Paula Abdul Plays Truth or D ... er, Truth

Yesterday, decked out in a white suit and big smile, Paula Abdul appeared on Today and was interviewed by Matt Lauer. Here is the way it went, according to NBC sister station, MSNBC:

Paula Abdul is famous for so many things — singing, dance and choreography, jewelry design, cheerleading camp director, "American Idol" judge — that she's become famous for being famous.

Now, she's subjecting her very public life to even closer scrutiny with a new reality show called "Hey Paula." But if it shows her in her many moods, some nicer than others, it doesn't answer all the questions that have been raised.

Is she a drunk? Is she addicted to painkillers? Is it true she has no social life? What was the deal with that word-slurring, incoherent television clip?

To address those issues, TODAY co-host Matt Lauer suggested a game when Abdul appeared on the show Wednesday.

"Let's play Truth or Dare," he said. "I don't know what the 'Dare' would be, but let's play 'Truth,' okay?"

Abdul, wearing a white suit and black top accented with a necklace of many strands and big, showy earrings, smiled broadly, saying, "If it's kissing you, Matt ..."

"No," said Lauer. "No. We both would have problems, wouldn't we?"

He asked the first question, about "the now famous, or infamous, interview where you were said to be slurring your words. People said, 'Paula Abdul was drunk.' What was the truth?"

"I've never been drunk in my life, Matt," Abdul said, mouthing the words she and her publicists have been repeating ever since January, when the clip showed up on YouTube. It was a taped session with the “American Idol” judges explaining their votes and came at the end of a long day of question-and-answer sessions related to the hit show.

On it, Abdul slurred words, said some things that made little or no sense, and finally collapsed dramatically on fellow judge Simon Cowell.

"The whole thing about me being a judge on ‘American Idol’ is, it is the toughest job for me, because I have to think about something positive to say even when they're trying to rise above adversity, " she said. "So sometimes when I'm excited and want to get something out to say, I'll stop."

But, Lauer repeated, has she ever been drunk?

"I'll have an occasional sip of wine or a drink that has an umbrella in it and sugar," she said.

"There's a report that you were addicted to painkillers," Lauer then said.

"I've never been addicted to painkillers," she said. "Painkillers don't work for me."

In 1992, Abdul suffered serious neck injuries in a plane crash and for years was in constant pain that, she has said previously, no drugs could combat.

"I've had 14 cervical spinal surgeries," she told Lauer. "The hardest thing for me is I've had to learn to live in pain."

Now, she said, she gets injections of a biogenic drug called Emo that is normally used for skin disorders. She called it "a Botox for nerves to stop them from glomming on to each other."

So, said Lauer, "There is no smoking gun, there is no scandal here that people need to know about?"

"There absolutely isn't any scandal," Abdul said. "I'm open and willing to talk about it. It's not my job as an entertainer that I have to talk about it, but I'm willing to, and I've helped a lot of people."

The 45-year-old pop icon has also entertained a lot of people. She got her first brush with stardom what seems like a lifetime ago as a dancer on the Los Angeles Lakers cheerleading squad. She became a choreographer for the famous team and still runs cheerleading camps.

She also launched a singing career, recording six No. 1 singles from 1989-91 and selling more than 30 million recordings. She also won a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two Emmy Awards, two People's Choice Awards, and two Kid's Choice Awards.

In 1992, she waged a public war with bulimia, and in 1994 her marriage to Emilio Estevez ended in divorce. A second marriage to clothing heir Brad Beckerman lasted just 17 months.

Finally, six years ago, came an invitation to become a judge on Fox's new show, “American Idol,” and through that she's become even more of a star as she built a reputation of being "the nice judge" and counterpoint to Cowell's acerbic style.

"Hey Paula" is an attempt to show what her life is really like, she told Lauer.

"I didn't go into this thinking, 'Let's try to create more controversy.' I have a 21-year history in this business of many things that I do and many hats that I wear. And when I was doing this show, it was a very concentrated period of time — launching the new season of 'American Idol,' launching my new jewelry line, launching a fragrance. For me it was, 'Let's document all that.'"

"So what do you think is going to surprise all your fans?" asked Lauer. "What are they going to learn that they didn't know about you before?"

