I was disappointed to learn that he had given in to the trend in Hollywood and had had Botox injections.  I wasn’t surprised, however, when he explained how he came to arrive at that decision.

According to The Insider, 42-year-old Ramsay said:  “It’s Simon’s fault. He leaned over and prodded my chin saying: ‘Mate, you’ve got to do something.’  I was like: ‘F*** off!’ I’ve always looked like Freddy Krueger [the serial killer from A Nightmare On Elm Street], but more people were commenting, so I did it – Botox. And no one has f****** noticed.”

It’s no shocker that Simon said.  He told Us magazine the following: “Yes, I’ve had Botox, but not in an obsessive way. Then again, every guy I know who works in the city has had it now.”

That’s the worst – when you give in to peer pressure and feel like you are making a change for the better and then no one even notices the difference.  It’s a good lesson for doing what you feel is right and now what other people think you should do.

image: Zuma Press

Post from: Idol Stalker

“Teaching was something that ran in my family," says Carrie. "I have always admired my mother and sisters for making a difference in the lives of so many.”

The Teacher’s Count "Behind Every Famous Person is a Fabulous Teacher" campaign is incredibly effective.  How many times have we all heard big stars talk about that one teacher who believed in them and gave them the tools, support and confidence to reach higher and dream bigger? 

I love these types of campaigns (and the celebrities who support them) because I think that educators are often unsung heroes, especially now with all the budgetary constraints schools are facing.  The role of teacher now often includes being the school nurse, guidance counselor, confidante, lunch monitor, computer technician and more. 

I know that it’s a challenge that I could never take on so I have a lot of admiration and respect for those teachers who go above and beyond their job description in classrooms around the world.

Carrie is joined by many other celebrities who have supported the cause.  The list ranges from football players to actresses, singers and even the former First Lady, Laura Bush.  To see more, visit www.teacherscount.org.

image used with permission from Teacher’s Count

Post from: Idol Stalker

image: Newscom

I noticed that the heavily pregnant Jennifer looked up several times during the performance and I’m sure she could relate to the pain the Jackson family felt since she lost her own family last October.

Watch the moving musical tribute:

Post from: Idol Stalker

Even though it’s not a lot of dates and locations, I think that club performances are a lot more intimate and makes the band seem more accessible to fans.  I think it’s great.

It’s also the first time that the group will be performing many of these songs on stage and I really love those early days while a band gets used to performing a song live.  There is so much honesty in it and you really get to see how they grow from being unsure and a little uncomfortable on the first tour date to how polished and relaxed they sing a song at the last show.

The tickets go on sale July 11, 2009 but the first 50 people in each tour area to pre-order their album from www.DaughtryOfficial.com will get free tickets!  It’s a win-win situation!  There will also be a limited number of VIP packages on sale from July 8-10.

Here are the dates:

Aug 2    Orlando, FL         House of Blues
Aug 4      Boston, MA          Showcase Live
Aug 7      Columbus, OH        LC Pavilion
Aug 8      Chicago, IL         Vic Theatre
Aug 9      Minneapolis, MN     The Cabooze
Aug 11     Nashville, TN       Cannery Ballroom
Aug 12     Memphis, TN         Minglewood Hall
Aug 14     Houston, TX         Warehouse Live
Aug 16     Denver, CO          The Gothic Theatre
Aug 18     Phoenix, AZ         Marquee Theatre
Aug 19     Los Angeles, CA     Henry Fonda Theater
Aug 20     San Francisco, CA   The Fillmore
Aug 22     Las Vegas, NV       Pure

image: DaughtryOfficial.com

Post from: Idol Stalker

The wedding took place at the United Methodist Church and, for the most part, sounds like a traditional ceremony although it was very private – on 30 family and friends attended.  The 38-year-old producer-singer-songwriter wore a strapless Vera Wang gown and looked very elegant.

image: Zuma Press

“I feel great,” DioGuardi said.  “What was most unbelievable about the experience was when I looked out at the church and saw all these people that were so important to me and Mike, who were there for us. It was pretty powerful. I was very emotional and I’m not somebody who breaks down and cries.”

I was curious about how they met and I learned that it was pretty sweet/romantic.  The 34-year-old contractor (who used to be a teacher) built a house right next to DioGuardi’s New England home.  They began dating and then got engaged when he proposed in Mexico last December.

