When Simon Cowell was asked to pinpoint a collective flaw in the season 7 cast of American Idol, he told Variety:

“Personality. They are giving very safe answers to questions, making safe song selections. We are not getting a sense of who they are. We have to try to pull it out of them more.”

Cowell added, “You cannot deliver an uninspired performance at the top of the show. And you can’t be up there imitating another singer.”

Danny Noriega had personality!!

Theme of the week: Mariah Carey Songs

CALL NOW!! 1 866 43657 ##

David Archuleta - “When You Believe” (Dial 01, Watch here)

Carly Smithson - “Without You” (Dial 02, Watch here)

Syesha Mercado - “Vanishing” (Dial 03, Watch here)

Brooke White - “Hero” (Dial 04, Watch here)

Kristy Lee Cook - “Forever” (Dial 05, Watch here)

David Cook - “Always Be My Baby” (Dial 06, Watch here)

Jason Castro - “I Don’t Want to Cry” (Dial 07, Watch here)

WHO ARE YOU VOTING FOR???? DAVID COOK, PERHAPS??? NUDGE, NUDGE.

P.S. Did anyone else want to eat off of Mariah Carey’s wrist tonight?? To get the candy charm bracelet she was wearing on Idol, visit aCandyStore.com.

Michael Johns, who was voted off American Idol last week, is mobbed by fans as he left Live with Regis and Kelly on Monday.

While fans have been sad to see him go, his booting off has been a boon to his career, which has happened with many previous Idol contestants.

The 29-year-old Australian-turned-Atlantan has been contacted by Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban and even Dolly Parton, telling him how sad they were to see him leave the show.

Michael said last Friday, “I hadn’t been in the bottom three, and I thought the last two to three weeks have been my strongest. But we’re in the competition and stuff can happen.”

More pics of Michael getting swarmed by fans after Regis and Kelly…

More Here! »

Divalicious Mariah Carey is this week’s music mentor to the final 7 on American Idol airing Tuesday, April 15 @ 8PM ET/PT on FOX.

Until then, you can help vote for the winner’s single. Visit Americanidol.com to hear the top 20 songs and cast your votes. These are the songs vying for your votes:

“Align” – Written by James Smithson
“All You Will Need” – Written by Lauren Dion and Phil Minardi
“Believe” – Written by John Buchanan
“Dream Big” – Written by Emily Shackelton
“Faith” – Written by Zach Ziskin
“Fly Me Away” – Written by Scott Sheets
“Here I Am” – Written by Tom Kitt, Matt Zarley, and Andy Zulla
“In This Moment” – Written by Ryan Gillmor
“No Turning Back” – Written by Luke Ebbin and Curt Schneider
“Only Love” – Written by Ken Stacey, Windy Wagner and David Walsh
“Overcome” – Written by Mark Holman
“Something Like Heaven” – Written by Aaron Sidwell
“Stronger” – Written by Jason Phelps and Mendy Shaw
“Thank You Whatever Comes” – Written by Fran Lucci, Danny Powers and Dara Stewart
“The Time of My Life” – Written by Regie Hamm
“We’re Gonna Make It – Writen by Noel Cohen, Hugh Colocott and Amber Rhodes
“When You Come From” Nothing – Written by Will Hopkins
“You Believe In Me” – Written by David Barrett, Kurt Schreitmueller and Dan Yessian
“You Believed In Me” – Written by Perry Smith
“You Can Do Anything – Written by Gail Farrell, Mark Gasbarro and Larry Kenton

SPEAK UP: Two songs stuck out to me. Which ones are your favorites?????

PAPA JOHNS!

Aussie crooner Michael Johns was given the boot last night, in a surprise elimination on American Idol.

“I am definitely surprised,” Johns said. “I enjoyed singing that song.”

Lamented judge Simon Cowell, “I’m going to miss you. You’re a very good singer and a very, very nice guy.”

Don’t miss Mr. Johns perform on Monday’s Live with Regis and Kelly! Watch the elimination on Idol in the video below!

This entry is dedicated to Carrie, the wannabe wife of Michael Johns.

30+ pictures inside of Michael John’s American Idol experience… More Here! »

YIKES!!!!!

Click inside to find out which contestant got kicked off of tonight’s American Idol…

Video links inside…

More Here! »

High School Musical stars and BFFs Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale were on American Idol last night for a hot second. To help raise money for Idol Gives Back, Ashnessa said,

“Hey everyone, we’re in Utah on the set of High School Musical 3, so we can’t be there tonight but we wanted to wish you all good luck.

“Remember, there are people all over the world who need food, shelter and medicine. Tonight, we can all do somethingn for them. Kids, dig into your piggy banks and parents, dig into your wallets.

“We’re all in this together, so pick up that phone and do whatever you can. Good night and thank you!”

Watch the video below of Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale! And if you haven’t already, check out the very first pictures from the set of High School Musical 3

The American Idol “Final 8″ performed “Shout To the Lord” as its closing song Wednesday night during Idol Gives Back, a music celebration raising awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities. Here are some sample lyrics:

My Shepherd, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

“Shout to the Lord” is a popular worship anthem, written by singer/songwriter Darlene Zschech in 1993. However, the original lyrics start the song off with “My Jesus” but was replaced with “My Shepherd” for American Idol.

Pictured left to right: Brooke White, David Archuleta, Kristy Lee Cook, David Cook, Carly Smithson, Jason Castro, Syesha Mercado and Michael Johns.

10+ pictures inside of the American Idol 7 “Top 8″ shouting to the Lord… More Here! »