
Michael Johns and Carly Smithson will perform a duet tomorrow night during the first results-show telecast of American Idol’s season 8 semifinals, Johns confirmed exclusively to EW.com. The pair, who only got the invitation to sing on Sunday, are still in talks with executive producer Ken Warwick about which number they’ll perform.
Johns and Smithson, who finished eighth and sixth, respectively, on season 7 of Idol, had expected to appear this year during the "Hollywood Week" episodes, where they had served as ”Idol boot-camp” mentors for the current crop of hopefuls; that footage, however, wound up on the editing-room floor. "Ken [Warwick] felt bad about it," explained Johns, and thus, the duet plans were hatched.
Johns said laughingly that he’s "just a little" nervous to be taking to the Idol stage and appearing in front of the judges, but is excited by the fact that he’ll be able to plug his upcoming debut album, which is slated for an April release, in front of 25 million viewers.
"The thing about Idol is, if you’re respectful of it, and you enjoy it, and you’re a good ambassador for the show, you’re in it for life," says Johns, who made an appearance last Thursday along with Smithson and dozens of other former contestants at the launch of the "American Idol Experience" at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.
More on ‘American Idol,’ ‘AI’ graduates:
‘Idolatry’: Making sense of American Idol’s top 36
‘American Idol’ recap: Hollywood Week, episode 4
Joanna Pacitti out of ‘American Idol,’ Felicia Barton in.
Who is the reigning ‘Idol’ Fashion Victim: Paula, Kara, or Randy?
‘Idol’: The 10 Best — and 5 Worst — Song Choices Ever
‘American Idol’ recap: Hollywood Week, episode 3
‘American Idol’: 10 Greatest ‘Hollywood Week’ Moments
EW’s ‘American Idol’ HQ
‘American Idol’: Get the scoop on what 14 of your favorite former contestants are doing now
Fantasia covers ‘Lady Marmalade’! Roof height at venue permanently altered.








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YES YES YES YES YES!!!!
Now, will someone at a record company grow a brain and get these two on an album together ala Marvin & Tami?
I really thought that they should have done a duet album, for some reason they seem so much better together than apart. lol, sounds like a love story movie plot for the lifetime channel.
I hope my ears can stand it. Flop sweat and shreiking. And then there’s Carly.
it is a mystery why these two haven’t been fought over by record companys!
I’m not really a fan of either one individually, but they do sound good together. Maybe they should form a band.
I’ve never been a big fan of Michael, but I’m willing to give his new album a listen (perhaps that’ll change my mind.) However, I do think he’s got quite the talent with duets; I liked his duet with Carly last year, and his duet with Brooke on the “Don’t Look Down” soundtrack is also nice.
slezak i am shocked! shocked i say! you got craly’s finishing spot wrong. she came in sixth dear. MJ’s shock elimination placed him 8th and then america booted kristy lee (aka “stands with a wide stance”) the next week. our dear carly made it through to sixth place. how quickly we forget…
Yippppeee!!!! Carly!!!!!! Yuckie!!!!!!!!
Michael Johns!!!! Would like Carly to sing solo on tomorrow’s (Wed.) results show.
VVVV obviously i meant “carly” not “craly”….
The results show is not tomorrow, is it?
I am so excited that Michael and Carly will get their day on Idol again! Thanks for the confirmation Slezak…it was so annoying when they were cut from Hollywood week, but I will take a Marly duet any day of the week! By the way, Michael also has a single slated for March release called “Heart on My Sleeve” so hopefully he will be able to promote that as well during his appearance!
I am really excited that Michael and Carly get their chance to sing a duet on Idol!!! I can’t wait!!!
Carly Smithson is “the best contestant in Idol” history according to the Los Angeles Times so I just might have to watch this. Who is this Micheal guy though?
I wish Michael were performing alone. Carly does nothing but shriek. But, oh well. If I have to put up with the whiney girl in the perpetual black tights just to get an MJ fix, I will.
I am very excited about this! Michael and Carly were my favourite two contestants on Idol last year… they do fantastic duets… and amazing solo performances… this will also really be great for Michael’s upcoming single “Heart on My Sleeve…” I can’t wait to hear their performance!
My two favorite contestants from last year! Can’t wait.
Ooooh… can’t wait to hear Michael and Carly. I love them both ..but secretly I wish Michael was singing his new song “Heart On My Sleeve” Dang I Love that boy!!
Slezak, you must feel like you have died and gone to heaven
do The Letter again do The Letter again DO THE LETTER AGAIN!!
By the way, I was kidding down below. I attended an Idols Live show last year and Micheal Johns was an exceptional live performer. Of course, Carly owned all, but that is another matter.
When Michael and Carly did their duet during the finale last year it was the best they’d done all season. My wife and I just stared at each other asking, “If they could do THAT, why weren’t they doing it all along???” If they had, they’d have gotten much, much further.
OMG, this just made my day. In fact, can’t we just scrap this whole season 8 trainwreck-in-the-making and just pretend it’s season 7 again? Those were good times. Good times.
Hmmmm…I guess this could be good. I like him a lot — she I could do without. Let’s see how it goes.
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I love them, glad they are back.
Oh man is my wife going to be excited. These are two contestants I actually hope are successful in their musical careers.
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I’m so excited about this. Carly and Michael were my favorites last year. Does anyone know if Carly has landed a record deal yet. I would totally buy it.
TT, Michael is doing fine, he got a solo album coming out, being distributed by Sony.
I heard Carly got advice to take her time signing a record contract and do up a great demo tape up first and so I doúbgt it will be long because she is a great talent. I’d buy her CD.
And yes a Marly duet album could be killer.
I am so excited to see Michael Johns. Michael is still my all time favorite. I like Carly too but Michael is the best! He looks as good as he sounds…awesome!!!!
YAY!!! Can’t wait to see Michael on Idol!!
Carly is okay too, LOL.
Yeah!!!! Michael is the best. I’m looking forward to watching Idol again, at least tomorrow night. I haven’t watched since Michael was eliminated. He is still my favorite.