James Durbin returned to the American Idol finale Wednesday night to sing a two-song-medley with Judas Priest. Singing Breaking the Law and Living After Midnight, Durbin and Priest vocalist Rob Halford were both cloaked in studded leather.
Watch the performance for yourself:
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| Photo Credit: Parisa Michelle. |
May 12, Hollywood, CA – The gorgeous Pia Toscano walked the red carpet at Samsung/AT&T’s “Infuse Your Imagination” event.
Watch the full interview below.
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| Photo Credit: Parisa Michelle |
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| Photo Credit: Wire Image |
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| The Infuse Your Imagination event celebrated the launch of the Samsung Infuse 4G exclusively from AT&T – and featured a special private musical performance by Nicki Minaj. Full story/more pics from this event can be found here. Photo Credit: Parisa Michelle |
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| Photo Credit: Samah Sohrab |
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| Photo Credit: Sama Sohrab |
On last night’s American Idol (May 12) results show, we got another shocker! James Durbin, the tender-hearted rocker expected by most to make it the finale, was voted off of the show after 72 million votes were cast (record voting ever for a Top 4 show).
It came down to Durbin and Scotty McCreery as the last two contestants standing together to learn their fate. But when it was all over, it was Durbin who was voted off and eliminated.
Right after the results show, I ran into McCreery who could not have been more thankful for your votes. He was on his way to have dinner with his family and fellow Idol, Lauren Alaina.
Watch the nail biter results for yourself below. And then, watch my red carpet interview with Pia Toscano to hear her thoughts on the shocking ouster. She could not name “James Durbin” specifically when discussing the “results” because the show had not yet aired on the west coast.
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| Scotty McCreery and me 🙂 |
On May 11, 2011’s American Idol, James Durbin sang Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ for his first song.
The crowd went absolutely insane.
Steven Tyler said, “James, little indication of what is yet to come…You did it right. The song is kicking ass and so are you. Nice going.”
Jennifer Lopez: “It’s nice to hear you go into your upper register. It’s amazing and not everybody can do that. Great job.”
Randy Jackson: “The was the highest level of difficulty, and you did it!”
Watch the video clip for yourself:
Photo credit: Fox
We were down to the Top 5 on American Idol at the beginning of the night on May 5.
Here is a LIVE RESULTS AND ELIMINATION SHOW RECAP BLOGGING (EASTERN US TIME):
SPOILER ALERT:
8:00 Dramatic recap video: “They had one night…and two chances…to win your vote…”
8:01 Judges intro. Tour Tickets on sale next Friday…60 Million Votes were cast – highest number for this season
8:03 Top 5 Group Number Happy Together
8:07 The Idols cook with Gordon Ramsey – Video
8:10 Commercial Break
8:15 Lady Antebellum performs new single, Just a Kiss
8:20 Commercial Break
8:25 Video Montage of Idols Talking About themselves
8:26 Ryan Secrest is dividing Idols in two different groups:
Left Side: James Durbin
Right Side: Lauren Alaina
8:29 Commercial and Jennifer Lopez to perform after
8:33 Gordon Ramsey is doing test tasting with Idols
8:37 J.LO is performing On The Floor
8:40 Commercial Break
8:44 Teaser of JLo’s next song, I’m Into You
Scotty McCreery – SAFE!
Ryan Asked Scotty to go stand with group he thinks is “safe”. Scotty told Ryan, “Don’t do that to me man. I can’t do that.” Ryan then lead Scotty next to James and Haley and announced that ALL THREE ARE SAFE!
Lauren and Jacob are bottom two!
8:52 Commercial Break
8:56 JACOB LUSK VOTED OFF AND ELIMINATED! COME BACK TO SEE WHO WAS VOTED OFF, ELIMINATED AND SENT HOME!
On Wednesday (5/4) night’s American Idol, James Durbin showed us that he is a rocker–but one with a soft, tender heart.
While listening to the lyrics of Without You as performed by Harry Nillson, tears rolled down James’ face and he simply broke down. He later said he is on the show to make a better life for his family and he gets extremely sad when his family comes to briefly visit him but has to leave to allow him to work on reaching his goal and dreams.
SEE MORE: WATCH JAMES’ RENDITION OF CLOSER TO THE EDGE
James was again moved to tears and overcame with emotion during his live performance. Here is what the judges had to say:
Randy Jackson: “As Steven and Jennifer will attest to, this is a mark of truly a great performer. I could feel your emotion as we started, as we were watching the package, and you thinking about your family and the journey that you’re on here and I tell you man, just fighting back through the emotions, for you to give a vocal like you gave, no, it wasn’t perfect, but it was emotionally perfect…I’m telling you right now, this competition is yours to lose.”
Steven Tyler: “James man, when you sing as good as you do and you can let a song get the best of you. That’s crazy time, that’s a beautiful thing. That’s as beautiful as it gets. I loved that. Pitchy at times in a strange James Durbin kinda way. Your emotions were incredible.”
Jennifer Lopez: “That’s the thing with you. Everyone knows you can sing. You’re not just the guy that can wail right into the stratosphere. You have the heart and soul to back it up. You are an artist. You are a true true artist. He’s amazing you guys. Amazing.”
On Wednesday (May 4) night’s American Idol, James Durbin performed like a seasoned musician once again. Not only did he impress the hell out of the judges during his performance of Closer to the Edge by 30 Seconds to Mars, he also had this week’s guest mentor, Sheryl Crow, swooning over him: “I got to sing with James, I can officially retire now!” WOAH, now, THAT’S a compliment.
Here is what the judges said:
Steven Tyler: “James man, I think you kicked that song’s ass. You know, the way you work that audience, you are ready for Freddie I think.”
SEE MORE: PHOTOS OF JARED LETO AND 30 SECONDS TO MARS
Jennifer Lopez: “We talked about who’s gonna come out here and grab it, you’ve been showing us that you want it. And I know America is feeling it. We are feeling it right here. Grab it. Take it. It’s yours to take James.”
Randy Jackson: “Now you’re showing us what kind of artist you are. James is in it to win it America. This guy wants it. He wants it Ryan! He wants it!”
On April 28th’s American Idol, we were not told who the bottom three were. The last three not safe, in random oder per Ryan Seacrest, were Scotty, Casey, Jacob.
The ones previously declared safe for the night were: Haley, James, Lauren.
Live blogging.
Spoiler Results:
The person who got the least votes and going home is WOW~~~unbelievable! Casey Abrams…NO NO NO!!!!
Watch the elimination:
I think I just found my personal next American Idol after watching James Durbin perform Carole King’s Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.
Every Idol top 10 contestant has been sooooo good this year, I haven’t been able to pinpoint my favorite. I liked them all equally.
Until tonight.
When Durbin stole my heart.
AND YES JAMES, I will definitely still love you tomorrow.
Steven Tyler did not disappoint: “That’s the first song I ever made out to a girl with…Oh ya, I was in a bowling alley and no, Randy, I did not strike out!”
J.Lo gushed like I did. “I thought from the begining it was magical, totally magical. You are gonna be the star of the night with that one. James has had a strong week every week. We talk about consistency and that’s what’s gonna win it.”
Randy Jackson went a step further: “Tonight you weren’t just a great rock singer. Tonight you proved you are a great singer. That was not only the performance of the night, this guy just might win the whole thing.” And with that said, Randy rushed the stage and hugged Durbin!
Watch Durbin’s magic for yourself!
American Idol top 7 performed Wednesday night and one of the clear standouts was James Durbin who sang Muse’ Uprising.
Even though Durbin was the second performer of the night and five more Idols had yet to take the stage at that point, Jennifer Lopez said she’s gonna go out on a limb and declared that Durbin’s performance was “going to be theatrically the best performance of the night.” She continued, “Wow, that was amazing. I think that was the highest we have heard you sing on the show. Or anyone else.”
Randy Jackson agreed. “Dude, you were unbelievable out there.” Like J.Lo, Randy also went out on a limb and declared, “I think this is going to be the best performance of the night.”
Steven Tyler told Durbin to stay out of his closet. “Mad Max meets Storm Troopers on Melrose. You’d be surprised how expensive it costs to look this cheap. That was crazy good…I love that you are out of your mind, beautifully so.”