Kelly Clarkson Apologizes to Clive Davis

Even though her CD has dropped out of the Top 10, Kelly Clarkson is staying in the news because of the apology she proffered to Clive Davis on her Web site (a step that Simon Cowell recently advised her to take in the press):

In a posting of her Web site, Clarkson writes, "A lot has been made in the press about my relationship with Clive. Much of this has been blown way out of proportion and taken out of context.

"Contrary to recent characterizations in the press, I'm well aware that Clive is one of the great record men of all time. He has been a key advisor and has been an important force in my success to date. He has also given me respect by releasing my new album when he was not obligated to do so.

"I really regret how this has turned out and I apologize to those whom I have done disservice. I would never intentionally hurt anyone."

KELLIE PICKLER LOVES SPEED

... As in driving fast, or so she told Newsweek in an interview they recently conducted with her. Kellie Pickler also told the 'zine that she'd love to fill the empty host chair on "The View." Read on:

You sound like you're outside.
I'm doing a show in Wisconsin, opening up for Reba [McEntire], so, yay! I'm lying on the bunk of my tour bus right now.

Do you ever drive the bus?
They won't let me for some reason. I don't know why.

Well, do you have a license?
Yeah! I'm a good driver. I wanted to be a NASCAR driver. I love driving fast.

What's the fastest you've ever driven?
I once got pulled over going 95 in a 35. Let me tell you, I cried my way out of that ticket. But it was real dangerous, I shouldn't have done that. It was early in the morning and I was driving to school. We had this weird tardy thing. If you're tardy three days to class, you'd get suspension.

You were great as a guest host on "The View." I think they should offer you one of the open seats.
Omigod. I'd so do it. I've got an opinion about everything. They film two shows in the same day. So I'd tour during the weekends.

Maybe Barbara Walters will be reading this.
I know! I've been waiting for them to call. Every time I've done the show, everyone tries to create all this animosity, and there's really none. They've all been really nice to me.

Except for Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Actually, she's the nicest. Some people tend to forget it's called "The View," so everyone's got to have their own point of view. It's not called "The Facts."

Are you and Carrie Underwood friends?
We went to the "Idol" concert together. It was nice to have a girls' night out.

How was Sanjaya?
It was kind of weird. The music, the mix, was so loud I could hardly understand what anybody was singing. I think they were having some technical problems. Everybody sounded great, but Carrie and I both had a hard time listening.

Have you seen "Hey, Paula?"
What's that?

Paula Abdul's reality show.
She has a reality show?! I don't watch TV ever. If I do watch TV, it's either Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel. Have you seen "Planet Earth"? It's amazing. It's up close and personal with different things on the earth, like animals, plants and trees. Stuff we don't know that's out there.
Sounds like school.
It does. But it's not.

Do you know Kelly Clarkson?
No. I haven't met her. She was at CMA's because she sang a duet with Reba, but I didn't get to meet her there. Everybody was rushing all over the place. I hope to meet her soon. Every time we're at the same place, it's like we're dodging each other. I was at the NASCAR race a few months ago, and she was performing the day after. Each time, we're in the same area but we never meet.

Have you heard the new album?
I haven't heard it, no.

You should get it.
Yeah. I will if I ever get to the store. I live on the bus.

Don't you have iTunes?
Yeah, but I'm so stupid I don't know how to do it. I'm an electronic illiterate.

So you don't have an iPod?
I do. But there are no songs on it anymore. My friend downloaded one of my CDs, "Dolly Parton's Greatest Hits," but I accidentally deleted them all. I bought one of those new iPhones, but I don't know how to work it.

How did you meet your boyfriend?
Jordin? I'm, like, which one?

Ooh. You have more than one?
Jordin [Tootoo, a NHL player for the Nashville Predators] and I are actually neighbors. It's really funny. I didn't know anything about hockey. He's never even heard of "American Idol." This lady that works at the complex I live in says there's a guy named Jordin who wants to meet you. I'm like, "Ok, I guess." He leaves her two tickets for a game to give me. I'm like, "Lisa, you're going with me." I don't know what the guy looks like. I've never been to a hockey game. All I know is that his name is Jordin Tootoo. So I go to the game, every time a new player comes on ice, I'm looking for player 22. All of a sudden, this guy comes out on the ice, rips his clothes off, throws the guy on the ice, punches the crap out of the guy. I'm like, this hockey game is turning into a boxing match! Lisa is like, "That's Jordin." I'm like, I have to go out with this monster? Afterward, we went to dinner. There were knots on his forehead, his knuckles were all bloody. Great first impression. But he kicked the dude's butt. So at least I feel protected. One thing led to another and now we're a little item, I guess you could say.

How long have you been dating?
Since January. But we've never had an official boyfriend-girlfriend day. It just kind of blossomed. I don't know what day we committed to each other.

KELLY CLARKSON, NIGHT WRITER

According to Star Pulse, Kelly Clarkson struggles with insomnia - because her songs keep her awake at night. The singer admits many of her lyrics and hits come to her as she's trying to get to sleep and has to write them down or record them on the spot.

She says, "The moment a song comes to me, I have to get it out. That's why I have a hard time sleeping, because a lot of those times are at night."

KATHARINE McPHEE RAW

Watch video of Katharine McPhee's photo shoot for Vegas magazine at Raw Vegas. The Season 5 "Idol" runner-up dishes on how she fell in love with her "Vegas" show-stopper, showgirl cover look, and offers viewers a tasty treat -- a few bars of one of her favorite tracks.

PETER NOONE: PREFERS MAGGOTS TO IDOL

Well, it's a sure bet that Peter Noone won't be invited back to mentor on "American Idol." According to Contact Music, the lead singer of the '60s group Herman's Hermits, who mentored the guys during British Invasion week during Season 6, now admits he hates the idea of hopefuls appearing on such a big show before they've made it. Noone says, "If I were a young performer today, I'd take the bowl of maggots if people said, 'Do you want to be a contestant on American Idol or eat a bowl of maggots?' I'd say give me the bowl because I can get through that quick. I think it's probably much better to play in bars and then play the next-best bar than start on such a huge stage. If people are going to hate you, they may as well hate you in a small room."

