Still, the new season is right around the corner and soon we’ll all be picking our favorite Idol contenders and for those of you who are American, frenzied voting will begin a few weeks later.

With the idea of a new American Idol winner hitting our screens soon – even if we won’t know who that person is right away – I wanted to know who your favorite winner is from the past seasons. Please take a moment to vote!

Also feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. For my vote I had a hard time deciding because I absolutely love Carrie Underwood and as a country music fan it was very exciting to see her win. Still, I think that David Cook still has an edge for me, so that’s who got my vote in the end.

Who got yours?

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Luckily, we’ve got a little sneak peak of the song that you guys can hear to hold you off until the single’s full release. Listen to the single here through Windows Media Player or here through Real Player.

So, what do you guys think of the preview clip of Ruben’s “Christmas in Your Arms”? Listening to it, just gets me all excited for the holidays!

Image: Newscom

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Of course, there were the finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, along with the rest of the Top 13 and judges but the celebrities (and former contestants) came out in droves to see who would win the singing competition. 

It looks like season four winner, Carrie Underwood, hurt her knee somehow since she’s got her “owie” all covered up with four Hello Kitty bandaids. She still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

SEE MORE GREAT RED CARPET PICS AFTER THE JUMP!

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Here’s the tracklisting from the album which was produced by the dynamic duo, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.  I’m looking forward to hearing the full album because I think they, along with Ruben, could make a really great combination.

1. Together
2. More Than Words
3. Song For Her
4. How You Make Me Feel
5. Don’t Make ‘Em Like U No More
6. I Can’t Help It
7. Just Because
8. My Love Is A Rock
9. The Long and Winding Road
10. For the Good Times
11. We Got Love (That’s Enough)
12. Footprints in the Sand

Enjoy the video and let me know what you think of it:

image: Amazon

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American Idol

He talked about his upcoming album (due out the day before Mother’s Day) on which he had the chance to work with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis who, in case you aren’t familiar with them, have an incredible track record in the industry.  I’m really looking forward to hearing what they came up with! When Jamie asked what fans can expect from the album, Ruben said: “It’s just a lot of great, classic songs. I got a chance to do a record with some guys that I looked up to in my adolescence, and that’s Boyz II Men. Yeah, I did a song with them, a Bryan Adams record, “Heaven.” I did a song with Kenny G, “Careless Whispers.” It’s just a lot of great music.  Terry kept saying that he wanted us to pick songs that people can really see the Ruben that they voted for [in] and not somebody that let people pick the songs. They just wanted to hear I could really, really sing.

Ruben also explained why his album The Return, released in October 2006, was pulled from the shelves: “Man, the record company (J Records) designed my cover, my inserts… You know Louis Vuitton?  They kind of got upset about it. Yeah, that’s what happened. Me, I got sued. Britney Spears, DaBrat, Alicia Keys—we all got sued for using their logo as a part of our product.”

In the end, J Records’ “parent company, Sony BMG, was sued for trademark infringement by LVMH. All of the label’s music that featured Louis Vuitton’s toile monogram and multi-colored logo had to be removed from stores, and the label had to pay LVMH 100,000 euros.”

Fortunately, the album is being repackaged so fans will be able to get it along with the new one that is coming out this spring.

Ruben also tells Sister 2 Sister about how he ended up changing labels, the current status of his relationship with his godfather who has been missing since he stole money from the Idol champ and more.  Pick up the March issue to read it all – it’s on newsstands now!

If you need a little more Ruben in the meantime, here’s a cute video of Ruben explaining how he wanted to propose to his wife, Zuri, and how he eventually did it, after his first two plans were ruined.

image and quotes used with permission

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At the event, all of the former American Idol winners were brought on stage where they were presented with awards made especially for this occasion (they looked like old-fashioned microphones).  This was the first and only time that I saw Kelly Clarkson. 

Season 7 winner, David Cook, did an acoustic version of his hit, “Light On” and then season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, also performed an acoustic rendition of her song “All-American Girl.”  They pair then sang “You Can Go Your Own Way” together and it was such a good duet that a lot of people were later saying they should actually record and release it as a single.

