In our celebrity interview, 'American Idol' winner Trent Harmon discusses his faith, his reality TV journey, and his country music career. Photo: Ray Mickshaw/FOX
Last Thursday night, April 7th, Trent Harmon, who chose the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes classic “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and Sia’s hit “Chandelier” for his final performances, was crowned the winner of the 15th and final season of American Idol. That’s right — Harmon is the final American Idol! He now has a record deal with Big Machine Records, and his first single “Falling” — which was co-written by American Idol judge and country superstar Keith Urban — will be on country radio. …Want more? Click here for the rest.
The 15th and final season of American Idol is coming to an end! Next week is the finale and the ‘Final Idol’ will be announced. Last night Mackenzie Bourg was sadly eliminated after a great season. The 23-year-old from Lafayette, Louisiana put on quite the performance for his hometown visit before being cut. Bourg who was first seen on season three of The Voice on team CeeLo Green, also plays the guitar and piano. In our celebrity interview with this Idol star, Bourg opened up about the way in which he channels emotion while singing love songs, who he would like to perform a duet with and his plans to tour in the future.
We now have our final four of the 15th and final season of reality TV show American Idol, but unfortunately Sonika Vaid did not make the cut. While Vaid hails from Martha’s Vineyard, she blew everyone away with her audition in Denver, Colorado and continued to get by week after week. The now reality TV star has been singing from the young age of three and playing the piano since the age of 4. The 20-year-old pre-med student went on to compose her own music on the piano. While on the show, she has performed an array of love ballads and even did an amazing version of Demi Lovato’s Let It Go this season. In our celebrity interview, Vaid opened up about her musical journey, love for everything Disney and her favorite love songs and ballads.
Nashville native Tristan McIntosh was sadly eliminated last night from the farewell season of American Idol, leaving only five contestants remaining. She is well-known for singing country music — she even sang Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” on this week’s episode — so it’s no surprise that her influencers are Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, and Chris Stapleton. As fans saw, not only does she have beautiful vocals, but she also plays multiple instruments, including the piano, guitar, trumpet, and mandolin. In our celebrity interview, McIntosh, who attends the Nashville School of the Arts, opens up about her American Idol journey, what she wants in a relationship (someday!), and more. …Don’t miss the rest! Click here for more.
The celebrity wedding bells will be ringing! Sources confirm that American Idol Pia Toscano just got engaged to beau Jimmy Smith, according to UsMagazine.com. It is believed that the two got engaged about two months ago. Toscano showed off her new bling in an Instagram post Smith shared on January 1. The celebrity couple is very excited about their upcoming celebrity wedding!
There’s another celebrity wedding in the works! What are some ways to choose the perfect engagement ring for your partner?
In our celebrity interview, reality TV star and American Idol winner Nick Fradiani talks about his relationship and love life and future plans. Photo: Michael Becker / FOX
And the winner of American Idol season 14 is…Nick Fradiani! While the 29-year-old singer started out on the reality TV show as the underdog, in recent weeks, he quickly worked his way up as one of the front runners in the vocal competition. As he became more confident, he also became more comfortable on stage and finally began to break through his shell like the mentors and judges have been telling him to do all season. In our celebrity interview, the reality TV star talks about relationships and love and how he will remain relevant as an artist in the future.
Celebrity interview: American Idol runner-up Clark Beckham talks about his reality TV experience & says he's in a relationship & love with music. Photo: Michael Becker / FOX
The American Idol season 14runner-up Clark Beckham first started singing in a gospel trio with his parents when he was 8 years old. Now, the 22-year-old finishes the reality TV competition with a platform large enough to become as famous as season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken…or as forgotten as previous contestants who have had no luck gaining fame after the show. In our celebrity interview, Beckham says he wants to model his career after singers like Bruno Mars, Robin Thicke, and John Mayer, although he plans to take his own approach to balancing his career and relationship and love life.
In this celebrity interview, 'American Idol' finalist Rayvon Owen opens up about his relationship and love life and reality TV experience.