"Probably that I work around the clock and that I was very much sleep-deprived," she said. "Most of all, that I'm just as goofy and just as normal as everyone else. I go through hard times, I go through good times."

Among the already famous hard times on her show is a scene where she is changing in her limo for an overnight plane flight and discovers that her assistant had packed a pair of ultratight jeans instead of the sweat pants Abdul had requested.

In the clip, when the assistant says, "I didn't realize they were that tight," Abdul tells her to "shove it down your throat." It was, Abdul told Lauer, a joke about her weight and nothing more.

The one thing missing from the reality show is anything about Abdul's love life, which, Lauer reminded her, she once called "a horror movie."

"It's looking upwards," Abdul said, smiling. "Things are good right now. There is someone in particular."

Asked if the someone was the person who escorted her to the premiere of "Hairspray," restaurateur J.T. Torregiani, the co-owner with Tara Reid of Ketchup, a West Hollywood hot spot, Abdul said, "Yeah."

It was the last question in Lauer's game, after which he said, "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Abdul patted Lauer on the knee and said nothing.

Watch video of the interview here.

TAYLOR HICKS HAS COME TO RIGHT PLACE, BABY

Here's an awesome video of Taylor Hicks on "The View" yesterday promoting his book, "Heart Full of Soul." His book is only getting a medicore reception, but this performance of "The Right Place" on the show should make anyone a believer in his heart full of soul.



And if Taylor looks happy and peaceful, it could be because his relationship with anchorwoman Caroline Lyders continues going strong. They are pictured here together a few days ago at a NASCAR event at Kentucky Speedway, and it wasn't hard to believe that he was singing directly to her yesterday.









BECKY O'DONOHUE TRICKS IT OUT

Well, with cars anyway. Rueters reports that MTV debuts a new car-makeover competition series at 10 p.m. Sunday, "Trick It Out," hosted by former "American Idol" contestant Becky O'Donohue, who was a Season 5 semi-finalist. She and twin Jessie both tried out for Idol, but only Becky made it to the semis. She was quickly eliminated in the first round last year, but the guys loved her.

REBA ON KELLY CLARKSON: SHE REMINDS ME OF MYSELF

Net Music Count-
down reports that Reba McEntire met with the Nashville Press yesterday in advance of the release of her upcoming duets album, featuring 11 songs with some of the greatest music stars of two centuries. Reba was happy to talk to us about the debut single, "Because of You," with Kelly Clarkson, a person she says reminded her a lot of herself.

"I first met her on the final show of 'American Idol' and the first time I met her we were doing rehearsals for that TV show. And I thought here's this spunky little person from Texas, who made it big and wins "American Idol," and she's still very down-home normal, it hadn't gotten to her head yet, I'll give her a little time. Fast forward I meet her again (appearing on "Reba"), and she's still this bubbly, funny, down-to-earth great person that I met earlier. And I thought, 'Wow, hasn't effected her.'

We began hanging out together and she's cute and funny and entertains the hound out of me ... and she's very opinionated, she does stand up for what she believes and reminds me a lot of myself and I just fell in love with her."

Reba's "Duets" album hits stores September 18th.

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Kelly Clarkson: 'I Am Not a Bullshi**er'

Yes, that's what Kelly Clarkson says she told music mogul Clive Davis in her interview in the August issue of Blender magazine:

"[I told Davis] I don't know you very well, and I am not a bullshi**er. I get [that] you don't like the album. You're 80; you're not supposed to like my album.

"I literally got told to my face that it wouldn't sell more than 600,000 copies. And I got lied to. One reason I don't like working with people at the label is that they lie. ... If you're going with the flow and not fighting, that's settling. I can't take that. Life is just too short to be a pushover."

The singer, whose new CD, "My December," sold 291,000 copies in its first week of release, says she was offered $10 million from executives at her record labels RCA and Sony BMG to record new tracks, because they feared her own songwriting might not generate as many hits as her two previous releases.

But Clarkson declined because she insists her music isn't meant to appeal to the label bosses -- whom she brands as members of the older generation.

