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Memorable ‘Idols’: Where are they now?
Written by staff   
Tuesday, 20 January 2009 05:56

“American Idol” is back with Season 8. In Manila, premiere broadcasts are set today and tomorrow on Q 11, 6-7:35 p.m., with replays at 7:55 p.m.

Over the years, “Idol” has found plenty of new talent, as well as some unlikely heroes.

Following is a look at where some of the most memorable contestants are now:

Kelly Clarkson—Former cocktail waitress and first winner in 2002 who sold more than 20 million albums and had eight Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100; double Grammy and four-time American Music Award winner; currently working on a fourth album due out in March.

Clay Aiken—2003 runner-up but one of most successful males in “Idol” history; recorded four studio albums and had a Broadway run in “Monty Python’s Spamalot”; admitted he’s gay in September, after the birth of his son with female friend and record producer Jaymes Foster.

Jennifer Hudson—Placed 7th in 2005, then won an Oscar, Golden Globe and SAG as Best Supporting Actor for her role as Effie White in “Dreamgirls” (2006); also appeared in “The Secret Life of Bees” and the movie version of “Sex and the City”; 2008 debut album earned four Grammy nominations. Her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were murdered in Chicago in October.

Taylor Hicks—2006 winner whose debut album went to No. 2 on the Billboard charts, but was described as “the lowest selling album by any Idol winner”; played role of Teen Angel in “Grease” on Broadway in 2008; currently on US national tour in that role; new album “The Distance” due out on his own label in March.

Sanjaya Malakar—17-year-old Top 12 finalist in 2007, best known for variety of hairstyles and pitchy singing; in 2008, mocked himself in an insurance commercial; released a memoir in January and a five-track EP called “Dancing to the Music in My Head.”

David Cook—2008 winner whose debut album in November 2008 entered at No. 3 on the Billboard charts and is currently in 10th spot; plans a US tour in 2009.

William Hung—Chinese-American civil engineering student who shot to fame in 2004 after toneless audition performance of “She Bangs”; released three albums, appeared in TV commercials, starred in 2005 movie “Where is Mama’s Boy” and makes occasional appearances in Hong Kong and the US.

Carrie Underwood—2005 winner and multiple Grammy and Country Music Association Award winner; has sold more than 11 million records worldwide; third album expected in late 2009.

Chris Daughtry—2006 4th placer made chart-topping debut album and won three American Music Awards in 2007.

Jordin Sparks—At 17 became the youngest winner in 2007; debut album spawned three hit singles including “No Air” with Chris Brown which is in the running for a 2008 Grammy.

Fantasia Barrino—2004 winner whose debut album was Grammy-nominated; starred in a TV biopic of her own life as a teen single mom and won rave reviews as star of “The Color Purple” on Broadway in 2007.

David Archuleta—2008 runner-up who released a best-selling single, “Crush,” in August 2008 and a debut album in November that peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard charts. Expected to appear in Nickelodeon’s “iCarly” show in early 2009. Reuters

Go for glamour

BEVERLY HILLS, California—The Golden Globes are a party and the stars came dressed for it. Sunday night’s red carpet was full of both classic Hollywood glamour and up-and-coming fashion trends.

There were lots of ocean blue hues, tropical shades and sandy neutrals, strapless corset-style gowns, one-shoulder numbers. The jewels—chunky earrings and oversized necklaces—are apparently recession-proof.

Jennifer Lopez could have been a Globe statuette in her plunging V-neck, gold-bead gown by Marchesa.

Penelope Cruz went for a more subtle gold in a slim column gown by Giorgio Armani Prive with the occasional beaded horizontal stripe.

A blond Drew Barrymore channeled Marilyn Monroe with a pouffed-out hairdo and dove gray off-the-shoulder John Galliano for Dior gown. She created what top stylists called “a moment.”

Kate Winslet wore a glamour-girl black Yves Saint Laurent strapless gown with a black velvet belt and a bow at her waist and a 47-carat, five-row bracelet by Chopard.

Angelina Jolie captured a bit of a boho vibe in a loose Versace tank gown, while Brad Pitt went a more traditional route with aviator sunglasses and a classic bow tie.

The star piece of Debra Messing’s outfit: 19th-century diamond-and-emerald drop earrings by Fred Leighton. Of her black halter dress, she said, “It picked me.”