By Jenna Bagcal
Rayvon Owen has been referred to as “the comeback kid” during his time on American Idol. The Richmond, Virginia native was a finalist on the hit reality TV show and lived up to his moniker every week. Although he was consistently in the bottom two, he was saved by the fans and made it to the final four. He says that being able to redeem himself each week “brought out a fight in me that I didn’t know I had.” In this celebrity interview, Owen talks about his relationships with his mom and Godand what he’s looking forward to in the near future.
In our celebrity interview, 'American Idol' star Tyanna Jones discusses her emotional journey and what her post-reality TV plans are. Photo: Michael Becker / FOX
American Idol reality TV star Tyanna Jones has been pursuing music since she was five years old. Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, the 16-year-old has had a rough upbringing and was even homeless at one point. Her American Idol journey was no less emotional. In our celebrity interview, the eliminated contestant says that the show “at times can get really hard. My faith and my beliefs have helped me through a lot of that.”
In this celebrity interview, eliminated 'American Idol' contestant Quentin Alexander shares how New Orleans influences him as an artist and discusses what's next in his journey. Photo: Michael Becker/FOX
By Jenna Bagcal
Conceptual, artistic, bold, and distinctive are all words that describe 21-year old Quentin Alexander. The New Orleans, Louisiana native was a contestant on season 14 of American Idoland made a name for himself during his time on the reality TV show. He blew audiences away with his performances each week, combining his emotion-filled vocals with stunning effects and clothing. The performer is self-assured in who he is, saying, “The type of artist I want to be is one that touches on all of the senses. A concert of mine would be something that would be just as appealing visually as it is musically.” In this celebrity interview, Alexander opens up about his experience on the show and his plans for the upcoming year. …Want the rest? Click here for more!
In our celebrity interview, 'American Idol' star Joey Cook discusses her celebrity engagement and what she learned from the reality TV show. Photo: Michael Becker / FOX
Joey Cook will not only leave the reality TV show American Idol having gained experience and knowledge in the music industry, but she’s also walking away with a celebrity engagement! Cook’s longtime boyfriend Evan Higgins proposed a few weeks ago, and the now-famous couple shared the news on Twitter on Thursday, Mar. 26. In our celebrity interview, the performer opens up about the special moment, saying, “The proposal was really sweet. He’s the love of my life!”
In our celebrity interview, 'American Idol' star Qaasim Middleton discusses his relationship & love life and what his post-reality TV plans are. Photo: Michael Becker / FOX
We haven’t seen the last of Qaasim Middleton! The performer has been a busy actor and musician since his first appearance on television in 2007. With fame and fortune still to come his way, he keeps himself grounded with his faith and his girlfriend. This week, he was eliminated from the reality TV show American Idol after being in the bottom two with his performance of “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson. But don’t worry: In our celebrity interview, he says he has “so much in the oven right now; it’s just cooking!”
In our celebrity interview with Daniel Seavey, the reality TV star discusses his future plans and talks about the new fan save on American Idol. Photo: Michael Becker / FOX
After a rocky road on the reality TV show American Idol, Daniel Seavey was eliminated during Wednesday night’s episode. Throughout his run, the judges and mentors pushed him to grow and improve, which is something that may just come with age. After all, the 15-year-old was the youngest contestant to compete in American Idol history. It’s no surprise, then, that in our celebrity interview, Seavey says that his next step is to “start writing and put music out there to show I’m not just a cute kid.”
In this celebrity interview, Maddie Walker discusses her time on the reality TV show 'American Idol,' her elimination, & her future plans. Photo: Michael Becker/FOX
By Jenna Bagcal
From the tender age of three, Maddie Walker has been pursing her passion for music. The 17-year-old singer from Ankeny, Iowa, first auditioned for American Idol in season 13 but was sent home during Hollywood Week. However, this minor setback didn’t stop her from auditioning again, and she made it to the Top 11 on season 14 of the reality TV show. Last week, she sang “Let’s Hear It For the Boy” from the film Footloose, which earned her a place in the bottom three. Unfortunately, her journey ended on Wednesday when was sent home in a double elimination along with fellow contestant Adanna Duru.
