And Then There Were 16

Eliminated:
Jason Yeager
Alexandréa Lushington
Alaina Whitaker
Robbie Carrico

Watch video of Jason Yeager elimination:


Watch video of Alexandréa Lushington elimination:


Watch video of Alaina Whitaker elimination:


Watch video of Robbie Carrico elimination:


Watch video of Top 20 '70s medley:


Next week, the Top 16 semifinalists will be singing hits from the '80s. The week after, the Top 12 finalists will sing music from the Beatles songbook, available to the show for the first time. There will be a new set, new opening credits and a special exit song by Ruben Studdard.

"Idol Gives Back" returns on April 9. The producers have already signed Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood to appear.

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© 2008

Simon Cowell's Fitness Factor

The UK's Sun reports that superfit Simon Cowell does 300 press-ups a day — even when he's flying, according to his girlfriend Terri Seymour, who revealed that the 47-year-old is obsessed with exercising.

"Nothing will stop him doing his 300 press-ups. Even if he is flying he will do them on the plane. He just can’t not do them," Seymour said, adding "We're polar opposites — that's the secret of our happy relationship."

Cowell has previously admitted that he wants to age gracefully and would never go under the surgeon's knife -- saying that cosmetic surgery looks unattractive on men."I wouldn't have plastic surgery, it looks ridiculous on guys," he said. "I'd never dye my hair either. Everyone thinks I do, but I never have. "I do 100 press-ups before I get in the bath in the morning, then at work after a meeting, I'll shut the door and do more."

IDOLS NOMINATED FOR TEEN CHOICE AWARDS

Fox has announced the nominees for the 2007 Teen Choice Awards, to be broadcast on Aug. 26 at 8-10 p.m., and, not surprisingly, the list includes "American Idol" finalists (well, it is, after all, a Fox show).

Among the nominees are:

CHOICE TV: REALITY/VARIETY SHOW
American Idol
America's Next Top Model
Dancing with the Stars
The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll
The Hills

CHOICE TV: PERSONALITY
Nick Cannon - Wild N Out
Ryan Seacrest - American Idol, E!
Simon Cowell - American Idol
Tyra Banks - America's Next Top Model
Bruno Tonioli - Dancing with the Stars


CHOICE TV: MALE REALITY/VARIETY STAR
Apolo Anton Ohno - Dancing with the Stars
Flavor Flav- Flavor of Love
Jojo, Diggy, Russy (Run's sons) - Run's House
Sanjaya - American Idol
Three 6 Mafia - Adventures in Hollyhood

CHOICE TV: FEMALE REALITY/VARIETY STAR
Jaslene Gonzalez - America's Next Top Model
Jordin Sparks - American Idol
Lauren Conrad - The Hills
New York - I Love New York
Paris Hilton - The Simple Life

CHOICE MUSIC: FEMALE ARTIST
Gwen Stefani
Fergie
Carrie Underwood
Nelly Furtado
Rihanna



CHOICE MUSIC: BREAKOUT ARTIST - FEMALE
Amy Winehouse
Corinne Bailey Rae
Katharine McPhee
Lily Allen
Vanessa Hudgens

CHOICE MUSIC: BREAKOUT GROUP
Daughtry
Gym Class Heroes
Hinder
Shop Boyz
The Fray

CHOICE MUSIC: ROCK TRACK
Better Than Me - Hinder
It's Not Over - Daughtry
Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
Thanks for the Memories - Fall Out Boy
What I've Done - Linkin Park

CHOICE MUSIC: PAYBACK TRACK
What Goes Around - Justin Timberlake
Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood
Never Again - Kelly Clarkson
Irreplaceable - Beyonce
U + Ur Hand - Pink

CHOICE OMG! MOMENT
Paris Hilton goes to jail, gets out of jail, then goes to jail again!
Britney Spears shaves her head!
Lindsay Lohan goes to rehab, gets out of rehab, goes to rehab again!
Larry Birkhead is Dannielynn's father!
Sanjaya Malakar sports a faux-hawk on American Idol!

For a full list of nominees, click here.

SANJAYA MALAKAR: TAKING HIS PILLOW ON TOUR

ETonline interviewed Sanjaya Malakar as he rehearsed for the Idols Live 2007 tour which kicks off today in Sunrise, Fla.:

How has your life changed since "Idol"?
It is completely different. People recognize me and say my name correctly without ever having met me! That is really weird. I am having a lot of fun with it. I am experiencing things I never would have been able to experience; I am learning things I never would have been able to learn. I am happy.

Has anybody talked to you about plans after the tour?
I am in limbo. We are still with "American Idol," so we are still focusing on that right now, but I think once the tour is over we will be able to focus on our individual careers.

What are you looking forward to the most on the tour?
I am looking forward to being with my nine new best friends. Honestly, this is the closest I have ever gotten to this many people in this short amount of time. It is going to be really cool to spend time with them.

Are you taking anything special with you?
I am taking my Tempur-Pedic Pillow. Also, I have a rock that says "breathe" on it. To me, my weakness is my breathing technique, and so I have a rock that says "breathe" to remind me to focus on that.

Are you going to do different hairdos for different cities?
I am not going to say because I want it to be a surprise.

PAULA ABDUL: I'M TREATED LIKE DOG S**T

That's what American Idol's diva judge, with tears in her eyes, tells her publicists as she pleads with them to help change her image on episode 3 of "Hey Paula." Honey, if it looks like it, smells like it, and your maids have to clean it -- and you -- up, well .... you know.

But life isn't as easy as you might think for Paula Abdul. She explains at the beginning of the following video that she has two "big events" she's attending that weekend, the first of which is to go to a "gifting suite" to pick out freebies, after which she has to fly to Las Vegas to be presented with a "Woman of the Year Award." Jeez all in the same weekend? Wow, her life really is rough. A little pity here please. Check it out:



JUSTIN GUARINI DOES CHARITY FOR CHILDREN

The Japan Times reports that taking place this weekend in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, International Heart Expo 2007 is a charity event that aims to take "direct action" to support children in developing countries. Volunteers from Japan and abroad will participate.

The expo will host a charity market and a fashion show featuring performances by singer Justin Guarini (runnerup on season one of "American Idol"), contemporary dancer Ayako Kurakake and many more.

Clothes made with silk from Cambodia and Ishikawa Prefecture's Komatsu City and designed by Japanese fashion designers will be on view. Children from Myanmar, Cambodia and Sri Lanka will model for the show.

"Direct action" is an approach advocated by Japanese Buddhist monk Gayuna Cealo, whose charity work includes the setting up of orphanages in countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia.

Cealo's charity work aims to directly affect the lives of people in need, giving them food, blankets, medical supplies, clothes and, most importantly, educates them on becoming self-reliant.

AMY ADAMS PERFORMS AT 'RED, WHITE AND BOOM'

WGET-TV reports that instead of holding their own celebrations, lots of folks decided to head out to northeast Bakersfield to enjoy the professional fireworks display at Bakersfield College.

The 53rd annual "Red, White and Boom" fireworks show started with a concert featuring Bakersfield-native and "American Idol" Season 3 finalist Amy Adams.

Watch video clip of Amy Adams performing at Red, White and Boom.

MORE STUFF ON KATHARINE McPHEE

Stuff magazine finally posted their interview with Katharine McPhee along with some pretty hot photos:

Katharine McPhee is tough to label. The American Idol finalist was squeaky–clean during her run on the show, singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and flashing her pearly whites. But on her self–titled hit debut, she shows her devilish side, trashing the guys she's "over" and wowing the world with a sexy album cover. So which is the real Kat? To find out, we chilled with her at a café in her hometown of Sherman Oaks, California. Katharine was all girl–next–doorish in her summer dress and no makeup—hell, she even introduced us to her mom. Then she sat down for an interview about her zany college days, Meat Loaf and pregnant nuns. Turns out the real Katharine is actually just really frickin' cool.

Are you more McNaughty or McNice?
There are different sides of me. On American Idol, people saw the side that is very professional and put together. But there's this other side of me that’s outgoing, energetic and wild—and did really stupid things in college.

Please discuss.
This one time we were walking down the street in Boston, and I was wearing this little skirt. There was this grate with air coming from underneath it. I remember standing above the grate with the air blowing up, and I was holding my skirt down. Another time, we went down to Coyote Ugly. We had so much fun dancing on the bar; the girls were taking their bras off. But I didn't do that.

Your album cover is pretty racy. Did you do it to shock people?
People made a big deal out of that. They said, "She's a slut, blah blah blah." But I'm really not showing that much skin. It's all suggested.

What was the worst thing about being on Idol?
Sometimes we couldn't go out after midnight, and for a 21–year–old, that's pretty crazy. And security went everywhere with me. For me, that was like, OK, this is weird. We're just kids on a reality show!

You had the rare honor of performing with Meat Loaf. What was that like?
I really liked the guy, but no one warned me that he was going to be so energetic. The first time we sang together, he told me, "Just so you know, I like to go full–out." I said OK, but he was, like, full–on performing it, and I was so caught off guard. All my fellow Idols were sitting in the audience laughing. I looked at him and just started laughing—no disrespect to him.

Have you always been popular with the fellas?
I was prematurely developed. As a freshman, I looked like a junior; I had boobs. Some of the older kids saw me in the yearbook and said I was cute.

So you probably didn't have a problem finding a guy.
I came from an all–girl school, so I was determined to get a boyfriend!

Your current boyfriend is almost 20 years your senior. Do you usually go for older dudes?
When I turned 21, I thought it was a good age to explore. You're no longer a teenager, so it's OK [to date older guys]. I gravitated toward them, and I love them. They're just wiser, and they're less about themselves and more about you.

What do younger men need to know about the opposite sex?
Women sometimes act out, and men get frustrated. They don't get that all we want is, for a few seconds, for you to be all about the girl—to snuggle her and give her kisses and tell her, "Your lips are so pretty today. I love your lips." For me, with men, I will fixate on something. I'll say, "I'm obsessed with your chin." I'll kiss his chin and munch on it, and I think that makes people feel good.

Do you see yourself settling down?
Oh, yeah. I want to have, like, 15 babies. I've always wanted to be pregnant. One year for Halloween, I decided to be pregnant, so I got this nun costume, and I put a big belly under it. I showed my parents and said I want to go to school as a pregnant nun. My dad sat me down and said, "Katharine, you can't!"

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© 2007

Paula Abdul's Sexy Thoughts

No, no, it not what you think. Sexy Thoughts is actually the name of Paula Abdul's new scent. Access Hollywood reports that Abdul can now can add one more item to her resume: professional fragrance creator.

"When I wear my fragrance, its the strangest thing. I look around for Ashton Kutcher," Paula told Access Hollywood. "I think I'm getting 'Punk'd' for real!"

The pop icon joins the ranks of other famous entertainers, like Britney and J.Lo; Partnering with perfume lab Fermenich to create her sweet scent, Sexy Thoughts.

"It's something that happens when people smell me," said Paula, referring to the fragrance's alluring name. "It provokes that! Its fun, its flirty, its chic. Its sexy."

But expect more than one Paula when you get your hands on her signature smell:

"There are times when I'm shy, there are times when I'm playful. There's times when I'm very powerful," Paula remarked. "It totally captures the spirit of who I am."

And Paula was definitely in "playful" mode when she said she took the time to create something special for her "American Idol" sparring partner, Simon Cowell.

"In the middle of coming up with my fragrance line, I asked the question, 'by any chance do you have anything that smells like cat pee, and cow poop and like farts?' And all three, as a matter of fact --'yes, yes, and yes,'" Paula joked. "And I want to put those elements -- the cat pee, the horse poop and fart -- in a bottle, and call it 'Ode to Simonella.'"

Paula told Access that she has specific plans for her Simon-inspired concoction.

"I'm going to put it together and I'm going to surprise him next season," she gleefully explained, "and douse it all over the chair!"

Well, alrighty then.

There's also a weird short video that accompanies the story in which Paula discusses the Simon's products, mantox and top shelf.

THE HARDEST WORKING PERSON IN SHOW BUSINESS

That's the title that Jordin Sparks can lay claim to according the Billboard. The publica-
tion says the Season 6 champ is in the midst of rehearsals for the American Idols Live! tour, which kicks off Friday in Sunrise, Fla. Sparks told Billboard.com that she's also started working on her album, which she hopes to release before Thanksgiving.

"It's going well," Sparks says of the album, "We've had some meetings, and the other night I recorded a song. I can't tell you details or anything like that, but I am very excited about it."

Actually, Sparks revealed that she worked with the production team Stargate on the track, but she'll be spending a lot more time on the album throughout the summer and into the early fall. "I'll be flying in and out as much as I can from the tour to get it done," she says. "And I'm assuming that after the tour's over I'll hit the studio pretty hard to finish it."

Sparks says she wants a "radio friendly" album that mixes the pop/rock sound of inaugural "Idol" Kelly Clarkson with the R&B edge of Beyonce. "It's hard to get at what my sound is," Sparks notes, "but I think that's what I'm trying to get."

Her own songwriting also isn't a priority for the album. "I write a lot of poems," she says, "and maybe I could get something on this first album, but I'm not sure. Eventually I'd love to be able to write and have a song on an album, but we'll see."

Count on Sparks to performer her current single, "This Is My Now," on the "American Idols Live" tour, but that's about all she'll acknowledge for the upcoming road show.

"The show is gonna be different than any other show they have put on," Sparks says. "There's a bunch of group songs and duets. The solos are really cool. I'm singing some songs I haven't sung before. We're really excited about it."

Sparks says rumors that Clarkson may drop in on the tour now that her own is canceled have reached rehearsals. And while nothing definitive has been announced, the current "Idol" has no objections to that. "I love her," Sparks says. "I'd be like, 'Hey, let's do something together!' That would be really cool for me."

Sure would Jordin, but don't count on it.

IDOLS ON THE CHARTS

Donna Reynolds' Idol Chartwatch reports that it was a rather slow week for Idols on the charts. Daughtry is the only Idol-related CD in the top 20 of the Billboard 200, coming in this week at #17. The album is #14 on the Internet Sales chart, #19 on the Digital Album Sales chart, and #6 on the Rock Albums chart. Daughtry's single "Home" remains #1 on the Adult Top 40 chart this week, and is #17 on the Hot 100, #7 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, #11 on the Pop 100, #7 on Pop 100 Airplay, #7 on the Adult Contemporary chart, #26 on the Hot Digital Tracks chart, and #32 on the Hot Digital Songs chart; Daughtry's "It's Not Over" is #22 on the Adult Contemporary chart (#24), #11 on the Adult Top 40, and #72 on Hot Digital Songs.

Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" moves up one spot to #21 on the Billboard 200 and is #5 on the Country chart. Her single "Before He Cheats" is #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart, #13 on the Hot 100, #10 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, #13 on the Pop 100, #11 on the Pop 100 Airplay chart, and #6 on the Adult Top 40. The song is #15 on Hot Digital Tracks and #21 on Hot Digital Songs; "I'll Stand by You" is #44 on the Country chart.

Elliott Yamin drops five spots to #75 on the Billboard 200 and goes from #38 to #39 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It’s #5 on the Independent Album sales.

