MTV Newsroom › Jim Cantiello

Kris Allen Fans Celebrate His Birthday With Charitable Cows

Posted 6/21/10 8:00 am EST by in Music

In honor of Kris Allen's 25th birthday, a group of fans bought him some cows. 50 cows, to be exact. But it's not like the "Live Like We're Dying" singer is going to ditch his current tour and start raising cattle (at least as far as we know). Instead, the cows purchased in Kris' name will be put to use thanks to the charity Heifer International, which tackles poverty with livestock and education. You know the Chinese proverb, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"? It's like that, but think turf instead of surf. (And milk. Lots and lots of milk.)

The fundraising started late last week when a small group of Kris fans created a Team Heifer page called "Alright With Moo." (For the uninitiated, Kris has a catchy song on his self-titled album called "Alright With Me." You've probably had it stuck in your head thanks to those inescapable Ford commercials where Kris talks about leaves, video games and saving three cents on gas.) The initial goal for "Alright With Moo" was one cow ($500), but once word spread around Kris fan sites and "Idol" blogs, 10 cows were purchased within 12 hours. The goal was upped to one cow for every year of Kris' life: 25. How tidy!

By Friday, a birthday video tribute had been created. (Bill Gates later embedded it on his "Daily On Twitter" page, proving that the bajillionaire digs “Live Like We’re Dying” as much as the next guy.) By the time Kris had officially turned 25 early this morning, "Alright With Moo" had raised over $25,000, exceeding their initial modest goal by 5000 percent.

This isn't the first time the "Idol"-obsessed have rallied for a good cause. Earlier this year, David Archuleta fans donated thousands of dollars (and virtual cupcakes) for the Haiti Relief effort, and Adam Lambert fans spent the better part of 2009 raising a whopping $250,000 for Donors Choose. Yo, "Idol" freaks. Be more awesome. I dare you.

We have it on good authority that Kris was blown away by his fans' charitable gift. So let's all raise a glass (of milk, duh!) to toast the birthday boy, and let's give a round of applause to all those who supported the cause with awareness, tenacity and tons of moolah. (Pun intended.)

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Jordin Sparks Kills With Hits, Deep Cuts At New York Battlefield Tour Stop

Posted 6/11/10 2:30 pm EST by in Music

Armed with an arsenal of hits and a winning personality, Jordin Sparks brought her Battlefield tour to New York City's Nokia Theatre on Thursday night (June 10), and dang, that girl slayed. (Okay, no more "Battlefield" wordplay. Promise.)

Throughout the brief hour-long set, the former Jersey Girl made a strong case for the material on her sophomore album, ferociously laying into singles "Battlefield," the Shannon cover "S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)" and the recent "Don't Let It Go to Your Head."

Oddly enough, the Battlefield deep cuts were just as rewarding as her more familiar music, even if Sparks sounded somewhat apologetic when she told the crowd, "I'll also play the songs you know and love, so don't worry." "Emergency (911)" showed off the 20-year old's sassy side, the live arrangement of "Watch You Go" included (what sounded like) an unexpected Spandau Ballet sample, and ballad "No Parade" was a touching highlight. (Seriously Jive, get this beautiful song on the radio at once!)

While someone with Jordin's vocal chops needn't rely on the typical smoke and mirrors most pop stars employ, I can't help but feel that the tour might benefit with just a touch more razzle-dazzle. Gladiator helmets and glow-stick canes do not make for a memorable stage show. (Can she compete in a pop landscape when fans might expect dancing TV sets and day-glo makeup thank$ to Ke$ha?)

But don't get me wrong. When it came to performing killer live music, Sparks and her energetic band delivered. I was most impressed with how Jordin went for — and hit — nearly every single high note in her repertoire (especially on "It Takes More"). Most pop singers let their backup singers do the heavy lifting live, but Jordin truly used them as support, as if she was saying, "I got this note guys, you can just do the lower harmonies."

All the years Sparks has spent touring with music's biggest acts (JoBros, Britney, Alicia Keys) have paid off. Not only is Jordin more dynamic than ever, but she has cultivated an audience that reaches far beyond the "Idol" bubble. These weren't "Idol" fans cheering on the champ from season six. These were pop music fans supporting one of their favorite radio artists.

That's not to say Jordin didn't acknowledge her reality TV past. Coming off a sincere "Thank you for voting" speech that simultaneously welcomed newer fans to the party, the chorus of early hit "Tattoo" played like a tribute to the show that launched her. "Don't look back, got a new direction/ I loved you once and I needed protection/ You're still a part of everything I do/ You're on my heart just like a tattoo/ I'll always have you." Hear that, Cowell?

Not surprisingly, Jordin's radio smashes received the biggest reaction from the diverse crowd, particularly show-closer "No Air" (now with less Chris Brown and more audience participation). Incidentally, her wildly popular tunes (including the feel-good stomper "One Step at a Time") sounded almost quaint when surrounded by her newer, more mature Battlefield material.

Whether waving like a madwoman to fans in the pit, doling out life advice to the young'ins in the crowd or signing an autograph in the middle of her set (!!!), Sparks' energy was electric, all the more impressive when you consider she was feeling under the weather. (Wednesday morning Sparks tweeted that she woke up majorly congested.)

If Jordin had that much charisma and sounded that spot-on while drowning in mucus, contemporary divas Leona Lewis and Mariah Carey better watch their backs. Get your armor indeed!

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'American Idol' Crowns A Winner: The Live Blog

Posted 5/26/10 6:30 pm EST by in Music, Television

Being that this is "American Idol," the results show — which could legitimately be only five minutes long — will run well over two hours. And being that this is Simon Cowell's final "Idol" episode ever, expect lots of celebrity cameos. (And when I say "celebrity," I mean Blake Lewis and Normund Gentle.)

Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias are scheduled to perform (in honor of 1999, the year Simon first got his flat-top haircut), as well as our reigning Idol, Kris "Not Adam Lambert, The Straight One" Allen. There are plenty of rumored appearances, too, ranging from Janet Jackson to Hall and Oates. (Those greatest hits albums aren't going to sell themselves, now will they?)

But wait! There's more!

"Idol" finales bring back the entire Top 12 of the season, and often the singers get paired up with established acts, so congratulations random dude who hoped to see Paige Miles and Insane Clown Posse perform together. That day could very well be today. And Tim Urban and DeBarge? It wouldn't be the weirdest thing we've seen that kid do on the "Idol" stage!

Let's get recappin'!

(Read from the bottom up!)

10:24 And farewell, Simon! Thanks for being a part of a show that's brought me immeasurable joy (and the occasional headache). Looking forward to "X-Factor!" (I gotta pay my bills somehow, son!)

10:23 Thanks for reading (and watching) my recaps all season long, peeps! It's been an interesting one. We wish Lee and Crystal the best in getting their post-"Idol" careers going. And congrats to 19 Entertainment for getting the chance to represent yet another white guy with a guitar.

10:22 Sorry for running away. I just interviewed Bret Michaels!!

10:06 And this concludes "American Idol, Season 9: A Girl's Season."

10:05 So....Bret Michaels is in the press room and nobody cares about the results.

10:04 This is adorable. Lee got a personality transplant. Congrats, dude! Crystal is crying, but she looks happy for Lee. They really were buddies. Isn't it always great to see that?

10:03 A girl will never win "American Idol" again.

10:02 The winner is..............LEE DeWYZE!!

10:01 THE RESULTS ARE IN and they're being delivered by a British guy. Way to outsource, "AMERICAN Idol."

9:59 Paula Abdul is doing the press room! Whoa! I will get to interview her in a few. Do you think I'll get fired if I only ask her about "Touched By Evil," her (stunning) 90's Lifetime movie?

Read More...

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The 'American Idol' Season Nine Finale: The Live Blog

Posted 5/25/10 6:30 pm EST by in Music, Television

After 43 episodes (and 54 hours you'll never ever get back), the ninth season of "American Idol" is finally down to just two. And I'm live-blogging every last second of it. (Although, not literally every second because that would be quite cumbersome. And boring.)

