Tearful Lauren Alaina sings through the pain after injuring vocal chords as she vies for American Idol crown

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Singing on: Lauren Alaina took to the American Idol stage tonight for the final showdown, despite having injured her vocal chords during rehearsals


Lauren Alaina managed to make it on to the American Idol stage tonight for the final showdown - despite fears she may have had to bow out of the contest.

The 16-year-old hopeful had earlier 'blew out her vocal chords' in rehearsals, the show's doctor explained.

But after receiving medical attention and medication she was declared fit to do battle with fellow finalist Scotty McCreery.


Emotional night: The 16-year-old hopeful became tearful after singing her last song of the night


Lauren soldiered on without any audible hiccups, becoming tearful during her last song, with both her and Scotty, 17, receiving high praise from the judges for their performances.

However, despite her setback, Lauren appeared to get the edge over Scotty, with the judges being slightly more impressed by her efforts.

After the final song, all three judges said Lauren would get their vote over Scotty - although it is the public who get to decide the winner.

Steven Tyler even went as far to say: 'Lauren gets it hands down.'


Graceful: Host Ryan Seacrest escorts the Georgia native into the audience at LA's Nokia Theatre as she sings Like My Mother Does


Proud: Lauren shares a hug with her mother as her father watches on during the performance


The show began with the drama over Lauren's voice being discussed.

She reassured host Ryan Seacrest: 'I'm fine,' after the programme's doctor explained how she had received medical treatment for her vocal chords.

Tonight saw the boy next door versus the southern belle as Scotty and Lauren put in their final performances ahead of tomorrow's finale.

Each contestant sung three songs for judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Tyler.


Let the battle commence: Lauren with fellow finalist Scotty McCreery and host Seacrest


Round one was their favourite song from the season, round two was a song picked by their mentors and round three was the single that each contestant will release if they win the competition.

Scotty's final song was the slow track, I love You This Big.

'When you hit that end note I was like "woah, dude". Scotty you are in it to win it. That was a brilliant vocal,' Jackson told him.

'You are a storyteller, you did an amazing job with that song,' said Lopez.



Southern belle: She started the night off in a gold, sparkly dress


Musician: Scotty performs with his guitar in hand. He also received high praise from the judges although they said Lauren had a slight edge over him


Lauren's final track was It's Like My Mother Does, which led her to hug her mother during the performance.

'Lauren Alaina has arrived America, that was amazing,' shouted Jackson.

'There was heart, emotion, feeling and a beautiful, beautiful voice,' said Lopez.

'It's been a tight race,' Lopez added. 'America has their job cut out for them.'


Here come the judges: Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson


In position: All judges agreed it was a close race, but called if for Lauren at the end of the night. The voting public will decide the winner, which will be announced in tomorrow's show


The songs were performed in LA's Nokia Theatre in front of seven thousand fans.

The public will vote for the winner with the result being announced tomorrow.

Tonight also saw a guest performance from Taio Cruz and American Idol winner David Cook from season seven.

This year marks Idol's youngest-ever, and first all-country music finale.

Alaina from Georgia, who has dreamed of appearing on the show since age six, is the youngest person to reach the finale.

McCreery, from North Carolina, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.


Guest performer: Taio Cruz took to the American Idol stage to entertain the 7,000-strong crowd


But whichever contestant prevails when the votes are announced on Wednesday - and predictions as usual are for a close race - country music may end up the real winner, some experts say.

'Either way they have two people who could do very well in country music,' said Yahoo! Music managing editor Lyndsey Parker.

'If you look at some of the biggest sellers of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert.'


Look who's back: Fellow American Idol winner David Cook closed the show


Swift has sold more than three million copies in the United States alone of her November 2010 album Speak Now.

Searches on Yahoo! for American Idol finalists have spiked 949 percent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-watched TV show in the United States.

Alaina is getting nearly nine times as many searches as McCreery, according to Yahoo! data.


American Idol 2011 Top 2 Finale - Lauren Alaina (Like My Mother Does)



Lauren Alaina - Flat on the Floor - American Idol Season Finale Top 2 Performances May 24,2011



American Idol 2011 Top 2 Finale - Scotty McCreery (Gone)



Scotty McCreery - Check Yes or No - Top 2 - American Idol 2011 Finale (2nd Song) - 05/24/11



source: dailymail

Britain's Got Talent 2011: Teenage rappers The Right Path left in tears after heartfelt tribute to their grandfathers

By SARAH BULL


Role models: Teenage rappers The Right Path impressed the Britain's Got Talent judges with their heartfelt tribute to their grandfathers


Teenage rappers The Right Path were the stars of the night on Britain's Got Talent tonight, with their heartfelt rap about their grandads.

