Sanjaya Malakar: A Jew With Tattoos?

The St. Petersburg Times interviewed that most curious of characters, Sanjaya Malakar. Although he never says too much, what he does say can (but is not always) be amusing or intriguing, including that he'd like to get a tattoo for his 18th birthday and that he once practiced Judaism:

For all the energy he exuded on the "American Idol" stage, Sanjaya Malakar sure sounded sleepy during our early-morning phone conversation. ... During our chat with the media-jaded Malakar, we tried to cover new ground. But we couldn't resist throwing in one question about those lionized locks.

What are you tired of talking about?
I'm kind of tired of talking about my hair, but I figure it's inevitable. It's gonna happen, so it doesn't really bother me. But it's just kind of an old subject.

I'll ask you the one obligatory hair question, and then we can move on. What's the one hair-care product that you can't live without?
Water.

Really?
I use hair products if I'm going somewhere nice or something, but for the most part I kind of wet it and let it air-dry. My hair's really low-maintenance. I'm lucky like that.

You're turning 18 on Sept. 10. How will you celebrate?
I kind of want to get a tattoo, but I don't want to get it while I'm on the road because I want to get it from somewhere that's clean, and I want to be sure that it's clean, 'cause I'm not about to have some nasty rash on my body.

What would you get it of, and where would you get it?
I was thinking of on my arm, and my Chinese astrology (sign) is a snake and I love snakes, so I'd get a snake and somehow incorporate a treble clef or some kind of musical symbol and possibly somehow incorporate a Virgo, but I don't know. I haven't really thought about it enough to get it yet.

What was the strangest thing that a fan has sent you?
I think the strangeness comes with what they say in their letters, 'cause there's a lot of people that don't necessarily censor themselves in their letters, and it's kind of interesting to read.

Can you give me an example?
Someone said that when I sing, it's like hot chocolate with a lot of mini marshmallows.

What do you think that means? Is that a compliment that you are a warm beverage?
(Laughs) I don't know. Hot chocolate's yummy, and little mini marshmallows never hurt.

So is the tattoo an effort to get rid of the mini marshmallow image and move to something a little more mature?
No, I think it's, I wouldn't get it somewhere that's really obvious. I'd get it somewhere that I can hide it very easily. It would be more for myself.

If you were a superhero, what would you want your superpower to be?
Psychic abilities.

Why's that?
I think that everyone's psychic, but they just don't listen, and I've kind of gotten to a point where sometimes I can listen to my instinct and be right, and so I like to call myself psychic. … I think it's a cool concept, and so I think it would be really cool to genuinely, actually be psychic.

If someone wrote a biography of you, what would the title be?
"Back When I Was Rich and Jewish."

Are you Jewish?
I was once. My mom was married to a Jewish man, and we celebrated all the holidays and all that. And he was rich.

Did you have a bar mitzvah?
No. They broke up before I turned 13.

A PEEK AT FUTURE IDOLS?

Today travelled up to Massachusetts to take a look at the first day of Idol camp, which featured classes and performances with former finalists Jon Peter Lewis, Carmen Rasmusen and Ace Young, as well as professionals from Idol and the business world. This weekend the kids get a visit from singer Macy Gray. Any future stars there? Could be. Listen to the kid singing with Ace at the end. Watch out Taylor.

Watch video of Day 1 at Idol Camp.

FORGET PARIS

Just how important was Paris Bennett to the Idols Return tour? Apparently not as important as she thinks she is.

The Columbian reports that Bennett announced in June she was leaving the group, which includes former "American Idol" finalists Justin Guarini, Kimberly Caldwell and Anthony Fedorov to pursue a solo career. Because the group was booked at the Clark County Fair in August, Clark County Fair officials offered refunds to anyone who had purchased a ticket for the Aug. 4 show.

"I don't know of anyone who requested a refund," fair director Tom Musser said. "Hey, this is just a fun show and I think people just want to come out and see former Idol contestants. Perhaps if we had lost Justin, things may have been a little different."

*Ahem* Paris.

KIMBERLY CALDWELL BACK TO HER ROOTS?

And speaking of Kimberly Caldwell, Top40-charts.com reports that the Season 2 Idol finalist, who has spent the majority of her post-Idol career on-camera in Hollywood on reality TV shows and as the entertainment correspondent and host for the TV Guide Channel, is in contract negotiations with Nashville Records, Inc.

Pre-Idol, Caldwell was a featured vocalist at the Country Tonite Theater in Branson from 1994 to 1996. She also performed on Ed McMahon's "Star Search" and still holds the record for most wins by a junior vocalist.

The Company's early plans are to have her produced by independent producers Teddy Gentry & Michael Curtis and released this fall or early winter. Larry Pareigis, the man responsible for breaking such acts as Gretchen Wilson, Montgomery Gentry, the Dixie Chicks, and Tracy Lawrence, is anxious to make Kimberly Caldwell another household name.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Watch video of Blake Lewis goofing around in the studio with Ryan Tedder from One Republic and Steph Jones.



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© 2007

Mario Vazquez's Bathroom Caper

TMZ.com reports that Season 4 "American Idol" finalist Mario Vazquez is facing accusations that he tried to masturbate in front of a male employee in a bathroom on the set of the hit show in February 2005.

Shortly thereafter, Vazquez mysteriously dropped out of "Idol," citing personal reasons. According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and obtained by TMZ, Vazquez allegedly "sexually harassed" Magdaleno Olmos, assistant accountant for Fremantle Media, the company that produces American Idol. In the lawsuit, Olmos claims "Vazquez stared lasciviously, smiled lasciviously and on one occasion followed him into a bathroom ... knocked on the door of the plaintiff's stall and made eye contact through the space in the stall door.

The lawsuit alleges that Vazquez "started to rub his genitals over his pants. Attempting to leave the bathroom, Olmos opened the door of the stall and saw Vazquez standing in front of him with his pants down masturbating."

According to the documents, Vazquez pushed Olmos "further into the stall and continued masturbating with one hand and trying to pull down Olmos' pants with another hand." Olmos claims that he tried to "cover his body with his hands" but Vazquez touched his "chest and stomach underneath his shirt, and Olmos' "genitals" as Vazquez "attempted to unzip" Olmos' pants. Vazquez then allegedly asked Olmos "if he wanted oral sex."

In the lawsuit, Olmos claims that as he "managed to get out of the stall, and attempted to leave the bathroom," Vazquez, grabbed his arm "in an effort to stop him." Vazquez continued to call Olmos to come back as Vazquez "stood in the bathroom with his pants still down."

In addition to suing Vazquez, Olmos has named Fox Entertainment and Fremantle Media as defendants in his lawsuit for wrongful termination. Calls to Vazquez's attorney have not yet been returned.

BACK TO THE FUTURE?

Many viewers are upset by the disadvantage the strong group of female semi-finalists faced this season, since only six of them could make it to the finals, when even the judges admitted that no more than four of the guys were even good enough to be considered for one the 12 finalist positions.

And the show's producers listened. When Ryan Seacrest asked executive producer Nigel Lythgoe if it was true that there had been behind-closed-doors meetings by the producers to consider adjusting the Top 6, and the Top 6 making the Top 12, so it wouldn't necessarily be even, Lythgoe responded, "Yeah, in truth, we did discuss it and we thought that this season that wouldn't be fair on the guys, but we might put that in as a rule next season and say, you know, if we get to this situation, possibly the girls deserve better places." You can listen to the interview here.

This season is very similar to Season 3, only the equal number of each sex rule didn't apply back then. Otherwise known as "The Year of the Divas," eight woman and four men made it to the finals. And the lot of men that year -- Matt Rogers, George Huff, Jon Peter Lewis and John Stevens -- were even a weaker lot than this year's male contenders. And what a group of females they faced: eventual winner Fantasia Barrino, runner-up Diana DeGarmo, LaToya London, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Adams, Jasmine Trias and weak links Leah LaBelle and Camile Velasco.

