They decided to do the show based on the fact that “Fantasia has one of the most fascinating stories in show business” and I can see what they mean.  I hope this works out for her and doesn’t end up adding stress to her life but, with the economy the way it is, I can’t imagine turning down an offer to do a television show.

When I watch programs like Jon & Kate Plus Eight and even American Chopper, I always wonder how having cameras following you around affects your real life.  Do your relationships become fake?  Do you lose the intimacy of those private moments? 

What do you think?  Would you do a reality TV show and, more importantly, will you watch Fantasia’s new show?

image: Bauer-Griffin

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She also wanted to address all of the rumors that her home was in foreclosure because she couldn’t pay for it.  Of the 1.3 million estate in North Carolina, Fantasia said: “We’re still in my home. I take care of my whole family so there’s no way I could [let] anybody take it,” she said. “It wasn’t a foreclosure, it was just somebody trying to take it away from me, but that’s the industry and there’s a lot of people out here, but as you can see I’m still a strong tough cookie, I got that from Miss Celie.”

I’m guessing Fantasia is quite attached to the role since it looks like she will be returning to the play: “Yes, Miss Celie. [I’m] going back, end of June around my birthday time, so another birthday with Miss Celie,” she said.

image: Bauer-Griffin

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At the event, all of the former American Idol winners were brought on stage where they were presented with awards made especially for this occasion (they looked like old-fashioned microphones).  This was the first and only time that I saw Kelly Clarkson. 

Season 7 winner, David Cook, did an acoustic version of his hit, “Light On” and then season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, also performed an acoustic rendition of her song “All-American Girl.”  They pair then sang “You Can Go Your Own Way” together and it was such a good duet that a lot of people were later saying they should actually record and release it as a single.

There was also a pretty hilarious exchange between Ryan Seacrest and Paula Abdul while they spoke to the “contestants” before the performances.  Paula went over to give them tips on how to relax and when she started massaging one girl’s shoulder, Ryan said something like “now, remember Paula about the rules regarding contestants?”  The audience booed but we also laughed when Ryan referenced the situation with former contestant, Corey Clark, who alleged that he had an inappropriate relationship with Paula.

That’s basically all I’m at liberty to say but, in the meantime, here’s a video that walks you through the attraction:

image: Jyle Dupuis

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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

Jennifer won for The secret Life of Bees which took the award for Best Motion Picture while American Idol season 7 won for best Reality TV Series.

Fantasia and Jennifer both won for Best Duo, Group or Collaboration for J-Hud’s song “I’m His Only Woman” featuring Fantasia. Then, Jennifer snagged two more awards! One for Best New Artist and the other for Best Album for her self entitled CD, Jennifer Hudson.

Were there any disappointments for you guys at the awards last night?

image: Bauer-Griffin

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Her performance garnered a standing ovation. Watch it here:

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SEE MORE PICTURES AFTER THE JUMP

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Apparently, the lender had helped the American Idol winner pay off her taxes back in 2006 but she had failed to repay the money they had loaned her. 

Wow… tough times.  I don’t know all the details but I am happy that this matter could be resolved without having to auction off the home.  If nothing else, it’s embarrassing to have something like this happen publicly, regardless of the reasons. 

image ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Frank Micelotta / FOX.

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It was also the year that Jennifer Hudson was eliminated in 7th place.  I remember not being about to believe she was sent home and I wondered what was wrong with the public but she got her revenge by winning an Oscar award for her performance in Dreamgirls. 

Since the show Fantasia has released two albums (Free Yourself and Fantasia), has been nominated for awards and appeared in The Color Purple (April 2007 to January 2008) on Broadway.  She is expected to release a third album sometime this year.

Diana released one album, Blue Skies (2004), appeared on Broadway in the musical Hairspray (September 2006 to February 2007), performed at Carnegie Hall (April 2007) and finally made the career-changing decision to appear on Gone Country.  She released the country music track, “Right Back Where We Ended” and has won rave reviews in the genre.

Here are the Top 10 from season three.  I remember really liking Matthew Rogers so I’m happy he’s now the host of the Discovery Channel’s “Really Big Things.”  Who did you like from this list?

• Fantasia Barrino – Winner
• Diana DeGarmo – Eliminated May 26, 2004
• Jasmine Trias - Eliminated May 19
• La Toya London – Eliminated May 12
• George Huff – Eliminated May 5
• John Stevens – Eliminated April 28
• Jennifer Hudson – Eliminated April 21
• Jon Peter Lewis – Eliminated April 15
• Camile Velasco – Eliminated April 7
• Amy Adams – Eliminated March 31
• Matthew Rogers – Eliminated March 24
• Leah LaBelle – Eliminated March 17

image: Newscom

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