'She's a singer right?' Cheryl Cole's US hopes dealt a new blow as Jennifer Lopez admits she 'doesn't know much about her'

By SARA NATHAN and LIZ THOMAS

Snub: Jennifer Lopez has admitted she'd never heard of Cheryl Cole in a new interview


Jennifer Lopez has dealt Cheryl Cole’s hopes of hitting the big time in the U.S. a blow after admitting she doesn’t know much about the British singer.

Miss Cole is poised to take a role on the American version of The X Factor which Simon Cowell is launching later this year, but executives are worried the star simply does not have a high enough profile.

Show insiders said that the 27-year-old Girls Aloud singer is set to take a role on the new programme in a multi-million pound deal but there has been some anguish about whether viewers will know who she is or be able to understand the Geordie star’s accent.

Miss Lopez, 41, who is a judge on rival show American Idol, has now twisted the knife by admitting she knows very little about Miss Cole and was not even sure what she did for a living.

‘Someone mentioned [Cheryl] to me yesterday,’ Miss Lopez told Fabulous magazine.
‘She is a singer, right?


Hopeful: Cheryl, pictured at the Prince's Trust awards in London last week, is set to appear on the U.S. X Factor


Giving her a role on his new American version of The X Factor is a gamble for Cowell – who is determined that the show will be a hit.

He so far only formally named one judge to appear on the panel - record executive and music producer Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid.

He has helped launch the careers of stars including Mariah Carey, Pink, Rihanna, Kanye West and Justin Bieber.

Singers Nicole Scherzinger, Katy Perry, Mariah Carey, rapper Nicki Minaj and George Michael have been among the names also touted to join.


Rival: Lopez is a judge on rival programme American Idol


Auditions for the series began today with around 18,000 hopefuls descending on Los Angeles in a bid to become a star.

Cowell has a difficult task ahead of him as rival show American Idol which has big name stars Miss Lopez, Randy Jackson and Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler on the panel, remains the most watched programme in the U.S. pulling in as much as 30 million viewers an episode.

Cowell, 51, used to be a judge but quit to launch The X Factor there.

The winner of the show will receive a Sony Music recording contract worth $5million - which is far higher than the £1million deal offered on the British show.


Not famous enough for U.S. TV? Jennifer admitted she didn't know Cheryl's music but 'would be happy to learn about it,' but her ignorance underlines X Factor producers' concerns


Miss Lopez , who has a music and merchandise empire worth £150million, said joining the judging panel on American Idol had boosted her popularity.

She said: ‘I think it is helping to show people the real me for the first time. It’s funny because I always knew that person was there - it’s just that no one else did!
‘I guess I was always a character, either with a script in a movie or performing a song on the stage, and people never saw the human side of me. Now viewers can see that I’m emotional and passionate and human.’


source: dailymail

Jennifer Lopez masks her natural beauty with too much blush and green eyeshadow on American Idol

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Clown show: J.Lo looked as though she had raided the make-up box of Steve Tyler with her over-the-top green eye-shadow and full on rosy cheeks


Jacob Lusk raised the roof with Marvin Gaye's All I Need to Get By

Favourite Pia Toscano looked stunning in a long black fitted gown


She's a natural beauty, one of the most gorgeous woman in the world.

But Jennifer Lopez managed to hide her good looks under a cake of make-up on last night's American Idol.

She looked like she had raided the make-up box of fellow judge Steve Tyler with her over-the-top green eye-shadow and full blown rosy cheeks.


Pretty in pink: The singer's sparkly top was however pretty and a more softer choice for the 41-year-old who normally goes for bolder choices, such as the leopard print dress she wore last week


Luckily she salvaged her look with a pretty sparkly top, a softer choice for the 41-year-old, who normally goes for bolder attire, such as the loud leopard print dress she wore on last week's show.

Her outfit, which she paired with pleated pink skirt, complemented the theme of the night - Motown - a music movement that originated in the 50s.


Jennifer's poor make-up choice came as the remaining 11 contestants tried to impress her and fellow judges Randy Jackson and Tyler with their soulful sounds.

And it was Jacob Lusk that stole the show with his 'flawless' rendition of All I Need To Get By by Marvin Gaye.

His roof-raising performance prompted Tyler to get up from the panel and embrace Lusk on-stage.

Randy Jackson was equally impressed telling the audience: ' Do you know what was wrong with that performance? Absolutely nothing!'

And Jennifer was simply left quivering in her Christian Louboutins.

'You made us beg!' she cried. 'You made us beg for those notes! We were like, 'Give it to us, Jacob! Give it to us, Jacob!' You know what it is? You move me. You move us...You just took your time with it and you made us beg! Crazy!'

