Angela Weiss/WireImageBackstreet Boy Nick Carter is the latest pop star to document his personal life in a reality show. Deadline.com reports that the singer is executive-producing and starring in the series with his fiancee, Lauren Kitt.
According to Deadline, the half-hour series will "chronicle [Nick's] life as he tries to make amends with his past and prepare for his upcoming nuptials." It's currently being shopped around; Deadline reports that several cable networks are showing interest.
This won't be Nick's first reality series: he and his siblings starred in the E! show House of Carters in 2006. Leslie, one of his sisters who was featured on the show, died in 2012, reportedly from an overdose of prescription medication. Nick has publicly discussed his own struggles with drugs and alcohol.
Nick, the only remaining bachelor in the Backstreet Boys, got engaged to Lauren, an actress and fitness expert, back in February. There's no word on when their wedding will take place, since the group is heading out on a massive tour in August. Their new album, In a World Like This, is out July 30; the first single is the title track and that's coming June 25.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio
PRNewsFoto/Coty Inc.Katy Perry has forked over a good amount of cash to acquire two homes.
The Huffington Post reports Katy has purchased two properties encompassing three adjoining lots and approximately four acres of land in Hollywood Hills. The total cost: 11.2 million dollars.
Katy's newly-acquired properties include two homes, one of which was previously owned by Bruce Springsteen's drummer Max Weinberg -- who was Conan O'Brien's bandleader during O'Brien's Late Night and Tonight Show stints -- and Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal's now-divorced parents.
Katy bought the properties in April in a blind trust. Her manager, Bernie Gudvi, is the trustee.
It was reported in April that Katy is selling the Hollywood Hills mansion she and her now-ex-husband, Russell Brand, purchased in 2011.
Yuri Gripas-Pool/Getty ImagesCarole King was honored by President Obama at the White House on Wednesday night as she was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
Obama remarked, "For an entire decade, behind so many of the songs that touched our hearts and stirred our soul, there was Carol forever joyful and uplifting."
Several artists paid tribute to King by performing her music, including Billy Joel, James Taylor, Gloria Estefan, Trisha Yearwood, Jesse McCartney and Emeli Sande.
The highlights included Joel performing "Locomotion," Taylor playing "Up on the Roof," and Estefan, Yearwood and Sande teaming up on "Will You Love Me Tomorrow."
King herself opened the event with a performance of "Beautiful."
The concert was presented as the latest edition of the “In Performance at the White House” series. It will air on PBS next Tuesday.
The 71-year-old King, the first woman to receive the Gershwin Prize, was also saluted with a concert at the Library of Congress on Tuesday night.
Trainline.comA few days ago, Train posted a photo on Twitter of lead singer Pat Monahan photoshopped to look like Captain Stubing from the classic '70s TV show The Love Boat. The caption was a line from that show's theme song: "Come aboard, we're expecting you." It was the band's way of teasing what they finally announced on Wednesday: their own fan cruise.
The Sail Across the Sun cruise leaves from Miami on February 14, 2014, and is being billed as "A Music, Food & Wine Festival at Sea." Since the band has several signature varieties of wine, as well as their own line of chocolate, it's a perfect combination.
Fans will sail to Grand Cayman on the Norwegian Pearl, and in addition to enjoying two full Train concerts while on board, plus a Q&A and photos with the guys, they'll also get to enjoy meals cooked by some of the band's favorite chefs. Other artists will be joining in the fun as well -- they'll be announced later.
You can visit SailAcrossTheSun.com now to get all the details, and register for a pre-sale in order to reserve your spot. In case you didn't get the reference, the cruise is named after a lyric in one of Train's biggest hits "Drops of Jupiter" -- "Tell me/did you sail across the sun/did you make it to the Milky Way."
Facebook.com/MariahCareyWhen Mariah Carey released her new hit "#Beautiful," many people wondered why she included the hashtag in the song title. After all, she and duet partner Miguel don't sing "hashtag beautiful" in the song, so what purpose does it serve? Well, turns out it's standing in for a naughty word.
The explicit version of "#Beautiful" is now on iTunes, and while linking to it on Twitter, Mariah wrote, "Find out what the hashtag means :)." Fans who download the song will hear very clearly that Miguel is singing "f" word -- the adjective form, to be precise -- before he sings "beautiful." So now you know.
Speaking of hashtags, Mariah is asking fans to use them to help name the puppies that her dog, Squeak E. Beans, just gave birth to, much to the singer's surprise.
As Mariah wrote on Facebook, "I promise I was told she was spayed! Ugh!" But she added that the pups are "irresistible," and invites fans to suggest names via Twitter using the hashtag #namedempuppies. There are two males and a female pup just waiting for their names, dahhhling.
Ray Mickshaw/FOXAmerican Idol loves to bring back its former contestants to perform on the show, but now, there's a possibility that the Fox show will bring back its alumni and sit them behind the judges' table.
New York magazine's Vulture column quotes people with "knowledge of the situation" as saying that serious consideration is being given to including former Idol contestants among the judges, or perhaps having an entire panel of former contestants. The sources claim that Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson have already been approached, while Clay Aiken's and Adam Lambert's names are also being mentioned.
One person who thinks bringing back former contestants as judges is a great idea is third place finisher Angie Miller. She tells ABC News Radio, "I've actually thought of that. People ask, 'Who'd you like to see as a judge?' and I always say, 'Someone who's been on American Idol,' and in the back of my mind, I'm like, 'Adam Lambert! Adam Lambert!'"
As you'll recall, Angie performed with Adam on the finale, and she says the experience was a highlight. "He's great. I loved singing with him and we just, like, clicked when we met. He's awesome," she tells ABC News Radio. In fact, Adam's has already served as a mentor for Angie's post-Idol career.
"He's helped me out so much, even with the business side of things...just telling me what he did," Angie tells ABC News Radio. "He's definitely helped me and I have a feeling we're gonna work together in the future."
Of course, reports about contestant judges haven't been confirmed by Fox, but there's plenty of time for the network to decide what it wants to do to boost the show's sagging ratings. As Vulture points out, this season's judging panel of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson wasn't officially announced until mid-September of last year.
Facebook.com/TeenChoiceAwardsThe first wave of the Teen Choice Awards nominations have been announced, with Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, Phillip Phillips and Pink among this year's nominees.
Bruno is up for Choice Male Artist and Choice R&B Artist. In that first category, he's competing against Phillip Phillips, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake and rapper Pitbull. Taylor is up for Choice Female Artist, along with Rihanna and Pink.
But it's the category of Choice Smile that'll probably be the most awkward for Taylor: she's competing against not one, but two of her exes: One Direction's Harry Styles and Taylor Lautner. To make matters worse, one of her best friends, singer and actress Selena Gomez, is also in that category.
Maroon 5 is up for Choice Music Group, going up against fun. and boy bands Big Time Rush, One Direction and The Wanted. The Lumineers are also nominated in the category of Choice Rock Group.The Teen Choice Awards will air August 11, live on Fox from 8-10 p.m. ET. Starting now, fans ages 13-19 can vote once a day in each category for their favorite Teen Choice 2013 nominees at TeenChoiceAwards.com. More nominees in categories like Choice Song and Choice Album will be announced in the coming weeks.Here are the nominees in most of the music categories:
Choice Male ArtistJustin BieberBruno MarsPhillip PhillipsPitbullJustin Timberlake Choice Female ArtistSelena GomezDemi LovatoPinkRihannaTaylor Swift Choice Music GroupBig Time Rushfun.Maroon 5One DirectionThe Wanted
Choice SmileSelena GomezTaylor LautnerDemi LovatoHarry StylesTaylor Swift Choice R&B Artist BeyoncéAlicia KeysBruno MarsMiguelTrey Songz
Ray Mickshaw / FOXEach year on American Idol, at least one contestant ends up with a nickname, usually bestowed upon them by Ryan Seacrest or, occasionally, one of the judges. This year, it was runner-up Kree Harrison who hit the nickname jackpot: She'll now and forever be known as "Kreedom," thanks to judge Nicki Minaj. Kree says she doesn't mind -- and she also likes all the other variations she's heard on her unusual name this season.
"I think all of the Kree nicknames are funny," she told ABC News Radio backstage at Live with Kelly & Michael. "There's, like, 'Kree-per,' that's my favorite. 'Kree-ture,' 'Kree-ation,' 'In-Kree-Dible,' there's so many. But yeah, my family calls me Kree-dom now! I'm like, 'What?'"
As for whether or not she felt honored that she was the only contestant who Nicki proposed to, and the only one the judge called her "wife," Kree laughed and said, "Of course! Yeah, we've been engaged since Vegas!"
While Kree says that singing in front of the likes of Nicki, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban every week was great, she wasn't necessarily starstruck by them. In fact, she says there's only one person who appeared on Idol all season who she truly couldn't believe she got to meet: Motown legend Smokey Robinson.
"I was geeking out," Kree said of meeting Smokey. "I've never been starstruck in my life. I've lived in Nashville for 13 years; I've met a lot of people. I got to stand in front of Mariah Carey and she literally told me [she liked my singing]...I don't know, that was weird." But meeting Smokey, Kree says, was different.
"I was just, I was floored by what was happening. Yeah, I'm a huge fan," she says.
While Kree was also a fan of all four judges, and is happy she was one of the last two people ever to be critiqued by the departing Randy Jackson, she says she has no clue who should join the panel next season.
"I don't know. I mean, just the fact that, like, those four, this last season [were] so different, I feel like [the producers] know what they're doing. I think it's going to be awesome to figure out who it's going to be."
You can catch Kree on the upcoming American Idols Live tour, which kicks off at the end of next month.
Facebook.com/MichaelBubleMichael Buble's been famous for 10 years now, and you'd think that all that fame -- and fortune -- would have brought him contentment. But while he's deliriously happy now, thanks to his marriage and his baby on the way, he tells Vanity Fair that for a long time, he was extremely unhappy, mostly due to his insecurity.
"I was not a happy man for many years. Insecure. I never thought I could hold a relationship. No way," he reveals. "Because how could anyone love me if I didn’t? That sounds like a shrink would say it, but it’s the truth."
So what changed? Michael points to a "harsh public breakup" -- possibly referring to his split with actress Emily Blunt -- as forcing him to wake up and realize that he needed to pull himself together. "I was f***ing heartbroken; I had no confidence," he reveals.
Michael admits, "I kept saying to myself, 'You're young, Mike. You're young, and you'll make mistakes and you'll have time to change these things.' Then I started to realize, 'You know what, dude? You're not a kid anymore. You're now in your mid...30s. You have these things inside you, but you ignore them. You push them aside, and you don't want to admit these things to yourself.'"
Eventually, Michael says, it was reading a book called The Power of Now that changed his life.
"I started reading it, and I believed in it," he explains. "I started practicing it, and it was as simple as just being in the moment and being thankful for what I had and every day trying to be grateful and to try to work on myself. It was such a slow process, but it changed my life."
The book, once recommended by Oprah Winfrey, advises readers that they can be transformed simply by becoming deeply conscious of the present moment, or what the author calls "the Now."
Michael tells Vanity Fair, "Literally, if you talk to my mom and dad, they'll tell you that I'm a different son. I'm present."
Kris Connor/Getty ImagesCarole King will receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the White House on Wednesday. On the eve of that event, she was celebrated at the Library of Congress with a concert featuring Colbie Caillat and other artists.
King remarked at the Tuesday night concert, “The greatest joy for me is to hear someone interpret my song.” She performed herself, too, entertaining those in attendance with “Now and Forever” and “You’ve Got a Friend."
