CONFIDENTIAL and the Set of American Idol by MIKE COHEN
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MAGAZINE A live dispatch from Los Angeles CONFIDENTIAL and the set of American Idol By MIKE COHEN LOS ANGELES -The 13th season of nalists camped out in specific spots American Idol is history. While in Los and waited for the Idols to become Angeles last week I had the good for- available. I was given a spot to wait at tune of seeing a live presentation of and sure enough along came Caleb, the show and meeting the final three Jena and Alex one by one. Caleb was contestants: seventeen year old Jena on doctor’s orders not to talk too Irene from Farmington Hills, much as he was recovering from a Michigan; rocker Caleb Johnson, 23, bruised vocal cord. He nonetheless from Asheville, North Carolina; and shared a few words. “This experience Alex Preston, 20, from Mont Vernon, has been absolutely amazing,” he New Hampshire. Johnson was said. “It is so incredible and humbling crowned the winner. to do what I love. Losing my voice was It has already been announced that a real challenge. I had to work hard to the show will return again next sea- get ready for this show.” son on Fox and CTV Two. Alex told me how this entire experi- Readers of my column will recall ence has been so crazy. “It still feels what a big fan I was of Canadian Idol, like a dream,” he said. “ I still feel like broadcast for six seasons on CTV. In the kid who came in for the audition. 2008, CTV announced that the popu- I am really excited about starting the lar singing competition had been real music grind, start writing new “suspended.” It has never returned to songs. I did not realize how much my the airwaves life changed until I went back for my American Idol was the number two hometown visit.” program on CTV Two this year in Adorable Jena is also overwhelmed terms of total viewers, behind only with the experience. “I did not think I Dancing with the Stars. would get this far,” she admitted. Ryan Seacrest, whose syndicated “Initially I just tried out just to try radio show is broadcast weekdays on out. It has been a life transformation Virgin Radio in Montreal, is the experience I could not imagine it any show’s dashing host. Taping takes better. I am so grateful that people Mike meets Caleb Johnson place at CBS Television City in a stu- like my style and I am excited for our dio which is much smaller than you tour. I cannot wait to produce my own in production and development. Runnerup Theresa Sokyrka of would think. Most of the crowd is album and see how that sounds.” Seacrest’s latest project is a new real- Moosejaw, Saskatchewan is now five standing, including the pit by the Some Idol winners and finalists ity show with famed British chef records into a respectable career that stage occupied exclusively by a youth have gone on to careers of super- Jamie Oliver where Oliver will touch has seen her collaborate with the component who get to enjoy the stardrom. This includes Kelly down in America’s unhealthiest cities Cowboy Junkies’ Michael Timmins perks of having “selfies” taken with Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin and give its residents good-food and members of the extended New judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Adam makeovers using local resources. The Pornographers family, release an Harry Connick Jr. and Seacrest. Lambert, Chris Daughtry and Phillip company’s credits include “Denise album of traditional Ukrainian folk There is a throng of media who fol- Phillips. Richards: It’s Complicated” and songs and comb the streets of Madrid low the series live each week. They do As for Seacrest, he enjoys a thriving “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” for players to accompany her on this so from a special air conditioned broadcasting career and multiple ven- RSP and Bunim-Murray Productions past June’s Prairie Winds. Hoggard, media tent. I was fortunate to see the tures in media. While hosting and recently debuted a new half-hour the second runner-up, heads up the action from a seat, accompanied by producing multiple television and series, “Kourtney and Khloe in very successful rock band Hedley. Freemantle Media executive director radio programs, as well as building Miami.” Season Three’s Melissa O’Neil has of communications Kristina Kirk. I Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) into made a career for herself in musical was on hand for the landmark 500th a viable entity that creates content for CANADIAN IDOL theatre and now serves as part of the episode, so when the cameras stopped all media platforms and myriad brand Do you remember the six winners of ensemble cast and understudy of a big