While new American Idol contestants - such as Michael Johns and Syesha Mercado - battle for her crown, Jordin Sparks is still out to prove why she deserved last year's title in the first place.
She'll be performing the National Anthem before this year's Super Bowl between the Giants and the Patriots. Kickoff is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. So we can expect Sparks to take the field around 6:15 p.m.
Randy Jackson recently chatted with AOL about this season's American Idol auditions, among other experiences he's enjoyed as a member of TV's top-rated series:
Do you get bored at all going from city to city watching weird auditioners singing?
No, that's the hardest part for us. But it's also the coolest part, ya know, one of the most fun aspects of what we do. I don't think you get really bored because you see different talent all the time. You know what I mean? There're different kids you see all the time.
So you never know when the next Carrie is going to walk in the room?
Dude, you know never know when the next Carrie, the next Chris, the next Fantasia, the next Kelly Clarkson ... You just never know, you know?
How do you feel about the wacky sort of characters that come in?
Listen. We get a lot of flack from people saying "How does this person show up?" It's an open casting call. We don't do some streamline thing that say, like, people who are 5'10" to 5'9" and only this kind of aptitude.
You never know, the girl with the Princess Leia buns could have been good.
Yeah. Listen, people [asked] last season [about] Sanjaya ... why did have him on there? When we saw him in Seattle, Sanjaya was actually really good vocally. He's got personality and he was actually a pretty good singer. So you know, look, it's not like we're out there trying to find the weirdest people we can find. It's just who shows up. It's just 'American Idol.'
Is there another Sanjaya this season?
I don't know if there's necessarily another Sanjaya. The kids who show up are so different from year to year. There are some interesting people every season and this season is definitely no exception. I call it the good, the bad and the indifferent.
Read the full interview with Jackson now.
Clay Aiken recently chatted with NY Magazine. Based on these snippets from the interview, it doesn't sound like the former American Idol finalist is up to much:
On his social life: âNonexistent, really. Iâm not a nighttime person.â
On his plans to date someone: âHeck, no. My dogs.â
On never having had a romantic relationship with anyone: âI just donât have an interest in ⦠any of that at all. I have got too much on my plate. Iâd rather focus on one thing and do that when I can devote time to it, and right now, I just donât have any desire.â
On suppressing his hormones: âAh think maybe I donât! I mean, not really. Iâve just kind of shut it off, maybe. Is that bad?â
On bars and clubs not being for him: âThe only reason people go to bars is to get drunk and have sex. To me, bars are what hell is like.â
Current American Idol auditions may be pushed to the side of the news for a bit later this week when a former series finalist releases her sex tape.
Here is a press release from adult movie company Vivid Entertainment promoting the Jessica Sierra sex tape:
While former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra completes her current rehab in nearby Pasadena, Vivid Entertainment, the worldâs leading adult film studio, will release a steamy sex tape starring the troubled singer.
"Jessica Sierra Superstar" will go on sale January 30th in retail stores nationwide and online at http://jessicasuperstar.com.
"Itâs an exceptionally explicit series of vignettes both solo and with Charles "C" Youngblood a man she met at a Hooters bar in Tampa.
The tape also reveals much about the personality of Jessica and gives some insight that would be helpful for anyone curious as to how she has arrived at her current situation in life," according to Steven Hirsch, co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment.
American Idol champion Carrie Underwood has launched her very own YouTube page at. Find it here.
Unlike Oprah, who forbids embedding on her YouTube channel, Carrieâs videos are embeddable-friendly. Here's a look:
We interrupt our American Idol season seven updates - go Kristy Lee Cook! Rock on, Michael Lee Johns! - to bring you a video from our favorite contestant ever on the show.
Here's Carrie Underwood and her latest music video, All-American Girl:
As usual, take the following American Idol spoilers with a grain of salt bigger than Paula Abdul's mental issues.
But various websites are reporting that the following contestants - some of whom we're yet to meet - will advance to the top 24:
Top 12 WomenÂ
Asiah Epperson
Alaina Whitaker
Alex Lushington
Amanda Overmyer
Amy Davis
Brooke White
Carly Smithson
Joanne Borgella
Kady Malloy (pictured)
Kristy Lee Cook
Ramielle Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Top 12 Men
Chikeze Eze
Colton Berry
Danny Noriega
David Archuleta
David Cook
David Hernandez
Garrett Haley
Jason Castro
Jason Yeager
Luke Menard
Michael Johns
Robbie Carrico
Aside from saying "dawg" a lot, Randy Jackson will remind us what got him on the American Idol panel in March.
The Grammy-winning producer is bringing together a musical âdream-teamâ for his new CD, Randy Jacksonâs Music Club Vol. 1.
âIâm really pleased that a bunch of wonderful, talented people showed up,â Jackson said of his experience producing Randy Jacksonâs Music Club Vol. 1. âIâm really blessed by the way it all came together.â
The CD hits stores on March 11. Until then, Jackson will be grading season seven hopefuls such as Kady Malloy.
We were treated to a handful of solid performances last night during American Idol auditions in San Diego. Here were our favorites:
A single father, Cataldo had more than just a great backstory. He bellowed Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" as if it had been written for him. Combine the adorable son with the voice and this is Top 24 material.
Now, the controversy begins: Johns was great, if only for the accent alone. But news has broke that this Australian was the lead singer for two bands: The Rising and Film. Should that disqualify him from American Idol? Some believe so.
For now, Johns is simply an early favorite who has moved on to Hollywood.
Another great backstory and another contestant with a professional resume: the 16-year old won Star Search when he was 12 and has performed across the country ever since. He also suffered from paralysis of the vocal chords as a child.
Formerly known as Carly Hennessy, the Irish singer tried out for American Idol in 2005. Visa problems caused her to drop out, however. She's also received attention for a failed album released a few years ago, "Ultimate High."
We didn't know there was a magazine called Your Prom, either.
But there is. And Jordin Sparks is its latest cover girl. Here are highlights of the interview with last year's American Idol:
On her wardrobe secret: âI always wear spandex shorts under any dress because there could be a breeze. I could sit the wrong way. Itâs a safety issue.â
On her fashion weakness: âI have a ton of shoes. I have a pair of Adidas that I just bought. Theyâre really, really cool. They go with everything!â
On her fave dance music: âI love stuff with really driving beats. I love Justin Timberlakeâs songs, [and] Kanye West is good to dance to.â
