Carey Reunites with Epic Records, Releasing New Album “Later This Year”

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a new deal for Mariah Carey… with the promise of new music in the near future.

The 47-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer’s Butterfly MC Records is partenring with Epic Records. While terms of the partnership haven’t been revealed, the deal is said to include a new album to come “later this year.”

“To continue working with Mariah Carey at Epic has been another rewarding chapter of my career,” Epic Records chairman-CEO L.A. Reid said in a statement. “Mariah’s incomparable talents as a singer, with her vocal range that is nothing short of legendary, are matched by her brilliance as a songwriter, producer, and performer par excellence. Mariah’s chart records have established her enduring place in music history, a position that is cherished and supported by her loyal fans worldwide. I look forward to building upon all of Mariah’s success for years to come.”

Following rather tumultuous exit from Sony Music Entertainment (where she started her career in 1990) in 2000, Carey returned to Sony Music in 2015 when Reid personally signed her to Epic. The two had previously worked together on her 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi, which was recorded/released while Reid was at Universal Music label Island Def Jam.

No further details regarding Carey’s forthcoming album were given, but with a summer tour lined up (with Lionel Richie) and the return of her Las Vegas residency set for July, it could be sooner than later.

“I am putting my heart and soul into making more new music,” Carey said in a press release. “I am so thrilled for this next chapter and to continue working with, and for, everyone that I love.”

Cabello Leaving Fifth Harmony to Pursue Solo Career

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is ready to fly solo…

The 19-year-old Cuban-American singer and member of Fifth Harmony has left the all-girl group.

In a message posted on social media and signed by “Ally, Normani, Dinah and Lauren,” the group writes, “After four and a half years of being together, we have been informed via her representatives that Camila has decided to leave Fifth Harmony. We wish her well.”

The remaining members, Ally Brooke Hernandez, Normani Kordei, Dinah Jane Hansen and Lauren Jauregui, state that they will continue the group as a foursome.

As recently as December 9, when the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour hit New York City, the group had announced plans to release a new album. Kordei told radio personality Elvis Duran, “2017, it’s going to be popping,” and Jane Hansen added, “The third album is definitely going to be so lit. We’re really excited.”

Fifth Harmony was formed by Simon Cowell on the second season of the The X Factor US in July 2012. In January 2013, they signed a joint deal with Syco Music, owned by Cowell, and Epic Records, L.A. Reid‘s record label, after finishing in third place on the show.

To date, The group has sold 424,000 albums, 7 million digital songs and earned 1.6 billion on-demand streams in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music.

Their honors include three MTV Video Music Awards, an American Music Award, a Billboard Women in Music award and seven Teen Choice Awards.

In the last two years, Cabello released two singles which reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100: “I Know What You Did Last Summer” with Shawn Mendes in 2015, and “Bad Things” with Machine Gun Kelly earlier this year.

Carey to Receive Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Mariah Carey is about to twinkle a little brighter in Hollywood…

The 45-year-old half-Venezuelan American singer will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, August 5, according to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Following the news, Carey took to her Instagram account to share her excitement over the honor and to thank her fans for all their love and support over the years.

“Super excited and feeling so humbled about my star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Thank you so much to the fans for making this happen for me,” she captioned a photo of a mock-up star imprinted with her name.

Next week, Carey will be the 2,556th celebrity to receive a plaque on the walkway. Directors Lee Daniels and Brett Ratner and Epic Records CEO L.A. Reid are expected to speak about the “Without You” songstress during the ceremony.

Throughout her more than 25-year career in the music industry, Mariah — who has four-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe, with her estranged husband, Nick Cannon — has released 18 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has won five Grammys.

She’s currently performing in Las Vegas with a residency at Caesars Palace, which began on May 6.

Rubio Takes Her Seat at “The X Factor” Judges’ Table

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Paulina Rubio has taken the hot (pink) seat on Fox’s The X Factor.

Following Monday’s announcement that the 41-year-old Mexican singer has joined the judges’ team on the network’s singing competition, Fox has issued the first photo of Rubio and her fellow judges.

Dressed in a hot pink Roland Mouret dress paired with Valentino shoes and Piumelli gloves, Rubio is seated in L.A. Reid‘s former chair. To her right, in Britney Spears‘ old spot, is Demi Lovato followed by former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Simon Cowell.

For her part, Lovato dons a pair of Paige Jeans, Heather Lawton blouse, Jen Meyer jewelry and Yves Saint Laurent shoes.

The photo of the four judges was taken at The X Factor’s first round of auditions for its upcoming third season at the North Charleston Coliseum.

Meanwhile, sources say Rubio will be earning approximately $1.5 million for serving as a judge on The X Factor.