PRODUCER NIGEL LYTHGOE: WE MADE MISTAKES

EW reports that at the Television Critics Association summer press tour,
"American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe said that last season "Idol" suffered by focusing more on famous mentors than on contestants -- and says the show can learn from "So You Think You Can Dance."

Lythgoe, the executive producer of both shows who also serves as a sharp-tongued judge on "Dance," said we should all expect some changes on "Idol" next season. "We realized we made mistakes on Idol last season," he said. "We were so engrossed with the mentors and didn't really focus on the Melinda Doolittles of the show. We didn't know them as much as the Kellie Picklers of last season."

Lythgoe is referring to the marked difference in the ways the two programs showcase their contestants: In recent seasons, "Idol" has tended to shun details about its singers to instead focus on the big-name stars who come to the show to perform and work with the contestants, especially in later episodes. "Dance," however, spends quite a bit of its airtime featuring the back-stories of its dancers and their struggles to get on the show.

"We're all attached to them a little more," Lythgoe said about Dance's focus on its contestants' lives. "I think that's affected us all a little bit more. There are little emotional hooks that come out." As for an "Idol" tune-up plan for season 7, Lythgoe revealed the production team is always looking to "tinker with the program," adding that ultimately he'd like to see the "Idol" contestants be as strong as his prized top 10 on "So You Think You Can Dance."

And what of Sanjaya? Of course, the faux-hawked menace snuck his way into the discussion. Speaking about the top 10 dancers seated behind him on stage, Lythgoe said: "There isn't a Sanjaya here, although I do think Sanjaya helped the last season of 'Idol.' I think there's enough talent with enough great stories to warrant the fact that we are basing it on their talent. No one needs to alter their hair on this program."

PERKS OF THE PRESS

A firsthand experience by a journalist for the Hanford Sentinel covering the Idols Live Tour:

FRESNO -- Ben's been a security guard at the Save Mart Center for several years. He first got the job to help pay his way through school, he told me.

Ben and I got to be quite good friends Friday evening. I was at the Save Mart Center "on assignment" to cover the American Idol Live! concert, camera bag and notepad in hand, just like the good old days. But I was over an hour early, so had some time to kill. And that's where Ben came in.

We talked about our taste in music, and he told me some wild stories about out-of-control teenage girls at the Chris Brown concert the week before. As the minutes ticked by, vendors and other security staff trickled in as Ben and I chatted. A couple of EMTs walked by pushing an empty gurney. Probably for a passed-out fan, I thought.

I was sitting on the cold, stone floor, listening to what I thought was piped music. It sounded pretty good, and my feet were soon tapping away. Suddenly, the music stopped and I heard laughter coming through the sound system. Then a voice started singing "Let's Get It Started" by the Black Eyed Peas and again I heard a voice say "That was good, that was good."

It was at that moment that I realized it was Them! They were going through sound checks ... and they were just a stone's throw from me.
Suddenly Ben's walkie-talkie crackled: "We are go for doors, we are go for doors!" Fans of every age, shape and size started pouring in. A girl and her brother each carried homemade signs. Hers said "Blake rocks my world." Her brother's said simply "Blake, you rock."

Then it was time. Along with four other members of the media, I was escorted down into the bowels of the Save Mart Center, a bit like walking through an underground maze at an airport. When we reached our destination, we were greeted by the Idol tour PR person, who explained the procedure for taking photos. We had about 10 minutes, she said. First, Blake will be on stage, and then Jordin will join him, coming up on a lift in the middle of the platform ...

The rest frankly was a blur. Within minutes we were standing next to the barricade in front of the stage where we would take pictures, and I made small talk with one of the Save Mart Center's staff as we waited for our cue.

I looked up. A blond-haired guy in a staff uniform walked to the middle of the stage as the announcer welcomed everyone to the concert. He looked kind of familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. Then he pulled off his cap -- and his blond wig -- to reveal spiky brown hair and an impish grin. It was Blake Lewis. Before I had time to hoist my purse and camera bag over my shoulder, the center of the stage opened up, and there was Jordin.

The next 9.8 minutes went by at light speed. I was snapping photos, trying not to fall over the cameramen who were filming for the overhead screens. Before I knew it, I was an arm's length from Chris Richardson, Sanjaya, Gina and Melinda. I wasn't sure if they'd all been dieting, or if TV really does add 15 pounds, but they looked great! Getting swept up in the moment, I suddenly realized how much I missed the reason I got into journalism in the first place.

The fans were going wild. They were screaming and reaching out across the barricade toward the stage. I watched their faces; this was awesome! I looked over at the Idol PR person and smiled. "Thank you," I mouthed.

After three songs, we were motioned away from the stage, and I had to relinquish my camera to the PR person, for "safe-keeping," I was told. I made my way to my seat just a few rows back from the stage. It was L18, but I don't think my rear ever touched the chair. Everyone in the floor area was on their feet, camera cell phones snapping photos and video footage.

Within minutes, my ears were ringing from the loud music and the women screaming wildly behind me. I got caught up in the emotion: "Wuhoo!" I yelled as Sanjaya, dressed in a white jacket, gray T-shirt and red jeans, sang and moonwalked to Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel." "Wuhoo!!"

In between songs, the guys joked and ribbed each other. They talked about their friendship, and about the first time they all met. Sanjaya and Chris Sligh remembered "the bald guy," Phil, who good-naturedly went along with the ribbing. They really seem like best friends, I thought to myself.

Then Blake took the stage again, seeming right at home behind the microphone. "Everyone take out your cell phones and wave them like this!" he said, moving his arm from side to side. I looked behind me and the auditorium was suddenly filled with hundreds of fireflies as cell phone screens danced in the dark. It was magic.

Blake took off his jacket, revealing an untucked blue shirt over gray pants. He wrapped one hand around the mic, and the sound of techno filled the air, his beat box rhythm mesmerizing us all with its intensity. The crowd went wild. Did it get any better than this?

The Idols' performances were a whirlwind, one after the other. They ran across the stage, shaking hands with fans, and then back to the middle, hugging each other and acting like they were having such a good time. As each one sang, the stage backdrop showed footage from their initial auditions. These fresh-faced hopefuls had been turned into polished performers, and I secretly wondered if that was a good thing.

After an hour and 15 minutes, it was time for an intermission. I finally sat down. L18, a red plush chair, was comfortable. I had come down from the euphoric adrenaline rush, and I was exhausted. My camera battery had long since died, and my phone's memory was full from the photos I had taken. I didn't relish the thought of battling the traffic when the concert was over, so I decided to go home.

Driving back to Hanford, my ears still ringing, I felt good. I wished I'd gotten to say good-bye to Ben, the security guard, but I was sure he was off somewhere doing the job he said "paid the bills."

What had I enjoyed most about the evening? Sanjaya strutting across the stage, LaKisha, Haley and Gina as dance-hall girls singing "Lady Marmalade," or Jordin singing her heart out in a duet with Chris Robinson? No, I thought to myself. It was being a journalist.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

Nigel Lythgoe Wants Jordin to Win

Yes, the executive producer wants Jordin Sparks to take it all. We can only imagine that he sees dollars signs looking at the future of the (yes) malleable 17-year-old, whose career hasn't even begun, as opposed to the somewhat older, wiser and more professionally hip Blake Lewis, who probably has somewhat stronger opinions of what he'd like to do musically.

In an interview Wednesday, prior to Melinda Doolittle's elimination, Nigel Lythgoe talked with TV Weekly:

"All in all, I think Blake was probably the best across the board for his level of talent. But, for me, Melinda and Jordin are both vocally more talented than Blake. However, I think that it's possible because there are two girls, it may split the female vote, and you're always going to have a vote for the male."

Asked if age makes a difference, Lythgoe said, "I don't know, you know at the end of the day, you say you are searching for an American Idol and then I think you've got to put your own point of view forward as to what an American Idol is, or could be."

Asked if there has ever been a 17-year-old on the show who is as talented as Jordin? "I look at Paris [Bennett] and Lisa Tucker [what about Season 3 second-place finished Diana DeGarmo, who was only 16; that same year, third-place finisher Jasmine Trias was also 17], and then I look at Jordin, and I say Jordin takes the biscuit for me. She's the one who's got everything. It's a sad thing that we keep talking about age in this. It's vocal ability and she's got everything, still young and learning. For me, Jordin is the ideal person to become the next American Idol, if I were voting." Nigel adds, "I was a little sad in the first round when Simon said 'You sang that brilliantly, I didn't like the arrangement, so it wasn't one of your best performances.' We shouldn't be judging her on the arrangement of the song, we should be judging on how she sings. So, he seemed to have a little downer on Jordin tonight. I don't know why, I thought she was great."

So, we know even before the finale begins that Lythgoe is pulling for Jordin. Ryan Seacrest in April, when there were 9 contestants left, told People magazine he was rooting for Jordin to win ("First of all, she's a girl. She represents fantastic qualities. She's a great singer and a pretty girl … She's non-threatening, cute and attractive. Plus, she has this sincere likeability that is rare and genuine." Does Blake even stand a chance?

Important note: Remember, this is not a game show, it's a reality show. That means the performers are considered paid actors and the producers can legally make the results anything they want them to be. Think back to last Wednesday night. Ryan never told Melinda she had the lowest vote total. He never said anything about how close the voting was. He only said there were nearly 60 million votes cast. Ryan's exact words to the contestants, and America, were:

"And now tonight's results. Let me start with Jordin. Would you step forward please? Jordin Sparks, ladies and gentlemen. Jordin, almost 60 million votes came in. Almost 60 million votes. And I think you'll be happy with those votes. You have made it through to the "American Idol" finale. Congratulations Jordin! Congratulation, you may have a seat.

"Now back at the center of the stage. Who joins Jordin? Will it be girl-girl? Guy-girl? Melinda, would you step forward? Almost 60 million votes. Again, an incredible number. Those votes came in. America has decided ... that this is the end of the road for you tonight ... on "American Idol." That means Blake makes it into the "Idol" finale. Congratulations Blake. Congrat, buddy, you can take a seat with Jordin. And here she is, one of our best singers ever, Melinda Doolittle. Take a look we have your journey on the show. Watch."

The producers use the ploy of carefully wording the eliminations now and then, so that they are not actually lying, but let the public assume that the eliminated persons received the lowest vote total. Many times, they'll say which contestant received the lowest vote total, but never indicate which contestant placed second or third lowest in the Bottom 3. Sometimes the way Ryan's words are written, you don't even know for sure whether the other two contestants actually received low vote totals. Listen carefully next year. Sometimes they spell it out. Many times they don't. Those are the times that conspiracy theorists believe the producers have made their own decisions on who should go and who should stay.

On the official "American Idol" site, under FAQs, it states:

"Production will have in place weekly monitoring procedures designed to prevent individuals from unfairly influencing the outcome of the voting by generating significant blocks of votes using technical enhancements. The producers reserve the right to remove any identified 'power dialing' votes."

This pretty much leaves it to the producers discretion if they want to not count certain votes, i.e., they totally control the outcome you see on the show, although earlier this year executive producer Ken Warwick claimed that the software they use had never detected an incident of block voting.

So, was Melinda actually eliminated according to the votes cast by the public this week? We'll never know. Will Blake get a fair shake on Wednesday night? We'll never know. Will Jordin become the next American Idol whether or not she gets more votes from the public? We'll never know.

Mean-
while, Blake fans are getting support from VotefortheWorst.com. We love their caricature of Lewis. Have a look.

HELP EW PICK THE NEXT IDOL ... COVER

Enter-
tainment Weekly is asking for readers help to select their
"American Idol" cover. They have two choices each for Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks. To cast your vote for the cover you think should grace the magazine's "American Idol" winner issue, click here.

IDOL STYLE

Did you like the clothes that Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle wore of this past Tuesday's performance show? TMZ.com reports that the V-neck short dress that Melinda wore over jeans for her second number was a $165 number by T-Bags.

For her second song, Jordin squeezed her curves into a sexy blue $168 Twister halter by LaROK that comes with double straps in the front.