But close on Husk's tail was favourite Pia Toscano, who has so far outshone her fellow contestants.

Yet again it was a confident and polished performance from the singer, who performed All In Love Is Fair by Stevie Wonder.


Show stopper: Jacob Lusk stole the show with his 'flawless' rendition of All I Need To Get By by Marvin Gaye


Blown away: His roof raising performance impressed all three of the judges


'So again you kill us with one of your killer ballads,' Lopez said. 'But I need you to start to incorporate more that other part into your performance.'

Randy also loved the song but told her that next time he wanted something different: 'The only thing for me... bring me something different. You can't live on ballads alone.'

But Tyler was simply blown away.


Perfect: Yet again it was a confident and polished performance from the Pia Toscano, who performed All In Love Is Fair by Stevie Wonder


'Right now you are the closest star in the American Idol universe,' he said.

Recovering from his failed Nirvana performance last week, Casey Abrams gave a growling rendition of another Marvin Gaye classic, I Heard It Through The Grapevine.

Fellow rocker Tyler was clearly impressed. 'I think you are the perfect entertainer. You're beautiful and I love it.'


Growling: Recovering from his failed Nirvana performance last week, Casey Abrams gave a growling rendition of another Marvin Gaye classic, I Heard Through The Grapevine


James Durbin also had the crowd at their knees with Living In The City by Stevie Wonder.

'Omg, omg, omg, you are serious business up there,' exclaimed Jennifer. 'I mean it's just an incredible thing to watch... You leave me speechless and that is not easy to do.'

Randy added:'To be honest when you started, it was a little bit rough for me,.. When you finally hit your pocket, your stride, you were unbelievable.


Animated: James Durbin also had the crowd at their knees with Living In The City by Stevie Wonder


And Tyler agreed: 'I think sometimes it takes being a little bit of crazy to make it in this world... You nailed it.'

Brunette stunner Thia Megia appeared to have overcome some her stage freeze as she performed Heat Wave by Martha and The Vandellas .

'It was great to see you let loose like that,' smiled J. Lo.


Confident: Brunette stunner Thia Megia appeared to have overcome some her stage freeze as she performed Heat Wave by Martha and The Vandellas


And after being in the bottom three last week, Haley Reinhart got back in the game with You Really Got A Hold On Me by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

Her perfect pitching and persistent purring impressed all three of the judges.

'It started a little bit rough but I tell you what by the middle of the song, the Haley that we love... came roaring back. I am happy to see you return,' said Randy.

Steven chimed in: 'I feel you and I felt her... You don;t look a day over fabulous. That is the Haley I have been looking for the first time I saw you.'


Back on top: Haley Reinhart got back in the game with You Really Got A Hold On Me by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles


Jennifer also agreed: 'You can do anything with your voice probably more than anyone in the competition.'

Paul McDonald brought the raspy tones of Rod Steward to the table as he belted out another Smokey Robinson track, The Tracks of My Tears.

Tyler compared the voice to two other very famous singers.

'Like Dylan, like Willie Nelson, your voice is that different,' he said.


Rock on: Paul McDonald brought the raspy tones of Rod Steward to the table as he belted out another Smokey Robinson track, The Tracks of My Tears


Lauren Alaina serenaded judges by getting off the stage and strolling over to the panel to sing The Supremes classic, You Keep Me Hangin' On.

Quick witted Tyler came up with the perfect comment to round out the impressive recital.

'You ripped that song another beauty spot, didn't you?' he exclaimed.
J.Lo was more impressed with the teenagers appearance.

'This is the most beautiful I have seen you on the show,' she remarked.


Off-stage antics: Lauren Alaina serenaded the judges with The Supremes, You Keep Me Hangin' On


Country crooner Scotty McCreery pulled off the impossible by singing a perfect rendition For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder.

Many thought that the 17-year-old would bomb in this week's theme.

But the judges were blown away.

'Scotty that was beautiful... So you took a bit chance in doing that and I love that you really ripped it,' said Tyler.

Jennifer was impressed with his rendition: 'This was a great version of this song... you really made it your most. I don't know if it was your best performance vocally Every time you hit that low note at the end, you got me all over again.

And Randy agreed: 'That is a young lady killer note!'


Low notes: Country crooner Scotty McCreery pulled off the impossible by singing a perfect rendition For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder


For her performance of Martha And The Vandellas' Dancing In The Street, Naima Adedapo slipped into some bell bottoms and busted out some tribal moves to the beat of the drum.

