Video - Jackie Evancho Takes the Stage During Americas Got Talent Finale for Nessun Dorma

Last night NBC brought to a close season 6 of their hit talent competition show “America’s Got Talent”.

This year’s winner was jazz singer and Frank Sinatra sound-alike Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., who beat out PopLyfe, Team iLuminate, and the Silhouettes to take the season’s crown.

In addition to naming this year’s winner, the finale show also included a compilation of the top four acts and guest appearances from Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, OneRepublic, and last summer’s “America’s Got Talent” cross-over opera sensation Jackie Evancho.

Ah Jackie…. She’s the real reason so many people tuned in.

We’re sure Landau will do just fine with his career – as will the other three runners up.

But we are biased here at InfoStar (snicker) and all we really cared about Wednesday night was watching our favorite little shining star Jackie Evancho!

Reading through all the reviews and public comments on her performance it is clear that not everyone was happy.

But we’re not here to judge – we are here to enjoy.

So for those of you who missed Jackie’s performance we present to you Jackie Evancho singing “Nessun Dorma”.



What can you say after watching that?

We love watching her giggle and jump up and down as she reacts to the crowds standing ovation.

When asked by Nick Cannon what she had been up to the last year it seemed to take her by surprise and she muttered,

“Um, well, I, um, I made a new CD called Dream With Me … and it’s out now, and I’m really excited about it, and I um …”

“You’ve done a lot,” Cannon exclaimed.

“Yes, I’ve done a lot,” she laughed.

So sweat. Such pure honesty – that’s why we love Jackie!

Here is a backstage interview with Jackie done after the show.



We are still rooting for Jackie for a Grammy nod this year and all reports are indicating album sales are still stable and consistent.

Related: Jackie Evancho already getting Grammy nods

Jackie’s current album “Dream with Me” has already gone gold and as long as sales stay as they are it should reach platinum status soon.

Related: Jackie Evancho “Dream with Me” goes gold

You can also look forward to a new line of Jackie Evancho dolls and various other toys and gadgets to be released later this year.

Related: New Jackie Evancho doll and toy line ready for launch

We’re not sure we like the whole toy and merchandise idea but realize it is a natural part of any new celebrity artist and will be an important revenue stream for Jackie and her family.

We love you Jackie and wish you the best in whatever you decide to do with your talents. Don’t let them change you or try and turn you into somebody you don’t want to be.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – We can’t sing a note…

Video - Do Piers Morgan and Howie Mandel Really Hate Each Other?

In short we think the answer is yes.

America’s Got Talent seems to be lacking this year in “talent”, but it is NOT lacking in loathing between judges Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan.

Piers hates Howie and Howie hates Piers.

It all started early in the season when British prude Piers Morgan seemed to take a disliking to Howie’s sense of comedy, and by mid-season Howie seemed to be taunting Morgan and trying to create conflict.

At one point, Morgan got so angry he walked off stage in the middle of the show and ran to his dressing room.

Watch Piers Morgan and Howie Mandel Fight


We suspected that it was just a ratings ploy because producers mysteriously had cameras in the hall, on the stairs, in the elevator, at his dressing room door, and IN Morgan’s dressing room.

This makes us think the whole thing was staged as it takes a bit of time to setup all that equipment - and they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t know what was going to happen.

But now it seems Howie is just trying to egg on Piers because he is such a party pooper and buzzes about 90% of the acts. It's really is getting old.



Morgan seems to not be having much fun anymore, and frequently argues with Howie to the point where he is red in the face.

Piers just looks like he really hates the job.

Our favorite was when Howie was wearing some kind of strange bee or wild insect costume and he flew over to Piers and started poking him.

Watch Howie Buzz Piers on America's Got Talent


Morgan stood up and looked like he was ready to take swing at Howie. And poor Sharon Osborne seems to be stuck in the middle.

Can you imagine if Piers and Howie sat next to each other?

But in our opinion the bottom line is simple.

Even if these two nut jobs hate each other, the focus of the show is supposed to be about the contestants.

Their constant bickering just detracts from the performances and leaves us feeling like we are watching “America’s Bad Judges”.

Mandel tells us in the video below that his relationship with Piers has deteriorated to such an extent that the comic has taken off his own gloves and is now trying hard to give Morgan an extreme dose of his own medicine. (Skip to about the 2:00 mark)



We think Morgan is trying to be the splitting image of Simon Cowell, and we're afraid it's going to backfire on him.

The show would be much better WITHOUT Piers Morgan, and producers should really consider not inviting him back next season.

We would buzz him if we could.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – We follow back!