Should you want to dress like an "Idol," starstyle.com sells the frocks, but, the Web site, adds, act fast! A few weeks ago, Jordin's Nicole Miller gown sold out prior to the West Coast airing and left thousands of prom-going teens in tears.

And if you still can't get enough of your "Idol" fashion fix, click this "A.I." widget link to see what each contestant wore throughout the season.

JORDIN, BLAKE & MELINDA ON LENO

If you missed Jordin, Blake and Melinda on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno this past Monday night, you can catch it right here:



HOWARD STERN CLAIMS IDOL RIGGED

You might not want to believe this, and we don't know if we do either, but the Howard Stern web site claims that Idol winner has been picked in advance by the producers every season except two, and that Jordin Sparks was selected in advance to be this season's winner. Here's what they say:

"Does Howard 100 News owe an apology . . . to American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle? A source inside the show claims that American Idol was reportedly in a panic yesterday to put the brakes on a Howard 100 News investigation into voting on the FOX talent show. This source alleges the show decided to switch horses at the last minute, that contestant Blake Lewis was allegedly scheduled to be told to go home last night, until Idol producers changed their minds. Our source claiming Simon Cowell allegedly said quote “F--- Howard Stern,” and added that the Idol result last night would be the opposite of what Howard 100 News reported. All of which might explain the strange subdued mood on American Idol last night. So if the last minute switch is true, Howard 100 News must apologize to the talented Melinda Doolittle. But now, Howard 100 News reports that another source has revealed a bombshell claim about American Idol; that in 6 seasons only two American Idol’s have been picked by the viewing public, according to our source. The source claims that this season, producers of the show had allegedly decided to go straight, to let viewer votes decide the winner, but panicked when Howard Stern and VotefortheWorst.com backed Sanjaya. The show then reverted back to picking the winner, according to our source. The source claims Sanjaya was running away with the competition, until producers decided to take back control and throw him off the show in spite of Sanjaya’s alleged vote victories. Bottom line here; three sources telling Howard 100 News Jordin Sparks has long been scheduled to be the winner of American Idol. Now will the producers switch that? There’s one way to clear all this up… release the vote results and prove that American Idol is run according to how the viewers vote. By the way, FOX Television has still not called us back after running off the phone two days ago."

Now, you might read this and say, "bull," but it reminds us of last season's "RockStar SuperNova" competition. Four weeks before it ended, gossip columnist Janet Charlton claimed that Tommy Lee, the head of the SuperNova band had selected contestant Lukas Rossi to win. Although he was a popular contestant, there were others who were just as or more popular, including Dilana, Toby and Magni. Dave Navarro, the show's host and executive producer basically said, "Who's Janet Charlton?" as well as, "she doesn't have a clue as to what she is talking about. If she has an inside source... Name it! Come on! I dare you! Name it! If you don't know what I am talking about... She has claimed that she knows who the winner is. Trust me... Nobody knows until it's over." Uh, yeah, sure, thanks Dave. Well, surprise, surprise. Guess who won the competition four weeks later on Sept, 13? Afterwards, Tommy Lee said that he had wanted Lukas as the lead singer of SuperNova from the minute he met him. So why did they let public think that their vote mattered and that they were picking the winner, even though Tommy had final say (as the Idol producers do)? Why, so we'd sit and watch the series. And that, folks, is called how you pump up the ratings.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

Blake Gives Jordin Finale Pimp Spot!!!

So, you gotta ask yourself, does Blake really want to win this competition? After Wednesday night's results show, Entertainment Weekly's blogger witnessed the coin toss between Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks to determine who would sing first at Tuesday's finale. Blake won the coin toss, but then offered Jordin her choice to go first or second. She might only be 17, as everyone keeps reminding us, but nobody had to remind her of the value of the pimp spot, which she quickly grabbed up. Blake, you're such a gentleman, but was gallantry worth possibly forfeiting the contest? Four the the past five winners landed the pimp spot in the finale (the exception being Ruben Studdard). Guess Blake's figuring that the pimp spot didn't save Melinda on Tuesday. Anyway, here's what went down, according to EW:

"[Executive producer] Nigel [Lythgoe] quickly collected the two finalists, Ryan [Seascrest] and Debbie [the stage manager] to stage the coin toss to see which of the pair would sing first Tuesday night. With the judges giving their final words of encouragement to Melinda, Ryan got the honors of flipping the custom-made coin with Blake’s head on one side and Jordin’s on the other. Either Nigel hoped that whoever made that coin didn’t have a blog, or he had two other coins made for the other two outcomes. If it’s the latter, they’ve got to be the collector’s item of the year, right?

Blake won the toss and got to choose. His first response, with a nervous, cheesy smile: 'Let's let the producers decide.' No, scolded Ryan (gently), it’s your choice Blake. 'Do you want to sing first?' Blake asked Jordin. She shook her head as if she’d been asked on a date by a 43-year-old: No! 'Well, okay, I'll sing first then.' And with that, the finale is on!"

Not only that, but in an interview in yesterday's USA Today, when asked, "How important is it for you to win the competition and be the American Idol?"

Blake answered, "I just view it day by day. I've never thought of it as a competition. I just want to go out and do my best each time I'm out there. If I win, that's great. Jordin was my pick since the beginning to be the American Idol."

Other acts of gallantry (by Blake and others): Those bouquets everybody seems to be asking us about? They were meant for, and handed to, the two finalists -- Blake and Jordin -- during Melinda's journey video montage. But Blake bequeathed his to Melinda. And when it came time for Melinda to bring in the backup singers, she was up that exit ramp bequeathing said flowers onto her vocal support group. What’s more, when the show was over, Jordin handed her bouquet to Melinda, who immediately turned right around and passed it on to the other two backup singers.

What great attitudes all around, exactly what a true American Idol should possess.

Here is the rest of the USA Today interview with Blake and Jordin:

As a musician who puts a lot of effort into arranging his songs, will it be easy or difficult to work with record producers?

Blake: I work really well with other people. I've already started writing many songs and started recording demos the whole time I was here. Before "American Idol," I was already working on an album. I've got at least six or seven tracks right now that could be on an album.

Were you surprised by the elimination of Melinda Doolittle, considered by many to be the favorite?

