My Favorite Scene
EXCLUSIVE: The American Idols Share Their Favorite Movie Scenes With Movieline
We’re bringing back a classic today: My Favorite Scene was a feature from our golden print era, in which a wide swath of showbiz luminaries would share a personal favorite movie sequence with Movieline readers. Now that we’re online, we have the added advantage of being able to show the scenes themselves. And we could think of no more auspicious a way to kick things off than with the American Idol Top Ten (save for Scott MacIntyre, unfortunately omitted for time constraints and not his visual impairment), all of whom are headed to your town soon on their 52-city Idols Live tour. What scenes meant the most to Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, and the rest? Some of the answers might surprise you — and some, not so much.
KRIS ALLEN
“The first one that popped into my head is Independence Day, when Bill Pullman, who plays the President, gets up on a flatbed truck and delivers that speech to the pilots. ‘We’re fighting for our right to live, to exist.’ That was really good.”
ADAM LAMBERT
“One of my favorite movies of all time is Velvet Goldmine, by Todd Haynes, and the scene that comes to mind is when Ewan McGregor’s character is first introduced and he’s a singer, a rock star, and the camera comes in on him — he’s on stage — and he gets naked, pours beer all over himself, then glitter on top of that. He shakes the glitter can around his crotch like he was jerking off onto the audience and then lights the foot of the stage on fire. And to me, that just sums up everything that a rock star should be. It’s like a fantasy sequence. That movie is absolutely brilliant — and a little underrated in my opinion, too. I was about 22 when I first saw it, and I was just like, whoa. It’s a movie loosely based on a Ziggy Stardust-type character and an Iggy Pop-type character. It doesn’t specifically name them but they’re clearly modeled after those two rock stars, and it’s just cool. It’s a love letter to the glam scene.”
DANNY GOKEY
DANNY GOKEY: One of my favorite scenes is from Disney’s Aladdin, when the genie first comes out of the lamp. The genie — Robin Williams — just cracks me up. He says all these random things, and he scares Aladdin. It’s awesome — a funny moment. I love Disney, and DreamWorks.
[He sees a journalist he knows.] I’m sorry, I have to ask this guy a question. [He asks the journalist about a young brunette woman in the room. The journalist replies that he thinks she’s an intern with one of the TV crews.] Man she’s cute.
MOVIELINE: Which one is she?
DG: I don’t want to turn around and make it obvious.
ML: In the high-heeled silver shoes?
DG: Uh-huh. She’s very cute.
ML: Well, you’re the rock star, you’re supposed to, you know, be a rock star.
DG: Make a move, right? I’m pretty cautious when it comes to relationships.
ML: Would this be a relationship?
DG: Ahhhh — even those. None of that. I don’t want to be disrespectful. Not that I’d disrespect them. But a one-night stand … I don’t know, I feel would be like I’d be disrespecting them.
ALLISON IRAHETA
“The first scene for some reason that came to my head right now was in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, when Jim Carrey’s coming out of the rhino. It’s pretty gross. That for some reason just came into my head. It’s one of my favorite scenes! When he’s coming out of the rhino.”
MATT GIRAURD
“In The Godfather, the scene where Pacino does his first crime. Anyway, they’re sitting there at the table and they’re going to kill that police chief guy at this little Italian restaurant. It’s so intense, because that’s like the breaking point when he really becomes a gangster. Before that he was just a good little, you know, army guy. A military man. That’s when he really makes the change. I love that scene. It’s so intense. They hide the gun in the bathroom, and he comes out. It’s always sweet. Badass forever.”
ANOOP DESAI
“My scene is from the movie Swingers, which is my favorite movie ever. It’s the very end of the movie, where Mikey is talking to T, they’re in a coffee shop. And Mikey had just met this girl the night before. He’d be sweatin’ his ex-girlfriend for six months, and he’s really in a rut. And he finally meets this girl, and he’s out of it. So the roles are sort of switched. T is the ladies’ man, giving advice the whole movie. And in the end, T ends up making a fool of himself and then Mikey is the one that’s very content. That means a lot to me, because one of my best friends made me watch that movie when I was sort of going through a rough time in my life, and it sort of gave me hope for the future, gave me a road map for how to be yourself and things will just come — which fortunately has worked out for me.”