Will it be Crystal Bowersox, a dread-sportin' diabetes-havin' mother who's doing it all for her adorable baby (who I insist on calling Jack Bowersox)? Or will it be Lee DeWyze, a paint salesman from Mt. Pleasant, Illinois who was kicked out of school for behavior problems and who now loves wearing gray jackets and crying in front of large groups of people?

For a season that has been short on the drama, this week's finale is a bit of a nailbiter. While Crystal was the early stand-out who maintained her lead for most of the season, lately she's been stumbling with poor song choices. Lee always had the support of Simon Cowell and slowly but surely accumulated a very loyal fan base that is eager to root for an underdog. Unlike the Blake/Jordin and Fantasia/Diana showdowns of seasons past, it's anyone's game. Crystal and Lee's performances tonight will definitely determine who will get to sing a terribly cheesy song while confetti lands in his or her mouth at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (May 26).

9:52 WHOA! The "Idol" press conference just ended and Crystal mentioned that she and Lee picked their own first singles. So any talk in my live-blog where I characterize Lee as a victim of a bad decision that was out of his control is inaccurate. Oh Lee DeWyze, why U2?!

9:00 And that's a wrap. Thanks for joining me this evening! And mark your calendars: I'll be live on the "Idol" Finale red carpet tomorrow from 6pm - 8pm EST (3pm - 6pm PST) and the only place you can catch it is on MTV.COM. You won't want to miss it. I'll be chatting up all your "Idol" faves of season's past, LIVE on the internet! (I'll probably interview Cameron Manheim, too. She always randomly shows up to the finale.)

8:55 Raise your hand if Will Young looks like Matt Giraud's better-looking older brother? (No offense Matt. I'm not saying you're a dog by any stretch of the imagination. But that Will Young is hard to compete with.) Here, this will make the Giraud fans happy. One last time this season let's all trend: #signmattgiraud

8:54 The original "Pop Idol" is singing "Get The Hell Out" or whatever this goodbye song is called... Aww, an adorable montage plays behind him, reminding us all of the potential this season had. Hi Lilly Scott, Alex Lambert, Katelyn Epperly and Tyler Grady! Thanks for making things interesting for a little bit, at least.

8:53 In the final phone number montage, it's clear that Crystal outperformed Lee DeWyze three-to-zero. But we should give Lee some credit. He was able to get the words out whilst choking.

8:52 The final Simon critique ever: "That was outstanding." Well that was anti-climactic!

8:52 Wasn't so bad. Crystal thanked Simon and wished him well on his future endeavors. Except it took her 45 seconds to remember the word "endeavor." Good thing that the final round wasn't a vocabulary test.

8:51 The judges are freaking out. Crystal may have just won the show. OH NO! "Can I just say something real quick?" This NEVER ends well with Crystal Bowersox. Keep your Bowermouth shut, girl! Don't ruin this!!!

8:50 Ellen doesn't know any contemporary artists who she can compare Crystal to. I can't either! But I can think of at least 2 dozen artists my parents grew up listening to. Just sayin'.

8:49 This is beautiful. She stole Lee DeWyze's choir. Sneaky move, Crystal! She's fighting back tears at the end. Gasp!

8:48 Somebody in the pit keeps making the Danny Gokey Heart sign. Even the studio audience has Season 8 withdrawal.

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'American Idol' Reject Michael Lynche Confronts Jim Cantiello About Recaps

Posted 5/21/10 5:40 pm EST by in Music

When Michael Lynche stopped by MTV News earlier this week for his "I Just Got Voted Off 'American Idol' And All I Got Was This Endless Media Tour" interview, he wasted no time letting me know that he knew I wasn't a huge fan of his on the show. Before cameras rolled, he called me out for writing not so nice things about him during my weekly recaps and "Idol in 60 Seconds" videos. Whoops!

