Dressed in a full-length metallic stunner, Jennifer Hudson works the red carpet like a seasoned pro at the premiere of Dreamgirls on Thursday in Paris, France.
Hudson, who took home Best Supporting Actress honors at the Golden Globe Awards Monday, is seen as an Oscar favorite this year as well - something we could not be happier about. Go Jennifer!
With all the talk swirling that American Idol judges are being too mean this season, here's a way to wax that problem:
Make them into wax statues.
Indeed, Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest were the latest celebrities to be included in Madame Tussauds museum. Check out their likeness here:
We assume there's no Paula Abdul figure because the sculpters couldn't capture her odd gyrations and possibly drunken antics.
Thomas Daniels was the first contestant to be green lighted by the American Idol judges for Hollywood Wednesday night.
He's also the first new contestant to have his legal past come back to haunt him.
TMZ.com has unearthed documents which reveal that in 2004, Daniels was convicted of DUI in Clackamas, Oregon. The 21-year-old pled guilty and was sentenced to a one-year alcohol diversion program and a $680 fine. Daniels also attended eight AA meetings and saw a counselor once a week for two months.
After the completing his DUI sentence, the incident was wiped from Daniels' record. He managed to impress the panel during Seattle auditions this week.
TMZ spoke exclusively with Daniels who said, in reference to his DUI, "I was young and dumb and drinking and driving."
In December 2005, Daniels was arrested again; this time for hit and run. He failed to appear in court for the arraignment. TMZ could not find the disposition of this incident, however. Daniels called the event "another young and dumb situation."
When asked if he disclosed his criminal past to American Idol producers, Daniels had no comment. We just hope he's learned his lesson.
The parade of awful amateurs on American Idol attracted viewers in staggering numbers this week as the series continues to grow in popularity.
An estimated 36.9 million people watched the two-hour special on FOX Wednesday night, only slightly down from the 37.3 million who tuned in for Tuesday's two-hour season premiere, according to Nielsen Media Research.
They were the two biggest nights of prime-time entertainment on FOX since it came onto the air nearly two decades ago.
"We're fortunate it's on our air and we take good care of it and it rewards us with good ratings," said Preston Beckman, Fox's executive vice president for strategic planning.
The audience for what host Ryan Seacrest dubbed "the weirdest turnout in history" on Wednesday was 17 percent bigger than the corresponding night a year ago, Nielsen said.
We've all seen the American Idol auditions. After five seasons, humiliations, broken dreams and rags-to-riches tales have become synonymous with this time of year.
But should we be subjected to this ritual every season? Or are the auditions something that should be done away with by the producers? Do we need to see William Hung on the way to Katharine McPhee? Do these early rounds even serve a purpose, or are they integral part of the show's fabric?
It's become the subject of much debate around here, and in our first Face-Off, our panelists explore the issue.
To read our pro-con breakdown of the auditions, click here. Then leave us a comment afterward, letting us know who won - or how you feel about the auditions in general.
As the new season of American Idol gears up again, critics of the popular TV show wonder whether the judges and the producers are being too mean to potential contestants.
They were certainly at again Wednesday night in Seattle.
"You look like one of those creatures that live in the woods with those massive eyes," Simon Cowell told one Idol hopeful.
More than 37 million people tuned into the season's premiere. While the episode was the most watched, many say it was also the meanest. One contestant modeled herself after the singer Jewel. When asked whether she had passed the bar set by the judges, Randy Jackson said: "No, no, no, no, no."
Cowell was even more emphatic.
"It would take an hour. Are you kidding me? No, please," he said.
After that critique, the young woman began crying.
Rachel Simmons, author of "Odd Girl Out" and an expert on bullying, called the experience "social cruelty."
"What you're seeing here is social cruelty being woven into the fabric of the American Idol experience," Simmons said.
When a contestant juggled batons, the Idol judges didn't hold back.
"Useless at everything. Even the juggling was pathetic," Cowell said.
Even Jackson didn't hold back.
"Jason ended up on the wrong show. It's called 'America's Got Some Talent,'" he said.
Most people would say the contestants came willingly and should be prepared for the harsh criticism. Simmons said that reflected a societal problem.
To read to the rest of this article, click here.
Miss the show last night? Or watch it and curious to see our take on Seattle singers? We've reviewed the most recent American Idol auditions.
Below, meanwhile, is a clip from an anxious contestant before he/she tried out in the Emerald City. Take a look at how hopeful Idols prepare before they face the wrath of Paula, Simon and Randy:
We've heard a lot about the Seattle auditions. A lot of rather poor, scary things. So let's get going with our second American Idol diary ...
Ugliest case of The Hotness: Sorry, Jennifer Chapton, but if you need to introduce yourself as that, it doesn't bode too well.
Contestant most supported by Paris Hilton: Melissa Carlene Stavros. We doubt she was named after Paris' on again/off again boyfriend, Stavros Niarchos, but Seattle is making us reach for interesting observations.
Most Taylor Hicks-like: This guy (pictured)!
Best siblings: Shyamalle and Sanjaya Malakar. Each seemed fun, each sang well. But how will judges/fans choose between them?
Tallest American Idol hopeful: Anna Kerns is six foot, four inches tall. Of course she was getting through to the next round. Would you tell this giant no?
Favorite of the night: Jordin Sparks. Love the name, like the personality. The best in Seattle. Not sure if that's saying a lot.
Chris Daughtry may sing with the bulls.
But Kelly Clarkson rides with the drivers. Sort of.
In a "landmark collaboration," Clarkson "will be integrated into all aspects of NASCAR." The integration consists mainly of "an at-track concert, TV spot, charitable endeavors and NASCAR's Awards Dinner."
"Anybody who knows me knows I'm a race fan and love NASCAR," said the first-ever America Idol. "I look forward to hanging out with the fans, drivers and the entire NASCAR community."
Kelly will start by headlining a pre-Daytona 500 FOX special Feb. 18, the NEXTEL Tribute to America. Next, she'll film a 30-second NASCAR commercial that will include a new song from her next album.
Clarkson will also be the spokesperson and ambassador for the fourth annual NASCAR Day May 18, appearing in another ad to promote the occasion. And she'll perform at NASCAR's 27th annual Champions Banquet in New York Dec. 3, which will be aired live on ESPN.
Wow.
Variety reports that American Idol opened to huge numbers last night, with the two-hour premiere ranking as the second highest-rated episode of the series to date - and easily topping any prime time program this season.
According to preliminary nationals from Nielsen, the opening night of auditions on American Idol averaged a 15.7 rating/36 share in adults 18-49 and 37.3 million viewers overall, up about 5% vs. its premiere of one year ago.
The only other American Idol telecast to rate higher was the May 2003 season finale between Reuben Studdard and Clay Aiken.
