Sinitta Comforting Simon Cowell

This can bring no joy to SIMON COWELL's most recent ex, TERRI SEYMOUR, that he has fled to the arms of his former ex, SINITTA, for comfort and support, this according to UK's Mirror, the source of the original story of the split:

Simon Cowell has turned to his old flame Sinitta for support after splitting with girlfriend Terri Seymour.

The newly single X Factor boss, 49, spent the weekend pouring out his heart to the singer after the Mirror revealed on Saturday the six-year relationship was over.

Friends say Simon has grown closer to 40-year-old Sinitta – whom he first dated 18 years ago – since her marriage to financier Andy Wilner hit the rocks earlier this year.

On Saturday she accompanied Simon to the rehearsals and filming of X Factor – even slipping out of the studio at regular intervals with him during ad breaks.

Yesterday they were spotted chatting intimately for several hours over afternoon tea at the Georgian Restaurant in Harrods. Sinitta was with adopted children Magdalenea, three, and two-year-old Zac.

[Here's a video of Simon Cowell, singer Sinitta Renet Malone and BBC Radio host Dermot O'Leary leaving Mr. Chows in London on Oct. 30 after having dinner]:


A close friend of Simon said: "Sinitta and Simon have become much closer recently.

[And according to the UK's The Sun, Cowell helped get Sinitta an underwear modeling gig for her 42nd birthday this past October, after seeing her in a gold bikini on The X Factor.]

"They have have been offering each other much support over their troubled relationships. Sinitta has always helped put a smile back on Simon's face. She's become the closest person to him.

He added: "Simon insists they're just good friends. He prides himself on staying friends with exes." During his relationship with Terri, Sinitta was a regular presence – even joining them on holiday.

He took Sinitta with him to Barbados earlier this year as part of The X Factor judges' houses stage and also to St. Tropez for a posh party in August.

In September Sinitta spoke of her "unconditional love" for Cowell despite being married. She said they split because of his refusal to have kids.

Sinitta has admitted her relationship with her husband is also on the rocks.

He moved to Hong Kong in April, leaving her with their two adopted children.

She said yesterday: "My marriage is struggling. Being apart is a huge problem."

Simon split with Terri, 34, after he refused to commit to her and made it clear he did not share her dreams of starting a family.

The stunning TV presenter has told friends: "It was a mutual decision for us to split. But we still speak and are friends."

Last night Simon was unavailable for comment at his home in West London.
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Maybe Sinitta has figured out that the way to have kids with Simon is to have the kids with someone else, then get back with Simon.
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Meanwhile, the UK's Daily Mail is saying that Cowell's first reaction when hearing that Seymour had broken up with him, was "Thank God." How rude:

Simon Cowell was celebrating his new-found freedom as Hollywood's most eligible bachelor last night after splitting from his girlfriend of six years.

Sources close to the multi-millionaire X Factor judge said he was "hugely relieved" that the relationship with Terri Seymour was over.

They said his first words on hearing that she had confirmed the end of the relationship were: "Thank God."

The stunning 34-year-old TV presenter, who moved out of Cowell's £20million Beverly Hills home in the summer, is now believed to be dating 35-year-old Hollywood actor STEPHEN DORFF, 35 [an ex of Pamela Anderson's], whom she met in September.

Cowell, who is one of TV's highest-paid stars, has given her new love his blessing and has privately said he is delighted to be free of the relationship.

"Simon has basically been waiting for Terri to announce the relationship is over for months," a friend revealed.

"She has been a weight around his neck for a long time but the problem was that his mother absolutely adored Terri and thought the world of her, so Simon was in a bit of a rut.

"Now, Terri has moved on and found someone else and Simon is hugely relieved. He said, 'Thank God' when he heard Terri had gone public with the split and had met someone else.

"He's been waiting for this day for a long time. He just wants to move on with his life. He's so relieved, I can't tell you. Terri's finally found someone else which has enabled her to move on. In the end, she was clinging to Simon and something that didn't really exist between them any more.

"She told him in September that she had met someone, and Simon basically said, 'Go for it.' I still think there was a bit of Terri that was hoping Simon would say he wanted to marry her."

In reality, Cowell has made it very clear that he has already moved on - and today he announces that he has new professional goals, too.

In an exclusive interview in The Mail on Sunday's Live magazine, he reveals his ambitions to extend his domination into the world of politics.

"Politics is showbusiness these days," he said. "More and more so. I know I could engage that audience, get people involved. Make it interesting, for God's sake."

It seems the only ambition 48-year-old Cowell did not possess was to make Terri his first lady.

She was notably absent on Wednesday night when Cowell collected a lifetime achievement accolade at the National TV Awards. Instead, the X Factor mastermind spent his finest hour flanked by his co-star Cheryl Cole and his ex-girlfriend, the singer Sinitta.

"Anyone who knows Simon has known that his relationship with Terri was over months ago, but she's very fragile and he didn't want to hurt her," said a source close to Cowell.

"She wanted kids with Simon desperately, but he wasn't interested in starting a family or getting married.

"All Simon cares about is being the richest, most successful man on the planet. If he wants girls and companionship he can always get them, but it's really not that important to him. Celebrity and money are all that he cares about."

Terri will continue to live in the luxury Los Angeles apartment that Cowell, who is worth £130million, bought for her when she moved out of their shared home this summer.

"Things are very amicable between Terri and Simon. There are no hard feelings," said the source. "She has actually done very well out of Simon. He has bought her a house and wishes her every success and happiness. They'll stay close friends but he couldn't give her what she ultimately wanted, which was children.

"Her biological clock is ticking and all Terri really wants is to start a family."

In an interview with The Mail on Sunday as long ago as 2005, Terri revealed her fears that the relationship would run its course because of Simon's reluctance to settle down and his obsession with work.

She said: "I'm under no illusions where I rank in Simon's priorities. It's work, his mum, work, then me."

She told how she had persuaded Simon's mother Julie, 80, to help her to convince the TV presenter to have a family. "His mum's still trying to change his mind. She's working on my behalf and badgers him about it," she said at the time. And she added: "Simon's made it clear he doesn't want children but I've always been open about the fact that I do.

"His suggestion was that I should get a terrapin instead.

"He wouldn't even allow himself to have a dog, and he adores dogs, because he says it wouldn't be fair. He says, 'What's the point in having a baby if you have to give it to a nanny and never see it?' "

But, even then, Terri admitted that although she attempted to push her desire for children to one side for the sake of their relationship, the clock was always ticking and it became an increasing source of tension – as was Simon's continued closeness with Sinitta.

Although there has never been any suggestion that theirs is anything more than a close friendship, Cowell's failure to tell Terri of his decision to invite the singer and her family to holiday with him and friends in Barbados this Christmas placed a further strain on the relationship.

As the cracks began to show, so too, it seems, did Terri's apparent insecurity. She once admitted: "When I take his clothes to the dry cleaners, I empty out the pockets and find loads of phone numbers scrawled on pieces of paper – from men as well as women. But if I allowed my jealousy to vent at every single little thing, I'd go crazy."

But it cannot have helped that during their relationship Cowell was linked with party girl JASMINE LENNARD, who has a tattoo on her wrist bearing the initials SC.

And, three months ago, it was reported that Cowell had been on a number of dates with James Major's ex-wife, former model EMMA NOBLE, whose television career he was said to be helping relaunch.

A spokesman for Cowell last night confirmed he had split from Terri, and added: "They will stay friends. He thinks the world of her."

COWELL WOMANIZING WITH BRITNEY SPEARS

More Simon Cowell news from the UK's Daily Mail, which says that Cowell has announced that BRITNEY SPEARS will appear on "The X Factor" to sing "Womanizer," because he is a fan of hers:

The star will be singing her new record Womanizer on the show later this month, because Simon Cowell is a fan. He said: "I'm really excited about it, because she has got her act together and the new record is terrific.

"She has come back from a very dark place and is a terrific artist."

It has become a tradition on the X Factor for established artists to perform, and advise aspiring acts. Take That, Will Young, Kylie Minogue are among the stars who have already appeared.

Spears' scheduled appearance seals her return to form after her life spiraled out of control. In September the star made an acclaimed return at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and has her single Womanizer has been well received. But the past three years have been turbulent for the troubled star.

The 26-year-old has had two failed marriages and lost custody of her children, and battled drug addictions that led to her being taken in to psychiatric care.

After Spears and Kevin Federline's three-year marriage ended in a divorce, she went on to lose custody over sons Sean Preston, three, and two-year-old Jayden James.

Last year her mental health seemed to deteriorate - marked a period of strange behavior by Spears, during which she shaved her head and was continually in and out of rehab.

She attempted a comeback in 2007 performing at the MTV Video Music Awards, but was jeered and criticized for a shambolic performance. The star was out of shape and forgot the words to her track Gimme More.

Then in January this year, she was put under lockdown at a mental institution after she held her son hostage at her LA home.

She is planning a world tour next year and is releasing her album Circus in December. The star has also made a documentary about her breakdown. In the 90-minute special, "Britney: For the Record," she talks frankly about her problems.

She said: "I sit there and I look back and I'm like, 'I'm a smart person. What the hell was I thinking?'

"I've been through a lot in the past two or three years, and there's a lot that people don't know.

"Sometimes I think I get kind of lonely because you don't open the gate up that much, you know I mean? You're guarded. You have to be that way, so I'm kind of stuck in this place and it's like: How do you deal? And you just cope, and that's what I do. I just cope with it, every day."

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© 2008

Cowell to Spears: "Go Home"

Simon Cowell doesn't limit the advice he dispenses just to "American Idol" contestants. He also had some advice for train wreck Britney Spears. People magazine reports that on "Good Morning America," Cowell's career advice for the pop star is "go home to your family."

Cowell told ABC news correspondent Juju Chang that Spears is perfectly capable of saving her career because she's "still one of the most talked about pop stars on the planet."

"She has the X-factor because people want to write about her," Cowell says. "She's not conventional, she's not normal." At the same time, Cowell says that Britney "can't handle the tension and the pressure" that comes from being in the spotlight so she needs to refocus herself at home.

