That American Idol thing worked out pretty well for Jessica Sanchez, huh? The talented singer got a boyfriend out of it, fellow Season 10 contestant DeAndre Brackensick , and also confirmed a record deal this week, telling the crowd at the iHeartRadio American Idol tour stop in New York City Wednesday night that she is signed to Interscope Records. Sanchez also debuted the track “Fairytale.” Give it a listen now:
‘Throughout this competition, I grew a backbone,’ Ledet says of his third-place finish and his plans for a post-‘Idol’ album. By James Montgomery Joshua Ledet performs on “American Idol” Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images Despite receiving heaps of hyperbolic praise throughout his run on “American Idol” — like, for example, when he was dubbed “one of the best singers ever on the show” — Joshua Ledet wasn’t angry when he was booted in the week leading up to the “Idol” finale. Quite the opposite, in fact. “I was happy that I finished third; all the stress was gone from me. I felt relieved that I didn’t have to worry about competing, or learning any more songs … I was really, really relieved after getting voted off,” Ledet told MTV News. “Just being on a schedule every day, knowing what you’re going to do throughout the whole day, at the exact time, was ridiculous. We would literally go by the schedule. It was tough, rehearsing, learning the songs, doing press, photo shoots, all these different things, all in one day. … I don’t even think celebrities do that much in one day.” And while he might have had some issues with the rather frantic “Idol” schedule, Ledet had none with the guy who ended up winning this season, Phillip Phillips, whom he said “deserved” to be crowned champion — even if, like much of America , Ledet knew it was pretty much a foregone conclusion. “He’s not the kind of person to let people make decisions for him, he stands his ground and does his own thing. I think his career will be great,” he said. “I kinda knew in the back of my head that it was going to be Phillip, because his fans are ridiculous.” Ledet added that he’d like to emulate Phillips’ attitude when it comes time to make his post-“Idol” album — something that, before he competed on the show, seemed an impossibility for the shy Louisiana native. But now, thanks to his tremendous run and all that praise, Ledet’s ready to make the kind of album he wants to, and on his own terms. “I think throughout this competition, I grew a backbone, and I learned how to say ‘no.’ And I think when that time comes, to where I’m sitting in a room with a whole bunch of people deciding what my album’s going to be like, I think I’ll be strong enough to say ‘no’ to some things and ‘yes’ to things that I really want,” Ledet smiled. “And when they say ‘no,’ I’ll say ‘yes’ if I really like it. … Growing a backbone throughout this competition really helped me and got me in the shape I need to be in. … It’s the best thing I took from ‘American Idol.'” 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 11 Finale Show
Fanny, please have a couple of seats Fantasia returned to her “American Idol” roots Wednesday night, showing up on the music competition reality show to perform a duet with contestant Joshua Ledet . While her appearance on the show was a welcomed surprise, it was Fantasia’s outfit choices for the evening that shocked viewers. The 27-year-old North Carolina native graced the red carpet in a purple sequined gown, which didn’t flatter her figure. While the dress did hug her curves, it looked to be too big around her neckline and shoulders, looking like a broke down Mermaid. Later on in the show, when Fantasia teamed up with Ledet to sing a cover of Elton John’s “Take Me to the Pilot,” she did a complete wardrobe change. The Back to Me creator tossed evening wear aside to don a glittering red-and-black catsuit with high slits riding up her thighs. As a result, her tattooed skin was on display for all to see. And nobody was trying to see all of that! Well, apparently Fantasia found time between fawking married men, hollering like a dead goat on stage and swinging her Beauty Supply Remy around to address the haters via Twitter: We didn’t even know Fanny knew how to tweet much less spell. Were you feeling her She by Sheree fashions for less on American Idol? Twitter
‘It sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that,’ ‘Idol’ castoff tells MTV News. By Kelly Marino Joshua Ledet Photo: MTV News “American Idol” finalist Joshua Ledet won’t be taking anyone to church during this season’s finale next week, leaving bluesy rocker Phillip Phillips and budding diva Jessica Sanchez to compete for the title. The 20-year-old powerhouse received a record number of standing ovations from the panel and has been proclaimed as one of the best contestants in the history of the show. So, coming in third place with the lowest total of the 90 million votes cast this week might come as a shock to some, but Ledet says it was more like a relief. “I just felt relief,” the soulful singer told MTV News backstage after the show. “As soon as they said Phillip was going on, I felt a lot of pressure came off of me and I was — I’m not going to say I was happy — but it sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that and this and that. But when they said I wasn’t going on, I was just like, ‘OK. Now I can get this song out of the way and then go home and go to sleep or do something fun.’ ” But make no mistake: It wasn’t just about getting his farewell song out of the way. After belting out “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown, the Louisiana native claims he was so overwhelmed, he couldn’t fully recall what the judges were saying to him when they came to console him after the show. “I honestly don’t remember what they were saying because I think I was so emotional,” the preacher’s son explained. “I just remember Jennifer [Lopez] telling me never to give up and that my career is going to go higher from here on out and to just keep believing in myself. “Definitely, it gives me a lot of hope seeing Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert and Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry. All of these people that didn’t win have had a lot of huge careers, so hopefully that can happen for me.” That being said, Ledet’s career probably could take off if Jimmy Iovine has anything to do with it. For weeks, the show’s music mentor has continuously hinted at signing the singer, even claiming to know the exact type of album he should make — a bit ironic, considering the Interscope head admitted wrongdoing by picking Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama” for the gospel sensation to perform before being voted off. Thankfully, though, Ledet has no regrets. “I don’t regret any performance that I’ve done on the show,” Ledet said. “People can say one thing, but it’s what I feel in my heart and how I feel about something. So, I don’t think I’ll let people tell me what to do as a person if it’s not true to me in my heart. “I definitely did like the ‘No More Drama’ song,” he added. “It’s not a lot of melody, but I don’t think it’s a competition song. It’s just one of those great songs that you can perform at the Grammys or something.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Do you agree with Joshua Ledet’s elimination? Sound off below! Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
‘It sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that,’ ‘Idol’ castoff tells MTV News. By Kelly Marino Joshua Ledet Photo: MTV News “American Idol” finalist Joshua Ledet won’t be taking anyone to church during this season’s finale next week, leaving bluesy rocker Phillip Phillips and budding diva Jessica Sanchez to compete for the title. The 20-year-old powerhouse received a record number of standing ovations from the panel and has been proclaimed as one of the best contestants in the history of the show. So, coming in third place with the lowest total of the 90 million votes cast this week might come as a shock to some, but Ledet says it was more like a relief. “I just felt relief,” the soulful singer told MTV News backstage after the show. “As soon as they said Phillip was going on, I felt a lot of pressure came off of me and I was — I’m not going to say I was happy — but it sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that and this and that. But when they said I wasn’t going on, I was just like, ‘OK. Now I can get this song out of the way and then go home and go to sleep or do something fun.’ ” But make no mistake: It wasn’t just about getting his farewell song out of the way. After belting out “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown, the Louisiana native claims he was so overwhelmed, he couldn’t fully recall what the judges were saying to him when they came to console him after the show. “I honestly don’t remember what they were saying because I think I was so emotional,” the preacher’s son explained. “I just remember Jennifer [Lopez] telling me never to give up and that my career is going to go higher from here on out and to just keep believing in myself. “Definitely, it gives me a lot of hope seeing Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert and Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry. All of these people that didn’t win have had a lot of huge careers, so hopefully that can happen for me.” That being said, Ledet’s career probably could take off if Jimmy Iovine has anything to do with it. For weeks, the show’s music mentor has continuously hinted at signing the singer, even claiming to know the exact type of album he should make — a bit ironic, considering the Interscope head admitted wrongdoing by picking Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama” for the gospel sensation to perform before being voted off. Thankfully, though, Ledet has no regrets. “I don’t regret any performance that I’ve done on the show,” Ledet said. “People can say one thing, but it’s what I feel in my heart and how I feel about something. So, I don’t think I’ll let people tell me what to do as a person if it’s not true to me in my heart. “I definitely did like the ‘No More Drama’ song,” he added. “It’s not a lot of melody, but I don’t think it’s a competition song. It’s just one of those great songs that you can perform at the Grammys or something.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Do you agree with Joshua Ledet’s elimination? Sound off below! Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
‘It sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that,’ ‘Idol’ castoff tells MTV News. By Kelly Marino Joshua Ledet Photo: MTV News “American Idol” finalist Joshua Ledet won’t be taking anyone to church during this season’s finale next week, leaving bluesy rocker Phillip Phillips and budding diva Jessica Sanchez to compete for the title. The 20-year-old powerhouse received a record number of standing ovations from the panel and has been proclaimed as one of the best contestants in the history of the show. So, coming in third place with the lowest total of the 90 million votes cast this week might come as a shock to some, but Ledet says it was more like a relief. “I just felt relief,” the soulful singer told MTV News backstage after the show. “As soon as they said Phillip was going on, I felt a lot of pressure came off of me and I was — I’m not going to say I was happy — but it sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that and this and that. But when they said I wasn’t going on, I was just like, ‘OK. Now I can get this song out of the way and then go home and go to sleep or do something fun.’ ” But make no mistake: It wasn’t just about getting his farewell song out of the way. After belting out “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown, the Louisiana native claims he was so overwhelmed, he couldn’t fully recall what the judges were saying to him when they came to console him after the show. “I honestly don’t remember what they were saying because I think I was so emotional,” the preacher’s son explained. “I just remember Jennifer [Lopez] telling me never to give up and that my career is going to go higher from here on out and to just keep believing in myself. “Definitely, it gives me a lot of hope seeing Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert and Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry. All of these people that didn’t win have had a lot of huge careers, so hopefully that can happen for me.” That being said, Ledet’s career probably could take off if Jimmy Iovine has anything to do with it. For weeks, the show’s music mentor has continuously hinted at signing the singer, even claiming to know the exact type of album he should make — a bit ironic, considering the Interscope head admitted wrongdoing by picking Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama” for the gospel sensation to perform before being voted off. Thankfully, though, Ledet has no regrets. “I don’t regret any performance that I’ve done on the show,” Ledet said. “People can say one thing, but it’s what I feel in my heart and how I feel about something. So, I don’t think I’ll let people tell me what to do as a person if it’s not true to me in my heart. “I definitely did like the ‘No More Drama’ song,” he added. “It’s not a lot of melody, but I don’t think it’s a competition song. It’s just one of those great songs that you can perform at the Grammys or something.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Do you agree with Joshua Ledet’s elimination? Sound off below! Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
‘It sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that,’ ‘Idol’ castoff tells MTV News. By Kelly Marino Joshua Ledet Photo: MTV News “American Idol” finalist Joshua Ledet won’t be taking anyone to church during this season’s finale next week, leaving bluesy rocker Phillip Phillips and budding diva Jessica Sanchez to compete for the title. The 20-year-old powerhouse received a record number of standing ovations from the panel and has been proclaimed as one of the best contestants in the history of the show. So, coming in third place with the lowest total of the 90 million votes cast this week might come as a shock to some, but Ledet says it was more like a relief. “I just felt relief,” the soulful singer told MTV News backstage after the show. “As soon as they said Phillip was going on, I felt a lot of pressure came off of me and I was — I’m not going to say I was happy — but it sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that and this and that. But when they said I wasn’t going on, I was just like, ‘OK. Now I can get this song out of the way and then go home and go to sleep or do something fun.’ ” But make no mistake: It wasn’t just about getting his farewell song out of the way. After belting out “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown, the Louisiana native claims he was so overwhelmed, he couldn’t fully recall what the judges were saying to him when they came to console him after the show. “I honestly don’t remember what they were saying because I think I was so emotional,” the preacher’s son explained. “I just remember Jennifer [Lopez] telling me never to give up and that my career is going to go higher from here on out and to just keep believing in myself. “Definitely, it gives me a lot of hope seeing Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert and Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry. All of these people that didn’t win have had a lot of huge careers, so hopefully that can happen for me.” That being said, Ledet’s career probably could take off if Jimmy Iovine has anything to do with it. For weeks, the show’s music mentor has continuously hinted at signing the singer, even claiming to know the exact type of album he should make — a bit ironic, considering the Interscope head admitted wrongdoing by picking Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama” for the gospel sensation to perform before being voted off. Thankfully, though, Ledet has no regrets. “I don’t regret any performance that I’ve done on the show,” Ledet said. “People can say one thing, but it’s what I feel in my heart and how I feel about something. So, I don’t think I’ll let people tell me what to do as a person if it’s not true to me in my heart. “I definitely did like the ‘No More Drama’ song,” he added. “It’s not a lot of melody, but I don’t think it’s a competition song. It’s just one of those great songs that you can perform at the Grammys or something.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Do you agree with Joshua Ledet’s elimination? Sound off below! Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
I love you guys so much because you have the courage to have a dream. That’s what Steven Tyler told the remaining three American Idol contestants tonight. Alas, for one of Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet, the dream is now over. So… following a painful Ice Age 3 tie-in and a performance by Adam Lambert , who got voted out of season 11? JOSHUA LEDET! The talented crooner takes it very well and even brings his mom on stage as he sings farewell via “Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” This leaves Jessica Sanchez, likely the best voice of the season, and Phillip Phillips, the obligatory cute-white-guy-with-a-guitar-who-wins-every-season, to square off on next week’s finale. Do you think Ledet deserved to be voted off? Who will win American Idol?
