was perfectly tailored not only to her vocal range and style but also with her Idol background story which mostly arc on self-esteem.

Check out Candice Glover's American Idol 12 coronation song I Am Beautiful performance:

Photo courtesy of Americanidolnet.com

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Jessica Sanchez Returns on American Idol Stage this March 21

American Idol Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez is set to return on American Idol this Thursday, March 21(Friday morning in Manila) for the American Idol Season 12 Top 9 results show.

The Fil-Mexican will debut her new single Tonight with Ne-Yo on American Idol. Her debut album "Me, You & the Music" will be released this May and is also available for pre-order on iTunes starting March 21. Jessica will also show her debut cover of MEGA Magazine to the world (check out her MEGA January 2013 cover here).

Aside from the release of her album in May, Jessica will also appear on the Fox hit musical TV series Glee the same month. Jessica will play a legendary singer from a rival high school and is set to appear on Glee's May 2 episode and the season finale on May 9.

Below is MEGA magazine's press release indicating the return of Jessica Sanchez on the Idol stage:

"MEGA, the Philippines’ best fashion magazine, is proud to have Jessica Sanchez on the cover of the January 2013 issue, and her first ever at that. The Season 11 runner up is coming back to American Idol and this time as a full-fledged artist, performing alongside Ne-Yo for her upcoming single and at the same time showing her debut cover of MEGA Magazine to the whole world. 

Jessica’s new album, “Me, You and The Music,” is out in May and according to her she was pretty much involved in the creation of the project. She claims that this is where she will be able to show her new and improved self – Jessica Sanchez 2013.

Be sure to catch her on American Idol on March 21, 2013, 6PM only on ETC.

MEGA Magazine is a prestige publication of One Mega Group."

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Video: Jessica Sanchez Sings 'Ikaw' in Manila Concert

American Idol 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez performed a Tagalog song on her Valentine concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Thursday night.

The Filipino-Mexican singer wowed the crowd with her rendition of the OPM classic Ikaw, getting a standing ovation from the audience. Jessica Sanchez must be rehearsing the song for quite some time since she had pronounced the words of the song in close-to-perfect Filipino.

Jessica is joined by fellow American Idol finalist Colton Dixon in the said concert where she also performed her Idol songs And I Am Telling You, Dance With My Father and I Will Always Love You.

Watch Jessica Sanchez performance of Ikaw during her Manila Valentine concert:

Photo courtesy of Araneta Center
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American Idol Jazz Saxophonist Mindi Abair at the PI Jazzfest in Rockwell this February 22

Move to the soulful music of smooth jazz saxophonist Mindi Abair, and jazz duo Tuck and Patti at the annual Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival (PI Jazzfest), in partnership with ABS-CBN’s Cable and Print Media Group, this February 22 (Friday) at the Rockwell Tent in Makati.

With over a decade of performance and recordings/tours with some of the biggest stars in the music industry such as Backstreet Boys, Mandy Moore, Josh Groban, Adam Sandler, and currently Aerosmith, Mindi has indeed come a long way from playing on the streets of Santa Monica.

She has since produced 10 #1 radio singles and 5 major label solo releases that have topped the Contemporary Jazz Charts, “It Just Happens That Way” (2003), “Come As You Are” (2004), “Life Less Ordinary” (2006), “Stars” (2008), and “In Hi Fi Stereo” (2010). She has hosted the internationally syndicated radio show “Chill With Mindi Abair” for 6 years and has been the featured saxophonist on the 2011 and 2012 seasons of “American Idol”.

Meanwhile, fall in love with the music of American jazz duo Tuck Andress and Patti Cathcart, who have enchanted music lovers for three decades. The husband-and-wife duo has been performing since 1981, with Tuck on guitars and Patti on vocals and has since produced a string of albums including “Tears of Joy” (1988), “Learning to Fly” (1995), and “A Gift of Love” (2004).

The jazz night will also be filled by music coming from our very own up and coming jazz artists – Baihana, an all female jazz trio, and singer/songwriter, Jennifer Blair-Bianco.

The PI Jazzfest, which will run until Februay 27, is considered this year’s biggest gathering of local and international artists. Since 2009, PI Jazzfest has brought the biggest jazz greats to the country to deliver successful, sold-out shows and celebrate jazz and artistry in the Philippines.

Tickets for the PI Jazzfest are sold in all Ticketworld outlets nationwide. For inquiries, log on to www.pijazzfest.com / www.ticketworld.com.ph or e-mail pijazz@gmail.com.

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American Idol 2013 Top 40 Spoilers: Fil-Ams Bryant Tadeo, Adriana Latonio and Jett Hermano In!

American Idol Season 12 (2013) will premiere this January 16, 2013 on Fox and many websites have already released spoilers on the Top 40 contestants who made it to the Las Vegas round. The American Idol 2013 Top 40 is comprised of 20 boys and 20 girls and according to reports, three Filipino-Americans made it to the list—Bryant Tadeo, Adriana Latonio and Jett Hermano.

Bryant Tadeo is from Hawaii and a second-timer in American Idol. He auditioned last year (AI Season 11) and made it to the Hollywood rounds. Meanwhile, this will be the first time for young diva Adriana Latonio, who at this early has been compared to Jessica Sanchez, another half-Filipino who emerged as the American Idol 2012 runner-up. Bridget "Jett" Hermano, on the other hand is born and raised in Seattle, Washington and reportedly the 1st "Asian American Idol" in the Fil-Am community of Seattle.

Will these three capture the hearts of the judges and eventually make it to American Idol 2013 Top 24? Let's find out if all these rumors and speculations are true this January on American Idol Season 12.

Here are the American Idol 12 Top 40 spoilers:

Top 20 Boys

Top 20 Girls

1. Bryant Tadeo [AI11 HW] 2. Burnell Taylor 3. Charlie Askew 4. Chris Watson [AI7 HW] 5. Cortez Shaw [AI11 SFYL/GM] 6. Curtis Finch, Jr. [AI11 LVR] 7. David Willis 8. Devin Velez 9. Elijah Liu [AI11 HW] 10. Gurpreet Singh Sarin 11. Jimmy Smith 12. Johnny Keyser [AI11 LVR] 13. Joshua “Josh” Holiday 14. Joshua “Josh” Jada Davila 15. Kevin Harris 16. Lazaro Arbos 17. Mathenee Treco [AI11 LVR] 18. Nick Boddington [AI11 LVR] 19. Paul Jolley 20. Vincent Powell [AI11 HW]

1. Adriana Latonio 2. Amber Holcomb [AI11 LVR] 3. Angela Miller 4. Aubrey Cleland [AI10 HW & AI11 SFYL/GM] 5. Brandy Hotard 6. Breanna Steer 7. Candice Glover [AI9 HW & AI11 LVR] 8. Cristabel Clack 9. Isabel Pasqualone 10. Janelle Arthur [AI10 HW & AI11 LVR] 11. Jenny Beth Willis 12. Jett Hermano 13. Juliana Chahayed 14. Kamaria Ousley 15. Kree Harrison 16. Melinda Ademi [AI10 LVR] 17. Rachel Hale 18. Shubha Vedula 19. Tenna Torres [AI11 LVR] 20. Zoanette Johnson

You can see in the notations after each name if they participated in a previous season and how far they made it in the process. “HW” stands for Hollywood Week and “LVR” stands for Las Vegas Round. Spoilers from Americanidolnet.com.

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American Idol Season 12 Judges Officially Announced! Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban Join Mariah Carey and Randy Jackson

American Idol Season 12 is now all set for its return January 2013. The judges for the new season were officially announced Sunday morning with the start of the auditions in New York.

Mariah Carey, who was the first judge to be confirmed will be joined by singer-rapper Nicki Minaj and Aussie country singer Keith Urban. Completing the judges panel for American Idol 2013 is Randy Jackson, the only remaining judge who's been with the show since the first season. 

After Idol season 10 and 11 judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez quit American Idol, Fox considered shifting Randy Jackson to a mentor role in an attempt to bring an all-new judges line up to freshen the format.  However, when the talks with Enrique Iglesias broke down, the network decided to bring back Randy to the judges' seat.

Here is an excerpt of Fox's press release confirming the new judges for American Idol Season 12:

Judges Mariah Carey and Randy Jackson Joined by Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban

When AMERICAN IDOL’s 12th season debuts in January 2013, superstar judge Mariah Carey – the best-selling female recording artist of all time – and returning judge Randy Jackson, a Grammy Award-winning producer whose expertise and beloved persona have been instrumental in discovering IDOL talent from the beginning, will be joined by two new judges: quadruple-platinum singer, songwriter, rapper and fashion icon Nicki Minaj; and Keith Urban, a four-time Grammy Award winner who has sold more than 15 million albums.

Are you excited with the return of American Idol this 2013 with the new judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban and returning judge Randy Jackson?

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Keith Urban to Judge American Idol Season 12 with Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj

Country singer Keith Urban is reportedly joining the 12th season of American Idol as a judge. Keith Urban, who is the husband of actress Nicole Kidman, is closed to sealing the deal with Idol producers according to several reports.

Keith Urban will be joining diva Mariah Carey and rapper Nicki Minaj at the judges' table of the hit FOX reality singing competition if deals have been ironed out for the latter. Nicki Minaj's PEPSI endorsement might hinder the deal as American Idol is sponsored by rival Coke. Mariah Carey is the only new judge which has been officially announced, though.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Keith Urban will be earning about $3-4 million for taking the third judges' seat on Idol while Nicki Minaj will be paid with $8 million. Mariah Carey will be receiving a whooping $18 million payday, reports claimed.

After the exit of previous judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez to focus on their singing careers, two seats on the American Idol judging panel have been vacated. The producers, according to sources wanted an all-new lineup so original judge Randy Jackson might be demoted to a mentoring role just like Jimmy Iovine.

There are no confirmations yet on the number of judges seating on the panel but the possibility of a 4th judge joining Idol is at large. Rumor has it that the producers are considering Enrique Iglesias and Nick Jonas for the role.

What can you say about the new American Idol judges line-up for Season 12? Do you think these judges will incorporate a fresh vibe on Idol to save the show from a big drop on ratings?

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Nicki Minaj is New American Idol Judge for Season 12?

Singer-rapper Nicki Minaj is reportedly the new American Idol judge that will be sitting on the judges' table when its 12th season opens.

The news was confirmed by two sources on US Weekly, saying that the Super Bass hit-maker is "100% confirmed to judge American Idol" while another source said that it's "not sure the deal is completely done yet, but yes, she is definitely doing it" with a "few more slight things to sign off on but it is happening."

One problem on the the deal could be Nicki Minaj's attachment to PEPSI as its newest endorser, while Idol is sponsored by rival Coca-Cola. So far, Nicki Minaj and FOX are yet to confirm the report. 

Nicki Minaj, if the deal pushes through will be joining Mariah Carey as a new judge on the revamped American Idol 2013. It can be recalled that judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez resigned on Idol to focus more on their singing careers.

Judge Randy Jackson's fate on American Idol is not yet confirmed but sources say that he might not join the judges' panel in Season 12 but instead embark on a mentor role in an attempt to freshen up American Idol's  format.

Other rumored judges include Adam Lambert, Nick Jonas and Pharrell Williams but sources claimed that it would be most likely that Keith Urban and Enrique Iglesias will join the panel.

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Phillip Phillips' 'Home' Official Music Video Released!

The official music video for American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips' coronation song Home has been released.

The song, composed by Drew Pearson and Greg Holden, is said to be the best American Idol coronation song ever written, not just with its catchy melody and inspiring lyrics but also with how it fits with the singer.

The song Home was originally for British singer Greg Holden but was pitched to Idol mentor Jimmy Iovine as a potential coronation song and the rest was history. Phillip Phillips first single it is, Home eventually topped iTunes charts and debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Watch the official music video of Phillip Phillips' Home:

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Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez Quit American Idol

American Idol judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are not coming back on the Season 13 of the said Fox hit singing competition. Both Tyler and J-Lo had confirmed quitting American Idol to pursue their "first love."

Steven Tyler first confirmed that he will not return as an American Idol judge. In a statement released by Fox, Steven said:

“After some long…hard…thoughts…I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress American Idol before she boils my rabbit. I strayed from my first love, AEROSMITH, and I’m back — but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass — the ultimate in auditory takeover…On Nov. 6, we are unleashing our new album, Music from Another Dimension on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and way beyond the stars…IDOL was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it’s time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD.”

Meanwhile, a day after Steven Tyler announced he was leaving Idol, Jennifer Lopez also said that she was exiting the show. In an emotional chat with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest on his On-Air radio show July 13, J-Lo said that she will quit Idol, too.

''Something had to give, something has to give. I was really dreading this phone call with you. I honestly feel the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that you do, and you have to pay attention to that, too. I could keep doing Idol for the rest of my life, but that would be giving up a bunch of other things. I feel like we had an amazing run.''

Although J-Lo may not return w a judge, she said she will always be around whenever the show needed her, probably as a mentor for the contestants.

''No matter what you guys need over there, I'm always going to be here. I feel there's that tie there. I just can't be there every day like I was for the last two years. It's just one of those special things in your life you don't want to walk away from.''