We had an awkward chat where I admitted his showmanship turned me off even though I always complimented his vocals. And he admitted he read my reviews because they were usually the first result that came up when he Googled for "Idol" recaps. But to his credit, Big Mike was a big sweetie about the whole thing. (If I was the size of a house and some twerp blogger compared me to various cheeses on a weekly basis, I'd probably choke the fool. That makes him the bigger man, both literally and metaphorically.)

Check out highlights from our chat below. Hot topics include his older brother Marque (who competed on "American Idol" way back in the third season), which celebrity did not like being physically picked up, our mutual frustration with the judges praising off-key contestants and some tidbits about what it was like to room with Tim Urban. And of course you won't want to miss Big Mike confronting Little Me about my "Idol" recaps.

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'American Idol' Recap: The Top Three Duke It Out For A Spot In The Finale

Posted 5/19/10 8:15 am EST by in Music, Television

Tuesday (May 18) was "Make Sure Casey Doesn't Have A Chance To Ruin Our Plans For A Lee/Crystal Finale" night on "American Idol." Actually, it was "Judges' Choice/Contestant's Choice," a scary evening when Randy isn't allowed to say, "For me for you for me for you, I wasn't feeling the song choice" since he had a hand in picking it. I hope he's well rested. I wouldn't want him to pop a blood vessel from being forced to come up with an original idea.

With only three contestants remaining, one would hope that they would step up their game and fight for a spot in the finale. One contestant came guns blazing, one contestant needed a song to get warmed up and one contestant mentally folded clothes during his performance. Before I go on a rant about how Crysey-Lee is the least promising Top Three in "Idol" history, and how the judges may as well wear puffy paint T-shirts with the names of their favorite contestant on them, let's get right to the performances!

Casey James
His Song: "Okay It's Alright With Me" by Eric Hutchinson
Judges' Song: "Daughters" by John Mayer (as chosen by Randy and Kara)
Verdict: Just Okay
Casey picked an Eric Hutchinson song because he thought it represented what he will be as an artist: Obscure. (No offense, Eric. I'm a fan!) Unfortunately, Casey didn't perform the song with much conviction. The poor thing looked more uncomfortable than Danny Gokey at PrideFest. Casey knew he was going to be thrown under the bus regardless of what he attempted, so I don't blame him for trying something contemporary to see if it'd stick. And as I'm sure he expected, Simon spent 99 percent of his time railing his song choice (by comparing it to a salad) and then waited until the "Idol" music stinger played before quickly shouting, "But you sounded good!" Better late than never, I guess?

When introducing John Mayer's "Daughters" as Casey's second song, Randy basically admitted he thought the dude had no chance in surviving the week. Read More...

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'American Idol' Recap: Crystal Bowersox And 'Caddyshack' Win Movie Night

Posted 5/12/10 8:15 am EST by in Music, Television

Watching "Songs of the Cinema" night on "American Idol" was a lot like eating a large popcorn at the movies. Some of the kernels were close to perfect, with salty flavor and crispness balanced perfectly (Crystal). Others were stale, as if the concession workers had just dumped a new batch on top of one that had been sitting around since the theatrical run of "Kindergarten Cop" (Lee). And others were inexplicably soggy, which totally makes you gag 'cause Lord knows you didn't order any butter (Michael). (If Aaron was still on the show, I'd also talk about the kernels that were too young to pop.) And when the end credits rolled, you felt so bloated you regretted buying popcorn to begin with.

Jamie Foxx returned as a mentor (one of the few celebs in the history of "Idol" to return in the role, along with Quentin Tarantino, oddly enough) but this year Jamie brought props: Two T-shirts, one that read "Artist" and another that read "Contestant." That's an interesting way to bribe/shame the contestants into actually giving a damn about the competition. If a million dollar recording contract isn't enough, novelty T-shirts should do the trick! (Hell, it's how MTV pays me.) If only Foxx brought T-shirts for the audience, they would read, "Waiting for 'X-Factor' to Start!"

Before I go on a rant about Kara's business woman costume, let's get to the performances!

