Posted Aug 26th 2008 1:43PM by TMZ Staff
Bucky Covington's fan base is so big, an Illinois festival is moving mountains to accommodate him.
Ok, so we're talking about the Grundy County Corn Festival, and it's a move from downtown to where the old high school was. But the Fest's entertainment director tells us they had to petition the town council to use the new space. They haven't gotten a yea or nay.
If they get the nix, the 5,000 Buckymaniacs they're expecting will have to squeeze into a space for only 2,000, and you know how people get when they can't get their Bucky.
We're told B's the biggest artist the Corn Festival's ever seen. Filling the rest of the bill -- Slippery When Wet (Jovi cover band) and ... dueling pianos.
Filed under: American Idol
Posted Aug 22nd 2008 3:45PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned Kevin Covais -- you know, Chicken Little from season five of "AI" -- is cooped up in the hospital.
And even though he's got a big new movie coming out ("College," out next Friday), he's going to have a little trouble smiling. That's because he's developed Bell's palsy -- a partial paralysis of the face -- because of the stress of his press tour. It's also aggravated by his diabetes, we're told.
But, his rep tells TMZ Kev's condition isn't "life-threatening" and he's going to be back pushing "College" soon.
UPDATE: We spoke with Covais' publicist who tells us Kevin is merely sick and in the hospital and will be fine.
Filed under: American Idol
Posted Aug 18th 2008 12:46PM by TMZ Staff
Her famously restricting ties to the world of bondage won't get "American Idol" reject Frenchie Davis booted off of her latest gig -- in fact, it probably got her the job!
Like many a wannabeen before her, the Season 2 loser performed at a Toronto street fair over the weekend, but this was no local balloon festival -- it was a leather and fetish fair! The safe word is "desperate."
Frenchie's kinky gig actually makes perfect sense, since going on "Idol" requires being a masochist.
Filed under: American Idol, Nurse!
Posted Aug 14th 2008 6:22PM by TMZ Staff
Since when are people fans of verbally abusive stage dads?
The "American Idol" tour rolled through D.C. today and it was actually Jeff Archuleta that signed the most autographs -- besting son David and "Idol" champ David Cook. Some people have strange tastes.
Filed under: American Idol
Posted Aug 12th 2008 2:34PM by TMZ Staff
Ryan Seacrest couldn't get mega-producer Nigel Lythgoe into Crown Bar last month -- so how do you think the guy did last night, when he dropped Ben Stiller's name at the door?
Filed under: American Idol
Posted Aug 12th 2008 12:36PM by TMZ Staff
Before "Idol," his E! gig, radio show or having his TV talk show canceled, 19-year-old Ryan Seacrest flashed his best "Blue Steel" pose in a ridiculous photo shoot back in '94.
If only Lou Pearlman had gotten his hands on him before Merv Griffin.
Filed under: American Idol, Hot Bodies, Nurse!
Posted Aug 11th 2008 1:45PM by TMZ Staff
Behold Parker Foster Aiken -- the spawn of Clay Aiken and his formerly inseminated galpal Jaymes Foster.
29-year-old Aiken, his 50-year-old baby mama and their two-day-old baby left a North Carolina hospital yesterday. The duo plans to raise the child together. Imagine that parent teacher conference!
Filed under: Paparazzi Video, Baby Watch, American Idol
Posted Aug 8th 2008 12:10PM by TMZ Staff
Clay Aiken's baby mama has popped!
Aiken's mother told local Raleigh, N.C. TV station that the "American Idol" runner-up was now the proud papa of a bouncing baby boy named Parker Foster Aiken.
Aiken's BFF, 50-year-old record producer Jaymes Foster, gave birth at 8:08 AM this morning in an "undisclosed location." TMZ was the first to tell you he had inseminated Foster.
Aiken's mother Faye said the dark-haired Parker weighed in at 6 lbs. 2 oz and was 19" long. She says her son is "smiling from ear-to-ear."