The duo, consisting of Jamie, 14, and George, 13, received all round top marks and were left in tears after they got a standing ovation from the audience.

Before taking to the stage for their audition, the boys admitted they were nervous about the performance but excited about performing together for the first time.


Emotional: Both the boys, Jamie (left) and George were left in tears after their rap


And explaining their act to the judges, George said: 'We don't rap about how hard we are, we rap about making a change. But today we are going to rap about our grandads.'

Afterwards, judge Amanda Holden told them: 'Boys, I thought it was an excellent tribute to both your granddads who obviously had a massive influence in your lives.

'I think you both did your granddads proud.'


Proud: The duo's mothers were waiting in the wings, and seemed equally emotional about the performance


Michael McIntyre added: 'It was good lyrically and it was very heartfelt. It was very impressive.'

And Louis Walsh, who was standing in for David Hasselhoff, concluded: 'You're two great role models for young kids. i liked all the positivity of it. i think your grandads are going to be very proud.'

The Right Path unsurprisingly then received three yeses from the judges and are now through to the next round.

Another young act to impress the judges was seven-year-old Robbie Firmin, performing Frank Sinatra.

Dressed in a pinstripe suit and matching hat, the pint-sized boy belted out a rendition of the Sinatra classic My Way.


Mini Blue Eyes: Kent schoolboy Robbie Firmin, seven, sing Frank Sinatra's My Way on tonight's episode of Britain's Got Talent


Music mogul Louis told him: 'Robbie, that was fantastic. I’ve never heard anybody so young sing that song.'

Despite his tender age, Robbie even showed his cheeky personality by telling Louis his auntie - who was waiting in the wings - was looking for a boyfriend, saying: 'And I think she would want you to be it.'

Michael was equally enthused: 'Robbie I thought that was just brilliant, it had everything, you toyed with the audience, they were up, they were down, they were swaying. Robbie you’re a star.'

And, with three yeses, little Robbie was through to the next round.

Opening the show this evening were illusionist duo David, 39, and Karen, 27, who performed a modernised version of a Houdini trick.


Amazing: Judge Michael praised Robbie's professionalism on the stage


Proud: Robbie's family backstage, as well as presenters Ant and Dec, were thoroughly entertained by his act


Before their audition, Karen said: 'We are going to perform an illusion that was originally performed by Houdini but we have modernised it.'

And David added: 'Magic has struggled in the past on Britain's Got Talent but they haven't seen anything like our act yet.'

Karen and David then took to the stage and performed their act which saw David climb into a Perspex box on stilts which is then covered with a cloth.

Karen then waves a large sheet in front of the box and when it drops, David was holding the sheet and Karen is in the box.

Afterwards, Michael said: 'It was brilliant - it wasn't overly cheesy. I never have any idea how anyone does the trick - I'm a complete sucker for it and it was amazing.'


That's magic! Illusionists David and Karen perform tricks for the audience


Amanda added: 'That was annoyingly good. I am never keen on magic because it’s always so small time, people come on with cards and bits of cotton and no one can see anything.

'This is a massive show and if it goes onto the Royal Variety then that is a huge show to perform on, and there was no orange make-up, there was no Lycra, I hate to say it, but it was really good.'

And David concluded: 'You took to the stage and wowed us. You are what this show is about. Congratulations - it was great.'
Needless to say, the duo made it through.


How did they do that? David and Karen finished to rapturous applause from the audience


Delighted: David said performing in front of the judges and a live audience was 'the best moment of my life'


Next up was dog act Mexican Mayhem, led by 59-year-old Melanie, whose dogs Twizzle and Tucker performed a dancing act for the judges.

But altough Tucker did what he was supposed to during the dog agility course, Twizzle was 'a bit tired' and wasn't so up to par.

However, Melanie didn't let the judges and audience's laughter put her off, attempting to coax Twizzle through props including a windy tube.

Michael said: 'If both the dogs did what they were supposed to do, it wouldn’t have been nearly as entertaining as the fact that right off the bat one dog decided, "I’m not going to do this."


