AMERICAN IDOL FINALISTS CANDICE AND KREE BATTLE IT OUT ON WEDNESDAY'S SHOW.

                                                               

MTV reports saying that it wasn't country versus soul, it was soul versus soul, as Kree Harrison and Candice Glover faced off Wednesday (May 15) in the first all-female"American Idol" finale in nine years.

The contestants sang three songs apiece: one chosen by "Idol" producer Simon Fuller, one that will be their winning single and one chosen by the contestants themselves as their favorite song of the season.

Harrison was up first with her version of Sarah McLachlan's "Angel," and Glover followed with Adele's "Chasing Pavements." Randy Jackson called the round for Glover — "at least she took the song and tried to make more of it," he said — but he wasn't blown away by either performance. Both songs were "a little sleepy, if I'm being honest," Jackson said.

NICKI VERSUS MIMI-NICKI MINAJ AND MARIAH CAREY YELL ON IDOL JUDGING TABLE.

Mariah is no different from Nicki when it comes to Judging. None of them are perfect. They may not be good judges. Even Paula. I saw her as a dancer more than a singer, same goes for J-Lo, another dancer. I think Simon Fuller now regrets why he turned Aretha Franklin down. Fuller produces the show and Aretha asked to be judge. 

This is the last thing I told Whitney before she died. "Go to Simon Fuller" and he will give u a job as an Idol judge. Whitney called me in the middle of the nite once crying about how she was unhappy about her career after that awesome last album was ignored at the 2010 Grammys. This was Aug 2011 and those were my last words to her. 

I just wanna know what the argument was about in the footage. Everyone seems to be calling Nicki the ghetto gal and Mariah the Diva. Mariah has had her moments too and I bet her twins like Nicki's music. SMH on publicity stunts--MsKemi

Breaking Update: Steven Tyler QUITS American Idol.

Steven Tyler far left leaves American Idol

Steven Tyler served as a judge during the 10th and 11th seasons of the talent competition show and he quit American Idol Today. He released the statement below: 

 "After some long...hard...thoughts…I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistress 'American Idol' before she boils my rabbit. I strayed from my first love, AEROSMITH, and I'm back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I've got two fists in the air and I'm kicking the door open with my band. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass – the ultimate in auditory takeover…On Nov. 6, we are unleashing our new album, Music from Another Dimension on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and way beyond the stars…IDOL was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it's time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD."

 Good Luck to Tyler--MsKemi @HipHossip

2012 IDOL MOMENTS: Diana DeGarmo and Ace get engaged on the show's Live Finale

Diana Degarmo and Ace of Season 2 in 2004 are planning to tie the knot and decided to propose to each other on the show naming the ring sponsor's name. So much for advertising which Jay Leno poked fun of. Remember Fantasia and Diana were the one going head to head after Latoya London and Jennifer Hudson were kicked off the show. WOW! Look who's famous today. 

Although 24-year-old Diana and 31-year-old Ace only recently went public with their inter-season reality romance, the couple have actually been an item for more than two years, since meeting while performing together in a Broadway production of Hair, and their relationship is both personal and professional. Not only is Diana signed to Young Brothers Entertainment, the indie record label run by Ace with his brother Ryan, but she and Ace co-wrote her new country ballad, "Good Goodbye," for the Angelina character she plays on the CBS soap opera "The Young & The Restless." Both singers released new music this week.

NO MORE RUNNER UP RECORD DEALS ON AMERICAN IDOL

I guess that's why everyone got a brand new Ford car.

The Associated Press reports that Coming in second on "American Idol" may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.

Wednesday night's "Idol' runner-up, Jessica Sanchez, doesn't have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30,000 in advances for recording singles. This, according to the "Idol" contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed that was reviewed by The Associated Press.

The agreement is the first time in "Idol's" history that producers are not offering the show's runner-up an album deal that in previous years had a guaranteed advance of at least $175,000. The move comes amid declining album sales for the recording industry and a drop in viewership for the "Idol" show.

Representatives for "American Idol' refused to comment.

PHILLIP PHILLIPS IS THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL AND THE HATING BEGINS.

Photo: Phillip Phillips is embraced by Jessica Sanchez on "American Idol." Credit: John Shearer / Invision/Associated Press

 American Idol ended with a bang after a wonderful nite of performances and accolades. Only hours after being declared the winner of Season 11 of "American Idol," Phillip Phillips still sounded like he was struggling to grasp the dimensions of his accomplishment when he got on the phone Thursday to take calls from reporters.


"It's so unreal," he said, allowing that, yes, he was feeling relieved that the competition was over, but also sort of bowled over by the dramatic changes in his life the win would bring. "It's kind of crazy."