Rubio also earns a judge’s salary for La Voz Kids, a Spanish-language kids version of The Voice for Telemundo.

It’s believed Lovato asked for double her fee after her well-received debut on the show last season. She previously earned approximately $1 million.

It’s Confirmed: Rubio to Serve as “The X Factor” Judge

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Paulina Rubio has the X factor…

As rumored, the 41-year-old Mexican singer has been named one of the new judges on Fox’s The X Factor, along with former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland.

Rubio and Rowland will join Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato at the judges’ table on the third season of the reality singing competition series.

“It’s taken more than a decade, but I’m delighted to finally be on a panel with three girls (I think!),” said Cowell. “Paulina and Kelly both have great taste and massive experience in the music industry, and together with Demi, this is going to be a fun panel. It just feels like the time to do something different.”

Rubio isn’t new to the role of judge… The Latin pop star, who has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, has served as a mentor on Mexico’s version of The Voice, La voz… Mexico. And she was recently named a coach on Telemundo’s La Voz Kids.

Rowland and Rubio replace the departing L.A. Reid, who had been with the show since its first season, and Britney Spears, who left The X-Factor after just one season.

Cowell Says Lovato Could Return to “The X Factor”

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Britney Spears isn’t returning to the judges table on The X Factor… But Demi Lovato might just be back next season.

The Fox reality singing competition’s executive producer Simon Cowell admitted to American Idol host and radio personality Ryan Seacrest that “we’d be crazy not to have her back” when discussing the 20-year-old part-Mexican singer/actress’ return to the show.

In an interview on Seacrest’s radio show, Cowell said that he “liked having Demi on the show” and that “she’s fun to work with.”

But Cowell did warn that “nothing is official” after talking about the “Heart Attack” singer’s possible return.

The third season of The X Factor is right around the corner, with the first round of auditions set to take place in Los Angeles on March 6.

So far, replacements haven’t been named for exiting judges L.A. Reid and Britney Spears, nor have co-hosts Mario Lopez or Khloe Kardashian been confirmed to return.

“We’re talking to people all the time and hopefully within a couple of weeks we might announce the first two,” said Cowell of the judges panel.

X Factor’s Jauregui, Cabello & Hernandez’s Fifth Harmony Make a Case for The Win

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s the last chance for Lauren Jauregui, Camila Cabello, Ally Brooke Hernandez and the other members of Fifth Harmony to prove they have The X Factor…

During Wednesday night’s performance episode of Fox’s singing competition, the top three acts gave it their all in an attempt to garner America’s votes and win a $5 million recording contract.

Long considered long-shots to make the finals, Simon Cowell’s manufactured all-girl group, returned to the stage after knocking out Emblem3 in the semi-finals to prove they belonged on the stage this week.

For their first performance, Jauregui, Cabello, Hernandez and the other members of Fifth Harmony performed Ellie Goulding‘s “Anything Could Happen,” which they sang last week. As before, they’re at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, but this time they amped their performance with some extra mad over the top production values, including a giant back-screen projection of Pegasus.

“Now I’m looking at it and it’s magical,” says L.A. Reid, while Britney Spears gushes that the magic happened when the girls sang the song.

“I really hope that America pulls through and votes for you guys,” said Demi Lovato; and Simon commented, “You’ve made me so proud tonight, girls.”

For their second performance, the all-girl group performed The Beatles‘ classic “Let It Be“.

Reid syas the girls did “a lot of justice” for the song. Lovato liked that the group has evolved.

In addition, Fifth Harmony performed Demi Lovato‘s “Give Your Heart a Break” with the 20-year-old half-Mexican American singer joining in midway through the song. Cowell called it “pop perfection.”

“I love you guys,” said Lovato about performing with the girls. “It was so much!”

The winner of “X Factor” season two will be revealed on Thursday, December 20. Pitbull and One Direction are all set to perform at highly-anticipated the final result show.

Hernandez & Cabello’s Group to Perform with Lovato on ‘X Factor’ Finale

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

This season, Ally Brooke Hernandez and Camila Cabello’s all-girl group Fifth Harmony has performed two Demi Lovato songs on this season of The X Factor. But now the ladies will be sharing the stage with theshow’s impartial judge during the show’s finals…

Following suit with last year’s tradition each of the final three acts will be joined by a celebrity musician for a star-powered duet. During a press conference to promote the finale on Monday, judges Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Lovato and L.A. Reid joined their mentees Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Tate Stevens, respectively, and answered questions from reporters, where Cowell revealed his plan to have the ladies sing with Lovato.

“Kinda irritating to say, the person we’ve decided to duet with is Demi Lovato,” said Cowell of his all-girl group.

Following a season of sparring between judges Cowell and Lovato, it will be nice to see the 20-year-old part-Mexican American singer support one of Cowell’s acts — especially after two of their most memorable performances came during covers of her tracks (“Skyscraper” and “Give Your Heart a Break“).