There was also a pretty hilarious exchange between Ryan Seacrest and Paula Abdul while they spoke to the “contestants” before the performances.  Paula went over to give them tips on how to relax and when she started massaging one girl’s shoulder, Ryan said something like “now, remember Paula about the rules regarding contestants?”  The audience booed but we also laughed when Ryan referenced the situation with former contestant, Corey Clark, who alleged that he had an inappropriate relationship with Paula.

That’s basically all I’m at liberty to say but, in the meantime, here’s a video that walks you through the attraction:

image: Jyle Dupuis

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I will cover the event in three parts (motorcade, American Idol Experience show and the after-party) over the next three days.  Today, I’ll kick things off by telling you all about the American Idol motorcade. 

The blue carpet was rolled out for the stars and one by one.  Mickey Mouse got things started but was then followed by Justin Guarini (runner-up, season 1).  He looked great and was all smiles for the fans and the media.
Next was Chris Sligh (finalist, season 6).  He talked a little bit about how his song “Here Comes Goodbye” was picked up by Rascal Flatts and is actually the first single off of their new album.

It was a star-studded event.  Check out more pictures including Carrie Underwood, David Cook and David Archuleta after the jump!

Michael Johns (finalist, season 7) was right behind him and the one of the hostesses commented on how attractive he looked (the ladies in the crowd cheered in agreement). The reigning American Idol winner, David Cook, was next to drive up and he looked really great in his white jacket.  He was asked if he was sad to be losing his title in the next couple months and he said “no” because it’s great to have the Idol family expand.  Awwww!
Bucky Covington (finalist, season 5) was up next.  He got quite a bit of applause from the country music fans in the crowd.  The hostesses commented on his beautiful hair and asked him about his new album.  They asked when it was coming out (June-ish, 2009) and what it would be named (he had no idea). 
The adorable Ace Young (finalist, season 5) followed and I have to admit that his shorter hair is growing on me. The infamous Sanjaya Malakar (finalist, season 6) drove up and was actually filming the crowd.  One of the hostesses asked him what he was going to do with the footage.  He told her that he was going to put it up on his website (www.sanjayaworld.com).  They also asked about his new book Dancing to the Music in My Head (I talked to him about it at the party – come back on Monday for more!).  When probed for some juicy revelations from the book, Sanjaya declined to answer but he did tell them that there was a lot that he wanted people to know about the audition process.
The gorgeous Carrie Underwood (winner, season 4) was next to arrive and she really did look stunning.  The crowd erupted in applause for the tiny country music superstar.  She really is as sweet in real-life as she seems on television.
Jason Castro (finalist, season 7) drove up just as the hostesses were talking about his hair.  One asked what he held his dreads together with and the other one said “dirt.”  Wow.  Fortunately, the crowd was told that his hair actually smells nice so I’m sure they were joking about the dirt!  They asked about the fact that his brother was cut from the show (Jason actually made the slit-throat motion when they asked about Michael – ha ha!).  Jason said it was fine and was a learning experience.
Season 3 runner-up, Diana DeGarmo, looked great with dark hair and purple streaks!  They asked her about her role in Oz: The Musical, which is currently on tour.  She plays Dorothy and I’m sure she’s great.  Pick up tickets at Ticketmaster.com!
Joshua Gracin (finalist, season 2) looked really good (but different than I remember him – did he get his teeth done?).  Again, the country music fans showed their love for him.
Season 2 winner, Ruben Studdard, looked great in a tan suit.  He was asked about his stint in Ain’t Misbehavin’ but I couldn’t hear what he said about it.  The crowd was loud that day! Bo Bice (runner-up, season 4) was the next Idol star to drive up the blue carpet.  One of the hostesses joked that it wasn’t fair that he could grow his hair so long and not have any split ends.  I agree!

Season 6 finalist, Lakisha Jones, looked really nice in her black and white dress.  It suited her so well!  They briefly asked her about her new album and her role in Broadway production of The Color Purple.
Phil Stacey (finalist, season 6) was the only star that I saw standing in his vehicle as he made his way down the blue carpet.  Fortunately, they were only going about two miles an hour at that point so it was reasonably safe!
Brooke White (finalist, season 7) is soooo much tinier in person than I ever expected.  She’s adorable too!  Still, there’s something about her doing the devil horns that just doesn’t look quite right…
Taylor Hicks (winner, season 5) drove up and it was announced to the crowd that the singer is “very single.”  Wow!  Of course, one woman in the crowd offered to help him get over his loneliness! Mandisa (finalist, season 5) showed up looking absolutely incredible.  She revealed that she had lost 70 pounds through a lot of dieting and exercise and said that she’s have to avoid all the good food at the party later that night.  It’s entirely worth the sacrifice, Mandisa – you look great, girl!  They asked her if there was an Idol here that she hadn’t met before and she said that she was really excited to meet Fantasia!  Syesha Mercado (finalist, season 7) showed up wearing the kind of big earrings she is known to love (I was scared for her later when she got on a ride wearing them – more on that on Monday!).  She looked gorgeous!
American Idol season 3 winner, Fantasia Barrino, looked really polished in her black, white and red outfit and I really loved her hair. 

Carly Smithson (finalist, season 7) was asked about this season’s disqualified hopeful, Joanna Pacitti.  Some felt that Carly, like Joanna, had too much experience going into the contest but Carly maintained that their situations are different.  I didn’t quite understand her whole explanation but she mentioned that she had really wanted to make it in the business and felt that she deserved the chance. Melinda Doolittle (finalist, season 6) was asked about her album (I got to tell her how much I loved it – more on Monday!) titled Coming Back to You which was released earlier this month.  I love the album so you should consider picking up a copy! Season 7 runner-up, David Archuleta, was next to drive up and it was hard to get a good picture of him since the crowd was going crazy and he was turning in so many directions.  He was so cute!
The winner of the sixth season of American Idol, Jordin Sparks, looked really elegant in her cream-colored dress.  She also looked noticeably slimmer.  What do you think? 

American Idol host, Ryan Seacrest, was asked about the Joanna Pacitti disqualification but he said that he doesn’t know what happened and just knows that she left the show.  Good answer, Ryan!
American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, was asked about Joanna Pacitti but, again, declined to give a complete answer.  Paula said that Joanna was disqualified and that was about it.  She looked like she was having an absolute blast, though!  Kimberley Locke (finalist, season 2) was the final person in the motorcade and, unfortunately, things were changing around me so quickly by the time she drove up that I don’t really remember what she was talking about.  The motorcade had also sped up so the pictures we took weren’t great either.

It was announced that Kelly Clarkson’s vehicle wasn’t coming out and they speculated over the possibility that the first American Idol winner had come late and maybe missed the motorcade.  Hmmm…

images: Jyle Dupuis

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It was the season of Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken.  Even back during the competition, I just could not decide.  I loved them both so much for two entirely different reasons.  Ruben had a smooth style and teddy bear-like quality that made him so lovable during performances like “Music of My Heart” but then Clay brought so much skill and growth to songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” 

I couldn’t wait to find out who won and then the day of the final performances, I went into labor.  It was high-risk so I was in a special unit with no television for days.  Naturally, having just had a preemie, I wasn’t even thinking about Idol so, I ended up finding out by chance when some nurses were chatting in my room.  What an experience!

Here’s a Top 5 medley featuring Ruben, Clay, Kimberley Locke, Trenyce and Joshua Gracin to help bring back the memories! 

Check out the Top 10.  Who did you like best?

1. Ruben Studdard –Winner
2. Clay Aiken – Runner-up May 21, 2003
3. Kimberley Locke – Eliminated May 14
4. Josh Gracin – Eliminated May 7
5. Trenyce – Eliminated April 30
6. Carmen Rasmusen – Eliminated April 23
7. Kimberly Caldwell – Eliminated April 16
8. Rickey Smith – Eliminated April 9
9. Corey Clark – Disqualified April 2
10. Julia DeMato – Eliminated March 26

image: Newscom

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American Idol season two winner, Ruben Studdard, will be performing at the Bessie Smith Heritage Festival next month.  He has never performed in Chattanooga, where the event is taking place, but he seems pretty excited about it: “It’s going to be fun. It’s like inviting people to my living room. We have a party, and I’m sure it’s not going to be any different here in Chattanooga”

The festival is set to take place on August 23, 2008 with tickets going for $25 in advance and $35 at the gate.

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