CLASSIC IDOL VIDEO

Clay Aiken singing "Solitaire"



INSIDE TAYLOR'S TOUR BUS

The Birmingham News checked out the tour bus of native son Taylor Hicks. Hicks curls up at night in the middle bunk, driver's side, of a 2007 Prevost XLII, where he has a DVD player with a small, drop-down screen. "I love it," he says. "It's amazing the way the bus moves. I pull the curtain and it's dark, and the hum of the engine puts me to sleep."

His cushy silver-gray rental vehicle sells for more than $1 million. "This is my home on the road. I sleep here. I eat here. I work on songs here. I do phone interviews here. I play on the computer here. I do everything here." His bunk has a cream-colored phone attached to the wall that connects him directly with the driver.

Eight working musicians ride the Prevost - that's Hicks and seven band members - as well as tour assistant Bill Williams, a pal of Hicks' from Birmingham. Crew members ride on a similar bus. The convoy also includes an 18-wheeler, with a red Peterbilt cab and a white cargo trailer that contains the heavy-duty tour gear.

Hicks said he likes the idea of living on a "swanky bachelor bus" designed for comfort and efficiency. The bus boasts an expandable front lounge and roomy back lounge, gleaming wood paneling, faux-granite countertops, several squishy couches, privacy shades, a bathroom, a kitchenette, a couple of flat-panel televisions, a stereo or two and about 14 DVD players, carpeting, a decent-sized refrigerator with a freezer and ample storage space, including two mirrored closets for Hicks' on- and off-stage wardrobes.

One modern convenience is missing, however: a shower. "I use hotels and venues for that," Hicks says. Two of the 12 bunks lining the middle of the bus are "junk bunks," where Hicks and his band members stash extra food, T-shirts, gaming equipment and gifts from fans.

"My favorite seat is the one next to the driver," he says. "I spent my life as a musician driving myself from show to show, dreaming about riding in the front seat of a tour bus. In the middle of the night, I get up and sit here, or I stand here, looking out. It's beautiful at night."

And just in case you're wondering, here's what Taylor Hicks and his band keep in the tour bus refrigerator: Coca-Cola, Red Bull, water, Honest Tea, Heineken, cold cuts, hummus, Wickles gourmet pickles, mustard, Starbucks coffee and meatless sausages. Check please!

HUDSON PUSHES PRODUCT

We don't know if she uses Skin So Soft, but Jennifer Hudson has landed a deal with its manufacturer -- Avon Products Inc. -- to represent its best-selling Imari fragrance brand. Under the agreement, the 25-year-old singer will serve as the "face of Imari," including appearing in the company's brochures for both the 20-year-old classic Imari fragrance and its newest scent Imari Seduction.

Hudson made her first Avon appearance last week at a first of its kind "global summit for a better tomorrow" at the United Nations in Manhattan. Hudson called the opportunity "a dream come true." "It's exciting to be representing the Imari brand, which really embodies confidence and femininity," she said of her newest venture. Avon plans to make a U.S. launch of Imari Seduction in August.

And according to TMZ.com, Hudson will have it her way ... forever at Burger King. Responding to Hudson's Burger King comment directed at Simon Cowell, the fast-food emporium assured her that no thanks was necessary and, in fact, awarded Hudson a whopper -- BK for life:

"...In response to Jennifer's recent comments in which she asked if she should be thanking Burger King, we say thanks, but no thanks are necessary. Burger King Corporation is proud of Jennifer's success and while we never like to lose employees, in this case, our loss is the entertainment industry's gain ... To further show our support for Jennifer, and make sure she never has to sing for her supper again, Burger King Corporation is giving her a pre-paid BK Crown Card that will be automatically reloaded for life."

Hudson worked at the BK on East 87th and State streets in Chicago. Burger King was her first job at age 16, where she worked with her sister, who claims she sang while working the drive-thru and flipping burgers.

HARD TO SAY GOODBYE

TVGuide.com asked the finalists "Who has been the hardest goodbye so far?"