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He’s that good in this musical and now you can relive the excitement (if you got to see it live) or hear it all for the first time (if you are like me and did not get to see it live)

The New York Times called the musical “absurdly enjoyable” so I really need to find out what all the fuss is about.  I’m very happy for Constantine and, after hearing him perform on the Tony Awards, I think he’s actually improved quite a bit since his days on Idol.

The Rock of Ages: Original Broadway Cast Recording includes 22 tracks (Constantine’s vocals are featured in 16 of the 22!), almost all of which you are sure to recognize since the musical is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip.  It’s a love story where a small-town girl meets a big-city dreamer and fall for each other to some of the most memorable songs from the 80s.

Here’s the track listing:

1. Just Like Paradise / Nothin’ But A Good Time (Rock Of Ages Full Company)
2. Sister Christian (James Carpinello, Michele Mais, Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
3. We Built This City / Too Much Time On My Hands (Paul Schoeffler, Lauren Molina, Wesley Taylor, Andre Ward, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Constantine Maroulis, James Carpinello & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
4. I Wanna Rock (Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger & Ensemble)
5. We’re Not Gonna Take It (Lauren Molina, Jeremy Wood, Savannah Wise & Ensemble)
6. Heaven / More Than Words / To Be With You (Amy Spanger, Constantine Maroulis, Savannah Wise & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
7. Waiting For A Girl Like You (Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger, James Carpinello & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
8. Wanted Dead Or Alive (James Carpinello, Amy Spanger & Ensemble)
9. I Want To Know What Love Is (James Carpinello, Amy Spanger, Constantine Maroulis & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
10. Cum On Feel The Noize / We’re Not Gonna Take It - Reprise (James Carpinello, Constantine Maroulis, Adam Dannheiser, Amy Spanger, Mitchell Jarvis, Lauren Molina, Andre Ward & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
11. Harden My Heart / Shadows Of The Night (Amy Spanger, Michael Mais, Mitchell Jarvis & Ensemble)
12. Here I Go Again (Rock Of Ages Full Company)
13. The Final Countdown (Paul Schoeffler, Wesley Taylor, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Lauren Molina & Ensemble)
14. Any Way You Want It / I Wanna Rock - Reprise (Michele Mais, Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger, Andre Ward, Mitchell Jarvis, Adam Dannheisser & Ensemble)
15. High Enough (Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
16. I Hate Myself For Loving You / Heat Of The Moment (Amy Spanger, James Carpinello, Constantine Maroulis & Ensemble)
17. Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Wesley Taylor, Lauren Molina, Paul Schoeffler & Ensemble)
18. Can’t Fight This Feeling (Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis & Ensemble)
19. Every Rose Has Its Thorn (Michele Mais, Amy Spanger, Constantine Maroulis, Wesley Taylor, Paul Schoeffler, James Carpinello & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
20. Oh Sherrie (Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
21. The Search Is Over (Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger & The Rock Of Ages Cast)
22. Don’t Stop Believin’ (Rock Of Ages Full Company)

image: Amazon

Post from: Idol Stalker

In the image on the left, Simon signed the breast (see a better angle of the breast signing!) of one fan and then in the picture on the right, he is signing another woman’s belly!  Click on the images to enlarge.

image credit: splashnewsonline.com

Post from: Idol Stalker

The original American Idol winner explained that she loves all kinds of dance styles and said that she grew up learning hip hop and said it might be cool to learn ballroom dancing.  I have always wanted to learn too!  She made it clear, though, that she would never agree to be on Dancing With the Stars (she actually said “hell no” and that she would look like “a big ol’ fool”). 

She also talked about her duet with Chris Daughtry, her weight and the death of Michael Jackson.  It was a fun interview so if you’re a Kelly fan, you will love it!

Post from: Idol Stalker

Anyway, Chris Daughtry did an acoustic version of the song and I think it is soooooo much better than the original.  I actually was able to pay attention to the lyrics and it feels like the song is actually telling a story. 

Check it out, tell me what you think:

Post from: Idol Stalker

I’ve got to say that these two little awfully cozy for a couple who is broken up.  Why would Terri fly all the way over to England if there wasn’t hope that this relationship could be rekindled.  Either way, I’m not always a fan of her clothes but I think that she looks very nice in this blue dress.  I also think Simon is a very sexy man but I can’t condone smoking – he loses major points with that cigarette in his hand…

image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Idol Stalker