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Post from: Idol Stalker

For now, American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks is having to take the back seat on the charts to runner-up, Blake Lewis.

Blake’s single “You Give Love a Bad Name” broke into the top 10 at #9 and Jordin’s “This is My Now” is hovering at #14.

It’ll be interesting to see where they are after summer.

Post from: Idol Stalker

So, Lindsay Lohan, who recently was found passed out in her car and is in rehab again gets the cover of People magazine this week, while American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, gets a teeny tiny little corner. Is there no justice in the world? Well, before anyone starts feeling sorry for Jordin, I should remind you that, although she has appeared in magazines as a model in the past, she’s never been on the cover of one. Congrats Jordin! The article is good so if you haven’t picked up a copy, buy one – now!

Incidentally, I have absolutely nothing against LiLo or rehab (I’m happy that she’s getting help, actually), so please don’t go crazy on me!

Post from: Idol Stalker

NBC will celebrate America’s 231st birthday with a live broadcast of the “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.” Of the performers, country music star (and American Idol guest) Martina McBride will open the event and Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle will perform a song together to tribute the Nation’s birthday.

The event is America’s largest 4th of July fireworks extravaganza and will feature 35,000 shells which will be set off over New York City.

Cool. Wish I could be there but I’ll just have to watch it on television!

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Post from: Idol Stalker

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Post from: Idol Stalker

After being crowned the American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks sat down with People magazine for a cute little interview. Jordin fans will love it!

Have you gotten your driver’s license? And are you a good driver?
Yeah, I have my driver’s license. I actually got it July of last year, so it was about before I went and auditioned. So, I’m ok, I haven’t gotten any tickets or anything yet. I’m all right.

How did you do on your driver’s test?
Well, my driver’s test I think I did pretty well. The permit test, I kind of had a problem with, but then I went and studied and I passed – so it was good.

How do you think will handle the pressures in Hollywood to be super thin?
Oh, that super thin stuff? Hollywood needs to get over it, but I don’t know. I’ve got a really good family around me and I love the people that I’ve got around me and I’m pretty sure they’ll keep me grounded – I know they will because they’re always like, “Don’t let it go to your head, Jordin.” And I’m like, “Okay.” And I know that my mom, and my dad and my grandparents – as long as I got them with me I’ll be okay.

How did you emotionally handle the shows various pressure throughout the season?
It’s cool because since I am a minor I have a guardian with me and so I had my mom or my nana, because they would switch off. I would have them with me throughout the season, so it was cool to have them to lean on.

Who is your celebrity crush?
I’m going to have to say Brad Pitt. Why?
I don’t know – he’s just really cute. I don’t know him so I don’t know anything else except he’s just really good-looking.

What was your greatest moment before winning Idoll?
Oh my gosh, you’re going to laugh at me but getting my braces off. I’m just a normal quirky 17-year-old girl and getting my braces off was awesome. I did get my license and that was cool. And then just making it through the first round of auditions I was just – it amazed me because I didn’t think that I had a chance because so many people auditioned.

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Ever wonder what is going on behind the scenes before American Idol airs? Well here’s a glimpse into what happened before the finale.

Blake’s VIP Treatment

Thirty minutes before the show started, Blake Lewis, rockin’ his performance gear, made an appearance in the FOX VIP room in the Kodak Theatre lobby. The room lit up as the finalist was escorted in, looking cool as ice despite having to get onstage and take on Jordin Sparks moments later. Blake, who was all smiles, greeted guests, shaking hands as he made his way around the room.

The Idols

Johnny the warm-up guy led the cheers and jeers at the Kodak Theatre Tuesday night. With the clock counting down to show time, he introduced the top 10 (minus two), sending the crowd into hysterics as Haley Scarnato, Melinda Doolittle, Chris Sligh, Sanjaya Malakar, Phil Stacey (wearing his black and white sailor suit), Gina Glocksen, Brandon Rogers, Stephanie Edwards and Chris Richardson made their way into the room. And this group, who will hit the road for the American Idols Live tour this summer, couldn’t have been a happier, more easy-going bunch.

Brandon, who may have been the most excited of the group, snapped digital photos of everything – including Sanjaya and Haley, who posed together, Haley doing rabbit ears behind Sanjaya’s head. Meanwhile, Chris Richardson and Melinda rocked out, with Richardson’s arm around her, as music played over the sound system, while Chris Sligh, always the loner, still with that signature ‘do, decided to make his way over to greet and congratulate the Lewis family (something all the Idols would do later on).

They should be dancing

When it was time to introduce the judges, band leader Ricky Minor had a little surprise up his sleeve: When Simon Cowell came out wearing, rather than his signature tight tee, a discoed-out black suit with a white shirt unbuttoned down to his “cleavage” (as Ryan Seacrest would later joke), Minor and band played “You Should Be Dancing” by the Bee Gees, replacing the lyrics with “It’s Simon Cowell, yeah.”

But, of course, Simon and Randy Jackson were already in their seats, with no sign of Paula Abdul. No problem: Minor and crew had some lyrics for that as well, adding “where’s Paula Abdul? Where’s Paula Abdul?” And, finally, Ryan, who is always on cue and on time, got a little theme too as he made his way onto the stage: “What you doin’ Seacrest, yeah? It’s Ryan Seacrest, yeah!”

Where’s Paula?

With two and a half minutes left to air, there was no sign of Paula anywhere. The audience started chanting “Where’s Paula? Where’s Paula?” With seconds to spare, in she came under the guidance of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who brought her out by the hand and let her hug and greet the former Idols before helping her up a step and into her seat. (She’d broken her nose in a nasty fall over the weekend.)

Ryan, Ryan

After Ryan introduced Simon Cowell as “Simon Cleavage” and said on live TV, “So the bitch is okay?” to Paula Abdul after she explained how she’d tripped over her female dog, it was revealed that Ryan’s parents were in the house. “The Seacrest family is here,” said Johnny the warm-up guy. “Big round of applause for Mom and Dad!” Aww … Ryan smiled as he headed over to do his next monologue right next to his folks. But true to form, he didn’t let their presence hold him back, continuing to make often risqué quips on and off screen.

Blockin’ up the scenery

Too bad for the sign-holders in the middle of the orchestra-level seating: Debbie the stage manager warned them before the show started not to hold their signs up too high as they were going to obstruct the cameras. Then, to their dismay, they asked to pass their signs to the ends of their rows so they could be removed. Let that be a warning.

TV Dads

Ricky Schroder was in the audience with his wife Andrea, daughter Cambrie and sons Holden and Luke, as was Heroes’ Greg Grunberg, with his wife Elizabeth and their sons Jack, Sam and Ben. During one commercial break, Schroder, holding his daughter’s hand, went up to shake hands with and chat with the judges.

Chris Daughtry Comes ‘Home’

Fans have heard the song “Home” all season each time one of the finalists was given their walking papers, but tonight, to the crowd’s delight, former Idol Chris Daughtry gave a live performance of the song that even the judges had to stand up for. Audience members, including Denise Richards and Marlee Matlin, cheered and gave Daughtry and his band a standing ovation.

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Post from: Idol Stalker

Yuck – I hope this isn’t true. Apparently, before the finale, Antonella Barba, Haley Scarnato and Gina Glocksen put messages up on their MySpace pages urging their friends to vote for Jordin Sparks. That is rough! I’m not sure why they would feel it’s appropriate to do to Blake Lewis with whom they must tour this summer. If they were from a different season, maybe, but I don’t think fellow cast-members should do this kind of thing. It just isn’t classy, in my books. Well, Antonella and Haley had already shown us that but I was surprised at Gina.

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Post from: Idol Stalker

Post from: Idol Stalker

Entertainment Weekly was able to get a quick interview in with Idol’s golden girl:

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So what is it like to follow in Kelly Clarkson’s footsteps?

JORDIN SPARKS: Oh my God… really amazing. I hope I can be as successful as she is. Her being here tonight was so cool.

EW: Have you been thinking back to when you were 12 and watching Kelly win in the first Idol finale?

Jordin: Yeah, and I got a little choked up when I started singing the song because it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. When I was 12, I remember the show was just starting out. We were actually watching the finale and I was just like, ”I want to do that, Mom.” I said I wanted to do it, and now I’ve done it. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

EW: Did you first audition in Seattle?

Jordin: I auditioned in L.A. and didn’t make it past the first round. They told me no, so I was like, Okay, something obviously has to happen. Something else is in the works. So I went home and I did an ”Arizona Idol” competition. I won that and they sent me to Seattle.

EW: What did they tell you in L.A.?

Jordin: A producer made me sing a couple songs. And she was like, ”I really like your voice, but there’s something missing.” And I was like, ”Are you sure?!” [Giggles] And they were like, Yeah, sorry, sweetheart, maybe try out in another city. And I was like, ”Well, I’d love to try out in another city, but the next city is kinda far away.” So when I went back home and I did the ”Arizona Idol” thing, when they said they were going to send me to Seattle, it was just this blessing in disguise.

EW: What was going through your head after you sang ”A Broken Wing” and Simon said it was the first time he could see you winning the competition?

Jordin: Oh, during country week! It was one of those moments where I was just like, Did he really just say that? I mean, seriously, you never think he will say that to you.

EW:We spoke during the Top 12 party, and you told me you wanted to win because you’re young and you want someone young to win this year. So how does it feel to be the youngest American Idol ever?

Jordin: [Covers mouth, eyes water] OH MY GOD! Oh my gosh, I totally forgot about that. [Pause] Oh my gosh, really? I am?! I’m the youngest one? [Closes eyes, pumps arms] Yes! Yes! Yes! Yesssss! That’s so cool. I LOVE it.

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