Ozzy Osbourne, someone who came along 'once in a lifetime': John Roberts
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jamal Roberts Shares How His Life Changed Since Winning ‘Idol' & Why He Never Wants to Leave ‘Mississippi'
Someone has already suggested to Jamal Roberts, the 23rd and most recent winner in American Idol's long history, that his first post-Idol single should become the new state song of Mississippi. Born in Meridian, Miss., Roberts is sharing his first post-Idol single, 'Mississippi,' today. It's a biographical, emotional composition, and Billboard has the exclusive premiere below. On a flight from Los Angeles to Nashville, songwriters Emile Ghantous and Daniel Capellaro found themselves sitting one row from Roberts and they started talking about writing a song for the newly crowned Idol winner. After a three-way conversation, they worked with Roberts to fashion an ode to his home state – about missing it and everything there while living far away in a big city, echoing the time Roberts spent away from his daughters while in Los Angeles. Songwriter Christian Stalnecker finished the song with them and Ghantous produced at Electric Blue Studios. More from Billboard 'American Idol' Champ Jamal Roberts Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs Chart With 'Heal' Britney or Whitney? 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire' Hot 100 Question Trips Up Drew Carey, Aisha Tyler & Audience Kesha Reveals Cassie Ventura Sent Her Flowers Ahead of MSG Concert: 'Love You Sweet Girl' Billboard met up with Roberts in the recording studio in North Hollywood where he recorded the song to find out about his life since Ryan Seacrest opened an envelope just two months ago and read his name out loud as the season 23 victor. Since then, his coronation song 'Heal' debuted atop Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart. 'Mississippi' is out on 19 Recordings, available Thursday (July 24) at midnight ET here. Future releases will be issued by Roberts' new label, BMG. Before we talk about the new single, let's go back to the last few moments of the season 23 finale. You were standing on stage with fellow contestant John Foster and Ryan was about to open an envelope and read the name of the winner. What was going through your mind? I was thinking, 'Jamal, it's up to America to decide not who was better, but who do they want to represent America as an Idol.' It was during these last moments that I finally gave myself some applause. I applauded myself for getting this far, staying the course and doing all the things that were necessary and needed in this competition. I'd been able to show my heart and show my love for music and the journey. I thought win or lose, good job. And when Ryan said my name, I couldn't believe it. There were fireworks and stuff and flying out of the sky and I'm asking myself, 'Did he just call my name? He called my name!' That moment will always be special to me. I was smiling, trying to make sure I'm looking right for the camera, but in my head, I'm thinking, 'You did it. You came this far. You could be your authentic self. The world sees that and now they know Jamal Roberts.' I was going to be okay either way, but I worked hard. I came out there every show with something different, something new to the table, something appealing and I felt like I was versatile. I felt worthy of being the American Idol. But win or lose, I felt like I would have a successful career. It was a win-win situation. How has your life changed since that moment? My life has changed drastically. I went home and thought I could do the same thing I was doing before I left and I found that to be a lie. You were teaching. Right. The first day I went back to school after winning Idol, people were coming up to the school [to see me] and I thought, 'This won't work.' So I had to make that ultimate decision. As an employee, I had to leave, but I still show up and volunteer all the time because this is where my passion is and my heart is, as well as music. But America voted for me, so they expect to see something. They expect me to put in a little more work and I have the work ethic and I'm ready. What have you been doing since the finale? Right after the show, everybody wanted to hear [the coronation song] 'Heal.' I was everywhere, traveling all over the world, and then I got a chance to sing on the BET Awards with Kirk Franklin and Tamar Braxton and Muni Long. That was a wonderful experience. I got to meet a lot of people I looked up to and for all of them to embrace me, it felt amazing. And now I've just been added to the ['The Boy Is Mine'] tour with Monica and Brandy and Muni Long and Kelly Rowland. It starts in October. What is it like going out now when you walk into stores or dine in restaurants? Typically, I can't go to the store now and when I do step out, I have to have security and all the safety measures and it just gets overwhelming sometimes. We saw your daughters on . How do they feel about all of this? Lyrik is always saying, 'Daddy, I remember you got the Golden Ticket.' She still talks about that and they still talk about going to Disneyland. They talk about their experiences, the impact it had on their lives and the impact it has on their lives currently. Sometimes