King also acknowledged the victims of the Oklahoma tornado, saying she would "keep them in our prayers."
On Wednesday night, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will salute King as part of the latest edition of the “In Performance at the White House” series. King, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Gloria Estefan and Trisha Yearwood are among the artists who will perform. The concert will be streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov/Live beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Facebook.com/BonJoviJustin Bieber's recent plea at the Billboard Music Awards for people to focus solely on his music and not the other "bull" that surrounds him evidently didn't reach the ears of Jon Bon Jovi. In a new interview, the Bon Jovi frontman warns Justin that if he doesn't do right by his fans, he runs the risk of being seen as an "a**hole."
While speaking with the British paper the Evening Standard, Jon was asked to comment on the fact that Justin angered some of his fans earlier this year by showing up 40 minutes late to a London concert, blaming his tardiness on technical issues. Jon responded that artists who show up late to shows "run the risk of disrespecting their audience members who have worked hard to pay for their ticket, to give you the permission to take two or three hours of their lives -- or in that kid's case, 80 minutes of their lives."
He added, "Do it once, you can be forgiven. Do it enough times and shame on you. They won't have you back. Then it just becomes a cliché. It’s really not cool -- you're an a**hole. Go to f***in' work!"
Jon also discussed the uncomfortable situation he's currently in: having to explain why Richie Sambora has left the band's tour, with no hint as to when he'll be back.
"It’s getting more and more difficult every day to not just sit here and say something... Because all I can say is this -- it's for personal reasons," Jon told the paper. "You have a choice -- you either figure it out, go and grow, not only survive but thrive. Or, you say, 'I hate my brother and I'm gonna quit the band.' "
NBCThe odds of a Shakira or Usher protégé winning The Voice are pretty slim after Tuesday night's results show.
Team Shakira’s Kris Thomas and Team Usher's Josiah Hawley were eliminated, leaving eight artists still standing in the competition. Amber Carrington of Team Adam Levine and The Swon Brothers of Team Blake Shelton were both saved in the final minutes of the results show.
Usher and Shakira's teams each have only one artist left: Michelle Chamuel and Sasha Allen, respectively. This is Usher and Shakira's first season as a Voice coach.
The telecast began with host Carson Daly again sending the show's thoughts and prayers to the victims of the Oklahoma tornado. He then introduced Blake, who was born and raised in Oklahoma, and Blake's wife, Miranda Lambert. Together, they performed a song they co-wrote and was recorded by Miranda, "Over You."
Red Cross donation information appeared on the screen during the couple's performance.
Later on in the show, Shakira joined her artists for a rendition of The Pretenders' "I'll Stand by You"; Usher took the stage with his artists for a cover of Dusty Springfield's "The Look of Love"; Team Blake, without their coach, sang Alabama's "Mountain Music"; and Team Adam, sans the Maroon 5 frontman, performed The Kiki Dee Band's "I've Got the Music in Me."
The live playoffs roll on next Monday night on NBC.
Samir Hussein/Redferns via Getty ImagesDespite the fact that George Michael's rep said the singer only suffered "superficial cuts and bruises" in a car crash last week, he's still in the hospital, reports the BBC.
George was a passenger in a Range Rover that was involved in a car accident in the U.K. last Thursday, and he was found on the road by paramedics, the BBC says. He was then airlifted to a medical center in London.
The spokeswoman confirmed to the BBC that George was still in the hospital, and added, "We are keen to stress it's purely as a precaution for observation. He did suffer a couple of bumps and bruises to the head, and that's why they are keeping him in -- to keep an eye on him."
She added, "He is doing better. He is making good progress and is looking forward to getting out."
But the British paper The Sun paints a more serious picture of the accident, which did not involve a third party. A driver on the scene, who was forced to hit the brakes when she saw George in the road, tells the paper, "I saw blood everywhere and a man on the ground...I asked what had gone on and was told he tried to open the car door and shut it again because it wasn’t shut properly and apparently fell out at 70 mph."
She added, "There was a nasty cut on his forehead and the back of his head. There was blood all down his face and on his teeth. He was breathing and conscious but in shock...He was lucky he didn’t die.”
The hit-making singer appears to have nine lives. According to Billboard, in 2004, he was involved in two car accidents, and another one in 2006. His license was yanked in 2007, but when it was restored, he got into another accident: In 2010, the car he was driving slammed into a photo processing store in London. He was then sentenced to eight weeks in prison after a judge found he'd been driving under the influence of pot and prescription medication.
In addition, in 2011, George suffered a bout of pneumonia that nearly killed him, and then last year canceled a tour due to "major anxiety," a side effect of that near-death experience.
Sara De Boer/Startraks Photo via ABCMadonna's MDNA tour, which just won her the Top Touring Artist honor at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night, is coming to DVD in September.
That's according to the star herself, who told Billboard that despite rumors she's been working on a new album, "I just finished editing the DVD of my concert, so I haven't had any free time."
Speaking with Extra, Madonna said she loved her MDNA tour because two of her four children got to be a part of the production. "To me that’s my idea of fun, to be creative, to do what I love to do and see my kids working around me and earning their way in life," she explained. "My daughter [Lourdes] worked in the costume department, and she loved it. My son [Rocco] was in the show, and he loved it.”
If you can't wait until September for the MDNA tour DVD, the concert will air on EPIX on June 22. There's a trailer for it online now.
Madonna also told Extra a funny story about posing for a photo with Kim Kardashian at the star-studded Met Gala earlier this month. It turns out it isn't the first time that Madonna met the reality star, who's expecting a baby with boyfriend Kanye West.
"I met her years and years ago when she was a little girl, believe it or not," Madonna laughed. "She told me she was a huge fan of mine, and it was during the time I was wearing all of the rubber bracelets on my arms. I took off all of the bracelets and gave them to her and then I completely forgot about it. She reminded me when I saw her the other night. Now she's a pregnant lady!"
Courtesy: Katy PerryDo Twilight fans have Katy Perry to blame for the breakup of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson? One source says yes, in a way.
The two stars reportedly split over the past few days, when Pattinson was spotted moving out of Stewart's house, according to E! And a source tells E! that Katy, who's been friendly with the couple for a long time, "played a role, as one of many reasons" in the breakup. For example, earlier this month, Katy and Pattinson were spotted leaving the Met Gala in New York City together.
However, K-Stew's cheating scandal with her Snow White & the Huntsman director may also have contributed to the split, according to E!. People had reported that Kristen and Robert had already been fighting a lot and not spending any time together. Meanwhile, Katy's been vacationing with friends in the Bahamas.
Coyright 2013 ABC News Radio
Oklahoma County SheriffSince a devastating tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday, killing at least 24 people, the world has taken to Twitter to express their support, prayers for love, and to talk about how people can help. Among those reacting were many of music's top stars. Here's a roundup of some of their thoughts:
Rob Thomas: "Please send thoughts, prayers, blood and donations to Oklahoma. Truly devastating and heartbreaking."
Cher, who celebrated her birthday on Monday: "My birthday was joyous! Family came over..Oh The CAKE ! 1 thing made my day sad..the devastation in Oklahoma ! We need 2 say prayers 4 Them"Katy Perry: "Sending out prayers for the people of Oklahoma tonight. Let's help, just text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate 10 dollars to those in need."
Josh Groban: "Just woke up in Finland to the devastating updates on the news. Just heartbreaking. Stay strong, Oklahoma."