Mom, dad and baby all are doing fine, according to Faye.
Aiken and Foster, who met when Clay appeared on "A.I.," will raise their spawn together.
Filed under: Wacky & Weird, Baby Watch, American Idol
Posted Aug 4th 2008 4:44PM by TMZ Staff
What if you held "American Idol" auditions and no one showed up?! Not paging Nigel Lythgoe!
On Saturday, "A.I." held one of their typical open call auditions in San Juan, Puerto Rico and instead of the usual capacity crowds lined up practicing their awful renditions of tired Whitney Houston standards, according to El Nuevo Dia, only around 300 fools turned out. Ay dios mio! In contrast, last month 7,000 wannabe Taylor Hicks' camped out overnight at auditions held in Northern California.
In other words, don't expect to see a Spanish-language Carrie Underwood album anytime soon.
Filed under: TV, American Idol
Posted Aug 4th 2008 4:40PM by TMZ Staff
Nigel Lythgoe has responded to TMZ's story this morning that he's leaving "American Idol."
As we first reported, Lythgoe will spend his time working on his show, "So You Think You Can Dance," as well as starting a joint venture with "A.I." creator Simon Fuller.
Lythgoe sent us a statement, which reads in part, "Due to the huge success of 'So You Think You Can Dance,' my summer will be taken up by travels to South Africa, Australia and Canada to work on local versions of the show. I will step back from my day-to-day producing work on 'American Idol' and will be devoting my time to a new venture with Simon Fuller. I have very much enjoyed my personal and professional relationship with Simon. He is without doubt, a man of vision, and I look forward to partnering with him on new and exciting challenges in all forms of entertainment."
Lythgoe also debunked rumors that he's leaving 19 Entertainment.
Filed under: American Idol
Posted Aug 4th 2008 11:00AM by TMZ Staff
Nigel Lythgoe is off "American Idol."
TMZ has learned Lythgoe, who has executive produced the show for seven seasons, has just taken himself off the program and will not return. No replacement has been named.
We're told Lythgoe felt it was time for someone else to step in. Sources say he's said privately he is "not passionate about it anymore." "A.I.'s" ratings slipped last season, and the show was getting a little boring.
We're also told Lythgoe is working on some kind of a joint venture with Simon Fuller, who created "Idol." Lythgoe wants to spend his time on "So You Think You Can Dance."
Filed under: American Idol
Posted Jul 27th 2008 7:05AM by TMZ Staff
Judging by the look on Justin Guarini's face, it's frightening how big of a difference it makes to come in second place.
While Kelly Clarkson has played the big people stage at Universal's Gibson Amphitheater -- "American Idol" runner-up Justin Guarini is forced to rock out a free gig on the City Walk.
Filed under: American Idol
Posted Jul 25th 2008 9:00AM by TMZ Staff
Nikki McKibbin, is that you?!
Carrie Underwood (right) proved "Idol" does give back and spared some dollars to a homeless woman who was not on "A.I." (left) in Beverly Hills on Thursday.
Taylor Hicks was nowhere in sight.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, American Idol
Posted Jul 19th 2008 5:45PM by TMZ Staff
The crappiest Idol performer since forever may think his fame is a lot bigger than his crazazy Mohawk.
After seeing our recent story, organizers of the Plymouth Rox Summer Fest are scrambling to contact Sanjaya to join their show. There's one problem. The obviously tone deaf organizers are having a hard time getting Sanjaya to return their calls! Divatude!
Sanjaya must be too busy washing those 15 minutes out of his hair.
Filed under: Wacky & Weird, American Idol
Posted Jul 18th 2008 2:05PM by TMZ Staff
Might as well call Jeff Archuleta "Geppetto," because it's clear he's still the puppet master behind the scenes of his son's career. Yesterday at LAX, David echoed Daddy's every word.
Filed under: American Idol
