Fanlisting

Michael Johns

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American Idol

Michael was a contestant on the 2008 series of American Idol. In one of the biggest shock eliminations in Idol history, Michael was booted in 8th spot. During his time on the show, he sang the following songs:

Audition - "I've Been Loving You Too Long" (original artist - Otis Redding)
Hollywood Week 1 - "Bohemian Rhapsody" (original artist - Queen)
Hollywood Week 2 - "Light My Fire" (original artist - The Doors)
Top 24 (1960's Theme) - "Light My Fire" (original artist - The Doors)
Top 20 (1970's Theme) - "Go Your Own Way" (original artist - Fleetwood Mac)
Top 16 (1980's Theme) - "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (original artist - Simple Minds)
Top 12 (Lennon/McCartney Theme) - "Across The Universe" (original artist - The Beatles)
Top 11 (The Beatles Theme) - "A Day In The Life" (original artist - The Beatles)
Top 10 (Year They Were Born Theme - 1978) - "We Will Rock You / We Are The Champions" (original artist - Queen)
Top 9 (Dolly Parton Theme) - "It's All Wrong But It's All Right" (original artist - Dolly Parton)
Top 8 (Inspirational Music Theme) - "Dream On" (original artist - Aerosmith

On his elimination, the following night after the Top 8 performance night, Michael performed "Dream On" again at the end of the show.

After American Idol

After he was eliminated on American Idol, Michael Johns received support from stars including Demi Moore, Dolly Parton, Bruno Tonioli, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban (the latter two relayed by Rupert Murdoch and his wife at a party at their home) and made various appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Today Show, The Sauce, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, The Tony Kornheiser Show, The Ellen Show and Access Hollywood. He was also invited to a taping of Saturday Night Live after which he did a duet with guest host Ashton Kutcher at a Manhattan bar. He was subsequently asked to perform at The Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian.

During his appearance with David Foster on Access Hollywood, he sang a soft rock song, "Ain't No Sunshine" with the help and constructive criticism from Foster. Surprisingly, Foster invited Johns to play in his one-night tribute concert, David Foster & Friends on May 23, 2008 (also featuring Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble and Josh Groban) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on the Las Vegas Strip. Johns confirmed that he accepted the invitation on the Kyle and Jackie O show in Australia.

During The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, Johns sang "Across The Universe" (performed during the Top 12 Beatles Week) while playing a guitar. Michael Johns also appeared in TV Guide's Idol Tonight and The Ellen DeGeneres Show performing the song "It's All Wrong But It's All Right" (performed during the Top 9 Dolly Parton week).

Johns was invited by the owners of Team Australia to attend the Long Beach Grand Prix of the 2008 IndyCar Series season on 20 April 2008, where Will Power led them to their first victory.

According to published reports, Johns was called by Dolly Parton (who he met along with Kenny Rogers as a child on his step-grandfather's boat in Perth during the 1986 America's Cup) and asked to work with her on an upcoming single: 'You have a great career ahead of you and I'd like to write with you and maybe do a duet'.

Johns attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner (where he was 'embraced' by Condolezza Rice, Rob Lowe, and Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008) and Bloomberg after-party on Saturday 26 April 2008 as a guest of ESPN's Tony Kornheiser.

Johns 'has been bombarded with offers from various labels and said he's "confident of having an album out by this time next year"', though according to an interview he is unable to accept until after American Idol (season 7) finishes.

Johns has been personally invited by Ellen DeGeneres to perform two songs with Carly Smithson (who was eliminated a couple weeks later) for her 10th anniversary show in Chicago on May 6, 2008 and was subsequently invited to her 50th birthday celebration on 10 May 2008.

He returned to his native Australia on May 5, 2008 for a promotional visit to Sydney hosted by Fox 8 and featured in many television, radio, newspaper, magazine and online articles.

Johns will be one of the finalists on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008 which will tour over 50 cities from July 1, 2008 to September 13, 2008.