Of the 60 songs Clarkson wrote for "My December," she had to narrow the scope to the 13 that went together the best. "These songs fit together and tell a story. I've never had an album that is cohesive and tells a story from beginning to end, so this is a first time for me," she said.

And Clarkson acknowledges that the new album may be an artistic step in a new direction. "It's a different chapter in my life," she said. "And it's got a lot of ups and downs. It's definitely an emotional roller coaster of an album."

... Meanwhile, ContactMusic.com says that Simon Cowell has urged Clarkson to end her war of words with record boss Davis because he knows better than her.

Cowell feels the singer would be unwise to continue the feud and advises, "Kiss and make up, decide what's best, get on with it! Clive Davis, at 80, is better than 99 per cent of the people in the music business in their 20s, 30s and 40s. And he's not 80, he's less than 80. [Clarkson] is one of the best and she always will be, [but Clive] is the boss of the record company... It's his job to advise."

... And Kelly is also very direct about Davis in her interview with USA Weekend in its cover story that runs this weekend. Here is the content:

Kelly Clarkson hustles down her long driveway and opens the broken gate to her Spanish-style villa. She's on the phone, talking animatedly to a friend about wanting to see the newest "Pirates of the Caribbean." As she ushers you inside her impressive digs, the first thing you notice are piles of clothes strewn all over the dining room table.

After blockbuster success as America's first and most successful "American Idol," Clarkson, 25, is taking an unscheduled break. She talked to us in a revealing interview on the eve of the release of her controversial record, "My December."

For the first time since she skyrocketed to stardom in 2002, the Grammy-winning star is risking it all with a new album that some of the best in the business, namely RCA record chief Clive Davis, warned her not to make. Although she and producer Davis are on good terms publicly, that does not seem to be the case behind the scenes.

"I'm going to be real honest with you: I am not a fan," the singer says of the record mogul. "I do respect him, but I don't want to barbecue with him. We don't braid each other's hair. And, despite the rumors, he is nowhere near a father figure."

Clarkson's much-publicized decision to rebel against music's vaunted star-maker and record an album that he didn't like has proved dicey, at best. Many are asking if the pop rock queen has been dethroned after negative buzz and weak advance sales forced her to cancel her 36-city summer tour.

Clarkson is the first to admit she's having mixed results getting it all right. She is candid as she opens up for the very first time about both her fight with Davis and a meltdown she says she had last year when she learned her boyfriend was cheating on her.

Her tough time started with, what else, a breakup with a guy. "My standards were low," she says, "because I was lonely.

"I met this musician, not a famous musician -- he doesn't even deserve to be named -- and I thought he was totally into me," she continues. "And then you find out, oh God, that he had this whole other relationship on the side, and that he is only dating you to get into pictures and to become famous."

[A little hint on the ex's identity can possibly be found in the Blender article, which says she doesn't mince words when asked about her ex-boyfriend and former keyboardist for group Evanescence, David Hodges, who co-wrote and co-produced Clarkson's hit "Because of You":

"[He] got engaged the day we broke up. I didn't even really like the guy. I'm more mad at myself for being so blind. Why would I pick someone like him to date? What's wrong with me?"]

That breakup added to the stress of a grueling tour for her hit second album, "Breakaway," two bouts of pneumonia, and a rash of friends getting married and having babies, which unearthed a lot of old ideas about how she should be living her life. All of it sent her into a tailspin.

Clarkson eases into a brown leather sofa and throws her head back. "I didn't know what was wrong with me," she says. "I was like, 'I'm not happy. Maybe I'm a little depressed, and I don't want to say anything, because then people are going to say, 'Why are you unhappy?'

"Everything caught up with me in a bad way," she explains. "My body was wearing down, and my emotions were wearing down. I was trying to get over someone. I hadn't seen my friends and family for a while, and it was becoming a nuisance [to see them] because I was so busy. I was traveling, and then there was more added to the schedule. It just got chaotic. I was 24, and that is pretty young to be the boss of so much. And it caught up with me. I couldn't smile. I couldn't do anything. I broke down. I cried so much I couldn't speak. I was that tired. I was drained. I didn't want to act, didn't want to smile -- I didn't want to pretend. I just broke. ... It was the lowest point of my life and my career."