"Lock the door, don't go out with your stupid friends, have some home-cooked food, get a sense of reality," he says. "Go lie in the garden, okay? And then say to yourself, 'There's more good in my life than bad. I'm still a rich, talented girl – now I want to get my career back on track.' End of story."

But the interview wasn't all about Spears. Cowell also revealed why he believes Jordin Sparks is the new American Idol. "Jordin was the most improved over the whole season," he says. "She didn't start the best but midway through, this was the girl who suddenly got momentum."

Still, Cowell feels that Sparks wasn't necessarily the one who deserved the title. "Melinda [Doolittle] should have won," he says. "She tried the hardest, was consistently the best and had the best voice."

But Cowell's praise doesn't always have the intended effect and he knows it. "I think about it now – whether I should have endorsed her as much as [I did]," he says. "I think it was the right thing to do."

COWELL DOUBLES FORTUNE

And speaking about Cowell (which everybody does), it seems that the British pop mogul proves the axiom "the rich just keep getting richer." Metro.co.uk says that Cowell will have doubled his fortune to £200 million [approximately $400 million U.S.] by the end of the year, thanks largely to the success of "American Idol" in the US.

Cowell, 47, will make about £50 million from the latest series of the hit talent show – and has signed up to the series for another five years [interesting, since only last week he was claiming his contract is only for the next three years, after which he's quitting the series -- wink, wink], which will net him £ 20million a series.

He also earns a fortune from the recording rights of all songs released by contestants who appear on the show.

Cowell, named Britain's 700th richest person in the Sunday Times Rich List, will boost his bank balance further with the sale of his production company, SyCo.

His agent, PR guru Max Clifford, said of his client who dropped out of school at the age of 15 to become one of the most important people in pop : "He's got a Midas touch."

FULLER LAUNCHES BID TO BUYOUT IDOL COMPANY

In another case of the rich just getting richer, just two years after CKX bought Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment for almost $200 million, The Financial Times of London reports that Fuller and U.S. entertainment heavyweight Robert Sillerman have launched a $1.3 billion bid to take over CKX, the company that owns the rights to "American Idol."

Sillerman, the chief executive and largest shareholder of CKX, and Fuller, who created "Idol" and is the chief executive of its subsidiary 19 Entertainment, have made a proposal to the company's board of directors to take the company private.

As well as owning 19 Entertainment, CKX has exclusive talent deals with David and Victoria Beckham, singers Rachel Stevens, Will Young, Claudia Schiffer, Annie Lennox and Emma Bunton. It also has a controlling interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises and owns the names, images and likenesses of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali.

If a deal goes through, Fuller and Sillerman would hold equal stakes in the new company.

PAULA ABDUL: I'M EXTREMELY HURT

In an exclusive statement to TMZ.com, Paula Abdul says:

"I am deeply hurt and extremely disappointed that someone has taken a private telephone conversation that I had with my representatives and released it to the media. This is not only illegal but also highly unethical. While I don't feel a need to justify or explain my conversation, even as a public figure I do feel my privacy has been violated and find this action to be unacceptable."

A secretly taped phone conversation was released this week featuring a sobbing Abdul discussing her former publicist and their strained relationship. TMZ says that Paula is now back with her longtime publicist Jeff Ballard.

You can hear audio of the phone conversation on the New York Post site (you can also click here to listen to it), which originally broke the story and said, that in a sob-filled audiotape Abdul is captured having a meltdown during a recent conference call.

Abdul, who seems to be talking to a group of publicists at some point during the last week, trashes her former rep, Howard Bragman; reveals she's dealing with challenging medical problems; and states she's had enough of the terrible treatment she receives from the "people who are supposed to be taking care of things."

She sobs on the tape: "I've never been treated this way and I've never seen anybody treated this way. This is just too much to stomach." Abdul is assured by those hearing her wails, "You will be treated better starting right now."

"I've been going through tremendous amounts of a difficult time," said Abdul, who, the paper claims, recently fibbed to her fans when she said she hurt her nose tripping over her Chihuahua. The paper says that Abdul actually threw a glass against the wall and a shard of it cut her face.

Abdul also outlines her health problems, including an adrenal disease called Addison's.

Ranting about Bragman, who apparently didn't appreciate her enough, Abdul says: "I do a call-in every week for OK! Magazine on 'American Idol.' Because of my brilliant job, they want to do a cover on me. I'm being told by Howard Bragman that I'm too old and no one will ever want to do a cover.

"I'm being tested. All I've ever wanted in my life is to be treated fairly and be treated with kindness. And I've never in my entire career been treated this way. The people who are supposed to take care of these things do not. I have to clean up after them everywhere they go. And I'm tired of it.

"Howard Bragman on Monday - he did some disgusting behavior. I had to go to Jimmy Kimmel," Abdul is heard sobbing, "with no publicist there. [Abdul appeared on Kimmel's show on May 15.] I go on with no publicist there and I pay this man . . .

"I don't understand how this man can call me a whining bitch. I've never in my life been called a whining bitch and a loser."

When the paper asked Bragman when he stopped working with Abdul, he said, "I'm not going into it," and added, "I'll stand by my reputation if she'll stand by hers." Her current rep, David Brokaw, did not return calls.

IDOLS AT MACY'S JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

NBC has announced that the network will celebrate the nation's 231st birthday extravaganza with a live telecast on July 4th at 9 p.m. that includes performances by Martina McBride, Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle . The show will be hosted by Natalie Morales and Tiki Barber.

The country's largest Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza will feature nearly 35,000 brilliant shells exploding over New York City set to an original medley performed by The New York Pops. Over 1,000 pyrotechnic shells are fired every minute, when the first shells explode and begin their choreographed pyrotechnic dance.

IDOLS 3-10 VISIT ACCESS HOLLYWOOD

Eight of "American Idol's" final 10 (numbers 3-10) visited the "Access Hollywood" stage to chat about life in the spotlight and their new found fame. (you can watch the video here).

"It was a year ago and nobody knew who you were," Access' Shaun Robinson joked with the group. "Five months ago," Melinda Doolittle joking corrected her.

But the eight apparently still aren’t used to seeing themselves on camera, as they took every opportunity to ham it up on our set before the interview began, with Sanjaya Malakar smothering LaKisha Jones with kisses.

"Sanjaya you kiss me one more time and I'm gonna beat you down," she smiled. In that regard, it looks like LaKisha stands alone, because plenty of girls are clamoring for smooches from Sanjaya.

"It's very awkward sometimes though because you're walking down the street and someone will be like, 'Hey Sanjaya! How you doing?' and I'm just like 'Hi,'" he told Shaun.

"It's weird because I thought Sanjaya was the most non-popular [er, Chris, try unpopular] person on the show," Chris Richardson joked, getting a big laugh from the rest of the group.

But how did all of the controversy impact the musical Malakar? "I was just focusing on what I had to do each week because that's what you have to do," he told Shaun. "You can't get distracted by that stuff."

So did his fellow contestants feel all of the attention helped Sanjaya stick around a little longer than he would have otherwise? "I think the press certainly helped Sanjaya get votes, but I also think he deserved it," Phil Stacey said.

"He stuck through it too," Chris Richardson added. "Especially being his age and having so many people just coming down on him, he still would come in with a smile every single day."

Shaun asked Sanjaya about the video on YouTube in which Sanjaya claims his name is Bill Vendall, a 25-year-old grad student who's been playing the role of "Sanjaya" as an art project. (Watch Bill Vendall video here.) "Okay, you wanna explain that?" Shaun asked him.

"I was having fun and then people believed that I was actually Bill Vendall," he laughed. "I'm not Bill Vendall!" (Watch Bill Vendall denial video here.)

As it turns out, the bizarre hoax was actually commissioned by Will Ferrell for his Web site FunnyOrDie.com.

"It's gonna rock," said Chris Richardson when asked about the Idols Live summer tour.

"Now the pressure is off – we're not competing for anything anymore," LaKisha noted.

So who do the "Idols" think received the worst slam from the always candid Simon Cowell? "Haley," Chris Sligh quickly answered, drawing a laugh from Scarnato. "It was when he was like, 'I can't even remember your name.' "

But apparently Haley Scarnato isn't the only one who Simon couldn't remember. "Don't take it too hard," Phil Stacey added. "He came up to me at the finale and said, 'Chris, how have you been doing?' "

Oy.

BTW, here are more Idol-related "Access Hollywood" videos you can watch:

Jordin Sparks' first day as an Idol and her visit to "Access Hollywood"

Former Idols at this year's finale (almost all pushing new or upcoming recordings), including Constantine Maroulis, Diana DeGarmo, Paris Bennett, Ace Young, Jon Peter Lewis, Jasmine Trias, Mandisa and Scott Savol.

Kelly Clarkson fashion flashback after the finale.

VIDEO OF MELINDA DOOLITTLE ON REGIS

Watch video of Melinda Doolittle on "Live With Regis and Kelly" singing "Home" (the song she sang on Diana Ross Week). Melinda, I'm running out to buy your first CD as soon as it's pressed!:



VIDEOS OF BLAKE LEWIS APPEARANCES

Watch video of Blake Lewis on "Today"



Watch video of Blake Lewis on "The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet"



Watch video of Blake Lewis performing on "The Early Show":



Watch video of Blake Lewis interview on "The Early Show":



Watch video of Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks signing autographs outside "Today":



VIDEOS OF JORDIN SPARKS APPEARANCES

It's an interesting phenomenon that there are A LOT more Blake Lewis videos being posted on YouTube.com than there are of Jordin Sparks. Did the right person really win?

Watch Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis at press interview after she won:



Watch video of Jordin Sparks on "The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet":



e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

The Finale and the Finalists

Tomorrow night, on the stage of the Kodak Theatre, Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis will each sing three songs: One picked from the American Idol song-writing contest; one new song of their choice; and one they've previously performed.

The Kodak Theatre is part of the Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex on Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue in Los Angeles. It is a daunting venue for the two finalists to perform in especially after the smaller stage they've inhabited for the past 10 since the finals began. Opened on November 9, 2001, the theater was built at a cost of $94 million and was designed specifical-
ly to house the Academy Awards ceremonies, which have made it their home since 2002. It has a seating capacity of up to 3,400 people and the stage is one of the largest in the United States, measuring 113 feet wide by 60 feet deep. The theatre was sponsored by the Kodak company, which paid $75 million to have its name associated with the building.

The entrance hall to the theater is flanked by columns displaying winners of the Academy Awards for Best Picture since 1927-1928, with blank spaces left for future Best Picture winners well into the 21st century.

INTERVIEWS WITH JORDIN AND BLAKE

JORDIN SPARKS

In a conference call with the press on Friday, Jordin Sparks said viewers can antincipate seeing her with straight hair and lots of "really nice dresses" at the finale. She said her favorite celebrity judge was Martina McBride, because she's been listening to her music for so long, and that Jennifer Lopez gave the best advice. "She was talking about how it doesn’t matter if you sell like a million records or 500,000 records, if you touch someone with your music you're doing well … not to mention she was FA-BU-LOUS."

Late last week, Jordin spoke with People magazine about their Idol experience, winning the competition and what their futures hold.

How have you changed since being on American Idol?
I feel like this whole experience has made me stronger and a better person. I can handle so much more than I thought I could.

Why should you win?
I'm not really sure! I came into this competition and I do want to win but at the same time it's not going to be the end of the world. I would be happy if I won and I would be happy if Blake won. I'm happy I got to be a part of it and that I made it this far.

You're making some money now. What can't you wait to splurge on?
I think I might save it and I might put it towards a really nice [sound] system in the car I drive. And I'll give my brother [P.J.] a couple bucks and let him buy some shoes.

How do you do to deal with stress?
When I get stressed I love to read. Reading is one of my favorite things. I love pickles! That's my comfort food. I could eat a whole jar.

Did growing up with a famous father [NFL player Phillippi Sparks] help you deal with your own burgeoning fame?
We took pictures a lot; my dad did interviews all the time. I was constantly watching him and he actually told me the other day when he would sign autographs I would just be watching so intently and he said it was really weird because he was watching me do it the other day and how it's all turned around. I think it has helped me, so thanks, Dad!

What's your advice to aspiring singers out there?
Don't give up. I didn't think that I would make it at all. Trying out? You'll never know if you don't try. Now I'm here and I can't believe it. I was too scared [during auditions]. If you want something, just work hard at it. It's been amazing to take my own advice.

What's your strategy going into the finale?
Blake and I are two totally different singers. He's an amazing performer and he's so entertaining. I feel really honored to be in the finale with him. I don't have any strategy. I know it sounds so cliché, but give all that I can give. I'm going to try and do my best and hopefully people like the songs that I pick and whatever happens on Wednesday happens. I'm just going to give it my all and leave it all out there.

BLAKE LEWIS

In his press conference call, Blake Lewis said for his own album, his dream producers include "Father of Trance" music BT ('N Sync, Tori Amos), Darkchild (Beyonce, Mary J Blige), Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas, Fergie) and Pro J (Robin Thicke). He says he wants his album to have a pop/electronic/jazzy hip-hop feel to it with lots of beat-boxing.

As for his unique fashion sense, Lewis says, "It's more of a mix between hip-hop fashion and chic stuff." He called his bold plaid slacks his "grandpa pants" and said his hair and clothes are influenced by his environment and mood. "I just like to have fun with whatever I wear depending on what mood I'm in."

Late last week, Blake spoke with People magazine about their Idol experience, winning the competition and what their futures hold.

Now that you've been on American Idol you're no longer Shorty from Bothell.
I will forever be Shorty from Bothell! I'm now Blake Lewis to the world, but I'm still Shorty from Bothell.

Why should you win American Idol?
I've never looked at it as a competition. I've tried to represent myself, be true to myself the whole time. The support on the show and the fans have seen that. I've never looked at it as a competition so I think I've won regardless. I won when I got into the top ten. Win or lose I think I'm a winner on this show already.

Win or lose, it sounds like we've only just begun with Blake Lewis. What kind of album do you want to put out?
It would definitely have more of a dance vibe to it. I love electronic music. It's going to have a dance flair and then I have a softer, jazzy side. I have been writing music for the past seven years so it will have kind of a pop-electro feel to it.

You have been arguably the most fashion conscious male contestant ever on the show. How do you describe your style?
I am really into bright colors mixed with chic stuff. My old roommate was a stylist. I guess people think I have some style because I don't wear jeans. I like to wear the grandpa slacks with cool patterns.

What do you think of Jordin?
Jordin and Gina were my picks in the beginning to win this whole thing. She's 17 and she's already a woman. She performs, she's good looking, she's got a fantastic personality. It reads really well on camera. Regardless of the finale she's already won it in my mind.

So what's your strategy for the finale?
I never thought I'd be on the show in the first place. For the finale I don't know about an edge. I'm going to stay true to myself.

BRITNEY SPEARS ON THE FINALE?

The gossip site Perez Hilton says "This is totally unconfirmed and completely unsubstantiated, but she's crazy and anything can happen!

Just in case it turns out to be true......

There are very loud rumblings that Britney Spears will be performing lipsynching on the finale of American Idol this week, which is set to easily draw more than 40 million viewers.

Uh huh.

We'll believe it when we see it!"

So will we.

NAVY OK'S STACEY FOR IDOLS LIVE TOUR

In a not-so-surprising move, but probably a relief to ticketholder fans of Phil Stacey, the U.S. Navy has given its consent for the Idol finalist to take part in this year's Idols Live Tour.

People magazine reports that Petty Officer Third Class Phil Stacey has been given the aye-aye by the U.S. Navy to join his castmates on this summer's "American Idol" tour.

"It is absolutely true," said U.S. Navy spokesman Bob Anderson. "They're working on the logistics right now: What he'll be paid, wear, stuff like that."

The nationwide concert tour kicks off July 6 in Sunrise, Fla. – not far from Stacey's Jacksonville home – and wraps up on September 22 in Manchester, N.H.

MELINDA DOOLITTLE: 'I WAS RELIEVED'

Learning that her journey on "American Idol" had ended Wednesday night was "the first time that I had taken a breath in a really long time," Melinda Doolittle reports People magazine.

"Knowing that I had made it this far and knowing that I was going to be able to sing from here on out without being judged and voted ... it was just like this sigh of relief," she told Ryan Seacrest on his morning radio show. "Now I'm getting ready to sing just because I love it."

The former backup singer called Seacrest's 102.7 KIIS FM show and told the host that she didn't feel any resentment after being voted off – despite receiving immense and consistent praise from all three Idol judges.

"Two amazing people are in the finale right now and I couldn't be more proud of them," Doolittle, 29, said, referring to finalists Jordin Sparks, 17, and Blake Lewis, 25, who will compete in the finale next week. "Those are still my babies. I'm still their mama. I'm so proud about it and don't feel cheated at all. There are always opportunities out there to grab onto and to take a hold of so I'm just ready for that."

And, according to Doolittle, Simon Cowell may be prepared to help her find the right opportunity. "Simon was especially supportive and said, 'I want to see you succeed,' " she told Seacrest. That means the world to me so it was great to hear last night."

The ousted Idol also admitted that the rigorous process of rehearsals, performances and getting judged on live television week after week was difficult. "I felt like I was working so hard and when [the judges] would say good things I was so excited to hear it, it would just put this look of shock on my face."

That isn't the only thing that shocked Doolittle, who said that the level of fame and recognition she has achieved so far also surprised her. "Nothing could have prepared me for this. I knew that the show was huge. I did not know that it was this huge," she said. "The fact that it has awarded such a big opportunity to me is just the most amazing thing ever."

UNDERWOOD AND ROMO ROMANCE

According to World Entertainment News Networkm country superstar Carrie Underwood has gone public about her romance with NFL star Tony Romo after asking him to be her date at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas this past Tuesday.

The couple has been romantically linked ever since Underwood gave up her Christmas plans to spend a special day with Romo as he played for the Dallas Cowboys -- but both stars have refused to talk about their relationship.

Questioned about her date at the country music awards ceremony, the former American Idol winner gushed, "We're really good friends and we hang out and we support each other and everything that we do and it's great to have somebody here who's got your back."

Meanwhile, Romo confessed, "We're just getting to know each other a little better and we'll see where everything goes, but it's just nice to have somebody at the end of the day to talk to who is going through similar things."

"She's got a great personality, so she's really easy to talk to... [and] she loves to talk on the phone."

Underwood revealed backstage that her awards show performance would be the first time Romo has seen her sing live.

JUDGING THE JUDGES

This week, Enter-
tainment Weekly had former Idols Kimberley Locke, Anthony Fedorov, Ace Young and Amy Adams review last week's judges' critiques of Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks.

RANDY JACKSON -- The Dawg felt Melinda met the challenge of his choice for her: "Whitney Houston's "I Believe in You and Me." Did she? Was it a good choice?

Kimberley Locke: I liked the choice, but I didn’t like her rendition of it. I thought the key was too low. Technically she sang it well, but as far as what I’d like to have heard, I didn’t like her interpretation. She didn’t sing it better than Whitney Houston.

Ace Young: That song was definitely a challenging one. You’re talking about one of the greatest singers of all time. I mean, Whitney is an icon. And it was a challenge for Melinda, but she pulled it off. I think she did a great job. And Randy did, too. Randy knows the ins and outs of that song better than anyone. I think it was a good choice for her.

Anthony Fedorov: I thought that was an excellent choice. If anybody’s going to pull off Whitney, she can do it. She doesn’t have that Whitney kind of voice, but she’s so unique in the way she sings that I see why Randy challenged Melinda with that song.

Amy Adams: No, I didn't [like the song]. I understood [Randy’s idea] of the challenge, but I didn't like the way it sat in her voice. It was almost uncomfortable. It didn't sound bad or anything, obviously, but it wasn't my favorite.

What song would you choose for Melinda to sing?

Kimberley Locke: Probably something a little more bluesy for her. I don’t know what song that would be because she did such a great job on "I'm a Woman." Maybe something like "Dr. Feelgood" by Aretha Franklin.

Ace Young: If I had to choose a song for her, I would also go with someone legendary like Whitney.

Anthony Fedorov: Believe it or not, I would choose a Whitney song, or maybe even a Mariah Carey song. I would definitely choose a song that would challenge her vocally, just to see how she can twist it up even more.

Amy Adams: "Midnight Train to Georgia," something like that. I love her voice for that. She has a way of doing things that are not copycat, and I'd love to hear her own take on something that is so well known.

PAULA ABDUL -- Ms. Abdul enjoyed Blake's back-phrasing on "Roxanne," her choice for the beat-boxer. Did the song work? Isn't Paula contradicting her earlier criticisms that singers were "behind the beat"?

Kimberley Locke: I did like that choice because I like that song, but Blake didn't do anything with it. He became a little bit redundant for me. And he kept looking over at the band for his cue. Because he changed the phrasing, he was not sure of himself, so he was looking to the band for direction and reassurance. That's not good. I think [Paula] recognized that he did [the back-phrasing] on purpose.

Ace Young: Blake stayed pretty true to the original, I thought. Sometimes you make that decision, not to mess with the arrangement too much, to let the song stand on its own, and that's what Blake did. Then, with the Robin Thicke song, he did add his own twist to it and pulled it off.

Anthony Fedorov: Pretty good choice. I was very, very happy with this week. One of the best weeks, if not the best week, that we've had so far. Back-phrasing: Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on the song, on the mood. It worked for Blake that time. That's why she didn't criticize it.

Amy Adams: Like Simon says, that song always looks like you're trying to do an impersonation [of Sting], but yeah, I liked the choice. There were times I thought he was behind [the beat], and then I thought he was trying to overcompensate and got ahead. I think [Paula] probably just wanted to hear how that song sounded on his voice. I could get the sex appeal that she may have being going after.

What song would you choose for Blake to sing?

Kimberley Locke: I was going to say a Beastie Boys song, but they're rappers. I just don't think that Blake is such a dynamic singer. He hasn't wowed me. I would've given him something a little more challenging. How 'bout this: Maybe a Josh Groban song to see if he can actually sing. We've heard him just in a monotone way go through the motions of the music, but can the boy sing? I don’t know.

Ace Young: I'd have him go more in the rock direction. He's done some pop-rock with the 311 song and Maroon 5, but I think it would be interesting to see how he does with a true rock song.

Anthony Fedorov: I see Blake like a Maroon 5 kinda guy. He has that kind of a voice. Maybe something from James Blunt? I don't know.

Amy Adams: Oh, this is going to be awesome. Probably something old-school, like Tears for Fears-y. "Shout" or something like that. I think he has that capacity to take something and put a different spin on it, like when he did the Cure. And, I mean, I love that song, so I'd love to hear it.

SIMON COWELL -- Simon picked "Wishing on a Star" for Jordin, then trashed the song's arrangement. He also called "I Who Have Nothing" far too old for Jordin. Fair? And how'd "Star" measure up?

Kimberley Locke: I thought ["Star"] was a great choice because that's not an easy song to sing, and she killed it. I really enjoyed her performance. She connects with the music so well; she's like an old soul. I think that's why she’s drawn to those older songs. I think Simon is constantly reminding her about how old she is because he knows if she wins, they're going to turn her into a teeny-bopper pop star. She's not going to be singing to that mature audience. He wants to remind her to keep it young.

Ace Young: The thing about Jordin's last song—it's like, Christina Aguilera just made a record of flapper songs that are retro but she makes it hip. You can say the same thing about Jordin. I think she did a great job. And I really liked the arrangement on "Star," the way she sped it up. She also made it sound young and hip, not old.

Anthony Fedorov: Simon has a knack of picking the right songs for whoever he's picking for. It was a very good song choice for her. I thought the arrangement was good. There's only so many ways you can go with that song.

Amy Adams: I liked it a bit. It wasn't like "Oh, I love that, it's fantastic!" Yeah, but it's fine. I don't see her as having that strong input on the actual arrangement, like Blake. I don't see her going in and saying, "Hey guys, let's jazz it up!" I think she rolls with the punches more or less, so her getting those comments [about] the jazzy arrangement, she probably doesn't quite know how to take them.

What song would you choose for Jordin to sing?

Kimberley Locke: "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion.

Ace Young: I'd have her try some Chaka Khan.

Anthony Fedorov: With Jordin, it’s a little bit easier, because you can give her Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston. I’d probably give her "I Will Always Love You" or "Hero," see how'd she pull that off and where she'd really fit with that.

Amy Adams: Do you know who Lara Fabian is? She’s from the U.K. and she’s an incredible artist, a Celine Dion-esque type performer. She has this amazing power, and her placement of her high notes is a lot like Jordin's. So I’d love to see a song Jordin could wail on, and Lara Fabian's songs — either "To Love Again" or "Adagio" — are really, really pretty.

After Melinda's "I'm a Woman," Simon said she deserved to be in the finals for being the most consistently excellent contestant.Who Do you think should be in the final two?

Kimberley Locke: Melinda and Jordin. Vocally, what has Blake done to wow us? Nothing. I mean, he does the beat-boxing thing — that’s his niche and we all love it — but those girls sing circles around him. It's a better competition with Melinda and Jordin singing against each other. They're going to pull out their guns.

Ace Young: Again, you have to remember that America chooses the final two, not the judges. But I think the people who are there deserve to be there. Melinda will have no trouble getting a record deal, as will several others from this season. And Blake, whether he wins or not, will be fine too.

Anthony Fedorov: I would choose Jordin and Melinda. I hope Melinda wins. But just market-wise and what they have to offer, I think those two would have more longevity than Blake. He needs to find the right path. I like what he's doing, but with him I don't think it's that easy. Say he wins. I don't know if he's going to be thrown into that machine right off that bat and make the right record.

Amy Adams: I would probably have to say Jordin and Blake. I’m a fan of Blake's, so that's why I want to see him there, and then Jordin 'cause I want to see what she's going to rip us. I think we'll be hearing a lot from Melinda regardless. I don't think she needs to be in the final. She will be a great success on her own.

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Princess P.(O.'d)

Looks like another former Idol finalist is unhappy about the show these days. Surprisingly, it's none other than lovable Season 5 finalist Paris Bennett. Last season's petite powerhouse phoned into the "Tone E Fly Morning Show" in Minneapolis and called "Idol" "a joke," and said she and a few other contestants are going along with VotefortheWorst.com and voting for Sanjaya Malakar to screw with the results in the hopes that it'll take down America's most popular TV show.

You can listen to the audio here.

Here's a transcript of the interview:

Announcer: Former American Idol contestant Paris Bennett on the Ton E. Fly morning show. Paris: Hi guys!
Announcer: What's goin' on Paris?
Paris: Not a much, just hanging out.
Announcer: This whole Sanjaya phenomenon what do you think of that?
Paris: I think it’s very, very funny.
Announcer: Now, these guys are all mad at me because I'm voting for Sanjaya, because he can’t sing and because I think it's funny.
Paris: I've been voting for him, too.
Announcer: Oh, you've been voting also?
Paris: Yeah, vote for the worst ... thing?
Announcer: Oh, so you went to votefortheworst.com? You've seen all that stuff?
Paris: Oh, of course, we had that there last season, so we were doing that, too.
Announcer: It is wonderful to hear that former idols are actually voting for Sanjaya. That’s wonderful!
Paris: Yeah, it's a few us, umm, it's a few of us from last season that are voting.
Announcer: Is Sanjaya a big joke to you, or do you want to see him win because he’s talented?
Paris: No, we want to see him win because it'll kinda prove that "American Idol" is kinda losing its taste and that it kinda isn't going for talent anymore, more so popularity. So we think it's a joke and we're voting because it's funny. (Paris giggles)
Announcer: All right, so you're, it's kinda of an anti-"American idol" movement thing going on?
Paris: A little bit, I mean, 'cause, c'mon, like from the beginning Sanjaya has been kinda of stale, so the only time that's he's actually really been good was actually Jennifer Lopez week, this week.
Announcer: So even though, it kinda, I mean, it kinda put me, here in the Twin Cities you were already known, and everyone knew Princess P and you were at all the events and everything. But American Idol kinda put you on the national map. Even though it helped you with your career, you think its time is over?
Paris: I think that definitely, now having Sanjaya on it, it kinda reminded me of, um, do you ever remember the movie "American Dreamz" that came out last year?
Announcer: Yes.
Paris: OK, remember how there was the Indian guy or the guy from India [Er, actually, Paris, he was Arab. That was one of the main points of the movie: That the Arab contestant was supposedly a terrorist who was going to assassinate the U.S. President when he made a guest appearance on the show], and then it was Mandy Moore? That’s kinda what the competition seems like right now.
Announcer: Paris, I appreciate you calling in, because it's my favorite show on television, for whatever reason, I think the stuff with Sanjaya is a lot of fun.
Paris: I do, too.
Announcer: I think if it does ruin the show, then so be it, then America has spoken! And it ruins the show!
Paris: They're voting so ...
Announcer: Exactly … And people, people have called up here and complained, (mimicking caller complaints) "Oh, I'm so mad about Sanjaya look at this ... You know what's goin' to cancel the show?"
Paris, indifferently: Well that’s all good! At least they're keepin' B96, and Sanjaya is still on "American Idol," it'll still continue to be funny.

SEACREST HOSTS KING

CNN is getting ready to fete Larry King’s 50 years in broadcasting during its "King-sized Week" from April 16-20. A highlight of the week is "CNN Presents: Larry King – 50 Years of Pop Culture," Wednesday at 9 p.m. (competing with Idol's results' show), a two-hour documentary co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Anderson Cooper, focusing on the last 50 years of pop culture as seen through King's eyes, including his early days in Miami covering local celebrities and hurricanes to his national radio show broadcast from Washington, D.C., to his pioneering cable television move to CNN. The show features interviews with Randy Jackson, Denise Brown, Dolly Parton, Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg and Don Shula, among others.

Randy Jackson dishes on Britney Spears in the special: "I think any successful star that's an icon like her that is a name in the public is one hit away from being back." The shoew repeats of Sat. and Sun., April 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.

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© 2007