“American Idol” may be a platform for aspiring unknown singers to showcase their talent outside of their bedrooms, but some contestants may have an advantage over others: being born into famous families.
Season 21 has already shown several so-called “Nepo Babies” — contestants with ties to the entertainment business — competing for the crown, including Kaya Stewart, daughter of Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics (pictured).
“With all your different opportunities and connections and stuff, how did you even land on ‘American Idol?’” Judge Katy Perry asked before her audition.
It’s a fair question, but “nepo babies” competing on “American Idol” is nothing new. In the past, the offspring of parents with varying backgrounds from music, acting, sports, and politics have all found their way in front of the judges.
Actor Jim Carrey’s daughter, Jane, earned a golden ticket in season 11; Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter, Grace, auditioned last season; and Lara Johnston,...
Season 21 has already shown several so-called “Nepo Babies” — contestants with ties to the entertainment business — competing for the crown, including Kaya Stewart, daughter of Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics (pictured).
“With all your different opportunities and connections and stuff, how did you even land on ‘American Idol?’” Judge Katy Perry asked before her audition.
It’s a fair question, but “nepo babies” competing on “American Idol” is nothing new. In the past, the offspring of parents with varying backgrounds from music, acting, sports, and politics have all found their way in front of the judges.
Actor Jim Carrey’s daughter, Jane, earned a golden ticket in season 11; Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter, Grace, auditioned last season; and Lara Johnston,...
- 4/3/2023
- by Michele Amabile Angermiller
- Variety Film + TV
"Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" star Joseline Hernandez kicked the beehive when she swore under oath the show is totally fake ... because producers and co-stars have all put her on blast. A source close to producers tells TMZ Joseline lied ... the show is absolutely real. They say no one told Joseline to hit anyone, which is why they slapped her with a 4-day suspension and also why she's facing assault charges in NYC. Her co-stars were more blunt ... Momma Dee,...
- 3/12/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Mimi Faust, a star on VH1’s Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, has some advice for those who choose to make a sex tape with their significant other. Mimi Faust uRant Last year, Faust made a sex tape with her then-boyfriend Nikko Smith. Though the video was meant to remain private, it found its way into […]
The post Mimi Faust: Hold On To Your Sex Tape! [Exclusive Video] appeared first on uInterview.
The post Mimi Faust: Hold On To Your Sex Tape! [Exclusive Video] appeared first on uInterview.
- 3/12/2015
- by Chelsea Regan
- Uinterview
Mimi Faust, who rose to fame on VH1’s Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, achieved even more notoriety after the release of her sex tape with former boyfriend Nikko Smith. Mimi Faust On Her Sex Tape When Faust recorded the sex tape with Smith, they were on vacation in the Bahamas, and she had every intention of keeping […]
The post Mimi Faust, ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’ Star, Dishes On Her Sex Tape, Nikko Smith [Exclusive Video] appeared first on uInterview.
The post Mimi Faust, ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’ Star, Dishes On Her Sex Tape, Nikko Smith [Exclusive Video] appeared first on uInterview.
- 1/22/2015
- by Chelsea Regan
- Uinterview
Former "American Idol" finalist Nikko Smith wants the world to know ... he is Not the Nikko Smith who stars in a sex tape with "Love & Hip Hop" star Mimi Faust -- but he's not exactly embarrassed by the mistaken identity.Nikko -- who placed 9th in Season 4 -- tells TMZ, his phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from concerned friends and family members who read about a Nikko Smith's sex tape.
- 4/15/2014
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
There’s this weird part of the week — from Friday morning till Monday evening — when not a single major TV network airs a reality singing competition. It’s terrible, I know, but it also gives me a lot of time to ponder American Idol history. (Everyone does this in their free time, yes?) And my latest flight of Idol fancy got me mulling this question: Was Season 11′s Top 10 the strongest — top to bottom — in show history? Let’s examine:
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
- 3/26/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Shannon Magrane, Jordin Sparks and Nikko Smith also have bold-name dads.
By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by Katie Byrne
Jane Carrey on "American Idol"
Photo: Fox
For years, singers have done just about anything they could to get the attention the judges on "American Idol." There have been wacky costumes, shameless flirtation with the panel and some truly horrible original songs. But one surefire way to pique the interest of Randy, Steven and J.Lo (not to mention Simon and Paula in the past) is to reveal in your bio that your dad is already a bold-faced name.
The latest case-in-point is Jane Carrey, the 24-year-old daughter of actor Jim Carrey, who tried out for the show Sunday night. The judges enjoyed her rendition of Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About," while former Fly Girl Jennifer Lopez remembered seeing baby Jane on the set of "In Living Color...
By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by Katie Byrne
Jane Carrey on "American Idol"
Photo: Fox
For years, singers have done just about anything they could to get the attention the judges on "American Idol." There have been wacky costumes, shameless flirtation with the panel and some truly horrible original songs. But one surefire way to pique the interest of Randy, Steven and J.Lo (not to mention Simon and Paula in the past) is to reveal in your bio that your dad is already a bold-faced name.
The latest case-in-point is Jane Carrey, the 24-year-old daughter of actor Jim Carrey, who tried out for the show Sunday night. The judges enjoyed her rendition of Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About," while former Fly Girl Jennifer Lopez remembered seeing baby Jane on the set of "In Living Color...
- 1/23/2012
- MTV Music News
The news of Pia “I Got Voted Off ‘Idol’ Way Early And All I Got Was This Awesome Record Deal” Toscano joining Interscope’s roster surprised no one, except maybe my cat Moo Shu. (Homegirl’s a Voice fan. She thinks Idol is so seven years ago.) Toscano already shattered records by being the lowest-placing Idol also-ran to nab a significant major label deal in the show’s ten year history. (She was ninth! Ninth, I say!)
While we wait to see whether Pia becomes the next Jennifer Hudson or Kristy Lee Cook, let’s look back at the careers of previous ninth-place finishers to see how they’ve fared.
Season One: Jim Verraros
Jim was our inaugural “token sob story” contestant, and he parlayed his name recognition into movie roles in popular gay indie flicks. (Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds might be my fave sequel title since Electric Boogaloo.
While we wait to see whether Pia becomes the next Jennifer Hudson or Kristy Lee Cook, let’s look back at the careers of previous ninth-place finishers to see how they’ve fared.
Season One: Jim Verraros
Jim was our inaugural “token sob story” contestant, and he parlayed his name recognition into movie roles in popular gay indie flicks. (Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds might be my fave sequel title since Electric Boogaloo.
- 7/6/2011
- by Jim Cantiello
- MTV Newsroom
The American Idol Top 5 will tackle two songs apiece tonight — one from the ’60s and one “current” hit — during tonight’s 90-minute “Now & Then”-themed telecast. (Click here to check out my dream setlist for the evening.) I’ve taken the liberty of ranking the remaining quintet of contestants, so check out my countdown, then head to our poll to vote for your favorite, and hit the comments to justify your pick. And for all my Idol news and commentary, follow me on Twitter @MichaelSlezakTV.
5. Jacob Lusk (Last Week No. 6) | Yep, he’s managed to go further in the competition...
5. Jacob Lusk (Last Week No. 6) | Yep, he’s managed to go further in the competition...
- 5/4/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
The Season 10 premiere of "American Idol" is less than a week away and to make the days go by a bit faster, Zap2it decided to take a stroll down memory lane and re-evaluate the previous nine seasons.
Each day leading up to the premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 19, we will post a retrospective on each season. We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
We've looked back at Season 1 (yay Kelly!), Season 2 (aww, Clay and Ruben!) and the black hole that was Season 3. Now it's time to take a look back at one of our favorite seasons.
Season 4 contestants in order of elimination:
Lindsey Cardinale
Mikalah Gordon
Jessica Sierra
Nikko Smith
Nadia Turner
Anwar Robinson
Constantine Maroulis
Scott Savol...
Each day leading up to the premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 19, we will post a retrospective on each season. We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
We've looked back at Season 1 (yay Kelly!), Season 2 (aww, Clay and Ruben!) and the black hole that was Season 3. Now it's time to take a look back at one of our favorite seasons.
Season 4 contestants in order of elimination:
Lindsey Cardinale
Mikalah Gordon
Jessica Sierra
Nikko Smith
Nadia Turner
Anwar Robinson
Constantine Maroulis
Scott Savol...
- 1/16/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
By Katie Byrne
Michael Lynche caught a big break this week when the "American Idol" judges used their second-ever save to keep him in the competition. This got us thinking about other reality-show second chances, including Speidi on "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" and Chris March from "Project Runway," but my personal favorite was left out. While Matt Giraud received the inaugural judges' save last year, he wasn't the first comeback kid on "Idol."
No, that title belongs to Nikko Smith, the season four R&B crooner who was voted off only to be invited back to the competition when Mario Vazquez made the brilliant decision to pursue bigger opportunities and opt out of "Idol." (How's that working out, Mario?) Smith was one of four contestants eliminated from the top 16, but he ended up squeezing four extra weeks out of the competition, making it to the top...
Michael Lynche caught a big break this week when the "American Idol" judges used their second-ever save to keep him in the competition. This got us thinking about other reality-show second chances, including Speidi on "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" and Chris March from "Project Runway," but my personal favorite was left out. While Matt Giraud received the inaugural judges' save last year, he wasn't the first comeback kid on "Idol."
No, that title belongs to Nikko Smith, the season four R&B crooner who was voted off only to be invited back to the competition when Mario Vazquez made the brilliant decision to pursue bigger opportunities and opt out of "Idol." (How's that working out, Mario?) Smith was one of four contestants eliminated from the top 16, but he ended up squeezing four extra weeks out of the competition, making it to the top...
- 4/8/2010
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
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