honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, January 16, 2007

SHOW BIZ
Segundo poised to chat about new season of 'Idol'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

spacer spacer

IDOL PURSUIT: With the launch tonight of "American Idol" on KHON-2, Hawai'i's first "Idol" contestant, Jordan Segundo, is poised to be the Fox affiliate's morning-after commentator. He's scheduled to share his insights at 6:45 a.m. tomorrow and provide insights and chatter with morning co-anchors Tannya Joaquin and Kirk Matthews in the season ahead.

"I look forward to doing the reports again," Segundo said, "to continue building that relationship and friendship." With "Idol" still the hottest reality show on TV, Segundo anticipates an even bigger season this year. "I think it's because 'Idol' appeals to a wide range; grandmas and young kids can watch; and everybody has a dream, and if you stand in line and audition, one day you may become a star."

Segundo still has fond memories of a show he did last March in Chicago with third-season finalist Jennifer Hudson, whose fortunes have changed since she co-starred — creating Oscar buzz — as Effie in the movie version of "Dreamgirls." "I finally went to see the film and the audience actually applauded," Segundo said. "When she did 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going,' she had so much emotion; my mom next to me teared. Jennifer's come a long way; she's not like that diva-ish Effie. Everybody knew she could sing, but she's definitely an acting talent who will last a long time."

Segundo, who was one of 32 finalists in the 2002 launch of "Idol," has had remarkable staying power. He's still attending community college but hopes to transfer to the University of Hawai'i to earn a degree in communication. His visibility hasn't waned. He's also taking piano lessons (with John Tussey) and taking a stab at composing. "Studying piano has helped me with songwriting. I knew I had it inside of me, but (Tussey) helped pulled it out," he said.

And watching Jim Brickman recently at Blaisdell Concert Hall cemented his keyboarding and composing goals. "He was such an inspiration," Segundo said. ...

HERE 'N' THERE: "Grease" is the word on national television, with the arrival of the reality show what will pluck performers for a planned Broadway revival of the musical this summer. Locally, producer Vanita Rae Smith says prospects only have to wait until March 5 to 7 to try out for Army Community Theatre's revival of "Grease," bowing in May. Coco Weil will direct. ...

Dig drumming? JustaPercussion, an ensemble tapping drums, body parts and more, performs at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the rRed Elephant. Tickets: $17.50. ...

Say "Cheese(burger)." A flock of celebs has been dining at Wailea's Cheeseburger, Island Style — rockers Stephen Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith were in last week, signing menus for owners Laren McShane Gartner and Edna Bayliff. Earlier, actress Meg Ryan and singer Damon Williams had a bite, too — separately. ...

AROUND TOWN: Add The Makaha Sons to the Christmas sleigh this year; they'll do a December show, time and place to be announced. Meanwhile, catch Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, John Koko and Jerome Koko on Thursday at Chai's Island Bistro and on Friday at the Polynesian Cultural Center in La'ie for the fifth annual E Luana Kakou Concert. Then the trio launches its 2007 tour, first stopping at Whittier College in California. A camera crew will tape material for a DVD due by year's end. ...

Bree Bumatai is sporting a silver streak in her 'do these days, the better to portray the tipsy, cruelly witty and foul-mouthed Martha in Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" now on stage at Manoa Valley Theatre. And with all the stage "spirits" (actually water) she consumes in the three-hour play, "I have the healthiest kidneys," she says. ...

J. Mark McVey, singing at tonight's Honolulu Symphony Pops concert conducted by Marvin "A Chorus Line" Hamlisch at Blaisdell Concert Hall, has played Jean Valjean in Broadway's "Les Miserables." ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.