Clay Aiken to run for Congress
Runner up of American Idol season two, Clay Aiken, announced last week that he would be running for Congress, reports CBC. A Raleigh, N.C. native, Aiken hopes to win his hometown constituency under the Democratic Party. The position is currently held by Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers who questioned Aiken’s qualifications. Ellmers is quoted as saying in a interview on WMAL Radio that “his performing career is not going so well and he’s very bored.” On his official campaign announcement video, Aiken explained that he is “not a politician — I don’t ever want to be one — but I do want to help bring back, at least to my corner of North Carolina, the idea that someone can go to Washington to represent all the people whether they voted for you or not.” Aiken will compete in the Democratic primary later this May.
X Factor cancelled after three seasons
The American version of the singing competition has been cancelled, according to Reuters. Simon Cowell, the X Factor’s creator and judge, is reportedly going back to the U.K. edition of the show “in an effort to help declining ratings there,” reports Reuters. Cowell was previously a judge on American Idol, but left the show after the 10th installment in 2010. Rock legend Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and pop icon Jennifer Lopez replaced Cowell after his departure from the competition.
Unusual Beatles autograph to be auctioned off
When The Beatles first landed in America 50 years ago, the lads from Liverpool performed what was to become one of the most important televised musical events in history. John, Paul, George and Ringo performed for the first time for 73 million viewers on The Ed Sullivan Show on Feb. 9, 1964. NME reports that during their visit, the Fab Four signed part of a stage set, along with other musical guests from the evening. The autographed wall will be up for auction in April in New York, and is set to sell for up to $1 million, reports AP.