The singer went home to Texas for three months to regroup. She turned to friends and family members and talked often to her mother, who now lives in North Carolina. "It was a really hard time for her," says her mom, Jeanne Taylor, 55. "She would call me, and all she wanted to do was cry and talk. I tried to explain to her that this happens sometimes."

Reba McEntire, who had become a friend after Clarkson did a guest-spot on her TV sitcom, became another source of support. "I spent time with her," Clarkson says, "and saw that she takes time off and hangs with her family and takes mini-vacations. I learned that I'm not lazy if I do that."

During this dark period, Clarkson began to write the songs that would become her new album, "My December." "It was free therapy," she says with a smirk. In January, she delivered the album to Davis, who reportedly hated it and delayed its release, stirring a heated controversy about its fate.

But Clarkson asserts her confidence about the future. "I used to live paycheck to paycheck," she says, as she props her feet on a table and laughs. "Now I am set for life."

Still, even in the glare, Clarkson seems to have avoided the pitfalls of other famous 20-somethings. It's almost ironic that she lives so close, just 2 miles from Hollywood Boulevard, where Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton famously haunted the nights. You've never heard about her going to jail or getting into a car crash and fleeing the scene, or shaving her head.

"I'm not into the whole scene," says Clarkson, who isn't wearing makeup and has her hair pulled haphazardly into a tortoise-shell clip. "I almost pity them. Some of their parents are afraid to punish them because that is where their livelihood is. So the parents can't be parents, or they can be, but they are too scared."

Thinking for a moment, she shakes her head. "I work with my brother Jason, and he keeps me in line," she says. "My mom would be the first to let me know: 'Dude, what are you doing?'"

Clarkson grew up in Burleson, Texas, which she insists helped her navigate the 20s, when so many people are lost and searching for what makes them happy. "I went through my awkward junior high school age, I went to high school, I went to the prom without being in the spotlight," she says. "Many of the kids in the industry didn't have that. They have no basis for a normal life. They are in the fast lane, and they do not know how to cope with it."

Not that she's a saint. She admits that she has tried marijuana -- but only in a cookie. Ever since, she has been "oregano-free."

"It was in Amsterdam," she says. "It is legal there, and it is not legal here. I don't ever do anything illegal here. I have never smoked anything in my life. I've never tried any drugs. I wouldn't do anything that would cause holes in your brain or your nasal cavity. Call me Texan, but I don't think of marijuana like that. I don't understand people who drink too much. I think, 'Why do you drink so much? It just adds calories.' "

Calories have been an issue for Clarkson. After her appearance on "American Idol" in May, all the talk was about her weight. But in a tight gray T-shirt and black jeans, she looks like a normal, healthy young woman. Despite her recent admission that she was bulimic in high school, Clarkson says, "I have never been to a point where I have been so unhappy that I have said to myself: 'Oh God, you are fat!'

"I don't allow myself to go there. I know when I am unhappy with myself -- and then I am like, 'Wow, stop eating so many cookies [and her other favorites, cake and pumpkin pie] and get on the treadmill!'"

SIMON COWELL NOW JUDGING REAL DOGS

ContactMusic.com reports that Simon Cowell is judging a dog show for charity. Cowell will give his verdict on important categories such as "The Waggiest Tail" at the The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (RSPCA) fete in Brighton, southern England this Sunday.

It is the third year in a row he has attended the fete after his mother, who helps out at the local dog shelter, asked for his help. A source says, "Simon is devoted to his mother and when she asked him to help the open day attract more visitors, he did it originally to please her. But he has now become a patron of the shelter."

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The Dumber Blonde? Hint: It's Not Kellie

In a move that will likely make her look as if she has the higher IQ, Kellie Pickler has begun to pal around with Jessica Simpson, according to a report in the National Enquirer says The National Ledger. And the story claims that the elder Simpson sister has been pouring her heart out to her new BFF about her breakup with John Mayer. The problem in the relationship, according to a (*ahem* anonymous and no-doubt nonexistent) source was John's jealousy and Jessica's father, Joe Simpson.

