At least 24 people have died in the wake of the natural disaster, which flattened communities of Underwood's home state.

The former American Idol winner said that she will fund the donation with money made from her live shows. The country star said:

"I have watched the devastation in my home state of Oklahoma over the past several days with great sadness."

Underwood continued: "With the help of my fans who attended my concerts over the past year, we can offer the Red Cross a little extra help in comforting those affected by the recent tornados."

Red Cross chief development officer Neal Litvack added:

"The impact of the tornados in Oklahoma and the Midwest was devastating and the road to recovery will be long for many families. Through the generosity of Carrie, the American Red Cross can quickly respond with shelter, food and comfort now, and with lasting help as they move toward recovery."

The book, titled ‘Brunette Ambition’, has been described as a combination style guide, advice book and memoir and has been commissioned by Harmony Books.

In a statement about her plans, Michele said: "There wasn't a guidebook when I was growing up, that detailed everything I would need to do, and know, to get where I am today.

“But I believe I can write one of sorts: not a how-to-make-it-in-show-business book, but a guide to harnessing tenacity, passion, enthusiasm and hard work to make your dreams come true."

The title will be released in the US and Canada in print and digital formats.  She will join ‘Glee’ co-stars Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer and Jenna Ushkowitz who have all published books previously.

Watch Lea Michele singing in tribute to her onscreen and off-screen idol Barbra Streisand here:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/ollymurs/view/76536/ Thu, 23 May 2013 07:16:36 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/ollymurs/view/76536/ Olly Murs has admitted that he'll probably never be able to reach the levels of fame One Direction have enjoyed in the US.

The boyband took North America by storm last year, with their arrival in the country likened to the Beatles.

Murs supported the 'Kiss You' stars on some of their American dates and it helped the fellow Brit to make inroads into a US career.

Speaking to the Mirror, the 'Army of Two' star admitted that he won't get as big as One Direction in the US - but he'll make a good fist of it. He said:

"In the UK, people don’t give X Factor contestants that much credit. Over in the States, they're listening to my music instead of saying 'Oh, he's from the X Factor...whatever'. I don't get the credit I deserve."

He continued: "So it's a really good thing for me. I'm able to come over here and be an artist – people are judging me on my abilities and my talent for my music. I don't ever expect to reach the heights of One Direction over here, but I believe I can be a success. And so far it's going well. It's been brilliant."

The star's hit single 'Baby', which has gone 12 times Platinum since its release in 2010, has been named the highest certified song in American music history.

The 'Boyfriend' heartthrob has now beaten Elton John's double-sided 'Candle in the Wind/Something About the Way You Look Tonight,' which went 11 times platinum back in 1997 and previously held the impressive record.

The recent change made by the Recording Industry Association of America, which incorporates on-demand streaming data when it comes to measuring gold and platinum success, helped Bieber in reaching the feat as 100 streams is now considered equivalent to one download.

The music mogul took to Twitter to muse about the upcoming season of The X Factor US.

After announcing the start date of audition stages and confirming details about the new panel,  Cowell dished out advice to people wanting to audition for the show.

He said: "We start x factor auditions in charleston on Tuesday. The new panel will be announced Monday. This is going to be an interesting show!

He added: And for anyone looking for advice on who too look to as an inspiration when you are auditioning for one of our shows. One name. Beyonce. And pink. And of course one direction. Who made it happen through sheer determination (sic)."

Cowell and Demi Lovato will return to the panel next season, with Britney Spears and L.A. Reid announcing their departure.

Cowell also reflected on his time at American Idol.

Randy Jackson announced he wouldn't be returning as a judge and mentor on next season's show - leaving behind current judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban.

Cowell added: "Randy leaving idol made me remember that Paula [Abdul] randy me and Ryan [Seacrest' had the best time. I miss them (sic)."

The international songstress took to the stage during Thursday's final to perform a medley of her greatest hits.

A number of people weighed in on the star's performance, claiming her vocals weren't live.

However, Carey's representative has now slammed the rumours, announcing in a statement: "She ABSOLUTELY DID NOT lip-sync. She performed LIVE in front of several thousands of people!!!! (and did it 3 times!!).

"No LIP-SYNCING whatsoever! She did 3 takes and thrilled the crowd with singing little songs in between that we're NOT part of her medley."

Carey's representative confirmed that she did sing to a pre-recorded track which is common practice in the industry.

Meanwhile, a host of people took to Twitter to slam the star's performance.

On user tweeted: "Mariah Carey….worst lip syncer ever! @americanidol ha," while another wrote: "How is Mariah Carey going to lip-synch on a show about singing live? That's like the host of Intervention doing heroin during the show (sic)."

Candice Glover was crowned Idol winner last night (May 16) as a host of big name stars took to the stage.

She beat Kree Harrison on what was a truly star-studded occasion, with numerous high profile guests performing.

Former contestant Adam Lambert and Jessie J performed with finalist Angie Miller - with the former playing the track 'Titanium' - with the likes of Jennifer Hudson and Emeli Sandé also singing with contestants.

Ex-judge Jennifer Lopez also took to the stage to perform, as did international star Psy.

Vocal legend Aretha Franklin also appeared via video-link to perform with the top five females.

