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September 28, 2005 'idol' helps established stars too LOS ANGELES (AP) -- It turns unknowns into icons overnight - but "American Idol" isn't just for aspiring singers. With its unparalleled exposure - the weekly audience is usually somewhere north of 30 million viewers - "Idol" is now launching record sales of the established artists who appear as guests. As such, it has become a hot destination for music stars. Stevie Wonder and Shakira have appeared on recent programs, and veteran rocker Rod Stewart coached contestants on Tuesday's show and was set to sing on Wednesday's episode. "It's a great opportunity for artists to be on the show in front of tens of millions of people," said Fletcher Foster, senior vice president of marketing for Capitol Records. "There's not a venue like that for music acts except when you come to the Grammy Awards and CMAs. But here's one program a week when you can be in front of that many eyeballs." And those eyeballs are connected to wallets. Barry Manilow's "Greatest Songs of the Fifties" soared from No. 24 to No. 4 on the pop charts - a sales increase of 140 percent - following his March appearance on the program. Shakira's most recent album, "Oral Fixation Vol. 2," which was reissued with a new single shortly before her hip-shaking "Idol" performance, jumped from No. 98 to No. 6 on the Billboard charts. Artists have enjoyed sales boosts even when they didn't sing on the show, which began in June 2002, said Geoff Mayfield, senior analyst for Billboard magazine. Lionel Richie appeared as a guest judge during "Idol's" early days and saw sales of his greatest-hits collections shoot up, Mayfield said. In fact, stars don't even have to appear on "Idol" to enjoy a sales spike. Sales of two Keith Urban singles increased more than 20 percent after contestants performed the songs on the show, Foster said. "It's just those songs reaching a new audience," he said. Music stars started appearing on "Idol" during its second edition. LL Cool J, Brandy, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Gloria Estefan and record mogul Clive Davis are among the big names who've lent their star power to the show. No other weekly program promises such a massive audience of music fans, Mayfield said. "In this era, you don't really have a variety show in prime time," he said. "So even though it's a newfangled contraption, and more `Amateur Hour' than `Ed Sullivan,' `American Idol' is today's version of a variety show. It's a weekly vehicle, not a once-a-year shot like the Grammys." An "Idol" appearance can create its own media frenzy. After Kenny Rogers sang on the show two weeks ago, People magazine published a story about the country star, and radio stations added his new single to their playlists, Foster said. Shakira's appearance was pegged to the release of a new single, said Lois Najarian, senior vice president of publicity for Epic Records: "It's an ideal place for a music star to be." » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss September 23, 2005 paula abdul wins bet with simon cowell after emmy loss Paula Abdul is $1,000 better off, thanks to her TV show American Idol losing out on an Emmy Award. The Straight Up singer was certain her hit TV contest would not be victorious in the best reality competition show category at Sunday's (18SEP05) ceremony, while her fellow judge Simon Cowell begged to differ. But once the award went to The Amazing Race, Abdul was seen declaring backstage, "I just won $1,000." Cowell didn't attend the ceremony, as he was traveling in Italy. » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss September 16, 2005 paula abdul finds love Paula Abdul has found love with model Dante Spencer. American Idol judge Abdul, 43, met Spencer, 30, on a Hollywood dance floor just three months ago, and they're already smitten. Spencer says, "We were salsa dancing in LA at a club called Mood on Hollywood Boulevard. I saw her and went right up to her. Before I said one word, she turned around and said, 'Who are you?' And it's been great ever since. "It progressed slowly. We've been dating for a month and a half." Spencer, who has modeled for the likes of International Male and Portuguese Men's Health, is currently pursuing an acting career and recently wrapped an independent film. The only man she has been publicly linked with recently is American Idol reject Corey Clark, 25, who claimed that the two had a torrid three-month affair and that she coached him for the show. Abdul denied the allegations and an investigation was closed in August (05) due to "insufficient evidence". » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss September 11, 2005 paula abdul reveals fondness for simon cowell Paula Abdul has hinted her rivalry with fellow American Idol judge Simon Cowell is a sham, after heaping him with praise. The pair have feuded throughout four seasons of the hit talent show. But the singer has revealed affection for the sharp-tongued British record executive. She says, "He's given a much-needed dose of reality to reality TV. Real cruelty is letting people believe in a dream they can never live up to. "Simon's a man who gives credit where credit's due." » Posted by Igor at 12:00 AM | Discuss