Fantasia drops two spots to #118 on the Billboard 200 and remains #21 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Her single "When I See You" is #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and #2 on the R&B Adult airplay list. It’s #52 on the Hot 100 and #13 on the Hot 100 Airplay listing.

Bucky Covington slips to #75 on the Billboard 200 and is #11 on the Country Albums list. Covington's single "A Different World" is #82 on the Hot 100, #69 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, and #15 on the Country.

Kellie Pickler's "Small Town Girl" slips to #138 on the Billboard 200, but was up three spots to #27 on the Country listing. Her single "I Wonder" is #95 on the Hot 100 at #100.

Mandisa's single, "Only the World" (click to listen) remains #1 on this week’s Single Sales chart and is also on the Hot Christian Adult Contemporary chart (#9).

Last week, Taylor Hicks's "Heaven Knows" showed up for the first time on the Adult Contemporary chart, and this week, it’s up three spots to #24.

Elliott Yamin's "Wait for You" is up three spots to #25 on the Hot 100, ten spots to #35 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, and two spots to #16 on the Pop 100. It's #12 on the Pop 100 Airplay chart, #39 on the Adult Top 40, #21 on Hot Digital Tracks, and #24 on Hot Digital Songs.

Kelly Clarkson's "Never Again" is #22 on the Hot 100, #19 on the Pop 100, #37 on Hot 100 Airplay, #17 on the Adult Top 40, #11 on Hot Digital Tracks, #12 on Hot Digital Songs, and #35 on the Hot Dance Club chart. Her duet of "Because of You" with Reba McIntire is #20 on the Bubbling Under (the Hot 100) and #17 on the Country chart.

Jordin Spark's “This Is My Now" drops off the charts while Blake Lewis' "You Give Love a Bad Name" is #88 on the Pop 100.

Kimberley Locke's single "Change" is up one spot to #6 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and is #36 on the Dance Club chart.

Katharine McPhee's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"/"My Destiny" is #36 on the Single Sales list.

Ruben Studdard's "Make Ya Feel Beautiful" is #36 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and #7 on the R&B Adult airplay list.

Upcoming Idol Releases

Next up is Mandisa, whose "True Beauty" drops July 31.

Constantine Maroulis' self-titled album follows on August 7.

According to Bo Bice's official Web site, his second album will be released September 18. The working title is "American Blood." Still no word on what label will release the album, but it is looking likely that Bo is now working with StratArt, which looks to be a subsidiary of Bo’s management company, Strategic Artist Management.

McENTIRE'S HUSBAND TO MANAGE KELLY CLARKSON

Billboard reports Kelly Clarkson has signed with Nashville-based Starstruck Entertainment for management. Clarkson's career was previously handled by Jeff Kwatinetz at the Firm in Los Angeles.

Starstruck Entertainment is currently home to country artists Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton. Narvel Blackstock, CEO of Starstruck and McEntire's husband, will serve as Clarkson's personal manager. Trisha McClanahan, Starstruck VP of marketing, will assist with day-to-day operations.

Startstruck Entertainment was founded by Blackstock in 1988 as a full service entertainment conglomerate. McClanahan joined the company in 1990. Starstruck Management Group is the artist management arm of the corporation.

AMERICAN IDOL TIDBITS

J.D. reports in his Musical Ramblings blog these tidbits about "American Idol" that he learned when he attended the recent Reality TV Convention in Nashville, Tenn. Among those in attendance were former contestants Scott Savol, Will Makar, Lindsey Cardinale, Perla Meneses, Heather Cox and Jon Peter Lewis.

During Hollywood week of Season 6, American Idol camera crews routinely wake up contestants at odd hours of the night for impromptu interviews. This was done on purpose. Also, prior to going onstage, producers would tell select people "hey, don't forget your lyrics!" immediately before they started performing just to plant the idea of forgetting lyrics in their minds. It worked on more than a few people.

The rant that Derrell Brittenum (Season 5) went on in protest of his twin brother Terrell's elimination in Hollywood was fake. Derrell knew the entire time that his brother had made it through, but he also knew that doing that would ensure him maximum coverage and exposure. (Not that it mattered, since he and his brother both were in jail by the time Idol aired.) Said Derrell to Nigel, after leaving stage, "Sorry, but I had to do that to y'all."

Ace Young, Taylor Hicks, and Ryan Seacrest all had crushes on Heather Cox. Ryan asked her out. Ace was the only one she actively returned any sort of affection toward.

Kellie Pickler (Season 5) already knew what calamari was. She had ordered it in a restaurant in Hollywood prior to the Top 24 shows hitting the air.

Paula Abdul was often aloof to contestants during the Hollywood rounds, and more than once appeared tipsy. Conversely, Simon Cowell is described by almost all previous contestants as being a surprisingly nice guy.

Nobody liked Brenna Gethers (Season 5), not even Chris Daughtry. The producers tried to make it look like people didn't like Becky O'Donohue with some creative editing, however most people liked the O'Donohue twins.

Paris Bennett and Lisa Tucker (Season 5) disliked each other at first. Later they became best friends. On the other hand, Kellie Pickler and Heather Cox were great friends initially, but now are no longer speaking.

Nobody has anything bad to say about Melinda Doolittle.

Gedeon McKinney (Season 5) was at the Season 6 Memphis auditions, offering voice lessons for $75 to auditioners.

Stevie Scott and Heather Cox (Season 5) were both extremely sick during the early Top 24 rounds, and thus were eliminated. Neither got to sing the songs they wanted to sing.

David Radford (Season 5) is now in college studying music.

Season 3 Idols didn't really care for John Stevens. Jon Peter Lewis, on the hand, is one of the nicest guys in the world, and is considered to be the fun one of the group.

Heather Piccinini (Season 3) will tell you she's coming to a convention, confirm it for you on the phone the day before, allow you to book her into a concert event, and then not show up at all.

During this year's Superstar Idols tour in Texas, Ruben Studdard (Season 2) had no contact with any of the other former Idol contestants on the tour with him. He had to have a separate bus and prep area. Ruben was also frequently late to the stage, leaving Justin Guarini (Season 1) to carry the show. Justin did the job well, and often by the time Ruben got to the stage, the crowd would have followed Justin back to meet and greets and would pay Ruben very little attention.

Chris Richardson (Season 6) did a concert with Ace Young (Season 5) earlier this year, almost immediately after Idol was over. This is a direct violation of his contract with 19 Entertainment. Especially since the tour has not yet started. A couple of 19 executives actually attended the show, and nothing has been said to Chris about it since, so it appears, at least for now, that he's in the clear.

LOCKE TO LOSE WEIGHT FOR JENNY CRAIG

PR-inside reports that Kimber-
ley Locke is set to become the new face of diet company Jenny Craig.

The "8th World Wonder" singer has already lost 30 pounds on the plan and hopes to lose another 10 before her stint as a celebrity spokeswoman begins.

It's not the first time Locke has gone public with her weight battle - she's a former contestant on reality TV show "Celebrity Fit Club."

JESSICA SIERRA PLEADS NOT GUILTY

With long blond-and-black locks hanging over the shoulders of her tight, peach-colored dress, Jessica Sierra walked into the Hillsborough County Courthouse Monday morning to answer charges that she struck a man on the head with a cocktail glass, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Sierra, a Tampa resident who was a top 10 contestant on "American Idol," has made several appearances at the courthouse - as a victim and as a defendant - since her 2005 stint on the talent-seeking TV show.

On Monday, the 21-year-old pleaded not guilty to a felony battery charge stemming from an April 29 arrest at Hyde Park Cafe. Bar patron Wisam Hadad said Sierra threw the glass at him. Tampa police reports stated he sustained a 3/4 -inch gash over his right eyebrow. Hadad told reporters he assumed Sierra thought he was someone else.

