Latest news with #Idol
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Kiwi singer 'heartbroken' over friends' deaths in LA homicide
Kiwi singer Hayley Westenra says she's "completely heartbroken" after learning of the double homicide of her long-time friends American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas Deluca. The Los Angeles Police Department said the couple, both 70, were found dead with gunshot wounds on July 14, 2025, but their investigation found a radio call had been made about a possible burglary at their home four days earlier. Police believe the couple returned home and were confronted by the suspect, who already gained entry. Police said a 22-year-old suspect has now been arrested and charged with murder. In a message posted on social media, Westenra said she only found out the news of the death of her "surrogate aunty and uncle" this morning. "They were the KINDEST of souls. I'd met Robin & Tom over 20 years ago through work and then we became lifelong friends," the 38-year-old said. "I stayed with them many times including my last night in LA when I was escaping a very bad relationship (they likely saved my life)." Westenra shared a video of her and Deluca performing Lovers Game , which she said Kaye wanted her to post when they had been messaging a few months ago. She said she had written a number of songs with Deluca and they had also been meaning to do a proper release for Greener Lands , which she performed live at Carnegie Hall. "I want people to remember them this way … bright, loyal & loving souls." Born in Christchurch, Westenra rose to fame after she signed with Universal Records New Zealand at the age of 12 and released a self-titled album in 2001. In a statement, a spokesperson for the American Idol series told ABC that Kaye had been with the TV show since 2009. "We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom's, passing," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her. Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time." Kaye also served as music supervisor on Lip Sync Battle , After the Sunset , The Singing Bee and Q'Viva!: The Chosen as well as multiple Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. Singer and musician Deluca released his own albums Down to the Wire (produced by James Guthrie, Pink Floyd) and Street Rock , and had composed songs for artists like Kid Rock, Micky Dolenz and Diesel.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billboard Charts First-Timers: Dijon, Eddie Benjamin & Lil B Score Hot 100 Entries Thanks to Justin Bieber
Across Billboard's 200-plus charts this week (dated July 26), a fresh wave of artists debut for the very first time. From rising pop vocalists to a veteran internet rap icon who guests on Justin Bieber's new release, here's a look at the artists who debut for the first time this week. Dijon, Eddie Benjamin & Lil B All three artists debut on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time this week thanks to their guest appearances on Justin Bieber's new album, Swag. The set debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 163,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States July 11-17, according to Luminate — Bieber surprise-released the LP just 10 hours after announcing it. More from Billboard Jamal Roberts Shares How His Life Changed Since Winning 'Idol' & Why He Never Wants to Leave 'Mississippi' Daniel Caesar Talks Working With 'Genius' Tyler, the Creator, Says Justin Bieber 'Can Sing His A- Off' Here's Why Drake Fans Think New Music Is Coming Tonight Dijon scores his first Hot 100 hit with 'Devotion,' his co-billed collaboration with Bieber. The song debuts at No. 56 on the strength of 9.1 million official U.S. streams. It also opens at No. 7 on Hot R&B Songs and No. 16 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Dijon's past chart appearances include his 2023 debut album Absolutely (which peaked at No. 71 on Top Album Sales) and a feature on Bon Iver's 'Day One' earlier this year. He's also a key creative behind Swag, co-producing and co-writing multiple tracks including 'Daisies' (No. 2), 'Yukon' (No. 17) and 'Things You Do' (No. 35). Before working with Bieber, Dijon toured with boygenius, Clairo and Bartees Strange. Eddie Benjamin also earns his first Hot 100 entry with 'Swag,' alongside Bieber and Cash Cobain. The song debuts at No. 70 with 7 million U.S. streams. Benjamin had charted once before this week, via his solo song 'Weatherman' — the track peaked at No. 22 on Pop Airplay in May 2022. Benjamin co-wrote or co-produced 13 tracks on Swag, including 'Daisies.' He and Bieber have a longstanding history, as he opened on Bieber's Justice World Tour in 2022. Lil B, the cult internet rap icon, finally lands on the Hot 100 with his co-billed appearance on Bieber's 'Dadz Love,' which debuts at No. 84 (6.2 million streams). Though he first charted in 2011 with I'm Gay (No. 56 peak on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums), this marks a milestone in his unconventional career. Also known as the BasedGod, Lil B has released dozens of mixtapes in his career and built a legacy as a pioneering figure of internet-era rap. Many of those mixtapes were unavailable on streaming services until 2018, when he uploaded more than 30 of them to DSPs. Beau Nox The pop singer-songwriter scores his first Billboard chart entry with 'White Wine & Adderall,' a collaboration with The Chainsmokers. The track, released July 11 via Secondhand Happiness/Disruptor/Columbia, debuts at No. 8 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs with 1.3 million U.S. streams. oskar med k The Norwegian producer notches his first chart appearance with 'Make Me Feel,' which debuts at No. 25 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, following a 142% streaming surge (691,000 U.S. streams). The song has gained traction on TikTok, where it's been featured in more than 13,000 videos to date. Stove God Cooks The emerging Syracuse, N.Y., rapper enters Billboard's charts for the first time with his feature on Clipse's 'F.I.C.O.' The track, from Clipse's new album Let God Sort Em Out, debuts at No. 20 on Hot Rap Songs and No. 34 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (5.3 million U.S. streams). Stove God Cooks released his debut album Reasonable Drought, a collaborative effort with Roc Marciano, in 2020. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jamal Roberts Shares How His Life Changed Since Winning ‘Idol' & Why He Never Wants to Leave ‘Mississippi'
Someone has already suggested to Jamal Roberts, the 23rd and most recent winner in American Idol's long history, that his first post-Idol single should become the new state song of Mississippi. Born in Meridian, Miss., Roberts is sharing his first post-Idol single, 'Mississippi,' today. It's a biographical, emotional composition, and Billboard has the exclusive premiere below. On a flight from Los Angeles to Nashville, songwriters Emile Ghantous and Daniel Capellaro found themselves sitting one row from Roberts and they started talking about writing a song for the newly crowned Idol winner. After a three-way conversation, they worked with Roberts to fashion an ode to his home state – about missing it and everything there while living far away in a big city, echoing the time Roberts spent away from his daughters while in Los Angeles. Songwriter Christian Stalnecker finished the song with them and Ghantous produced at Electric Blue Studios. More from Billboard 'American Idol' Champ Jamal Roberts Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs Chart With 'Heal' Britney or Whitney? 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire' Hot 100 Question Trips Up Drew Carey, Aisha Tyler & Audience Kesha Reveals Cassie Ventura Sent Her Flowers Ahead of MSG Concert: 'Love You Sweet Girl' Billboard met up with Roberts in the recording studio in North Hollywood where he recorded the song to find out about his life since Ryan Seacrest opened an envelope just two months ago and read his name out loud as the season 23 victor. Since then, his coronation song 'Heal' debuted atop Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart. 'Mississippi' is out on 19 Recordings, available Thursday (July 24) at midnight ET here. Future releases will be issued by Roberts' new label, BMG. Before we talk about the new single, let's go back to the last few moments of the season 23 finale. You were standing on stage with fellow contestant John Foster and Ryan was about to open an envelope and read the name of the winner. What was going through your mind? I was thinking, 'Jamal, it's up to America to decide not who was better, but who do they want to represent America as an Idol.' It was during these last moments that I finally gave myself some applause. I applauded myself for getting this far, staying the course and doing all the things that were necessary and needed in this competition. I'd been able to show my heart and show my love for music and the journey. I thought win or lose, good job. And when Ryan said my name, I couldn't believe it. There were fireworks and stuff and flying out of the sky and I'm asking myself, 'Did he just call my name? He called my name!' That moment will always be special to me. I was smiling, trying to make sure I'm looking right for the camera, but in my head, I'm thinking, 'You did it. You came this far. You could be your authentic self. The world sees that and now they know Jamal Roberts.' I was going to be okay either way, but I worked hard. I came out there every show with something different, something new to the table, something appealing and I felt like I was versatile. I felt worthy of being the American Idol. But win or lose, I felt like I would have a successful career. It was a win-win situation. How has your life changed since that moment? My life has changed drastically. I went home and thought I could do the same thing I was doing before I left and I found that to be a lie. You were teaching. Right. The first day I went back to school after winning Idol, people were coming up to the school [to see me] and I thought, 'This won't work.' So I had to make that ultimate decision. As an employee, I had to leave, but I still show up and volunteer all the time because this is where my passion is and my heart is, as well as music. But America voted for me, so they expect to see something. They expect me to put in a little more work and I have the work ethic and I'm ready. What have you been doing since the finale? Right after the show, everybody wanted to hear [the coronation song] 'Heal.' I was everywhere, traveling all over the world, and then I got a chance to sing on the BET Awards with Kirk Franklin and Tamar Braxton and Muni Long. That was a wonderful experience. I got to meet a lot of people I looked up to and for all of them to embrace me, it felt amazing. And now I've just been added to the ['The Boy Is Mine'] tour with Monica and Brandy and Muni Long and Kelly Rowland. It starts in October. What is it like going out now when you walk into stores or dine in restaurants? Typically, I can't go to the store now and when I do step