Dani Shay Sings “Babylon” Live on AGT - Judges Mixed

Orlando singer and Justin Bieber look-a-like Dani Shay performed tonight live for the first time on America’s Got Talent.

After letting her nerves get the best of her during her audition and forgetting the words to her own song, tonight she sang live for the first time saying,

“I’m feeling extremely excited. It feels surreal. I got a guitar when I was 16 and it was my way of putting everything aside that was happening to me. It was just a way for me to connect. Now I get to perform in front of millions of people live.”

Related: Meet Dani Shay – No, it was not Justin Bieber on AGT - Video

Dani sang “Babylon” by David Grayand, and started while sitting on a couch in a living room type set that was subdued and appealing. There were pictures on the tables of her real family and an old shag carpet on the floor.

It was a nice touch.

We thought at times she sounded a bit like Alanis Morissette, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but her performance could have been stronger.

There were a few moments when things sounded a bit flat but overall we thought she nailed it.

The reactions from the AGT judges were mixed.

Sharon Osbourne loved her performance saying,

“Amazing. I love your purity. You sing with your heart.”

Howie Mandel said his only concern was her song choices. He felt she really wanted to say something with her music and her song choices showed that. He felt she needed to pick more popular songs that the young people would like”.

Piers Morgan said Shay looked more like a performer than she ever had. He felt a few of her notes were a bit off key and the performance was not perfect.

But we all hate Piers and don’t listen to anything he says, right?

Related: Singer Dani Shay going to Hollywood on AGT - Video

So the judges liked Dani’s performance overall but criticized her for her song choices agreeing she may have to pick more popular songs that more people can connect with.

Okay, we think Dani will probably get voted through because she has become a viewer and fan favorite.

If the hits to this blog for anything “Dani Shay” are any indication, there are a lot of people who want to know more about her.

And she wants you to know more about her.

In fact, Dani has just released a new video talking about her life, her music, and how she sees herself fitting into the world.

Related: Dani Shay Releases New Video of Her Personal Journey Through Life and Music

Come on America, you know what you need to do now.

All you have to do is pick up the phone and call in your vote for Dani and there is no doubt we will see her again.

Dani – take the judges advice and pick a more popular song for next week. Pick something bizarre but emotional - think outside of the box.

Remember, these judges want you to be a million dollar act so you may have to pick a million dollar song even if you don’t want to.

This is your chance. Take it.

And Piers Morgan – you are the biggest douchebag in the world. You are a jerk and really distract from the show. Producers need to take a hard look, and listen to the booing audience, and decide if they really want this jerk on their show.

We don’t. America doesn’t. And we wish there was a number we could call to vote his a## off the show.

We hate you Piers Morgan.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – but only if you hate Piers Morgan

Video - Dani Shay Releases New Video of Her Personal Journey Through Life and Music

Dani Shay wants you to know who she is and what she is about.

She wants to share her views of music, poetry, laughter, and life – and says she is ready to share her music with the World.

“I feel that it’s my purpose, and my job to be exactly who I am.  I’ve been preparing, I’ve been learning, I’ve been growing. I know that after this I’m going to be in a HD studio recording with violins and other musicians and producers and a fancy mixing board. So thank you for welcoming me into your life.”

Many of you first met Dani Shay on the television show “America’s Got Talent” when she sang a parody of Justin Bieber’s hit song “Baby” after being told by friends and fans that she looks like the young superstar.

Related: Was that Justin Bieber on AGT? – Video

Twenty-two year old Dani comes from Orlando Florida and has been a musician all her life.

You can tell by her music and lyrics that there is a deep connection within her, and she is desperately trying to make sense of life’s journey through her music.

Last week, Shay was selected by the AGT judges to proceed to the live Hollywood round of the shows competition putting her one step closer to her dream.

Related: Dani Shay is going to Hollywood! – Video

But her journey almost ended last week when she decided to audition with her original tune “Super Heroes” and had to stop midway as her nerves got the best of her.

All three judges chastised her for singing an original, but gave Dani the opportunity to audition again with a cover of Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble”.

It was good enough for the judges to put her through to the live Hollywood shows starting mid-July.

Almost as if she knows she is on the cusp of fame, Dani talks about her current album “See Me Now” and says it will become known as the “stuff I did before I got famous”.

She self-produced it herself and says,

“I created this 10-track album by myself in the Fall of 2010, while on a week-long, completely secluded recording retreat.  It includes 2 live bonus tracks, and has a very personal touch.  :)  I’ll sign the first 1,000 copies I sell!”

The album is available from her website Danishay.com

Shay also created a ten minute video for The Next Great Singer web site that gives us a little insight into who she is, what she is made of, what she likes, what scares her, and what her dreams are.

