American Idol

Harry Connick Jr. quickly made his presence known on the "American Idol" Season 13 judges' panel by being brutally honest with the contestants. But so-called "Harsh Harry" hasn't only critiqued the singers, he's also directed some of his criticism toward Rickey Minor's "Idol" house band. Minor tells Zap2it and a small group of reporters backstage after the Top 12 results show that he doesn't mind Connick's comments. "It is important to point out that that does happen, where the singer can get ahead," he says. They can jump, and then it takes a collective mind for the band to go, 'Do we go with the singer or do we stay our course?'" It's a common occurrence not just in music but in any number of disciplines. "It's just like a broken basketball play," he says. "We call play No. 3, and then something happens and a guy goes the opposite way and then the play... //blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/03/american-idol-rickey-minor-doesnt-mind-harsh-harry-critiquing-the-band.html

Last Thursday night, Emily Piriz became the second contestant from the Top 13 to be eliminated this season on American Idol . Many assumed she'd be in the Bottom 3, if not eliminated altogether. But there's no denying she has talent, as we saw with her final solo performance during Hollywood Week and her cover of Pink's "Glitter in the Air." Emily talked with reporters, including BuddyTV, about her experience on Idol . She brought up her thoughts on the judges, if Hollywood Week is as grueling as it seems on TV and bonding with the other contestants. Also, how many other singing/talent competition shows did she try out for before Idol ? Read on to find out.   Read More... //www.buddytv.com/articles/american-idol/american-idol-emily-piriz-on-h-52881.aspx

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the broader themes offered to this year’s hopefuls on American Idol, and this could be the best week yet. Tomorrow night (March 12), the Top 11 will channel their inner film buffs as they take the stage to sing “Songs From the Cinema.” While we’re not exactly sure what they have to choose from, we know what we’d love to hear and we’ve shared our picks below. //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/8M_8mmOZftQ/2014-03-11-top-11-song-picks-movie-week

"I don't think it has to do with you being a cute guy or a girl," she told reporters on a conference call Thursday.            Read More...     //feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/sa19f8R4TvE/story01.htm

Phillip Phillips returns to the "Idol" stage as another contestant makes a sad departure.              //feedproxy.google.com/~r/thr/television/~3/Dr1n75ZJDgo/story01.htm

As much as we love the process of American Idol, it gets harder each week to watch yet another one of our beloved contestants pack their bags and say goodbye. It’s already been an emotional week for theTop 12 hopefuls, as they were tasked to sing songs that reminded them of home. Of course, this is a competition show and only one singer can reign supreme. More bluntly put, tonight will reveal which remaining contestant got the smallest number of votes from the country. So who went home?... //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/g5eU_YDw770/2014-03-06-who-went-home-top-12

Even if the "American Idol" thing didn't work out, Emily Piriz had a backup plan: college. But even though she was eliminated in 12th place on the show's 13th season, she still plans to give music a go. In fact, she and fellow finalist Jena Irene are planning to move out to Los Angeles together this summer -- once they both graduate from high school. "I'm a senior," Piriz tells Zap2it and a small group of reporters backstage after the Top 12 elimination show. "I'm just gonna go back home ... go back to school and graduate. Me and Jena were actually talking that we want to move out to [Hollywood] together this summer." The original plan was to go to the University of North Florida and room with her high school friend, so having the whole "Idol" experience is like living in another reality. "It's weird going through that whole college search," and... //blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/03/american-idol-eliminated-singer-emily-piriz-idol-was-like-an-alternate-universe.html

American Idol has been pulling out all of the stops this year as it celebrates 13 seasons on the air. Unfortunately, however, a bigger, shiner stage doesn't mean performances are any easier for the contestants. On March 5, the remaining Top 12 performed to the theme of "Home." While that broad of a theme seemed to be a struggle for some contestants, Sam Woolf (aka the head of the Woolf Pack) said he felt he picked a good song. "It kind of reminded me of home," he said of his choice of "Just... //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/tcvbc2Mv2JI/2014-03-06-american-idol-top-12-video

Let’s just get this out there right now: We have a major crush on Phillip Phillips. On top of being ridiculously adorable, the 23-year-old singer is also uber talented, continuing to turn out one hit song after another. Phillip is undoubtedly one of the most successful winners of American Idol. After he nabbed the crown on the Season 11 finale, P2’s debut album went on to go platinum less than 10 months later. He’s performed with major music names like Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer, and... //feeds.wetpaint.com/~r/wetpaint/latest/excerpt/~3/qYouOxY1v6E/2014-03-06-phillip-phillips-raging-fire-american-idol

Another week into "American Idol" Season 13, another all-female Bottom 3. After a middling week of performances, MK Nobilette, Jena Irene and Emily Piriz all found themselves on the dreaded stools awaiting the final results. But who went home? Ultimately, it was Emily who found herself singing for her life. But since it was so early in the competition, the judges declined to use their save. Here's how the whole thing went down: The energy in the "American Idol" studio Wednesday night was off, but apparently the awkward feeling stuck around for another day because the strange video of the Top 12 singing "Home" half-shot on cell phone -- with Jena saying a very appropriate "this is so awkward" in the middle -- segued into an even weirder singalong in the audience with some more of Wednesday's off-beat clapping. (Please, audience, we beg: STOP CLAPPING during slow songs.) After another vignette of the singers... //blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/03/american-idol-top-12-results-did-mk-nobilette-emily-piriz-or-jena-irene-go-home.html