Lebanese teen from Beirut joins global pop band
Nour Ardakani, a teenage singer from Lebanon, gives an interview to The Associated Press in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Ardakani became the latest to join a global pop band formed by Simon Fuller, the man behind the Spice Girls and American Idol, which aims to transform young unknowns into internet superstars. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)DUBAI โ A teenage singer from Lebanon this week became the latest to join a global pop band formed by Simon Fuller, the man behind the Spice Girls and โAmerican Idol,โ which aims to transform young unknowns into internet superstars. Ardakani scored the 16th spot in the band after a series of Zoom auditions from quarantine that drew talented contenders from the Middle East. The band, similar to Fullerโs previous projects in show business, represents a career kick-starting platform for those dreaming of being catapulted from obscurity to teen pop fame.
'American Idol' 2019 winner Laine Hardy diagnosed with virus
Laine Hardy, the 2019 winner of American Idol, says he has been diagnosed with COVID-19 but his symptoms are mild and he is recovering under home quarantine. This wasnt what I expected on the first day of summer, the 19-year-old singer from Livingston, Louisiana, wrote on his Facebook page and on Instagram. My doctor confirmed I have Coronavirus, but my symptoms are mild." Hardy also recently completed a virtual tour that was watched by more than 2 million viewers. Acoustic versions of his new songs Ground I Grew Up On and Let There Be Country will debut on Friday.