Glover's song 'I Am Beautiful' meanwhile is available to download now.

During an interview with Hollywood Life, the 'Call Me Maybe' beauty explained that she believes he would rock the panel: "I think [Justin] would be great! I’m sure he’d be awesome."

When asked what skills the 'Boyfriend' star would bring to the show, Jepsen revealed that he understands what's current and relevant: "He’s got lots of great opinions when it comes to the music world, and he’s very experienced, especially for someone so young."

She then joked that she would be a terrible judge as her 'motherly' instinct would kick in and she would struggle with giving contestants criticism: "I think I would be terrible. For me, I think I would be too motherly and I would be like, ‘You should all go through! You did a great job! Let’s be friends…’”

Watch Jepsen's audition for 'Canadian Idol' below:

However, the American Idol judge revealed that despite some fights, she never submitted to the perpetrators.

Speaking to Teen Vogue, Minaj said that her disruptive parents meant that she was often placed in different schools - meaning that she had to make friends with girls who were less than enamoured with the 'Super Bass' star. She said:

"Every time my parents fought, my mother would have us move and I would have to go to a new school, which meant I'd have to face the task of making new friends. I dreaded it. I had butterflies in my stomach each time: Are people going to like or hate me?"

The singer continued: "I encountered jealous girls a lot. What it came down to is that the bullies wanted me to bow down to them and I just wouldn't. Sometimes there'd be a fight, sometimes not. I let people know I wasn't going to be pushed around."

The chart-topping pair collaborated on Keys' hit track 'Girl On Fire', with Minaj laying down a rap verse for the remix.

Keys would "definitely" love the chance to team up with the 'Starships' songstress again.

She gushed to MTV News: "I saw her at the Met Ball actually and that was the last place I saw her. That's my girl and I definitely have lots of love for her ... she's a girl on fire."

Keys also spoke about long-time American Idol judge Randy Jackson's decision to leave the hit show once the current season has ended.

The stunning singer insists she won't be joining Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban on the coveted panel anytime soon.

She said: "There's no room for me."

Keys also spoke about her newest single.

She explained: "I actually just finished the video for 'Tears Always Win' last night.

"It's a girl and her working two jobs and she's got all these things going on. But the whole time, she's totally distracted because she's only thinking about how she feels [about her ex], almost at the point [where] you're thinking about the person, but you're also thinking about, kind of, your loneliness and how you feel. How're you gonna get through it? The video is totally beautiful, really unexpected. It has some Vegas pieces in it. I think the way it goes on, it really brings a relevance to the words and you'll really feel it. I'm loving it."

Speaking to In Touch magazine about his shock announcement last night (May 9), the hitmaker explained that he's become the face of the show so it will be a shame to see him go:

"That's so sad. I think he's amazing. I really love him a lot... for lots of years."

When asked if she would consider a judging position on the show, Keys confessed that her current schedule is so busy that it wouldn't allow such a role: "I don't know if I'd want to be a judge."

"I'm about to go to Europe for my tour and then I have Brazil and Rock In Rio with Justin Timberlake, which will be crazy... and Asia and Australia so, that's going to take me right on up through January."

The 'Trespassing' hitmaker posted a link to a video clip via his official Twitter page this afternoon (May 10) and it briefly documents his path from auditioning, to being a contestant and to where he is now.

During the short accompanying interview Lambert opened up about the impact 'American Idol' has had on his musical journey since appearing on it: "I get to travel the world and it's wild. There are moments where I think to myself, 'this is my life'. It's crazy. It's been an amazing journey - the last few years - since 'Idol'. Without this show I wouldn't have this platform, I'm having a great time. I love creating, I love entertaining and I'm not going to stop."

Meanwhile, the current season of the show is drawing to an end after favourite to win Angie Miller was eliminated last night. Kree Harrison will now go head-to-head against Candice Glover for this year's crown.

Jackson made the surprise revelation last night (May 9) and told press that after 12 years of working on the programme he has decided to call it a day, but Minaj admitted that she is thoroughly enjoying being part of it and would do it all again if asked:

"That's a million-dollar question," she said when asked if she will return to the panel for the next series. "I have to say this all the time, but I want people to know it's genuinely from my heart. I love the people on Idol. I genuinely do. If I had to do this all over again, I would have done 'Idol.' Because it's fun, it's laughs."

Minaj added that the negative press can cloud the experience, referring to her spat with Mariah Carey earlier this year, but explained that she has loved every minute so far: "It's kind of sad that what people read all the time is only when something is negative. But they don't realize that we built a family. I feel happy here and I have to thank them for giving me this chance."

"They could have picked anyone in the world. And they picked me. So that's all I'll say about that."

Watch Minaj talk about her relationships with the other judges in a new interview here:

He issued a statement to E! about his surprise departure and confessed that he now wants to turn his attention to his own business ventures, and especially his company Dream Merchant 21:

"Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on 'American Idol' I have decided it is time to leave after this season."

"I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."

It was also revealed today that fellow 'American Idol' judge Mariah Carey had dropped Jackson as her manager, citing 'hectic' clashing of schedules as the reason.

Watch Jackson talk about the impact 'American Idol' has on the music industry below: