Tag Archives: james-durbin

‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds: Thia And Naima Boom-Fired

After hours of onstage drama, Elton John week spelled elimination for two more girls. By Jim Cantiello Thia Megia performs on “American Idol” on Thursday Photo: Michael Becker/ Fox It was Elton John week on “American Idol,” which meant the most contemporary song performed was from 1983. The top 11, including a newly saved and shaved Casey Abrams , mostly warbled ballads, making Wednesday night’s two-hour episode feel as “samey” as Elton’s musical output of late. (For an even zippier recap of the week’s “Idol” insanity, hit play on the embedded video below for Jim Cantiello’s “American Idol” in 60 Seconds recap.) Pia lied to America when she promised an uptempo song this week, while Stefano lulled America to sleep with dreams of being held by Tony Danza. Naima confused America with a new dialect, leaving millions of viewers wondering if a stereotypical Jamaican accent done by an African-American is still racist. Then, Jacob was reprimanded for being over-dramatic onstage so he reacted the way any drama queen would: renting a smoke machine and pretending to weep. Sorry seems to be the hardest word, indeed! Scotty sang for his memaw. Thia sang for her brother. But Haley Reinhart sang for her supper, ferociously taking a bite out of “Bennie and the Jets” and spitting it out with a succulent hissssss. Oh, and James Durbin torched a piano. Thursday night’s results show was like a never-ending awkward group number — chock-full of half-rehearsed collaborations that revealed the cliques in the cast. Sorry, Jacob Lusk and li’l country boy Scotty, you aren’t invited to the dorm-room band from hell that is Paul McDonald, James, Casey and Stefano, dwarfed by a normal-size keyboard. Fantasia stopped by to debut her new single, “Collard Greens and Cornbread,” then Jamie Foxx, will.i.am and four thousand Six Flags performers danced around to “Hot Wings.” Ultimately, the meal ticket ended for Thia “Dead Air” Megia and Naima “Boom Fire” Adedapo … continuing “American Idol” ‘s disturbing Lady-Singer Massacre of 2011. Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos ‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Performances

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‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds: Thia And Naima Boom-Fired

Simon Cowell Pushes for Nicole Scherzinger on The X-Factor

Nicki Minaj is out. Might Nicole Scherzinger be in? The hip hop star will not judge The X-Factor , but Simon Cowell himself sounds very close to naming the former Pussycat Doll as the second judge on his upcoming singing competition. “I want her to do it, but we’ve got to get the deal done and find someone she has chemistry with,” Cowell tells TV Guide. “I absolutely adore her. She was fantastic on the U.K. X Factor and I’m hopeful it will happen.” Cowell says Cheryl Cole is in the mix and also explains his connection to L.A. Reid , who has been confirmed for the panel. “I met him approximately fifteen years ago when he’d launched Pink for the first time. He put on a show and got every single person in the room to believe this person was a star. The way he presented her with his passion drew me to him and was a big part of why I chose him to be on the show. A “yes” or “no” from L.A. Reid should really mean something to the contestants.”

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Simon Cowell Pushes for Nicole Scherzinger on The X-Factor

THG Caption Contest: The Incredible Idol Guest

Welcome, gossip fans, to another edition of THG’s Caption Contest ! Aspiring American Idol singers Paul McDonald and James Durbin had more to be fired up about than the judges’ save of Casey Abrams Thursday night. Hulk Hogan stopped by! What was he/they thinking/saying? Tell us! All you do is click “Comments” below and submit your best caption(s)! Go to it! We’ll announce a winner Monday . Best of luck to everyone …

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THG Caption Contest: The Incredible Idol Guest

James Durbin Rocks Out to Bon Jovi

Following a cover of a Paul McCartney classic , James Durbin returned to his rock roots last night. The American Idol finalist made the girls in attendance scream with a version of Bon Jovi’s “I’ll Be There for You,” roaming the stage while singing, shaking hands with audience members, making like a true star. J. Lo says she loves it and tells James he’s “great,” while Randy warns of pitch problems but acknowledges that Durbin makes every song his own. Check it out and judge for yourself now: James Durbin – I’ll Be There for You