I have to send them with their godmother or mom when they want to go somewhere fun because going with me can be overwhelming for them. They don't realize that now because they're so young, but eventually they'll get it. In your new single, you sing the lyric, 'I'm missing you in Mississippi.' What does this song mean to you? I love Mississippi. People try to get me to move, but it's just so peaceful and just so down to earth. Emile, Daniel and Christian were writing it and I put my two cents here and there, changing things around and making it suitable for me. I wanted to paint a picture of what I miss and what I've come from and that what I do currently in Mississippi that gives me that ease and that peace of mind. And in the song, if you listen closely, you'll hear how I feel. How did the recording sessions go? My recording sessions were pretty authentic. I'm able to get in there and sing and give it some soul and give it those heartfelt moments. When you've experienced it and lived through it, it's easier to sing about. So it's easy to sing about the love I have for Mississippi and what makes my heart smile and what is my peace, because nobody knows that better than me. So the record is amazing. It paints a picture. It's not just about Mississippi. Even though I'm dedicating this to Mississippi, I know that anyone who has moved away is missing home or missing a loved one that left and you think about them all the time. My kids are in Mississippi and all my childhood memories, so when I'm singing 'missing you In Mississippi,' I'm not just talking about one particular place. I'm talking about that peace, that moment, that memory. There's a whole bunch of compassion in there. When you first heard the finished recording, what did you think? The finished recording after it was mixed and mastered? I thought, 'Man, this has got to be a hit. It's so smooth.' I went around Meridian, and I let a couple of people from my hometown hear the whole song. One friend of mine told me, 'This is a hit song, but it's so sad.' But that just goes to show what kind of picture it painted and how it grabs onto those heartstrings and that's what I really wanted. Your vocals on 'Mississippi' remind me of one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, Sam Cooke. He started out singing gospel and then turned to secular music and you seem to be following the same path. When you say gospel and secular, I plan on doing pop and hip-hop. I plan on doing it all. Gospel is where I come from. Singing gospel gave me that passion of being able to commit to a song like I do, even if it's a secular song. So I'm always going to stick with my gospel roots, but you can't reach people singing gospel all the time. Sometimes there's a song like 'Mississippi' that will open people's eyes and let them say that's okay, so I feel like I'll do both. Do you have plans to record an album? Like I told my label and producers and my manager, I don't want to put out an album right now. Why don't we just do what we're doing? Keep people wanting more and let them support me 100% and I'm loving that. Even though 'Mississippi' is just coming out, trust me, we've got more stuff cooking and it's going to be amazing. Stay tuned. Not far from where we're sitting, season 15 winner Nick Fradiani is starring as Neil Diamond inat the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. A lot of Idols have done theater and film. Would you be interested in acting? About a month ago, I was pitched about doing an Otis Redding story. We'll see how it goes, because I'm really excited about that if that comes into play. It's something that I'm very interested in. Like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding is one of the greats. Do you know his music? I'm a fan. Anybody that can grab you and take you on a journey, you understand what they're talking about. Otis was a storyteller and a powerful singer. We first talked when you and I asked you then what was the most important thing you learned on your journey. But your time on the show continued for a few more weeks. Looking back on the entire season, what would you currently say was the most important thing you learned? You've got to pace yourself and you've got to have patience. Being an artist is a labor. Are you willing to do all the work and all the labor that comes with being an artist? And I understand now that Idol builds you and teaches you what it's going to take to be on this national level. They prepare you to be the best you can be. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Elle
10 hours ago
- Elle
'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Episode 3 Reveals How Conrad Responds to Belly's Big News
