KAREN RODRIGUEZ IS ELIMINATED ON “AMERICAN IDOL”

VIEWERS CAN DONATE TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

TO HELP THEIR EFFORTS IN JAPAN

 

TOP 11 FINALISTS SING CLASSIC MOTOWN TUNES LIVE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, ON FOX

Jennifer Hudson and Sugarland to Perform on Next Results Show

Thursday, March 24

 

Finalist Karen Rodriguez was eliminated tonight on AMERICAN IDOL after she received the fewest of America’s votes. On Wednesday’s performance show, the Top 12 performed songs from the year they were born, and Rodriguez, 21, from New York, NY, sang “Love Will Lead You Back.” In addition, Grammy Award-winning pop superstars The Black Eyed Peas sang their latest hit, “Just Can’t Get Enough,” and IDOL Season Nine winner Lee DeWyze took the stage to perform “Beautiful Like You.”

During the show, host Ryan Seacrest announced that viewers can help those affected by the recent tragic events in Japan by donating much-needed funds. Donations will be accepted via text-messaging by texting REDCROSS to 90999. A $10 donation will be added to the user’s mobile bill, and proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to help their efforts in Japan. Messaging and data rates may apply. Visit www.mgive.org for terms, conditions and additional information.

In addition, AMERICAN IDOL announced last night that profits from the sales of the “American Idol Top 12 Season 10” compilation album and the individual performance downloads from the album between now and the end of the season will benefit the American Red Cross and their relief efforts in Japan.

On Wednesday, March 23 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top 11 finalists – Casey Abrams, Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart and Pia Toscano – return to the IDOL stage to sing classic Motown tunes.

Tune in the following night, Thursday, March 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), to the live results show to find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who is sent home. Also, Season Three finalist and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson will return to the IDOL stage to perform, and multi-platinum country music duo Sugarland will also perform.

Fans can view the full official profiles for each of the Top 11 finalists at www.americanidol.com/contestants. Keep up with the latest AMERICAN IDOL news on the AMERICAN IDOL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/americanidol. And be sure to check out the official AMERICAN IDOL Twitter for the scoop straight from the IDOL set (@americanidol).

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment, a division of CKX, Inc; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment. AMERICAN IDOL has been No. 1 among Adults 18-49 for the past seven consecutive seasons and currently ranks as the No. 1 television show of the 2010-11 season.

Visit americanidol.com for additional information regarding AMERICAN IDOL voting, as well as exclusive videos, interviews and photos, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart (Top 10 Singles and Albums in the USA): FAR EAST MOVEMENT takes the #1 spot for singles and Sugarland takes #1 for the album charts (Issue Date: November 6, 2010)

The following are the top 10 songs in the United States from the Billboard Hot 100 Music Charts:

NOTE: Far East Movement takes the #1 spot, Bruno Mars at #2 and Rihanna at #3.

BUY THESE SINGLES:

1. Far*East Movement featuring Cataracs & Dev – Like a G6
2. Bruno Mars – Just the Way You Are
3. Rihanna – Only Girl (In the World)
4. Nelly – Just a Dream
5. Usher feat. Pitbull – DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love
6. Trey Songz feat. Nicki Minaj – Bottoms Up
7. Katy Perry – Teenage Dream
8. Taio Cruz – Dynamite
9. Flo Rida feat. David Guetta – Club Can’t Handle Me
10. P!nk – Raise Your Glass

The following are the top 10 albums in America from the Billboard 200 Album Charts:

NOTE: Sugarland takes the #1 spot, Kings of Leon at #2 and Elton John/Leon Russell at #3.

Purchase the #1 Album in the USA:

1. Sugarland – The Incredible Machine
2. Kings of Leon – Come Around Sundown
3. Elton John/Leon Russell – The Union
4. Rod Stewart – Fly Me to the Moon – The Great American
5. Lil Wayne – I Am Not a Human Being
6. Glee: The Rocky Horror Glee
7. Shakira – Sale El Sol
8. Eminem – Recovery
9. Third Day – Move
10. Darius Rucker – Charleston, SC 1966

SUGARLAND’S JENNIFER NETTLES HOSTS “CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS”

Kellie Pickler Added to the Performance Lineup That Includes Sheryl Crow,
Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts,
Reba, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker and Sugarland

Holiday Special Airs Monday, November 29 on the ABC Television Network

Jennifer Nettles, of reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Sugarland, hosts “CMA Country Christmas” with music, memories and stories of the season from some of the format’s biggest stars, airing MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29 (9:30-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. Kellie Pickler has been added to the list of performers, which includes Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker and Sugarland performing and sharing with fans their holiday traditions.

“I am thrilled to have been asked to host the CMA Christmas Special,” Nettles said. “I love the holidays and, as my first time hosting a show, I am sure it will be full of laughs and surprises both for myself and for the folks watching.”

“Jennifer’s warmth and charm embody the joy of the season,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “We are thrilled that she has agreed to host our first CMA Christmas special.” “CMA Country Christmas” will tape in front of a live audience on Thursday, November 11 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Country Music has a long been a part of holiday traditions, from Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” to Gene Autry’s “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer” and the Elvis classic, “Blue Christmas.” “The themes you find in Country Music are the foundation of what makes the holidays meaningful – the comfort of home, family and friends,” Moore said. “‘CMA Country Christmas’ will be wrapped in those traditions.”

The taping of “CMA Country Christmas” follows “The 44th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, which airs live from the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 10 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“CMA Country Christmas” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Paul Miller is the director and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

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media only with restrictions on use. The public should be directed to www.CMAawards.com.