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American Idol Recap: The Final Moments of Season Eight

BuzzSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:50:50 PDT

This season of American Idol started with a girl in a bikini and ended with a bona fide surprise ending. So in some ways, Wednesday's two-hour finale - which packed in performances from Cyndi Lauper, KISS, Queen, the Black Eyed Peas, and all of the year's top 13 - was the perfect culmination.

You're already telling me what you think of the winner, but what did you make of Wednesday's blowout finale? To see some of my thoughts, flip through some pictures, and chat about the show, just read more.

I'm sure finding out you've won Idol is always a surprise, but Kris looked truly shocked (and later said as much in the press room). It was funny to watch his reaction having just seen the clip of him being modest at his audition - even as the winner, he seemed so humble.
Kris had a great duet with Keith Urban relatively early in the show, but from then on, I felt like the show morphed into Adam Lambert Sings With His Musical Heroes Night. I mean, KISS? Queen? He had to just be in heaven. And honestly, between that and Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" playing over his "Idol journey" clips, it seemed enough like Adam's night that I was genuinely surprised when Kris was announced as the winner.
As for the other duets: Megan Joy, Michael Sarver, and Steve Martin get points for blowing my (low) expectations out of the water - though I might credit that mostly to Steve Martin. I would actually download Allison's performance with Cyndi Lauper. And Danny Gokey and Lionel Richie cracked me up, because that song was so lovey that I thought the two of them might consider jetting off to a private island somewhere when it was done.

But! The best duet of the night has to go to Kara and Bikini Girl, which probably gets my vote for best Idol moment of the season, right down to Kara briefly baring her bikini body. That's the greatest thing Kara's done on the show, hands down, and for that alone I'd support bringing her back for season nine.
Speaking of awards, I was really hoping we were done with Golden Idols, but this year, it seemed like little more than an excuse to bring three of the season's most memorable characters - Bikini Girl, Tatiana, and Nick/Norman - back for a victory lap. And you know what? I was totally thrilled to see Nick/Norman. There's really no better word for it: He's a character. The best part of Tatiana's appearance, meanwhile, was Ruben Studdard's "wait, what?" look in the audience.
Is it weird that Matt Giraud didn't get a duet - or even much of a spotlight in that Santana performance? I also wish Anoop had gotten his own duet, like Lil did - they were eliminated the same week, after all.
Speaking of Fergie solo or with the Peas: Where would you rank Fergie with the Idol season eight girls? And oh, by the way, if your TV cut out for a second, it's apparently because Fergie sang a lyric with "sh*t" in it.
What can I say? I love me some snappy suits on the Idol boys, so I was happy to see them back in action.
I'm assuming Rod Stewart's appearance was a present for all the moms who had to watch the show with their tweenage kids all season long.
And since I still have "No Boundaries" stuck in my head, I'm wondering: Could you actually imagine Kris's version on the radio?

That's it for season eight! Talk back about Wednesday's show, the results, and anything else Idol-related in the comments!

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Photos courtesy of Fox

American Idol: And Now, Some Words From Kris and Adam

BuzzSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:40:06 PDT

So how does it feel to be the new American Idol? The word on Kris Allen's lips when he stopped by the Idol press room a couple of minutes ago was "shocked": "I felt shocked almost every week that I made it," he said. "And to be the American Idol, I'm completely shocked."

And he meant what he said at the end of the show when he called out that Adam deserved the Idol title. "I feel like he deserves this just as much as I do," he said. "He's an amazing, amazing performer, a gifted, gifted guy - really just an amazing guy. It was fun doing this with him, it really was." And it's fitting that he said the best part of the whole Idol experience was the friends he made along the way: "The tour's gonna be a blast."

He's already thinking about the kind of music he'll make, and it's in keeping with what we've heard from him on the show: "I've done a lot of the pop singer/songwriter, pop/rock kind of thing, and that's definitely what I want to do," he said. He still seemed a little stunned at the possibility of his lifelong dream of having a music career coming true: "I tried for so long, and nothing happened - and this has been the coolest experience ever." He seemed starstruck at tonight's performances - "Seriously, I got to sing with Queen? Wow!" - and said that while he hasn't heard personally from Kanye West about his cover of "Heartless," he has heard through the grapevine that Kanye was pleased.

Kris said he's prepared to live the life of an Idol champ: "American Idol boot camp kind of gets you ready for that. I'm totally ready." But he's not going to go all superstar on us just yet: "I don't want to change who I am."

To see what Adam had to say, just

read more. Though he didn't win the title, Adam came back to the press room all smiles. "It felt so good, you know?" he said of the night. "I got to sing with two great, heroic rock bands of mine." He said he'd had kind words already from Paula Abdul, who'd said she was proud of him, and said everyone on Idol had been supportive throughout the journey: "I never felt like anybody was like, 'Well, you can't do that. You can't sing that. You can't say that. You can't wear that.' They've always been like, 'Run with it, Adam, do your thing.' So it's been really cool." And naturally, he had nothing but kind words for Kris: "I think that Kris won because he's a great artist, and I was happy to be a runner up to that," he said. He said the two of them went into the final knowing it would be a close race, and "we're both going to get to do great things now in the future. . . . For me, it's not really about what happened tonight - it's about tomorrow. It's about next." And what is next? Adam said he's already had some offers, but "I know that we're going to start working on some music right away, and that's what I can't wait to do - to collaborate, to write, to co-write, to create visuals that go along with the music, too." His dream now is "to make a really dope record, to do something new, push the boundaries a little bit, push people's buttons, open people's minds up a little bit." Which sounds about right, given what we saw from him on Idol. Photos courtesy of Fox

American Idol: David Cook Takes the Crown

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:45:36 PDT

Depending on your perspective, the American Idol finale is either the best two hours ever or the most excruciating two hours of your year. Either way, it never fails to be a kind of crazy, psychedelic blend between a televised award ceremony and a giant Ford commercial that brings the season's contestants back to the stage for one last time (until the tour that is).

America smashed all Idol records with 97.5 million votes, 56 percent of them for David Cook. Simon admitted that he called it wrong, that upon viewing the show at home he realized the night before was not a blowout. Which is what many of us were feeling. I'd still call the result an upset. There was a lot to cover so let's get down to it. To see my thoughts on the night,

Do You Agree With the American Idol Results?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 05:45:23 PDT

So David Cook is our new American Idol! Do you think it was the right call?

Photo courtesy of Fox

American Idol Finale, Part One: The Battle of the Davids

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:39:15 PDT

Well, the American Idol finale showdown between the Davids did not disappoint. The show opened to what would become a rather prolonged metaphor for a singing boxing match of sorts, complete with the Rocky theme song, Michael Buffer, and shiny robes! Tension was high and it felt like anyone's game heading in before the singing started, especially after young Archuleta faltered last week.

To guide the Davids, Idol brought in two final mentors in the form of Clive Davis and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The first one makes sense, being a legendary hit maker and all, but again with the Lloyd Webber. . . I don't totally get it. Before we get to the singing, though, I have some thoughts which you can check out if you

Who Will Be the Next American Idol?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:40:41 PDT

We're down to the two Davids after weeks of competition and, just like last year, I actually think we have two good, different options on our hands with these finalists. Will it be the squeaky clean kid with the pretty voice, or the rock-and-roll bartender with a knack for turning any song into his own?

Photo courtesy of Fox

Miss the Ending of "American Idol"? Here You Go

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:15:12 PDT

So if you're like Pop and me and your DVR cut off right after the lame Sgt. Pepper tribute on the "American Idol" finale last night, here's the clip of what you missed. For the record, I was right on all of my predictions of what happened, except there was no weepy Hasselhoff this year - just Jordin's tearful parents, which almost made me cry at my desk just now. What can I say? I'm a sap. To watch the clip,

What to TiVo: Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:59:54 PST

8:00 Last Man Standing (repeat)
8:30 Last Man Standing (repeat)
9:00 State of the Union Address
10:30 Modern Family (repeat)
12:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live (new, with guests Elizabeth Banks and Ben McKenzie)

8:00 NCIS (repeat)
9:00 State of the Union Address
10:30 The Big Bang Theory (repeat)
11:35 Late Show With David Letterman (repeat, with guests Tina Fey and Jeremy Irvine)
12:37 The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (repeat, with guests Kristen Bell and Eddie Izzard)

8:00 American Idol (repeat)
9:00 State of the Union Address

8:00 The Biggest Loser (new)
9:00 State of the Union Address
11:35 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (repeat, with guest Janet Jackson)
12:35 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (repeat, with guests David Duchovny and Judah Friedlander)

8:00 90210 (new)
9:00 Remodeled (new)

Link Time: Taylor Jacobson Gets a Reality Show, Tavi Talks to the BBC, and More

FabSugar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:48:32 PST

Former Rachel Zoe stylist Taylor Jacobson is getting her own reality show - Fashionista
The Royal Ascot's new dress code bans miniskirts and fascinators - HuffPo Style
We dare you: eight weird beauty tips that actually work - The Fashion Spot
See the style transformations of American Idol stars - InStyle
Taylor Swift wants to bake cookies with Karlie Kloss - The Cut
20 tips for making your wardrobe last - Real Simple
Science figures out how you become a hipster - Jezebel
This nail art is a total mess - Stylelist
The final straw: Lanvin, Valentino, and Jimmy Choo straw totes - Bag Snob
Oscar de la Renta conceives an exhibit in Spain - Style.com
Behind the scenes at Chanel's Spring '12 campaign shoot - Fashionologie
Tavi Gevinson talks to the BBC about Fashion Week (in her bedroom) - Styleite

Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, and J Lo Celebrate a New American Idol Winner Live

Katie Henry — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:48:35 PDT

Millions of fans tuned in last night for American Idol's two-hour, star-studded season finale. Ryan Seacrest was decked out in a tux to take in the powerful performances, later announcing 17-year-old Scotty McCreery as this year's champion - do you agree with the season 10 American Idol winner? The top 13 contestants returned to sing and dance throughout the show, as did Beyoncé Knowles, Lady Gaga, and even Idol judge Steven Tyler. Carrie Underwood arrived in a Lorena Sarbu dress then joined finalist Lauren Alaina for a duet of "Before He Cheats," and Scotty teamed up with country legend Tim McGraw on "Live Like You Were Dying." Beyonce took the stage twice, first doing a medley of her own hits like "Crazy in Love" with contestants and then a solo of her new single "One Plus One." Marc Anthony got the crowd on their feet with a Latin beat as Jennifer Lopez shook it in a hot fringed costume. Lady Gaga, U2, Tony Bennett, Jack Black, and Gladys Knight also joined in the fun before Scotty celebrated his accomplishment by belting out his first original track, "I Love You This Big."