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James Durbin Rocks Out to Bon Jovi

The Pulse: A Look at the Top 12 on American Idol

We’re down to a dozen on American Idol . With the elimination of Ashthon Jones, season 10 has whittled its number of finalists down to 12. Who impressed our staff the most last week? Pia Toscano earned another standing ovation, Casey Abrams howled his way into our hearts and James Durbin proved that he’s a lot more than just a rocker. As the contestants head into tomorrow night’s performance show and sing for your votes again, catch up on anything you may have missed via this edition of The Pulse: The Pulse: American Idol Top 12

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The Pulse: A Look at the Top 12 on American Idol

Maybe We’re Amazed by James Durbin…

http://www.youtube.com/v/EHdHUqnei3g

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Following a performance by Judas Priest last week, James Durbin channeled another famous hard hard metal artist last night in the form of… … Paul McCartney?!? This versatile contestant proved his range by going a bit soft during his first rendition as a finalist, covering “Maybe I’m Amazed” and earning wild praise from the judges. Said Randy: “You just kind of turned the other cheek, showed you… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Hollywood Gossip Discovery Date : 10/03/2011 04:28 Number of articles : 2

Maybe We’re Amazed by James Durbin…

James Durbin Soars With Paul McCartney Cover On ‘American Idol’

‘Dangerous’ Durbin surprises judges with his rendition of the Wings staple ‘Maybe I’m Amazed.’ By Adam Graham James Durbin performs on “American Idol” Wednesday Photo: FOX James Durbin has one of those big, overpowering voices that can be difficult to rein in. But on Wednesday’s (March 9) episode of “American Idol,” he was able to keep it in check, and turned in one of the evening’s standout performances. After tearing through Judas Priest’s heavy metal classic “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ ” on last week’s show, one may have expected Durbin to go back to the metal playbook this week, when contestants were asked to sing a song by one of their personal idols. Instead, Durbin threw a curveball and opted to sing Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” which was recorded by Wings in 1976 (and may be familiar to fans of “The O.C.” as the song played at Julie Cooper’s wedding in the season-one finale). Durbin said he admired McCartney for his versatility and for being one of the best musicians, writers and singers in rock history, and said he one day also hopes to be remembered in those terms. In the studio, Durbin teamed up with producer Jim Jonsin (Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop,” T.I.’s “Whatever You Like”) to work on the song’s arrangement, and Jonsin pumped up the song with a bit of a hip-hop backbeat. Interscope Records head honcho Jimmy Iovine praised Durbin’s mighty pipes, saying “Idol” is a perfect vehicle for a voice like Durbin ‘s to be discovered. “You don’t hear many voices like that,” he said. “I didn’t even know kids were out there singin’ like that!” On the “Idol” stage, Durbin — flaunting a fresh haircut, a clean-shaven face and without the scarf “tail” he wore last week — did justice to “Amazed,” and didn’t drive it over a cliff with his over-the-top vocal wails. Instead, he held back and showed a more reserved side of himself, and displayed a range, both vocally and emotionally, that proved he was more than the one-trick-pony/ Adam Lambert clone as his detractors had him pegged. The judges dug the way he changed things up and managed to “slay” it, in Randy Jackson’s words. “I was like, ‘Yo, this dude can do anything, man!” the Dawg told him. “James Durbin is dangerous, America. This guy can sing!” Steven Tyler followed suit, saying Durbin took everything he ever felt and “kicked it into the middle of next week” — apparently that’s a good thing — and Jennifer Lopez complimented his vocal skills. “The truth is you have what the greatest rock singers have, which is a melodic quality to your voice,” she said. And it appears as though we’re going to hear plenty more of that voice in the weeks to come. What did you think of James Durbin’s performance? Let us know in the comments! Don’t miss “Idol Party Live” every Thursday on MTV.com, following the “American Idol” results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty ! In the meantime, get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Performances