Sierra told police Hadad spat on her but later clarified that she could not be sure it was Hadad. A lawsuit filed against the nightclub and Sierra is pending.

When police booked Sierra into jail, her legal problems worsened. Police said she had 0.8 grams of cocaine in her purse and added charges of cocaine possession and introduction of contraband into a detention facility.

On Monday, Circuit Judge William Fuente set trial dates for October. Sierra's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, said he hoped the charges could be resolved amicably.

Asked for comment, Sierra smiled as she walked away.

"Just thanking all my fans for being here to support me," she said.

Joining Sierra at the courthouse were Fitzgibbons, her stepmother and several journalists.

Later, Fitzgibbons said Sierra has received many phone calls and letters of support. When she has been out in public, he said, fans have approached her to offer kind words about her legal woes.

Sierra's first trip to the courthouse since her celebrity came in January 2006. She testified against a California man who was charged with stalking after he had flown to Tampa in an attempt to meet her. The man had claimed to be a record producer and made hundreds of calls to Sierra's cell phone.

Last month, Sierra's name again appeared in legal papers. A rental car agency filed a report with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office saying Sierra owed money for a car she had not returned. Sheriff's reports say Sierra owed for two weeks, at about $500 per week. She returned the car after the report was filed.

Sierra's lawyer said the singer is hoping to have money together in the next week or two to pay the debt.

A FAN'S DREAM COMES TRUE

For anyone who has ever dreamed of getting onstage with their Idol, you must watch this video of Taylor Hicks allowing an audience member to sing backup for him:


And now, you must read her story about how she got onstage. As Taylor told her, "You never know what you'll get if you only ask."

But please! Tell us what Hicks whispered in your ear.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

Carrie Underwood Sexiest Vegetarian

Tens of thousands of votes have been counted and the results are in. PETA has named "American Idol" superstar Carrie Underwood the World’s Sexiest Vegetarian woman and "Tonight Show" band leader Kevin Eubanks the World’s Sexiest Vegetarian man for 2007. Red-carpet runners-up include Kristen Bell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Ausiello and Jared Leto.

The animals rights group says the contest drew more than 110,000 votes on its Web site.

Underwood, who is celebrating her second win as "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" —- she also won in PETA’s 2005 poll —- is a lifelong animal lover. "I quit eating beef when I was about thirteen," she has said. "I do it because I really love animals and it just makes me sad. ... I don't like to watch commercials where they have meat. It weirds me out." Known to sport "V Is for Vegetarian" shirts at her concerts, the singer frequently mentions that vegetarian pizza is one of her favorite foods. What's more, Underwood is also known to rescue stray animals.

Last year, Prince and Bell, who starred on the "Veronica Mars" TV series, were picked as the two sexiest vegetarians. Previous winners also include Natalie Portman, Andre 3000, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Shania Twain, Tobey Maguire, Lauren Bush, Josh Hartnett and Alicia Silverstone.

DREAMGIRL JENNIFER HUDSON WINS BET AWARDS

The Philadelphia News reports that the BET Awards opened with Jennifer Hudson in a white cocktail dress standing alone onstage bellowing out those trademark lyrics, "And I'm telling you ... " Then, she graciously turned the stage over to "my dream girl, the true dream girl, Miss Jennifer Holliday," a classy move considering how irked Holliday was about not having a role in the film version of "Dreamgirls." Holliday originated the role of Effie in the Broadway version.

The duet was awe inspiring. If this had been the Olympics, the vocal gymnastics they engaged in would have garnered them both gold medals. Holliday hit one eye-popping note after another, particularly that last one that sounded almost like a gasp before landing on the last bit. They ended the song with their hands clasped and held aloft. Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday sang their butts off.

Hudson also received BET's Best New Artist and Best Actress awards. Her "Dreamgirls" co-star Beyoncé captured awards for best female R&B artist and video of the year for "Irreplaceable."

This season's Idol champ, Jordin Sparks, was also in attendance.

You can catch a clip of Hudson and Holliday here (AP video middle right-hand side of page).

IDOLS AT ASCAP RHYTHM AND SOUL AWARDS

EURweb reports that among the "honorees and notables in attendance" at the 20th Anniversary ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards, held June 25th at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., to salute the top songwriters and publishers behind the most popular music of 2006, were "American Idol" season 6 finalists Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, LaKisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle.

IDOLS ON THE RADIO

USA Today's Idol Chatter on radio plays for Idol finalists based on the latest published issue of Radio & Records, which contains essentially the same format charts as Billboard.

On the Top 40 chart (the pop, or mainstream, end of the spectrum): Daughtry's "Home" is No. 3;
Elliott Yamin's "Wait for You" is No. 11; Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" is No. 12; Kelly Clarkson's "Never Again" is No. 28.

On the Urban chart (R&B and rap combined): Fantasia 's "When I See U" is No. 5; Ruben Studdard's "Make Ya Feel Beautiful" is No. 6, retaining a bullet after 20 weeks.

On the Christian Adult Contemporary (AC): Mandisa's "Only the World" is No. 11..

On the Country chart: Bucky Covington's "A Different World" is No. 16; Kellie Pickler's "I Wonder" is No. 18; Carrie Underwood's "I'll Stand by You" is No. 45.

On the Adult Contemporary chart: Kimberley Locke's "Change" is No. 7; Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" is No. 11; Daughtry's "Home" is No. 12 and "It's Not Over" is No. 24; Taylor Hicks' "Heaven Knows" debuts at No. 27; in the "New and Active" section (songs moving up but not yet on the chart), Elliott Yamin's "Wait for You" is the top-listed song and Ayla Brown's "Forward" is fourth (OK, in the real world, that means it got played 60 times total at the 98 stations BDS monitors, but it's something).

Hot AC (which has more rock and alternative and generally more adventurous programming than regular AC): Daughtry's "Home" is No. 1 for the third week, and it's still gaining airplay and their "It's Not Over" is No. 10; Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" is No. 6 and "I'll Stand by You" is eighth in New and Active songs; Kelly Clarkson's "Never Again" is No. 14 and dropping fast in airplay. Elliott Yamin's "Wait for You" debuts at No. 40.

Active Rock chart: Daughtry's "What I Want" is No. 14.

In the overall national picture (based on the more updated 100-position national radio airplay audience chart), Daughtry is No. 6 with "Home" and "It's Not Over" is No. 46; Carrie Underwood 's "Before He Cheats" is No. 8 and "Wasted" is No. 81; Fantasia's "When I See U" is No. 13; Elliott Yamin's "Wait for You" is No. 45. Bucky Covington's "A Different World" is No. 75; Kelly Clarkson 's "Never Again" has fallen off the top 100, but she's back on the chart with her new duet with Reba McEntire, "Because of You," new at 87. And Kellie Pickler's "I Wonder" finally makes the national chart at No. 97.

SIMON COWELL: BIG MOUTH STRIKES AGAIN

Earlier this month, the UK paper The Times did a story and interview with Simon Cowell, tied to the premiere of his new series "Britain's Got Talent" (sound familiar?). It is one of the most insightful profiles of Cowell we've read.

In his career to date, Simon Cowell’s acts have sold 100 million albums and achieved 75 No 1 singles. In the last round of this year’s "American Idol" series, 63.2 million viewers voted – more Americans than voted for George Bush. His latest show, "America’s Got Talent," was NBC’s No. 1 for the whole of last summer. This is a colossus bestriding our pop culture, who knows how to hold it down and slap it until it cries. On air, he's careless with the dreams of young hopefuls: "If you sang like this 2,000 years ago, people would have stoned you"; "If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning." Off air, he's brutally ambitious: he set up "The X Factor" as a rival to "Pop Idol," on which he appeared, but which was owned by his 1990s chart rival Simon Fuller, the man behind the Spice Girls. Cowell is branching out into drama and has been working on an updated movie version of "Fame" for the past couple of years. His combination of drive and sarcasm clearly pays: his company, Syco, employs a mere 11 people but was responsible for 40% of the profits of its parent, Sony BMG UK, in 2006, and this year’s Rich List values him at £100 million.