Nicki Minaj: "Love to Oklahoma"
Alicia Keys: "So much going on in the world...I'm saddened by the devastating news… My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected #PrayForOklahoma"
Sara Bareilles: "My heart breaks for what's happened. Sending love. Text REDCROSS to 90999 or there's a list of others, http://cbsn.ws/12I3xUz"
Sheryl Crow: "Reading the news & continue to pray for the missing in Oklahoma, especially the school children, and all those affected. #Oklahoma"
Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, who's originally from Oklahoma: My heart goes out to the people in Oklahoma affected by this insane storm. So close to where I grew up, I can't believe the devastation
Fergie: Sending thoughts & prayers out 2 the families impacted by today's tornado in OKC. My heart is w/ u. #PrayForOklahomaDavid Cook, who lived in Tulsa, OK, for a time: "Hope everyone in Oklahoma stays safe and out of harm's way."Ricky Martin: "My heart goes out to everyone affected by the devastating #Oklahoma City #tornado. Sending love."Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean: "My prayers go out to all the people of Oklahoma who have lost a loved one to this horrible tornado deal! Time to rebuild so help if u can!"Michelle Branch: "I just heard the news about Oklahoma. So devastating. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to help tornado victims."
Simon Cowell: "Oh my god. Just read about Oklahoma. My thoughts and prayers to everyone affected."
Maroon 5 Press Here PublicityMaroon 5 has rescheduled several upcoming European tour dates due to what the band describes as "unforeseen scheduling conflicts."
Adam Levine and company were supposed to visit the U.K., Scotland, Ireland, France and the Netherlands in late June and early July. Those dates have now been postponed until next January.
Robin Thicke will appear at the rescheduled shows, which you can review on Maroon5.com.
Adam says in a statement, "We are truly sorry for any inconvenience we have caused our European fans and promise that when we come over in January we will put on a show to remember!"
Maroon 5's joint U.S. tour with Kelly Clarkson, which launches in August, remains unaffected.
Facebook.com/BonJoviBon Jovi is currently out on the European leg of their Because We Can world tour, and they've still got a long way to go. After Europe, they'll play the U.K., then return to the U.S. for summer stadium dates, and then they head to Brazil and Australia. But no matter where the band plays, the one thing that strikes Jon Bon Jovi about the fans in the audience every night is their ages: young, old and everything in between.
Describing Bon Jovi fans as "multi-generational," Jon tells ABC News Radio that he's proud of the group's broad appeal, especially since they've been making records for decades.
"We've been around for 30 years and we're doing the kind of business that we do out on the road...we're very lucky. We're very blessed," he says, adding, "I think this is that kind of a band that has crossed to a place where the songs are both your parents' songs and your songs."
Attempting to explain this concept, Jon points to the Rolling Stones, who of course have been around a lot longer than Bon Jovi, but whose songs also have staying power.
"Those songs are just a part of the patchwork of what is pop culture. And you just think that they've always been around and that band has always been around," Jon tells ABC News Radio. "And so we've been around long enough that songs like 'Livin' on a Prayer,' 'Wanted Dead or Alive'... those are in the vernacular now. They're just a part of the patchwork of pop culture. And your mom might know it as well as you do because it's been on the radio for 27 years."
Bon Jovi performs in Oslo, Norway Tuesday night. There's still no word as to when guitarist Richie Sambora will rejoin the tour, if at all. He recently wrote on Twitter, regarding his absence, "Thanks 4 your notes & concerns. I'm doing f**king great. This is a private matter but please know I love the band and you fans!"
Facebook.com/MadonnaMadonna has been announced as a presenter for an upcoming concert in London promoting improved education, health and justice for women and girls around the world.
The concert, dubbed The Sound of Change Live, will be presented by Gucci’s Chime for Change organization at Twickenham Stadium on June 1. The lineup includes Beyonce, Ellie Goulding and Florence + the Machine.
Madonna says in a statement, "60 percent of the children in the world NOT in school, are girls! 2/3 of the world's illiterate are WOMEN! I Do NOT accept this. We need to change this and we WILL CHANGE THIS!"
More information on the concert is available at ChimeforChange.org.
NBCThe top 10 artists on The Voice returned to the stage Monday night as the live playoffs continued.
