American Idol’s Pia Toscano Finally Signs Record Deal with Jimmy Iovine and Interscope Records

American Idol contestant Pia Toscano can finally say she has a record deal.

After Pia’s shocking elimination from American Idol it was announced that she had signed a record deal but her reps later said it was all just rumor.

Today, Jimmy Iovine and his Interscope Records announced that Pia Toscano has officially signed to the label and is now under management with Red Light Management.

Ex-Idol contestants Haley Reinhart and James Durbin are also under contract with Red Light.

Related: Did AI’s James Durbin Really Get Arrested?

Toscano’s first single, “This Time” has already been recorded and is set to release on July 15, 2011.

“Pia has been working with several artists and producers including Rock Mafia and is proud of her first single “This Time”. We look forward to a long relationship with Pia, and other Idol contestants.”

Pia was a viewer favorite before being booted from the show before Stefano Langone. There were also subsequent tales of a romance between the two.

Related: Pia and Stefano share off-set excitement

If you recall, Jimmy Iovine played a crucial role in last season’s Idol competition. It was speculated that any good talent would be snapped up by his Interscope records after the season was completed.

Pia told reporters after the announcement,

"I'm looking forward to working with him and everyone at Interscope Records and 19 Recordings. This is a dream come true."

She also said she will have a new album out before the end of the year and it will be a “huge, big diva sounding album.”

Watch Pia Toscano and Lauren Alaina Backstage Interview


Jimmy Iovine and Interscope also represent 50 Cent, Travis Barker, The Black Eyed Peas, Greyson Chance, Mary J. Blige, P. Diddy, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fergie, Lady Gaga, new Kids on the Block, Pussycat Dolls, Soulja Boy, Sting, Timbaland, U2, Will.i.am, and others.

Pia seems to be in good company with Jimmy and we can’t wait to hear what she has to bring to the table.

Go get ‘em Pia.

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Charlie Sheen Roast on Comedy Central – Are We Ready for That? Do We Care? - Video

It hasn’t even been a year since our favorite warlock Charlie Sheen melted our hearts by appearing on every media outlet known to man to vent his drugged up ego.

Now, Comedy Central has announced that Sheen will be the focus of their latest comedy roast due to air this Fall.

We’ve already seen the roasts of Donald Trump, Pamela Anderson, Hue Heffner, William Shatner, David Hasselhoff, and others – but is it too soon to roast Uncle Charley?

Related: Two and a Half Men Bloopers and Out Takes

Normally, Comedy Central selects people who seem to have reached the “D-List” status of their careers and carry tons of public baggage and a wee bit of public disdain.

But what can be said about Sheen that hasn’t already been said?

We have a pretty good idea of how it will go down, and an even better idea how it all came about.

Remember Charlie’s “Live Torpedo of Truth – Defeat is Not an Option” tours he hosted shortly after being fired from “Two and a Half Men”?

Well, good friend and senior roaster Jeffrey Ross was on the road with Sheen and the two developed a routine where Ross roasted Sheen during every show.

Some fans said that portion of his show is what saved it from being a total train wreck.

Watch Charlie Sheen Get Roasted by Jeffrey Ross


Since Ross is a big dog at the Comedy Central roasts, it was a perfect fit to have Charlie be the next inductee.

There is also a bit of irony that seems a little bit more than coincidence. The Comedy Central Roast is scheduled to air the SAME night as the new season premiere of “Two and a Half Men” with new co-star Ashton Kutcher.

Related: Ashton Kutcher joins new Two and a Half Men

Call it a jab at “Men” producer Chuck Lorre, or just good marketing, but all eyes will be on the ratings to see who wins the time-slot.

Sheen does however make a perfect roast participant, and we’re sure it will be one of the better shows depending who is on the stage with him.

We’re ready for it, so as Charlie himself would say – “Bring it Comedy Central”

Follow InfoStar of Twitter – we won’t roast you..

Dani Shay Going to Hollywood Round on America’s Got Talent - Video

Congratulations to Dani Shay!

Dani is the 22-year-old Justin Bieber look-a-like that comes from Orlando Florida and impressed the AGT judges in Houston.

Last month Dani wowed the America’s Got Talent judges during auditions by joking about how she looks like Justin Bieber, and belting out her own rendition of his pop tune “Baby” – it was classic!

Related: Was that Justin Bieber on AGT? – Video

But during last night’s callback auditions Dani almost blew it.

After starting her latest audition with an original song “Super Hero’s”, Piers warned her that singing original music was a terrible mistake and may cost her in the end.

Indeed it was a mistake.

After stumbling threw a few bars, Shay’s nerves got the best of her and she choked and had to stop the song, at one point looking like she was getting ready to pass out.

But the judges saw something they liked in the singer and they gave her another chance later in the show.

After sending her backstage, Dani quickly learned “Trouble” by Ray LaMontagne and got another chance in front of the judges.

And it paid off.

While the show only seemed to play a portion of her audition the bottom line results were positive and Dani Shay is going to Hollywood and will be part of the live shows!

And we have to agree about her decision to play an original song. We found her tune “Super Hero’s” on her YouTube channel and are glad she decided to go with a more recognizable song.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that…….

Watch Dani Shay Sing Super Hero


But this whole issue does bring up a potential problem for Shay.

If Dani doesn’t know a lot of good cover songs she may have trouble going the distance and winning the grand prize.

Let’s hope she’s a fast learner.

InfoStar is rooting for you Dani!

And at least she takes the attention away from the feuding Howie and Piers.

Related: Is AGT turning into the new Gong Show?

Seriously, do Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan really hate each other that much? Dial it back guys – it’s about the contestants, not you judges.

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Justin Bieber Magazine Sales Bomb – Is His Star Fading?

I guess there comes a time when every good thing starts to fade away...

But is Justin Bieber’s popularity starting to slow?

If you look at his magazine sales over the last year you might think so.

Bieber’s Vanity Fair cover and accompanying article earlier this year was the worst selling monthly cover in over a decade of the magazines history. His edition only sold 246,000 copies according to AdWeek – 50 percent less than most issues.

Ok, so it didn’t sell well - after all, VF is a publication targeted to adult females and covers very mature topics. It’s not Teen Beat, Bop, or Tiger Beat.

One editor joked, ““Who knew 12-year-olds didn’t buy magazines?”

Watch Behind the Scenes At Vanity Fair with Justin Bieber


Unfortunately the problem doesn’t stop with Vanity Fair.

In fact, his October 2010 Teen Vogue cover only sold 121,054 issues, almost 12 percent below the magazine’s usual monthly sales volume.

To make matters worse, his April 2010 cover of People Magazine sold just 961,762 copies – twenty-five percent less than normal issues, and the third worst cover of 2010.

So what.

Just because an artist doesn’t sell magazines doesn’t mean he or she is starting to fade. Bieber has conquered almost every aspect of our existing culture and is worth an estimated $150 million dollars.

He must be doing something right.

With a new album coming out later this year, the recent launch of his “Someday” perfume, a multitude of awards, new tattoos, a 3D movie, and a recent music video with Chris Brown, the Bieb’s is showing that he is not going away quietly.

Video – Justin Bieber and producers talk about new album.

Time will tell – and later this month Justin will again appear on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, a historical hip musical publication.

Maybe he should stick to the music, perfume, and nail polish and leave the magazine covers to somebody else.

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FOX News Twitter Hacked – Announces Death of President Obama - Photo

Boy, when people say FOX News has made enemies they’re not kidding.

In what seems to be a pretty serious hack Monday morning of the news organizations twitter account @foxnewspolitics, hackers tweeted that President Barack Obama had been shot twice and killed.

The original FOX logo was altered and the text "H4CK3D BY TH3 5CR1PT K1DD3S" added.

The photo below shows the progression of the hoax, first saying the President had been assassinated by two gunshot wounds to the pelvic and neck area and bled out, and later congratulating Vice President Joe Biden in his new role as Commander in Chief.

The hackers said that Obama had been shot at Ross Restaurant in Iowa while on a campaign function, and later tweeted condolences to the country for the assassination that occurred on the fourth of July Holiday.

FOX later responded with a news release indicating they were aware of the problem saying,

“Fox News Twitter feed for political news was hacked early Monday morning.

Hackers sent out several malicious and false tweets claiming that President Obama had been assassinated. Those reports are incorrect, of course, and the president is spending the July 4 holiday with his family.

The hacking is being investigated, and FoxNews.com regrets any distress the false tweets may have created.”

We can only imagine the initial panic people felt after seeing the original comments and there was, indeed, quite a stir when this news broke.

Note to hackers:

Next time, please try to hack into Sarah Palins account – she needs to be knocked down a couple pegs.

Follow InfoStar on Twitter – no hacking allowed

Chord Overstreet Leaving Glee – Sam Evans Not Returning to McKinley High – Oh No!

Things are changing at McKinley High next season!

US Magazine is reporting that Chord Overstreet, who plays Sam Evans on Glee, will not be returning to the series this fall for season 3.

It seems it’s not as much as Overstreet is leaving on his own, but rather the producers decided not to renew the 22-year-old actors contract.

Glee creator Ryan Murphy created suspense last week when he said MOST of the students would be returning saying,

“The show to me is about the way you express yourself as you start to move out into the world as a fresh, young person. Do we really want to have an eight-year high school senior? The only way somebody could stay on the show is if they flunk, and that is always a possibility. I think Brittany is pulling straight F’s.”