out, I have to have security and all the safety measures and it just gets overwhelming sometimes. We saw your daughters on . How do they feel about all of this? Lyrik is always saying, 'Daddy, I remember you got the Golden Ticket.' She still talks about that and they still talk about going to Disneyland. They talk about their experiences, the impact it had on their lives and the impact it has on their lives currently. Sometimes I have to send them with their godmother or mom when they want to go somewhere fun because going with me can be overwhelming for them. They don't realize that now because they're so young, but eventually they'll get it. In your new single, you sing the lyric, 'I'm missing you in Mississippi.' What does this song mean to you? I love Mississippi. People try to get me to move, but it's just so peaceful and just so down to earth. Emile, Daniel and Christian were writing it and I put my two cents here and there, changing things around and making it suitable for me. I wanted to paint a picture of what I miss and what I've come from and that what I do currently in Mississippi that gives me that ease and that peace of mind. And in the song, if you listen closely, you'll hear how I feel. How did the recording sessions go? My recording sessions were pretty authentic. I'm able to get in there and sing and give it some soul and give it those heartfelt moments. When you've experienced it and lived through it, it's easier to sing about. So it's easy to sing about the love I have for Mississippi and what makes my heart smile and what is my peace, because nobody knows that better than me. So the record is amazing. It paints a picture. It's not just about Mississippi. Even though I'm dedicating this to Mississippi, I know that anyone who has moved away is missing home or missing a loved one that left and you think about them all the time. My kids are in Mississippi and all my childhood memories, so when I'm singing 'missing you In Mississippi,' I'm not just talking about one particular place. I'm talking about that peace, that moment, that memory. There's a whole bunch of compassion in there. When you first heard the finished recording, what did you think? The finished recording after it was mixed and mastered? I thought, 'Man, this has got to be a hit. It's so smooth.' I went around Meridian, and I let a couple of people from my hometown hear the whole song. One friend of mine told me, 'This is a hit song, but it's so sad.' But that just goes to show what kind of picture it painted and how it grabs onto those heartstrings and that's what I really wanted. Your vocals on 'Mississippi' remind me of one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, Sam Cooke. He started out singing gospel and then turned to secular music and you seem to be following the same path. When you say gospel and secular, I plan on doing pop and hip-hop. I plan on doing it all. Gospel is where I come from. Singing gospel gave me that passion of being able to commit to a song like I do, even if it's a secular song. So I'm always going to stick with my gospel roots, but you can't reach people singing gospel all the time. Sometimes there's a song like 'Mississippi' that will open people's eyes and let them say that's okay, so I feel like I'll do both. Do you have plans to record an album? Like I told my label and producers and my manager, I don't want to put out an album right now. Why don't we just do what we're doing? Keep people wanting more and let them support me 100% and I'm loving that. Even though 'Mississippi' is just coming out, trust me, we've got more stuff cooking and it's going to be amazing. Stay tuned. Not far from where we're sitting, season 15 winner Nick Fradiani is starring as Neil Diamond inat the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. A lot of Idols have done theater and film. Would you be interested in acting? About a month ago, I was pitched about doing an Otis Redding story. We'll see how it goes, because I'm really excited about that if that comes into play. It's something that I'm very interested in. Like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding is one of the greats. Do you know his music? I'm a fan. Anybody that can grab you and take you on a journey, you understand what they're talking about. Otis was a storyteller and a powerful singer. We first talked when you and I asked you then what was the most important thing you learned on your journey. But your time on the show continued for a few more weeks. Looking back on the entire season, what would you currently say was the most important thing you learned? You've got to pace yourself and you've got to have patience. Being an artist is a labor. Are you willing to do all the work and all the labor that comes with being an artist? And I understand now that Idol builds you and teaches you what it's going to take to be on this national level. They prepare you to be the best you can be. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
From Idol to exile: David Archuleta's tell-all memoir exposes secrets, scars and salvation
David Archuleta is opening up like never before. The American Idol finalist has revealed the cover and details of his forthcoming memoir Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself, a deeply personal account of fame, faith, and the inner turmoil of living a double life. The book promises a searing exploration of Archuleta's transformation from a closeted Mormon teen to an openly queer artist unafraid to speak his truth. Archuleta, now 34, shot to fame as a teenager, charming millions with his boy-next-door image and angelic voice. But behind the scenes, he was struggling with intense pressure, not only from fame, but from a rigid religious upbringing that left him feeling ashamed of who he was. In Devout, he details the emotional cost of trying to meet the expectations of both the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a global fanbase. The memoir covers a range of harrowing experiences, including emotional abuse, control by his father during his early career, and even suicidal thoughts. Archuleta reveals he was engaged three times and called off each one while wrestling with his identity. His two-year missionary trip to South America, once thought to be a spiritual high point, is now described as a time of deep internal conflict. 'I tried everything not to be queer,' Archuleta said. 'Coming out wasn't a choice. It was survival.' After years of internal war, he made the difficult decision to leave the Mormon Church in 2022, a turning point that allowed him to embrace authenticity over doctrine. The memoir also includes behind-the-scenes moments from his time on Idol, a tour with Demi Lovato, and previously unseen photos chronicling his personal evolution. With its February 2026 release already gaining attention, Devout is set to ignite conversations around religion, identity, and the cost of silence.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Idol Remembers Ozzy Osbourne: 'He Opened Musical Doorways for People Like Me'
Billy Idol is one of many in the music industry grieving Tuesday after the legendary Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76. In Idol's case, he credits Osbourne for 'showing us the way' to succeed as punk-rockers. Just last October, Idol helped celebrate Ozzy's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist by performing 'No More Tears' at the ceremony, joined by his bandmate Steve Stevens, one-time Oz collaborators Zakk Wylde and Robert Trujillo, along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith. During interviews at the time, Ozzy praised Idol and said he, too, should be inducted into the Cleveland shrine, and it was no coincidence that Billy found his name among this year's nominees, even if he didn't make the cut this time. Here, Idol remembers Osbourne for his indelible mark on music and the path he carved for those who came after him. I guess he went out his way. I'm still in a little bit of shock because just over two weeks ago, he was on that Back to the Beginning stage in Birmingham. I didn't expect this to happen, really. But I suppose that's the way it always is. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Squid Game' Stars Byung Hun Lee and Yim Siwan to Make KCON L.A. 2025 Appearances Critic's Notebook: Ozzy Osbourne Created the Template for Reality TV Celebrity Reinvention, From Flavor Flav to Donald Trump Black Sabbath Mourn Death of Ozzy Osbourne: "Lost Our Brother" I've known him over the years for a long time now. I did the occasional promotion things with him, that kind of stuff. Then I was part of his solo induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the invitation of Sharon. It was an incredible night, a great experience. It really made me appreciate what the Hall of Fame was really all about. Because you hear all the negative things, I just saw the positive that evening. Being part of Ozzy's induction enabled me to do that. I'm sure his endorsement helped me get nominated this year. Somebody like that making a statement like that was just incredible. He's like David Bowie. Ozzy's always been here as an inspiration for those of us who love music, showing us the way to survive through it all. Incredible, really. It's hard to believe that both are dead now. Ozzy was just so alive, he had so much personality… being in the moment and enjoying it. His music was like that as well. My bandmate Billy Morrison is one of Ozzy's best friends. I've known Ozzy and Sharon a long time, doing various things with them over the years. Being British and in Los Angeles was a connection, too. He started his solo career at about the same time I started mine. Just the fact he found a way to survive, from Black Sabbath to a massively successful solo career. And then he brought it all back to the beginning with Black Sabbath making an album a few years ago. Just two weeks ago, he was on that stage having the time of his life. He really seemed to be enjoying himself. Ozzy loved things. He loved the Beatles, rock 'n' roll music and those close to him. It gave him a way to live. At one point, he didn't think he had any future. And it was like that for us in punk-rock, too. Rock 'n' roll gave us all a way forward, to go beyond them telling us there was nothing for us. And that was Ozzy. You hear a lot about his wild and crazy side, but he had a lot of love for things in his life…. his music and the people around him. Seeing him at the Hall of Fame induction, it was great to witness all the relationships he's had over the years, how everyone loved him. And he loved them back. He opened musical doorways for people like me at a time when we were very young and looking for inspiration. Black Sabbath and Ozzy were very instrumental in opening the doorway for punk-rock. In many ways, it was fueled by all the things we saw when we were younger, especially the Sabs and Ozzy. Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Party in the U.S.A.' to 'Born in the U.S.A.': 20 of America's Most Patriotic (and Un-Patriotic) Musical Offerings Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