The Enquirer reports it learned the two blonde stunners rendezvoused for girl talk at an exclusive club in Dallas earlier this month and that Jessica made a tearful confession, a source told the magazine. She sobbed to Kellie: "I really loved him, but I've never known a man so jealous!" The source added, "Jessica also said John despised her father and was obsessed about her seeing other guys."

According to the magazine, Kellie, 21, sought Jessica's friendship after she burst onto the pop music scene following her stint on "American Idol." During their recent heart-to-heart, Jessica, 26, told Kellie that at first she thought John's obsessive attentiveness was charming, but then his fits of jealously over other guys "got old quick."

Kellie listened sympathetically -- and then made a shocking confession of her own, says the source. "She told Jessica that John once hit on her when he was still together with Jess, and she added: 'The guy's a major rat. Honey, you're better off without him!' "

File this one under Ripley's Believe It or Not.

WILL FULLER FILL UP MEMPHIS?

A story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the wonders of Memphis, includes these intriguing graphs about Graceland:

"The house is surprisingly small -- [Elvis] Presley bought it and its nearly 14 acres in 1957 and never had it expanded, though he added buildings, including an office for his father and a racquetball court that now holds memorabilia. The King evidently did all the decorating himself, and some of it makes me cringe to think that this was what lots of money could buy in the '60s -- including a furry white monstrosity that turns out to be a bed. Despite what I consider to be his questionable taste, there is a casualness that lends the place a more dignified air than I had expected.

We learn that his three Grammy wins were for gospel albums and he showed up in person to accept only one of the many awards that came his way -- from the Jaycees. His troubles with prescription drugs and other struggles are glossed over but not ignored, and I wasn't sure that would be the case.

It seems odd to see tourists mingle and snap pictures outside in the meditation garden, where Presley, his parents and grandmother are buried and his twin brother, who died at birth, is honored with a plaque. But then the tour recorder tells us that Vernon Presley, worried about vandals, had his son's grave moved here from a public cemetery. The folks snapping pictures here are at least quiet and respectful.

Walking between buildings, you can see the modest neighboring houses beyond Graceland's fences. It will be interesting to see how long that will last.

A partnership that includes Simon Fuller, a co-creator of "American Idol," has paid Lisa Marie [Presley] millions for the rights to use Elvis' and Graceland's names and likenesses. Although she still owns the house, they are buying up land around Graceland, and there's fear, some locals told us, that the quiet neighborhood could become more of an amusement park or worse -- if hotels blossom here, people might stay just in this area and miss the whole history of blues, soul and rock as told along Beale Street and at Sun and Stax studios.

... Graceland is a must-see, but Memphis has so much more that should not be missed."

KELLY CLARKSON AND REBA McENTIRE TONIGHT!

Don't forget to catch Kelly Clarkson with Reba McEntire tonight on CMT's "Crossroads" at 8 p.m. The New York Daily News gives the show three stars. Here is their review:

If you think Kelly Clarkson looks like she's needed a friend lately, you can relax. She has found one: Reba McEntire.

McEntire, one of the most successful country artists of modern times, joins Clarkson, the "American Idol" winner who has been all over the charts in the past five years, for a CMT production of "Crossroads" in which they sing a bunch of familiar songs together and then, between songs, sit down and chat.

It will come as no surprise to fans of these two American Sweethearts that they can harmonize on popular anthems as if they were born doing it, or that when they talk they sound like the Nashville branch of the mutual admiration society.

Clarkson says McEntire's songs have always blown her away, and she's like, so awe-struck just to be talking with her.

McEntire says, nonsense, child, I remember sitting there myself, and besides, you earned it.

Although McEntire has worked almost entirely on the country side of the music game and Clarkson has primarily been a pop artist, their musical common ground is extensive.

Both have scored best with big, booming, melodic tunes that sound great from a car radio, like McEntire's "You Lie" or Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone."

They belt out both of those on this show, along with "Does He Love You," "Because of You" and a half-dozen others. No shortage of hits, no shortage of powerful crescendos that make the adoring crowd even happier.

Besides, in a world that loves a catfight, this is a kitten cuddle.

