Holly was at the Sports Dream Celebrity Poker pool party this weekend and she told Us magazine the following:  "We are not dating but just very close…

It was funny. I was shocked because we were such close friends, and I had no idea that anyone else thought there was anything romantic going on. People in camp joked about it, but we knew it was a joke so it was funny to us. We will continue our friendship forever.  Sanjaya came out to visit me last week!"

Holly’s brother-in-law, Spencer Pratt (who is married to her sister, Heidi), seems to be supportive of a possible relationship with Sanjaya.  Speidi were also contestants on the show but Spencer said: “I will very happily hand the famed cup of superstar couple on planet Earth to Sanjaya and Holly in a second.  Go for it!"

Maybe they are just taking it slow?  I thought they made a cute couple.  What’s a better nickname for them – Sanjolly or Hanjaya?

image: Zuma Press

Post from: Idol Stalker

The first thing that shocked me was how down-to-earth, willing to work and knowledgeable former supermodel, Janice Dickinson is.  I had no idea she was as tough as she is and I really gained some respect for her.  She also looks a LOT better without all that makeup on even though her plastic surgery is still a little unsettling…

Predictably, Spencer and Heidi Pratt of MTV’s The Hills were ridiculous.  Spencer really has some major rage issues and all their prayer and excuses just drove me insane.  From the few times that I’ve seen The Hills, I thought of him as a controlling and possibly abusive boyfriend (and now husband) to Heidi and after he freaked out on everyone last night, I am pretty sure that my suspicions were accurate.  They tried to quit twice last night and I’m hearing this morning that they have finally gone home.  Lame.

The biggest surprise (to me) was that Sanjaya Malakar was not a whiner by any stretch of the imagination and he did some pretty gross and scary tasks (like drinking an “intestine milkshake” and laying with his head surrounding by spiders) with relative ease.  I had no idea he was as tough as he is and I was really happy that the former American Idol finalist didn’t make a fool of himself.

Did you watch the show?  If so, what did you think?

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

Post from: Idol Stalker

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

If you don’t have the time to watch the shows and also don’t have a DVR, don’t worry!  MTV will be airing a marathon of the week’s episodes each Sunday, starting June 7, 2009.

Along with Sanjaya the following celebs have signed on: Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (MTV’s “The Hills”), NBA star and TV personality John Salley (”Best Damned Sports Show Period”), supermodel and TV star Janice Dickinson (”The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency”), actor Stephen Baldwin (”The Mole,” “Celebrity Apprentice”), professional wrestler and beauty queen Torrie Wilson and the wife of disgraced former Illinois Governor, Rob Blagojevich.

Will you be tuning in tonight?  Have you seen any of the other seasons?  I liked the one with Melissa Rivers and Stuttering John.

Post from: Idol Stalker

It’s an absolutely ridiculous show and, honestly, the celebrities are barely current or noteworthy.  It’s not like they secured Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts for it but I digress…

This season Sanjaya will join newlyweds, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (MTV’s "The Hills"), NBA star and TV personality John Salley ("Best Damned Sports Show Period"), supermodel and TV star Janice Dickinson ("The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency"), actor Stephen Baldwin ("The Mole,” “Celebrity Apprentice”) and professional wrestler and beauty queen Torrie Wilson. 

Embattled former Illinois Governor, Rob Blagojevich, has been invited to participate but, due to the charges pending against him, he may not be able to travel to Costa Rica where it is being filmed.

The action starts on June 1, 2009 with a two-hour premiere, running Monday through Thursdays until the finale on Wednesday, June 24 (8-9 p.m.).  If you miss it during the week, MTV will be airing a marathon of the week’s episodes each Sunday, starting June 7, 2009.

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

Post from: Idol Stalker

I will cover the event in three parts (motorcade, American Idol Experience show and the after-party) over the next three days.  Today, I’ll kick things off by telling you all about the American Idol motorcade. 

The blue carpet was rolled out for the stars and one by one.  Mickey Mouse got things started but was then followed by Justin Guarini (runner-up, season 1).  He looked great and was all smiles for the fans and the media.
Next was Chris Sligh (finalist, season 6).  He talked a little bit about how his song “Here Comes Goodbye” was picked up by Rascal Flatts and is actually the first single off of their new album.

It was a star-studded event.  Check out more pictures including Carrie Underwood, David Cook and David Archuleta after the jump!