Walking up the stone steps to his large Holland Park house, therefore, is slightly intimidating. There's a chauffeur outside and a security camera that lights up when you press the bell at the gate. ... When Cowell comes to the door, however, he's all bounce and smiles. He's wearing jeans and a dark, crew-neck jumper, his hair tousled. He carries a small, unmarked brown bottle in the same hand as his cigarettes and lighter, and dumps them before perching on a vast modern armchair in an immaculate, tasteful room decorated in muted autumn colours, a bit like a hotel. (He lived in one once, until he got bored with the room-service menu.) He – or, rather, his housekeeper – makes me tea, biscuits and hot cross buns, and he chats away, hesitant and cheerful rather than dry and snappy. I make some obvious goofs that television's Mr Nasty would have leapt on, but he’s warm and friendly.

We meet on the day before ITV records its second Simon Cowell "This Is Your Life" – the first was four years ago. Cowell is also conducting the first-round auditions of his new series, "Britain’s Got Talent." This is a talent show in the postwar Butlins tradition. Anyone can enter, which means that boys with squeaky ears, men who play frying pans with a pen and truly atrocious comedy magicians all get their 15 minutes in front of Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden, in effect expanding the best part of "The X Factor": the insanity of the early stages. The show seems curiously old-fashioned, and when he says he wants it to revive variety, it feels as if he's promoting an end-of-the-pier entertainment. "Well, I've always been a big fan of entertainment in the 1950s and 1960s," he nods. "To me, that was the absolute pinnacle. There was a kind of naivety in those days that I enjoy. We went through a phase in the 1990s when we became incredibly cynical, and I didn't like that. Now we're back on track, because I don't think tastes change."

He says his hero was Mickie Most, the acerbic judge of the 1970s talent competition "New Faces": "He was a smart guy, knew what the public wanted and wasn't interested in the art of it all. He was just interested in being successful." And when Most was on air, success was important to the young Cowell, sitting on the floor in front of the variety show on the screen, caught between worlds in Elstree. He knew he wanted to be successful – he just had to be – but he wasn't sure how he was going to make it.

His parents were an unusual couple for their time. His dad was an estate agent who wooed his dancer mother on a train journey from Birmingham. The woman he won was a socialite with Celia Johnson vowels – "a creature of the 1960s. She absolutely typified that whole Jackie Onassis glamorous look. Very energetic, very vivacious, very camp. During that time, she was in her element." Perhaps to sprinkle some fairy dust in front of his new wife, Cowell Sr. took a job at EMI, running its property division, and moved the family into Elstree’s equivalent of Beverly Hills. Cowell loves to tell the story of their neighbour, Gerry Blatner, head of Warner Bros. films in the UK, who threw fabulous garden parties. "As a kid, I would look over the fence at this great house and see everyone – Robert Mitchum, Elizabeth Taylor, all these great actors – having the time of their lives. I remember thinking from a very, very early age, 'God, I hope I grow up and have a nice house so I can have parties like that.' "

But there were problems. For one thing, he hated school. He hated the lack of control – being told what to do, being forced to do things he didn't like. He was expelled from three of them, and says it was only nicotine that got him through: "Because everything revolved around getting out of the classroom, meeting your friends, getting the cigarette and then looking forward to the next one. All of my school was about cigarettes." After leaving with no qualifications, he tried a few odd jobs until his dad bagged him a place in EMI's post room, and, finally, he could try to make it as Mickie Most.

He rose into A&R and found his 1960s tastes ideally suited to the multicoloured world of 1980s pop. He signed Curiosity Killed the Cat as well as the Stock, Aitken and Waterman moppets Sinitta and Sonia. Anything fun and silly – a single from the Power Rangers, or Robson & Jerome doing Unchained Melody, perhaps – he leapt at. He loved getting what he wanted. When he chased Robson Green to get him to record "Unchained Melody," Green’s lawyer threatened him with a court order. Cowell simply switched his attentions to Green's mum, and two months later the deal was signed.

It was only rebel music he didn't understand – "I hated punk, and in the early 1990s, when house was big, I had a very bad time with my career" – and he narrowly avoided bankruptcy when his borrowing spiralled out of control. His tastes may be constant, but sometimes we, his public, can be fickle. He spent five years living with his parents, getting his career going again. By the late 1990s, he had just got Five and Westlife off the ground, and was preparing to launch Girl Thing, when television, a medium he had seen just as a tool, slipped him a low blow. He had turned down the chance to appear on "Popstars," the first hit-maker show, in 2001, and he was furious to discover it was not only successful, but had stolen "Pure and Simple," a song from his group Girl Thing's flop album. "I was so mad, I thought, 'I've got to do something to retaliate. I want "Popstars" off the market. I want to be on a show that's going to kick it off the air.' That was Idol."

From then on, it became about control – revenge and control. He wanted to create the environment in which his acts would be showcased. He wanted to own the formats, not appear in them. He wanted every step of the process to be in his hands. He tells stories about meetings in America at which lowly office juniors would kick him out of the building. "I've still got an e-mail from three years ago, when I was launching my opera boyband, Il Divo," he says. "I trusted this TV producer and got him in, saying, 'I'd like you to listen to them before anyone else. You're doing a big show, and I'd like them to be on it.' The following day, my promotions girl got a mail from him, tearing the band apart and saying why they’d never be successful. I thought, 'I'm never going to put my life in the hands of an idiot like that again.' "

When I ask him what bothers him about all of this, his face darkens for a second. "I don't like being patronised." Surely people don't patronise a multimillionaire with global media properties. He gives a grim laugh. "All the time. All the time. It's this weird, icy politeness you see a lot of in this business. People pretending to be happy about your success. I mean, I'm never happy about a competitor's success. I despise it when somebody who isn't working with me is successful on their own – it really upsets me. And I wish for their demise. And I'm very open about it, because I know they're wishing for mine." As a result, Syco now makes about 1,500 hours of television a year, much of it focused on promoting acts that are signed to his label.

Given that he's now in a position to spread his tastes around the world, I ask him what they are. "If you look in my kitchen, you'll find jellybeans and baked beans, nothing fancy," he shrugs. "I like 'Jaws' and 'Star Wars,' rather than some Polish film with subtitles. A lot of the so-called great music of the world has bypassed me as well. I've just stuck to my guns. If I like it, there's a very good chance other people will like it as well."

So, what would we watch if you switched on the telly now? He smiles. "Stuff from 40 or 50 years ago. Black-and-white British films. I like St. Trinian's films, Cary Grant in 'Arsenic and Old Lace.' " And what would we eat? "Roast chicken and roast potatoes the way my mum makes." What about music? "It's hard to relax with music – it's work." But isn't there a fantasy band that you would have loved to sign? "The Beatles. Because they're still worth a lot today." Not because of the music? "No." And then he laughs, and shrugs. "It's true."

I tell him I'll be at the studio for the recording of "This Is Your Life," and he grins with delight at the show. "I remember thinking the first one I did wasn't great. It felt too early. I never watched it or read the book. Ally Ross wrote that it was hilarious watching Simon Cowell with no friends. So I made bloody sure this time that there are more friends. I'm updating it with the best four years.

The following night, "This Is Your Life’s" studio is filled with Ricky Gervais, Sharon Osbourne and Ant and Dec, who parade on, deliver a few affectionate jokes and give the beaming Cowell a hug. Grateful "X-Factor" winners offer thanks for their break. Ben Elton says he wrote a novel lampooning Cowell having never met the bloke, but got a phone call from his office saying how much he loved it, and they've been mates ever since. The finale sees Il Divo singing Bernstein and Sondheim’s "Somewhere," joined halfway through by his latest "X-Factor" protégée, Leona. The fivesome hit the high notes as fire cascades down the wall behind.

Then the show ends and the celebrities mill around on stage shaking hands and swapping kisses. Out front, the audience are on their feet applauding, when something strange happens. At his moment of utmost triumph, Cowell takes the red book and steps down from the podium, walking forwards until he's standing, alone, between the backslapping on the podium and wild cheering from the crowd. He holds the book out towards us and it's hard to tell if this is a tribute or a sacrifice. Why has he stepped away from the glamour and the pop stars to face us like this – with his feet apart and the book thrust forward in both hands? Perhaps because we are the public, the people whose moods and whims have tossed him around and down, then up far higher than he could have possibly dreamed when peering over Gerry Blatner's fence. I read his name picked out in gold on the book's crimson cover, then glance up and catch the set of his jaw and glint in his eyes. I realise that, for the first time tonight, he isn't smiling.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

Mandisa Relies on Her Own Strength

Season 5 finalist Mandisa recently did a QNA with BlogCritics Magazine . The singer is the author of "IDOLeyes" and her debut album, "True Beauty," drops July 31. She currently has a single, "Only the World," out. Here is what she had to say:

What is your passion in life?

My passion in life is to have a life on purpose, to make a difference. I’d like to be an example to those living with no reason.

What do you want the world to know most about you?

I serve a God who has saved me, redeemed me, and given my life purpose. I want to show people the joy that comes from living a life serving Jesus.

Your book, "IDOLeyes," and your upcoming album, "True Beauty," both send the world two messages. The first is that your struggle with weight has been the biggest struggle of your life. And the second — your faith as a Christian has taken you out of a comfort zone and put you into the ring of light. In what way do you wish to impact the world of overweight women?

My message is twofold: Our bodies are temples, and we have to take care of them. This is a day to day struggle for me, and I overcome it meal by meal. It took me 30 years to get to this point. My weight will not disappear overnight. Whenever I face temptation, and overcome it, this allows me to overcome further temptation.

Second, we will not allow society to dictate who is beautiful. My beauty comes from within, and I will not put my life on hold until I’m a size 5. I live my life full force every day.

As a Christian artist in the 21st century, what lions are you facing?

There have been many who have come before me that have represented the Lord and who have condemned others. I have a relationship with Jesus, I don’t judge or condemn. We’ll all face a judge at the end of life. His name will not be Mandisa. He has given me joy, and it’s been amazing. I want them to know what I know — God is good all the time.

How does your faith help you overcome your weight issues?

When I face temptation, I rely on strength not my own. I quote Scripture when driving by Krispy Kreme. God provides a way out when tempted, through His word and prayer. He gives me the ability to get through this struggle.

Do you have a trainer?

No, but I have an exercise room in my house.

What do you eat?

I’ve been on many diets; I know what to do, fruits and veggies, no white flour or sugar. During some situations I choose poorly. I’m an emotional eater — it absolutely is an addiction. My substance is food. For others it’s drugs or alcohol. My automatic propensity is to turn to food. Now, I turn to the Comforter instead.

Where do you wish to be in five years?

I love where I am right now. My life has purpose, I love my friends and family. In five years I’d like to be the picture of health. I’m thirty years old, I’d like this to be reflected on the outside as well.

Do you have a special man?

No, I’m Super Single — I’m busy. There’s so much going on, that I don’t know how he would fit in. He’s out there somewhere though.

If you could change today’s world, what one problem would you fix?

Hmm ... hate. If we would eliminate that, we would eliminate many problems. The answer to hate is tolerance. I believe we can still love each other, but still be able to disagree.

How did the rape [she discusses this in her book] you endured hurt you emotionally?

I think so many women have been violated or forced to do something that they didn’t want to do. I’m a stronger person today because of what happened. I have mercy on the guy who did this. I want people to know that you can move past this. At a point, you must forgive, it’s not for the other person, it’s for yourself. It freed me, and released the bitterness and rage from my heart.

AJ TABALDO CLOSES POPS SEASON

The Lompoc Record reports that Lompoc’s very own Pops Orchestra will wrap up its 10th anniversary season with a sensational finish on tomorrow evening, June 18, at the Lompoc Civic Auditorium, in Lompoc, Calif. Soloists include Season 6 "American Idol" semi-finalist AJ Tabaldo, 22, from Santa Maria.

Tabaldo, who likes to refer to himself as an ethnic "mutt" because he's a proud mix of Filipino, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian and Chinese, will sing his moving version of "God Bless The USA."

Expected to be a sellout, patrons should arrive early — curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. at the Lompoc Civic Auditorium, 217 South L St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger and full-time students of all ages are with identification. For additional information and ticket reservations, call 805-735-6463.

DAUGHTRY TO PLAY S.C. STATE FAIR AND MONTANAFAIR

South Carolina's TheState.com says don’t take it too hard if you were shut out of "Ameri-
can Idol" finalist Chris Daugh-
try’s sold-out show at Headliners on May 29. Daughtry will be one of this fall's headliners at the South Carolina State Fair, which runs Oct. 10-21. Concert tickets, from $10 to $15, go on sale Aug. 1 online here. The grandstand, which holds 5,000, will be all reserved seating. Daughtry will appear on Oct. 11.

Meanwhile, The Billings Gazette reports that country-music hit makers, rock stars, arenacross, bull riding and Championship NRA Rodeo are coming to Billings during MontanaFair on Aug. 10-18.

MontanaFair will kick off Aug. 10 with country-music artists Phil Vassar and Josh Gracin.

Gracin made the Top 10 in the Season 2 of "American Idol" and was the first finalist to bring country music to the pop-oriented hit show.

Tickets for their fair concert cost $32 for reserved seating and $27 for general admission. Showtime is 7p.m.

At 7 p.m. Aug. 11, the main act is Daughtry, the five-man rock band fronted by Chris Daughtry, the fourth-place finisher from Season 5. Daughtry's self-titled debut album spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Hits include "It's Not Over," "Home," "Gone" and "What I Want."

A post-grunge band, 12 Stones, will open the show. Tickets cost $37 for reserved seating and $32 for general admission.

For $60, you can get general admission into all seven nights of entertainment with the MontanaFair Discovery Pass. The pass can be shared with family and friends, and fair gate admission is free with the pass on the event days, which are every day except Aug. 13 and 15. Discovery Pass tickets may be upgraded to reserved seating.

Tickets are on sale at the MetraPark Box Office, Rimrock Mall Customer Service Counter, four local Cellular Plus stores, online here and here and by phone at 800-366-8538.

SEACREST SATIRIZES HIMSELF

The Associated Press says that Ryan Seacrest is known as a lot of things -- slick "American Idol" ringmaster, hotshot radio deejay, ubiquitous E! channel host -- but funny guy's not one of them. Which makes his scene-stealing cameo in "Knocked Up" such an amusing surprise. Even more so because he's the butt of the joke.

Seacrest sends up his pompous image in the Judd Apatow-directed comedy about an ambitious entertainment reporter (Katherine Heigl) whose life is flipped when she learns she is pregnant. She takes her job seriously at E! Entertainment Television -- but not as seriously as the film-version Seacrest, who launches into a riotous rant during a scene that lasts barely two minutes.

Seacrest, playing himself, becomes ticked off on the set when Jessica Simpson throws off his busy schedule by arriving at her leisure for an interview.

He angrily suggests that maybe he'll retaliate by asking for her thoughts on an "exit strategy" in the Middle East.

"I don't understand the young talent in this town," the movie Seacrest goes on. "It doesn't make any sense. I got four jobs - hell, I'm more famous than half the people we talk to anyway!"

The rant then escalates into an R-rated diatribe with Seacrest dropping the F-bomb and denouncing the superficial workings of the entertainment industry. The apoplectic host finally has to be ushered into the green room with a promise of a cookie in an effort to calm him down.

Seacrest is not nearly as divalike in real life. ... Or is he?

At the beginning of a recent telephone interview with the Associated Press, the 32-year-old took a moment to jokingly exercise his authority: "Hang on one second - "Linda, WHERE'S MY LUNCH?! ... Sorry, just kidding," he deadpanned, back on the phone.

Seacrest, whose poker-faced demeanor during those ominous "Idol" elimination shows was spoofed on "Saturday Night Live," said he relished exposing his not-so-serious side in "Knocked Up."

"Oh, I love it! I don't mind being the butt of the joke. ... It doesn't really bother me. I quite enjoy it," said Seacrest.

He even suggested a headline for this story: "He's funny and YOU don't know it!" In the movie, he makes another statement: He can laugh at himself.

"I believe that one of the things I've tried to do is work hard and take the business very seriously. ... But, at the same time, you can't take the [TV personality] role too seriously. Then you really begin to lose it."

When it came time to film the scene, Seacrest -- nervous about how he'd be "received by the movie world" - was delighted to "have fun and ad lib" with Apatow ("The 40 Year-Old Virgin"), who is big on improvisation and collaboration.

"I'm not used to a script," Seacrest said. Apatow, he related, asked him: "Hey, can you use a bad word and make fun of a couple people and, at the end of this whole scene, really make sure you make fun of yourself?"

His response: "Absolutely, let's roll."

"This was a very therapeutic exercise," he said. "I mean, I didn't want to stop that day. It's a shame I only got to do it for however long I got to do it."

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

Ryan Blames Simon for ‘Idol’ Ratings Drop

According to MSNBC, Ryan Seacrest says he knows why "American Idol" took a ratings hit this season. He says it's Simon Cowell’s fault.

When asked about the decline, reports Canada's Globe and Mail, Seacrest replied, "Well, the knee-jerk reaction would be Simon."

Seacrest says there's just too much of the acid-tongued judge: "Clearly there's an over saturation of his character." Seacrest pointed out that the ratings are still high, and addressed buzz that bosses want to change some of the "Idol" judges. "That's clearly rumor," he said. "I'm positive you can't recreate the chemistry that we have with the group on 'American Idol.' "

Clearly the reporter missed that Seacrest was being tongue in cheek. Seacrest, of course, eggs Cowell on constantly, so if that were the real cause, Seacrest would be at fault as well.

Us? We think the ratings drop was due to a dull season resulting from a lot of generally weak contestants. This was especially true coming off of Season 5, which had a particularly strong group, especially Chris Daughtry, and in which eight (Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Paris Bennett, Elliott Yamin, Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington, Mandisa) of the Top 12 have already released CD's, a ninth (Ace Young) is in the works; one semi-finalist (Ayla Brown) has released a CD as well.

McPHEE REALLY HURT

US magazine says that although fellow Season 5 competitors Elliot Yamin, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Hicks and Chris Daughtry all returned for guest spots of "American Idol's" sixth season, noticeably absent from the rundown was Katharine McPhee, 23 – and it was not by choice.

"Katharine called them herself, trying to get on the [finale]," a source close to the singer told Us. "She's really hurt." The finale featured performances by original Idol champion Kelly Clarkson, second-season Idol winner Ruben Studdard and fourth-season Idol winner Carrie Underwood and last season's champ Taylor Hicks, along with appearances by numerous non-Idol artists, including Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Gwen Stefani, Tony Bennett, Green Day, Bette Midler, Joe Perry, and Bebe and Cece Winans.

But she wasn't the only former Idol who got dissed. When Sony/BMG president Clive Davis addressed the TV audience, he made sure to plug Taylor Hicks' new single, but failed to mention Kelly Clarkson's latest single or her forthcoming CD, "My December," over which the two have reportedly butted heads.

McPhee's rep could not be reached, and Fox had no comment.

RAISING KANE

Meanwhile, MSNBC reports that Katharine McPhee's fans are outraged that the former contestant was treated rudely on a Washington D.C. radio station. Now the show’s DJ, Kane, is hitting back.

As we reported last week, McPhee was interviewed by an intern named Ally on Hot 99.5’s "The Kane Morning Show." The interview was supposed to be in the studio and the station had agreed that McPhee wouldn't be asked any personal questions. But McPhee didn't show up at the studio — handlers explained that her flight had been delayed — and one of the first questions the intern asked the 23-year-old singer was about her 42-year-old boyfriend. The intern asked if having a boyfriend who was so much older hurt or helped the relationship. An obviously irritated McPhee said she didn't want to discuss her private life and the interview went downhill from there.

Angry fans deluged Kane with hate mail. "Maybe she should have been nicer and been live as she promised," Kane replied to some of them.

The angry calls and e-mails kept coming, and Kane shot back a lengthy response. "I'm getting increasingly frustrated by e-mails from McPhee fans that don't know the whole story and are writing me angry e-mails," Kane wrote to them, scolding, "It makes Kat look bad when every other word in your e-mail about how you thought we didn't handle the interview professionally starts with an f---."

He went on to describe in detail a scenario in which he said McPhee was pitched to the radio show on the condition that she appear live, that the appearance be pre-promoted, and that there would be no personal questions. He also challenged the excuses he was given for her failing to appear live — pointing out, for example, that the flights from L.A. to Washington weren't delayed that morning.

"Slam us, go-head," Kane wrote. "We agreed to have her on; we followed the rules. They didn't tell the truth. Kat could have had a little more fun with Ally. She could have said, 'You guys know you're not supposed to ask me personal questions. What's wrong with you?' Rather, she just got mad."

COWELL 'SICK WITH ENVY' OVER DWTS' SUCCESS

FemaleFirst, a UK Web site, says that Simon Cowell confesses he is jealous of friends who taste success -- but insists it is healthy to be competitive. But the music mogul also admits he is 'sick with envy' that he wasn't the brainchild behind hit U.S. TV show "Dancing with the Stars," and secretly wanted the program to flop.

"If someone I know is doing better than me I get incredibly miserable," Cowell said, adding "A lot of my friends are extremely wealthy, but I'm not envious of their money, however, I'm never pleased if they have a hit show. I don't go to bed thinking, 'I'm really happy their show is doing so well'. It annoys me that it wasn't my idea.

"When I watch 'Dancing with the Stars' in America it makes me sick with envy because I didn't think if the idea myself. But that's how it should be -- when you lose your competitive edge, you're over."

Meanwhile its been revealed that the music mogul follows a superstitious ritual before appearing on TV -- he "worships" his hair dryer, according to his "Britain's Got Talent co-judge Amanda Holden.

The actress explains, "He has a little routine before every show, with his hair dryer, but it's pointless -- he looks exactly the same afterwards. I can only assume it has become a sort of superstitious ritual. Just as Madonna prays before a performance, Simon worships at the alter of his Babyliss hair dryer. He likes to be assured he looks good and we always tell him he does."

BOSTON PICKS PICKLER

Kellie Pickler, travelling with the Brad Paisley tour, got a great review in Boston Herald yesterday. Of her performance on Saturday at the Tweeter Center, the paper's critic said:

"With all the sticky sweet gloss now coating commercial country, it’s easy to forget the earnestness that once defined the genre.

But at a nearly full Tweeter Center last night, Brad Paisley's Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour confirmed that not only is quality country being made, its performers are charismatic and charming.

With Taylor Swift apparently ill, "American Idol" Season 5 top-six contestant Kellie Pickler opened in a sexy red top and skin-tight jeans.

In addition to selections from her impressive "Small Town Girl," Pickler served up a slow, saucy cover of Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight" and a hammed-up version of Dolly Parton's "9 to 5."

During "I Wonder," a song about being estranged from her mother, she began to cry; a well-deserved standing ovation followed.

Hook-laden tunes such as "Red High Heels" are proof that Pickler's career is just getting started.

FULLER REASSEMBLING THE SPICE GIRLS?

On Friday, People magazine reported that the Spice Girls are preparing for a Christmas reunion tour. "It should be happening in December," a source told People. "Geri [Halliwell, a.k.a. Ginger Spice] and Emma ["Baby Spice" Bunton] have been in the studio writing new material and they want to do a worldwide tour."

Rumors have circulated recently that the band would reunite for the Princess Diana memorial concert that is to be held on Diana's birthday, July 1, to mark the 10th anniversary of her death.

"They definitely won't be performing at the Diana show. It is too soon and Emma is pregnant," says another band insider. "But plans are afoot for later in the year. It all depends on Simon Fuller. He is the mastermind."

Fuller, 47, the creator of "American Idol," was also the Svengali manager who turned the five-woman group into the most successful female act of the 1990s.

The group plans to release a greatest hits album that will include several new songs, sources tell People. "They have a couple of new songs and one in particular is fantastic," says one recording-studio source. "It's hard to get something as pop-laden as their first hit, 'Wannabe,' but one of the new songs is heading that way and it has far more funk in it than the ballads before the band split."

Until recently, it seemed there was no hope for a reunion. "There are no plans for it at all with or without me," Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisholm, 33, told People in March.

The band insider confirms that Chisholm was reluctant at first. "It's been a long time coming and the negotiations have been going on for a while," says the source. "Mel C. was the last one to come onboard as she has been pushing her solo career."

The first hint of a possible reunion came on April 22 at the baptism service for 34-year-old Halliwell's 11-month-old daughter, Bluebell Madonna. Only L.A.-based Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown, 32, who welcomed a daughter of her own on April 3, was absent.

Sources tell People that Fuller returned to London from Los Angeles earlier this week and is expected to craft an announcement of the reunion. Meanwhile, Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham has returned to California to finalize her family's move.

However, a day later, on June 9th, Access Hollywood reported that while at least one of the girls confirms the multi-platinum fab five have been speaking about getting back together as a tour de force, don’t set aside your ticket money just yet.

"There has been discussions," Melanie Chisholm told the BBC's "Something for the Weekend" recently, "but nothing's been agreed at the moment."

While the girls may be talking, some UK newspapers have said Chisholm who is currently promoting her fourth solo album "This Time" in the UK, is the lone hold out of the bunch. Mel C furthered those rumors during her appearance on the weekend program.

"I really, really like my life the way it is. I've got my record out and it's very special to me," she said. "I've always said I don't want to do it and in my heart of hearts I'd rather leave it really but if the other four girls wanna do it, then I don't wanna be the one who stops it from being the complete five."

Though she offers some hopeful sentiments that the world could see the first reunion of all five girls in nearly a decade (Geri Halliwell left in 1998), Chisholm rules out anything more than new versions of their hits during potential performances.

"I absolutely don't want to do new material 'cause I think that time has passed," she stated. "If we're gonna do it, it should be for nostalgia and it should be all the old stuff, everyone have a great time, put it to bed, finish it and then everyone stop asking me about it!"

YAMIN BACKS OBAMA

Sen. Barack Obama's Web site says that Elliott Yamin will appear at a fundraiser for the presidential hopeful tomorrow in San Francisco from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street. Admission is $250. You can RSVP online. Email for more information.

BILLBOARD CHART NEWS

After reading this week's Idol Chart Watch by Donna Reynolds, we again we have to ask whether the right person was selected as the new American Idol. The EPs for both Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis are in freefall on the Billboard Comprehensive Chart this week (hers went from No. 22 to No. 45; his dove from No. 30 to No. 49. But more interesting, Lewis' "You Give Love a Bad Name" is doing better on Billboard's Hot 100 and Pop 100 than is the new (bleech) Idol Anthem song, "This Is My Now," by Sparks. They stand (on both charts) at Nos. 21 and 25, respectively. Last week, Sparks was at No. 15 and Lewis at No. 18.

Other chart news: Fantasia's eponymous CD rose from No. 85 to No. 65 on The Billboard 200.

Daughtry's self-titled CD landed at No. 5 on this week's Billboard 100.

Bucky Covington's eponymous CD (152,719 copies sold) jumps to No. 51 on the Billboard 200 and is also up to No. 10 on the Country Albums list.

Carrie Underwood 's "Some Hearts," which has sold 5,579,325 copies, drops one spot to No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and is No. 2 on the Country chart.

Elliott Yamin's eponymous CD has sold nearly 251,000 copies to date. The album drops to No. 41 on the Billboard 200 and is No. 27 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Katharine McPhee has dropped off the charts.

Paris Bennett's "Princess P" is No. 93 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums listing

Kellie Pickler's "Small Town Girl" has sold 546,698 copies and is up six spots to No. 103 on the Billboard 200 and is No. 25 on the Country listing.

This Week’s Idols’ Singles Charts

Mandisa's first single, "Only the World," remains No. 2 on the Single Sales chart. The single is also on the Hot Christian Adult Contemporary chart (No. 15).

Daughtry's "Home" hit the No. 1 position on the Hot Adult Top 40 chart and drops to No. 7 on the Hot 100; "It’s Not Over" drops to No. 35 on the Hot 100 and is No. 31 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart; Chris’ single, "What I Want," is No. 11 on the Rock chart.

Bucky Covington's single "A Different World" landed at No. 15 on the Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart.

Elliott Yamin's "Wait for You" continues moves up to No. 32 on the Hot 100, No. 57 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and No. 22 on the Pop 100.

Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" is No. 14 on the Adult Contemporary chart, No. 10 on the Hot 100, No. 11 on the Pop 100, and No. 5 on the Adult Top 40; "I'll Stand by You" is No. 42 on the Country chart; "Wasted" is No. 64 on the Hot 100 and No. 73 on the Pop 100.

Fantasia's "When I See You" is No. 55 on the Hot 100, No. 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and No. 8 on the R&B Adult airplay list.

Kelly Clarkson's "Never Again" is No. 11 on the Hot 100, No. 13 on the Pop 100, No. 13 on the Adult Top 40.

Kimberley Locke's "Change" dropped from No. 19 on the Hot Dance Club.

Kellie Pickler's "I Wonder" is No. 2 on the Bubbling Under (the Hot 100) chart and No. 18 on the Country chart.

Katharine McPhee's "Over It" is No. 89 on the Pop 100; "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" / "My Destiny" is No. 24 on the Single Sales list.

Taylor Hicks' "Just to Feel That Way" is No. 27 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Ruben Studdard's "Make Ya Feel Beautiful" is No. 33 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and No. 8 on the R&B Adult airplay list.

NEW VIDEOS

Fantasia performing at the Tony Awards last night:


Katharine McPhee interview at the Special Olympics on "The View From the Bay":



Chris Daughtry singing "Home" at Riverfest 2007 III:


Chris Daughtry singing "It's Not Over" at Riverfest 2007 III:


Chris Daughtry singing "It's Not Over" at Riverfest 2007 III:


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