In our celebrity interview with Adanna Duru, she discusses reality TV show 'American Idol' and her elimination from the competition. Photo: Michael Becker/ FOX
Being on the reality TV show American Idol is not all fun and games. When it comes down to it, the contestants are there to learn and improve so that they will be successful in the music industry. After the top 11 performances last week, the judges used the save on Qaasim Middleton, which meant that two of the hopefuls were sent home this week. Unfortunately, the journey ended for 18-year-old Adanna Duru. This came as a shock to the viewers and judges alike. In our celebrity interview, Duru says that she plans to “constantly stay active now because the fans look up to us and they want to see you doing things.” …Don’t miss the rest of this exciting interview! Click here for more.
Celebrity interview: Sarina-Joi Crowe discusses her time on reality TV show American Idol & how she uses past relationships & love when performing. Photo: Michael Becker / FOX
By Jenna Bagcal
Perseverance and determination are two qualities that 19-year-old Sarina-Joi Crowe possess. The Columbia, Tennessee native has auditioned for reality TV show American Idol four times since 2011. This season, she made it to the Top 12, but her journey ended this past Thursday after she received the lowest number of fan votes. She performed Demi Lovato’s “Neon Lights” as her save song, but it wasn’t enough for the judges to keep her from elimination. While this came as a shock to viewers and fans, the singer isn’t done yet: “This is not the end of me. There’s definitely more to come!” she assures us in our celebrity interview. …Don’t miss the rest! Click here for more.
American Idol runner-up Jena Irene Asciutto almost didn’t make it onto the show. The 17-year-old singer didn’t have enough votes to make it to the Top 10, but the judges saved her, and she is the first wild card contestant since Clay Aiken to make it to the finale. Each week, she proved the decision to save her right and was in the bottom only once during her amazing run. She did admit that almost going home shook her up. “My confidence wasn’t that high in the beginning because America didn’t vote me in, but that lit a fire under me to prove that I could do it.”
Once she made it to the top 10, Asciutto’s star quality was undeniable. Although still young, she’s a seasoned performer. From the ages of 12 to 16, she was the front woman for the band Infinity Hour. “Being in a band had a huge impact on me,” she says. “I played all around the metro Detroit area, and we played with other bands and kind of did different music depending on which venue we were playing. That definitely influenced me, and to be around all these local artists was fun because I saw what made them unique.” Unfortunately, she had to quit the band a few months before her audition, but her bandmates have continued to support her from the sidelines.
Despite avoiding the bottom all but once, the runner-up says that she didn’t realize just how far she had made it until the top five. “Once there were only five of us left, that’s when it started to sink in that this was real.” Every competitor had a distinct style, and she knew that it was anybody’s game. “I just remember laying in bed one night wondering how I was there. I was just so excited.”
Although she became friends with all of the finalists, Asciutto has become especially close with 23-year-old Caleb Johnson, who was announced the winner last night. She said she was grateful for his support during the show. “It was a positive effect,” she shares of their friendship. “Even the production team who’ve been doing this for 12 years said they haven’t seen as good of a connection as Caleb and I have. The stress was taken down a couple notches, and performing with my best friend made it better. You don’t get to experience this with just anybody, so I’m glad we did it together.”
In fact, they are taking their BFF-ship to the next level, and Johnson will be Asciutto’s date for prom. Fans got to watch the footage of her “prom-posal,” and it was just as sweet as they imagined. “It started out as a joke a couple months ago, and as we got closer to the finale, I realized that I actually didn’t have a date to the prom,” she explains. “He was serious about going the whole time, so I decided why not? Our schedules were able to accommodate the prom date, so I’m really excited.”
And while they’re not as daunting as singing on national television, Asciutto has the typical concerns of any teenage girl going to prom. “I still don’t have a dress — I’m freaking out!”
Despite wowing the judges and America with her powerhouse vocals, the talented singer remains a humble. She still worries about her grades and has plans to go to a performing arts college. As for her future in music? “The fact that I got this far being so young and a wild card gives me hope,” she says. “I am a unique artist, and I’m still trying to figure out who I am. My music has been evolving for the past three years, and I can’t wait to see where I end up. I can’t say for sure what my album will sound like, but that’s the fun part!”
American Idol may be over, but you can still catch Jena on the summer tour! Until then, keep up with her on Twitter @JenaAsciutto1. Check back tomorrow for our interview with winner Caleb Johnson!