Gina Glocksen: For me it would be my roommate [Leslie Hunt]. She lived in the same city as I do, in Chicago, and we formed a bond during the hiatus.
Chris Sligh: For me, Rudy [Cardenas]. We met at our first audition in Memphis. And Sundance [Head] ... was really, really tough to say goodbye to.
Blake Lewis: Sundance. He was a really great friend to me. I loved him, I loved his voice … [On Thursday] he experienced a tragic loss in his family, as well, which makes the whole competition seem like a really small deal. My heart really goes out to him.
Melinda Doolittle: Pretty much everybody, because I’m kind of the older one here, so I’m like the mama and these are my babies going home, and I can’t stand it!
Jordin Sparks: I’ve grown to love a ton of people, but it was really hard to say goodbye to Sundance and Jared [Cotter].
Brandon Rogers: I love everybody, but the difficult one was Jared. He and I became very close, and that’s my boy. I don’t know if the camera showed it, but Jordin and I were sort of the first two in tears. I really didn’t expect it. I think he’s a great singer, a fantastic songwriter and a really great guy.
LaKisha Jones: Everybody, really, because we’ve been together for a while and everybody’s good and everybody’s talented. I wish everybody the best of luck.
Chris Richardson: For me, AJ [Tablado]. He was my roommate and my best friend here, and it was really hard to see him go, but like LaKisha said, it’s so hard to let go of anybody, because you do become a family.
Sanjaya Malakar: Amy [Krebs]. We were representing Seattle, plane buddies and all, so that was really hard, and I really admired her for her voice. Her tone was really pure.
Stephanie Edwards: Antonella was my roommate and I loved her. We were becoming so close. I cried like a baby.

YOU OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES

UPI reports that Jennifer Hudson said in an interview in Burbank, Calif., that she wanted to do the Jackie Robinson story. "The story of Robinson, the first African-American player in Major League Baseball, tells of greatness and our history; that means something to me," Hudson said in an interview on "Access Hollywood." The untitled, still-in-development Jackie Robinson biography is being produced by Robert Redford who will play Brooklyn Dodger's general manager Branch Rickey, the man who signed Robinson to a big league contract.

The Hollywood Reporter announces that Season 5 finalist Kevin Covais is about to give acting a try with a lead role in the feature film "College." Covais will star alongside Drake Bell and Andrew Caldwell in the film, which is about three high school seniors who visit a nearby college campus as prospective freshmen and wind up having the wildest weekend in their lives.

THE LAST WORD

Talking about the finalist results, Simon Cowell said, "Tons of surprises, but it wouldn’t be 'American Idol' without it, would it … At the end of the day, I could go out and find 12 great singers, but that's kind of boring. The fact that there's people there who shouldn't be there makes it 'American Idol.' " Cowell is actually hoping for a "battle of the divas," with Melinda Doolittle edging out LaKisha Jones and Stephanie Edwards. "I like her humility," he said of professional backup singer Doolittle. "I like the fact that she’s happy to be on the show and she's giving 100 percent. She’s got passion." But, perish the thought, what if Sanjaya Malakar won, Simon was asked. "He's not going to win. I won't be back if he does!"

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© 2007

Idol Alumni Videos

Here are links to some Idol alumni videos we wanted to share in case you haven't found them:

1. Season 4 finalist Anwar Robinson talks about whether the judges this season were mean and his own Idol experience on Fox's Live at 5.
2. Also from Fox/5 here is Season 5 finalist Paris Bennett (with yet another new wig, plus check out that Jennifer Lopez-like booty on her) performing her new song "Ordinary Love." The single is off her album "Princess P" due out this April. Our view: She's still in strong voice, but the song is weak. We don't give it much chance of charting high, if at all.
3. Season 3 runner-up Diana DeGarmo appears on "The Dr. Keith Ablow Show" talking about (what else?) her Idol experience and "Life After Idol." And pay attention: Although they don't get to speak in the clip, you'll also see Season 5 finalists Melissa McGhee and Kevin Covais sitting on the couch. Guess that's the difference between coming in Nos. 11 and 12, instead of No. 2.
4. Fans of Jon Peter Lewis should head over to AmericanIdol.com to check out the video for his single "Amanda Grace" from his debut album, "Stories From Hollywood."
5. We know we've been wondering whatever happened to Season 3 finalist Amy Adams and thanks to AmericanIdol.com now we do. Since her appearance on the show, Adams has married and had a son. She then toured in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with "Broadway on the Road."

