Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Gives Critics The "Middle Finger" In New Rant

Just moments ago, we were discussing Fantasia's weird Instgram message about how gays can get married and people can smoke pot, but somehow she gets crucified. The former American Idol singer later explained that all of that was taken out of context and she actually loves the gays. And now comes h ... More >>

Fantasia's Homophobia Was Taken "Out of Context"???

The most popular celebrity excuse for saying something really offensive is "It was taken out of context!" And that's exactly what former American Idol star Fantasia Barrino is pulling with her latest scandal (on the heels of missing a lot of Color Purple performances, not causing a couple's divorce ... More >>

100 & Single: fun., Gotye, Carly Rae Jepsen, And The Era Of The Snowball Smash

If you're a pop fan, I'm going to guess you like at least one of the last three No. 1 songs in America. In many ways, 2012 has been an entertaining year for discriminating chart-watchers, as a slew of left-field singles have made strides on Billboard's Hot 100. I've met people who love fun.'s "We A ... More >>

100 & Single: The R&B/Hip-Hop Factor In The Music Business's Endless Slump

Here are a few recent data points from chart bible Billboard and data provider Nielsen Soundscan as we move into the second half of 2012: • In its midyear music-industry report card, Soundscan reports a return to the dismal album sales climate; year-to-date disc sales are off 3.2% from the sam ... More >>

North Carolina Hates The Gays! Well, Let's Look At Their Culture

The good people of North Carolina just voted against same-sex marriage, leading me to think they're a bunch of heathen cretins with no taste or style. But a glance at Wikipedia proves they have a rich and vital culture. They've birthed a lot of big jazz musicians plus James Taylor. Also, North Ca ... More >>

Broadway Replacements: Your Favorite?

Darren Criss is attracting screaming Gleeks to How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and they're filling the seats once occupied by screaming Potterphiles. Which brings to mind the topic of Broadway replacements and how they fare in light of all the hoopla generated by the original star ... More >>

Jessie J Sings For Her Life On "Who You Are"

​All the world's a stage, and singer-songwriter Jessie J's corner of it looks something like American Idol (or maybe X Factor, since she's a Brit). The 23-year-old's debut, Who You Are, is not so much an album as it is a pleading, 50-minute audition, the logical byproduct of someone who doesn' ... More >>

American Idol Season 10, Elimination Recap: Goodbye Thia Megia!

Michael Becker/FOX Last week's insanely dramatic American Idol result show was the some truly compelling and weird TV; I sure as hell can't remember having that much fun watching one of those shows. The big moment, of course, came when the judges saved Casey Abrams and when Abrams collapsed into pa ... More >>

American Idol, Season 10, Top 12 Women: The Glut Of Interchangeable Blonde Chicks

Julie Zorrilla has been downgraded from "molten hot" to "ridiculously fly." Credit: Michael Becker/FOX.​Here's something Steven Tyler said on TV tonight: "After Monday and Tuesday, even the week says WTF!" This was after Pia Toscana's show-closing, triumphant, r&b-ified take on "I'll Stand by ... More >>

Was 2010 The Best Year For Music Ever? Death To Chris Brown

Welcome to Sound of the City's year-in-review rock-critic roundtable, an amiable ongoing conversation between five prominent Voice critics: Rob Harvilla, Zach Baron, Sean Fennessey, Maura Johnston, and Rich Juzwiak. We'll be here all week! America's preeminent lady-beater weeps. Photo via Word Up!& ... More >>

R&B Serenity Now: R. Kelly, Ne-Yo, and Others Keep the Quiet-Storm Flame Alive

Fantasia

FESTIVE STRINGS

Young talent convenes at Carnegie

Fantasia Barrino Flirts With Death

​As the gossip rages on about which washed-up celebrity will be the next judge on American Idol, the real news about the show is that one-time winner Fantasia Barrino just recovered from a messy suicide attempt.

American Idol Season 9, Finale Results

Vince Bucci/FOX Alice Cooper and the Idols​ 8:01pm. It's a sad night, and not because we're saying goodbye to another season of Idol, not because we're saying goodbye to Simon Cowell, but because they managed to drag this out to a two-hour production of group sings and product placements. 8: ... More >>

American Idol Season 9: Live-Blogging the Top 4 Results

9:00pm. The stupid movie-style opening credits sequence explains that this show "stars" Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze, etc. In clips from last night, the judges are all raving about performances. Ok, what show were they watching? 9:03pm. Special Guests: Bon Jovi! Daughtry! And Fantasia! I hope Fanta ... More >>

IT'S ONLY A STORY, IT'S NOT REAL

Real life killed our childhood heroes

Live: Even Lou Reed Gets Sentimental At Rock Hall MSG Blowout #2 (Featuring U2, The Boss, The Black Eyed Peas, And Some Dude Named Mick)

Ooooh plus "Iron Man" Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Celebration Madison Square Garden Friday, October 30 "When we were down, rock 'n' roll lifted us up," says Tom Hanks in his introductory remarks for the final night of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's benefit-concert extravaganza ... More >>

Your Memories Of Hitting Puberty?

Reaching puberty was so memorable for me that I don't think it's ever been surpassed as a landmark in my life--except maybe for seeing Fantasia in The Color Purple. As I remember it, all in a matter of moments the world became exciting, throbbing, thrilling, terrifying, confusing, and very wet.

Interview: St. Vincent on Actor, Onstage Laugh Attacks, and Seizures

The inspirations for Annie Clark's latest album as St. Vincent, Actor, perhaps sum up her darkly doe-eyed charm: hidden porn, guns, self-deceiving lovers, Philip Roth. One of nine children growing up in the Texas flatlands, the Oklahoma-born multi-instrumentalist left Berklee in 2003 to join the P ... More >>

Jennifer Hudson+Robin Thicke

American Idol Results: Kanye West Performs "Heartless," Adam Lambert Safe, Paula's Boobs Look Incredible!

Sharyn Jackson is your American Idol host for season eight. This week: the Top 13! Ray Mickshaw / FOX¡Adios, Jorge! There's a new Idol rule, the judges can make a unanimous decision to save one cast-off one time only--and only up until the Top 5. This is to avoid future J-Hud and Daughtry early b ... More >>

American Idol Hollywood: Tatiana Pees Herself, Everyone Likes a Black & White Cookie

Sharyn Jackson is your American Idol host for season eight. This week: "do or die" in Hollywood! Last day of Hollywood Week and it's "do or die," explains Ryan Seacrest. Tonight, contestants all have to sing solo, and they can use instruments if they want. Then at the end of the day, the judges ... More >>

American Idol Week 4, Hollywood: Norman Gentle is "Bnoodles," Ryan Seacrest's Lip-Rapist is a Repeat Offender

Sharyn Jackson is your American Idol host for season eight. We're finally in Hollywood! Is this our next Idol? God I hope so. Hollywood! Finally, American Idol is about something, even if only remotely. So here on the road to Sucker of '09 are 147 people who got the yellow slip over the past thr ... More >>

How Did NY Nightlife Get So Oppressive? Search Me.

Plus: Getting a message or two from Rufus and a ride-along with Andrew

NY Mirror

Prague Sprung

We Have to Deal With It: Punk England Report

Fantasia to Glitterati: Youth Illiteracy Is Real

American Idol champion says she’s finally learning to read

Escape From Monogamy

Missy Elliott ends relationship with Timbaland so she can let her freak flag fly even higher

A Symphonic Series Shows How Music Can Carry a Toon

Identity Crisis

Three American Idol alumni follow up the process in their own, vaguely individual ways

Flight Club

Seeking a band of airborne rebels, a dancer and a swordsman get lost in orgasmic set design

NY Mirror

Vote or Lie

Americans love to vote—for pop singers, soft drinks, or World Series predictions

Not Gift Wrapped

New Frederic Rzewski Discs Reveal a Thinking Person's Postmodern Music

Final Cut Pros

Devil in Disguise

Satan's Helper Takes Credit for a Good Man's Music

Fantasia 2000

Taking Cues from the Past

Consumer Guide