Meanwhile, Stevens will perform with Grammy nominee Little Big Town.

“It’s gonna be awesome,” Stevens said of performing with the country quartet.

Spears’ 13-year-old mentee Sonenclar also landed a country act for her collaboration: LeAnn Rimes. It’s somewhat of a surprise choice since the tween sensation hasn’t once performed a country song all season.

“I think she’s amazing,” Sonenclar said of Rimes.

Last season, Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette and R. Kelly appeared on the closer, which saw Chris Rene, Josh Krajnik and Melanie Amaro battling for the $5 million recording contract.

Cabello & Hernandez’s Fifth Harmony Reaches “The X Factor” Finals

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Camila Cabello and Ally Brooke Hernandez’s cooing of “anything could happen” has proven to be true on The X Factor…

During the Fox reality singing competition’s results show, it was announced that Cabello and Hernandez’s all-girl group Fifth Harmony has advanced to next week’s finals, along with Tate Stevens and Carly Rose Sonenclar.

The all-girl group – created and mentored by Simon Cowell – had to perform for the save in their quest to advance to the semi-finals last week, landing in last place when all was said and done.

But the ladies didn’t let their underdog status affect them this week, giving two strong performances on Wednesday night… Cabello, Hernandez and the ladies fittingly sang Ellie Goulding’s “Anything Could Happen” in the first round, and then tackled Shontelle’s “Impossible” in the second.

“It’s going to be difficult for my girls because the other three are so strong,” Cowell responded when ask by host Mario Lopez on who had the best shot to advance to the finals. “I do believe in miracles.”

And that’s exactly what happened: Fifth Harmony, the group that overcame harsh critiques from departing X Factor judge L.A. Reid, discovered they had knocked out the popular boy band Emblem3 for a spot in the finals.

“I’m very shocked,” said Reid as he learned the news. “Anything can happen.”

So the ladies of Fifth Harmony live to sing another week… And, they’ll have to work extra hard to beat the season-long favorites Stevens and Sonenclar, who’ve battled it out for the No. 1 spot week after week.

But as the lyrics to the song they performed this week go, “anything could happen!”

Hernandez & Cabello’s Fifth Harmony Fights Hard for a Place in “The X Factor” Finals

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

They’re so close to reaching the finals on The X Factor… And Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello and the rest of the members of their group Fifth Harmony aren’t letting their underdog status keep them from their dream…

During Wednesday night’s semifinals on Fox’s reality singing competition, Simon Cowell’s all-girl group – who won a sing-off with Diamond White to survive elimination last week – gave two great performances, including executing the show’s first bilingual song, to show America that the ladies deserve a spot in next week’s finals.

In the first round, the contestants’ choice, Hernandez, Cabello and the ladies performed Ellie Goulding’s “Anything Could Happen,” a song that gave them a great opportunity to do the one thing that judge L.A. Reid seems to criticism them about constantly… harmonize.

But that’s not all, Fifth Harmony even brought some serious staging and a whole lot of flair to the performance, which featured the ladies in pretty prom dresses. Sitting at a long table, Cabello even donned an oversized bow on her head (a tilt of the hat to her signature headwear), while over-the-top waiters and… a wedding cake… shared the stage with them.

“I loved everything about it,” said judge Britney Spears. “It was like magic when you guys got up there.”

Demi Lovato agreed, saying “you pulled out the little sparkle that I think you guys need sometimes.” And even Reid seemed impressed with the group’s vocals.

“That performance was the very best vocal performance you’ve ever done,” he said. “I thought that was a really inventive vocal and I’m really proud of you.”

Cowell acknowledged the girls’ fourth place finish last week, saying, “to get into the final is going to take a miracle because of who you’re up against. But after that performance, like the lyric said, anything could happen.”

In the second round, the mentor’s choice, Fifth Harmony returned to their roots, so to speak, performing Shontelle’s “Impossible,” their audition song during the judges’ homes round. But the ladies put a new spin on the tune, singing a few of the verses in Spanish.

The strategy was an attempt to show a new side and, hopefully, garner votes from the show’s Latino viewers, while reminding the audience of the first moment that Cowell fell in love with the group.

“The hard thing about being the underdog is that you have not a lot of people supporting you on the judges panel, but I think that it’s gonna come down to your fanbase and how much they support you… I hope they pull through for you, but I’m a little worried,” said Lovato.

Cowell didn’t hide his worry, but did plead with America to vote the ladies through.

“You’ve been one of the strongest acts tonight. If you are gonna judge based on tonight, I really hope and I pray that America gets behind you and puts you into the final because I really think you do deserve a place there.”

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