Both Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez had spent two years in the show and with the two quitting Idol, judge Randy Jackson's future on the show is also unsure. There are rumors that Randy is also not coming back for Season 13 in an attempt to freshen up the format.

If Randy will be gone too, then host Ryan Seacrest will be the only person left from the original run since it started.

Who will replace the judges, then? There were rumors that Adam Lambert, Charlie Sheen and Mariah Carey will be seating on the judges' table when American Idol returns this 2013 for Season 12.

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Adam Lambert to Judge American Idol 12?

American Idol Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert is said to join the panel of judges in the Season 12 of American Idol. 

According to a report by E! Online, Adam Lambert is being considered as one of the judges for the return of AI in 2013 and has been in talks with the show's bosses for over a month now.

The source told E! Online:

"They have been talking about Adam for over a month. He personifies the show, and will be a popular choice right from the start. He knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of the judges' comments, he has a human touch, and they know they can't go wrong if they bring him on. He would be able to bring a unique perspective to the show. People love him."

The source also suggested that American Idol is up for a new look next season while maintaining the soul of the show and in an attempt to freshen up the format, judge Randy Jackson may not return for Season 13.

"Randy is great, but he's part of the old Idol," the source said. "They want to keep the soul of the show but have a new look, and for that reason he may well not be part of the new line up."

Steven Tyler's future in American Idol is also unsure and hanging as with Jennifer Lopez's. However, J Lo, who is  rumored to be leaving the show to focus on her singing career might be retained as the producers wanted to keep their female judge according to several sources.

If ever Adam Lambert will be joining American Idol Season 12, he will be the very first contestant to ever seat on the judges' table.

What do you think of Adam Lambert as the new American Idol judge? Sounds exciting, huh.

Photo courtesy of sofeminine.co.uk

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Jessica Sanchez Album Drops July 9, Features Highlights of AI 11

This July 9, 2012, fans of the sensational American Idol songstress Jessica Sanchez will surely be delighted as MCA Music proudly debuts her album --- “Jessica Sanchez: American Idol Season 11 Highlights”. 

The album takes us back to some of her memorable and brilliant performances in the reality television singing competition, American Idol. It features five unique tracks including Jessica’s breathtaking and nostalgic rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”, her sultry cover of Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams” and her soulful version of Jazmine Sullivan’s “Stuttering”. It also includes the duet “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me” --- a powerful collaboration with fellow AI finalist Joshua Ledet plus Jessica’s anthemic finale song, “Change Nothing”, which is also the lead track of this amazing EP. 

Jessica Sanchez was the runner-up on the eleventh season of the reality singing show, American Idol. She is the first female and fourth recipient of the judges' ‘save’. At the same time, she is also the first recipient of the save to reach the finale. Prior to appearing on American Idol, Sanchez competed in the first season of America's Got Talent at the age of 11. She has a worldwide fanbase known as the “BluJays”. 

The album is simply going to be just the beginning of an incredible musical journey for this promising Filipino-American artist. That said, it is a must-have and collector’s item for all BluJays and American Idol fans alike. 

JESSICA SANCHEZ: AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 11 HIGHLIGHTS ALBUM will be available in CDs by July 9, 2012 exclusively under MCA Music available at Astroplus and Odysseylive.Net. For more information, log on to MCA Music's Facebook page.

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American Idol Season 12 Audition Schedule Dates and Venue

American Idol begins its search for the next singing superstar. American Idol has just posted the cities and official dates for the Season 12 auditions on its official website. 

The American Idol Season 12 auditions will kick off in Los Angeles, California and will be going to 6 more cities this summer for Season 12 auditions.

Check out the American Idol Season 12 audition dates and venues below:

CITY	VENUE	REG. DAY 1	REG. DAY 2	AUDITION DAY
Los Angeles, CA	Dodger Stadium	6/5/12	6/6/12	6/7/12
San Antonio, TX	Alamodome	6/12/12	6/13/12	6/14/12
Charlotte, NC	Time Warner Cable Arena	6/17/12	6/18/12	6/19/12
Newark, NJ	PRUDENTIAL Center	6/21/12	6/22/12	6/23/12
Chicago, IL	United Center	7/10/12	7/11/12	7/12/12
New Orleans, LA	New Orleans Arena	7/15/12	7/16/12	7/17/12
Oklahoma City, OK	Chesapeake Energy Arena	7/18/12	7/19/12	7/20/12

For more information about the American Idol Season 12 auditions, just see site details HERE.

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