Even before making it to the top three on American Idol, 21-year-old Alex Preston had a pretty impressive background in music. He can play up to 12 instruments (none of which he took lessons for) and has opened for Of Monsters and Men, Gavin DeGraw, and the Backstreet Boys. Music must be in his blood because he’s also cousins with country music star Jo Dee Messina, who he’s even written songs for.
Week after week, the judges praised him for this artistry, and he managed to avoid being in the bottom up until the end. A common criticism Idol contestants hear is about making each performance seem like an original, but this musician never struggled with that. “When I hear a song, I think of how I would do it, and then I usually take and hour or so and run through the song and run through alternative chords and chordal structures,” he says of his process. “I had the most fun arranging songs and making them my own.”
This week, the singer broke out of his comfort zone, and during his performance of Bastille’s “Pompeii,” he played both the drums and the guitar. “This competition has really taken my out of my shell, and I’ve learned a lot of myself as a performer. I’ve become more confident.”
Although covering popular songs can be a fun challenge, Preston truly enjoys performing his own music and believes allowing more original content will improveAmerican Idol. “Playing original music on the show was definitely an amazing opportunity because it’s in front of millions of people,” he shares. “It’s your own lyrics and composition, and playing your own music on a show like Idol pushes it to the next level because it shows artistry.”
Preston was especially excited to show off his talents when he and his fellow competitors were welcomed back to their hometowns. He went home to Mount Vernon, New Hampshire and gave an “incredible” concert for over 6,000 fans. “I got to show people who I really am outside the show, and that was probably the coolest experience for me.”
Despite all of his achievements, the rising star remains humble. “I was expecting to be eliminated this week because Jena and Caleb are so good and their performances are so big,” he explains. “I knew deep down that it was going to be them in the finale, but I’m proud to have been in the top three.” His strategy during the competition was to take it week by week. “But once I hit top three, I did start thinking about the months ahead, where I want to be, and long term goals outside of the show.”
Beyond improving his musical skills, Idol is also where Preston met his girlfriend Jillian Jensen, who fans might remember from season two of The X Factor. The couple met during Hollywood Week, and while being apart has been difficult, the couple are making it work. “It’s tough because we live on opposite sides of the country, but it works out because we can always talk and Skype. She came to the shows a lot too,” he shares. “It sucks because we can’t see each other as much as we’d like to, but since we’re both musicians, we understand each other’s schedules.”
Being a reality television veteran herself, Jensen was a great source of advice. “She always kept me positive. She was completely honest with me whether it was good or bad and told me what she thought. She helped me through a lot in that aspect and kept me going.”
Preston’s time on the Idol stage may be up, but he knows that this is just the beginning. “I’m already starting to try to figure out a way to plan my record. I have a couple co-writes lined up that I do want to get on the album as well,” he says. “If I could release a single, that would be awesome. I want to release something as soon as I can and kind of take advantage of the wave of publicity that the show has given me.”
Want more of Preston? You can catch him on the American Idol summer tour, but until then, follow him on his Twitter @RealAlexPreston!
Jessica Meuse, 23, stood out on this season of American Idol — and not just because of her trademark pink hair. The singer from Slapout, Alabama, personified cool-rocker-chick, and her honest and easygoing attitude made her a favorite to both fans and judges. Many competitors get pigeonholed into a single genre, but she admits to being influenced by every genre of music. Her singing style is a mix of gritty rock with metal and country notes.
The singer said her ultimate goal was to stay true to herself and bare her soul to the audience — especially when she sang her original song “Blue-Eyed Lie” this week. “I lived it; that happened to me, word for word. It’s like taking my diary and reading it on national television.”
In 2011, she self-released an album called “What’s So Hard About Bein’ a Man.” All of the songs were influenced by her own life experiences, and most of them focus on dark and serious subjects. Meuse has said this is because she wants her music to give hope to others in similar situations. “Writing my own songs about heartbreak and tough situations teaches me how to let go and just not worry about things you can’t control anymore.”
