Allison Iraheta Joins Kris Allen With 19 Entertainment/Jive Deal
Three days, three American Idol Top Four finalists with fresh record deals: Fiery Allison Iraheta, who at the age of 16 was the youngest contestant ever to make it into American Idol‘s Top 12, signed a deal with 19 Recordings, who will release her debut album through Jive. Iraheta joins Season Eight winner Kris Allen, David Archuleta and Jordin Sparks on the label. Yesterday, AI runner-up and Rolling Stone cover star Adam Lambert, who has a “special relationship” with Iraheta, revealed he signed with 19 Recordings/RCA. Only bespectacled second runner-up Danny Gokey remains unsigned.
“I think I’m still in shock that this is happening, getting to record my first album and this whole awesome experience is a dream come true!,” Iraheta said in a statement. The singer, who was only nine years old when the show debuted in 2002, was a spotlight-grabbed from the onset, with judge Kara DioGuardi declaring, “Keep your eye on that girl!” “Allison was an absolute stand-out this season,” said Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO, RCA/JIVE Label Group. “Her bluesy, powerful voice, spunky attitude, and edgy star power immediately captivated us and it didn’t matter where she ranked on Idol, we knew we wanted her to join our amazing crop of young talent at Jive.”
Whereas both Allen and Lambert have plotted autumn release dates for their debut albums, no timetable for Iraheta’s first LP has been announced. Before hitting the studio, Allison will join her fellow season mates on the American Idols Live tour, kicking off July 5th and running until September 15th.
Related Stories:
• Allison Iraheta on Her Special Relationship With Adam Lambert
• Adam Lambert Signs With 19 Recordings/RCA For Debut Album
• “American Idol” Winner Kris Allen Sets Debut Album