Daughtry performed an acoustic version of their song “No Surprise” on Sirius Satellite radio and I kind of like this better than their real release.  It feels a lot more intimate and Chris Daughtry’s voice is so amazing and I think you can hear him a lot more clearly when it’s just him and a guitar.

Despite the fact that the contract of original judge, Paula Abdul, appears to be in limbo, media outlets (including E! Online) are reporting that Kara DioGuardi will be returning to American Idol next season.

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

They quote a source as saying (about DioGuardi):  “Her deal is done. There are no ifs, ands or buts.  Done. She will be back.”

I’m sure she’s getting a lot less than the others are getting but I’m sure they have planned their finances to accommodate the salary of all four judges.  I’m not worried at all that Paula might not return – they’d be crazy to let her go since I think a lot of viewers love her sweetness while others enjoy watching her crazy antics.

Will the news about Simon Cowell and Sinitta ever just go away?  The pair dated off and on for a long time and they each say that the other broke their hearts (with Sinitta going off about Simon’s cheating) but they just can’t seem to stay away from each other.

Now that Sinitta is divorcing financier Andy Willner, Simon is apparently providing the moral support.  Sinitta said: "Simon’s been supporting me big time. But I’ve been trying not to turn up on his doorstep in tears too much. Just knowing he’s there makes a huge difference.  Andy’s taking care of the kids in Hong Kong while Simon spoils me. He’s told me to concentrate on all positive things in life so we’ll be having fun – jet-skiing, reading, wining and dining.  Simon’s friendship is the most important in my life. I never knew my father and I don’t have a brother or any uncles, so he’s been the most constant man in my life since I was 14. I couldn’t live without him."

Don’t assume the pair are going to rekindle their romance (even though Sinitta ranks Simon an “11 out of 10 in bed”).  She went on to say: "I’m everything he doesn’t want! If he’d wanted marriage and kids we would have stayed together 20 years ago! I’m hoping he finds a new girlfriend soon – I’m just hoping that I’ll get on with her. There have been a few who haven’t liked me but luckily it hasn’t worked out!"

The ever adorable, David Archuleta, performed the Colbie Caillat mega-hit, “Bubbly” at his concert in Pittsburgh last night.  Of course, he did a really good job and the crowd went crazy when they realized what he was singing (they also sang along).  I have always wondered if people get annoyed when the audience sings along.

Anyway, the Season 7 American Idol runner-up, seems so much more at ease every time I see him.  It’s hard to believe that he’s the same little awkward kid that was on Idol.  He has such an amazing voice!  He’s also gotten better at putting emotion into these types of romantic, lovey-dovey songs too.

The seventh American Idol winner, David Cook, had a little time on his hands so he chose to go play golf with some of his friends.  He took up the sport since it was one of the things that his brother Adam loved.  Among his golf mates was Raine Maida, who is the frontman of Canadian band, Our Lady Peace (my husband’s favorite!).  He and Maida worked together on some songs and David credits him as one of his biggest influences.  I can see that!

This video is pretty entertaining – I always love to see celebrities just acting normal and silly.

Pepsi Music Exclusive: Another Side Of… on Yahoo Music!

The music video for Kelly Clarkson’s new single “Already Gone” has been released and she’s none too pleased about the whole thing even though she looks really beautiful. 

If you heard the song and felt like you were having déjà vu you aren’t imagining things.  The music for the song is remarkably similar to that of Beyoncé’s song “Halo.”  This isn’t a case of Kelly copying someone else – both singers got the shaft.

Kelly that she wrote this song with OneRepublic frontman, Ryan Tedder.  She explained: "Ryan and I met each other at the record label, before he was working with anyone else. … I’d never heard of a song called ‘Halo’. Her [Beyoncé] album came out when my album was already being printed.  No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyoncé and Kelly the same track to write to.’  No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’.  In the end, they’re releasing it without my consent. It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over. I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a shitty situation, but. … You know, you learn."

Man… I would be FURIOUS!  Like off the rails pissed off if I were Kelly.  I am glad that she’s the outspoken person that she is and that she set the record straight because I definitely thought there was something weird going on.

Anyway, check out the new music video.  She looks really pretty:

I’m so sad about this bit of news!  Do you remember Alexis Cohen?  She tried out twice for the show and the first time, her potty-mouthed tirade became legendary after the judges failed to put her through (Simon Cowell even told her that she looked like Willem Dafoe).  They went so far as to call her “scariest woman in Philadelphia" but I actually kinda liked her rendition of “Somebody to Love.”  She said that she was studying to be a vet and was living in a studio apartment with her mom, two cats and a dog.   

She came back for the Season 8 auditions and was a lot calmer and refined.  I was really shocked at her transformation!  She sang “Like a Prayer” and, again, I didn’t find her that bad but Simon said she was “fairly horrendous.”  She replied by giving him the finger and calling him an a**hole.

The very sad and tragic news is that Alexis has been found dead.  The Allentown Call said that she was discovered lying “outside around 4 a.m. by two passersby who called 911.  She was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, N.J., where she was pronounced dead around 6:35 a.m.”  They believe that the 25-year-old was the victim of a hit-and-run. 

Last night on So You Think You Can Dance, singles from two American Idol winners, Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen, were used during dance routines.  It was a great episode last night, did anyone see it? 

Anyway, Kris’ interpretation of Kanye West’s “Heartless” was used during Evan and Janette’s routine.  I wasn’t a huge fan of the dance (I really don’t like the Rumba anyway) but Kris sounded great! 

Brandon and Jeanine delivered an energetic pop jazz routine to “Battlefield” and I really liked it.  At first it seemed like Jeanine was having a hard time but she got it together and the last third of the dance was really good.

In yet another talk show appearance to promote her new Battlefield album, Jordin Sparks performed the title track on Live With Regis and Kelly.  She seems so comfortable singing this song that she’s ready to move on to the next single  

She looked really good too.  I didn’t like the volume control on the backup singers at first but it seems like they got it together.  Talk shows never have great audio anyway. 

Kellie Pickler looked comfortable and cute on Day 2 of the 17th Annual Country Thunder USA music festival.  I know this was last week but I only spotted the pictures today.

Did anyone get to go?  It’s looks like it was a lot of fun but, then again, music festivals always look like you’d have a great time. 

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