American Idol

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Apr 27, 2018 Dig deeper

Jennifer Hudson: Faith, Tragedy and New Music

Donald Kaufman / Truthdig Jul 30, 2014 Jennifer Hudson is preparing to release a new album, “JHUD,” in September -- her third studio album and her first since the conclusion of the lengthy trial of the man who killed three of her closest family members -- and her faith, in the wake of tragedy, is stronger than ever. Jennifer Hudson is preparing to release a new album, “JHUD,” in September—her third studio album and her first since the conclusion of the lengthy trial of the man who killed three of her closest family members. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

‘American Idol’ Star Clay Aiken Shoots for Congress

Staff / Truthdig Feb 6, 2014 It's kind of appropriate, given how American politics and reality television are looking more than ever like the same beast, but here's the latest sign of the coming celebpocalypse: Onetime "American Idol" cherub Clay Aiken is now running for public office in his home state of North Carolina. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Ain’t Nothin’ but a Guy Thing

Staff / Truthdig May 27, 2011 Seventeen-year-old Scotty McCreery just won "American Idol," making him the sixth guy to win in 10 competitions. That's not so unbalanced overall, but McCreery is the fourth male singer in the last four years to win. Viewers of the show select the winner, either by phone, text or online. This year Fox recorded 122 million votes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Canada’s Next Top Terror Suspect

Staff / Truthdig Aug 28, 2010 Accused terror suspect Khurram Syed Sher is featured in a surprising new viral video that is popping up on the Internet. The video shows Sher auditioning for the “Canadian Idol” TV show in 2008 by singing a rather tortured rendition of Avril Lavgine's “Complicated” -- and tossing in a not-half-bad moonwalk. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Simon Cowell Beckons Britons to the Polls

Staff / Truthdig May 6, 2010 It's hard to imagine that many British citizens will be moved to cast their ballots in Thursday's general election because Simon Cowell, the curmudgeonly mastermind behind such showbiz gems as "Britain's Got Talent" and "American Idol," thinks they should. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

‘American Idol’ Will Lose Its Villain

Staff / Truthdig Jan 12, 2010 Simon Cowell is leaving Fox's ratings monster to launch an American version of "X Factor," which will allow older performers to compete with the kiddies. Cowell said "we’re hoping to find the American version of Susan Boyle," the homely Scottish singer who exploded to international stardom with a stint on "Britain's Got Talent," another Cowell show. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Heat’ From Christian Law Firm, FCC Behind ABC’s Lambert Shut-Out

Staff / Truthdig Dec 4, 2009 Janet Jackson escaped unscathed this time, but it seems that the FCC may have gotten on ABC's case for airing "American Idol" alum Adam Lambert's public displays of homoeroticism during his American Music Awards performance last month A law firm associated with the late Rev Jerry Falwell (continued). Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Lambert’s ‘AMA’ Act Costs Him ‘GMA’ Gig

Staff / Truthdig Nov 25, 2009 Over-the-top pop star Adam Lambert may once have been constrained by the unwritten rules of competition on "American Idol" when it came to his sexuality, but he made a notable departure from those days during his provocative performance at Sunday's American Music Awards Looks as if that act cost him (continued). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Adam Lambert Facing ‘How Gay Is Too Gay?’

Staff / Truthdig Nov 18, 2009 What are the responsibilities of an openly gay celebrity to the LGBTQ community? There are no easy answers, but "American Idol" runner-up and newly minted gay proto-icon Adam Lambert has to grapple with them by virtue of his visibility, and opinions vary widely about how to be out and proud as a public figure. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Osbourne Show Provokes Free-Speech Fight in Fla.

Staff / Truthdig Mar 31, 2009 He's not biting off bats' heads at the moment, but Ozzy Osbourne has once again managed to stir up controversy, even in his autumn years. The flap this time is over "The Osbournes: Reloaded," his new Fox TV variety show co-starring other members of his clan, which an affiliate in Panama City, Fla., has deemed unfit for viewing. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama Talks Banks, Bonuses and Basketball on Leno

Staff / Truthdig Mar 21, 2009 The merger of the entertainment and political spheres is now complete. Witness this lengthy chatfest between President Barack Obama and Jay Leno on Thursday's "Tonight Show." During the broadcast Obama cracks jokes about the Secret Service, the Special Olympics (oops) and "American Idol" between more serious discussions about the economy and alternative energy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )