Jessica Simpson Plans Romantic Vacation
The couple that travels together, stays togetheror, at least, so says rocky-relationship queen Jessica Simpson.
Pals close to the music scene’s newest country crooner say Jessica is planning a quick summer get away for herself and beau Tony Romo.
“She thinks they need some quality alone time,” says friend of Jess, who is still reeling after her relationship reached the breakup brink.
“She believes a vacation will really do a lot to reconnect them. Tony agreed to go, but it was all Jessica’s idea.”
Timing, however, is a problem. Jessica’s crazy busy with photo shoots and interviews to promote her soon-to-be-released country album. And Tony starts football training camp July 24.
“But she’s determined to squeak out a week together before then,” says her pal. “So if she has to clear the decks on her own schedule to make it happen, she so will.”
AI OD: A farewell to Brooke White
When the end finally came for Brooke White, none of us were too surprised, and her least of all. “I’ve been packed for two weeks,” she said in the Brooke White exit interview. But while she may have expected to go, she had mixed feelings about it. “Part of me wanted to keep going,” she indicated. “Song selection and the pressure has really increased with two songs and preparing for the finale. So in that sense, it does feel kind of good to be done with that, but I was welcoming the challenge as well.”
There were times throughout her run where Brooke was clearly in over her head, but that was generally more due to the restricted theme week being so far out of the zone of what she does. As she herself said, she really connects with “the singer/songwriters of the ’70s.” Thus, while a pop career would seem very much not in Brooke’s future, if she can find a place in the modern music scene for a modern singer/songwriter, like a Tori Amos, then she should do just fine.
Brooke really benefited from the addition of instruments to this season’s American Idol, as she was much more confident when behind a guitar or piano. Honestly, I think had she appeared in prior seasons where she wasn’t allowed the comfort of instrumentation, she wouldn’t have made it nearly as far as she did. The majority of times when she would bounce back from a weaker performance, it was by sitting behind a piano or grabbing a guitar. But at those moments, Brooke had some of the most amazing and memorable performances of the whole season.
An early morning chat with one of her legends Carly Simon gave Brooke a boost of confidence as she faces her post-Idol career. After hearing Brooke’s performance of her own song “You’re So Vain,” Carly became a fan of the soft-spoken innocent. Brooke survived also after her infamous restart on Andrew Lloyd Webber week with “You Must Love Me.” Unfortunately, it was a tough week for her and she followed it up with another tough week, though I thought she was wonderful on “I Am I Said.”
She thanks her Idol experience for helping her grow in self-confidence as a performer. From her first audition the judges have been trying to convince her to grow some confidence, because she’s more talented than she realizes. “We always say this show brings everything to the surface that might be an issue for you, and that one is certainly one of them, but I worked through it, and at times, had to work through it in a very public way.”
She compared herself with other contestants throughout her run, worrying that because she didn’t have their power or range she wasn’t as deserving to be on a singing competition. But she’s managed to overcome a lot of this inferiority complex and appreciate her talents the way so many of us have. In the future, she’s going to continue pursuing music, sticking to the singer-songwriter format she’s best suited to. Had she somehow miraculously managed to win American Idol, I wonder if the producers would have allowed her to make that mellow, heartfelt album or if she’d have been shoehorned into more of a pop sound. Maybe, like Daughtry before her, getting cut now will ultimately help her career.
Brooke eliminated and swan song performance:
Top 5 (2) “I’m a Believer,” Neil Diamond:
Top 5 (1) “I Am I Said”:
Top 6 - “You Must Love Me,” Evita:
Top 7 “Hero,” Mariah Carey:
Top 8 - “You’ve Got a Friend,” Carole King:
Top 9 - “Jolene,” Dolly Parton:
Top 10 - “Every Breath You Take,” The Police:
Top 11 - “Here Comes the Sun,” The Beatles:
Top 12 - “Let It Be,” The Beatles:
Top 16 - “Love is a Battlefield,” Pat Benatar:
Top 20 - “You’re So Vain,” Carly Simon:
Top 24 - “Happy Together,” The Turtles:
Hollywood week:
Initial audition:
Independently produced music video for “Free”:
At age 16, here she is with “So Far Away”:
[via Wikipedia, MySpace and more!]
IDOL SEASON 7 FAREWELLS
#6 - Carly Smithson
#7 - Kristy Lee Cook
#8 - Michael Johns
#9 - Ramiele Malubay
#10 - Chikezie
#11 - Amanda Overmyer
#12 - David Hernandez
#13 - Danny Noriega
#14 - Asia’h Epperson
#15 - Luke Menard
#16 - Kady Malloy
#17 - Robbie Carrico
#18 - Alaina Whitaker
#19 - Alexandrea Lushington
#20 - Jason Yeager
#21 - Colton Berry
#22 - Joanne Borgella
#23 - Amy Davis
#24 - Garrett Haley
Kelly Clarkson Swallows Her Pride
Kelly Clarkson Swallows Her Pride
In the music industry there are so many egos, it’s hard to find the people attached to them. But Kelly Clarkson is now looking beyond her pride to make peace with one of the men responsible for her fame as a recording artist.
In the well-publicized feud between Clarkson and record executive Clive Davis, harsh words were spoken from both sides. Whether it was Davis saying that Clarkson should leave the songwriting up to songwriters, or Clarkson poking fun at Davis’ age/relevance to the music scene, it was getting pretty ugly.
Kelly went so far as to say, “I get you don’t like my album. You’re 80; you’re not supposed to,” in the August issue of Blender magazine. But she’s changed her tune.
In a statement posted on her website, Kelly said, “A lot has been made in the press about my relationship with Clive. Much of this has been blown way out of proportion and taken out of context. I’m well aware that Clive is one of the great record men of all time. He has been a key advisor and has been an important force in my success to date. He has also given me respect by releasing my new album when he was not obligated to do so.”
She continued, “I really regret how everything has turned out and I apologize to those whom I have done disservice. I would never intentionally hurt anyone. I love music, and I love the people I am blessed to work with. I am happy that my team is behind me and I look forward to the future.”
It is good to see Kelly take the high road, as we’ve all become accustomed to seeing her do. Hopefully this act of pride-swallowing will set the tone for Clive Davis to respond similarly.
FOB’s Pete Wentz Talks Depression
FOB’s Pete Wentz Talks Depression
In the “Emo” music scene, the more real singers get with emotion, the deeper they connect with their teenage fanbase. And Fall Out Boy bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz confessed that his battle with Depression has affected his life considerably.
The boyfriend of Ashlee Simpson came clean about his bipolar disorder recently. He told press, “I have manic depression. I obsess over everything. When I am depressed, I can’t get out of bed. But right now, it’s sunny and 65 in my head, so it’s OK!”
It’s been a long 10 years for the 28-year-old musician, who was diagnosed with the disorder just after his 18th birthday. Wentz says he’s been medicated ever since.
“I am on anti-anxiety medicine. The technical term is Lorazepam. I am supposed to be on antidepressants but I think it’s part of my neuroses that I don’t take them.”
With a celebrity ally like Pete, the bipolar kids around the world have someone that they can look to for inspiration when times get tough.
To watch videos of Pete and his band Fall Out Boy - !