Former Reality Show Contestants

I saw that!! He and Ellen looking like waiters!

I wonder if he will calling the "Fug Ladies" bitter whores!!

That's awesome! Here's the problem: the Delusionoids will continue to think that this picture is a vision of loveliness and that the person who wrote that is a hater.

I did read that site in reference to one of my favorite shows: Ghost Whisperer where they insist on showing off JLH's, uh, "assets" to the extent where you really can't concentrate on anything else.

My favorite is when she wore a low-cut dress and ran after someone, jiggling all the way, at a FUNERAL.

OK - forgive me for posting such a big pic BUT now that I see the CD cover this size I have to WHAT was he thinking with this picture?? It is horrible! He looks scary, creepy, angry, psycho.... I just do not get what he thinks people will think when they walk by the CD in the store It's like the perfect picture to fit what all the TWOPers used to call him

I got nothin'. I have no idea why he chose this picture for his album and I think it's a terrible decision.

OK, I just found a new interview, and I'm going to discuss it here because if I state my real opinions on this over at GS they are going to tar and feather me.

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BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Interviews

Q&A With Constantine Maroulis

By Deanna Barnert

Former season five AMERICAN IDOL contestant Constantine Maroulis joined THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL this year to play a singer named Constantine.

Soap Opera Weekly: Are you following the fan reaction to your arrival at B&B?

Constantine Maroulis: A little bit. The fan mail has been insane. They've been sending boxes back to New York for my assistant to take care of it.

He's getting BOXES of emails again? Is this a genuine career upswing, is he delusional, or is he lying through his teeth like he used to?

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Weekly: Are you bi-coastal?

I read, "Are you bi-polar?"

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Maroulis: I'm going back to New York tonight. I'm being honored at this massive Greek-American event called the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund. There's a lot of prominent Greek Americans there, like Bob Costas, Olympia Dukakis, Melina Kanakaredes (ex-Eleni, GUIDING LIGHT) from CSI, Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Pete Sampras. I'm receiving the Humanitarian of the Year Award. I do a lot of charity and I always have.

So far so good. He really does do quite a bit of charity work, honestly.

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I love it, but I guess now that I'm "somebody" it means more. But it has always meant a lot to me.

And... he just lost the value of talking about his charitable work. Connie, your head is as oversized as your mouth.

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Weekly: How do you like being out here in Hollywood?

Maroulis: I've always loved it out here. I've been coming out here a long time. My brother lived out here for about 10 years. After the IDOL thing it was crazy for awhile. I'm a New Yorker. I have a way of blending in and not being noticed. The weather, the cars, the houses here are amazing.

He blends in without being noticed? In what universe? And I am supposed to think he wants to do that?

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Weekly: Did you turn to anyone for tips?

Well, of course not, he hasn't had to go back to bartending yet.

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Maroulis: My good friend Frank Dicopoulos (Frank, GL)

They stood next to each other in an elevator once (just kidding)

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called me during my second week and said, "I saw you! You didn't tell me when you were airing!"

Weekly: We had no idea you are such a tall guy!

Maroulis: That's me! Between 6'3" and 6'4". Television, especially the way IDOL is shot, condenses. I also lost some weight since my time on the show.

THAT is absolutely true. He even has a little more muscle definition now.

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Weekly: Wasn't Shanelle Workman (ex-Gabby) on the show when you two dated?

Maroulis: I wouldn’t say we were "dating."

He didn't get in her pants?

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We met and went out a couple of times. We all became friends. That's how I met Adrienne (Frantz), who's also a good friend.

Also probably did not get into her pants.

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That was when I was on IDOL. My favorite part of the day was the downtime I had where I could lay in my dressing room and do nothing. I would put on the live feed and watch rehearsals of B&B, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and some of the East Coast stuff. It was great, because we're so used to seeing the finished product at home, but it's great to see people casual with their scripts and their robes, going, "What the hell is my line again?" I first saw [Shanelle] there, and she came to rehearsal, and we all became friends. She's getting married now, which is great. We have the Greek connection. She's got some Greek in her, and I come from a huge, 100 percent Greek family.

Weekly: So you could relate to My Big Fat Greek Wedding?

But possibly not the TWoP thread dedicated to him of a similar name.

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Maroulis: Sure. I was there the first day, and it was a great movie. It was very stereotypical, but I think we could have taken that movie and put it into an Italian home, Spanish home, Jewish home, whatever. It's the idiosyncrasies of first-generation Americans. It's good stuff.[i]

Well, that's OK, you take your rawker persona from stereotypes, too. Now, go do good on your soap opera, and try to keep your real personality hidden. There's a boy.

Yes, sadly the guy does not always come off so good in interviews. He is 31 (right?) and I really don't think he knows who/what he really is. I find him so immature for his age. Perhaps it was the way he was treated growing up.

I know I am not up on him, but I had no idea he did enough charity work to be considered "humanitarian of the year" Maybe all those other famous Greeks were too busy last year. I'd love to hear what all he did last year to receive this honor. Maybe there is more good in him than he lets on.

About the boxes of fan mail. I bet he gets his share, but it is hard to imagine "boxes" of it. Maybe his mail gets put in little shoe boxes. OR certain GSers send him lots of stuff all the time. I know his on-line fandom seems pretty small, but maybe he has more fans in the general public than anyone realizes. I guess the CD sales will answer that question. Actually, after all I have read this past week (because of the Kelly Clarkson mess) CD sales are so low right now (and will probably stay that way) that we will seldom see mega-sales for most artists anymore. Especially in the pop category. Country music lovers still buy a ton of CDs (Carrie anyone?) but pop is becoming much more about the downloads. I was shocked when I read the small handful of artists that actually had platinum selling CDs in 2006.

Well, I hope when he is on shows pushing the CD that he sings more than talks!

I'm glad you have this place to speak your honest opinions. Small and friendly board we have here. It's so nice!

ETA: I just realized that the interview says he was from Season 5

Bringing Elliott news!

His video was #1 on VH1 - you can watch it here! It is one of my fave songs on his CD and the video is very good!

http://www.vh1.com/shows/series/top_20_countdown/

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Elliot Yamin Gains Success Post-American Idol
Although he was unable to become the fifth winner of Fox’s popular reality competition, American Idol, Elliot Yamin has done well in launching a career outside of the show, having released his self-titled debut album, in March.

The 28 year-old singer had no formal training in singing prior to his participation in the fifth season of American Idol. Nevertheless, he managed to make it all the way to the Final Three with Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee. Having finished in third place, the show offered him a recording contract, but Yamin decided to sign a music publishing deal with Sony/ATV instead in December 2006.

When asked by the Arizona Daily Star if working independently of American Idol has been advantageous, Yamin replied, “Absolutely. I've been involved every step of the way with every facet of this project from co-writing songs to picking out the sequencing on the record to trying to help pick where I wanted to go on tour. Everything from top to bottom. I am a partner in my own deal. I have more vested in this. I don't have to go out and sell 2-3 million records to be successful.”

Yamin also said that although he enjoyed doing the nationwide tour with the rest of the season five finalists, he prefers performing in smaller venues the more intimate setting allows him “to really interact with the crowd.” Nevertheless, he maintains close relationships with some of his former fellow finalists.

“I keep in touch with quite a few people,” Yamin said. “Bucky (Covington) and Taylor (Hicks) were my best friends on the show. I talked to Taylor…when we were in St. Louis and Bucky a couple of weeks ago. I talk to Ace (Young) all the time. Ace has probably become one of my better friends post-show. He lives in L.A., pretty close to where I live. We talk about more personal stuff than the business stuff. Everyone has been so busy, they just want some normalcy."

Aside from his singing career, Yamin, a Type I diabetic since he was 16 years old, also spends his time working as a celebrity advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“I think it is very important,” Yamin said of his work with the organization. “A lot of people align my struggle with calling me a role model. I don't know if I necessarily want to be one, but I definitely want to be a voice.”

He added, “I've had my struggles with it when I was younger. I know what it was like to have diabetic seizures. I know what it is like to be at your lowest point. Maintaining it on the road is very challenging. You learn how to cope with the different ways and different situations. It is just a matter of checking my blood sugar more often. I wear an insulin pump. It is more conducive to my lifestyle, which is always on the go.”

Currently, Yamin is on the first leg of his nationwide solo tour. He has also landed a deal with Target, with which he will be recording a Christmas album in July.

I bet the Xmas CD will be really good! I will be sure to get it for myself and my folks since they love Xmas music and Elliott. It is sweet that he is doing an Xmas CD. He is Jewish. I wonder if that will have any impact on which songs he chooses to record?

Abrahammy, thanks for putting your comments there. You kinda took the words right outta my mouth, so I'll try to contain my gag reflex and my need to put this boy through a shredder and just agree with your assessment.

You know, I don't mind that Jewish people put out Xmas CD's (Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, etc.) because it sells, but a part of me kinda does mind a little bit. This is why most people think "everyone celebrates Christmas!" and make it so that it's not a religious holiday. It's not true. I do acknowledge that if he put out an entire CD of "Dreidle Dreidle Dreidle" it would be a huge waste of money.

