“American Idol” alums are making music news, but not all of it good. But, let’s start with the good first.
Blake Lewis, last season’s runner-up (behind winner Jordin Sparks) has announced that his debut album, titled “Audio Day Dream,” will be released tomorrow, December 4. The first single off the album “Break Anotha” was co-written by One Republic’s Ryan “Alias” Tedder, Sam Watters and Blake. It was produced by Tedder (Timbaland, Leona Lewis).
Of the album, Blake says” This album is exactly how I wanted it to come out. It’s like an ’80s mix tape, with some hip-hop and electronic influences. I wanted to make a record where every song sounds like it could be on the radio, but my radio. 2000-’80s Blake radio is what I call it.”
The third place finisher of season five, Elliott Yamin, has released a new Christmas album. It was released only in Target stores and the album is a part of the NBC Sounds of the Season holiday collection. The album is a mixture of classics such as “Little Drummer Boy” and original tunes such as “Let’s Be Naughty (And Save Santa the Trip.”
Now for the not so good news from Idol alums. Last year’s winner, Jordin Sparks, just released her self-titled debut album to less than stellar sales. The album returned the lowest first week numbers of any Idol winner’s debut. It entered the chart at #10, but sold only 119,100 its first week.
But that news is not nearly as bad as the news for Idol contestant Jessica Sierra. The season four tenth place finisher is in a downward spiral, which might just lead to prison time.
On November 19, 2007, she was sentenced to 12 months probation for possession of cocaine and a battery charge. She was arrested again last Saturday (December 1) for two misdemeanors – disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest without violence. But, because she was on parole, she must now face sentencing for the first offense.
According to TMZ, she was told by a Hillsborough County judge that she faced “11 years and 60 days in Florida prison.” Sierra was in a California rehab center in July as part of the reality show “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.”