“American Idol” wannabe’s wild ride to media and musical stardom
Special climaxes with the world premiere of Hung’s video, “She Bangs”
on same day his Fuse/KOCH Records CD, “Inspiration,” hits record stores
(April 1, 2004 – NEW YORK, NY) – One day, you’re an unassuming engineering student who has your highly unlikely plan for musical stardom dashed on national television. The next, you’re at the center of a media maelstrom – an all-American overnight sensation with a recording contract and video shoot in the works, a website that gets more hits than Britney’s and live performances slated with “The Today Show” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
On April 6 at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST, Fuse will give music- and media mayhem-lovers a behind-the-scenes look at the fame game at its most unpredictable and sublime with the half-hour special, “Idol Worship: The William Hung Story.” The exclusive telecast will conclude with the world television premiere of Hung’s first-ever music video, his own unique take on “She Bangs,” the signature Ricky Martin tune that he performed to the delight of the public on Fox TV’s “American Idol.” Like Martin, Hung’s version of “She Bangs” is already a bonafide hit, last week cracking the Top 5 on the daily “most downloaded songs” in the Apple iTunes store.
“Idol Worship” is a look at one of American entertainment’s most offbeat Cinderfella stories to date. It shows how William Hung’s awkward yet sincere appearance on “American Idol” catapulted him into the spotlight, leading to overnight notoriety and a lucrative recording and video deal from Fuse and KOCH Records.
Fuse’s special includes footage of Hung in the studio as he records tracks for his debut album, “Inspiration,” including “She Bangs,” another Ricky Martin hit, “Shake Your Bon Bon” and Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” Fuse cameras then follow Hung to the shoot for his “She Bangs” video. Here, we see how this song-and-dance neophyte overcomes his shyness to deliver a star-worthy, yet unlikely “Hungian” performance. With the help of Grammy nominated Merge @ Crossroads video director Jeff Richter (N.I.N., Knoc-Turnal, Rage Against The Machine), a ton sexy dancers and a host of video love interests who help him warm to the task, including “American Pie” starlet Amanda Swisten and “The Surreal World” castmate Trishelle Cannatella, Hung’s “She Bangs” video is not to be missed.
Fuse’s special also provides a look at the mechanics of fame by following Hung through a day-long media junket on the set of his video shoot. Viewers can watch as Hung works his way through a grueling eight hours of interviews with a bevy of media, from “Access Hollywood” and “E! News” to US Weekly and People Magazine, with some of the reporters themselves offering insight into the Hung phenomenon through interviews. Fuse cameras also capture Hung’s appearance on “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest’s radio show in Los Angeles, and his chance meeting with supermodel Tyra Banks.
“Idol Worship: The William Hung Story” will premiere of Fuse on April 6 at 9 PM EST/ 6 PM PST (encores 10 PM EST/7 PM PST). Hung will also perform “She Bangs” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Thursday, April 8 and “The Today Show” on Friday, April 9.
About Fuse
Fuse, a network of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, is the nation’s only all-music, viewer-influenced television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts and specials — all rooted in the music experience. Fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms that are at the center of their communication and entertainment – TV, online, and interactive games – and by incorporating their opinions and suggestions into its on-air and online programming. More information about Fuse is available at www.fuse.tv.
About KOCH Records
KOCH Records is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOCH Entertainment, the leading and fastest-growing music company in the U.S. KOCH’S operations encompass record labels, music publishing companies and distribution companies in the U.S. and Canada. KOCH Entertainment is the market leader among independents in both the U.S. and Canada and its record labels had the largest number of Billboard charting albums among independents from 2001 – 2003.