‘American Idol’ notes: Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Phillip Phillips
Before you take off and enjoy the weekend, why not chill for a few more minutes with some former “American Idol” contestants? We’ll kick things off with Jennifer Hudson, mostly because there is an interesting debate to be had with what the Oscar-winning actress has to say about the new panel.
J-Hud was on “Live! with Kelly and Michael” this week to promote the new season of “Smash” (sadly bombing in the ratings despite being better this year), and she said that it was of course very difficult for her to really relate to a new panel since she partial to the one that she had on the show. However, she also made the suggestion that Mariah Carey is especially worth noting just because of her talent:
“I’m happy that Mariah is there because she’s a singer … So she knows what to expect, how to judge, even the position the kids are in when they’re auditioning.”
Crazy as it may seem, we’re actually not that thrilled to see Mariah there. Despite her $18 million payday, she’s not really doing much save for the side-eyes that she is making at Nicki Minaj. Plus, Simon Cowell was a great judge without having any great singing experience at all. We do get Hudson’s point, though, and maybe she is trying to say that she is glad that Carey is there to give that perspective to the panel as a whole.
Phillip Phillips news – Phillip has now landed himself yet another venue in which to perform “Home”: during NBA All-Star Saturday night on February 16. He joins a lineup of performers that also includes Fall Out Boy and Ellie Goulding.
While we’re sure that Phillip at this point would prefer to perform new single “Gone, Gone, Gone,” any publicity is good.
Adam’s subtle recognition – The following is not so much an enormous Adam Lambert story, but it’s something worth noting when it comes to his impact on fashion. As you may have realized when watching last night’s “Glee,” Darren Criss’ “Diva” outfit is almost identical to something that Adam wore during a show last year.
While Adam did not directly comment on Criss’ outfit, he did retweet a message from After Elton saying that the original is still very much the best.
For those curious, Adam also established himself firmly as a Papa Peachez fan from this season of “Idol,” even though the man with the unique name (and voice) was sent home this week.
Do you think that singers are automatically better candidates to be judges? We want to hear some of your thoughts here below! Meanwhile, be sure to read our full review of Thursday’s “American Idol” over here.
Photo: Fox
Sue
February 10, 2013 @ 10:46 pm
Adam is more talented and he is a better performer than anyone on the grammy’s tonight. However, he is being kept below the radar as he cannot get on the top tv shows. Although he paved the way for gay singers along with Glee, he has not been invited to perform on the show. They had Matt Bomer, who has great singing voice, but he has no music of his own. Adam has not sung on the Voice, the X-Factor or Dancing with the Stars to name a few. He is not even a presenter on the Grammys. He is not getting radio play for his songs. He has not gotten any commercials. I see Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, etc. on th major music shows, but not Adam. I realize that he caused himself a problem on the AMA awards, but that was three years ago. I don’t know what he has to do to break into the top tier of artists. I think some of the artists who don’t have much of a singing voice may not want Adam around due to his incredible voice. He would outshine them.
RoRo
February 10, 2013 @ 3:37 pm
I love that Adam is influencing style in fashion, music, and culture! Glad to see young show kids accepted as who they are, not who it is politically correct to be. Bravo, Adam, for inspiring youth – and TV writers!
Jill
February 10, 2013 @ 10:33 am
I think it IS important to have a real singer on the panel – someone who IS where these kids are trying to go? Yeah, without question. Although I personally don’t like the sound of Mariah’s voice, she can sing and she’s been a raging success for more than 10 years.
On the Adam/Glee thing, Glee lost major cred. All a character had to say was, “Channel your inner Adam Lambert!” I rarely watch the show for more than a few minutes, but I thought the diversity was wonderful. But there are so many gay kids out there who would have LOVED to hear Adam’s name mentioned on the show – so many people who would have googled and youtubed and discovered Adam had they just mentioned his name. But no. Dirty, dirty industry politics.
Ovationimpact
February 10, 2013 @ 1:42 am
The recognition to mimic Adam Lambert on Glee is in of itself recognition and acknowledgement of the ‘full package” talents of the one and only Adam Lambert! Now Hollywood producers wake up and give us Adam fan’s a weekly TV ADAM LAMBERT REALITY SHOW.
lynda
February 10, 2013 @ 12:24 am
Well Adam is touring asia for the next 6 weeks (where he is appreciated) It’s absolutely disgusting how his own country has treated him (radio, grammys,ect) His album trespassing is fantatic- every single song- I can’t say that for any other artist out there today except for adele!
renogirl
February 9, 2013 @ 3:34 pm
I am happy to see Adam recognition on Glee. Now they need to give him a guest part on the show. Funny the world admires and recognizes Adam’s talent yet in our country he is held back. Sad we are not hearing his music on the radio on every channel til we are sick of it. What is the problem? I really don’t get it. His new music is so fine.
Lauriellen (@lolpsychic)
February 9, 2013 @ 2:40 pm
I was furious when I watched my recording of GLEE, but I REFUSE to mention them on Twitter, write to the producers or do anything to call attention to their sites. The omission was probably intentional just to get attention from Glamberts.
Just being a singer in no way qualifies a person to be anything other than a singer. To be a judge on these shows, there needs to be a knowledge of the industry and a heart of a teacher, to be able to critique the contestants and truly help them get to the next level even if they don’t land in the top 10. Adam Lambert would be perfect as long as that is something he would want to do.
Internetos
February 9, 2013 @ 8:30 am
It was a recognition of Adam’s talent (voice, performance, charisma, beauty) and then his fashion style. And honestly, the “original” was better on may levels. However, it was nice to see that Glee acknowledged the presence of the fascinating Mr. Adam Lambert on the music world.
funbunn40
February 9, 2013 @ 1:48 am
Good for Phil Phillips, nice boy,easy listening voice and demeanor and “safe ” for conservative America, but give me electric, exciting Adam Lambert that wakes us up, gets our adrenaline flowing, makes a fashion statement and can outsing any AI contestant, past or present.Too bad that Adam wasn’t on Glee’s Diva episode. He could have given great tips! Adam’s “Elmo” jacket by the Blonds is hard to beat! The Glee kids are very talented and Blaine shines. I still couldn’t help but envision Adam singing Don’t Stop Me Now as he did with Queen.
THESSA
February 9, 2013 @ 12:26 am
I LOVE YOU PHILLIP PHILLIPS! MWAH
tess4ADAM
February 8, 2013 @ 10:58 pm
Didn’t watch the show but from the clips here I’m not sorry I missed it. When I hear Don’t Stop Me Now … all I can see is ADAM with QUEEN knocking it outta the park as only ADAM can!! JMO
Angel
February 8, 2013 @ 9:57 pm
I see it as a nod to ADAM as Darren Criss’ Blaine is channeling ADAM.
From the Blond’s Elmo jacket to singing Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now and uttering the line “Men can be divas too!” as words by ADAM when he hosted VH1 Diva.
But Blaine’s jacket is the poor man’s version of it and that was a good rendition of the Queen’s song.
But ADAM is ADAM, simply phenomenal.
CJ
February 8, 2013 @ 8:56 pm
Seriously, it wasn’t the fashion statement of Lambert’s that I was seeing on Glee. It was that thrilling and amazing performance he did with Queen, when HE sang “Don’t Stop Me Now” (another outfit Darren’s character copied), and as for the red jacket — he wore that totally awesome jacket from The Blonds when he nailed “Dragon Attack” with Queen, as well as on the VH1 Divas broadcast. There was so much Adam in last nite’s glee I’m actually surprised they didn’t mention him. He even said “Men can be Divas too” on the VH1 show he hosted.