That really was mayhem: Melanie and her dogs Twizzle and Tucker's performance didn't quite go to plan


Difficult: Melanie struggled with one of the dogs, who she said was feeling a 'bit tired'


'It was almost like they were a comedy double act and I found it hilarious.'
And Amanda said: 'That doggy debut was hilarious for all the wrong reasons, but I really enjoyed it.'

While David said no tot he act, Amanda and Michael said yes - meaning Mexican Mayhem are through to the next round.

But Mexican Mayhem had some competition from some other dog acts, including Hoover and Jane, who didn't do too well with their tambourine playing act, and Jonathan and Bodhi, whose doggy skateboarding skills were less than impressive.

Up next were 'very good friends' Jon and Jenny, whose act was slightly ruined when Bodhi managed to run back onto the stage, much to the amusement of the audience.

Pianist Paul Gbegaje, 19, was next to take to the stage as the auditions moved up to Manchester.

Before making his way on for his audition, Paul said: 'I wasn't good at football or sports so every lunchtime I was in the music room playing music and composing. What I like about playing the piano is the feeling you get from it, it's a huge high.'


Impressive: Dance Angels Elite impressed the judges with their colourful outfits and enthusiastic performance


And, asked by Amanda if playing the piano was what he wanted to do full time, John replied: 'Definitely. This is how I express myself. I'm not a good talker but I communicate through music.'

While Michael called him sensational and Amanda said he was amazing, David caused drama with the audience when he said the audition was 'really nice'.

He added: 'I'm not sure it was great. But I love your spirit and your tenacity, so come back and show me up.'


Inspired: The Celtic Colleens were praised for their originality thanks to their illuminated Irish dancing routine


Mixed response: Pianist Paul wowed Amanda and Louis, but David wasn't convinced


Lightning fingers: Paul wowed the audience with his super-speedy piano playing


Better than Diversity? Amanda Holden told dance troupe Abyss they weren't as good as their predecessors


2011 Britans Got Talent amazing 7 year old louie kid 21/5/11 2011


Follow The Right Path Britains Got Talent 2011


2011 Britans Got Talent amazing dance group 21/5/11 2011


2011 Britans Got Talent amazing piano boy 21/5/11 2011



David and Karen - Britain's Got Talent 2011 audition.


2011 Britans Got Talent dog tryes to disracted the crowed 21/5/11 2011



source: dailymail

Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery to battle it out in American Idol final... as Haley Reinhart is eliminated

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Life-changing: The next American Idol will be Lauren Alaina or Scotty McCreery as the two made it through to next week's final


Record 95 million votes put teenagers through

The next American Idol will be Lauren Alaina or Scotty McCreery - after Haley Reinhart was eliminated from the show.

Alaina, 16, and McCreery, 17, will go head to head for the tenth American Idol title next Tuesday.

A record 95m votes were recorded after the semi-final show last night.

Country crooner Scotty McCreery was the first to find out he had made it through followed by Lauren Alaina.


In... and out: Alaina celebrates as Haley Reinhart learns she has been eliminated from the show


Haley Reinhart, 20, kept her cool belting out Bennie And The Jets, without shedding a tear.

At the end of the song Haley said: 'You'll be seeing me, this ain't the end of this, this ain't the end of this thing - see you later!'

She then embraced her mother and father in the audience.

Reinhart had always seemed doomed on Idol. Unlike her remaining rivals the wavy-haired singer had been less definable and garnered fewer votes, landing at the bottom as one of the show's low vote-getters four times after weak performances of such songs as LeAnn Rimes' Blue and Blondie's Call Me.


No tears: Haley Reinhart, 20, kept her cool belting out Bennie And The Jets, without shedding a tear


This season's femme fatale found recent success by boldly tackling classic rock tunes.

She earned a standing ovation from the judges two weeks ago for a rousing rendition of The Animals' version of The House of the Rising Sun, and she was lauded again Wednesday for her performances of Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon and Led Zeppelin's What Is and What Should Never Be.

It was apparently too little, too late for Reinhart after 95 million viewer votes were cast Wednesday.


Well done: After her performance Haley ran to embrace her parents in the audience


While she was finding her groove throughout the finals, McCreery and Alaina had been delivering consistent country and pop performances since their attention-grabbing auditions.

McCreery never appeared at the bottom, and Alaina only did once two weeks ago.
Earlier in the evening as each of the three finalists were filmed visiting their hometowns.


I'll be back: Haley vowed that viewers hadn't seen the last of her


The show also featured a sizzling live performance by Nicole Scherzinger and 50 Cent and the U.S. debut of Italian boy-band and tenor trio Il Volo.