Blake: I think everyone was surprised each week so, I mean, yeah, I was surprised.

Did you say anything to Melinda on stage after the elimination?

Blake: I just told her I loved her and to knock it out.

How's your energy level?

Blake: Well, from going home and staying up so late and the schedule's grueling, I'm definitely tired this week. This was the first time I've ever fallen asleep, like I'd fall asleep in the Ford shoot or in rehearsals. I've never done that in my life.

Is there a previous Idol you'd like to model your career after?

Jordin: I love Kelly Clarkson. I love her attitude and that she just stays the same no matter what. She's amazing, a Grammy winner, beautiful. I want a career like that. Hello? Give me some tips … There are a ton of other Idols I look up to. I love all of them. I can't name any more because I don't want to leave anyone out.

Simon Cowell has said some of your songs seem too old for you. What do you think?

Jordin: Half of me agrees and half of me is like, what am I going to do? I can't help it if the songs I love are older or newer. I agree with him that it is more modern-day, so I understand that he wants me to sing stuff more people known. At the same time, if a song speaks to me, I'm going to want to sing it.

Were you surprised by tonight's results?

Jordin: It was one of those nights where anything could have happened, so I don't know. I was very sad to see Melinda go, but she is going to be so fine. She is amazing and she is going to reach so many people and the world is going to be such a better place with her in it and singing her songs and what she wants to sing about.

MELINDA DOOLITTLE EXIT INTERVIEW

Yesterday, Melinda Doolittle held a conference call exit interview with the press. Here are highlights from the transcript:

TVGuide.com: 72% of our readers are saying that they are very shocked to see you go last night. Now that you’ve had some time to think about it, why do you think that you were sent home last night?

You know what, first of all, I was up against two amazing contestants, so that was part of it to me. I love Jordin and Blake, so I think they did a fabulous job on Tuesday night. But also I know that I was probably getting a little bit of the older vote, which is great. And I had a lot of people come up and say, "You know, I voted for you five times last night." It was so good. So I have – you know, sometimes they may not spend a full two hours voting or anything like that, and that's okay. But I really feel like personally that I've won as far as, you know, where I ended up in this competition.

TVGuide.com: People here are wondering what kind of album, what style of album do you think you might come out with?

Oh gosh, the only way that I know to describe it is just soul music. You know, anything from the heart. I love a groove; I love anything where I can tell a story. And so to me, I just kind of describe that as soul music. I hope to have just a great soul album.

Wireless Flash News: Simon Cowell kind of gave you a hard time throughout the season, saying that you always looked kind of surprised and shocked when people are complimenting your awesome singing and everything. Was this shocking to you? Did you know that you did this or was it just – is that just the way your personality is?

You know what, it is part of my personality. Plus I was coming out of singing background for so many years, I get so used to having to sound like other people that "American Idol" was my first time really stepping out and finding out what my voice sounded like. So the fact that people liked it and were giving me good comments was surprising to me. It was a great honor. But it always kind of shocked me right at first.

Wireless Flash News: So you were adjusting to being in the limelight and not just background singing.

Exactly. So it was my little adjustment process there. So I couldn't help it; sorry.

Wireless Flash News: Who did you laugh or joke around with the most on the show? Like is there just one particular person that would always make you laugh backstage or anything like that?

Goodness, everybody is hilarious out here. I'm kind of the momma of the bunch because I'm the oldest, so I call them all my babies. I felt like I kind of hung out with them. Jordin, being the youngest, is my baby girl, definitely. But I mean we all hang out, Blake, everybody. Blake is kind of the class clown, so he might have been one of the funniest ones.

US Weekly online: America collectively held their breath last night when Ryan Seacrest teased going into the break, "After the break Melinda's going home." What was your feeling when he spoke those words? Did you kind of – did your heart skip a beat like the rest of us?

No. I think maybe either I didn't notice or I just thought he was talking about the package that they were going to show about me going home to Nashville, because I knew I was the next person for them to show. So I just assumed that's what he was talking about.

I’ve heard a lot of speculation about that, but I don't think it was that at all, I think he was just getting us ready for the next package they were going to show.

US Weekly online: My follow-up question is about your fashion sense. We’ve really seen you evolve from day one in your audition to last night. Are you dressing yourself now or are they [the Idol stylists] still lending a hand? What are you going to pack in your suitcase? Are you going to be able to do that on your own for the tour?

You know what, I am packing my suitcase as we speak and wondering the same thing. The show has great stylists, so Miles and Art have been extremely helpful to me being out on the show. And then I just was privileged to have a best friend that was a stylist also, so she was very helpful to me. Hopefully they’ve instilled something into me that helps me shop a little better, but we'll just have to see. I’m probably just going to be wearing things I've already worn that I know work already.

Life & Style Weekly: We were just touching on Ryan's comment before the commercial break, saying, "Oh, Melinda's going home." But have you heard a lot of buzz after the fact? You said you didn’t really notice it then. But have you heard talk of it afterwards, that maybe it was any kind of slip or a hint or do you think he was just saying it in regards to your package about going home?

You know, I've heard – a couple of my friends called and asked me did I even notice, and I was like, "No." I mean the only thing to me he could have been talking about was the package. I don't think it was even a slip; I just think that was what he was talking about. So I was completely fine with it; it didn't phase me at all last night.

Life & Style Weekly: What was going through your mind last night when you were called upfront for results? And then what was your reaction when he told you the journey was ending for you then and there?

You know what, when he called me upfront, just by the nature of the show and how it normally goes, I kind of had an idea that it would be me. So I was kind of prepared for it and I was just kind of taking deep breaths and kind of ready to go to the next step. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I thought I was possibly going to lose it, but it was actually a happy occasion that I made it this far. So I’m kind of glad it turned out that way.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Did you get a chance to speak to Simon after the show last night?

I did, and he was ultra-supportive last night. He was just really explaining to me that he really believed in me and wanted to me succeed. And that's great to hear, especially coming from Simon, you know. But all of the judges were so sweet to me afterwards, and just really encouraging about what's to come in the future. So I'm looking forward to what's coming next.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: On Tuesday, when you sang on "I'm a Woman" you brought out the backup singers. Was that sort of an homage to your past as a backup singer? Did you do that on purpose?

