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.

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© 2007

Kelly Clarkson Cancels Summer Tour!

With but a brief explanation on her Web site, Kelly Clarkson has cancelled her 35-venue summer tour in support of her newest release, "My December," slated to drop on June 26. The home page of the singer's official site reads:

"I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to getting out there to perform for y'all. In the craziness of the music business, performing is what I look forward to doing the most, so it really is disappointing for me to have to tell you that I won't be coming out to tour this summer. The fact is that touring is just too much too soon.

But I promise you that we're going to get back out there as soon as is humanly possible to give you a show that will be even better.

Thanks for all of your love and continued support."

— Kelly

Glenn Gamboa in Newsday writes that Clarkson was set to play amphitheaters this summer, as she did last year after her "Breakaway" album. However, Michael Rapino, CEO of LiveNation, said yesterday that the demand has not been as strong. "Ticket sales have not been what we anticipated and we came to the realization that we had bit off more than we could chew," he said in a statement. "In the end, we are in the Kelly Clarkson business and for that reason we believe that this decision will only benefit her and her fans in the long run."

The tour cancellation follows Clarkson's firing of her manager Jeff Kwatinetz earlier this week in the midst of a rumored rumble with RCA Chief Clive Davis over her new album's commercial viability. Clarkson's "My December" album is currently slated for a June 26 release and she is still scheduled to appear at the Live Earth concert at Giants Stadium on July 7. Her single "Never Again" is currently No. 17 on the Billboard charts after peaking at No. 7.

And Hollywood Today says that in a statement released from Clarkson's camp, Gregg Perloff, CEO of concert promoter Another Planet Entertainment, said, "Kelly is a spectacular artist and an incredible performer who undoubtedly has what it takes to sustain a long and prosperous career. The day when she will play in sold-out arenas is, no doubt, coming, but for now her fans should look forward to seeing her in a more intimate concert environment. Kelly deserves a tremendous amount of praise for her courage in not only being a part of, but in supporting, this difficult decision."

NEW VIDEOS OF JORDIN, BLAKE AND TAYLOR

Taylor Hicks sang the National Anthem at the NBA finals last night. Hicks spent time before the game dribbling a basketball while players warmed up.

"I actually played a lot of basketball in high school," the 29-year-old Birmingham, Ala., native told The Canton Rep. "I was a better harmonica player. I was a little bit short for basketball and wasn't too short for the harmonica."

So, what's more pressure - the NBA Finals or "American Idol"? "That's interesting," said Hicks. " 'American Idol' is like the Super Bowl each week. There is a lot of pressure. It's very similar to that when you consider what's at stake for each team."

Watch video of Taylor Hicks singing the National Anthem at the NBA finals:


Watch video of Jordin Sparks on "The View":


Watch video of Blake Lewis on "The View":


Watch video of Jordin Sparks singing the National Anthem at the NBA finals:


Afterwards, Sparks she did a qna with the Toledo Blade:

On singing the national anthem, her first performance at a sporting event: "I got here and I just did it. I just go with what comes, do whatever I feel like at the moment."

On how Simon Cowell would have rated her national anthem performance: "There's always going to be that little, are they here, are they watching, did they hear? There's always going to be, 'I think they're there.' You always feel that pressure to do as good as you can and hope everybody that was out there, if they were a judge, then they would like it. You just try so hard. I don't know. I thought I did OK. I thought I did pretty good. But you never know what Simon's going to think."

On who she wants to win the NBA championship: "I'm very sad about the Suns. That's all I'm going to say."

How she felt when she heard her song, "This is My Now" on the radio for the first time: "I was at home for a couple days, and I was at a tanning salon with my mom. I was sitting there, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, they're playing it on the radio,' and I just started crying. I hadn't heard it yet. So I just sat there and thought, I can't believe this is really happening. It was one of those moments that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

On what her album will sound like: "No matter what song I sing, I always have this country-style flare. But I love pop, I love rock and roll, and I love country, I love everything. I just want great songs. When the tour is over I'm going to hit the recording studios very, very hard. It's supposed to be out before Thanksgiving. It's going to be so crazy."