Still, though Phillips insists he hadn't expected to win -– "I honestly thought [runner-up Jessica Sanchez] was gonna win; she has such an amazing voice" -– he's nevertheless planned for the next stage in his musical career, which he'll be able to focus on without health distractions as soon as he gets his much-needed kidney surgery "pretty soon." (He expects to be 100% recovered by the time the "Idol" tour kicks off this summer.)

His first album, he said, will fuse rock and jazz and acoustic elements into his own trademark sound. "I'm really excited to get it out there. It's gonna be cool."

Here's what else "Idol's" newest winner had to say:


On being compared to the last four "American Idol" winners, all white guys who play guitar:

If they really look at the past guy contestants who've won, we're all different in our ways. But I feel I'm really different -- actually a lot different from the others who've played the guitar and sang -- because I'm not that great of a singer. They're probably better singers than I am, but you know, I play guitar a lot different than they did. I don't really just strum chords here and there. I have to do something a little different with it. I know some people have noticed it. … I feel like I'm different.

On why he tends to downplay his singing ability:

I just don't feel like I'm that great. I'm not outstanding. I can't hit all these high notes and everything. But I do something. I try to hit some kind of note. I don't know if it's good or not, but I try and do something with it.

On why he thinks he won, if it wasn't because he was the best singer:

I guess hopefully a lot of people saw what I did with music, because I'm really passionate about it. And you know, maybe they felt that through what I did, how I changed songs up and everything.

On whether he feels pressure to achieve mainstream success:

I'm not trying to be or do something too mainstream or anything, that's not me. But if it happens to get mainstream, that's cool. I just want people to enjoy the music I put out, and I'm excited to get my record out.

Favorite moment from last night, other than his own performances:

Probably Jessica and Jennifer's performance. That thing was outstanding.

On how "Home" became his "winner's song":

They just kind of threw that song out there. They felt like it was the right fit for me. I wanted to do my own song, one of my own songs I've written. But just the short amount of time, we couldn't really do it … It's a good song. It's not really something I would write. But I'm glad people enjoy it, because it is a good song and a good writer.

On how his girlfriend feels about his win and whether she'll go on tour with him:

She's so excited for me, and she's helped me out a lot through this. … I'm hoping she'll be able to come on tour with me. That'd be cool to have her there. She's supported me throughout all this. I love her to death.

On all his adoring female fans:

If a girl votes for me because I'm cute and then gets mad at me because I have a girlfriend, then she didn't like the music. I'm all about the music, man. I'm not trying to be some cute guy who's trying to be successful off that. I really want the music to come first. And I really want people to feel it and have fun with it like I do.

On feeling too overwhelmed to sing after his win:

I didn't even really want to sing or anything. I was just so shocked. I just started thinking about the whole Top 12 then and … our whole journey, that it was just so crazy that it was over and that it was a tough road for all of us. It was just amazing to get to know [the other contestants in the Top 12]. It just kind of got me a little emotional.

On what runner-up Jessica Sanchez said to him after his win:

She was just so proud of me. She said she knew it, but I honestly didn't know it. I honestly thought she was gonna win -- you know, she has such an amazing voice. We're just so proud of each other, no matter the outcome.

On his friendship with fellow Top 12 contestant Heejun Han:

We met one day during Hollywood Week, right before group round, and we just kind of clicked. He's a really great guy. We still keep in touch. He's got a big future ahead of him.

On what he learned from his time on "Idol":

Just that it's good to just not let people try to change you, you know. 'Cause it gets tough when a lot of opinions are coming your way, trying to tell you what you should do and what you shouldn't do.... So I'm kind of proud of how I stuck to my guns.

On how he's adjusted to being in the spotlight:

I'm still adjusting. It's pretty crazy. I'm not used to all this attention. … I hate being the center of attention. … So I'm still trying to take all of it in, piece by piece, but it's definitely different.

On which artist, dead or alive, he'd most like to perform with:

That's a tough question. So many people: Eric Clapton and Damien Rice … Rob Thomas.

On how he celebrates his victory:

Went to a couple of parties, not for too long, and wish I would have left a little earlier because I'm kind of running low on some sleep. I … just kind of hung out for a few minutes and went home and tried to get some rest.

On why he says "Home" isn't the sort of song he'd put out:

It's just a little too pop for me. I don't really put in too many 'oh-oh-ohs.' But it's a very good song, and I'm glad people like it. I guess I'm a little more rock than that, so hopefully people will enjoy what I have to put out. Some jazz-rock stuff.

On how many songs he has written:

I have a pretty good bit. Not too many, not like "oh my gosh" how many. But I'm really critical of my writing in music stuff.

On the possibility that Jennifer Lopez might not return to "Idol" next season:

That would be horrible. All [the judges] gave us advice. They were very helpful. And they wanted all of us to win. She's done this for years and knows her stuff and cares about each one of us. She's a great woman, and hopefully she stays.

