The American Idol winner and runner-up weren’t the only bold-faced names to appear backstage at the Nokia Theater last night. EW also caught up with singers Cyndi Lauper, Jason Mraz, and Queen Latifah as they made their press rounds during the live telecast. Here are the highlights of what they had to say:
Cyndi Lauper, who performed "Time After Time" with Allison Iraheta: I tried to create a little band. I rocked it a little for [Allison], becauseshe has that rock-and-roll voice and it’s a really neat voice. Youknow, it’s hard to do that [show]. I probably would never been anybody if Ihad to come through Idol. I don’t think Bob Dylan would’ve either! It’sreally hard what they’re doing, so I give them all props. [Allison's] aterrific little singer. She should have a record deal, that’s a nobrainer. Oh, I shouldn’t say ‘no brainer.’ I hate that expression!
Jason Mraz, who performed "I’m Yours" with Anoop Desai and Alexis Grace, backed by their fellow Idols: I did see the [Top 36] group performance of "I’m Yours." I didn’t think my song could be embraced in this forum, and at that scale. I was really moved. It was inspiring! I haven’t really seen this season. Last week, I saw a Kris Allen performance, because, you know, he keeps getting referred to as Jason Mraz-y. So I checked it out; I thought he was fantastic. He holds his instruments well; he’s really with them.
Luckily, I’m not a contestant, because these kids go through some serious stuff here…. I felt judged [while performing], first of all. Simon was looking down. I said, Oh man, this is hell for these kids. What if your life depended on the outcome of what these judges say? Also, for me, that version of "I’m Yours" was the most amped, energetic version I’ve ever been a part of. We do it a little more laid back; the key’s a lot lower. So to be up there without my own instrument, just get into it, it was actually quite freeing. My favorite part, though? Coming down the steps. Never in my life have I had a chance to do that.
addCredit(“Ray Mickshaw/Fox(2); Kevin Winter/American Idol/Getty Images”)
Queen Latifah, who performed her new single "Cue the Rain" with Lil Rounds: We submitted a few songs from the new album [out July 7]. [The producers] liked all three, but they felt "Cue the Rain" would be perfect forLil Rounds and myself to do. So we just practiced, and I hired somedancers to spruce it up, make it really fun and edgy, and she deliveredand I delivered.
Lil Rounds really brought the soul to the show from a blackperspective. It was funny, because there were so many white guys on theshow who had soul! Danny was one of my favorites early on. I reallythought he’d make it to the finals, because I watched him own thatMichael Jackson night. Pretty much nobody else on stage was ascomfortable on stage doing those songs.
[On a nearby monitor, Latifah sees Adam come on stage in his Kiss performance outfit] There’s myguy! He is rocking out! It’s like David Bowie reincarnated! I live forit. It’s like Ziggy Stardust meets 2009. Wooooo!
More on the American Idol finale:
Kris Allen talks Queen, Adam Lambert, and, oh yeah, winning ‘American Idol’
Adam Lambert after the ‘American Idol’ finale: ‘I’m really happy for Kris’
Kris Allen wins ‘American Idol’: We live-blogged it!
Michael Slezak recaps the ‘American Idol’ finale
Whitney Pastorek on the scene at the ‘American Idol’ finale
Demand American Idol adopts Fair Voting: One Phone = One Vote.
Surge of underdog votes, it’s not THAT unexpected. Let it go; Adam’ll be fine. So will Kris. They’re both deserve success, and this way they’ll both find it.
ON Topic: LOVED the Allison/Cyndi duet.
Heh, I think maybe Queen Latifah got her names mixed up. Adam was the one who owned Michael Jackson week, and then she refers to Adam when he comes out on stage. Oh, well. Your heart is in the right place, QL!
Loved Jason Mraz’s comments–good for him!! He has such a HUGE fan base, and the fact that he appreciated his song being sung in a choir format, and the walk down the stairs, proves he is still down-to-earth. And Latifah’s the woman!!
No, Danny also owned Michael J night– his performance of “PYT” was so great. Simon making fun of his dancing doesn’t change that!
Wow, Queen Latifah has never looked fatter. The only watchable segment last night was KISS.
Very good show . Adam should have won ! What a joke ! His performance with Kiss was awesome ! Allison & Cyndi Lauper were great ! Danny showed how great his voice is ! They need to have 3 in the finals ! Change it up Idol !
Allison really is a terrific little singer Cyndi. That was a fantastic performance. This girl definitely has a great career ahead of her.
I appreciated Queen Latifah & Cyndi Lauper for giving props to the idols they performed with and I wish Jason Mraz would have done the same for Anoop & Alexis, instead of just talking about himself, but maybe he’s less experienced at this kind of performance & didn’t think about that.
I think Anoop should have gotten more solo time in the show, since his voice is awesome and he placed higher than Lil (and Matt if they hadn’t “saved” him).
ATTENTION JEFF W.: My cousin is beautiful both inside and out. I’d like to see all the charity work you’ve done for complete strangers as well as the accomplishments you’ve made in your jealous life. Shut the F*** Up and go back to liquor bottle in the cave you crawled out of.
I loved the Allison Iraheta/Cyndi Lauper duet. Was unbelievable how well they melded their voices together. They were totally in sync. Allison can sing anything and with anyone!! Allison knows how to sing with a partner in a way that complements both. The Adam/Allison duet and this one are my favorites of the season.
That was the Best Finalee EVER! All those performances were awesome! WAHHHOOOOO! The Best was Kara (and i really cant stand her) and bikini girl! Man did kara show her up! Singing & body! WAHHHOOOOO
Grade for the overall show = C
Queen and Lil – first I didn’t recognize the song, but it fit both of their voices; B
Anoop & Jason – B
Santana – A-
Black Eyed Peas – A+ they really rocked
Rod Stewart – F; what the F** was he thinking? Was he drunk?
Lionel Richie & Danny – forgettable; C I expected more from Lionel.
Predictions: Adam is so loved, he can perform anything with anybody. He accomplished what he set out to do.
Prediction: Kris = David Cook Lite. 19E/R will destroy his career and he will have to break free.
Prediction: Allison, see above. 19E/R will give her a boost, but then a better management company will grab her.
Prediction: Lil Rounds – back to Memphis and the local bars
Alexis – ditto, see above
Anoop — the College tour, a CD that will go nowhere.
Danny — the sky’s the limit. Eyeglass endorsements. Christian CDs, standards Cds.
Remember you read it here.
(cont).
Adam & Kiss – fun & in his element; A-
Tatiana — oh how we miss you; please AI hire Tatiana to be a spokesperson and get rid of that Mikalah girl.
Jorge – oohlala, miss you sexy beast.
Did anybody notice Carly Smithson? What happened to her? She looked “plain”.
Allison and Cindi were awesome.
…and the voting is fair. If voters are will to spend money of texting and calls, they will go out and buy the CDs. Being passionate should count, too.