LIL ROUNDS
“The movie for me would be The Notebook. I love The Notebook. The scene that I love the most is when Allie gets together with Noah, and they start dating. She finally decides to go out with him. And they’re leaving the movies, and they’re getting ice cream, and she takes the ice cream and shoves it in his face and starts playing around with him a little. That’s like the funnest part for me because I’ve done that to my husband before. Just playin’ around. Then they kiss afterwards. That’s the cutest little part of that movie.”
MEGAN JOY
“I love movies. There’s so many different ones I could talk about, but the one that just came to my mind is from Dancer in the Dark. Right when Björk’s character is about to be executed, she’s singing and counting her steps as she goes, and her son is involved, and I cried and I cried. I kind of think about it sometimes. Björk is one of the biggest influences in my life.”
MICHAEL SARVER
“The movie Tombstone, when Val Kilmer’s character Doc Holliday was supposed to be sick in the bed. Doc goes out to take care of a duel that was supposed to happen between another person and his pal Wyatt Earp, played by Kurt Russell. And Wyatt comes out, and Doc said, ‘Oh, I wasn’t quite as sick as I made out.’ I don’t know why, but that was one of my favorite lines ever.”
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Posted 17 Jul 2009, 11:30 AM
It should just be known that Seth owes me five bucks for correctly predicting the exact scene Adam Lambert would pick, beforehand.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 11:34 AM
He did predict it.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 11:52 AM
Glambert is Velvet Goldmine, which is why I love him. You could smell it on him from his first appearance on Idol, which is why his selection of the movie is so surprising--it was so predictable.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 11:37 AM
Did you all not include scott b/c he can't see movies? That is so racist.
Their choices are so perfect.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 11:42 AM
ALLISON IRAHETA's is awesome.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 12:04 PM
Megan, who would have thought... maybe there was actually more to that movie than the swan dress she wore to the Oscars. Well played.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 12:11 PM
Do you have this on audio/video? We creepy fans want to hear/see Adam say that paragraph on tape.
-ontd_ai
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 1:06 AM
Seconded. And it's not creepy. Purely for academic purposes.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 12:12 PM
These are so good, and so perfectly to type, that you must have made them up. Adam's and Danny's are priceless, especially one following the other.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 12:23 PM
Oh Adam you dirty, sexy, mofo... I love you to pieces. You are so not Idol material...naughty naughty naughty
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 12:29 PM
Kris and Adam have good taste.
And I feel extremely uncomfortable when Danny talks. I am embarrassed for him. What the hell was he doing??? Checking out girls while doing an interview? That is really dumb and lame. barf
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 1:00 PM
Oh Lambert. Never, ever change.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 1:55 PM
Suddenly I'm in the mood for a glitter shower! So, does this mean Adam will be pulling off those leather pants of his when he does his solo tour?!
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 2:07 PM
Why include that scene from Danny? Why? It's not relevant, it doesn't add anything to the story; it's just salacious and intrusive.
Every journalist could include moments from meeting interviewees that are private - the good ones are able to apply a filter as to where that is appropriate. I fail to see how that exchange added anything to a story about the Idol's favourite movies.
Rubbish journalism. Epic fail.
I think you should retract and apologise. But I won't hold my breath.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 4:58 PM
Hilarious! That's the shit we want to read! The real people behind there garbage picks for movies. I dont care about a scene from Aladdin for chirssakes. I wanna know whether all that goody two shoes shit was malarkey.
And this isn't journalism. No one's unearthing Watergate here. Now TMZ...that's journalism.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 2:14 PM
Michael Sarver is such a walking Country Bear Jamboree. Love him and his chin dimple. I have no memory of his singing though...
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 3:07 PM
I kept staring at that rather disturbing picture of Danny Gokey up there, wondering why it looked so familiar - and then it hit me. He looks almost exactly like Robert Downey Jr., with highlights.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 3:55 PM
Fuck how much I love Adam. I love how he picked that scene, it's so Adam. He even did that scene when he did the photoshoot for Rolling Stone. With the glitter and all! So cool!