For the first time since the battle rounds, each team’s mentor dropped by rehearsals to dispense advice. Blake Shelton reunited with Sheryl Crow; Adam Levine was again joined by Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott; Usher invited back Pharrell Williams; and Shakira brought in Cee Lo Green, a coach on the first three seasons of The Voice, who stepped in for usual mentor Joel Madden. The Good Charlotte member couldn’t make it due to his commitment to the Australian version of The Voice.
At the start of the broadcast, host Carson Daly acknowledged the tornado that struck the Oklahoma City area on Monday, killing dozens. He sent prayers to all those affected, then asked Blake, an Oklahoma native, for his thoughts. Blake said his family is safe, but it was difficult for him to do the show while Oklahoma residents are dealing with the aftermath of the tornado.
Multiple times during the broadcast, social media correspondent Christina Milian encouraged viewers to make a donation to the Red Cross.
Holly Tucker of Team Blake was the first performer of the night. The country singer showed off a different side of herself with the hymn "How Great Thou Art." Usher said he enjoyed what he heard, but it was a departure from what he expected. Blake, presumably referring to the devastation in Oklahoma, said it was an appropriate song choice because it expresses faith and hope.
Judith Hill, a former background singer for the late Michael Jackson, was brought to tears when she found out her coach Adam had assigned her the pop icon’s hit "The Way You Make Me Feel." Her rendition was more of a jazzy number at first before staying true to the original version. Usher said it made him remember how much he misses Michael. Adam noted that the audience was very receptive to Judith’s homage to a musician to whom she felt close.
The Swon Brothers of Team Blake, who are from Oklahoma, told Carson Daly that their family is OK, and that they send their thoughts and prayers to the tornado victims. They sang Randy Houser’s “How Country Feels,” to Blake’s approval.
Adam selected Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway” for Amber Carrington because, he believes, she can cross over from pop to country, just like the American Idol season-one winner. As it happens, Adam’s band, Maroon 5, is touring with Kelly this summer. Blake said it was a smart decision by Adam to move Amber into Kelly Clarkson territory. Adam said Amber proved that she has a strong voice.
Team Shakira’s Sasha Allen tackled “Next to Me,” by Scottish R&B star Emeli Sande. Usher said he was happy to see Sasha having fun on stage. Shakira added that she was proud that Sasha showed how versatile she can be.
Josiah Hawley, one of two remaining Usher protégés, performed “Clocks,” by Coldplay. Shakira suggested that it was too much of a challenge to channel Coldplay because they have such a distinct sound. In addition, Adam thought Josiah’s performance was shaky in spots, but Usher reassured his artist that he will continue to “nurture that voice.”
Sixteen-year-old Danielle Bradbery of Team Blake was given "Heads Carolina, Tails California" by Jo Dee Messina. Blake said she is so carefree, and that she can deliver a country lyric that audiences can relate to.
Team Shakira’s Kris Thomas, who described himself as the only male R&B artist left in the competition, covered the Miguel hit “Adorn.” Adam liked the performance but warned that Kris seems to be overthinking things at times -- an opinion that Usher shared. Shakira scoffed at the criticism, saying Kris has a unique voice.
Sarah Simmons told her coach, Adam, that she’d performed so many ballads on the show that she wanted to try something different. She ended up with “Mamma Knows Best,” by Jessie J. Blake said Sarah turned a corner by displaying a rock ‘n’ roll edge. Adam declared it to be the performance of the night.
Michelle Chamuel of Team Usher closed the show with Pink’s “Just Give Me a Reason.” Adam said all of the coaches are proud of Michelle. In a nod to Adam and Adam’s critique of Sarah Simmons, Usher said Michelle delivered the best performance of the night.
Also on Monday’s show, Adam and his Maroon 5 band mates performed their new single, “Love Somebody.” You can watch the video for the song at NBC.com.
Two artists will be eliminated on the results show, airing Tuesday night on NBC at 9 p.m. Eastern time.