Phillip Phillips gets mostly rave reviews and Joshua Ledet praised on path to what appears to be another all-male finale. By Gil Kaufman Joshua Ledet performs on “American Idol” Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images You can understand if the contestants on “American Idol” make some bad song choices when left to their own devices. But on Wednesday night’s triple-play episode, in which Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet had to sing a judge’s choice, a tune picked by mentor Jimmy Iovine and one of their own, the selections were … bizarre. With only two songs from the current millennium, the top three reached back, sometimes way back on a night when it became clear that Sanchez is too green, Ledet is just the right shade of blue(s) and Phillips is, well, whatever he wants to be because he’s probably going to win no matter what happens. So, who made it thisclose, but is probably headed home tonight and who can get their big-boy pants pressed for the finale? Read on to find out! Joshua Ledet : Randy Jackson picked the Etta James song “I’d Rather Be Blind” for Josh, who busted out the retro mic and some sleepy soul for a performance that simmered but took way too long to boil. It was solid, but even Jennifer Lopez seemed a tad bored with it and it didn’t push him any closer to this century. (It was cute, though, how a Kraft commercial using the same song aired right after Ledet performed. Synergy!) Josh went big with his choice, John Lennon’s “Imagine.” And because he’s a preacher’s kid, he skipped the “no religion too” verse. The pageant-y, 1970s AM lite radio arrangement flattened out the song’s emotion, which Ledet tried to pump back in courtesy of some swooping gospel moments. It was a heartstring-tugging layup, but if you really listened it sounded like coasting, or, as JLo politely deemed it, “pulled back and controlled.” Jimmy hit Josh in his sweet spot with Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama.” Someone knows what they’re doing. From the manic bouncing to the nearly out-of-control, bedazzled jacket-dropping spazz at the end, Josh murdered it. That alone made up for the other two tame performances and locked him into next week’s finale. A- Phillip Phillips : Steven Tyler was going for melody with “Beggin'” by Madcon. But what he likely did was send tens of millions of “Idol” watchers to Google to find out … who the hell Madcon is? So, a 2008 cover of a 1967 Four Seasons hit by an obscure Norwegian dance duo? Wouldn’t you know it, strummy P managed to make it sound like, oh man, do I even need to say it? (Rhymes with Shave It Bath Hues.) The jammy, vanilla soul frat party rocker is exactly what I expect a P Phil album to sound like. “New Springsteen?” Really Steven? The sexy sax player was back for Phil’s choice, “Disease” by Matchbox 20. Yeah, that Matchbox 20. It was moody, conga-y, mid-tempo and so intense he had to sit down on some road cases just to contain the, um, intensity? Like Ledet’s “Imagine,” this one felt too easy, like a sprinter pulling up in the final 20 yards to avoid injury after looking over his shoulder and realizing he’s got it. In a rare bit of real talk from the panel, Lopez called it “easy flowing” and said it lacked the “wow performance” element. Phil’s dad loved Jimmy’s choice of Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight,” and Iovine dared the pawn shop worker to ignore the 1978 hit’s melody. Without his guitar, Phil was forced to awkwardly stroke and caress his thigh as he muscled through the heartland ballad. Between the sappy strings and the suggesting hand fidgeting Phillips looked like he was waiting out the clock in detention. Randy, of course, called it the “perfect song” and Phil’s best performance. So, now all you have to do to win this thing is sing the melody of the song and not worry about actually hitting the notes correctly? I give up. You can have him, America. Remember how awesome that nighty-night song was when you don’t buy his album in December. B Jessica Sanchez : Lopez aimed for Sanchez’s sweet spot with Mariah Carey’s “My All,” but ended up trapping the singer in a breathy lower register that made Jessica’s powerhouse voice sound weak and pitchy. The snoozy lullaby robbed the high schooler of a big moment and may have punched her card home. Did Randy mention he’s worked with Mariah? Well, if he thought that was one of the best renditions of a Carey song ever on TV, Carey should lose his number. In the ultimate brown noser move, BeBe chose Aerosmith’s power anthem “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” I kept waiting for girls in swimsuits or evening gowns to start parading around her, but this kind of Velveeta ballad is her sweet spot and while she didn’t move the bar any higher, it’s exactly what America wanted to hear. But, ugh, that last shouty note was as off as Jennifer’s pink pantsuit. Iovine went retro with 1970’s “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson 5, which despite what he argued, didn’t really make Sanchez seem contemporary, and dropped her back down into that lower range that doesn’t do her favors. When she kept it up high, Sanchez sounded strong and confident, but the lazy tempo didn’t provide the rocket fuel she needed to lock in a spot next week. B- Who do you think nailed it last night? Who deserves to go home? Let us know in comments below. 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 11 Performances
Kim Kardashian has grown closer to her family than ever before. Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick are preparing for a new baby. Khloe Kardashian is striving to spend time with her loved ones. Rob Kardashian is finding his way in business Bruce and Kris Jenner are hitting a rough patch when the former reveals he feels taken for granted. If these storylines – included in the official E! press release for season seven of Keeping Up with the Kardashians – don’t grab your attention, good. There’s hope for you yet. But if they DO somehow make you anxious to tune in for new episodes… … well, those premiere on May 20. Click through a series of promotional photos of the family now:
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