Lee DeWyze
Song: "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal (from "Batman Forever")
Verdict: Kissed By Karaoke
DeWyze has been compared to Danny Gokey in some circles, and Jamie Foxx gave that fan theory more ammunition by repeating the "I'm Gonna Get In Your Face And Make You Sing To Me" rehearsal tactic he used on the Gokester. ("Idol" producers even supplied a fun split-screen in case anyone forgot!) But where Gokey took that lesson and ran with it, delivering his best — and darkest — performance of the season ("Come Rain or Come Shine"), DeWyze stumbled and got lost in an overbearing, karaoke arrangement. I scoffed when Randy said he wanted Lee the Rocker sing Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory." The problem wasn't song choice, dawg. It was Lee's lack of ingenuity in the treatment of the song. You don't want to see a power-hitter bunt, you know? It's that time of the season. Step it up, DeLazy!

Michael Lynche
Song: "Will You Be There" by Michael Jackson (from "Free Willy")
Verdict: Blow Hole
Big Mike was feeling the pressure this week. He set a personal goal to make it to the Top Three (because aiming for the number one spot would be too obvious?) and from the looks of his bumpy rehearsal with Jamix Foxx, Lynche was starting to crack. Jamie handed Michael a "Contestant" T-shirt when Lynche forgot the lyrics and Big Mike pushed it back in Jamie's face. There's the egotistical contestant we knew all season!

Lynche paid tribute to "Free Willy" be beginning the song in a register only whales could hear. Read More...

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'American Idol' Reject Siobhan Magnus Rates The Best Wails In Music

Posted 5/6/10 12:40 pm EST by in Music, Television

It's been compared to Adam Lambert's wail and the sound of a woman giving birth. Siobhan Magnus' signature shriek-of-a-high-note concluded many of her "American Idol" performances this season — some good (its wicked debut on Aretha Franklin's "Think"), some not so good (she got burned on "Through The Fire").

But Siobhan's jaw-dropping octave-jumping sound (which she taught herself while singing Kelly Clarkson songs in the shower) is but one in a long line of pop music power notes. So when she stopped by MTV News for her "I Just Got Kicked Off 'Idol' Now I Get To Talk To 9,000 Media Outlets" press tour, I wanted to hear her thoughts on some of my favorite high-pitched musical squawks.

Celine Dion, "The Power of Love"
"That's a good one. The thing that's impressive about that is that it's very controlled in a place in your voice that it's hard not to cross that line and have it more like a wail like I would do more often on the show. It was that tone that I was going for when I sang 'Through the Fire,' to make it kind of prettier, which I hadn't done as much as my hard [wail]. And I struggled with it because our doctor looked at my throat that performance night. He said I bruised my vocal chords trying to make my scream pretty. And I was like, 'That's it! No more pretty screams!' So I really respect [Celine's] because that's hard!"

Mariah Carey, "Emotions"
"They're called 'whistle tones' when you get that high. It's very very hard. I can't do that, really. Puberty makes it tricky. It's really hard. Really really hard. But the cool thing about being able to sing that high is if you can sing that high then you can sing pretty low too because you stretch your vocal chords, so you're more flexible. So the higher you're able to sing, you can sing really low. She has such a rich, warm lower register, too."

Adam Lambert, "Feeling Good" Read More...

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'American Idol' Recap: Lee DeWyze Steps Up On Frank Sinatra Night

Posted 5/5/10 8:15 am EST by in Music, Television

With "Dancing With the Stars" beating "American Idol" in the ratings this season, "Idol" producers had to do something to woo back the geriatric viewers. So they brought out the big guns: Frank Sinatra! Except Sinatra died in 1998, so instead of wheeling out his rotting corpse, they opted for the next best thing: Harry Connick, Jr. (For my younger readers, he's like Michael Buble, except he's not Canadian and he plays piano really, really well.)

If Sir Anthony Hopkins' and Rob Reiner's attendance was any indication, "Operation: Get the Geezers Back" worked swimmingly. Producers were so happy with Connick's involvement that they even let him say "This is 'American Idol'" instead of Seacrest. (Although it came out more like "Ahdull," thanks to his Louisiana accent.)