I think the way it will differ is there probably won't be any songs specifically about Jesus. I would be really shocked if there were.

For Bo fans - there are a couple new songs on his MySpace! Rumored to be on his new CD.

http://www.myspace.com/bobice

Thank you! Thank You! FC I love Bo! I wish I had time to keep up with him. I see he is coimng near me in Oct. I will have to go see him.

As far as GB , he is STILL the biggest tool in the box. That ain't going to change. He sure is full of himself.

You are welcome Aerwin! B o sounds really good on the songs.

"Biggest TOOL in the box"!! Good one Aerwin!!

Here is a vid taken of Kelly Clarkson outside Koi last night. She got locked out of her vechicle and talked to the photogs. She was so sweet and funny and her Texas accent was big time! She met Reba for dinner there. There is a little bit of talking to Reba too. I love how down to earth they both seem. I saw the "Because of You" vid of their duet and it was really good and they sounded great together. If I can find it I'll bring it here.

http://x17online.com/celebrities/kelly_clarkson/kelly_clarkson_has_car_trouble_tour_trouble.php#more


ETA: Here is the Reba/Kelly vid!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qGsYsi284U

Concert info on some past Idols. Actually Clay's numbers are at $30,000,000.00 since these figures do not include his last Xmas tour.

The Wall Street Journal Online.com

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Popularity Contest

Kelly Clarkson tops the list for both album and concert-ticket sales among 'American Idol' winners and runners-up, but now her career is in danger of stalling.

Name......AMERICAN IDOL SEASON....GROSS TICKET SALES*....U.S. ALBUM SALES (UNITS)

Kelly Clarkson....... 1 (2002)......... $35 million............ 8.4 million
Clay Aiken.......... 2 (2003)........ $28 million.......... 4.7 million
Fantasia Barrino.... 3 (2004)........... -- **................... 2.2 million
Carrie Underwood. 4 (2005).......... $7 million............. 5.7 million
Elliott Yamin.......... 5 (2006).......... $25,000................ 274,000
Daughtry.............. 5..................... $404,000............. 2.8 million
Taylor Hicks.......... 5.................... $1.9 million............ 688,000

Sources: Pollstar, Nielsen SoundScan

*Headlining shows only **Has only appeared as a supporting act.

Kelly Clarkson was on Leno last night. You can watch her two performances and see interviews here.

http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/Toyota_Concert_Series/video/index.shtml#mea=122761

She looked gorgeous and she sounded amazing! Really! "Sober" had me in tears with goosebumps! All the recent crap aside, this girl has a fantastic voice! She is fun in her interview with John. Her Texas accent is too cute! Wish I talked like that. I think we Illinoisans sound pretty boring!

I watched the You Tube of Constantine on B&B yesterday. You'd think by now I would remember to watch or tape the damn show! Anyway, I thought his hair looked better. I wonder if he didn't want to be in a swimsuit and that is why "he didn't know it was a pool party"? Anyway, not on much yesterday to really form much of an opinion about his scenes. He was fine. He is getting those "long soap pauses for the scene to end, eye glares" down pat!

If anyone cares about Kat.

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Billboard Single Review
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Love Story
KATHARINE McPHEE
Producer(s): Writers: N. Hills, K. DioGuardi, C. Ellis
Genre: POP
Label: RCA


2006 "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee projected a big brawny voice on TV and yet debut "Over It" reached a tepid No. 29 on The Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up "Love Story" again digs at the root of the dilemma: a mega-talented vocalist aligned with ill-fitting material. Both tracks are generously catchy and clever, but pushing popper McPhee toward R&B/ rhythmic is far from the big-ballad brand that prompted millions of votes on the show. Warning label: 2007 winner Jordin Sparks won with the same tableau as McPhee. Will the label also transition the latter from what comes naturally, alienating the fan base? Now is the time for lessons to be learned. Meanwhile, we're still waiting for McPhee to release a song befitting her talent that will connect fans who put faith in a voice we have yet to hear on record. —Chuck Taylor

I really hope they get some great songs for Jordin. She is young with a great voice and personality. I hope they do better by her than they did with Kat. Not that I would have bought anything Kat recorded since for some reason she bugs the crap out of me

fc, thanks for the link to Kelly's performance and interview. I didn't watch AI1, so the first time I got to see what Kelly could do was when she co-headlined the Independence Tour with Clay. I read some of the mostly negative comments on some of the Clay messageboards, but when I saw her in concert I was really impressed! She is one who can sing the music of a number of different genres and I thought her acoustic version of Beautiful Disaster was awesome. I've seen her solo concert since then and am sorry that her summer concert was cancelled.