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James Durbin Soars With Paul McCartney Cover On ‘American Idol’

James Durbin Soars With Paul McCartney Cover On ‘American Idol’

‘Dangerous’ Durbin surprises judges with his rendition of the Wings staple ‘Maybe I’m Amazed.’ By Adam Graham James Durbin performs on “American Idol” Wednesday Photo: FOX James Durbin has one of those big, overpowering voices that can be difficult to rein in. But on Wednesday’s (March 9) episode of “American Idol,” he was able to keep it in check, and turned in one of the evening’s standout performances. After tearing through Judas Priest’s heavy metal classic “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ ” on last week’s show, one may have expected Durbin to go back to the metal playbook this week, when contestants were asked to sing a song by one of their personal idols. Instead, Durbin threw a curveball and opted to sing Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” which was recorded by Wings in 1976 (and may be familiar to fans of “The O.C.” as the song played at Julie Cooper’s wedding in the season-one finale). Durbin said he admired McCartney for his versatility and for being one of the best musicians, writers and singers in rock history, and said he one day also hopes to be remembered in those terms. In the studio, Durbin teamed up with producer Jim Jonsin (Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop,” T.I.’s “Whatever You Like”) to work on the song’s arrangement, and Jonsin pumped up the song with a bit of a hip-hop backbeat. Interscope Records head honcho Jimmy Iovine praised Durbin’s mighty pipes, saying “Idol” is a perfect vehicle for a voice like Durbin ‘s to be discovered. “You don’t hear many voices like that,” he said. “I didn’t even know kids were out there singin’ like that!” On the “Idol” stage, Durbin — flaunting a fresh haircut, a clean-shaven face and without the scarf “tail” he wore last week — did justice to “Amazed,” and didn’t drive it over a cliff with his over-the-top vocal wails. Instead, he held back and showed a more reserved side of himself, and displayed a range, both vocally and emotionally, that proved he was more than the one-trick-pony/ Adam Lambert clone as his detractors had him pegged. The judges dug the way he changed things up and managed to “slay” it, in Randy Jackson’s words. “I was like, ‘Yo, this dude can do anything, man!” the Dawg told him. “James Durbin is dangerous, America. This guy can sing!” Steven Tyler followed suit, saying Durbin took everything he ever felt and “kicked it into the middle of next week” — apparently that’s a good thing — and Jennifer Lopez complimented his vocal skills. “The truth is you have what the greatest rock singers have, which is a melodic quality to your voice,” she said. And it appears as though we’re going to hear plenty more of that voice in the weeks to come. What did you think of James Durbin’s performance? Let us know in the comments! Don’t miss “Idol Party Live” every Thursday on MTV.com, following the “American Idol” results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty ! In the meantime, get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Performances

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James Durbin Soars With Paul McCartney Cover On ‘American Idol’

Who Will Win Season 10 of American Idol?

The selections have been made. The live performances will soon begin. And American Idol is about to kick into high, intense gear. But before the newly-announced finalists take the stage next week, let’s consider what we’ve seen so far. Are you a fan of Jacob Lusk and his soulful performances? Did you stand and cheer along with the judges for Pia Toscano ? Or are you on Team Thia Megia ? Perhaps James Durbin rocked your world, and maybe you loved how Karen Rodriguez paid homage to her heritage. Below, we’ve listed the early favorites and we want to know one thing: who do you think will win?

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Who Will Win Season 10 of American Idol?

And the American Idol Finalists Are…

… and then were a baker’s dozen. American Idol revealed its 13 finalists tonight, with five men and five women chosen by the viewers, and the final trio of wild card spots selected by the judges. Did your favorite make it? Find out now: Scotty McCreery Lauren Alaina Pia Toscano Karen Rodriguez Jacob Lusk Casey Abrams Haley Reinhart James Durbin Thia Megia Paul McDonald Naima Adedapo Ashthon Jones Stefano Langone

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And the American Idol Finalists Are…