An American Idol had an American theme wedding! Rock music singer James Durbin won the hearts of music enthusiasts all across America last year when he sang his heart out competing on the hit show. When he lost the competition, many rock music genre fans were outraged — but judges reminded them that the reality TV program was (at its core) looking for a pop music singer to win it. Now, other singers with non-traditional voices and Durbin (who is a high functioning autistic person) are friends. Here’s the good news about his wedding and the people who attended.
At least one couple knows how to ring in the new year. Former American Idol contestant James Durbin married his longtime love Heidi Lowe on New Year’s Eve 2011. “We are so in love and happy that we got to share our special day with our closest family and friends,” the couple told People.
Durbin, who helped raise $2,700 for the Tourette Syndrome Association through the sale of a limited design earring from Pennyroyal Studio, stuck with a green celebrity theme for a wedding. The couple were married on the edge of a redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Their adorable two-year-old son, Hunter, served as their ring-bearer.
Invited to the wedding in Santa Cruz, CA, were three other hopefuls from season 10 of the American Idol show: Haley Reinhart, Stefano Langone, and Casey Abrams. You remember the season — the one where the competitors had so much talent but all people wanted to talk about was whether or not celebrity teens Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina were dating? It was maddening, because the dialogue really should have been about James Durbin, the very real fact that he was there despite overcoming tremendous adversity, and that he rocked the house, absolutely.
You can read all about James Durbin here: James Durbin teaches Heavy Metal Rock 101 to American Idol fans.
In addition to the 85 guests in attendance, the couple was treated to an appearance from Queensryche star celeb Geoff Tate, who surprised the newlyweds with a performance of the band’s hit “Take Hold of the Flame,” which is one of the couple’s favorite songs.
There is no word on whether American Idol season 10 winner, Scotty McCreery, and runner-up, Lauren Alaina, were invited or not, but Scotty McCreery reportedly was in the Dominican Republic, delivering shoe boxes full of gifts and necessities to children in need for Operation Christmas Child, and Lauren Alaina was performing in Las Vegas for the Fox New Year’s Eve special.
James Durbin, who is Autistic, released his album Memories of a Beautiful Disaster in November, and we can only hope this isn’t a prediction of a future to come for these love birds. A couple of memories of beautiful disasters in November of 2011 include the Kim Kardashian / Kris Humphries split and the rumors of an impending divorce between actor Russell Brand and green celebrity rocker Katy Perry, which ultimately proved true. Hopefully 2012 turns out to be a much better year for this happy celebrity couple and that no end to their relationship is ever in sight.
Word up, James. Congrats on the New Years resolution to become a husband. Way to rock it.