On the pain he was in during the show and whether he considered quitting:

I had some bad days and … some good days. It was rough at times, and there were a couple of times, you know, I thought about just getting out and getting the surgery done. But I had a lot of great doctors and a lot of great people who helped me out through it. I'm blessed to have that.

On whether there's anything he'd like to have done differently:

I would have liked to have had more sound in my inner ear [monitor] on "Time of the Season," because that was a pretty bad performance. But you can't go back and change it. … It's all over with now.

Source

Twitter Idol Moments at the FINALE!

Randy has pretty much dressed like a PIMP thruout the season. He tweeted this and wanted us to feel the pin. Sure we do dawg! 8.49pm-MsKemi

J-LO'S ARRIVALS, JUDGING AND MOMENTS ON IDOL.

"American Idol" Judge, Jennifer Lopez arrives on set in Los Angeles, where she prepared for her show.

(May 3, 2012 - Source: PacificCoastNews.com)

The remaining Idol hopefuls perform live once again to impress the judges and the nation. After the performances, it is up to America to vote for their favorites to keep them in the competition. Tune in to see who performs the best. Themes Are: British Music & Songs from the 1960s. Performing Are: Hollie Cavanagh, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Skylar Laine

(May 2, 2012 - Source: FOX)

J-LO SHOWS SOME FAT FLAB ON "IDOL" SET.

Byline: EROTEME.CO.UK.Jennifer Lopez has a huge entourage taking good care of her.
(April 25, 2012 - Source: Bauer Griffin)

J-Lo sure has a large female entourage on the set of American Idol yesterday. There is one chic combing her hair every second, make up lady etc. The only thing is that I have not noticed is the tummy tuck guy? Where is he? J-Lo's butt's a 10 but thumbs down on that Emme and Max stomach flab.

STEVEN TYLER SCREECHES THE AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

All I can say is take a look at the coaches and some of the players faces. I rolled off the floor and just said "stick to the Idol judging."Tyler’s rendition was off-key in places, screechy in most others and he messed up a lyric — it’s “the bombs bursting in air,” not “as bomb bursting in air.” Though he does get rock star fashion points for the festive scarf he was sporting to support his team, the AFC champion New England Patriots.

With files from via the Toronto Sun.

‘Idol’ judge to manage Mariah?

‘Idol’ judge randy Jackson to manage Mariah?

SHOW'S GOING DOWN: KARA LEAVES AMERICAN IDOL!

Fox announced Friday what media reports have speculated for weeks: Kara DioGuardi is leaving "American Idol."

"I felt like I won the lottery when I joined 'American Idol' two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave 'Idol," DioGuardi said in a statement. "I am very proud to have been associated with 'American Idol' -- it has truly been an amazing experience ... I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on Season 10!"

Read more

AP NEWS: ELLEN QUITS IDOL, J-LO TO STEP IN AND MORE.

JANET JACKSON ON AMERICAN IDOL FINALE LAST NITE.

SIMON'S LAST DAY ON AMERICAN IDOL AND WHAT HE TOLD RYAN.

Simon Cowell joined Ryan’s radio show earlier yesterday to share his thoughts on his final night of judging on "American Idol."

The always brutally frank Cowell shared that the aspect he won’t miss about “American Idol” is the fact that he “won’t have to do the auditions again." He admitted, "the live shows are fun, it’s the traveling [and] doing auditions [that are] torture.” This, and a short story he recalled about being on a long flight with Ryan who was singing “Party in the U.S.A.,” are part of the reason he’s leaving, he joked.

Cowell revealed that he will miss “the fun” of being part of “American Idol.” He said, “What people don’t know about the show is that there’s absolutely no preparation, and the fact that we’ve gotten away with what we’ve gotten away with, and we can make it up and no one shouts at us.” In true Simon Cowell fashion, he shared that his favorite part was “the fact that [he] got away with [all the craziness].”

Along with pulling fast ones, Cowell said, “the performance I like best is when Fantasia [Barrino] sang ‘Summertime,’ that was my favorite, followed by my worst which was Clay Aiken murdering ‘Grease’ in the red jacket.”

Part of the success of “American Idol” Cowell said he attributes to the fact that “we allowed these shows to be non-politically correct and I think that was the difference, and actually I have to credit Fox with that I don’t think any other network would have allowed what we did on their network.”
When asked about fellow judge Randy Jackson, Cowell said he will always remember “the fact that I’ve never ever understood a single thing [Randy] has said in nine years…I’m not being rude, I don’t know whether he’s complimenting someone or not. I mean all those, ‘Yo dawg, whatever, whatever, whatever,’ I haven’t got a clue.”

