Crushable » clay aiken

Celebrity Apprentice Announces Its Season 12 Cast Including George Takei And Clay Aiken

Natalie Zutter — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:34:00 +0000

We’ve known for some time that the twelfth season of Donald Trump‘s reality competition The Apprentice – and the fifth season of Celebrity Apprentice – features famous faces like Teresa Giudice and Debbie Gibson, thanks to fans who encountered the celebs during filming in New York City earlier this year. But this morning The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed the entire cast, which also includes a former American Idol star, a Gotti, a Miss Universe, and the Hulk.

You have to laugh at The Donald’s double-talk, where he says that he thinks they’ve topped the previous seasons, but “we didn’t want to change much—we’re not looking to reinvent the show in its 12th season.” At least we can all agree that “the abuse they take and the kind of work they put in” is character-building for most of these guys. (Except George Takei, who is already awesome.)

Here’s the complete cast, along with their respective charities and foundations:

Clay Aiken (American Idol runner-up), The National Inclusion Project

Teresa Giudice (Real Housewives of New Jersey), The NephCure Foundation

George Takei (Star Trek actor/awesome geek and gay rights icon), Japanese American National Museum

Aubrey O’Day (reality star), Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

Victoria Gotti (Growing Up Gotti), Association to Benefit Children

Adam Carolla (talk show host), Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters

Tia Carrere (actress), After-School All-Stars

Debbie Gibson (singer), Children International

Penn Jillette (magician), Opportunity Village

Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), March of Dimes/Bikers for Babies

Lou Ferrigno (the man best known as the Hulk), Muscular Dystrophy Association

Lisa Lampanelli (comedienne), Gay Men’s Health Crisis

Cheryl Tiegs (model/actress), The Farrah Fawcett Foundation

Michael Andretti (retired racecar driver), Racing for Cancer

Arsenio Hall (actor), Magic Johnson Foundation

Patricia Vasquez (model/actress), Wayuu Taya Foundation

Paul Teutel, Sr. (American Choopper), Make-A-Wish Foundation

Dayana Mendoza (Miss Universe 2008), Latino Commission on AIDS

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Scotty McCreery Took An AP Exam Last Week

Lilit Marcus — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:10:17 +0000

It’s not enough that Scotty McCreery just became the youngest American Idol winner ever – he took a “super secret” one day trip back to his high school in Garner, NC to take his AP exam in English. His music teacher, Meredith Clayton (you’ll remember that Meredith’s mom was Clay Aiken‘s high school music teacher) told the Raleigh News & Observer that “He is keeping on top of his school work, and he will graduate, and his mom said he will go to college.”

And does Clayton, who was invited out to L.A. for some Scotty’s performances, take any credit for his victory? “I think he had a gift from God, and he had two wonderful parents that raised him, and I’m the lucky one that just by chance was his teacher,” she said. Although I’m sure the new car that she won during the Idol finale is a pretty cool consolation prize.

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What Does Scotty McCreery Have In Common with Clay Aiken?

Lilit Marcus — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:25:09 +0000

Yes, they’re both from North Carolina. But these two Idol finalists have more in common than just twangs and good singing voices. Scotty McCreery‘s high school chorus teacher, Meredith Clayton, will be in the audience tonight as he sings his final songs. She runs the music program at Scotty’s high school in Garner, NC (the one that had a bit of a bear problem last week). But this isn’t Clayton’s first run-in with an Idol. She attended high school with Clay Aiken in nearby Raleigh. And, adding to the layers, Clayton’s mother, Diane Covington, was the chorus teacher at Leesville High School who taught Clay. [Full disclosure: Meredith and I were classmates at Leesville, although I am completely tone deaf and never took chorus.]

What is it about North Carolina that breeds Idols? Fantasia Barrino, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, and Anoop Desai all hail from the Tarheel state. Even if Scotty doesn’t win this week, he still counts himself among fine company.

Update: My mom reminded me that Bucky Covington is also from North Carolina. Sorry, Bucky! And Mom!

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12 Celebrity Couples Who Broke Up Before the Baby Was Born

Lilit Marcus — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:49:45 +0000

Brangelina‘s multiracial brood is so 2007. Now, it’s all about celebrities who break up – if they were even together – before the baby is born and figure out a way to co-parent. The future is upon us, and it’s trying to behave like an adult.

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Gallery: American Idols On Broadway

Lucia Peters — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:07:31 +0000

So you’ve appeared on American Idol. Your face and voice have been piped into living rooms the world over for weeks at a time. Show’s over. Now what? You take on the Great White Way, of course! Here are all the American Idol contestants who have made waves on (or off) Broadway after their tenures on the show.

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Crush Links: Vanessa Hudgens Wins Our Affection In A Spirit Hoodie

Meghan Keane — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:08:38 +0000

We love spirit hoodies. And we love the way Vanessa Hudgens is handling her breakup from Zac Efron. By partying in Vegas this weekend while wearing one. (PopSugar)

Taylor Momsen is touring Europe and told a Scottish crowd last week that Glasgow is part of England. Oops! But actually, she’s apologized. Is this a first? (Vulture)

Teen Mom‘s Gary Shirley has a lot of money now, thanks to MTV. And he’s apparently spending it on himself, rather than his baby. Awesome! (TMZ)

A Big Brother star sent pictures of his penis to a random girl. and he’s still apologizing to his (ex)girlfriend. (ONTD)

Meanwhile, basketball star Charles Barkley has some X-rated advice for men desperate to send pictures of themselves naked to women. (NYP)

American Idol star Clay Aiken has a new boyfriend. (Dlisted)

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Drew Grant — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:27:50 +0000

American Idol‘s Ian Benardo looking to Make $300 Mill In Gay Discrimination Lawsuit – Oh yeah, American Idol totally hates the gays. Like Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, Ryan Seacrest…(though to be fair, the first two had to wait till after the show to come out of the closet). (via TMZ)

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Crush This: ‘Get Him To The Greek’ Hits Theaters, But The Biggest Premieres Are On TV

Amanda Ernst — Mon, 31 May 2010 12:55:51 +0000

Welcome to Crush This, your weekly guide to what’s new in movies, music and TV. We’ve navigated the inner reaches of our entertainment-obsessed brains in search of all the pop culture landscape has to offer. On deck this week: a slew of new TV show premieres, from reality shows like Dad Camp and Downtown Girls to the second seasons of Drop Dead Diva and Royal Pains, along with fun summer movies.

Movies: We’ve been waiting for Russell Brand and Jonah Hill in Get Him To The Greek (you can win a movie-related prize pack, too) and it opens this Friday. But high stakes rom-com Killers with Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher also opens that same day. Which will we choose?

Also on Friday — Colin Farrell’s mermaid fairytale Ondine. Enticing.

TV: Let the summer series begin! There are so many shows debuting this week, it will be hard to choose which to watch. Today, take your pick between Dad Camp on VH1 (Bret Michaels‘ new show also has a sneak peek episode tonight) and Cake Boss on TLC. Tuesday, there’s premieres of new Jersey-based show Jersey Couture on Oxygen, America’s Got Talent and Losing It with Jillian on NBC, Hell’s Kitchen on Fox, Downtown Girls on MTV and The Little Couple and One Big Happy Family on TLC.

Wednesday there’s premieres of Toddlers and Tiaras on TLC and Tosh.0 on Comedy Central, while USA Networks’ Royal Pains and Burn Notice premiere Thursday. Next Sunday is another big night, with MTV’s scripted TV show The Hard Times of RJ Berger along with new show Sons of Tucson on Fox and new seasons of Drop Dead Diva on Lifetime and reality competition show The Next Food Network Star.

Music: British pop star Taio Cruz rocked us with his single “Break Your Heart” and “Dirty Picture” music video with Ke$ha. Now, his album Rokstarr is being released stateside on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, Clay Aiken, Sleigh Bells and Jack Johnson are all releasing new albums.

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Crush Links: Kanye Will Never Ever Forgive ‘Saturday Night Live’

Erin Carlson — Sun, 30 May 2010 15:56:05 +0000

Kanye West disses Saturday Night Live in his new song. The cast is like, “Awesome!” Which pisses Kanye off even more. (Page Six)
Sayid, er Naveen Andrews, is broken up with his longtime love Barbara Hershey, who’s 21 years his senior. (People)
Russell Brand won’t let you interview him unless you really liked Get Him To The Greek. Diva! (Page Six)
Brittany Murphy‘s friends aren’t too shocked over Simon Monjack‘s death; they allege he was a bad influence and the final nail in her coffin. (Perez Hilton)
Clay Aiken claims he’s never seen Glee. Yeah, right, OK. (Popeater)
Basketball Wives’ Suzie Ketcham — arrested! (Radar)
Ron Jeremy says Gary Coleman hated the “Whatchu Talkin’ Bout” line. (Us Weekly)
Miley Cyrus says “bad people” keep trying to separate her and Nick Jonas, but they always come back together. (Just Jared)

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5 Songs That Need to Be Banned from ‘American Idol’

Lilit Marcus — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:54:07 +0000

American Idol is on its tenth season and, like any show, they’ve had to make some changes to keep things fresh. The judges’ save, allowing competitors to play instruments, and the additions of Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres were all ways Idol tried to keep the show interesting. But might I suggest that the show get rid of some dead weights? I’m not talking about firing Randy Jackson (at least not this time). No, I’m suggesting Idol ban some of the old chestnuts that have been dragged out one – or seven – too many times.

1. “Hallelujah”

Jason Castro did it. Lee DeWyze did it. Either way, “Hallelujah” is too much for the average Idol contestant to sing. For one thing, the lyrics contain references to adultery and other stuff that always ends up being cut. For another, the song is oversaturated throughout pop culture, not just on Idol. It’s been everywhere from The West Wing to Shrek, and it’s losing its power and meaning in the process. Put this one back in the drawer, guys.

2. “Fallin’”

“Fallin’” was the single that introduced Alicia Keys to the world, and wannabe ingenues have been using it as their “Idol” audition song ever since. Unfortunately, though, most of the singers who attempt this song can’t match Alicia’s vocals and end up packing it with so many runs and so much melisma that you can’t find the notes. It’s too showy, and most singers can’t keep up.

3. “Alone”

Whenever a female singer on “Idol” is trying to break out of whatever box she’s been put into, she reaches for “Alone” as the song to break her out of it. When you are Carrie Underwood, trying to prove that you can sing rock as well as country, it works. When you are absolutely anyone else, it does not. Lesson learned.

4. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”

This song might break an “Idol” record for the amount of times it’s been used on the show. However, the contestants aren’t totally to blame here. It’s a huge favorite for judges’ picks: David Archuleta, Justin Guarini, and Clay Aiken have all been tasked with singing it in the finals. Besides this song, what do these three singers have in common? They all lost. Accept that the song is cursed and let it go.

5. Anything by Whitney Houston

If you sing something by Whitney Houston, Randy will tell some dumb story about how he was there when Whitney recorded it and how he is friends with famous people and you are not, and he will use that story to illustrate that Whitney sang the song better than anyone will ever sing ever again, and that will include you.

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