Spoilers below. After last week's surprise proposal, Belly and Jeremiah start season 3, episode 3, 'The Last Supper,' celebrating young love with a classic morning makeout in bed, before Belly has to rush off to meet Taylor. Before she goes, the newly engaged couple discuss how they'll break the news to everyone. First, Jeremiah asks Belly to marry him again, this time with an actual ring. Belly is just as enthusiastic about her 'perfect' diamond, which is more like a grain of sand. Taylor isn't doing as well after her fight with Steven. She meets Belly at a coffee shop, where she tells Belly she wouldn't take Steven back if he Belly, showing off her incredible sense of timing, can't keep her good news in and shares her engagement with Taylor, who loses it. After asking if Belly is pregnant, she wonders why they're rushing into marriage, landing on Steven's accident as the obvious catalyst. (Lola Tung has suggested something along these lines during her recent ELLE interview, too.) Belly then says she wants to get married in Cousins this summer, which Taylor points out is very fast considering how recently Jeremiah got busted for cheating. Belly won't take the advice and leaves to meet her dad, John, annoyed with her friend and still convinced she and Jeremiah will be together forever. Steven is trying to log on to work during bed rest, but gets blown off by his co-worker. He is not adjusting well to quiet recovery. Laurel busts him and reminds him that he has a traumatic brain injury and shouldn't be staring at the screen all day. She's tortured by the guilt of missing the first emergency call when Steven was hospitalized—because she was in bed with John, her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Agnes and Conrad are running buds and the red-headed young med student is proving to be very wise. When Conrad says he's not ready to work with patients and plans to entomb himself for the summer doing lab work, she suggests he head to Cousins instead for 'exposure therapy' as an antidote to his obvious love for Belly. She's also very critical of his excuses for skipping his mom's dedication. She tells him to go and 'normalize the situation.' Belly meets her friend Anika as she packs her dorm room in preparation for next semester in Paris and they wax nostalgic. Belly decides to torture herself by asking what Anika thinks about her getting back together with Jeremiah so soon after the cheating fiasco. Anika doesn't fall for it, and simply tells Belly, 'I trust you to make the right decisions.' Very diplomatic. Driving to her mom's house with John, Belly is once again tempted to break the news, even taking out the ring in the passenger seat. They end up talking about what Laurel and John were like pre-divorce, like 'really in love.' John also almost spills the beans about sleeping with his ex, but saves it at the last minute. When John sees Laurel again, she makes it clear their conference hookup was a one-time thing. After they spar, John suggests that he skip Susannah's dedication ceremony so they can keep some distance from each other, and Laurel agrees with a downcast look. Belly checks in with Steven, trying to advocate for Taylor, but Steven isn't having it. He admits that he needed to get off the 'Taylor Jewel rollercoaster' and find some solid ground. Belly says she understands, but steals his computer away as punishment. John checks in and gets his career choice as a history professor insulted by his irritated son. He promises to get the computer back, but the patriarch isn't feeling like a part of the family right now. Taylor looks for some comfort from her mom, Lucinda, and discovers that she's finally split with her boyfriend, Scott, who it seems Taylor never liked. Maybe it's her recent breakup, but Lucinda is very insistent that Taylor needs to make it work with Steven. That same night, Belly and Jeremiah have an awkward conversation on the phone about how they'll tell Conrad about the engagement, agreeing everyone might think they're crazy. (Foreshadowing.) The next morning, Taylor visits Belly and apologizes for her reaction to the engagement news. They make up graciously then gossip about the wedding plans. Taylor says she is 'ride or die' for Belly and supports her decision. She tries to show her enthusiasm for the situation and gets rewarded by Belly asking her to be maid of honor. She's prepared with a scrapbook they made as kids for their dream wedding. When Taylor leaves, she finds Steven on the couch and things get tense, but as they part ways, it's clear they're both aching to be together again. When Lucinda sees Taylor's sadness, she calls Steven. They chat about how Steven is doing before Lucinda hits him with a business question. She asks him to come by and check out her salon's accounting books for a financial assessment, and to work with Taylor, naturally. The only thing this leads to is Steven ratting on Lucinda to Taylor about her mom's financial straits. After checking the accounts, he sees things are dire and warns her. Taylor confronts Lucinda for letting Scott run her business and embarrassing her in front of Steven. Belly and Laurel look at some old photos for Susannah's remembrance board and reminisce together. Laurel says how proud Susannah would be of Belly's life plans, like her academic achievements and studying abroad in Paris—but definitely not her daughter marrying before turning 21. They chat about Conrad and it's clear Belly still has some anxiety about her former lover finding out about her future wedding. Belly gets ready for the dedication ceremony, tucking her ring away, as Sabrina Carpenter's 'Please Please Please' plays in the background. At the event, Jeremiah comes through with his speech, thankfully, and Conrad shows up, surprising everyone. Belly and Conrad embrace awkwardly and then Adam, the boys' oblivious