Despite Cowell’s departure from “American Idol,” he won’t be taking a break anytime soon. “I don’t have a break, I go straight back to another show [in the U.K.],” he shared. Don’t be too overwhelmed with grief, however, because Cowell will be back to work in the U.S. again in September.

Cowell, as always, left us with a joke. When asked if he’ll ever work with Ryan again he said with a devilish smile, “Never, but I thought about it.”

Source

FORBES RATES THE TOP EARNING AMERICAN IDOLS.

What does this week's American Idol winner have to look forward to? Far less than in the past. The pop music market, now saturated with close to 100 of the show's alums, is showing signs of Idol fatigue. Earnings for some of Idol's top vocalists have nosedived over the past year. The show that reshaped television and the music business just isn't minting cash for its stars like it once did.

Kris Allen, the 2009 Idol winner, has sold just 300,000 albums, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In the past year his music and touring sales have delivered an estimated $748,000--nothing much to sing about. He places 10th on their annual list of the top-earning stars launched by American Idol.

Jennifer Hudson's light touring schedule and the end of her lucrative role as Avon spokeswoman hit the Oscar winner in the pocketbook, too. Forbes estimates that she earned $3.5 million in the year from June 1, 2009, to the end of this month, compared with $5 million the previous year. That dropped her to sixth place from second on last year's list. Carrie Underwood, No. 1 on our list, earned an estimated $13 million over the past year--$1 million less than the year before. One Idol star, Taylor Hicks, didn't earn enough to remain on their list.

Then you have Reuben Studdard who stole our hearts so much and after he won, nothing else was heard of after the first album. I was sure disappointed.

Read more

CTV GIVES US HEAD TO HEAD COVERAGE OF THE SEASON FINALES OF AMERICAN IDOL AND DANCING WITH THE STARS!

CTV takes centre stage and shows off the biggest and brightest talent on television right now with a three-night, six-hour, back-to-back star-studded finale extravaganza, beginning this holiday Monday, May 24.

DANCING WITH THE STARS, the #1 show on /A\, comes to a close as fan favourites Erin Andrews, Evan Lysacek and Nicole Scherzinger compete for the coveted mirror ball trophy during the final performance show of the season on Monday, May 24 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV. Then, on Tuesday, May 25, it’s three hours of event television on CTV with the head-to-head singing showdown on AMERICAN IDOL at 8 p.m. ET followed by the two-hour season finale of DANCING WITH THE STARS at 9 p.m. ET.

Finally, on Wednesday, May 26 at 8 p.m. ET, Simon Cowell makes his final remarks from the judging panel on the two-hour season finale of AMERICAN IDOL live from the Nokia Theatre in L.A. Thanks to Ashley Applebaum and Amy Doary as always for giving HipHossip the heads up.

REALITY EXITS: MICHAEL LYNCHE AND NIECY NASH BOOTED OFF!

Michael "Big Mike" Lynche was voted off "American Idol" on Wednesday as the singing show whittled down to three the number of aspiring pop stars vying for the coveted title and a shot at stardom.

Niecy Nash was eliminated from ABC's ballroom competition show "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday after receiving the lowest scores from the judges and failing to rally viewers to her side. Nash, the bubbly host of reality show "How Clean is Your House" and an actress on "Reno 911!," was joined in the bottom two by NFL footballer Chad Ochocinco after a grueling week in which the routines were upped to two a piece.

NOT LADYLIKE: FORMER IDOL CONTESTANT STEPHANIE EDWARDS ARRESTED IN GAL FIGHT!

Photo: Frank Micellotti (Getty)

Former American Idol contestant Stephanie Edwards was arrested on Monday in Savannah, Ga., after allegedly getting into a girl fight.

According to authorities, the season 6 Idol finalist (she came in 11th in 2007) was taken into custody after Edwards had a physical altercation with Laquilla White in the middle of a street.

Edwards, 22, told officers that she had been constantly harassed by White, and finally went to the woman's home, where the confrontation turned physical. Each suffered minor injuries, but declined to go to the hospital.

Both women were arrested on a misdemeanor charge of fighting in public and booked at Chatham County Detention Center. They were released on $1300 bail.

Read More http://www.ivillage.com/american-idol-stephanie-edwards-arrested/1-a-129844?par=ivillage:entertainment:outbrain&obref=obnetwork#ixzz0nAa84Lsw
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REMEMBER AYLA BROWN ON AMERICAN IDOL? SHE'S NOW GOING TO CBS.

Former "American Idol" contestant Ayla Brown has a new job even before she graduates from Boston College.

The daughter of Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown is serving as CBS "Early Show" contributor. She's producing pieces focused on the youth audience.

Executive Producer David Friedman said Tuesday he became interested in Brown when she sang on the morning show. She had previously been an "American Idol" semifinalist.

Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/36945260/ns/today-entertainment/#ixzz0n2P12ITI