American Idol Archives

• General Larry Platt is looking to profit from his song “Pants on the Ground”
• Joe Jonas pays Hilary Duff a visit
• Jessica Alba is a Craigslist fan
• Jennie Garth and Rob Estes leave 90210
• Anna Kournikova covers Russian Cosmo
• Cindy McCain poses for a NoH8 photo
• Samantha Ronson talks Heidi Montag’s surgeries
• Mariah Carey will release her own brand of bubbly
• Katy Perry’s in a good mood despite the rain
• Kristin Chenoweth on Idol: It was harder than I thought!
• Donald Trump and Sting were both spotted leaving New York City’s Radio City Music Hall after Lady Gaga’s concert last night
• The cast of Glee is hitting the road for a live concert tour. Dates will be revealed at the end of the month
• Rosie O’Donnell says that she attended the premiere of her HBO documentary A Family Is a Family Is a Family, with ex Kelli Carpenter because although her life has changed “love is forever.”
• Jay-Z dropped by the Clock Tower Building in Brooklyn to check out a $25 million penthouse.
• Sean “Diddy” Combs is reportedly throwing an extravagant 16th birthday party for his eldest son which will be filmed for an upcoming episode of MTV’s My Super Sweet 16.
• Nicolas Cage now owes the IRS $14 million. “I am under new business management and am happy to say that I am current for 2009,” the actor says.
• Maggie Gyllenhaal came into the Sprinkles store earlier this week to escape the rain. The Crazy Heart star bought a bunch of cupcakes — 3 lemon coconut, a vanilla and a chocolate marshmallow. The sweet tooth must run in the family, as her brother Jake Gyllenhaal has been spotted at the Beverly Hills location multiple times.

Check out these shots of celebrity guest judges at the American Idol auditions for season 9 hopefuls!

Stars like Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige and Neil Patrick Harris, lent a hand to Kara Dioguardi, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell and helped choose singers who would make it to Hollywood!

Guest judge Victoria Beckham told People she tried to find the best in everyone who auditioned.

“I believe in constructive criticism and I am a very positive person, so I always tried to find something good and helpful to focus on, be it someone’s singing, their looks or their overall style,” Vic said. “Having been a performer, I know how difficult it is to be that person standing there being judged. I didn’t want to trample on people’s dreams.”

American Idol starts up again this Tuesday (January 12) at 8/7c!

Other celeb judges pictured: Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Kristin Chenoweth and Joe Jonas

More Here! »

EW sat down with American Idol judges Simon Cowell and AI newbie Ellen DeGeneres to talk about what season 9 of the show has in store!

Here’s what Simon and Ellen had to share:

Ellen, on whether she worries about negativity from viewers: “Yeah, sure. And I understand it. I was one of those people that was skeptical, like, ‘Why are they adding a fourth judge? I don’t understand this.’ But I do think that Kara adds a lot to the show now. And also, it’s not just a new judge. It’s a new judge in the place of someone that they loved. I mean, a lot of people loved Paula, and I don’t want to be the person that took Paula’s job away from her. Which I wasn’t. I’m not going to be able to please everyone. I gave up trying to do that a long time ago.”

Simon, on criticism of his gay-themed banter with Ryan Seacrest: “Let me tell you something: We are the least racist, homophobic show in the world. What we do have, thank God, is a sense of humor. I hate political correctness. I wouldn’t go into any show saying anything is off-limits. If we have to abide by a ton of rules, we might as well call it a day now.”

Ellen, on what she’d do if Simon left the show: “If Simon goes, I go! I will not be there without Simon.”

For more from the Idol judges, visit EW.com!

Bigger cover pic inside…

More Here! »

American Idol is back for its ninth season a week from today, and here’s your first look at Ellen DeGeneres with host Ryan Seacrest and fellow judges Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell!

The two-night season premiere will air next Tuesday (January 12) at 8/7c on FOX and Wednesday (January 13) in the same time slot. According to Access Hollywood, the premiere week will feature auditions from Atlanta and Boston.

Ellen won’t be on the judging panel until February; instead, guest judges will be sitting in during the initial audition rounds. Look celeb judges including Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Katy Perry and more!

10+ pictures inside of Ryan Seacrest and the American Idol judges…

More Here! »

American Idol vet Jim Verraros tied the knot with entrepreneur Bill Brennan on Sunday (September 6) at the Oak Brook Hills Resort in Illinois.

“Every little choice reflected who we are,” Jim told People. “It was the most beautiful day. Gay marriage is not legal in Illinois but we wanted the day to be a reflection of our love and commitment to each other as well as a statement to other gay couples in Illinois.”

Jim, 26, finished ninth on Idol’s first season and met Bill four years ago on MySpace. For more on Jim and Bill’s special day, visit MyWedding.com.

20+ pictures inside of “married couple” Jim and Bill… More Here! »

Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry will join American Idol as guest judges during the final two days of auditions held this week in Los Angeles.

On their respective days, Avril and Katy will sit at the judges’ table next to Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi while the final group of singing hopefuls tries for a “Golden Ticket” to Hollywood.

Recently, Victoria Beckham served as a guest judge in Denver and Boston, Mary J. Blige shared her expertise in Atlanta, Joe Jonas and Neil Patrick Harris guest-judged in Dallas, Kristin Chenoweth joined the panel in Orlando and Shania Twain sat at the judges’ table in Chicago.

Joe Jonas (that’s the middle Jonas Brother) will serve as a guest judge at next week’s audition series for the reality competition series.

“At this stage it doesn’t look like Paula [Abdul] will be replaced by one person,” an insider told Pop Tarts. “The celebrity judges are working really well for now.”

Other celebs joining Season 9 regular judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi include Shania Twain, Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham and Mary J Blige.

The original American Idol Kelly Clarkson is in negotiations to also guest judge.

American Idol favorite Constantine Maroulis made headlines earlier this week for getting into a ‘bar fight’ with a fan over the news that Paula Abdul left the show.

“It was just a drunk dude at a concert [who] just like jumped on my back,” the 22-year-old told Extra. “Not that I wouldn’t [defend her], cause I love Paula. I would hit the streets for her but that’s not what happened.”

Idol alum Michael Johns also was shocked at the Paula news: “What can I tell you, I was a bit flabbergasted. Definitely she’s the reason people tune in whether you love her or whether you just want to see if she’s going to be a train wreck, you know. I think something special from the show will be missing.”