“American Idol” is firing longtime executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick in a continuing bid to win back viewers and shake up the show, an insider with knowledge of the show told TheWrap.
Fox declined to comment on this report.
TheWrap was the first to report in early May that there would be major changes next season, including the executive firings and a wipe-out of Season 12’s judging panel. (Since our report, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have announced their departures, leaving only, at this point, Keith Urban.)
Lythgoe and Warwick launched the show together during its inaugural season in 2002 and also worked on its predecessor, Britain’s “Pop Idol.” Lythgoe left “Idol” in 2008 then returned in 2010.
Their terminations from the show arrive amid flux for the talent competition after alternative programming chief Mike Darnell’s sudden Memorial Day weekend exit.
The new judging panel was aimed at assembling three former “Idol” contenders, including Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson, but that plan appears to be in a holding pattern since Darnell’s departure and a lack of someone at the top to make the final decisions, a senior executive with knowledge of the production told TheWrap.
How indie artists can make the most out of Twitter
With Twitter, independent artists can gain visibility and connect directly with potential fans. Artists can also use Twitter as a tool to interact with the music community and stay on top of the latest advice from influencers (A&Rs, artists, record execs, etc.) Without major backing, performers everywhere can use Twitter as a lively platform to broadcast their content to the world for free and gain visibility to fans they could not have reached before. Music is the #2 subject discussed on Twitter in the U.S. and 50% of all active Twitter users follow at least one musician.
Tweet & @reply: Your Twitter profile can be a direct reflection of your personal brand, talents, and interests. A Twitter connection tells fans how much you appreciate them, and it also enables you to tailor your messages. Take the time to engage with your fans on Twitter to build loyal relationships. Fans also use Twitter to get a taste of artists’ personalities and life adventures.
For example: Lady Gaga recognizes the power of Twitter and used the platform to announce her collab with rapper Kendrick Lamar.
I am so excited to announce that a record I’ve been working on has now become a collaboration with @kendricklamar for HIS ALBUM.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 15, 2012
Even artists like Janelle Monae take the time to interact with their fans and personally @reply.
@janellemonae you inspired me like no other to think differently and maintain an open mind. the archandroid did that. thank you. — john zabala (@johnzabala94) May 19, 2013
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating Justin Bieber for reckless driving after witnesses — including former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson — complained about the pop-star’s alleged freeway speeds in their gated community in north Los Angeles County.
At about 8 p.m. Monday, Bieber allegedly drove his white Ferrari at freeway speeds in what is a 25 mph zone, Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said.
Johnson was outside with his 3-year-old daughter who was preparing to get into a small electric car when Bieber zoomed by. Johnson was upset and got into his Prius, following Bieber to his nearby home. As the garage door was closing, Johnson put out his arm and stopped it, telling Bieber he wanted to talk about his reckless driving. Read more
Justin Bieber’s giant win at the Billboard Music Awards marked a bittersweet moment for the pop star.
Recognized at age 19 with the Milestone Award (after also taking top male artist and top social artist), the singer took the stage — and the opportunity — to make a statement.
Said an emotional Bieber: “I’m 19 years old. I think I’m doing a pretty good job. And basically, from my heart, I just really want to say it should really be about the music. This is not a gimmick. I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously, and all this other bulls–t should not be spoken of.”
The declaration prompted both cheers and boos, and it wasn’t immediately apparent whether his message got through.
Later in the press room, singer Taylor Swift was asked about Bieber receiving such an honor at so young an age, to which the country star remarked: “Can we have another question, please?”
The snub is believed to be related to Bieber’s ex Selena Gomez, who was seen at Swift’s side both in the audience and backstage several times throughout the evening.
In 2004, 13-year-old Joanna Levesque became the youngest solo artist ever to have a number one single on the Billboard charts. Levesque, who recorded as JoJo, had been building to that moment since she was just a little girl, giving electrifying performances on shows like Kids Say the Darndest Things with Bill Cosby at the age of 6. When Levesque was 12, she signed a seven-album deal with Blackground Records, and later her debut album JoJo was certified platinum. Her 2006 follow-up, The High Road, pleased critics and included at least one bona fide hit, the breakup ballad “Too Little Too Late.” She was quickly becoming a rising star in R&B.
And then she went silent.
It’s been almost seven years since JoJo has put out an official release, though that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been trying. “I’ve recorded about three incarnations of this third album,” JoJo tells BuzzFeed. “We’ve chosen the track listing, we’ve done multiple album photo shoots, chosen the cover, chosen the credits, everything.” But every time her team tried to present the album to her label, Blackground Records, they never received a response. CONTINUE READING
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