They don't cover anything terribly profound in their chats, with McEntire talking about her struggle to get that first break and Clarkson musing about her musical influences. More significant is that they do it in such a warm manner, like two best friends who happen to have sold tens of millions of records meeting for a morning cup of coffee.

The special airs at a particularly good time for Clarkson, who has been bounced around lately by the ambivalent response to the CD that comes out Tuesday.

Not entirely by accident, "Crossroads" may remind fans that they basically like the girl and maybe ought to give her new record a chance.

Speaking of music, the special reinforces one other truth about McEntire and Clarkson. While the appeal of their songs is wide, it's not especially deep. Their songs tend to be more catchy than profound, which is fine. It's just worth noting.

It's also worth noting that once or twice, when the gals are talking, Clarkson somehow uses the phrase "so I said," rather than "So, I'm like ..."

You go to the crossroads, you just never know what you'll find.

You can also find videos and photos with Kelly and Reba on the CMT site here.

FANS CROSSING COUNTRY TO SEE TAYLOR HICKS

The Spartanburg Herald-Journal reports that fans will come from across the country to see "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks at the Spartanburg Community College Foundation's Red, White & Boom celebration Friday (June 29th). People from 25 states have purchased tickets, and the Marriott has already booked the block of rooms set aside for Red, White & Boom attendees.

"We have people coming from as far away as California, Washington state and New York," said Nancy Dickson, executive director of the SCC Foundation.

"We do this as a fundraiser to raise scholarships to support students who come to the college," Dickson said. Dickson said that in the past couple of years, organizers have tried to appeal to the age group they serve at the college.

Last year's concert with singer Miranda Lambert, the Academy of Country Music's Best New Female Artist for 2007, filled the park to capacity.

"Taylor Hicks is that type of person," Dickson said. "He appeals to a broad range of people, and our sponsors feel comfortable with a nationally recognized name."

Hicks draws crowds of fans from all over the country, many who follow him from show to show. He's nothing like 'American Idol,' " said Donna Bristow, a 46-year-old sales representative from Anderson County. "You can't describe him unless you see him live. He's so magnetic. He puts his whole heart and soul in it. I know women who have cashed in 401(k)s to follow him," Bristow said.

Bristow has friends coming in from Naples, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., and Nashville, Tenn. She knows women who have seen him more than 20 times. "I attended two of Taylor's concerts in Tennessee this winter and was thrilled to learn that he would be performing within driving distance this summer," said Millie Wilson, a retired English teacher who lives about 150 miles away in Kingsport, Tenn.

She said she was struck by Hicks the first time she saw him perform on "American Idol." "No two Taylor Hicks concerts are the same. He has a vast storehouse of music to draw from. He has been compared to a walking iPod," Wilson said. "He's one great-looking fellow, too," she added jokingly, "and that's worth about 50 miles of driving."

Hicks will take the stage around 8 p.m. A 25-minute fireworks display starts at about 9:30.

Meanwhile, the Leader-Telegram says that Hicks' hot blues and jazz left the audience cold when he opened for Sara Evans at Country Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin:

"American Idol's Hicks didn't stand a chance with devout country music fans. The blues and jazz crooner, dressed in a black shirt and gray suit coat, warmed up the crowd with "Soul Thing."

But the warmth quickly faded.

Although his voice was right on key and he rocked on the harmonica, Hicks' handful of hard-core fans couldn't persuade the rest of the crowd to play along."

This group was apparently not too easy to please. The paper also reported that, "Throughout the 70-minute set, Evans and her band, including sister, Lesley Evans Lyons, a back-up singer; and brother, Matt Evans, the guitarist, attempted to keep the crowd entertained, but the slower songs weeded the fans from the fanatics.

The crowd grew restless and began packing up for the night during the ballad 'I Could Not Ask for More.'

At least Evans made it 50 minutes into her act before the fans started making their way back to the campsites. It took Hicks, who played before Evans, only a handful of songs to send people back to their tents."

Tough crowd.

UNDERWOOD WORKING ON NEW CD

In a story announcing that Carrie Underwood would be performing at Allentown Fair Grandstand in Pennsylvania on Sept. 2, the Morning Call also said that Underwood is working on a second album. In a recent interview with Nashville newspaper The Tennessean, she said, "It's definitely staying in the country genre. That's where my heart is, and it's worked well so far." The first single should hit radio stations later this summer.

Underwood never seems to never be out of media spotlight for long, because of her involvement with PETA and rumors of her on-and-off again relationship with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tomy Romo.

Underwood credits her sorority sisters with helping her to overcome her shyness at singing on stage. Youngest of three girls, she grew up in Checotah, Okla., and attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, as a journalism major, which may explain the long but well-written bio on MySpace. She also is a skilled guitar player and vegetarian.

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Kelly Clarkson's 'Gay Friendly' Duet

Watch video of an amazing duet of "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEnire:


The Web site After Ellen is all a titter about this version, titling it "gay friendly" and saying that "The American Idol winner and country music icon Reba McEntire have dyked things up in a duet of Clarkson's hit single" because, as one poster points out, at exactly the 27th second in this video Kelly sings, "It wasn't long till I called HER mine"

Know what? Who cares? A great singer is a great singer, gay or straight. But it's given a lot of gay girls a new reason to crush on Clarkson.

P.S. But just for the record girls, when Clarkson appeared on "Ellen" last month, she sang the lyric, "It wasn't long till I called HIM mine"

Watch video of Kelly Clarkson singing "Since U Been Gone" on "Ellen":


CLUB RUBEN

AL.co reports that a Memphis developer said his firm is in talks with former "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard about opening a nightclub in the planned Birmingham entertainment district.

John Elkington, CEO of Performa Entertainment Real Estate, told members of the Birmingham Ad Federation at a luncheon today that he wants the district to feature nightspots indicative of Birmingham's musical history.

"Ruben Studdard would be great for Birmingham's district and we're in talks with him now," Elkington said. "Ona Watson has a great musical legacy in Birmingham. Those are the type of people we want involved."

Elkington said he has signed several tenants and will announce some of them soon. His goal is to break ground on the project this fall, with opening set within 18 months.

The entertainment district is planned for property adjacent to the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.

Performa is credited with rejuvenating Memphis' Beale Street with venues such as a B.B. King blues club.

... Meanwhile, the Richmond-Times Dispatch reports that Studdard seduced the women at last night's Fridays at Sunset show -- even the ones snuggling with male companions -- with his easy charm and soothing voice.

He also generously gave up the stage for a few minutes so Richmonder Vance Hayes could propose to girlfriend Tia Wansley (she said yes) as the crowd cheered them on.

Studdard, 28, launched his 90-minute set with the uptempo "Ain't No Party," a song written by Richmond native Harold Lilly, who received several shout-outs from Studdard throughout the concert.

Though he sounded more nasally than velvety for the first couple of songs, and hit some rough spots during "One Side," Studdard recovered in time for the chorus and directed the crowd of just more than 1,000 to "put your hands to the sky!"

A jolly fellow with a sweet grin perpetually plastered on his face, Studdard recalled staying at the Jefferson Hotel when touring with "American Idol" four years ago, and his frequent question, "Where my ladies at?" usually garnered excitable screams as those ladies popped up from lawn chairs to gyrate and point their cell phones at him.

When Studdard crept into his signature rendition of "Superstar," one woman repeatedly squealed "Oh, my God!" as if God himself had appeared on stage. Such is the effect of Studdard's gentle teasing, especially with that song, which indeed sounded sweet and clear as he effortlessly landed the big notes.

Along with his own repertoire from three albums of material, Studdard offered a gratifying run of old-school songs that, unfortunately, spotlighted how toothless his own material is by comparison.

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," his phrasing a hybrid of Barry Gibb and Al Green, worked surprisingly well, while his take on "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe," was rich, full and nearly as great as Barry White.

Studdard isn't going to alter the R&B universe with nondescript songs such as "Change Me" and "Sorry 2004," but he's an exceptional singer and song interpreter. That should sustain his career at least a few more years.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

From Jon Bon Jovi, speaking to the UK's Daily Mail about his experience working on "American Idol" ("I liked Simon Cowell -- he was nice") this season:

" ... It's important that the kids learn to write their own songs. With these kids, their first album goes multi-platinum, but where do they actually go to learn their chops?"

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