dad, makes things more uncomfortable by calling Belly the 'lil' sis.' Belly and Jeremiah drive to the restaurant, and Jere is worried Adam might say something else obtuse after they announce the engagement. As they talk, they decide to wait to share the news—after all, Belly's dad is not there and she wanted to tell both of her parents together. Adam gives Steven a card from his office and then he and Conrad have a conversation about the shifting dynamic of their families. Steven tells Conrad he wants to 'make things,' not stay the eternal intern in training. Conrad says Steven is more accomplished than he is, but Steven brings up the fact that Conrad helped save his life by making a key phone call during his accident. The vibe at dinner is rough. Laurel plans to pay, so Belly decides to skip over entrees on the expensive menu. But Adam gets high-handed and orders for Belly, choosing the seafood tower. Belly seems hyper-aware of the class difference between her family and the Fishers, and gets especially annoyed when Adam talks over Laurel after she suggests a toast. Laurel finally gets to speak, toasting Belly and Steven. Adam celebrates Conrad, but then takes a jab at Jeremiah for being a 'super senior.' Pushed to her breaking point, Belly announces their plans for a wedding in August. Laurel asks if she's joking and Adam loses it, asking if Belly is pregnant. Conrad sits in silent horror. Laurel suggests they do anything else besides get married. Steven is equally appalled. The seafood tower arrives, but Laurel cancels the rest of the meal. Belly and Jeremiah leave together, shaken. Laurel then keeps Belly from staying in Cousins for the summer as she had planned, splitting the lovers apart. Conrad is forgotten as everyone else drives off, left to suffer in the parking lot of the seafood restaurant. The exposure therapy has begun. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- USA Today
Watch photographer fall into Lake Erie during Cleveland Browns' helmet reveal
A photographer fell into the water while trying to take photos during the unveiling of the Cleveland Browns' new alternate helmet in Ohio. Video footage from the incident shows the person tumbling and falling into the waters of Lake Erie on Wednesday, July 23 as they attempted to take photos of the giant inflatable helmet featuring the new design and colors on a barge. Storyful, citing the Browns, reported the 20-foot barge was located about 300 feet offshore from Huntington Bank Field, the team's home stadium in Cleveland. While the Cleveland Browns did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for more information on Thursday, July 24, the Akron Beacon Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported the person did not remain in the water long and was assisted by an officer on a jet ski. Was the fall staged? The NFL team has not commented on whether the incident was staged; however, the Akron Beacon Journal reported that the individual who fell into the water was influencer Ross Smith, who has nearly 25 million followers on TikTok, almost four million on Instagram and more than five million subscribers on YouTube. Smith shared the video of his tumble in a July 23 Instagram post that had Dude Wipes as a collaborator. The disposable wipes product brand sponsored the helmets. What does the Cleveland Browns' new helmet look like? The Browns revealed a new helmet on July 23 that will be worn occasionally during the 2025 season. The helmet is matte brown and features orange stripes down the centerline, but does not sport a logo. The Browns are the only team in the NFL that does not have a logo on its helmets. The team, one of four to never reach the Super Bowl, is calling the new crown its "Alpha Dawg." The "Alpha Dawg" helmets are the first brown helmets the team has used since being founded in 1946. They will be worn three times during the 2025 season in a monochromatic presentation, along with the club's brown jerseys and pants. "'Alpha Dawg' embodies what we set out to be as the Cleveland Browns, the leaders of the pack," the team's Executive Vice President, James Wood "JW" Johnson III, said in a statement. "We're excited about this new alternate helmet and the ode it pays to the rich history of the color brown as part of our organization, switching it up from our iconic orange helmets." Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Cleveland Browns' new helmets sponsored by Dude Wipes Dude Wipes has sponsored the helmets, much to the delight of the internet, as previously reported by USA TODAY. In a statement, Dude Wipes co-founder Ryan Meegan said the company is "the kings of keeping things clean," and is "here to back the Browns as they embrace a bold new look this season − with the launch of their all-brown alternate helmets." "We're pumped to team up with the Browns for one of the most iconic helmet reveals the league has ever seen," Meegan added. The Browns originally wore white helmets when they were dominating the All-America Football Conference in the 1940s and during their first two years in the NFL (1950-51). The team switched to what's become its signature orange helmets in 1952. Contributing: Nate Davis, USA TODAY & Dan Kadar/ Akron Beacon Journal Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
