AOL Music Blog

'American Idol' Changes Record Contract Policy: Runner-Up No Longer Guaranteed Major Bucks

The Associated Press — 2012-05-25T14:55:00 00:00

Getty

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Coming in second on "American Idol" may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.

Wednesday night's "Idol' runner-up, Jessica Sanchez, doesn't have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30,000 in advances for recording singles. This, according to the "Idol" contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed that was reviewed by The Associated Press.

The agreement is the first time in "Idol's" history that producers are not offering the show's runner-up an album deal that in previous years had a guaranteed advance of at least $175,000. The move comes amid declining album sales for the recording industry and a drop in viewership for the "Idol" show.

Music's Biggest Jerks: 10 Artists With Major Personality Problems

AOL Music Staff — 2012-05-25T13:30:00 00:00

Getty (3)

About a month ago, indie band We Are Scientists decided to have some "fun" with us on Twitter, taking our tweets and altering them to read something completely wrong, then retweeting them out into the world. "What jerks," we thought. "What did we ever do to them?" But the whole incident got us to thinking about other musical meanies ... and there are many! After taking a vote amongst the editors of AOL Music, we compiled a slideshow of the top 10 biggest jerks in music, from the rapper who spat on two hotel employees, to the singer who destroyed a dressing room because he didn't like an interview question. Click below to view our picks and see if you agree!

AOL Music #Trending -- This Week's Hottest Music News (VIDEO)

AOL Music Staff — 2012-05-25T12:40:00 00:00

Getty Images | AP | Getty Images for ABC

It's Friday, which means it's time for the next episode of our original video series, AOL Music #Trending! Miss this week's music news? It's all good -- we've recapped the hottest headlines for you. Just watch the video below!

Brooke White Gives Birth: 'American Idol' Finalist Welcomes Baby Daughter London

Cameron Matthews — 2012-05-25T11:45:00 00:00

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Brooke White of 'American Idol' Season 7 has given birth to her first daughter London! As AOL Music Blog previously reported, the 28-year-old singer was expecting her first child with husband Dave Ray.

The couple welcomed their little baby girl into the world just last night at a Los Angeles-area hospital. People is happy to report that the new mom and baby London are doing very well!

"Baby London is here," Ray recently told People by phone. "Our girl came in at 6:41 p.m. and is 8 lbs., 12 oz.!"

Rita Wilson 'Please Come to Boston' Video Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-25T11:20:00 00:00

Decca

Who: Rita Wilson

What: The premiere of her 'Please Come to Boston' music video, off the actress' debut album, AM/FM -- a collection of covers of Rita's '60s and '70s favorites.

Why We Love It : Rita's deeply connected to this song, and it shows in her vocals! "When I first heard 'Please Come to Boston' I was a teenager driving in my car and almost started crying" Wilson told AOL Music of Dave Loggins' 1974 song. "I wanted these two people on the song to be together and couldn't understand why they weren't," Rita continued. "Why wouldn't she go to Boston? Why wouldn't he go back to Tennessee? The song is about two people who love each other but can't find a way to make it work." Check out Rita's rendition of the tune in the new video below!

Kylie Minogue 'Timebomb' Video: Diva Wears Barely-There Dress for Racy Visuals -- WATCH

Cameron Matthews — 2012-05-25T10:45:00 00:00

VEVO

Kylie Minogue's latest video "Timebomb" showcases a club-bumping beat ... and the diva herself nearly naked! The 43-year-old Australian pop princess has no problem showing off her amazing figure in the new clip while riding souped-up motorcycles through the streets of old London.

Minogue is currently promoting her Best of album while celebrating her 25th anniversary in the music business. And she's still a knockout after all these years!

