Blog: Idolator

Well, at last we have a match-up for next week's American Idol finale — and it wasn't quite what we expected. All three of the contestants remaining as of Wednesday night (May 16) delivered shakier-than-usual performances, and even though we viewed Joshua Ledet as the night's winner, America felt differently. After 90 million (!) votes, Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips were catapulted to the title bout. Of course, before we learned the identities of our two finalists, we had to sit through about 15 minutes worth of in-show commercials. Thank God [...]

It's nice to see that Lady Gaga isn't all work and no play while on her Born This Way Ball tour . Especially since her concert set apparently is so grueling, Mother Monster claims it's a good night if she doesn't puke from its intensity . Thanks to good ole photographer Terry Richardson , we have yet another voyeristic look into life on the road for the pop star. The "Government Hooker" steps out on the town in fishnets, a studded leotard with matching platform shoes. (We, on [...]

Fun. is having a bit of fun with Gotye 's "Somebody That I Used To Know" — the band covered the smash single for BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, and nabbed Paramor e 's Hayley Williams for Kimbra 's part. Everything starts out alright, but frontman Nate Ruess can't reach the same range as Gotye during the chorus, and by the time Hayley (who only appears via prerecorded vocals) joins in, the whole number turns shaky and comes off like karaoke. As overplayed as [...]

We love how creative lyric videos are getting, and Taylor Swift 's "Eyes Open" lyric vid takes it to a whole new level. Instead of just showing the lines of her Hunger Games -inspired song flash across the screen, the clip employs handwritten words filmed in stop-motion. It's quite a delight, even if doesn't exactly evoke the tone or setting of District 12. Swift's "Eyes Open" and "Safe & Sound" both appear on the soundtrack to The Hunger Games , in stores now.

We're worried that catching Rihanna wearing next to nothing all too often will one day desensitize us to the pop star's regularly half-naked body, and we'll start yawning whenever RiRi decides she'd be much more comfortable without a shirt on. Thankfully, today is not that day. New pics from RiRi's upcoming spread in Esquire UK have surfaced online, and we're drooling like usual. Check out the "Where Have You Been" video vixen as she casually poses in barely more than a white pair of jeans. [...]

Sean Kingston narrowly escaped death last year when he survived a nearly fatal jet ski accident . Thankfully, the "Beautiful Girls" singer is back in good health, and readying his next release. "I'm going back to the whole reggae, island-pop thing," he told MTV last year, and today comes his newest single, "Back To Life (Live It Up)", featuring T.I. Hear the J.R. Rotem -produced banger below. The song samples Soul II Soul 's 1989 single "Back To Life (However Do You Want [...]

The-Dream 's new album is becoming a reality. The R&B singer took to Twitter to announced that his new LP Love IV MMXII will drop on August 14. The fourth installment of his Love series, the album boasts collabs with Mary J. Blige and Gucci Mane . "LOVE IV is the BEST Album I've made," tweeted the singer. "I don't care what the sales will be. I will do my best to Challenge your Taste And Knowledge." Challenge accepted! [...]

Our pop hearts grew heavy today (May 17) when we learned that diva, disco pioneer and First Lady Of Love Donna Summer succumbed to her battle with cancer. She was just 63 years old. Her music not only touched our hearts, it moved through us — making our toes tap, our hips shake and our legs carry us onto the dance floor. Thanks to the music icon's longtime collaboration with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, our shoes were worn thin dancing to "Love To Love You Baby", "I Feel Love" and "Hot Stuff". [...]

Gossip are getting a taste of the Cannes, and it's pretty bitter. The group performed Elton John 's "Candle In The Wind" during the opening ceremony of the film festival, though we can't say they recieved the warmest reception. The crowd stayed mostly silent during the performance, forcing Ditto have to ask, "Are you alive?" We can't particularly blame them for their lack of excitement — their arrangement sounded off, and Beth fumbled with the lyrics a bit. "Tough crowd!" she exclaimed halfway through the song. "You know what they say, you can [...]

Russell Brand appeared on Ellen DeGeneres ' daytime talk show this morning, and in between promoting his new movie Rock Of Ages and making Ellen squirm by commenting on current events like the breastfeeding TIME cover , the wily comedian spoke fondly of his ex-wife, Katy Perry . "I love her as a human being, but sometimes when you're in a relationship I suppose it doesn't work out, does it? But that doesn't mean I regret it or anything... I was very happy [...]

Donna Summer passed away today at the age of 63 following a battle with cancer. But though the singer known as The Queen Of Disco is gone, her musical legacy — which includes four #1 hits, five Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards and an Academy Award for "Last Dance" — will, as one of her award-winning songs states, "carry on". We rounded up seven tunes Donna recorded during her extensive career that we feel highlight her contributions as an artist. Head below to revisit some of Summer's best moments. [...]

Back in March we gave one lucky fan the chance to fly away with a friend to sunny Los Angeles to see The X-Factor 's newest judge, Demi Lovato , give an intimate concert for her most adoring Lovatics. Even if that lucky fan wasn't you, you can catch the "Give Your Heart A Break" singer's paired-down performance tomorrow (Friday, May 18) when the full show premieres on Vevo. For a little taste right now, watch the 30-second teaser trailer above in [...]

We've got some good news, and we've got some bad news for all you Glamberts out there: Adam Lambert 's sophomore album Trespassing is expected to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 next week! Unfortunately, Lambert's success might be bittersweet, as his LP is only expected to sell somewhere between 70,000 and 80,000 units, making it the smallest sum to hit #1 since August 2011, when Adele 's 21 sold 76,000 in its 12th non-consecutive week at the top of [...]

Donna Summer passed away today (May 17) at the age of 63, but the disco queen leaves behind a lasting legacy that will not soon be forgotten. Upon hearing news of her death, the music and entertainment community has come out to offer condolences and share their pain at losing such an iconic voice and influential presence. Head below for reactions from those who have worked with Summer, as well as those were dancing along to her tunes all these years. Duran Duran 's Nick [...]

Donna Summer , the Grammy-winning disco diva who charted with hits like "Bad Girls", "Hot Stuff" and "Last Dance" in the 1970s, has reportedly died at the age of 63 following a battle with cancer. She was said to be in Florida at the time of her death, and was focusing on completing her first studio album since 20082s Crayons . According to TMZ , sources say Summer had been trying to keep the extent of her illness quiet.

During his MTV First chat with Sway last night, Usher showed some footage from his recent takeover of Fuerza Bruta . What, exactly, is that , you ask? You can read about it here , or listen to Usher explain it: "It's a play — it's not necessarily a play in the standard sense of the word. But down at the Daryl Roth Theatre they put on these shows. They take you through range of emotions. It's not spoken word, but there are these sounds and also these elements [...]

It's fitting that the artist who had a #1 hit with "Live Your Life" is showing his support for President Barack Obama 's endorsement of same-sex marriage. In an interview for MTV's RapFix Live , T.I. echoes Jay-Z 's sentiments from the other day about marriage rights for gays — somewhat. While Hova came right out and compared discrimination against the GLBT community to discrimination against the black community, T.I.'s comments were a little more laid back. "Just to speak honestly, [...]

Did You Know? :: New mommy Pink looks fabulous on the cover of the June issue of Cosmopolitan , and with phenomenal cleavege like that, we're not surprised she's still nursing. "I'm used to going into the studio and smoking and drinking until three in the morning. But I can't drink as much because I'm breastfeeding," said the singer, who is working on her follow-up to 20082s Funhouse . "I've exorcised a lot of my demons, but I'm still working on myself. I think I'll be a [...]

The Top 3 had their grand homecomings on Wednesday night's (May 16) episode of American Idol , so we got an interesting glimpse into their pre-fame lives. And we got three rounds of singing: the judges chose the songs in round one, the Idols chose their second, and Jimmy Iovine picked their final numbers. At this stage in the game you have to start thinking about marketability, and that was apparent in the choices. Joshua Ledet aimed to prove he's not just an outdated soul crooner, that Phillip Phillips [...]

While most Americans woke up today and realized they had just about a month to get ready for swimsuit season, Jennifer Lopez was posing perfectly in the pages of Vogue as if to say, "I'm already there, guys." Forbes ' Celebrity 100 Power list-maker gave us not one, but two more reasons to envy her with photos of her in two sizzling bathing suits. Dive below for the 42-year-old pop star's second summer ensemble. If [...]