Clay Aiken is Going To Be A Dad!

I don't even know where to begin with this one. Congratulations? This story broke yesterday (by TMZ) and I was a little skeptical, but it has been confirmed by People, Extra, Access Hollywood, etc.

American Idol - Top 10 Results Show - Kimberley Locke - "Fall"

Bid on Kimberley Lockes Dress!

Kimberley Locke’s “American Idol” Performance Dress Designed by Bravo “Project Runway” Winner Christian Siriano

Own the Christian Siriano dress worn by Kimberley Locke during her live “American Idol” performance when she sang her new single “Fall.” The dress was inspired by romantic and ethereal goddess couture and was made from silk crepe satin and iridescent silk chiffon. Ms. Locke and Mr. Siriano donated the dress to support charity.

Proceeds from the auction benefit Camp Heartland, a national camping and care program for children impacted by HIV/AIDS.

The dress is up for auction over at clothesoffourback.org until April 14th!

Ruben Studdard to Record Farewell Song

Reuters is reporting that Ruben Studdard (Season 2 winner) will be recording a cover of Kenny Loggins "Celebrate Me Home" to be used as the "farewell song" to send home the American Idol contestants once they narrow the field to the Top 12.

Here's an excerpt of the story:

Season-two winner Ruben Studdard will perform the "farewell song" used to send off the losing contestants when they depart the top 12. This year, the song will be a cover of Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home."

It's a significant gig for Studdard, who was dropped by J Records at the end of 2007. He is, however, still managed by the show's 19 Entertainment and under contract to subsidiary 19 Recordings, a link that paved the way for him to return to the show as the song's performer.

"Ruben has never left our fold," "Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says. "(With) the success that we've had with the play-off song, I wanted to keep it in-house."

The "American Idol" season-five farewell song, Daniel Powter's "Bad Day," went on to sell 1.9 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and was the top digital download of 2006.

As part of the show's new sponsorship this season by iTunes, "Celebrate Me Home" will be made available digitally starting March 12, the day the first of the top 12 will be eliminated. In addition, it is expected to be included on one of the compilation albums annually released by "American Idol," according to 19 Entertainment U.S. head Iain Pirie.

"Celebrate Me Home" was selected after Lythgoe suggested the tune to Pirie and show creator Simon Fuller. "Each year we think about what's going to reflect that really special TV moment," Pirie says. "Musically and lyrically, it fits it perfectly."

Pirie says Studdard was chosen to record the track in part because of the warm reception he received for an appearance on last season's "American Idol" finale. Studdard is in negotiations to perform the song during "Idol Gives Back," the show's midseason charity effort.

Well, I LOVE Ruben and LOVE Kenny Loggins...so this is all good to me!

source:reuters

Big Brother 9 Sneak Peak - Kimberly Caldwell

I have to say, as a blogger there is nothing I love more than when my blogging worlds collide! Check out Kimberly in the Diary Room!

Kimberly Caldwell, former American Idol Top 12 contestant in Season 2, and current TV Guide Network correspondent, was given the opportunity, as the co-host of Idol Tonight and Reality Chat to get a sneak peak at the Big Brother house for Season 9, along with 7 other members of the media.

Here's an excerpt of a recap of her experience:

I'm not just a huge fan of Big Brother — I'm a huge psycho fan! So when I was asked to live in the house, I was like, "Wow, OK, cool!" Then I got scared. Twelve hours? Who are they gonna put me with? What's gonna happen to me? I mean, I really like watching the show, but I don't want to be one of those people! Do I?

But I got it together and went and, naturally, over­packed. I've seen those challenges where you end up getting soaked in butter, so I brought a huge duffel bag like I was moving in. Step­ping into the house, which for Season 9 they've done up like a win­ter log cabin, is very surreal. Little cameras are everywhere except in the 2-by-2 toilet, where they have a microphone dropped down from above. I was a little pee-shy, I have to say. But eventually my bladder and I worked it out.

The producers wanted us to do the equivalent of a full week of BB, so we had the Head of Household and Power of Veto (POV) competitions, and an evic­tion. I even tasted slop, which is just like vomit. When we saw the photo wall, I was like, "Oh, my god! This is the worst picture of me ever! My life is totally over!" And I broke into tears. I don't think anybody understood I was imitating Jen from BB 8. Oh, well.

TONS of Big Brother 9 news today...I'll keep you posted!

source: tvguide

Taylor Hicks Dropped by Record Label J Records

EW (Entertainment Weekly) has been busy. They are reporting that Taylor Hicks is the second American Idol winner to be dropped by J Records this year. In December, we reported here that Ruben Studdard had been dropped by his label (also by J Records).

Well I still love Taylor, and I hope he finds a better fit elsewhere.

source: EW

Ruben Studdard Dropped By Record Label

sohh.com is reporting that the Velvet Teddy Bear Ruben Studdard has been dropped by his label (J Records) after his most recent CD "The Return" was unable to match his previous success. Ruben will always be one of my favorite Idols, and I am sure he will land on his feet.

source: sohh

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Here's a FAVORITE Top 9 performance of mine from Season 2...the first time I really took notice of this contestant!