cake was rolled out. Seacrest and ventures, he is redefining what it Canadian Idol? Ryan Malcolm, Kalan Epinone and Fantine in the Broadway show mentor Randy Jackson, a former means to be an entrepreneur in Porter, Melissa O’Neil, Eva Avila, production of Les Miserables. Second judge, were recognized for being in Hollywood. He was recently honored Brian Melo and Theo Tams. Other top runner-up Walpole has followed the every one of those episodes. Even Idol with an Emmy Award nomination for finishers who have gone on to strong same path and is also part of Les Mis, creator Simon Fuller was on hand for Outstanding Host for a Reality or careers are Jacob Hoggard, Carley Rae in the ensemble and the understudy the ceremony. Reality-Competition Program for his Jepson and Aaron Walpole, just to for Jean Valjean. Season Four winner Yes, J. Lo is as breathtakingly beau- work on Idol . He was added to the name a few. Eva Avila from Gatineau also took to tiful in person as she looks on TV. prestigious list of Emmy Awards hosts WHERE ARE THEY NOW modelling and continues to tour, with During commercial breaks Connick in 2007 and 2008. With thanks to a recent Toronto a new album set to come out soon. Jr. and Urban really work the crowd, Seacrest holds preeminent posi- Star article, here is a look at where Season Five winner Brian Melo of posing for endless selfies and signing tions in the worlds of broadcast televi- some of the Canadian Idols are now. Hamilton’s website has not been autographs. J. Lo too. There is also a sion, nationally syndicated radio, Malcolm, who was a Kingston waiter updated with any significant news lot of makeup retouching. Meanwhile local radio and cable. Besides Idol, he before he won, formed alt-rock group since 2012, so that about tells his a huge backstage crew makes signifi- hosts ,“American Top 40” and his own called Low Level Flight and recently story. First runner-up Jaydee Bixby cant changes to the set for each per- No. 1 nationally syndicated radio opened a restaurant in Costa Rica. from Alberta released his third album former. show for Clear Channel’s 102.7 KIIS- Runnerup Gary Beals from Nova last summer. Jepsen, the second run- I like reality TV for the way they FM. Additionally, Seacrest executive- Scotia has released two albums, but ner-up, exploded on to the global transform your average everyday per- produces and co-hosts “Dick Clark’s basically stayed local. Season Two scene with her hit Call Me Maybe and son into a household name. This New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan winner Kalan Porter from Medicine recently played Cinderella on year’s Idol crop was a good one and Seacrest.” Hat, AB, began another life as a fresh- Broadway. Theo Tams from Alberta America chose well with its top three. RSP has quickly established itself as man at the University of won the final season and has formed a After the show I went to the media a full-fledged production entity with Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of country-ish duo called Beyond the tent where a group of American jour- numerous pilots, series and specials Business in September 2012. Mountain with Carly Jean Campbell of Vancouver. So athere you have it. Kim Campbell in this same role for Will Bellmedia ever bring Canadian four years, Wolfe also played match- Idol back, perhaps parking it on maker. She introduced Campbell to Bravo! If not, here is one suggestion – Montreal-born musician Hershey how about a Canadian Idol reunion, Felder. They soon became a couple complete with judges Zack Werner, and were married. Jake Gold, Farley Flex and Sass Wolfe has never forgotten her roots, Jordan. I believe it would be ratings or the fact she is the daughter of success! Holocaust survivors. “My parents lost their entire family in the Holocaust,” says. “I bring that to the office with me every day. “My father was hidden by a Polish Catholic family for 18 months. They saved his life. In fact, there was such a bond that he and his brothers saved up enough money to move them all to Montreal. They all live here now and became part of our extended family. It really is a special story.” Wolfe has managed to connect her Judaism to her day-to-day duties. The much acclaimed Museum of Ryan Seacrest, Randy Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban with the Tolerance, a facility created by the 500th episode cake. Simon Wiesenthal Centre, represents Melissa O’Neil a regular stop for dignitaries. She has to Toronto to manage Labatt’s tions like separating the two con- used that venue for Canadian film rebranding initiative and to run the stituents of human excrement, devel- FORMER MONTREALER IN LA screenings by Jewish personalities.