Haley Reinhart made a tearful return to her hometown of Wheeling, Illinois a village 30 miles north of Chicago where she was overwhelmed by the number of fans who came out to see her despite a downpour.

Scotty McCreery returned to his hometown of Garner, North Carolina for an all out concert performance - crying on camera as he was pictured leaving in his limousine.


Homecoming: Scotty McCreery sobs as he makes his triumphant return to him hometown


Emotional: McReery sobbed as he prepared for an all out concert performance in Garner, North Carolina


But the perhaps the most emotional return was for Southern belle Lauren Alaina returned to Rossville, Georgia to visit her old high-school before taking a tour of the nearby area, which was devastated by recent storms and tornadoes.

She wept as she past through the devastated communities meeting with some of the families whose lives had been torn apart by the disaster.

'I'm doing this for you guys,' she told the crowd.


Disbelief: Lauren Alaina returned to Rossville, Georgia to visit her old high-school before taking a tour of the nearby area, which was devastated by recent storms and tornadoes


I'm doing this for you: She wept as she past through the devastated communities meeting with some of the families whose lives had been torn apart by the disaster


McCreery and Alaina will face off Tuesday, with the 10th season Idol champion crowned on Wednesday.

It will mark the youngest finale matchup in Idol history.

Producers lowered the minimum age requirement to 15 years old this season, which allowed Alaina, who's been compared to fourth season Idol winner Carrie Underwood, the chance to audition last year.


Success: The judges are also winners, with a record 95-million votes were recorded after the semi-final show last night


The show featured a sizzling live performance by Nicole Scherzinger, she will co-host the U.S. X Factor


source: dailymail

Doctor Who looks like he's suffering from a case of Voldemort-itis as the time lord is 'cloned'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Scary: A piece of matter morphs into a doppelganger of Doctor Who (Matt Smitih) in tonight's episode


Doctor Who looks like he's come down with a strange illness in tonight's episode of the sci-fi show.

With his altered features and pasty white face, the time lord looks like a dead ringer for Harry Potter villain Lord Voldemort.

But it turns out it isn't even the Doctor at all - it's a piece of matter morphing into his doppelganger.


Lookalike: The morphing ganger looks similar to Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in the Harry Potter films (right)


In Rebel Flesh - the first of a two-parter episode - a bizarre creature transforms into a clone of the Dr, played by Matt Smith.

The drama starts when a solar tsunami sends the Tardis heading towards a futuristic factory on earth which uses programmable matter to create clones of people - aka 'Gangers' - so they can carry out their hazardous work at an acid-mining factory.

But it appears 'the flesh' has developed a mind of its own and worked out how to replicate themselves.

When a second storm hits planet earth, the Gangers are seperated, leaving humans unsure who is a genuine person and who is a doppelganger.

To make things even more confusing, the gangers can remember every second of their 'originals' life and feel every emotion they've ever experienced.


Will the Doctor save the day? The real time lord has to convince everyone to accept the 'gangers'


With the help of his assistant Amy Pond, the Dr has to try and convince the scared humans to accept the gangers before civil war breaks out.

Tonight's episode of Doctor Who is on BBC1 at 6:45pm.


source: dailymail

Britain's Got Talent 2011: Mini crooner Robbie Firmin, seven, stuns the judges with his Frank Sinatra cover

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Mini Blue Eyes: Kent schoolboy Robbie Firmin, seven, sing Frank Sinatra's My Way on tonight's episode of Britain's Got Talent


Over the series on Britain's Got Talent, the judges have been entertained by many a Rat Pack-style crooner.

But the sounds of Frank Sinatra were the last things Amanda Holden, Michael McIntyre and guest judge Louis Walsh were expecting when little Robbie Firmin, seven, walked on stage.

Dressed in a pinstripe suit and matching hat, the pint-sized boy belted out a rendition of the Sinatra classic My Way.


That's magic! Illusionists David and Karen perform tricks for the audience


Music mogul Walsh told him: 'Robbie, that was fantastic. I’ve never heard anybody so young sing that song.'

Despite his tender age, Robbie even showed his cheeky personality by telling Walsh his auntie - who was waiting in the wings - was looking for a boyfriend, saying: 'And I think she would want you to be it.'

McIntyre was equally enthused: 'Robbie I thought that was just brilliant, it had everything, you toyed with the audience, they were up, they were down, they were swaying. Robbie you’re a star.'