Speculation ran wild among fans as they tried to figure out who would not be returning. Clues came last week when Chord sent out a tweet saying,

“It’s been a good year. Too bad it’s over. Time for summer and starting fresh.”

Bummer.

But what is bad for one cast member may be good for others as we hear that season 3 will move two smaller roles into full time mode.

Related: Massive Cast Shakeup at “Glee” - Rachel, Sam, Finn and Kurt Are Out!

Darren Criss, who plays gay Blaine, Kurt Hummel’s (Chris Colfer) not so secret man crush, will move into a fulltime role.

And so will Harry Shum Jr., who plays Mike.

Related: Chris Colfer Writing Movies for Disney Now

Chord, who was born in Nashville Tennessee, will continue to make an occasional guest appearance, and is currently filming “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” - A concert documentary shot during the “Glee Live! In Concert!” summer 2011 tour.

But don’t feel bad for Overstreet. He has already appeared on several television shows including “Private”, “iCarly”, and “No Ordinary Family.”

He also appeared in the 2011 Norwegian movie “A Warriors Heart” about a star Lacrosse who starts acting out in self-destructive ways that has his mom at her wit's end.

We think he will do just fine and probably has a ton of job offers just waiting for his approval.

Watch Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Chord Overstreet


And how did he get the name Chord anyway?

“My dad is in the music business in Nashville. I was the third child born in my family, and there are three notes in a chord, so that's how they came up with my name.”

You know what they say – art imitates life!

Follow InfoStar on Twitter – The perfect chord

Video - Justin Bieber Talks About His New Album – Producers Talk New Strategy

Justin Bieber is preparing his third studio album expected to drop sometime this November.

After the runaway success of his My World and remix EP’s, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

In fact, some insiders say that his new album titled “Believe” will be a defining moment for the young pop singer as his fans have grown older and are looking for more mature music.

Bieber told MTV last week at his “Someday” event at Macys,

“I want to work a lot with myself. And I want to write a lot myself. I will be working with a lot of other producers and stuff like that, but I’m just writing a lot, and I wrote a lot on tour. I'm writing about how I feel. I’ve been really into it and, hopefully, this next album will be huge.”

And the stakes are high for the superstar.

Insiders say his current fans have begun to tire of the “Baby” and “One Less Lonely Girl” type music and are looking for more mature vibes from the singer – think Justin Timberlake.

Remember “MMMBop” by Hanson? Heard it lately?

Justin needs to produce a record of NEW songs and not just rehash the old ones he already has with remixes and collaborations with hip hop stars.

He needs to bring his existing fans along for the ride, but also appeal to the 18-25 year old market. If this album flops, many think it may spell the end of his miraculous run.

MTV’s Jim Jonsin, who is currently working with Justin on his new album, says,

"For Bieber, I think I want to reach back to New Edition, those days. I want to try to do something like that - 'Please Don't Go Girl,' New Kids on the Block style - because the girls would go crazy. He needs a little bit of soul, R&B, and pop as well."

Watch Jim Jonsin talk about Justin's New Album

InfoStar can think of lots of New Kids on the Block, New Edition, or Kelly Rowland tunes that we think would suit Justin very well. But that’s not new material – and that’s what he needs now more than ever.

One message that seems to be heard loud and clear from his current fans is NO MORE RAP OR HIP HOP.

And insiders agree.

Many feel if Bieber strays to close to Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Kanye or Diddy, it will backfire big time with his fans. Just ask any Belieber you know and they will tell you they don’t want him to move into doing hip hop.

But it may be too late.

Some of his fans say that Bieber has changed as he has grown older and they don’t like what they see anymore.

After inking several new tattoos this spring, and his music video collaboration with Chris Brown on “Next 2 You”, his fans are starting to look for a new star to throw their fan power and purchasing muscle behind.

Related: Justin Bieber gets new Star tattoo – Photos
Related: Justin Bieber gets Hebrew tattoo - Photos

“This is natural. Artists grow and so do their fans. The trick is to not change too much while bringing new, more mature music to the scene. If you move in a direction your fans don’t like it can be over for you as quick as it started.”

Related: Justin Bieber and Chris Brown new music Video

Somehow we suspect Bieber will pull off another great album.

There are too many white hot song writers and producers willing to help make sure the new album is the best it can be. There is a lot riding on it for a whole lot of people so we’re pretty sure they will get it right.

“This is a make or break album for Bieber. He can’t get away with singing ‘Baby’ forever and his fans need new material. But he absolutely has to transition into a more mature genre without alienating his existing fans while at the same time bringing in new 18-25 year old fans. Producers have to find new fans who will fall in love with new Justin Bieber songs.”

And hey, if this music thing doesn’t work out for him he can still retire with what he already has – three albums, hit 3D movie, Someday Perfume, and every other merchandise tie-in you can imagine.

We think he’ll do the right thing.

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