The “American Idol” finalists, who will perform at Washington’s Verizon Center tomorrow night, have been invited to party with President Bush.
The finalists are well into their 16th minute of fame, given that they have a 2:35-2:50 p.m. time slot tomorrow to serenade or say hey to the president.
Laura Bush’s press secretary, Susan Whitson, taught “AI” winner Hicks ninth-grade English in Birmingham, Ala.
Ironically, as the Associated Press points out, Hicks won his competition with about 1 million more votes than Bush received in the 2004 presidential election.
Then again, “AI” voters are allowed to vote as many times as they can. And Birmingham fans reportedly are the fastest phoners in the South. Idol by proxy
“It takes me an hour to get to my seat!” says Elliott Yamin’s mother, Claudette, who now has attended several of the “American Idols Live” shows.
“People are always taking my picture,” she says, laughing. “So I give people the Queen Elizabeth wave.
“It’s funny. It’s so funny.”
One woman approached Yamin in a dessert shop the day after the tour stopped in Uniondale, N.Y.
“I just watched you last night as you watched Elliott,” said the woman. “It was so beautiful. You had the biggest glow.”
Though the down-to-earth Yamin is proud of her son, she isn’t sure she deserves all this attention.
“You’d think I was the Queen of England, really,” she says. “I didn’t do anything, I just gave birth to him. And it was 12 hours of labor.
“Not that fun.”
It’s a family affair
Several of the “American Idol” contestants’ families spent time in Los Angeles during the series.
Some of the parents, including Claudette, became well-known to TV viewers. Fox’s cameras offered extreme close-ups as parents reacted to their children’s performances.
“We all got to know each other,” says Elliott’s mom. “It was like one big family.”
If the series fostered one big family, the tour is one big family reunion.
“Security is so nice to me,” says Yamin. After one of the concerts, a security guard took her backstage. “I saw the kids, we did hugs and kisses.”
Somebody mentioned that Kellie Pickler wanted to speak to Claudette. “I think she needed family,” says Yamin.
Pickler’s grandfather, Clyde Pickler, had a heart attack three days after the tour began. (Reportedly, he’s doing well now.)
“She didn’t have her hair extensions that night,” said Yamin. “I said, ‘Kellie, don’t you ever let them put those in your hair again.’ She looked so cute!”
Yamin also saw Lisa Tucker’s parents at a meet-and-great.
“Her father gave me a big bear hug and said he needed a favor.
“He said, ‘Will you tell Elliott to tell Lisa, if her parents are in the audience to please acknowledge them?’
“I thought that was real cute. Having me tell Elliott to talk to Lisa!”
Elliott always signals to his mom when she’s at a show. Mr. Smolder Eyes
He didn’t even come close to winning, but Constantine Maroulis is still one of “American Idol’s” most memorable hunks. Known for his bedroom eyes and slick rocker style during last year’s competition, Maroulis is coming to town at 8 p.m. Aug. 1. He’ll perform at Have a Nice Day Café in Shockoe Bottom to benefit VSA Arts of Virginia.
Fans who want to shake his hand can pay $60 for a meet-and-greet/ticket package. General admission is $30 in advance (until July 31) and $35 at the door. This is an all-ages show, but those younger than18 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, call (804) 771-1700 or visit www.caferichmond.com.
Lights! Camera! Action?
When the “American Idols Live” tour began three weeks ago, media were informed that any photos they wanted to publish would have to be cleared by 19 Entertainment.
The Manchester, N.H., Union Leader chose not to send a photographer, telling readers that the “show’s organizers made an unacceptable demand: the right to review and approve our news photos before publication.”
A Boston Globe reporter wrote, “[T]he tour and its stars appear to be under a level of control normally reserved for presidential campaigns and Rolling Stones tours”
Good news on the photo front: The restrictions appear to have been lifted, given that the Times Union in Albany, N.Y., and The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa., were allowed to shoot the concert. They only could photograph certain songs, but that’s standard practice.
Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University, told E! Online that 19 Entertainment might be attempting to control media coverage “because they can. Every big publicity machine would like to be able to control the publicity that goes out,” he said.
‘Idol’ moments Richmond will celebrate Elliott Yamin’s homecoming the Richmond Coliseum leg of the “American Idols Live” tour — on Saturday.
Here’s what’s happening: 1-3:30 p.m. Yamin Machine! for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Fundraiser & Fan Party at Champps Restaurant & Bar, 9202 Stony Point Parkway. Special guest: Claudette Yamin singing “It Had to Be You,” accompanied via recording only — by Elliott. Sold out. (804) 323-6053 or yaminmachine.com.
2 p.m. WRLH’s Richmond Idol Top 10 Competition at Short Pump Town Center, 11800 W. Broad St. Free. The audience will vote for the winner from the Top 10, based on last Saturday’s competition. (804) 358-3535 or fox35.com.
4 p.m. “American Idol” Pre-Post Concert Party with music by Soul Providers at Tobacco Company Restaurant, 1201 E. Cary St. (804) 782-9555.
8 p.m. Doors open for “American Idols Live” tour after-party and Elliott Yamin birthday bash — he turned 28 on July 20 — at Cherry Lounge, 401 E. Grace St. Age 21 and older, only. Special guest: Claudette Yamin. Elliott’s (and any other Idols’) presence depends on concert schedule.
Tickets: $10. Advance tickets: (202) 246-4947.
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