Michael Johns (finalist, season 7) was right behind him and the one of the hostesses commented on how attractive he looked (the ladies in the crowd cheered in agreement). The reigning American Idol winner, David Cook, was next to drive up and he looked really great in his white jacket.  He was asked if he was sad to be losing his title in the next couple months and he said “no” because it’s great to have the Idol family expand.  Awwww!
Bucky Covington (finalist, season 5) was up next.  He got quite a bit of applause from the country music fans in the crowd.  The hostesses commented on his beautiful hair and asked him about his new album.  They asked when it was coming out (June-ish, 2009) and what it would be named (he had no idea). 
The adorable Ace Young (finalist, season 5) followed and I have to admit that his shorter hair is growing on me. The infamous Sanjaya Malakar (finalist, season 6) drove up and was actually filming the crowd.  One of the hostesses asked him what he was going to do with the footage.  He told her that he was going to put it up on his website (www.sanjayaworld.com).  They also asked about his new book Dancing to the Music in My Head (I talked to him about it at the party – come back on Monday for more!).  When probed for some juicy revelations from the book, Sanjaya declined to answer but he did tell them that there was a lot that he wanted people to know about the audition process.
The gorgeous Carrie Underwood (winner, season 4) was next to arrive and she really did look stunning.  The crowd erupted in applause for the tiny country music superstar.  She really is as sweet in real-life as she seems on television.
Jason Castro (finalist, season 7) drove up just as the hostesses were talking about his hair.  One asked what he held his dreads together with and the other one said “dirt.”  Wow.  Fortunately, the crowd was told that his hair actually smells nice so I’m sure they were joking about the dirt!  They asked about the fact that his brother was cut from the show (Jason actually made the slit-throat motion when they asked about Michael – ha ha!).  Jason said it was fine and was a learning experience.
Season 3 runner-up, Diana DeGarmo, looked great with dark hair and purple streaks!  They asked her about her role in Oz: The Musical, which is currently on tour.  She plays Dorothy and I’m sure she’s great.  Pick up tickets at Ticketmaster.com!
Joshua Gracin (finalist, season 2) looked really good (but different than I remember him – did he get his teeth done?).  Again, the country music fans showed their love for him.
Season 2 winner, Ruben Studdard, looked great in a tan suit.  He was asked about his stint in Ain’t Misbehavin’ but I couldn’t hear what he said about it.  The crowd was loud that day! Bo Bice (runner-up, season 4) was the next Idol star to drive up the blue carpet.  One of the hostesses joked that it wasn’t fair that he could grow his hair so long and not have any split ends.  I agree!

Season 6 finalist, Lakisha Jones, looked really nice in her black and white dress.  It suited her so well!  They briefly asked her about her new album and her role in Broadway production of The Color Purple.
Phil Stacey (finalist, season 6) was the only star that I saw standing in his vehicle as he made his way down the blue carpet.  Fortunately, they were only going about two miles an hour at that point so it was reasonably safe!
Brooke White (finalist, season 7) is soooo much tinier in person than I ever expected.  She’s adorable too!  Still, there’s something about her doing the devil horns that just doesn’t look quite right…
Taylor Hicks (winner, season 5) drove up and it was announced to the crowd that the singer is “very single.”  Wow!  Of course, one woman in the crowd offered to help him get over his loneliness! Mandisa (finalist, season 5) showed up looking absolutely incredible.  She revealed that she had lost 70 pounds through a lot of dieting and exercise and said that she’s have to avoid all the good food at the party later that night.  It’s entirely worth the sacrifice, Mandisa – you look great, girl!  They asked her if there was an Idol here that she hadn’t met before and she said that she was really excited to meet Fantasia!  Syesha Mercado (finalist, season 7) showed up wearing the kind of big earrings she is known to love (I was scared for her later when she got on a ride wearing them – more on that on Monday!).  She looked gorgeous!
American Idol season 3 winner, Fantasia Barrino, looked really polished in her black, white and red outfit and I really loved her hair. 

Carly Smithson (finalist, season 7) was asked about this season’s disqualified hopeful, Joanna Pacitti.  Some felt that Carly, like Joanna, had too much experience going into the contest but Carly maintained that their situations are different.  I didn’t quite understand her whole explanation but she mentioned that she had really wanted to make it in the business and felt that she deserved the chance. Melinda Doolittle (finalist, season 6) was asked about her album (I got to tell her how much I loved it – more on Monday!) titled Coming Back to You which was released earlier this month.  I love the album so you should consider picking up a copy! Season 7 runner-up, David Archuleta, was next to drive up and it was hard to get a good picture of him since the crowd was going crazy and he was turning in so many directions.  He was so cute!
The winner of the sixth season of American Idol, Jordin Sparks, looked really elegant in her cream-colored dress.  She also looked noticeably slimmer.  What do you think? 

