photos by Kristen (Jower-Ho) ShafferAllison Iraheta is undoubtedly one of the most awesome "American Idol" contestants of all time. Even when she competed on Season 8 at age 16, her awesomeness was apparent, as she held her own alongside the trifecta of that season's big boys (Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, and Danny Gokey). Her major-label album, Just Like You, which followed in late 2009, was one of the best "Idol" debuts ever--a righteously rockin' record, from its fun and feisty lead single "Friday I'll Be Over U" to emotive power-rock ballads like "Scars," "Don't Waste The Pretty," and the title track. But sadly, Allison was dropped from BMG not long after that underrated release. And then she took a much-needed break from music to regroup and get her groove back.
Matthew Hager, Gee Rabe, Tena Jones, Allison Iraheta, Valerie Franco, David ImmermanAnd man, is her groove ever BACK! Clearly the time out of the spotlight has done Allison a world of good. Now totally grown up (but still rockin' her signature neon-pink hair, of course), she has formed the new band Halo Circus with her longtime guitarist, David Immerman, and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Hager, who has worked with everyone from the Backstreet Boys to Duran Duran to Scott Weiland. (One of Halo Circus's songs, "Something Special," was even co-penned by Duran Duran's John Taylor! Squee!) Allison is rocking harder than ever before, and Yahoo! Music's Reality Rocks is delighted to premiere Halo Circus's first-ever online performances here:
Allison also sat down with Reality Rocks to talk about her sometimes difficult but ultimately rewarding journey from spunky "Idol" teen to fiery rock-band frontwoman...and it was obvious that she is in a great place now, professionally and personally. It really looks like 2013 will be Allison Iraheta and Halo Circus's year: