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Home » Blogs » StuntDouble's blog » "American Idol" runner-up Allison Iraheta signs with Jive

"American Idol" runner-up Allison Iraheta signs with Jive

by
StuntDouble

It's no snake-crawling-up-your-crotch coming out cover of Rolling Stone, but American Idol's last lady standing, Allison Iraheta, made her own news this week when she signed with 19 Recordings. Her debut album will be licensed to Jive Records (same as Idol winner Kris Allen), and will drop this fall.

In a statement, Iraheta said, "I think I’m still in shock that this is happening — getting to record my first album and this whole awesome experience is a dream come true!"

I'm just glad she doesn't have to go back to singing in that furniture store. The thought of her on a makeshift stage surrounded by empty La-Z-Boys and sofa beds is kind of soul-crushing.

Iraheta was voted off Idol at least one week too early this season, but what's a girl to when the best advice the judges had for her was stolen from Jack Donaghy: Do a Janis Joplin biopic! (Or Janet Jopler/Jaime Jimplan, depending on licensing.) Of course, when Allison finally acquiesced to their demands and ripped a hole in the ozone with a commanding performance of Joplin's "Cry Baby," they told her to tone it down, and how about a cover of Faith Hill's cover of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart"?

Between that and the "talk more"/"no, talk less" judges squabble that occurred every time Allison took the stage, it's amazing she was able to keep bringing the force every week. But she did, and now the 17-year-old rocker has signed with a major recording label. How do you like her now, omnipotent Simon Cowell?

It will be interesting to see what kind of sound Jive locks down for Allison. Her performances on Idol ranged from crooning Gertrude Lawrence's "Someone to Watch Over Me" and Bonnie Raitt "I Can't Make You Love Me" to a rafter-thumping rendition of Heart's "Alone." And, of course, her "Slow Ride" duet with aforementioned snake-charming Super Gay, Adam Lambert. During the show he said he'd love to record with Allison, and his universal lovability can only help her sell records, right?

One thing the judges were pretty consistent about on Idol was comparing Iraheta to Kelly Clarkson. Do you think she will have as much commercial success as the first Idol winner? What kind of music would you like to hear on Allison's debut album?

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    • Submitted by
    StuntDouble
    on June 11, 2009 - 11:00am.
    TAGS :: 
    RainbowSheep's picture

    Don't shout at me, but...

    Submitted by
    RainbowSheep (208 posts)
    on June 11, 2009 - 11:28am.
    Sorry to risk the ire of everyone on this site, but I didn't adore Allison as much as everyone else did. She was good, and entertaining, but her voice is hardy Kelly Clarkson in quality. I predict she'll do a P!nk-like album (P!nk: oh yum!), full of grungy angst and have a couple of hit singles. That being said, she's still young and who knows, maybe she finds her niche in a market we haven't thought of. Good luck to her.
    blithesomebagarap's picture

    I just watched her on The

    Submitted by
    blithesomebagarap (49 posts)
    on June 11, 2009 - 11:44am.

    I just watched her on The Ellen Show where she sang Aerosmith's I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing and dammnnn the girl can sing!
    Plus it's hard to believe she's younger than me(though by less than a year). It kinda makes me feel so old and unaccomplished. :/

    Btw Kris, Adam and Allison have gotten their recording contracts.... that leaves Danny Gokey out.
    I'm pretty stoked by that since i never liked the guy. My friends and i always wondered who voted for him. No one i knew actually rooted for him..
    It was always Kris or Adam (and an occasional Allison).

    Fruxie's picture

    Glad to see she's been signed.

    Submitted by
    Fruxie (20 posts)
    on June 11, 2009 - 11:45am.

    I like Allison's smokey voice, and I don't think her personality is at all like P!nk's. I'm not expecting grungy angst as much as grungy rock from her. She's got amazing stage presence for someone her age.

    I wanted her to win for a long time, but eventually came to the assumption that she'd come in second to Adam Lambert. If only. :(

    generally's picture

    ~surpriiiiise~

    Submitted by
    generally (12 posts)
    on June 11, 2009 - 11:58am.
    I LOVE ALLISON I'm so glad she got a record deal; she deserves it and she's gonna kick ass.
    Dani's picture

    Excellent.

    Submitted by
    Dani (10 posts)
    on June 11, 2009 - 12:25pm.
    I am excited to see what her first album sounds like. I don't think she will have the success of Kelly Clarkson, but I am positive she will be successful in her own right.
    Carolyn's picture

    I would buy any record she releases

    Submitted by
    Carolyn (120 posts)
    on June 11, 2009 - 12:38pm.

    ...more likely than not. I think she has a great and different voice, and I would love for her to stick to the grunge rock kind of thing she does so well.

     

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    Win's picture

    Allison has it

    Submitted by
    Win (12 posts)
    on June 11, 2009 - 2:45pm.
    I love Allison. I am happy as a pig in poo that she got a contract!! Her voice is fantastic. The AI should have been between Allison and Adam. But.. they are better off not winning. Now they can do what they want to do with their music!!
    Win
    ---There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who alwa
    StarFire's picture

    this fall

    Submitted by
    StarFire (212 posts)
    on June 11, 2009 - 4:44pm.
    this fall? I wonder if that's enough time to come up with a good debut album! Sounds like they'll be rushing it.
    Tea&Toast's picture

    Makes me glad she didn't

    Submitted by
    Tea&Toast (596 posts)
    on June 12, 2009 - 5:29am.

    Makes me glad she didn't win :) This way she'll hopefully get to do music she wants to do. And I agree with blithesomebagarap, I now feel so unacomplished lol! She's not even a year younger than me, and she's like, kick ass! Go her :) I'm off to wallow in self pity!

    ______
    I Tweet therefore I am; http://twitter.com/RainbowPleb

    Kiseki's picture

    love this girl so freaking much!!!

    Submitted by
    Kiseki (206 posts)
    on June 12, 2009 - 7:53am.

    AllisonGoddess! I am completely obsessed with her and I cannot wait for her album! I even made her infamous "Surprise!" my ringtone.  Not only is her voice like MOs set to music, her personality might even be better.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that she's a tomboy and shows up at important events wearing busted sneakers and a leather jacket.  LOVE that she says crazy crap all the time like "I'm not dark, I'm not like cutting myself."  She's stellar.  And I ain't gonna lie when I say she pings my gaydar!  How is she only 17?!!!

    PS- Ali's A&R is Teresa LaBarbera-Whites, who is like SUPERFAMOUS and awesome.  I think Allison's gonna blow up.  Seriously.

    JeSsIcA25's picture

    I'm so excited for Allison!

    Submitted by
    JeSsIcA25 (74 posts)
    on June 12, 2009 - 10:44pm.

    I'm so excited for Allison! She's amazing!! My favorite from this passed season by far!! As far as comparing to Kelly...that remains to be seen because in order for anyone to really be compared to Kelly they have to be around as long as she has..and she's still around so none of them will ever reach that point.


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