American Idol host, Ryan Seacrest, was asked about the Joanna Pacitti disqualification but he said that he doesn’t know what happened and just knows that she left the show.  Good answer, Ryan!
American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, was asked about Joanna Pacitti but, again, declined to give a complete answer.  Paula said that Joanna was disqualified and that was about it.  She looked like she was having an absolute blast, though!  Kimberley Locke (finalist, season 2) was the final person in the motorcade and, unfortunately, things were changing around me so quickly by the time she drove up that I don’t really remember what she was talking about.  The motorcade had also sped up so the pictures we took weren’t great either.

It was announced that Kelly Clarkson’s vehicle wasn’t coming out and they speculated over the possibility that the first American Idol winner had come late and maybe missed the motorcade.  Hmmm…

images: Jyle Dupuis

Post from: Idol Stalker

He was on the daytime talk show to talk about his new book, “Dancing to the Music in My Head.”  If you’re interested, you can read an excerpt on the Good Morning America website.  I’m not sure if I’m a big enough fan of Sanjaya’s to read (or buy) his book.  Are you going to get it?

Anyway, MJ’s Big Blog had a pretty good synopsis of the excerpt.  Read the following and tell me what you think: 

• Sanjaya claims he received a $100,000 advance for his book. (His publisher ain’t never gonna make that back.)
• He’s not gay. He’s been dating a 17 year-old high school senior for the past year.
• He lost his virginity at 16
• He’d be willing to pose nude if it were “really classy”
• About Blake bad mouthing him in interviews, Sanjaya said “the guy has his own talents” and that it didn’t bother him..

I feel like most of the stuff that’s going to be in the book could have been covered in a really good, in-depth interview.  I’m not sure if there’s enough there to really make a good page-turner.

I found this short video from his appearance on GMA.  It’s not the best but I couldn’t find anything else.

images: splashnewsonline.com

Post from: Idol Stalker

What do you remember about that year?  Was it Jordin Sparks’ winning moment?  Blake Lewis’ killer performance of “Shot Through the Heart (You Give Love a Bad Name)”?  Sanjaya’s ponyhawk? 

To help jog your memory, here’s the Top 12 list from the sixth season of American Idol (dates indicate when the contestant was eliminated, year was 2007):

• Jordin Sparks – Winner
• Blake Lewis – May 23
• Melinda Doolittle – May 16
• LaKisha Jones – May 9
• Chris Richardson & Phil Stacey – May 2
• Sanjaya Malakar – April 18
• Haley Scarnato – April 11
• Gina Glocksen – April 4
• Chris Sligh – March 28
• Stephanie Edwards – March 21
• Brandon Rogers – March 14

image: Newscom

Post from: Idol Stalker

Post from: Idol Stalker

Post from: Idol Stalker

Q. What made you want to star in the new ad for Nationwide?

Sanjaya:   I’ve always liked Nationwide’s ads because I think they are really funny and they have a good message – be prepared for your life to change in the future. The point of the ad is that you have to have a plan for your retirement, which I think is important. Nationwide came up with a concept that I liked a lot. They’re trying to reach Americans of South Asian descent with this ad, but I think everyone will think it’s funny.

Q. The theme of the new Nationwide ad is “Life Comes at You Fast.”  How have you experienced that in your life? 

Sanjaya: American Idol was like a dream come true. When I started, nobody knew who I was. I was just one of the thousands of people with a dream who took a shot. As the season progressed more and more people began to recognize me. It was great to get so much support from fans. The show opened a lot of doors for me. Now I’m looking forward to the next stage of my career. It’s really exciting. I don’t know exactly what will happen, but there are some great possibilities.

Q. What’s next for Sanjaya?

Sanjaya:  I’ve got big plans. I just moved to New York and I’m so excited to be living there. I’m looking forward to pursuing some opportunities in acting and modeling. I’m also beginning work on a new album that will be released later this year. I can’t wait for fans to hear it.

I’m looking forward to showing the world a whole new Sanjaya. American Idol was great, but I think there’s a lot more to me than what you saw on the show. The Nationwide commercial is the first of many exciting projects I have planned.

Q. Will we see the crazy hair again?
Sanjaya:  Actually – you will see it in the Nationwide ad. It certainly got people’s attention on American Idol so hopefully it helps generate more buzz about the new ad.

You might remember Kevin Federline’s commercial which premiered during the Super Bowl.  I thought it was funny so check it out:

image provided by Newscom

Post from: Idol Stalker