You know what, I had remembered doing the song before and going back to sing with them the first time, and those girls are – have been kind of my rock out here. They're amazing singers and I like to call them support singers now, because they're not really backup singers; they can all hold their own upfront. So they've just decided to support us out here, and I'm so grateful for it. I love the fact that people get to see them in their element also. So that was kind of my motivation on that, is that people see that those are supporting singers and they're amazing at what they do.

AOL TV: Have you heard from any of the artists that you used to sing backup for? Have they said anything to you during the competition?

I have; I've heard from quite a few artists that have just been extremely supportive to me and excited for me, because a lot of them have only heard me sing background, so this was something new for them also. So they were kind of on the journey with me and they were extremely, extremely excited about. So it's been a great run. They've been supportive. Even when I ask questions they've been extremely supportive in the press and everything for me too.
AOL TV: Can you say which ones?

Sure, CeCe Winans, Anointed, Martha Munizzi, Risen, Sandi Patty, kind of mainly just gospel artists that I've been singing with, so it has been great to hear from them.

AOL TV: And you and Mandisa from the last season are friends. I'm wondering if she gave you any advice for this season.

Mandisa has been great for me. She has just kind of been the person that understands what I'm going through, so if I need to bounce anything off of her I can. And not necessarily advice other than, "Be yourself. Love it. Live in the moment. And give 100%." So she's been a great rock.

OK! Magazine: Paula once said that she really wanted you to let loose. Is there a song that you felt that you finally, you did that and you were just able to really let yourself go on stage?

You know what, sadly, I think the first time I let loose was after I got eliminated last night. I was – there's so much that goes through your head while you're onstage, getting ready to be judged and getting ready to be voted on, that I don't know that I've completely achieved letting loose like during the actual show. I think I've gotten close, but I don't believe that I completely achieved it. So last night was kind of a full-circle moment for me in the fact that I was able to just let go and have a great time onstage. So it really meant a lot to me.

OK! Magazine: What will you take away from your "American Idol" experience now?

You know what, the biggest thing that I will take away is that I know I was really scared to do this at the beginning. And the fact that I was able to step out and do it even in the midst of fear kind of just gave me an outlook on how strong God has helped me become and how much I've grown from it. I've found my own voice, as opposed to my blending voice, singing background, and I couldn't have asked for more from this experience.

Soap Opera Weekly: During the season which live performance turned out better than you expected?

Better than I expected, oh goodness. I'm trying to think. I think maybe "Have a Nice Day," because I was most afraid of doing rock because I've never even attempted it before, so it was kind of out, way out of my comfort zone. I'm still dumfounded that people really liked it, so I think that one was the one that ended up turning out better than I ever expected.

Soap Opera Weekly: How did your mother react last night and what words of advice have your family members given you?

Well, my Mom was at home, and so she called me and was so, so encouraging and so sweet about everything, and just wanted to first of all make sure I was okay. And then once I told her I was okay she was like, "Great, then I'm okay. We're going to take this and run with it." So she's been my biggest supporter out here, and I know we'll continue to be, so we're excited.

US Weekly: Can you think of anecdote to tell us about when you were a backup singer, like something fun you did back then?

I’m trying to think – oh my goodness. We have, I mean we have so much fun on the road, but most of it happens off-stage, because I travel with people that are so – especially like the group Anointed; we're just silly by nature, so we have days that we set up like a musical and we just, we sing about everything. That's probably been my most fun out on the road, is just being able to let loose and have a day that we just call our musical day. And we do what we call our little ugly runs and do something that just sounds funny and silly. That's probably – I'm sorry I can't think of a funny story.

US Weekly: Are you going to miss that as being a solo artist?

I am. You know, I got to talk to them yesterday and a couple of other people yesterday and I loved singing background so much. And while I am so excited about what's to come in the future, I'm going to – there are parts of it that I will still miss. But as long as I get to hang out with them, I think I'll be probably cool, because they're like family to me so.

Houston Chronicle: You said earlier that you were really afraid going into this to do it. Was there a point that you reached that you sort of shed that fear, that you realized, "Hey, this is something that I can go far in?"

Well, you know what, there is a lady, she's actually a minister, and I heard something that she said and it totally changed my outlook on it. She was talking about being afraid and she said that the key is not losing the fear, but if you can do it afraid, then the fear will go. And I think that's kind of how it happened; I think it was a gradual thing for me. I think each week there was a bit of fear incorporated into the week, but as long as I stepped up to it and did it in the midst of that fear, then I moved further each week and got past it more and more. So I don't know to say that I'm all the way there, but I'm still working on it.

Houston Chronicle: A local artist here in town, Christian Andreason, you had actually sung backup for. What was it like working with him?

I just, I remember having a blast. And I think we only got to work on one like one song in the studio together, but it was so much fun and it was one of those songs where you could just be free and do your thing at the end of it. It just – I had a great time, and he brought out a little bit of me in the midst of all of that, you know, kind of letting me do a little step-out on his project, and that was huge. It was a great experience.

Houston Chronicle: He said he definitely tried to pull you out, to really go for it on that song ["The Rhythm of Life"].

He did. And that was so helpful to me because I needed that. He helped along with the learning process and I’m grateful for it.

San Antonio Express: Haley Scarnato was there in the audience, I noticed.

Oh, that’s my girl.

San Antonio Express: Did she get to talk to you about anything afterwards? Did you have a reunion?

No, I didn’t get to really see anybody afterwards because I had interviews and different things to do, so I kind of had to run out. But I know that we're already starting rehearsals for the finale today, so I'll get to hook her neck as soon as I get there.

San Antonio Express: There was a point that you not only just looked better and looked more confident, but you looked sexier and you acted sexier. Where did that come from?

Oh goodness, I have no idea. I’m going to blame it on the new wig.

San Antonio Express: Oh, were you wearing a wig?

Oh my goodness, every week. I love them. I started to name them. So I think by last night I had Whitney on, and Whitney is my new favorite. I call her Whitney, so maybe she helped out with that one.

San Antonio Express: You were talking about the young vote earlier and you had a lot of older voters. How much do you think that figured in as far as this last elimination?

I think, you know, it may have figured in, it may not have. I don't know. I'm just, in speculating I'm not sure. Maybe it could just be that, you know, more people liked Jordin and Blake and I'm okay with that too. So I don't know exactly how much it played into it. I've read in certain places that maybe it did, and that's definitely a possibility.

Starry Constellation Magazine: How do you feel about the fans’ shock about the elimination.

You know what, it feels wonderful. And I'm so grateful for people actually being shocked by it. At this point in the competition it's kind of like, "Well, there's only three of us, so one of us has to go home." But I'm just grateful that people wanted me to stick around and believed in me, so that means the world to me.

Starry Constellation Magazine: There is definitely a lot of Melinda support going around, no matter where we are.

It's amazing to see, and it's such a great chance to be able to say thank you. I'm just, I'm grateful to get the chance to do that.

Starry Constellation Magazine: How much do you think the arrangements of the song really play in the factor of how much people vote and how people enjoy the performances?

Occasionally I think maybe the arrangements play into it. It can go one way or another. Like sometimes you can have an arrangement that you love and people don't really connect with it because they're so used to a certain version of the song. Then there are other times where you can take the song to a whole other level. So I think, I really commend like Blake for taking risks like that. And I think that he did a great job with taking a song and making it more like Blake and kind of, you know, taking it to another level as opposed to taking it backwards.

People magazine: Can you talk a little bit about behind the scenes at "American Idol" and some of the fun anecdotes maybe you remember near the end or just in general?

You know what, we all – I think maybe because of the pressure of what we go through, when we get backstage we are ready to let go. So we are a silly bunch backstage. We just, I mean we love to hang out, kind of like one big, happy family. So for the most part we love to just hang out. We tease about certain things that may be on the Internet or certain things that the judges may have said. And we just, we try to take it as lightly as possible so that we don't go home crying anytime soon.

People magazine: How did Blake's dad make it up on stage last night? And he kind of was kind of sent offstage by Ryan. Do you know all about that, like how that kind of – did they summon him up or did he just ...?

I think so. I believe they asked him to come up, yes. And just, you know, just to come up and support his son, and then they needed to get to the results section, so I think that's when he went off the stage, yes.

Gannett News Service: You mentioned that you love Blake and Jordin and you've mentioned little bits about them. Could you expand just a little bit more please and just tell what you find particularly interesting.

Well, okay, first of all Jordin is 17 years old and it does not make any sense to me for a 17-year-old to be able to sing that amazingly well. I just – I am just in awe of her. So she's got one of the most mature voices I've ever heard, especially on someone her age. And gosh, she's got such a pure heart, and I think it comes through when she goes to sing and when she goes to emote a song. So that's my baby girl and I wish her the best.

Gannett News Service: And for Blake, you mentioned a little bit about that he's a fun person. What else do you find interesting about him as a performer?

Well, you know, I think that he may quite possibly be one of the most original performers "American Idol" has ever had. He takes a song, he makes it his own, whether it's beat-boxing, dancing, kind of putting a different groove to it. I believe that he took risks and I am so proud of him for doing that and for stepping out and making people listen to a different style.

Gannett News Service: Did you actually grow up in Nashville or in a town elsewhere in Tennessee?

Well, you know, I spent the last 9.5, almost 10 years in Nashville, and before that I was in Tulsa, Okla.

Gannett News Service: Some people list you as being born and growing up in Tennessee, but actually did you grow up in Tulsa?

Well, how it worked was I spent years 0 to 10 in St. Louis, Mo., 10 to 20 in Tulsa, Okla., and 20 to 29 in Nashville.

Flint Journal: What inspired you to finally try out for the show? And how do you see the way you’ve transformed as a performer over this time period?

Well, deciding to audition for "American Idol" kind of happened on a fluke because I was driving down with a friend of mine, and wanting to support him. And also the way he talked me into driving to Memphis was like, he was like, "Remember the funny auditions? Maybe now you can see them in person." So we got a couple more friends and we all went down and assume that you had to audition to get inside. So we all signed up to audition and I ended up being the only one out of that group to make it through.

And as it kept going I was like, "Oh my goodness, I’m still here." And so it kind of forced me to kind of take it by the reins and just be like, "Okay, guys, we're going to do this I guess." So the growth in me has just been amazing and just me learning about myself and learning kind of how I react to these kinds of situations, how I react to being up front and everything.

Moderator: Do you have any closing remarks, Melinda?

Just thank everyone so much for taking the time to ask me questions and wanting to know the answers, and for being so supportive. And I really appreciate it.

CLOTHES OFF THE BACKS OF IDOLS

In the name of charity, Season 2 Idol finalist Kimberley Locke and the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation have partnered to auction off clothing and accessories worn by Idol contestants and participants. The "Kimberley Locke & Idol Friends" online charity auction begins Monday, May 21 at clothesoffourback.org.

Bidding begins at 9:00 a.m. ET on favorite wardrobe pieces of this season's Top 12 finalists (Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Brandon Rogers, Haley Scarnato, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey) as well as numerous items donated by previous finalists, including, among others, shirts worn by Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken, one of Ruben Studdard's 205 jerseys, a suit of Paula Abdul's and one of Simon Cowell's T-shirts.

Additional donations have been made by Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest as well as past Idols Josh Gracin, Carmen Rasmusen, Anthony Fedorov, Nikki McKibbin, Kimberly Caldwell, RJ Helton, Mandisa and Jon Peter Lewis.

The auction will also soon feature exclusive "Idols Live 2007" concert tour "meet-n-greets" with finalists as well as autographed merchandise.

Locke, whose single "Change" is currently on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and whose sophomore album, "Based on a True Story," dropped May 1 on Curb Records , explains, "I still had a few items that I wore on "American Idol" that I knew had a better use than hanging in my closet. The money Clothes Off Our Back and I raise will go to Camp Heartland, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and their families facing HIV/AIDS, poverty, grief and other painful life challenges; as well as the Children’s Defense Fund; Autism Speaks’ research division (formerly Cure Autism Now) and the emergency relief efforts in Darfur (specifically Friends of the World Food Program, Save the Children and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF), and will also bring fans just a little closer to their favorite Idols."

