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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > September > 15
Monday, September 15, 2008
9/15: Jennifer Hudson engaged, Idols Live tour ends. Who will we hear from again?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jennifer Hudson, who didn’t want to talk about her personal life to me a few weeks ago (as well as that pesky album cover), had her rep confirm to people.com that she is engaged to a fellow reality show contestant.
From People.com:
Jennifer Hudson and boyfriend, David Otunga, have gotten engaged after less than a year dating, her rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.
“I can confirm that Jennifer got engaged to her boyfriend David on Friday night in L.A.” says the rep.
Otunga, who is known as “Punk” from the reality show I Love New York 2, popped the question with a Neil Lane diamond ring on the Dreamgirls Oscar winner’s 27th birthday.
Both are from Chicago. Hudson’s album finally hits stores Sept. 30. I’ll see if I can wrangle an advance copy. Probably not.
-The “Idols Live” tour wrapped up Saturday in Tulsa. Here’s the very last (sniff) Mavid dance for the ages, courtesy of rickey.org. Two items: panties and silly string. MIchael Johns is in high ham mode (or is that bacon?):
Now comes the interesting debate. Who will disappear? Who will last?
We can go backwards:
10- Chikezie. With a name like that, who can truly forget him? He might get a few gigs in national touring plays, might work well in a package tour with other ‘Idols.” Not sure if he has as future as the next Luther Vandross, though. Odds we’ll care in five years: 10-1
9- Ramiele. Who? Oh, yah. Well, she might get some gigs in Hawaii and the Phillipines teaming up with season three third place finisher Jasmine Trias. On the mainland? Not so much. Odds we’ll care in five years: 10,000-1
8-Michael Johns. We have to root for our former Buckhead boy, hope he can find the right mix of music, get some radio airplay a la Elliott Yamin. You never know. He’ll get work in some capacity. Odds we’ll care in five years: 7-1
7-Kristy Lee Cook. As noted, she’s already got an album “Why Wait” coming out Tuesday. Look on the bright side: the sooner she arrives, the quicker she’ll disappear. Odds we’ll care in five years: 50-1
6-Carly Smithson. A true wild card. She might just find herself some theater work, may be able to get a solo album or two out there. Maybe she’ll front a band. I have no clue! Odds we’ll care in five years: 10-1
5-Brooke White. She’s guaranteed to get some album deal. She’s likable and is just distinctive and interesting enough, she might make it okay in the woolly nasty music biz world. We’ll see how savvy she really is in picking the right music, discerning tastes and surrounding herself with good people. Odds we’ll care in five years: 4-1
4-Jason Castro. He is actually a bright guy who has this Spicoli act. Will it work long term? I’m not sure but he has a dedicated fan base that should get him flying, um, high. He’ll get a record deal for sure. Odds we’ll care in five years: 3-1
3-Syesha Mercado. No matter how much she protests, she’s Broadway bound. That’s where she belongs. Not sure if she has much of a chance being the next Alicia Keys. Odds we’ll care in five years: 8-1
2-David Archuleta. His fans will keep him afloat for awhile. “Crush” looks to be a solid hit, a way to fashion him as a Donny Osmond of our generation. He’s emotive, sweet and cute and all that. How will he mature? It’ll be fascinating, for sure but I’m sure I’ll be mentioning him as often as possible in this blog! Odds we’ll care in five years: 75%
1-David Cook. He’ll carve out a solid career as a solo rock artist. I can’t imagine another path for him. If he falls short, I’ll be personally surprised. Of course, he has Daughtry to follow and that is tough. But I think he can do it. Tentative release date for his album: November 18. More info here. Odds we’ll care in five years: 85%
-Ryan Seacrest will be profiled in a pre-Emmy special at 7 p.m. on ABC Sunday along with several other celebs with Jimmy Kimmel, sort of a TV versin of the Barbara Walters special before the Oscars.
Seacrest here talks to a couple of Emmy cohosts including Tom Bergeron and Jeff Probst.