On her life since winning "Idol": "The whole thing since I won Idol has been a whirlwind. I've been riding on adrenaline and no sleep, but being on shows I've been watching for the longest time has been so crazy, and getting opportunities like this is, I cannot express it anymore, I'm enjoying every moment of this."

IDOL DIGITAL RELEASES AVAILABLE ON iTUNES

Diehard Season 6 fans can now purchase a selection of compilations through iTunes. The "Greatest Hits" collections, a misnomer if there ever was one, goes for $7.99 and includes:

Blake Lewis - You Give Love a Bad Name 3:09
Gina Glocksen - Paint It Black 3:21
Melinda Doolittle - As Long As He Needs Me 2:59
Chris Sligh - She’s Not There 2:02
Sanjaya Malakar - Besame Mucho 3:42
LaKisha Jones - This Ain’t a Love Song 3:57
Chris Richardson - Smooth 4:05
Haley Scarnato - Turn the Beat Around 3:30
Stephanie Edwards - Love Hangover 2:43
Brandon Rogers - You Can’t Hurry Love 2:56
Phil Stacey - Blaze of Glory 4:48
Jordin Sparks - This Is My Now 3:50

Frankly, we'd love to get our hands on a studio version of Melinda singing "My Funny Valentine" and Brandon Rogers singing anything but "You Can't Hurry Love." Also, in spite of all the judge bitchin', the studio rendition of Sligh singing "Endless Love" is not to be missed. We're not too crazy about some of the other picks, either.

You can also download a "Collector’s Edition" for $29.97 that has all 76 Idol studio recordings from Season 6 except Jordin Sparks' "Living on a Prayer," which was available on americanidol.com during the season. All selections can also be purchased individually for 99 cents. Note: The studio versions do vary from the live versions. So if you LOVED the live version of a performance, you might not be getting what you were hoping for. We found this especially true for Blake Lewis songs that had beatboxing. The studio versions tended to be straighter releases with far less of Lewis' innovative touch, and therefore disappointing. We even thought Jordin's live version of "I Who Have Nothing" was better than the studio release. So you've been warned.

QNA WITH TAYLOR HICKS

The Elmira Star-Gazette recently interviewed Taylor Hicks via e-mail.

You're starting the second leg of your tour with us in Big Flats, N.Y., and you'll have visited 50 cities by Labor Day. How do you keep up?

I am most comfortable on the road, so being on tour is a good pace for me. The mornings I get to sleep in really help me keep up though.

You're playing everything from open air venues like ours to casinos, to county fairs to arenas. What size audience do you prefer, how are the audiences different (if they are) and what was your favorite stop on the first half of the tour?

As long as there is chemistry between a performer and the audience, I don't think the size matters. That chemistry is what drives the whole performance and is what I thrive on when I am on stage. My favorite stop? I guess I really enjoyed the venues with a lot of history like the Ryman in Nashville. [Editor's note: Ryman Auditorium opened in 1892.]

Aside from the obvious ability to play your own music and to perform an entire song, how will your live performances differ from the performances people got to see on "American Idol"?

I don't think they differ that much. I have an energetic set with some signature dance moves ... how can I deny the fans of those?

You're a seasoned performer already, having spent years playing clubs prior to your break with "AI." Do you still (or did you ever) get nervous before a show? If so, what do you do to prepare for a performance?

Of course I get nervous. but I don't really have a routine before each night. I just enjoy a little down time by myself.

On your MySpace page you described your inspiration, or maybe motivation, as "defining modern soul." Tell us more about that.

I think there is an underground movement for modern soul-like artists such as Amy Winehouse and Joss Stone. Taking the old sound of Motown and soul and putting more of a modern spin on them with samples and actual music that has the nostalgia of the old but with a new twist.

You also have a book coming out, "Heart Full of Soul." What can diehard Tay fans expect?

You can read about some "American Idol" secrets and my road thus far. I didn't get to where I am now easily, and I share a lot of the struggles I faced in this book.

You were able to put some of your original music on your new CD; this CD isn't your first, however, and you have the song "Soul Thing" on your prior CD, "Under The Radar." That is a much more acoustic version, at a slower tempo. Which version most closely represents the Taylor Hicks musical vision?

The show is very high energy so it is definitely the up-tempo version of "Soul Thing" when I am on stage.

You've described being on "American Idol" as "dancing with the devil." If you could change one thing about your whole "American Idol" experience, what would it be and why?

I don't think I would change anything about the experience. The whole thing provided an incredible platform for me, and I wouldn't be answering your questions today if it weren't for that show and everything that happened during the journey.

A new "American Idol" was crowned last month. What advice would you give Jordin Sparks as she embarks on her own year as the new Idol?

I was able to talk with Jordin after she won and give her my advice. She knows what I told her.

HEATHER COX: FROM HOLLYWOOD TO HOG DAY

The News & Observer reports on Heather Cox, an "American Idol" Season 5 semi-finalist.

It's Hillsborough, not Hollywood, but Heather Cox is still a bit nervous about singing at Hog Day on Saturday. "It's actually harder to sing in front of a small crowd than it is to sing in front of 40 million people," said the former "American Idol" contestant.

She'll be performing at the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough's Hog Day festival of all things porky.

Cox, from Jonesville in Yadkin County, made the top 24 on "Idol's" season five. She was one of four North Carolinians to do so that year. The other three -- Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry and Bucky Covington -- advanced further in the TV contest and now have successful albums out.

Cox, 23, is recording a pop-country album of her own. Otherwise, she is hanging around the homefront, spending time with her family. "There is not much to do," she said of Jonesville, population 1,464. "I think we have a few stoplights."

She can't believe it has been almost two years since she flew to Denver to audition for "Idol." "I was so nervous and thinking about backing out," said Cox, who has no formal vocal training.

She had spent a year practicing in secret after deciding to try out. "I would go out to the shed and sing in private," said Cox, a minister's daughter who grew up singing in church.

Her favorite judge on the show was Randy Jackson; Paula Abdul made weird comments about her eating habits, Cox said.

She also had a blast hanging out with the other contestants -- Rockingham native Covington would always jokingly try to buy teetotaling Cox a beer on flights to and from North Carolina.

"I still have Chris Daughtry's phone number in my cell phone," Cox said. "But he's so busy."

After a lazy start to the summer, Cox should be pretty busy herself in the coming months. She'll be singing at the Reality TV Convention in Nashville on June 30. Her album of "positive" pop-country should be out by the end of the year. She plans to build a house for herself, in the goat pasture behind her parents' property.

And she'd like to settle down and start a family soon, she said, expressing what may or may not be joking concern over being "old."

"I have had just some quagmire experiences in the dating department after 'American Idol,' " she said, groaning. "Therefore, Heather is extremely picky."

RUNNING AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS

Nola.com says thay in many ways the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is as magnetically real now as it was 136 years ago, when the traveling show began.

Not that the venerable circus hasn't changed with the times. The newest incarnation, "Circus of Dreams," incorporates a spate of up-to-the-moment modifications.

Gone is the venerable three-ring format, with simultaneous, overlapping acts sharing the spotlight. It has been replaced with a continuous story thread in which an "ordinary" family descends from the audience to assume dream roles among the clowns, aerialists and elephants. Jennifer Fuentes, 21, a second-season "American Idol" finalist, is a sort of seductive fairy godmother who narrates the story in song, backed by a live band providing a pop/hip-hop score. And everything is projected on a giant circular replay screen. The new touches seem to edge the old circus closer to the Cirque du Soleil and Disney mindsets of the 21st century.

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