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 4:06 PM
Wow, Danny is SO disgusting. Publicly he makes a huge show of his grief and raising money for his wife's foundation and being a Christian but in private he's checking out girls and randomly talking about hooking up with them? His wife has barely been dead a year. He makes me SICK.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 4:50 PM
OMG I did not read Gokey's comment because I never read what he says... BEcause he has a tendency to have "foot in mouth" disease. After reading these reviews I thought "what the heck did he say?" i just read what he said and OMFG... why an earth would you lose focus during an interview and talk about a random girl walking by? He totally grosses me out.
And note to Allie: Why shouldn't the reporter put that in. He was there to interview Danny and Danny decides to focus on another topic other than the Q asked! Rude on Danny's behalf to the interviewer. Doesn't he realize that press at this stage in the game is what gives them what they need. Exposure.
Danny -> FAIL
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 6:18 PM
I just love Adam. He is so true and honest. Velvet Goldmine is a great movie by the way.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 7:05 PM
That girl Gokey is checking out better be careful. He'll kill her and start a fake charity in her name next.
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 10:54 PM
Oh sweet Jesus, two things just happened.
A)
I was reading this article on the computer with my child nearby, and thank God she was not looking when I played Adam's favorite movie clip -Please put a warning on that!!!! It is SO not suitable for minors.
B)
I just realized that if THAT is what an Adam Lambert concert will be like after his obligations with American Idol are over, then I better start saving $$ for front row seats (and a babysitter)!
Posted 17 Jul 2009, 11:12 PM
oh adam, you dirty boy, you. that's one of the things us fans love about you, you're a total sex god! that scene totally sums up who you are-an amazing glam rockstar! love you to pieces! <3
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 9:05 AM
Cheers to Adam for loving "Velvet Goldmine!" It's one of my all time faves as well. Before I even knew he liked it I thought he'd be great in the Rhys-Meyers role if they ever made a stage musical of the film. It's good to see that the current Idols have somewhat more sophisticated taste in movies (Gokey excluded) than their predecessors. I remember when Idols past were queried about their favorite films and they all named some tame Disney pic like "Finding Nemo."
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 9:22 AM
Controversy! Man you people love that don't you.
I love Adam as much as the rest of you, (okay maybe MORE!) but that Video should be removed, it's X rated and their are millions of young children that will be reading this because Adam's fan base is broad - ranging from 4 year olds to 80. The teens especially follow EVERY movement Adam makes, both here in the US and abroad.
There is a place for everything, and everything should be in it's place. This is not the place for Velvet Goldmine. (Although, it is a kickass Movie... and I loved it! I'm not a prude, for God's sake, but I do think Children should not be introduced to X rated films on an open website. (scream at me this is on Youtube... I know it is, but the kids may not have known until now, dammit... )
Remove it or at least censor it, is all I'm saying. We support ADAM 100%, but not this video on display.
Did you guys even watch it before you put it up? I have to say I was a bit stunned to see it here. (Knowing it's Adam's favorite, but still......... )
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 10:41 AM
I love that a glimpse of male nudity is "X-rated" and grounds for censorship in your eyes, but a woman being hanged by the neck or a guy shooting another guy in the head then watching him bleed to death is A-OK for your kids.
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 1:27 PM
SERIOUSLY!!!
I will tell you RIGHT NOW that I would totally not be freaked if my child sees something sexual or some nudity - HELLO - they are (hopefully) going to grow up someday to enjoy just those things!!! But I absolutely do not want to show them violent acts because, THAT, they better NOT grow up to do!!
For heaven's sake we Americans are such a prudish uptight sexually repressed nation!!!
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 11:14 AM
let the parents do their job and keep an eye on their children,
if they allow their kids on the internet without supervision
a clip from VG is mild compared to what they could see.
