Romance rumor du jour: Another musical hookup for Taylor Swift?

By Kat Giantis

Looks like Taylor Swift may already be collecting material for her next album. On Thursday night in London, she was snapped in the company of British singer-songwriter Tom Odell, who accompanied her to a pub before they hit hot spot the Groucho Club.

The pair's evening out came a day after they were spotted enjoying a backstage tête-à-tête at the Brit Awards, where Taylor performed "I Knew You Were Trouble" in front of a crowd that included her latest ex-boyfriend, Harry Styles, and Tom collected a Critics' Choice prize.

Swift, 23, and Odell, 22, have been part of a mutual admiration society since he performed a slowed-down version of "Trouble" during an appearance on BBC Radio in January.

"So I was already a [Tom Odell] superfan," the popster tweeted on Jan. 23. "Now I'm just floored. This is so good."

Odell, whose debut album drops in April (translation: romantic speculation-fueled publicity wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing) blushingly replied, "yesssssssss pleased you like it.. xx."

When that exchange sparked talk that Swifty might be flirting with him, Tom was abashed. "That's odd, isn't it? That's crazy. That's mad," he spluttered to Spinner. "Well... maybe she is. Quite nice. She's a pretty girl."

At the time, he had never met Swift, but found the flirtation possibility "cool." Then, he pretty much guaranteed more of the same by complimenting her talent.

"Taylor Swift is a really intriguing character in music in that she's one of the biggest pop stars in the world and yet I think her songs are brilliant, I really do," he said. "I think she writes really dark lyrics. … I think she's a lot more real than people think she is."

Click on for more photos of Taylor's rousing performing at the Brit Awards ...

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Hookup rumor du jour: Taylor Swift linked to Ed Sheeran

Another day, another Taylor Swift romance rumor. A week after she was snapped out in London with British singer-songwriter Tom Odell, the fickle chart-topper is being linked to yet another Brit crooner, red-haired moppet Ed Sheeran.

E! News says Swift, 23, hung out with Sheeran, 22, in her hotel room on the night before the Brit Awards on Feb. 20.

That, of course, has led to speculation that more than chitchat was going on into the wee small hours.

"Taylor has always loved Ed to bits," a source tells the London Sun. "He's just an adorably sweet guy who makes her laugh and feel really confident."

Apparently unlike her ex-boyfriend Harry Styles, who happens to be friendly with Sheeran.

"Harry had that irresistible bad boy thing," continues the snitch, "but Taylor has realized she would rather give it a go with a guy who can make her happy on a different level."

An insider claims to E! that sometime collaborators Taylor and Ed "briefly dated last spring. He thinks she is really cute, and they have a great chemistry together."

That said, Swift, who has referred to Sheeran as "one of my favorite human beings on the planet" (it doesn't hurt that he has a tattoo tribute to her album "Red" on his arm), probably won't be checking her rhyming dictionary for words that rhyme with "ginger."

Ed, who is set to tour with the chanteuse in the coming months, brushes off the hookup chatter by playing the pal card, insisting to the Sun, "We're good friends."

The pair, who penned the song "Everything Has Changed" while sitting on a trampoline in Swift's backyard, have a "really good friendship," a Sheeran source adds to the London Mirror. "His relationship with Taylor is not about sex or dating. It's completely platonic. They are just two amazing artists who are making good music.”

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Eliminated 'Idol' Burnell Taylor on What's Next: 'The Gym -- I Gained Ten Pounds on the Show'

For the fifth week in a row, another male vocalist was sent home on American Idol. Favored by judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, Burnell Taylor bid farewell to the Fox show on Thursday night, leaving Lazaro Arbos as the last man standing. On exiting the competition, Taylor told reporters Friday, "There was a possibility it could happen, it wasn't perfect."

Looking back on his journey in season 12, Taylor embraced the judges' critiques and celebrity feedback. When working alongside Jimmy Iovine, he said, "I have a tough skin but I was terrified. He's like another Nicki [Minaj]. I appreciate his honesty because he knows what he's talking about."

The best advice Burnell received was during Hollywood week, he revealed, when he was encouraged to hire a vocal coach. He did his "homework and used all the money [he] had on a coach."

PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Season 12: The Top 10 Finalists

Burnell added that the experience of being on the show allowed him to grow mentally -- and shrink physically. The Louisiana native had made a concerted effort to lose weight before appearing on the show. Now, he wants to drop a few more pounds. "I want to get home and go to the gym," he said. "I gained ten pounds on the show." 

And while the judges didn't opt to save him, they did have some words of encouragement. Mariah Carey told him, "This is not the end." According to Burnell, the female judges also told him, "Don't cry, don't cry. I never knew how much they cared about me, it was extra genuine."

STORY: 'American Idol' on the Charts: Crystal Bowersox, David Archuleta Return to Billboard 200

As for the week's burning question: is there a budding romance on the show? When asked about kissing fellow Idol finalist Amber Holcomb on the cheek, Burnell quickly cleared up rumors of their relationship. "She didn't know [the kiss] was coming," he said. "We're both young and really like each other and are learning more about each other." Still, if there's one thing he'll miss being on the show, Amber Holcomb would be it. 

So what's next for Burnell? "I want to make an album that is captivating," said the Idol castoff. "I want to be a storyteller and be personal and honest -- I think that's what the industry is missing." Taylor also told reporters how excited he is for the upcoming summer tour and seeing the cities he's never seen before. "L.A is the farthest I ever went. There is extra validation in doing something for the fan base." 

Indeed, the singer from New Orleans wants fans to know: "They're not my fans, they're my family. Thanks to everyone for supporting. I'm not going anywhere. ... In the future I'm going to work with all y'all so get prepared."

Former Idol finalist and sometimes THR correspondent Didi Benami spoke with Burnell shortly after his elimination. Hear what he had to say in the video below:

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

View the original article here

Eliminated 'Idol' Burnell Taylor on What's Next: 'The Gym -- I Gained Ten Pounds on the Show'

For the fifth week in a row, another male vocalist was sent home on American Idol. Favored by judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, Burnell Taylor bid farewell to the Fox show on Thursday night, leaving Lazaro Arbos as the last man standing. On exiting the competition, Taylor told reporters Friday, "There was a possibility it could happen, it wasn't perfect."

Looking back on his journey in season 12, Taylor embraced the judges' critiques and celebrity feedback. When working alongside Jimmy Iovine, he said, "I have a tough skin but I was terrified. He's like another Nicki [Minaj]. I appreciate his honesty because he knows what he's talking about."

The best advice Burnell received was during Hollywood week, he revealed, when he was encouraged to hire a vocal coach. He did his "homework and used all the money [he] had on a coach."

PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Season 12: The Top 10 Finalists

Burnell added that the experience of being on the show allowed him to grow mentally -- and shrink physically. The Louisiana native had made a concerted effort to lose weight before appearing on the show. Now, he wants to drop a few more pounds. "I want to get home and go to the gym," he said. "I gained ten pounds on the show." 

And while the judges didn't opt to save him, they did have some words of encouragement. Mariah Carey told him, "This is not the end." According to Burnell, the female judges also told him, "Don't cry, don't cry. I never knew how much they cared about me, it was extra genuine."

STORY: 'American Idol' on the Charts: Crystal Bowersox, David Archuleta Return to Billboard 200

As for the week's burning question: is there a budding romance on the show? When asked about kissing fellow Idol finalist Amber Holcomb on the cheek, Burnell quickly cleared up rumors of their relationship. "She didn't know [the kiss] was coming," he said. "We're both young and really like each other and are learning more about each other." Still, if there's one thing he'll miss being on the show, Amber Holcomb would be it. 

So what's next for Burnell? "I want to make an album that is captivating," said the Idol castoff. "I want to be a storyteller and be personal and honest -- I think that's what the industry is missing." Taylor also told reporters how excited he is for the upcoming summer tour and seeing the cities he's never seen before. "L.A is the farthest I ever went. There is extra validation in doing something for the fan base." 

Indeed, the singer from New Orleans wants fans to know: "They're not my fans, they're my family. Thanks to everyone for supporting. I'm not going anywhere. ... In the future I'm going to work with all y'all so get prepared."

Former Idol finalist and sometimes THR correspondent Didi Benami spoke with Burnell shortly after his elimination. Hear what he had to say in the video below:

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

View the original article here