Connick brought along his arranger hat, tackling each performer's song with a brand new big band mix. He even brought many of his band members too, most of whom had names that began with the letter "J." (Good to know if I continued playing trombone past the sixth grade, I may have ended up in Connick's brass section.)

While the Chairman of the Board is taking meetings up in Heaven, his daughters were in the hizzouse! Tina was a dream, but Nancy looked like Debbie Harry in a JT Leroy Halloween costume. (I thought her boots were supposed to walk on people. Why did she look like she was the one who was trampled?) The baby Sinatras did a fine job hand-delivering one of their dad's old snot rags to Simon Cowell.

Before I go on a rant about how Connick stressed how important the lyrics were until Casey's rehearsal where he said the complete opposite, let's get to the performances!

Aaron Kelly
Song: "Fly Me to the Moon"
Verdict: Crash Landing
Have you guys seen that recent viral video of the little kid on a pony getting chased by an ostrich? And then the kid falls off the pony and the ostrich goes after him? And then the kid's father comes to the rescue by stomping on the ostrich's long skinny ostrich neck before the animal loses a bunch of feathers and trots away? That video ran on a loop in my head as Aaron struggled through this standard. Except Sinatra's songbook was the dad, and Aaron was the ostrich getting trampled by an angry elder.

During the judges' lukewarm critiques, Kara pointed out that Frank Sinatra was about the same height as Little Aaron. If you listen closely, you can hear Nancy Sinatra in the crowd say, "Oh no she didn't." (At least you can in my warped brain.) Simon let Aaron down easy by pointing out charming he is ... when he’s not singing. How does the back of Simon's hand feel on your face, kid?

Casey James
Song: "Blue Skies"
Verdict: Cloudy With A Chance Of Aw Hell No
Casey told Seacrest that one of his friends back home called him up and tried to book him for a gig Tuesday night, totally oblivious that Casey was a finalist on "American Idol." Casey insisted it was because his friend doesn't have a television but Seacrest didn't have the heart to tell him that even "Idol" viewers often forget Casey's still on the show.

In his rehearsal with Harry, Connick praised Casey's groove thang (I don't think he meant it the same way Kara would have), but once Mr. James got on stage, he was stiffer than Sinatra's dead body and more awkward and uncomfortable than those miserable, soulless Duets albums. Read More...

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Tim Urban Talks Love Songs, Workout Videos During Visit To MTV News

Posted 4/30/10 6:37 pm EST by in Music

If "American Idol" was a beauty pageant, Tim Urban deserved to win Miss (Mr.?) Congeniality. Whether he was gamely giggling at the judges' pans or sliding across the stage like he was stealing home plate, Urban was a ray of sunshine in a particularly dreary season.

This week he stopped by MTV News to chat about his "Idol" trip (and it was a trip all right), as well as what's in store for the future. He's got the "American Idols Live" tour up first, where he'll perform alongside the rest of the Top 10 (including recent eliminee Siobhan Magnus). Then perhaps he'll do a few low-key gigs with his season nine buddy Alex Lambert in Los Angeles. But the aspiring actor/singer is also hoping for a phone call from "Glee" or the Disney family. "My style of music is always going to be upbeat," he promised.

I didn't spend too much time asking about specific "Idol" performances (if you're looking for that, check out Entertainment Weekly's entertaining four-part chat), which freed us up to talk about the stuff you guys wanted to know — like if he'll ever do a workout video, how he felt singing love songs to Usher and Adam Lambert during their rehearsals and who he'd kill to duet with on this year's finale. (He'd freak out if he got to perform with Muse, but also realizes that musically it might make more sense for a Colbie Callait collaboration.)

Who would you like to see Tim perform with at the finale? (Do you like our Kermit idea?) Would you go to a Tim Urban/Alex Lambert double-bill? Which was your favorite Tim Urban moment on "Idol" this season? Check out our interview and leave a comment below! And for more "Idol"-related chatter, follow me on Twitter at @jambajim!

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