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 11:04 AM
OH ADAM, ADAM, ADAM
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 11:10 AM
out of the whole thing the most interesting for me was the preacher talking about one night stands on the same line as Disney Movies and Alladin being scared and shit, true colors reaching surface, watch out for hypocrites. That's what I love precisely about Adam, he is who he is and hides nothing; which brings the question of the day, who is the good guy after all???
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 11:10 AM
Geez people...get a life.
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 11:28 AM
I love Independence Day!! LOL
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 12:42 PM
UMMM....Wow.
1s off ---> "I kept staring at that rather disturbing picture of Danny Gokey up there, wondering why it looked so familiar - and then it hit me. He looks almost exactly like Robert Downey Jr., with highlights."
My parents say that! I think there's no resemblance at all. (Iron Man is my fav movie, and Danny is my fav idol. BUT THEY DON'T LOOK ALIKE.)
2nd...All I can say for Danny is OOPS.
So what, he admires a chick. Big deal. Seriously, I bet all of us walk and the street (I now he wasn't walking, whatever.) and occasionally spot someone cute. No biggie.
BUT, that probably wasn't the best time for him to mention it. Really. Right after talking about Aladdin. OOPS! At least he speaks truthfully! I guess...
And then.....Well, it makes you wonder how much of a "Rock Star" he can be...
But no matter how he is he's got a great voice! YAY! <3
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 2:39 PM
That young intern better watch out or Gokey will name a foundation after her!
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 2:57 PM
Gokey is such a huge FAIL. Someone get this douche a PR agent or something, he can't be serious can he? Oh thats right, he was serious. So dumb.
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 3:36 PM
Kris Allen's movie scene choice was the best. He really has a thing for picking out amazing things out.
And Gokers, what in the world was that about? Didn't his wife die like awhile back, and he's already checking out a random girl? I find that so wrong.
Posted 18 Jul 2009, 4:27 PM
Ooo goddamn this is a good post! I needed any more of that sweet Gokaine!
Posted 19 Jul 2009, 2:10 AM
1. People are surprised about Hokey? There were photos of him on dates 2 weeks after his wife's death floating around the web. F--ker.
2. LOL at Allison's scene.
3. Adam & Kris, good choices man.
Posted 19 Jul 2009, 2:29 AM
Loved Megan, Matt, Adam and Kris' choices.
You know those guys that try really hard to come across like impressive hetero romeos and FAIL? Gokey's their poster boy. Sleaze. Sophie must be so proud.
Posted 19 Jul 2009, 7:03 PM
Not gonna lie, when I first watched Independence Day in the movie theatre, I got all choked up during that scene with Bill Pullman and the big inspirational speech. I cried even harder later on when his wife died. =(
Never seen Velvet Goldmine or the Bjork movie so maybe something to put on my Netflix list for later on.
I like The Notebook but, for the life of me, I can't even remember that scene Lil's talking about!!!
Posted 20 Jul 2009, 8:30 AM
I hope Megan Joy uses every spare minute RIGHT NOW to line up the best possible agent to advise her and organise her career today - while she is in the public spotlight.
Posted 21 Jul 2009, 2:23 AM
All of you making a big deal out of Gokey's distraction need to chill. ALL MEN are like that. That's the male species for you. Their bodies and brains are DIFFERENT to womens'. That's how they were created. If a married man in love with his wife was given the chance to kiss or sh.ag another woman, he WOULD, even though he loves his wife to death. If a woman was told by her husband she could do the same, she most probably wouldn't out of guilt, out of promise, out of issues of trust. That's how men and women were created. You can't change that. That's why so many women forgive their cheating husbands but a woman cheating is a huuuuuuuuuuge deal. Get over it. Men move along a lot faster than women. It DOES not mean Danny doesn't love his wife. If he could have her back, he would trust me. He mourned now he's trying to move on and deal with his loss. He's trying to regain what he had. What is the point in doing nothing until he dies.
Posted 21 Jul 2009, 9:21 PM
Adam is just so Adam!!! Yeahh baby, I am so ready for you to take off!!
This article is so cool!! Gokey I have a sound for you EWWWWWW
Kris Allen, Ok?!!
Posted 05 Aug 2009, 7:54 AM
GOKEY IS A HEFTY SLEAZE!