Miley Cyrus, Meditation: Singer Urges Young Girls to Adopt the Practice -- Potent Quotables

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-25T09:30:00 00:00

Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

"Some girls ... I see what they want and what is the most important thing in their life, I just wanna shake them and say, 'Wake up! The world is so much greater. Go, be by yourself, go meditate, go spend 10 minutes really looking at yourself and I don't know if you're gonna like it.' I always say, 'If I met me, would I really like me ...? Would you really wanna be your friend?' We kind of judge people and we put people down about the things that we really don't like about ourselves. It's the same with the people you choose to have in your life." -- Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus knows what it's like to waste your time worrying about fitting in and trying to be "cool." During an interview on "The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet," the 19-yer-old star encouraged young girls to reevaluate their priorities in life, and to use meditation to help clear their heads along the way!

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Rihanna Rocks Dreadlocks, Joe Jonas' Miss USA Pageant Gig, Willow Quits Music & More -- News Roundup

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-24T16:15:00 00:00

Mark Davis, Getty Images

Rihanna rocked the live stage at the "American Idol" season finale last night (May 23), plus one major accessory -- dreadlocks! The shape-shifting singer debuted her newest 'do on the singing competition show, and we're guessing the look is a little homage to her idol, Bob Marley. [Just Jared]

Joe Jonas will soon put his ... umm ... lady-judging skills to the test. The JoBro has been named as a celebrity judge for the 2012 Miss U.S.A. pageant (June 3). Jonas will be joined by "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star Rob Kardashian and former "Bachelorette" Ali Fedotowsky. [AP via Yahoo]

Lenny Kravitz has channeled his flamboyant rock-star style into a new line of shoes for Tom's! The singer was urged to take on the gig by his style-star daughter Zoe Kravitz, and his designs include shoes printed with lyrics from his hit, "Let Love Rule." [NBC New York]

With actor/rapper Will Smith and actress/singer Jada Pinkett-Smith for parents, Willow Smith was pretty much destined to be in showbiz. But the 11-year-old "Whip My Hair" singer is calling it quits on her budding music career to pursue her true calling -- ballet! "Whip my pirouettes" works, too. ["Late Shoe With David Letterman"]

Carrie Underwood: Country Star's Grunge Rock and Hair Metal Past -- 'I Was All About Pearl Jam'

Sarah Kurchak — 2012-05-24T14:00:00 00:00

Ethan Miller, Getty

These days, Carrie Underwood is known for her trademark hotpants and her sunny, good old country girl demeanor, but there was a time back in the '90s when the American Idol-winning singer was far more likely to be found in grunge rock-approved plaid shirts -- and be mistaken for a ruffian.

"You know those stupid school pictures that you'd always forget about until you got there?" Underwood confesses to AOL Music Blog. "I wore those wide-legged jeans, like skater wide-legged jeans and a black and white oversized plaid shirt. And I remember when I got my picture back, one of my friends saying I looked like I was going to go rob somebody. Like I was a menace!"

Underwood's not-so-secret grunge past goes a lot deeper than the collection of plaid shirts she still keeps in her closet. As it turns out, the Oklahoman was raised on rock 'n' roll.

Adam Lambert Sessions: Go Behind the Scenes With the 'Trespassing' Singer (EXCLUSIVE)

Sarah Chazan — 2012-05-24T12:40:00 00:00

Joseph Llanes for AOL

Earlier this week (May 22) we premiered our Adam Lambert Sessions' performance and interview. Now, see what happened behind the scenes during our day of filming with the Trespassing singer! It's a personal side of the star many fans don't often see -- we even had a surprise for Adam when he met our photographer, Joseph. Check it out below!

MMVAs: Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, Nelly Furtado To Perform at MuchMusic Video Awards

Aaron Brophy — 2012-05-24T12:00:00 00:00

Kevin Winter, Getty

Justin Bieber, his Hunger Games-obsessed "Call Me Maybe" pal Carly Rae Jepsen, Nelly Furtado and Marianas Trench have just been added to the list of marquee Canadians performing at the chaotic street party/award show known as the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto on June 17.

The MMVAs will also feature performances by the newly goth Katy Perry and party shufflers LMFAO with the awards doling and live performances spread across various stages in and around the iconic MuchMusic building and nearby downtown Toronto streets.

"I'm so excited to be coming back home for this year's MMVAs," said Bieber. "It's an honor to be nominated and performing. I can't wait!"

Lady Gaga, Fake Rolex Comments Anger Thai Fans

The Associated Press — 2012-05-24T11:10:00 00:00

Wally Santana, AP

BANGKOK (AP) - Lady Gaga wants to go shopping in Bangkok -- for a fake Rolex.

The singer made the comment to her 24 million Twitter followers, sparking a uproar Thursday in Thailand where some fans called it offensive, insulting and bad for the country's image.

It's the latest publicity-making turn of events as the Born This Way Ball travels through Asia.

Lady Gaga's provocative lyrics and costumes have angered Christian groups in South Korea and the Philippines and Islamists in Indonesia, where the show may be banned.

Now she is stirring nationalist fervor in Thailand, where people tend to get upset when the country's seedy underworld is highlighted by outsiders.

Janet Jackson, Diabetes Scare: Icon's Weight Gain Sparked Major Health Concerns

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-24T10:30:00 00:00

Kristina Bumphrey, AP

These days, Janet Jackson is looking and feeling the best she has in years. The NutriSystem spokesperson has dropped some serious lbs. thanks to a disciplined diet and exercise routine. But there was a time, not too long ago, when Janet's lifestyle was much less healthy ... and those bad habits and extra weight took a toll on the singer's health.

The icon was at her heaviest back in 2005, and the extra pounds effected more than just her physical appearance. "Health was always a concern," Jackson told Prevention magazine. "When I gained weight in 2005, my nutritionist was very worried. I was close to having diabetes. Even when I lost it and then gained quite a bit back, there was always the thought of heart disease."

As the face of a popular nutrition plan, Ms. Jackson says people can relate to her story of yo-yo dieting. "I think people really connect with the idea of someone who's gained and lost weight in this very public way, and also someone who's an emotional eater. Chocolate, cake, caramel apples -- there aren't many things I don't love."

John Mayer, Throat Condition Forces Singer to 'Live Like a Monk' -- Potent Quotables

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-24T09:30:00 00:00

Jeffrey Ufberg, WireImage

"I'm not in recovery now. I'm actually just in a holding pattern until I can get the wherewithal, the endurance, to go through a six-month period of extreme self-discipline. There's no talking for the first month -- and then, there's whispering. But really what this has to do with is diet, because acid reflux is as much a contributor as overuse is. Basically, if you made a list of all the things you enjoy eating or drinking, you can't do those things. Doctors have said, 'You just live like a monk.'" -- John Mayer

After scrapping his entire tour when a past throat condition came back with a vengeance, John Mayer has spoken -- err, whispered -- to NPR about the major changes he'll have to make once he undergoes his second surgery to remove a granuloma on his vocal cords.

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Kelly Clarkson 'Dark Side' Video Premieres

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-24T09:01:00 00:00

Harper Smith

Who: Kelly Clarkson

What: The music video for Kelly's third Stronger single, "Dark Side"

Why We Love It: Kelly brings back her "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" video director Shane Drake for the new visuals, which explore the "dark side" of multiple characters -- including a handicapped war vet, a pill-addicted beauty queen and a victim of school bullying. Kelly kills it with another powerful, inspiring video!

Maxim Hot 100 List Includes Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and Miley Cyrus

Gayle Thompson — 2012-05-23T17:00:00 00:00

Steve Granitz, WireImage

Katy Perry is used to No. 1 -- her Teenage Dream album earned her five chart-topping singles -- but on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list, she'll have to settle for a respectable No. 4. Joining Katy on the yearly inventory of fetching celebs are fellow pop stars Miley Cyrus (No. 68), Jennifer Lopez (No. 37) and Shakira (No. 60), as well as three country singers: Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler and Julianne Hough.

Of the Nashville ladies, Swift leads the pack, coming in at No. 26. Julianne sneaks in under the Top 50, at No. 47, while Kellie landed at No. 72.

This marks the fifth year in a row for both Taylor and Julianne to appear on Maxim's Hot 100 list. They also earned a slot on Maxim's Hottest Women of Country, coming in at No. 2 and No. 4, respectively. While Taylor is thrilled to be noticed, she admits she looks to others for fashion and beauty inspiration -- including a few fellow country celebs.

"I've always loved Nicole Kidman and Faith Hill," Taylor told Teen Vogue. "Shania Twain always looks beautiful."

Material Girl, Georgia May Jagger: Mick Jagger's Daughter Is New Spokesmodel for Madonna's Clothing Line

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-23T16:30:00 00:00

Sean Gallup, Getty Images

Madonna and her daughter Lourdes Leon, aka Lola, have found the newest face to represent their Material Girl clothing line. Rock offspring-turned-model Georgia May Jagger, daughter of the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and model/actress Jerry Hall, will be the collection's new celebrity spokesmodel!

Following in the footsteps of actress-turned-Pretty Reckless frontwoman Taylor Momsen, and fellow rock offspring Kelly Osbourne, 20-year-old Georgia May is Madonna and Lola's new muse. "It's true! I'm the new face of Material Girl! I must say I love working with Madonna and Lola," Jagger wrote confirming the news on her Twitter account.

The TESS Management model began posing for top fashion designers and beauty giants back in 2008, and has worked for the likes of Versace, Chanel and Rimmel London.

Kelly Clarkson: Boyfriend to Thank for Toned New Figure

Kenneth Partridge — 2012-05-23T15:25:00 00:00

Getty

There's a good reason Kelly Clarkson is looking so fit and trim these days, and it has nothing to do with her career or a compulsive desire to exercise.

"I have a boyfriend, and if I'm being completely honest, no one likes to be not toned when you are dating someone," the singer confessed in a recent interview with People.

Clarkson is dating Brandon Blackstock, her manager's son, and the two share a personal trainer. Consequently, she's been eating healthier and working out more, and while her weight still rises and falls within a 20-pound range, she says that's been the case her entire life.

"I tone whenever I want, and I chose to now because my boyfriend and I are both really into it," she says.

Adam Lambert's 'Trespassing' Makes History, Bieber Announces Believe Tour, Kelly Clarkson's Lost Her Mojo & More -- News Roundup

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-23T13:25:00 00:00

Jeff Fusco, Getty Images

Adam Lambert made history when his sophomore album Trespassing debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 Albums Chart today (May 23). No, he's not the first "American Idol" star to accomplish the feat -- far from it -- but Lambert is the first artist to hit the No.1 spot as an openly gay man. "Thank you to the Glamily for helping me make HISTORY!" [HuffPost Gay Voices]

Justin Bieber's own sophomore album Believe has yet to be released, but the teen sensation has already announced the dates for his forthcoming supporting tour. The 46-date North American trek kicks off September 29 in Glendale, Ariz. [Us]

Speaking of tours, after scrapping her own concert trek back in 2011 due to a debilitating foot injury, Jessie J is back and ready for action! The Brit-born songstress just announced her 14-date U.K. tour, set for 2013. [Jessie J Official]

Where Are They Now? A Look at How Winners of 'American Idol', 'X Factor' and 'The Voice' Have Fared Offscreen

Melody Lau — 2012-05-23T12:50:00 00:00

Kevin Winter, Getty

Music superstardom seemed an unattainable dream a decade ago. Chances of being plucked from your Average Joe life and signed to a major label were pretty slim unless you happened to make it on Star Search or the Mickey Mouse Club star growing up.

But with rise of reality shows came American Idol in 2002. The American spin-off of the U.K.'s Pop Idol, which began the year before, offered up the opportunity to audition for industry insiders and a spotlight that was designed to discover talents hidden all over America. The original idea, along with reality show innovators at the time like Survivor or The Real World, captured the imagination of a mass audience and created instant stars such as season one winner Kelly Clarkson and season four winner Carrie Underwood.

As the years went by, though, various networks have spun similar singing competitions such as The X Factor, Rock Star INXS, Pussycat Dolls Presents: The Search for the Next Doll and more recently, The Voice and the upcoming Duets, which actually stars Clarkson as a judge.