OTHER IDOL ALUMNI NEWS

Playbill reports that Season 4 finalist Anthony Fedorov will join the Off-Broadway cast of "The Fantasticks" on May 1, stepping into the role of Matt in the world's longest-running musical, having played a record-breaking run of more than 17,000 performances in Greenwich Village. The Fantasticks plays Tuesdays at 7 PM, Wednesdays at 2 PM, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 and 7 PM. Tickets, priced at $76, with a special $36 ticket price for selected seating on Sunday evening performances, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 212-307-4100. The Snapple Theater Center is located at 210 West 50th Street at Broadway. For more information, click here.

TOUCHED BY AN IDOL?

The New York Post says that Michael Jackson has turned to "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller to mastermind his comeback, which will kick off next month with a two-day meet-and-greet autograph session with fans in Japan who will pay $3,300 each to shake hands and pose for photos with the fallen star. Jackson is said to be too weak to perform.

Britain's Fuller, 46, met with Jackson, 48, recently in Las Vegas, where he's been living since his return from a self-imposed exile in Bahrain and Ireland. "This is the perfect match," fellow Vegas resident Robin Leach told Splash News, "the world's biggest pop star being looked after by the most successful mogul manager in the world." Jackson, who is said to be $300 million in debt, has been working on an album with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.

And according to The National Ledger, a source told Britain's The Sun newspaper, "Michael is determined to be a global phenomenon again. He knows it won't be easy because he comes with so much baggage, but he thinks that if anyone can pull it off, Simon can."

Meanwhile, Reality TV Magazine wonders if this isn't all just camouflage to get Jackson onto Idol for a theme week:

"The [Simon Fuller-Michael Jackson] meetings have been rumored to involve doing a possible Las Vegas show to help relaunch Michael Jackson’s career. Could the rumor about a Las Vegas show just be subterfuge to cover up the real purpose of their meetings? If a faded pop star wants to relaunch their career, everyone knows the best way to do it is through an 'American Idol' appearance, not a Las Vegas show. Or assuming that the Las Vegas show is real, wouldn’t flying the 'American Idol' finalists out to Vegas to meet with Michael Jackson during a Michael Jackson theme week be the perfect promotion for the show? Could Simon Fuller really be brokering a deal for the embattled pop star to appear on America’s most popular television show?

"If Simon Fuller and Michael Jackson having secret meetings isn’t enough to get the Michael Jackson on 'American Idol' rumor mill churning, then how about the fact that 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe seemed to drop a clue about the possibility during a recent media conference call. When answering a question about the tight reign that 'American Idol' keeps on the finalists, Lythgoe said 'We don’t want anything slipping out. If we’ve got major stars coming on that we want to do a big publicity thing with. "Hey, Michael Jackson is coming to American Idol this week," then I’ve got to leave that up to Fox publicity to put out there, not have it slip out with somebody telling their Mom that Michael Jackson is coming.' Considering Nigel Lythgoe often likes to have a little fun in his media interviews, Reality TV Magazine would not be surprised if he dropped this little tidbit as a teaser to see if anyone would pick up on it.

"American Idol producers teasing about a big event show, American Idol creator Simon Fuller having secret meetings with Michael Jackson, Nigel Lythgoe telling media that he doesn't want it slipping out if a major star like Michael Jackson is coming, Reality TV Magazine predicts that this all adds up to a Michael Jackson theme week and guest appearance on American Idol 6."

IF I'M BEING HONEST ...

MSNBC reports that Simon Cowell wishes he had been more honest with Eddie Murphy back in the '80s, when Cowell was so intimidated by mega-star Murphy, that he didn't have the nerve to tell him that the songs he had written were complete and utter crap.

Cowell recalled how "[Murphy] was interested in making a record, so I flew to the East Coast, to his huge house, and I was very intimidated. I thought it would be just the two of us and a hi-fi. But I ended up in a recording studio with about 20 nodders; a nodder is someone who gets paid to agree with the person paying him. Eddie started to play some songs, which I hated, and I just didn't know what to say. Now I'd find it a lot easier. I would just say, 'I hate it.' "

For those of you who are too young to remember the '80s, or so old that you've forgotten them, here is a YouTube clip of Eddie Murphy's "Party All the Time" (or as we call it, "Potty All the Time," because of Murphy's pronunciation) a song later voted one of the "50 Worst Songs of All-Time" by VH1 and Blender magazine. Funniest thing about the video: It sets the exact scene that Cowell describes, a recording studio with a bunch of nodders.

About the song: Murphy's voice is nothing to write home about, in fact it was probably Auto-Tuned to death and still doesn't sound that great. But the song has a good beat and was fun pop dance music back then and still is today. Yes, it's even on our iPod. But hey, isn't that, at core, what Idol's all about -- cheesy pop music?

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© 2007

Idol Spoiler: Some of the Top 40 Semi-Finalists Revealed?

WARNING: SPOILER

Reality TV Magazine has revealed how domain name registrations appear to be giving clues as to which Season 6 Idol contestants will advance to the top 40 or so semi-finalists. Several contestants had their names privately registered as domain names on November 18, 2006, which is rumored to be right around the time the Hollywood contestants were narrowed down to the top 40 or so semi-finalists. Now with additional contestant names having been revealed in the Memphis and New York auditions, Reality TV Magazine has an updated list of which of the twenty-nine contestants revealed on American Idol so far will likely be moving on in the competition.

Of the twenty-nine contestants named so far, Anna Kearns, Sanjaya and Shyamali Malakar, Jason "Sundance" Head, Amanda Coluccio, Antonella Barba, Jenry Bejarano, Porcelana Patino and Rachel Zevita all had their names registered as domain names on November 18, 2006. All the domains show that they have been registered by Domains by Proxy, which is basically a service which hides the identity of who actually registered the domain names. One could speculate that American Idol producers privately registered the names of the contestants that were advancing to the top forty.

Jordin Sparks, Rudy Cardenas, Blake Lewis, Thomas Daniels, Sarah Krueger, Rachel Jenkins, Jarrod Fowler, Denise Jackson, Sean Michel, Melinda Doolittle, Sarah Burgess, Jory Steinberg, Chris Richardson and Nicholas Pedro all had their names registered as domain names sometime before the American Idol 6 Hollywood eliminations would have occurred. They either wisely registered their own names in the past or someone who likely shared their name registered their names. Therefore, there is nothing to suggest one way or the other whether they advanced in Hollywood or not.

But Matt Sato, Michelle Steingas, Perla Meneses, Philip Stacy, Danielle McCulloch and Kia Thornton did not have their names registered as domain names until sometime in mid to late January of 2007. Because no one took the time to register their names until after their names aired on national TV as Hollywood contestants on one of the American Idol audition shows, it could be theorized that these contestants did not advance in the Hollywood rounds.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, North Philly's Luis Figueroa-Roig, 17, an honor student at Girard Academic Music Program, is among the select pack of singers heading to Hollywood to compete on Fox's American Idol. Although we don't remember seeing him on the Fox Wednesday night broadcast, the Inquirer says that the teen wowed judges in his New York audition, taped in August. As a 13-year-old Figueroa-Roig competed on CBS' Star Search.

And the New York Post ran a story on the New York contestant everyone loves to hate: Ian Benardo. Among other things, Benardo said, "Simon said everything insulting in the book to me, but he has a very limited British vocabulary." Claiming that he is close to releasing a new CD single called "I'm Better Than You," of the judges reaction to his singing Benardo said, "They were all pretty shocked by me. What were they shocked about? They're like the biggest media whores on Earth. I'm a pretty entertaining person, so I was shocked that they were pretty negative to me."

Meanwhile, Fox News reports that Rosie O'Donnell responded with her usual largesse to Idol-wannabes Jonathan Jayne and Kenneth "bush baby" Briggs, who received a dose of Simon Cowell's tart tongue when they auditioned in Seattle. According to Fox, O'Donnell immediately brought the two new buddies backstage at "The View" and gave them a tour after their interviews on "Good Morning America." The pair did not appear on "The View," however, an insider says, "because Rosie didn't want them to be exploited or embarrassed more after she’d already spoken up." Not only that: O'Donnell is sending both men on all expense paid trips to Disneyworld, and they can bring anyone they like along.

ALUMNI UPDATE

... Just a reminder that Season 2 Idol winner Ruben Studdard comes to North Ford Theater at Westbury on Sunday. Tickets are still available here. You can read Dan Bubbeo's Newsday interview with Studdard here.

... The Associated Press reports that Season 5 finalist Chris Daughtry, whose band, Daughtry, has the current No. 1 CD on the Billboard charts, will perform a free concert in Greensboro, N.C., on March 23 at the Greensboro Coliseum. Between 6,000 and 7,000 people are expected to attend the concert. Daughtry, 27, is based in nearby McLeansville. While organizers wouldn't release the cost of the concert they said they expected to recoup most of the cost through concession sales and sponsorships.

... According to Fox's official American Idol site, Season 5
runner-up Katharine McPhee told People magazine in its upcoming issue that she wants people to know that who they saw on American Idol isn't necessarily who she is. The singer, whose debut album drops on Tuesdaym said, "I think I came off aloof and kind of dry [on Idol]. When people meet me they are like, 'Wow, she's pretty normal.' " She also reveals that she wasn't trying to win the competition as much as just get through it and stay healthy, as she was secretly in recovery from bulimia during the show. Today, she told the magazine, "I eat whatever I want -- like last week we went to Cabo and I ate like 30 pounds of chips and guacamole! But I put on my jeans this morning and they still fit!"

She also told People that while she might have the qualities that go into the making of a diva, she is actually quite down to earth and conscientious about her money, and that her debut CD will also shock some, as it won't have the "power ballads" that she knows that most people are expecting. Instead, she chose to follow her own musical tastes (funk, pop and dance). On excluding "Over the Rainbow" from the CD, she joked, "I'm 22, and that song aged me like 40 years!"

She also discussed what attracts her to her boyfriend, Nick Cokas, 19 years her senior: "He's really smart," said McPhee. And although they are not living together, she said "things are great." "We love to create things together." They co-produced a play at New York's Fringe Festival last summer.

... Season 5 third-place finisher Elliott Yamin will release his debut album on March 20. The album will be released on Hickory Records through RED Distribution. Elliott contributed to the writing and production of the album. Yamin said, "I'm excited to get my music out to my fans, and I'm thrilled to be back in the studio working on original music." His first single, “Movin’ On,” will be available on all digital service providers by February 13. He’s also planning a solo tour for spring/summer 2007. Check out Elliott's transformation gallery on the official Idol site.

... Jon Peter Lewis, a finalist from Season 3, is loving life right now, writing most of his own songs, touring the U.S., and serving as a panelist for MTV.com’s new program, “Idolized.” His album, “Stories From Hollywood," is available on iTunes and other online distribution companies. According to JPL, the album is part “pop rock,” part “folky” and even a bit “John Mayer’ish.” It consists of all the songs he has worked on since he was on Idol. In fact, he wrote the song “Turn to Grey” while on the Idol tour after the season ended.

While he trying to differentiate himself with his own musical style, Lewis recognizes that being on Idol gave him exposure and opportunities. However, he said he found that trying to measure up to his fellow Idol contestants, who included Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia, was mostly detrimental, but might have helped him in the long run. It forced him to become more introspective, which enhanced his music. His music inspirations tend to be classic rock ‘n roll, including everything from The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix to Al Green and Marvin Gaye, though modern influences include John Mayer, Elliott Smith, and Ben Folds.