Watch Dani Shay Self Discovery Video


We suspect Dani is right – after her national media exposure on “America’s Got Talent”, and her already embedded base of music and fans, the next stop is Hollywood or Nashville to launch a full-blown music career.

Even if she doesn’t get much farther in the AGT competition, enough people have seen her, and know who she is, that it’s just a matter of time before the music labels come knocking at her door.

Once she gets the right people, financing, and marketing behind her there will be no stopping this artist.

But Dani, don’t let the system turn you into somebody you don’t want to be. Stay true to yourself and always be yourself and let the world come to you.

And about that whole looking like Justin Bieber thing - it might have been the best thing to ever happen to you as it got the World’s attention.

That’s always how it starts – with just one lucky break.

Follow InfoStar on Twitter – Dani would approve...

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.

Follow InfoStar on Twitter – no look-a-likes here

Video - Look-a-like Justin Bieber on America’s Got Talent

As bad as America’s Got Talent has been this year, Wednesday’s episode actually had one funny spot.

Singer songwriter Dani Shay graced the stage looking like a lesbian Justin Bieber.

Shay did a musical parody of Bieber’s top hit “Baby” complete with her own lyrics.

She said it was her response to always being told she looked like the teen pop sensation.

Bieber, on the other hand, was sitting in Nashville at the Country Music Awards winning "Best Collaborative Song" with Rascal Flatts. Congrats!

Watch Lesbian Justin Bieber on AGT


Note: We suspect the video will be removed soon by YouTube. It usually takes a day for NBC to upload their videos so we will work to get the official snippet as soon as possible.

So if the above video is not working for you just check back later and we’ll have the official clip.

We’ll send out a tweet when it’s ready.

If you didn’t have a chance to catch Dani Shay on AGT, here is one of her original videos from YouTube – It’s the same version she did on the show.



Enjoy!

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America’s Got Talent Turns into a Joke – Is it the New Gong Show?

Remember 30 years ago Chuck Barris hosted a show called The Gong Show?

Well, our generation has a new Gong Show and it’s called “America’s Got Talent”.

We can’t begin to explain how bad this show is, and we’re only in the first week of the new season.

For us, the epic fail started when American Idol runner Lauren Alaina ratted out Piers Morgan on the Jay Leno Show last week.

Lauren told Piers that she had tried out for AGT on TWO occasions and had never made it past the cattle call. She never had a chance to sing in front of the judges. Really?

Related: Lauren Alaina rats out Piers Morgan - Video

Morgan and company have been telling anybody who would listen about the “exhaustive” search for “great” talent that the show’s producers underwent this season.

Really? And you passed on Lauren Alaina?

Tens of thousands of applicants from Los Angeles and Atlanta they said, yet the first show seemed to be a reincarnation of the 1970’s Gong Show.

Let’s see, after all those thousands of auditions your judges picked a guy who makes farts with his armpits, a guy that juggles Tasers, a unicycle rider who juggles while feeling Howie’s bald head, and a bad bad karaoke singer.

Yawn…….

And the guy whose students put his dance video on YouTube…. You let this guy past the cattle call and in to see the judges? And they thought he was good enough to actually put on TV?

No.

AGT is not trying to find the best talent at all. They are simply giving us a sideshow of freak acts to create buzz and sell advertising.

But they will, eventually, find a good singer and pronounce him/her the winner and everybody will be happy. But after watching the revamped American Idol this year I can’t believe that people are actually taking America’s Got Talent seriously.



And Piers Morgan is such a pompous jerk. Why does a show highlighting American talent have two British judges?

Morgan is clearly trying to be the Simon Cowell judge in the mix and is just a mean, rude, douche bag.

Compare his AGT personality to his role on CNN’s Larry King replacement show and it’s striking. On CNN, Piers lobes softball questions and acts like a little puppy dog never really engaging his guests with any serious conversation.

Which is it Piers? Douche bag or puppy dog?

It was clear last night that the three judges don’t get along. Piers and Howie Mandel hate each other, and Sharon Osbourne is stuck in the middle.

All of these judges are D-list celebrities who can’t seem to find anything better to do then judge a freak show.

At least they got rid of David Hasselhoff.

Between America’s Got Talent and Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice, it’s no wonder NBC is in last place in the ratings.

Related: Trump’s Apprentice losing viewers and advertisers

Maybe a reality show with Paris Hilton, Charlie Sheen and Donald Trump could pull them out of the hole.

And kids, if you don’t know who Chuck Barris is – I’m sure you can find some old vintage video of Chuck and the Gong Show on that YouTube internet thing.

Follow InfoStar on Twitter – we won’t gong you.