The judges were impressed with all of her theatrics, especially Jennifer who told the 26-year-old that she gave her 'gooseys'.

'I am going to be totally honest, it was my first goosebumps of the night... You are my mover and my shaker up there... you have that litttle extra something on the stage.

'I heard you came up with drum and the whole thing... Once again we see the whole package,' mused Steve.

Randy admitted that he had been harsh in the past but that he had changed his tune: 'I have been a little rough on you in the past shows... but tonight the whole of Naima turned up. Everything was very smart that you did tonight.'


Variety: For her performance of Aretha Franklin's Dancing In The Street, Naima Adedapo slipped into some bell bottoms and busted out some tribal moves to the beat of the drum


Surprisingly the most criticised performance came from judge favourite Stefano Langone.

For his rendition of Lionel Richie's Hello, both Jennifer and Randy agreed that he failed to connect with the audience.

'You sounded good, but there was no real connection,' Randy concurred.

J.Lo said 'I want you to connect. I want the intensity to come from like my heart is breaking.'

'I want you to connect... I still love you anyway.'


No connection: For his rendition of Lionel Richie's Hello, both J.Lo and Randy agreed that Stefano Langone did not connect with the audience enough


Meanwhile the audience once again had some famous faces.

Actress Liv Tyler came along in support of her Aerosmith rocker father.

Host Ryan Secreast teased the 33-year-old saying: 'You'll will need earmuffs for part of the show.'

British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey was also spotted in the crowd.






Stefano Langone Top 11 American Idol 2011



James Durbin Top 11 American Idol 2011



Naima Adedapo Top 11 American Idol 2011



Paul McDonald Top 11 American Idol 2011



Pia Toscano Top 11 American Idol 2011


Haley Reinhart Top 11 American Idol 2011



Scotty McCreery Top 11 American Idol 2011



Lauren Alaina Top 11 American Idol 2011



Thia Megia Top 11 American Idol 2011



Casey Abrams Top 11 American Idol 2011



Jacob Lusk Top 11 American Idol 2011



source: dailymail

He's wheely something: Inventor who can Transform himself into the famous toy car

By MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE

Revved up: Drew Beaumier created his real-life Transformer outfit in his garage at home in Fountain Valley, California, armed with a tool box, a Power Wheels car and spare parts from Walmart


This is the man who has turned himself into a real life Transformer - by creating a fully functional Autobot costume out of a children's toy.

The must-have gadget for any die-hard Transformer fan was the brainchild of Californian Drew Beaumier.

He's already wowed the judges on American Idol and now he's created the crazy costume in his garage armed with just a beginner's tool box.


Animated fun: The part-time bar tender has taken to re-enacting famous scenes from the Transformer series for tourists on Hollywood Boulevard


It took eight weeks of constant trial and error to piece it together using a second-hand Power Wheels car to form the body and spare parts as well as glue bought at WalMart.

Transformer fanatic Drew then ripped the children's car apart leaving him with each separate section.

He then meticulously pieced the parts back together with hinges and glued it to a sports undergarment so he could wear it like a suit.

The robot costume comes complete with wheels attached to his arms and legs so he can fold down into a car and roll along.


Coming soon: Drew hopes to roll out his costume on mail order by 2012


But when he stands up, the costume springs back out into the superhero pose famed by Optimus Prime and Co.

The part-time bar tender has now taken to re-enacting famous scenes from the Transformer series along Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard.

And his street performances have already paid off the $300 he spent making his crazy creation after eager tourists began tipping him to have photos taken next to the real-life action hero.

Drew, 25, said: 'I've always been a big Transformers fan ever since I was a tiny kid. I remember I was struggling for money, working a few rubbish bar jobs and then it hit me - make a Transformer costume and go and entertain all the tourists.


Full-on action scene from the 2007 Transformers film showing Decepticon Bonecrusher battling with Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots


'But the idea never really got off the ground until a few years after the idea first came to me.

'It was only when a good condition Power Wheels car was advertised for sale that I snapped it up and began making it.

'Within two months I had a prototype built and fully working.



source: dailymail

America Idol's Ashthon Jones is first to be sent packing as 'stressed out' Casey Abrams fails to show due to hospital dash

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Time to go home: Ashthon Jones is comforted by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest after being voted off


It turned out that axed contestant Ashthon Jones's was not the only casualty of American Idol last night.

The 25-year-old hopeful was sent packing in last night's results show as it emerged that fellow contestant Casey Abrams was unable to attend the show due to a hospital dash.

According to internet reports, 20-year-old Casey, from Illinois, needed to medical treatment for a stress-induced bleeding stomach ulcer.

He suffered a similar set back a few weeks ago just before the Top 24 was revealed.
Host Ryan Seacret was scant with details, only revealing he was in hospital and wished him to 'get back here soon'.

But the show must go on, so it was left to the remaining 12 to perform a cover of Michael Jackson hits.


Awaiting their fate: Ashthon waits with Karen Rodriguez and Haley Reinhart to find out who's going home


Too much to handle: Ashthon and Haley comfort each other as they wait for the judges' decision


The performance was somewhat sketchy, however, with pre-recorded vocals and some poor examples of lip syncing.

But it wasn't long before the cohort of finalists was cut down to size with Haley Reinhart and Karen Rodriguez joining Ashthon in the bottom three.

Later in the show Ryan sends Karen to safety, before revealing Ashthon, who sang Diana Ross' When You Tell Me That You Love Me in Wednesday night's show, has the least number of public votes.


Hospital dash: Casey Abrams, seen here performing in Wednesday night's programme, was unable to make the results show due to a 'stress-induced stomach ulcer', according to reports


Early indications show around 30million votes were cast by the public.

After performing When You Tell Me That You Love Me, the judges vote unanimously to eliminate Ashthon and decided not to use their 'save' vote.

The save card was brought in recently and allows all four judges to save one contestant from being eliminated.


Judgement time: American Idol judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson sit on the panel


Teary-eyed: Jennifer appeared to be finding it difficult to decide which of the contestants go home


It can be used up until the top five contestants are eliminated and only once.

It has to be an unanimous decision and once used up it cannot be brought into effect again for the rest of the season.

Last night's result show also featured a performance from former American Idol winner Adam Lambert.


Swan song: Ashthon performs for the final time as she's watched by the rest of the American Idol contestants



Sad to see her go: The remaining contestants applaud after Ashthon's emotional final performance


In the the first of the studio shows of the season on Wednesday, the contestants had just a minute and a half to try and persuade America to vote for them - but even that was too long for some.

The 'live' America Idol show - recorded a day early to allow the new judges time to settle in - didn't go well for everyone, with lacklustre performances and dull song choices slowing things down.

The boys were more on form, with Paul McDonald, Casey Abrams, Jacob Lusk and James Durbin all exciting the judges.


Who are you backing? Amanada also attended the contestants performances and chatted to Seacrest


Of the girls Pia Toscano lived up to last week's stunning performance, but many of her fellow females failed to deliver.

Naima Adedapo at least had some energy as she offered up an imitation of Rihanna, but Karen Rodriguez struggled to do justice to her choice of Selena's I Could Fall in Love and Haley Reinhart was simply labelled 'boring' by Randy Jackson.

The finalists had paid tribute to their own Idols as they performed songs by their very favourite artists.


Famous faces: P Diddy performed his track Coming Home on the programme last night


"Casey Abrams - With a little help of my friends" American Idol 2011 Top 13



source: dailymail

'American Idol' Top 13 Standouts: Pia Toscano and James Durbin

These two, along with Jacob Lusk and Casey Abrams, received the highest praises from the judges in 'personal idol' week.

The Top 13 round of "American Idol" separated the good from the mediocre. Among those who stood out on the pre-taped episode were Pia Toscano and most of the guys. Pia belted out Celine Dion's "All by Myself" with her signature high and diva-like notes and got praised by Randy Jackson for nailing one of the dreaded big-three female singers.


James Durbin also charmed his way to the judges' heart with his rendition of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed". "Yo, this dude can do anything man," Randy said, adding "James Durbin is dangerous!" Jacob Lusk was also triumphant with the uplifting single from R. Kelly, "I Believe I Can Fly". Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez both said it's hard to judge someone who is so good. "Pure passion, pure music, I can't even judge ya, that's how good you are," Steven noted.

Other stand-outs included Scotty McCreery who stood by his country flavor and Casey Abrams who did Joe Cocker's cover of The Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends". About the former, Randy commented, "If it ain't broke, don't even consider fixin' it" and about the latter Steven said, "You are a rainbow of talent, man ... and you are a plethora of passion."

Meanwhile, Lauren Alaina who is expected to do well, struggled through her performance and so did Ashthon Jones and Paul McDonald. The others were just given mediocre reviews from the judges but none did drastically bad.

Thursday would be the result night which has invited "Idol" alum Adam Lambert and Diddy-Dirty Money.


Pia Toscano : All By Myself : American Idol Top 13



James Durbin : Maybe I'm Amazed : American Idol Top 13


source: aceshowbiz