The 2015 Grammy Awards will be remembered for a stream of slow jams and ballads, Kanye almost pulling another Kanye (Who is Beck?), and a guy who goes by the name Sam Smith. Here are my favourite moments from the 57th annual ceremony…
Award-winning Canadian actress Alisen Down stars the new crime drama television series, Gracepoint (an adaptation of the hit British series, Broadchurch) as Kathy Eaton, the Editor of the Gracepoint Journal. The story centers around the murder of a twelve-year old boy in a small seaside town in California, and the mystery behind the homicide places everyone in Gracepoint under the spotlight as potential suspects. As the voice of the town, Kathy is in the middle of the media frenzy and must balance her compassion with her journalistic integrity in her search for the truth.
In an exclusive interview with The Hudsucker, Alisen spills the scoop on her acting background, her audition for Kathy, and what viewers should anticipate during the inaugural season of Gracepoint.
It is with sadness and anguish that I am writing a tribute in the wake of the sudden and tragic death of a man who meant so much to me, Michael Johns.
Congratulations to Caleb Johnson, the winner of American Idol Season 13!
The big-voiced, retro rocker from Asheville, North Carolina, who successfully channeled his classic rock/southern bluesy-rock sound into stand-out performances each week, was named the champion of the 2014 edition of the long-running singing competition. As first proven by Season 12’s Candice Glover, another returnee contestant turned winner, Caleb proves that the third time really is the charm! Jena Irene, the spirited and talented teen from Farmington Hills, Michigan, is this year’s runner-up. From wild card to blossoming pop-rock musician, she fought a fierce fight and came a long way with her gutsy artistry and steady growth.
Caleb and Jena kicked off the grand finale celebrations with a BANG – their sensational duet medley of “We Will Rock You”, “I’m Just a Girl”, and “It’s Only Love” raised the bar sky high for the night’s performances. The Top 2 also got the chance to sing with their own favourite bands, with Caleb and KISS on “Love Gun” and “Shout It Out Loud” and Jena and Paramore on “Decode” and “Ain’t It Fun”.
The Top 10 finalists were also treated to special duets, trios, and group performances with some of the industry’s top stars, including: Alex Preston with singer/songwriter Jason Mraz on the new single, “Love Someone“, Jessica Meuse with country singer Jennifer Nettles on “Wrecking Ball“, Sam Woolf with fellow Idol Phillip Phillips on “Home” and “Raging Fire”, Alabama boys CJ Harris and Dexter Roberts with Darius Rucker on “Alright“, and Malaya Watson with soul singer John Legend on his beautiful ballad, “All of Me“. As well, the Idol Guys teamed up with Aloe Blacc to sing “The Man” while the Idol Girls girl-powered it up with Demi Lovato for “Neon Lights“.
The judges (Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr.) and Randy Jackson joined forces for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration to pay tribute to two classics – “True Colors” and “Go Your Own Way”. Even host Ryan Seacrest got in on the performance action with his primetime television singing debut – a duet of “Right Here Waiting” with Richard Marx.
Caleb’s winning moment was met with genuine shock and gratitude from the singer, who ended his victory night with an encore of his debut single, “As Long As You Love Me” while bombarded with hugs and congratulations from his finalist friends, his family members, and the judges.
And with that, it was another end to another great American Idol season. Until next January, when we will do this all over again!
Elizabeth Rosalyn 