The contestant’s vocals were praised each week, but the judges repeatedly criticized her on her lack of stage presence and connection with the audience. Keith Urban even said she didn’t have enough “release.” Fans complained that she was picked on more than the other singers, but she chalks it up to part of the experience. “At times, I felt picked on, but it’s part of the game. I know I have bigger things ahead of me, and I’m going to make them happen,” she shares.
She does wish she could have sang more original material though. “I didn’t let not singing originals frustrate me because I do know a lot of cover songs from singing three to four hour gigs at home, but I really would’ve liked to do originals — at least one a week just because that’s who I am as an artist.”
Meuse also agrees that stage presence was most difficult for her — but she did improve during her time on stage. “I believe that I have shown emotion, and I’m growing as an artist,” she explains. “There’s always stuff to work on, but I think I’ve grown a lot on the show. It’s definitely different from singing in a bar where you’re kind of just in the corner and only the bartender is looking at you.”
It’s no surprise that the scrutiny can be unnerving. “You’re on national television, and everyone is looking at how your eye twitches. So it’s definitely something you have to get used to,” she says. “But I feel like I came into my own, and I figured myself out on the stage, so I’m very proud of that.”
When you’re in an environment like Idol, it’s stressful to say the least. And when you’re also in a relationship, being apart for that long can create a rift. Unfortunately, that’s what happened to Meuse and her boyfriend, Steven Atkins. Although he came to support her during a few of the live shows, ultimately, they went their separate ways. “Being on the show did affect my relationship to the point where it didn’t work anymore, and we’ve actually been apart for about a month now,” she shares. “It’s just not the right time, but he’s a good guy. Sometimes, situations just bring out the worst in people.”
But heartache and stress are nothing new for the talented musician, and she’s determined to achieve all of her goals. “The limits that you have are only the ones you put on yourself. If you really want something, you just have to work for it. After all, I went from singing in a smoky bar with pneumonia to singing on national television.”
This isn’t the last you’ll see of Jess! You can catch her on the American Idol summer tour. Until then, keep up with her on Twitter @JessMeuse.
This week’s American Idol elimination was not only disappointing for Sam Woolf but also for the legions of teen girls across America who’ve been screaming for him since his audition. The 17-year-old was coined this generation’s Ricky Nelson by Harry Connick Jr., but the Bradenton, Florida teen is more than just a pretty face. He’s been singing and performing ever since he can remember and was known to give concerts on his high school’s courtyard. The singer also writes his own music and even got to perform one of his original pieces on the Idol stage.
C.J. Harris, 23, is wise beyond his years. He resonated with American Idol fans because the honesty and emotion in his voice was so apparent. The singer traveled all the way to Salt Lake City, Utah to audition for the show, and while he had previously tried out for The Voice and X-Factor, the third time proved to be the charm.
It’s no secret that the ousted contestant is all about his family, who came to support him on several occasions. “It puts me at peace, and it’s kind of like singing for people on the couch at home,” he shares. “It helps to have someone out there in the audience that, you know. It made me proud to have my mom and my sister there.”
Dexter Roberts, 22, stood out on this season of American Idol, not just because of his smooth country crooning but because of his easygoing demeanor and always present smile. Nothing seemed to shake him, and even after landing in the bottom two this week, he took it all in stride. “I just don’t know what happened this week,” he shares. “I had a great time on the show, and I know I’ll have a great time on tour.”
At only 16 years old, Malaya Watson is the youngest contestant ever to compete on American Idol. She dominated the competition from early on, and viewers quickly forgot how young she was after listening to her powerhouse vocals. Her positive attitude, confidence, and jokes garnered a lot of fans, so it was no surprise that the singer’s elimination caused controversy with many who stated that the judges use of the save last week was a joke and that Watson deserved it more than Sam Woolf. Some have also said the she deserved to win and that the votes were miscounted, while others announced that they would no longer watch the show.
Twenty-one year old Rochelle York — better known as Majesty Rose — was an early standout on American Idol. Her quirkiness charmed fans, and her diverse tastes in music always surprised the judges. “When I picked my songs, I wasn’t really thinking about what America likes; I was thinking about what I like,” she said. “Yes, America was voting for me, but it was really my time to present myself, and so I thought about what made me most happy and most comfortable.”
