American Idol notes: Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Ryan Seacrest, Lauren Alaina
Originally posted Sunday, January 12, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Carrie Underwood, after 12 years, has decided to step down as a CMA host in 2020.
This past November, she hosted with Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton for the first time after 11 years co-hosting with Brad Paisley.
“I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone involved with the CMA Awards all these years. It’s hard to imagine topping what we have accomplished together, so I’ve decided that it’s time to pass the hosting torch (at least for now!) to others that will cherish it and honor it as much as I do. I’ve got so many exciting things coming in the new year and beyond, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us,” she wrote recently on Instagram.
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Aretha Franklin's youngest son Kecalf Franklin is criticizing an upcoming film "Respect" starring Jennifer Hudson about his mom in part because he wasn't consulted. The film about the R&B legend, who died in 2018, is currently being shot in metro Atlanta.
In a Facebook post, Kecalf wrote: “Once again….. the Franklin family (does not) support the movie that is in production!!!!!”
"The 'ONLY' person my mother was in favor of for the movie was Jennifer Hudson. Period," he wrote. "Everything else is being done against our wishes."
But there's a battle over Franklin's estate.
"This is all about his attempts to become the personal representative of the estate," David Bennett, Franklin's attorney and lead counsel for the estate said, according to People.
“He does not speak for the family,” Bennett said. “I know he doesn’t speak for his brother Ted White or his brother Clarence Franklin. The grandchildren have absolutely nothing to do with this. What he’s really doing is talking for himself.”
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Laine Hardy sang the National Anthem at the NFL wild card game in New Orleans.
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Gabby Barrett's new song "Hall of Fame"
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Ryan Seacrest fell out of his chair on "Live with Kelly and Ryan" last week:
First fumble of the new season. Hope I make the playoffs.... pic.twitter.com/G6cV2S87vo
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) January 7, 2020
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Lauren Alaina sang "Getting Good" New Year's on Fox:
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Alejandro Aranda (Scarypoolparty) will be part of Bonnaroo.
SO Excited to play @Bonnaroo 2020! See you on The Farm in June✌️Tickets on Sale THURSDAY 1/9 at Noon ET - get GA for just $35 down. Learn more here: https://t.co/cDyAzOinzS pic.twitter.com/tPpiD4uZpH
— Scarypoolparty (@scarypoolparty) January 7, 2020
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Kelly Clarkson's recent Kellyoke performances with pop, country and R&B included.
About the Author
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