That really was mayhem: Melanie and her dogs Twizzle and Tucker's performance didn't quite go to plan


Little Robbie was just one of several acts appearing on tonight's episode of Britain's Got Talent.

Another act impressing the judges were illusionist duo David, 39, and Karen, 27, who performed a modernised version of a Houdini trick.

Karen and David take to the stage and perform their act which sees David climb into a Perspex box on stilts which is then covered with a cloth.

Karen waves a large sheet in front of the box and when it drops, David is holding the sheet and Karen is in the box.

Holden told them: 'That was annoyingly good. I am never keen on magic because it’s always so small time, people come on with cards and bits of cotton and no one can see anything.


Mixed response: Pianist Paul wowed Amanda and Louis, but David wasn't convinced


At the Cardiff auditions, Melanie, 59, and her two dogs Twizzle and Tucker performed their dancing act Mexican Mayhem.

Altought Tucker did what he was supposed to during the dog agility course, Twizzle was 'a bit tired' and wasn't so up to par.

McIntyre said: 'If both the dogs did what they were supposed to do, it wouldn’t have been nearly as entertaining as the fact that right off the bat one dog decided, "I’m not going to do this."


Better than Diversity? Amanda Holden told dance troupe Abyss they weren't as good as their predecessors


Back at the Manchester auditions, David Hasselhoff was back as a judge and was booed when he failed to praise teenage pianist Paul.

Paul won over the crowd, McIntyre and Holden with his piano playing, but The Hoff wasn't so sure.

He was booed when he said: 'It was nice, it was really nice. I’m not sure it was great, but it was nice.'

Another act dividing the judges were dance act Abyss, who Holden said weren't as good as Diversity from two years ago.





BGT: Mini Sinatra and illusionists impress



source: dailymail

Spot on at last! Cheryl Cole finally outshines Paula Abdul as X Factor auditions roll into Chicago

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Short and sweet: Cheryl Cole arriving at the Sears Convention Centre in Chicago for X Factor auditions today


After a series of wardrobe disappointments, new X Factor USA judge Cheryl Cole has finally hit the right note.

The 27-year-old looked sweet and stylish as she arrived for auditions in Chicago today.

She dressed her age in a polka dot Sonia by Sonia Rykiel smock, which she teamed with a pair of wedge heels.

And she finally managed to outshine her fellow judge Paula Abdul, 48, who wore a bizarre ensemble that included a leopard print mini-skirt and floral patterned top.


That's wild! Paula Abdul wore a floral print top with a leopard print mini-skirt


Both judges had opted for this season's most popular trend - colour blocking - for their previously outings together.

It was clear the pair hadn't conferred before stepping out on together prior to today - at the first X Factor auditions in LA both wore purple and at a Fox party earlier this week they opted for bright orange.

But Simon Cowell, who heads up the panel, says the pair are getting on famously - for now.


Didn't you get my memo? Paul and Cheryl both wore purple at the LA auditions earlier this month and they also opted for orange outfits at the Fox Upfront party on Monday


'They get on great,' he says. 'Cheryl adores Paula.

'She’s never worked with her before and I’d always spoken about how much fun she was so there’s a bit of a love fest going on at the moment between those two, but that will soon change.'

Cowell is thrilled to be reunited with his former American Idol sparring partner.
'What’s interesting is is she’s snappy. You know, she doesn’t like something.

'I’ve forgotten what she’s like. She doesn’t like you to disagree with her. And there were one or two disagreements.


Greeting the crowd: LA Reid and Paula Abdul welcome the hoards of cheering wannabes


'But that’s why we wanted her on the show. I think it’s important that everyone has their own viewpoint. But she is good at spotting talent. I mean I thought she was really on it the last two days and I said it to her afterwards, this is the best I’ve seen you in a long time.'

He also says America are embracing Cheryl, who quit her job on the British X Factor panel to make her name Stateside.


X Men: Simon Cowell shows his support for the show as he heads into the arena


'The audience seemed to warm to Cheryl,' he says. 'No problems with the understanding, from what we’ve heard.'

But, like many observers, he has questioned her styling in recent weeks.
'I wasn’t really taken by her hair!' he admitted.

'It was the equivalent of five gallons of hairspray and then stand in the middle of a hurricane.'

The X Factor, which will also star record executive L.A. Reid, is set to air in the U.S. in September.


X Factor USA Auditions! - America




source: dailymail