April 2008 News Archive (Page 4)

The winners of American Idol will be featured on limited-edition postage created by PhotoStamps.com.

The net proceeds from the sales have been earmarked for Idol Gives Back, so you can send letters and give to a good cause!

Visit photostamps.com now for more information. The stamps are first-class rate postage valued at 42 cents each, and each sheet (20 per sheet) will retail for $19.99.

Have you recovered from the shock of Michael Johns' elimination yet? For those that still need a dose of the American Idol finalist, here are snippets of an interview he gave Entertainment Weekly:

You looked so completely shocked. Were you thinking that Syesha and Carly had such mediocre performances that for sure you'd be safe?
It wasn't like that. Back there it was me, Kristy, Jason, Syesha, and Carly. I was like, ''Okay, I get what's going on. This is going to be a shocker week.'' I hadn't been in the bottom three before, and everyone is due for that. I didn't think I was going home, though. It just goes to show you that you never know.

You looked pretty shaken up. Was it hard to compose yourself?
I wasn't, like, destroyed or anything. I probably would have been more sad if I felt I didn't sing the song as good as I could, and if I didn't hit those high notes. There was a moment when I took a really deep breath in and I saw my wife, and she said, ''I love you.'' I just exhaled then. If you re-watch, you'll see I just switched then. I thought, ''Just suck it up. This is the last time you're going to perform on this stage.''

There's a school of thought that some contestants don't want to win American Idol so they're not shackled with that title forever. What do you think?
People said that to me going in, that I don't want to be more than third or fourth. But it hasn't hurt Carrie or Kelly Clarkson. But Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry and Kimberly Locke are fine, too. It doesn't matter where you end up, if you stay true to your art.

This is getting exciting.

First, Jordin Sparks endorsed David Cook as this year's American Idol champion.

Now, Elliott Yamin has done the same... for David Archuleta!

"It would be really cool to see a young kid like him win," Yamin said to Entertainment Weekly. "I really love his songs, and musically, he's very talented. He plays the guitar, piano... it's nice to see [Idol] bringing out the creative sides of those kids."

As for the other male contenders, Elliott?

"No one's really impressed me this season," he said. "David Cook is okay, Michael Johns (since eliminated) is alright, but it's anybody's game at this point."

In case you somehow missed it, here's the American Idol clip of Michael Johns being eliminated last night. Shock waves are still being felt around the Idol universe.

Write in and let us know your thoughts on this shocker. 

Wow.

We had predicted a surprise elimination earlier today when we said Carly Smithson would be voted off the show - and she did plummet to the bottom three, along with Syesha Mercado - but we never dreamed Michael Johns would get the boot.

This may rank below Chris Daughtry's elimination in terms of shock value... but not too far below. We're speechless.

Leave a comment and discuss among yourselves: Did you think Johns deserved to be eliminated tonight?

Before we get down to the business of determining who is sent home tonight on American Idol (we foresee an upset, with Carly Smithson getting the surprising boot), let's relive Idol Gives Back on more time.

Here are a series of pictures from the event, from shots of established stars such as Mariah Carey, to those of up-and-comers such as David Cook. Click on each now for a larger version...

We're asking readers to write in and let us know what was your favorite moment from last night's Idol Gives Back broadcast?

The most important thing, of course, was the money donated to charities around the world and we'd like to thank every viewer that called in.

Now, take a look at the list below and let us know which moment stood out the most for you:

• The Idols singing "Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna
• Fergie taking the stage with John Legend and then Heart
• Jimmy Kimmel roasting Simon Cowell
• Carrie Underwood’s performance

• Alicia Keys in Africa
• Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray’s trip to Kentucky
• Mariah Carey’s performance of “Fly Like a Bird”
• Chris Daughtry visiting Uganda?

Or did you like something else best? Leave a comment. Let us know. And, of course, get ready for ANOTHER American Idol broadcast tonight. Yes!

We hope all American Idol fans are preparing to watch Idol Gives Back tonight and donate at least a few bucks to the cause.

Here are a couple backstage photos of your favorite finalists during the taping of the special:

David Archuleta and Brooke White are backstage buddies.

David Cook and Carly Smithson are wonders in white.

Also scheduled to appear/perform are Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, WWE superstars Triple H, John Cena and so many more!

We'll learn tonight about the efforts of Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle to help children in Africa, but the pair of season six finalists spoke to Us Weekly about their experiences, as well.

They first learned of the Malaria No More initiative on last year's Idol Gives Back and were moved to act as soon as their schedule would allow. Doolittle partnered with the organization in 2007, traveling to Zambia in June; Sparks followed suit in February 2008 visiting Ghana.

Both women traveled with First Lady Laura Bush.

“One day my Mom called me up and said ‘Laura Bush is wondering if you would like to go with her [to Ghana].’ And I was like ‘What?!’ You don’t get a message like that every day,” Sparks said.

Doolitttle concurs.

“[Traveling was] the perfect opportunity for me. We were in rehearsals for the tour and I missed a few, but it was more than worth it.

“It just blew my mind the things that we take for granted, like clean water or the fact that we can put on bug repellent and not be worried about mosquitoes around us. However, even though the community [in Zambia] is stricken by something like Malaria, they have a hope like no other. Just $10 [for a bed net] can save a family. You’d spend that if you went to Starbucks twice!”

Hear that, readers? Get ready to donate tonight!

On a night of inspiration songs, a trio of favorites - David Cook, Michael Johns and Carly Smithson - failed to motivate the judges to give them high marks.

Conversely, Kristy Lee Cook (yes, Kristy Lee Cook!) and Jason Castro basked in the high praise of Randy, Paula and Simon. Oh, and David Archuleta did well. But what else is new?

Who was your favorite performer? Who do you think will be sent home next on American Idol?

Also, remember: tonight is the Idol Gives Back special. Watch. Call in. Donate all you can.