Lewis said that when he performs now, people are there for pure enjoyment instead of to critique his music. They don’t care about the pitch of his singing voice, but rather the vibe that they are left with after hearing his music. And although he doesn’t have much preference when it comes to venues, he loves to perform in smaller ones to connect with the audience, but also enjoys, and finds himself more relaxed, in front of a larger audience, calling it a more “faceless” experience. He expects to be touring some time this summer.

An outdoor enthusiast, Lewis enjoys mountain biking and skiing and calls himself a “video game freak,” and said American Idol still plays a fairly large part in his life.

... Celebrity Spider.com reports that although Season 4 Idol winner Fantasia Barrino desperately tried to win the role of Effie White in "Dreamgirls" and even had co-star Jamie Foxx backing her, director Bill Condon had other ideas. Barrino insists to Vixen magazine that
she isn't bitter about missing out on the star-making part. "Everyone wanted me for that role except the director. But it wasn't for me. I tried really hard. But I can't even be mad. That role was for Jennifer Hudson. "I feel like I was meant to win American Idol. And I feel like J [Jennifer Hudson] was meant to play the Effie role," Barrino added.

Reality TV World reports that Season 1 Idol winner Kelly Clarkson weighed in on the "are the judges too harsh this season" issue on Access Hollywood: "The judges are a little harsh this time. But they sit all day and watch all these people come through, so you have to give them some credit," Clarkson told Maria Menounos during Wednesday night's broadcast. Clarkson also said that she's "kind of excited" about this season's show since it's the first time she's actually been able to sit down and watch because "I'm always on tour every time it comes on." Personally, she feels the "best part" of Idol is the "beginning shows" when people are "just horrible," referring to the auditions that have caused the series to take some flack from critics for the treatment of contestants.

"We're thinking [the judges] are being harsh, but what is everybody saying when they're [watching] at home?" asked Clarkson. "People are different. [Idol is] going to different parts of America, and there are different people in different parts of America ... and you love them and they're great and they're so passionate about it ... It's not justification for them being mean ... [But the judges] are nothing compared to what critics are going to say about you. You're going to have to be able to put up with people. If you think that's mean, just stop now, because it gets a lot worse."

... In an interview with BuddyTV Season 5 finalist Kevin Covais discussed the Idol audition process and its judges: " ... going there [to the audition], for me, it was so crazy because here I went up to Boston from my hometown in Levittown, N.Y., and made the four hour trip to Boston with my parents, and ended up trying out. I was surrounded by about 6,000 other people in Boston who were trying out, and it really makes you feel small and it makes you think 'Wow, there's so many people out here, these chances here are already looking bad for me.'

So, initially, it's definitely scary, but it takes going up in front of the judge ... and it took a while, it took a good six hours that first day to get in front of that first judge in the first round for me. It's definitely very scary. Every thought crosses your mind. They might cut you off after a note and tell you you're terrible and tell you to leave or they might let you sing a song for a while and tell you you're great. So, it was definitely nerve-racking, but after I got over that hump, and I advanced past the first round, that's when I realized that this was my dream and you can't get in the way of that. And from there on out, I didn't let anything stop me. But, you know, that first was definitely a scary one because you don't know what to expect.

And of the judges, he said, "Well there were other sets of judges in the beginning. Initially, Simon, Paul, and Randy, and all the earlier judges, people that worked on the show, you definitely knew that they knew what they were doing and they have experience with music and with the entertainment business in general and you can see that in their eyes. Just staring them down when you're singing for them, and their giving you this serious face and you don't know what they're thinking; they either love you or hate you or there's something else. But you can definitely tell that they're legitimate and that's the feeling that I got right away. And furthermore, they gave a lot of constructive criticism and they gave you room for improvement, and I definitely loved all the advice that I got from each and every one of them."

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