Past Idol participants who want to participate should email this address.

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© 2007

The Best Singer, the Most Gracious Loser

Kudos to Melinda Doolittle, one of the, if not the, most talented singers ever to grace the "American Idol" stage. And grace is the right word, because everything this lady has done on Idol has been enveloped in grace, including her exit.

She was mature, she was professional, she was prepared. She never shed a tear, kept a beaming smile and, as always, gave a flawless performance singing her exit song. We can't speak highly enough of Melinda Doolittle. We are tremendously saddened by her elimination, but are sure she will soar professionally. Her backup singer days are gone. We can't wait to hear her first CD.

Other highlights of Top 3 Results show:

OK, we loved the opening. You can't go wrong with "The Simpsons." Matt Groening may be the sharpest, funniest man alive and we love the snippets of Simpsons humor that he writes for Idol. Watch video of Homer Simpson introducing "American Idol":



Blah, blah, blah the producers again pimp the Idols Live 07 Tour. (This year it really will be a Pop Tarts tour, heh.) Is it coming to YOUR TOWN? Did you know it's the biggest one evuh? Will it still be the biggest one evuh when they pimp it next week? Is Jordin Sparks 17?

Film of each of the remaining finalists hometown visits are shown. First up is Jordin Sparks who was feted with a parade on Jordin Sparks Day. She also had a reunion with her best friend, visited her former school (she's currently being home schooled) and performed for a crowd of thousands. Watch video of the Jordin Sparks hometown visit.



After the clip, Ryan Seacrest acts as if he's going to give Jordin her results, by reading back the judges' opinions of her performances the day before. But we all know it's waaaaaaay to early for that and, of course, it is a fakeout. Jordin will have to wait 'til later (about 9:56 p.m.) to find out she's safe.

Next, it's time for the American Idol Developmentally Challenge quiz. Today's question is: "Are you breathing?" Answer "a" for yes, "b" for no, or "c" for not sure. You may win a trip to attend preschool in Hollywood.

It's time to watch Blake Lewis' trip back to Seattle and Bothell. To introduce it, Ryan starts singing, you read right, "This Love" while Blake jumps in with a bit of beat-boxing. Wish that segment lasted longer. (But you can catch it on the next video). Blake reveals that he had done a few shows with Sir Mix-a-Lot prior to his triumphant return home, where he also received a parade. Ryan and Blake talk about Blake's dad, a big emotional lug, who gets weepy in the video. Blake also sings the national anthem at the Mariners-Yankees game. Watch video of Blake Lewis returning to Seattle for his hometown visit:



When the clip ends, Blake's dad is standing onstage with him (awwwwwwwww), then has to be convinced by Ryan to leave the stage. After recapping the judges' comments of his performances from the previous night, Ryan asked Blake what he thought happened with the results. Blake said that they'll cut to a commercial break. Ryan said close, then asked if they are that predictable. Instead, it's time for Elliott Yamin to perform. Watch video of Elliott Yamin singing "I'll Wait for You":



After the video, Ryan speaks with Elliott, who, after growing out his hair and having his teeth fixed, now looks like Adam Sandler in "Reign Over Me." Ryan then goes to the judges to evaluate Elliott, while Elliott says "no judges." Randy Jackson tells Elliott he is happy that Elliott came home. Paula Abdul says she's speechless and very proud. Simon Cowell joked that it wasn't that great, then said, no it was great. Elliott tells the final three that this is only the beginning for them.

The Ford video is next. It features the threesome singing Billy Squier's "Everybody Wants You," first as youngsters than as "American Idol" star adults. It's actually kinda cute and the casting of the kids playing the three was spot on. Watch video of Ford commercial "Everybody Wants You":



Before going into the next commercial break, Ryan says, "When we come back, Melinda goes home." Now, he meant to her hometown, but in retrospect, it really seemed shocking when we watched it back. Did he mean to say it exactly that way, or was it a Freudian slip? The best parts of returning home for Melinda were getting to drink sweet tea and being able to look people in the eye and thank them. Watch video of Melinda Doolittle's hometown visit:



Pimp, pimp, pimp the Idol producers' new band show before Maroon 5 take the stage to sing "Makes Me Wonder," not one of one favorites by the group. BTW, in an interview with TV Week, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, speaking of Tuesday night's producers' pick for Blake, Maroon 5's "This Love," said:

"We didn’t think we'd get it cleared, to be honest with you, and we suggested it, but then, we couldn't get it cleared, and Blake actually called them up and said, 'Hey, can I sing your song?' And they very kindly said, 'Absolutely, Blake.' We were delighted."

Watch video of Maroon 5 singing "The Next One Makes Me Wonder":



Finally, at 9:56 p.m., it was time to actually find out who was going to be eliminated. First Jordin was declared safe, next Melinda was told it was the end of the road. Daniel Bubbeo in Newsday said:

"Doolittle took the news of her elimination with the humility that's been her trademark, though Sparks seemed genuinely surprised by the results. Comfort came from the judges who all expressed their admiration for Doolittle. Randy Jackson told her she had
'nothing to be ashamed of' and Paula Abdul gushed
'You already have made it and you're going to have a big career.' A disappointed Cowell remarked: 'You are one heck of a singer.'

Watch video of Ryan Seacrest giving the 3 finalists the results:



Watch Melinda Doolittle's journey video:



Watch video of Melinda Doolittle's last song, "I'm a Woman" encore:



Eleventh-place finisher Stephanie Edwards did some analysis of this week's performances and results for her home TV station:

Top 12 finalist Stephanie Edwards talks about Tuesday night's performances.

Top 12 finalist Stephanie Edwards talks about Wednesday night's elimination.

Next week, the grand finale from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. Kelly Clarkson performs, Taylor Hicks performs. Many guest stars we'll write about as we get info.

We're so annoyed with last night's results, that we're turning on a dime here, going out on a limb, knowing full-well that the producers want a Jordin victory, and predicting that Blake Lewis will take it all. What the heck, call us crazy.

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© 2007