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'American Idol' whittled down to 12

Fri Mar 9

NEW YORK - "American Idol" slimmed down the competition Thursday night, leaving 12 finalists to compete for the ultimate prize — a record contract.



Antonella Barba, Sabrina Sloan, Jared Cotter and Jason "Sundance" Head were cast off by the viewer voting, which drew about 37 million calls and text messages.

The performers who made the cut were Blake Lewis, LaKisha Jones, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle, Brandon Rogers, Gina Glocksen, Chris Richardson, Stephanie Edwards, Haley Scarnato and Sanjaya Malakar.

The show's tense final moments belonged to Malakar and Head, who were waiting to find out who would take the competition's 12th spot — and who would go home. Judge
Paula Abdul was stunned to hear that Malakar, who is not exactly a judge favorite, was staying.

"I'm speechless," Abdul said. "This is a singing competition, and Sundance, you've been one of our finest."

How'd this happen? "The volume was turned down," quipped Simon Cowell, who has criticized Malakar, 17, of Federal Way, Wash., for his "weird" stage presence.

"Somebody give me a job," the 28-year-old Head, from Porter, Texas, said before leaving the stage. "I need a job."

The elimination of the talented Sloan, 27, from Los Angeles, was another letdown for the judges. "Sabrina should be in that top 12, dawg," lamented Randy Jackson, who said "America got that one wrong."

None of the judges was complaining when Barba, the focus of recent attention over some racy Internet photos, was shown the door. Each week, Cowell could be counted on to tell the 20-year-old Jersey girl that she wasn't good enough to be in the talent contest.

Cotter, a strapping 25-year-old from Kew Gardens, N.Y., told Ryan Seacrest he was "very" surprised to be leaving the show. Cowell had another opinion: "You're a good-looking guy, you've got to work on your vocals," he said.

After the show, the finalists made their debut before a bank of TV cameras and reporters, walking a mini-red carpet at an event in West Hollywood, Calif.

Among the women, some of the highest praise from judges and observers has gone to Jones. Asked how it feels to be dubbed a front-runner, the former bank employee replied with a modest smile.

"Have I? I haven't been paying attention," Jones said.

Many have said the female contestants have been stronger vocally than the men this season. "I think it's a girl's one to lose this year," Jackson said. "May the best girl win."

But the men had mixed reactions to comments about the opposing gender's talent.

"I'm a little tired of it, actually," Rogers said.

"Yeah," Lewis chimed in. "The girls have got powerful voices but I think the guys have been holding it down."

Stacey, however, conceded "the women are smoking us," but added he expected the men to step it up.

Thursday's show also featured a performance by "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood, who recently snagged a Grammy for best new artist. She sang "Wasted," a song from her hit country music album "Some Hearts."

So far this season, the show's sixth, men and women have been competing separately, with viewers voting off two of each sex weekly. When the dozen finalists return Tuesday, the sexes will be blended, with one singer voted off each week. The winner will be chosen in May.

"American Idol" continues to dominate the ratings, attracting between 27 million and 37 million viewers per telecast this season. yahoo

Ousted NJ 'Idol' singer: too trustful



Be careful who you trust. That's the advice from Antonella Barba, New Jersey's "American Idol" contestant, a day after being voted off the show following two weeks of turbulence over racy photos posted on the Internet.


"These were photos of my personal life that got exploited without my consent," she said during a conference call Friday with reporters from across the country. "I've learned to be careful who you trust."

Barba was the subject of rampant Internet gossip regarding the photos. Publicists for the top-rated Fox show cut off reporters' questions about the pictures during the conference call.

She did say, though, that the situation was distracting as she tried to prepare herself to sing during the past two weeks.

"It was difficult," she said. "It wasn't how I intended things to go. I tried to block it out as much as possible. I'm here to sing. All that other stuff was completely irrelevant."

She said she heeded advice from her vocal coach to view the nervousness in her stomach as adrenaline that could power her performance. And, right before she went onto the stage, she said a little prayer.

Barba, 20, attended Roman Catholic grammar school in neighboring Point Pleasant Beach, and went to a Catholic high school in nearby Red Bank before enrolling in Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where she studied architecture.

She withdrew earlier this year to focus on the "Idol" competition, and has no plans to go back anytime soon.

"Right now, I'm going to stay in L.A. for a week or two," she said. "I want to see what I can do with this for a career. I want to strike while the iron is hot."

Barba, who played the violin as a youth and gave lessons to neighborhood children, said she would consider acting or modeling, but still wants a career in music above all else.

She said she will reject any prurient career offers that come her way. Nor, she added, would she pose nude, or in partial clothing, for any reason.

"That is not the way I want to present myself," she said. "I keep getting told no publicity is bad publicity. Yes, it's true my name is more well-known because of it. But I'm not known for the things I want to be known for. I'd rather present myself in a more classy way."

Residents in Point Pleasant, a Jersey shore town of 18,000 about 60 miles north of Atlantic City, supported Barba when news of the photos threatened to overshadow her appearances on the show.

Signs sprouted around town wishing her well. By Friday morning, however, they were gone, replaced with messages advertising youth baseball sign-ups, and even the imminent arrival of spring.

But Mayor Martin Konkus said Point Pleasant plans to honor its newly famous resident. A mayoral proclamation is in the works, and Konkus plans to ask Barba to sing "God Bless America" at the Memorial Day parade. Barba said she'd be honored to do so.

"We are going to welcome her home with open arms," Konkus said. "She's not a bad person. She's a good person that probably wishes she had used a little more discretion. But what you saw was nothing you won't see on a Victoria's Secret television ad.

"She comes home a little bit older and a lot wiser," Konkus added.

Despite her turbulent time in the national spotlight, Barba has few regrets.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity I've been given," she said. "All this embarrassment that has come with it, I still think it was worth it."

yahoo

Another 'American Idol' constestant axed yahoo

Paula Abdul, Cowell chummy in real life yahoo

Brandon Rogers, who forgot the words to his song on Tuesday's "American Idol," had a feeling he wouldn't last. bcnews.go.com

SURYA Yamanchili, in his final hours as the most-recently fired Apprentice candidate, is the latest to weigh in on the worldwide debate over our report on suspicions that Sanjaya Malakar's stay on American Idol is being extended by bloc voting in India - specifically from workers and technology in outsourced call centers in cities like New Delhi. writes Tabloid Baby.

Surya, like Sanjaya, is a hero to the Desi community because of his prominence on an American reality TV series (Indian-American couple Vipul and Arti Patel didn't make it past the first episode of last season's Amazing Race). He doesn't buy the theory.

"What the hell?" he writes us. "This seems pretty idiotic to me. There are no facts supporting it all - just total speculation. Why don't they just speculate that Martians are voting for him because Martians consider themselves Asian?"

Hard-core rap fan Surya (who, like Sanjaya, was born in the USA) admits, "I haven't followed Idol. I think the fact that you can 'manufacture' a pop music star on national TV is proof what **** most pop music is today! Although I think if I watched the show, I'd probably like it!"

The story was based on a wave of Internet chatter on Indian and Desi blog and news sites. Since it's been picked up around the world, new suspicions and theories have emerged.

But the potential scandal has picked up even more traction and debate in the UK, where anti-Asian bias is more of a problem, and became a national scandal amid charges of racism on Celebrity Big Brother. anorak

Cowell: 'I don't humiliate Idol hopefuls'
20/03/2007

American Idol's 'Mr Nasty' Simon Cowell has defended himself against claims he humiliates talentless wannabes on the show - insisting they humiliate themselves.

Cowell has been accused of shattering the dreams of hopefuls who try out on the show.

But Cowell says: "I don't think I'm humiliating anyone. Possibly they are humiliating themselves. No one is dragged into that audition kicking and screaming." breakingnews

'American Idol' watch: It's time to free Sanjaya "American Idol" 8 tonight Fox-Channel 2 insidebayarea

Melinda And Jordin's Excel In Last Night's American Idol Round
While Sanjaya seems to somehow keep getting more popular. entertainmentwise

Cowell, aka 'Small Ben', says Abdul
March 21, 2007


The long-running mystery of how Simon Cowell can wear his trousers so high has apparently been revealed.

ON Monday night's airing of "The Late Show With David Letterman," "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul revealed while Cowell may talk big, he's, apparently, not so big below the belt.

Letterman asked Abdul, "You honestly hate Simon, don't you? He's smug and he's arrogant. And he thinks you want to have sexual activities with him."

Abdul responded, "You are right about that. But that will never happen - because his nickname is 'Small Ben.' "

How Abdul knows this is a question best not pondered for too long. metro

'American Idol' makes a surprise cut

By ERIN CARLSON, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 6 minutes ago

NEW YORK - In a surprise, Stephanie Edwards — one of this season's best singers — was voted off the top-rated talent contest on Wednesday, while weak and sometimes unwatchable performers Sanjaya Malakar and Haley Scarnato were allowed to stay. The untimely departure of Edwards, 19, of Savannah, Ga., narrowed the number of "Idol" contestants to 10. The winner will be chosen in May.

Simon Cowell said on Tuesday's show that Edwards' rendition of Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" lacked the edginess and youthful energy that she brought to her previous performances.

Paula Abdul echoed that sentiment, telling Edwards she should have "more fun" onstage.

Dodging viewer elimination was Chris Richardson, who had the next-lowest vote tally.

Richardson, 22, of Chesapeake, Va., had impressed judges with his smooth take on "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying." Cowell called it his "best performance so far," while Abdul praised him as "charming and sexy."

Wednesday's show also featured performances by this week's guest coaches:
Peter Noone, who fronted the 1960s British rock band Herman's Hermits, and singer-songwriter Lulu.

In its sixth season, "American Idol" continues to dominate the ratings. It has attracted 26 million to 37 million viewers per telecast this season. yahoo

IDOL'S SANJAYA STICKS AROUND

Wednesday night's American Idol results show, which saw the elimination of singer Chris Sligh, while the much belittled Sanjaya Malakar remained out of the bottom rankings, once again dominated the ratings, registering a 17.6 rating and a 27 share.

Meanwhile, support for Sanjaya via the website votefortheworst.com appears to be growing, helped by frequent plugging from radio personality Howard Stern.

One blogger has gone on a hunger strike to protest against Sanjaya's continued presence on the show.

ContactMusic

'Idol' time slot to expand to 1 hour

By Zap2it.com
March 31, 2007

Beginning April 11, the Wednesday "American Idol" results shows will expand to a full hour, continuing at that length through May.

Industry trade publications are reporting that the earlier-than-expected "Idol" Wednesday bloating was done at the request of the show's producers, who have found themselves inundated with celebrity mentors and potential guest performers in recent seasons.

While it only takes 10 seconds for host Ryan Seacrest to eliminate somebody, the Wednesday shows have become the home of regular features like group songs, Ford ads featuring the finalists in a music video and periodic returns by "Idol" favorites looking to plug a new single.

The hour-long "Idol" episodes will have a minor impact on the other shows in Fox's lineup. Although boosted by its proximity to the "Idol" juggernaut, the comedy "'Til Death" will come to a slightly premature end, moving up to 8 p.m. April 11 for an hour-long season finale. "Bones," that time slot's regular occupant, will take a week off. [/url]

The man behind the music at American Idol www.chron.com

Sanjaya can't sing but idolisers don't care

He is the weakest singer with the best hair and the cutest smile. He is mocked on late-night chat shows and the target of anti-American Idol forces.

But Sanjaya Malakar has lived to see another round of the show - which screens on TV2 on Fridays and Saturdays - prompting a passionate debate over whether America's most watched TV show has lost its credibility or unwittingly created another media superstar.

"Will Sanjaya kill American Idol?" asked one fan in a posting on http://www.idol-mania.com. Malakar, 17, was easily voted through by the public to the final nine in the sixth season of the singing competition after becoming one of the most-talked about people on United States television.

NZ Herald