ENTERTAINMENT: Smithson to join ‘Viva Elvis’

“American Idol” contestant Carly Smithson will join the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Viva Elvis,” perhaps as early as Saturday.

The Irish singer was a sixth-place finalist on the show’s spring of 2008 season, won by David Cook. She has since been part of the rock band We Are The Fallen.

Smithson will not receive any special billing in the Elvis tribute and was not brought in to pump up ticket sales, a Cirque spokeswoman says.

Artistic director Gene Lubas “selected her based on her performance, not her name,” says the show’s publicist, Ann Paladie.

“We will not be advertising Carly as the star of the show,” she adds. “None of our shows have stars,” except for the Criss Angel vehicle “Believe.”

Anticipating media interest, “We will promote her in social media and PR efforts, but at this point not ads,” Paladie says in an e-mail.