When she and Clay get together, I'll bet no one else can get in a word edgewise!

I can't stand Kat. I predict Jordin will suffer the same fate. I bet Blake outsellls her by miles. I don't know I just think when AI is over people move on to the next thing. AND if her fanbase is mainly teen girls you can bet on it.

Your welcome Janice! I have loved Kelly since the first song she sang on AI!

Aerwin, I think you are right about most people move on after AI is over. Taylor has had to cancel at least 3 of his shows due to poor ticket sales and he had 27,000 members on the Soul Patrol board alone! And of course his CD sales have not been any where near as high as other winners, Clay and Daughtry. I think Clay, Kelly, Carrie and Daughtry are going to be exceptions to the rule in that most people from AI will not go on to huge careers. Hopefully they will get enough work to sustain themselves, but I think as the seasons go by and more and more AIers flood the music scene, less and less of them will be hugely successful.

I hope RCA and Clive have a better plan for Jordan than they did for Kat, but at this point I am not convinced that Clive (who I think is way past his time in the industry) knows how to do that. Both Jordan and Kat are beautiful young women who can sing, but I don't see anything exceptional or unique about them or their talent, nor do they seem to be as driven as some others....such as Kelly.

I'd like to see Jordan succeed, but I think she has to be given GREAT songs that fit her style to set her apart (see Carrie Underwood). She is still so young and this may all come with time and a good mentor.

aerwin wrote:

I can't stand Kat. I predict Jordin will suffer the same fate. I bet Blake outsellls her by miles. I don't know I just think when AI is over people move on to the next thing. AND if her fanbase is mainly teen girls you can bet on it.

Yes. Yes. Yes and YES!

I agree with your assessment.

I think except for the country singers, if you're just kind of non-threatening and have a pretty voice, you'll get far with the majority of AI voters who really just don't want anything even a little controversial. If you practically squeak when you walk, you'll get lots and lots of votes! (Fantasia is kind of the exception to this). Men must have no sexuality. AT ALL.

I think Kelly knew how to play the game when she was on the show, so she was as innocuous as possible, and then went another direction when she left, which is smart if you want to get over the whole "former AI contestant" curse that follows you after you win this thing

Have you guys seen The Soup making fun of GB? HYSTERICAL. "watch the exact moment he finds his camera". OMG!!!!!

OK GE, you made me go hunting down the "new" Talk Soup. It was funny. I think it might be smart of Con stopped playing to the camera so much, but at this point it seems to be an automated instinct with him. Maybe most people don't really notice or care they way the comics do. I have to admit when I watched him on the emmys it didn't even register with me that he did it. I was too busy looking at his butchered hair cut

FC, everyone makes fun of the fact that GB has to constantly find a camera, and then mug for it. EVERY. TIME.

Believe me. It's NOT just comics who notice it. On TwoP, Jacob used to point that out when he was on AI, and of course we all noticed it, but found it charming at the time. His needing to look into a camera is legendary. When he did the group sings on AI, whatever it was. If he was in front of a camera, he was compelled to find the one focused on him and eyefuck or mug or whatever the hell he does that makes him think he's being cute. Even when he's in the audience at AI.

FC, I tried to track down the clip to bring it here when I posted, but couldn't find it!

I also love how Joel does his face with the pursed lips.

GB is a caricature of himself. The sad thing is, he always was. I was just too blind to see it. I looked up the word "caricature". Here's what it said:

A picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things:

Any imitation or copy so distorted or inferior as to be ludicrous.

I think this sums up GB rather perfectly.

That's OK GE. I couldn't find it on the Talk Soup site, but I looked up Constantine on You Tube and find it. It was poor quality, but good enough. I think Joel is the funniest to ever host Talk Soup, even though I LOVE Greg Kinnear! I think I like Greg more as an actor than as the host though.

See, I have never been a TWOPer. I knew they didn't like him, but I didn't know the camera mugging was such a big deal. I do think at the time I was a fan I just thought it was cute and funny. When I stopped being a fan I never really followed him or what people said about him. I was pretty much just in the Rock Star thread at GS once I lost interest in him. Or I was in the Rock Star thread at IDF.

I wonder if when he's taping B and B, it runs thru his head, "Don't look at the camera, don't look at the camera!" That must be the hardest thing for him being on that show.