An elegant Anne Hathaway was among the many stars dressed in blue. She wore an Armani Prive strapless gown with a crystal-studded bustier and skirt of layered gazar.

Demi Moore wore a peach Dior chiffon gown, while her daughter Rumer Willis, the official Miss Golden Globe, wore a rose-red strapless gown by Reem Acra that had an embroidered jeweled waist.

A fashion black strike went to Sting, who forgot to shave, which made his oversized black coat look more unkempt. AP


Top of the talk shows

For those who missed last weekend’s gabfests on TV. (And why we are moved, if we are moved.)

Almost there

Paolo Contis, on the status of his relationship with Lian Paz:

“Hindi naman masasabing kami pero we’re getting there. We’re formally dating.” (Huh?)

Paolo, asked about Lian being his close friend Mark Herras’ former girlfriend:

“Sa pagko-confide niya sa akin, nalaman ko tuloy ang gusto niya. Akala niya kasi harmless ako.”(Maling akala.)

Mark, on the Paolo-Lian romance:

“Wala akong bad reaction dun basta ang sa akin naman si Pao yun. Si Contis yun eh so walang problema.”

Mark, asked if he has talked to Paolo about it:

“Hindi pa namin pinag-uusapan. Parang gets na namin yun eh. Hindi kailangan magtanong pa. Kasi family ko yun. Kapatid ko na rin yun. Gets ko na yun. Past is past. Tapos na.” (Gets?)

Billy Crawford, asked if he and Nikki Gil have a commitment:

“I think we’re getting there.” (That’s a committed answer.)

Wrong number

Billy on why he chose to be in the Philippines despite having a successful career in Europe:

“One of the reasons was to patch up things with my father in show business, Kuya Germs. Okay na kami. During Christmas and New Year’s, I texted him but got no response. Then he called me up. Sabi ko, ‘hello po Kuya Germs, kumusta naman po kayo?’ Sabi niya, ‘Mabuti.’ Sabi ko, okay walang tampo, eto na ang pagkakataon ko … Tapos sabi niya, ‘Sino to?’ Hindi niya pala alam na ako yun. He did not save my number or whatever. May silence doon when I told him it was me. But after that he just started to open up as parang a father. But the main reason that I spent Christmas here was that my brother is here, my father is here. Mahirap magtrabaho ’pag mabigat ang balikat mo.” (Uh, what was the question again?)

Who knows?

Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid, on predictions they will separate this year:

Regine: “I don’t know. Pag kami may ganoon, they just wait for it to happen. Siyempre ayokong maniwala sa ganoon.”

Ogie: “I think we all make our own destinies. Of course, ang Panginoon ang nag-di-dictate.” (Sino kaya talaga, kuya?)

Dingdong Dantes, on a recurring question about the possibility of having a real-life romance with Marian Rivera with their new team-up:

“Lahat talaga posible. Pero nasa tamang panahon yan, tamang pagkakataon.” (At tamang … project!)

Lily Monteverde on what she could advise Marian Rivera, who’s faced with several controversies:

“I don’t need to advise Marian because she knows best. Ang ugali ni Marian, parang si Maricel Soriano. Very transparent, very lively.” (Parang hindi.)

Pops plays safe

Jomari Yllana, on being in a “love triangle” with girlfriend Pops Fernandez and her ex-husband Martin Nievera:

“Hindi ko tinitingnan ito in a negative way. Gagawin kaming triangle. Whether you like it or not, we will always be a triangle. Hindi mo na mabubura yun eh.” (Positive.)

Pops, asked if she can respond to Jomari’s statement that she is the last woman in his life:

“Ayokong magsalita nang patapos kasi nung huling beses ako nagsalita, hindi naman yun ang nangyari … So I want to play it safe this time. Parati kong sinasabi, we get along very well, Jom and I. I’m so glad that he is so patient with me … I want to take it as far as we can and really enjoy the relationship … ” (Good answer.)

Non-issue

Cristine Reyes, on comments she is now more successful than her sister Ara Mina:

“Ano’ng gusto nila, magkaroon na naman ng tampuhan? Ang magkapatid nagtutulungan so hindi ito about paramihan, kung sino mas mayaman, kung sino mas sikat. Wag natin lagyan ng issue.” (The answer is yes.)

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