Here are some great pictures from the appearance.  Have you had a chance to listen to her new album, Play On?  I think it’s awesome!

Watch her great performance of “Cowboy Casanova.”  She really is an incredible live performer.  Make sure you check out the other videos after the jump!

image: Zuma Press

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!

source

Post from: Idol Stalker

In an interview with Goof Morning America on Thursday, Simon tells Britney to “go home to your family.” I’d say that some good sound advice. He also says that Brit-Brit is still able to say her career because she is “still one of the most talked about pop stars on the planet. She has the X-factor because people want to write about her. She’s not conventional, she’s not normal.” He adds, though, that Britney “can’t handle the tension and the pressure.” His advice? “Lock the door, don’t go out with your stupid friends, have some home-cooked food, get a sense of reality, go lie in the garden, okay? And then say to yourself, ‘There’s more good in my life than bad. I’m still a rich, talented girl – now I want to get my career back on track.’ End of story.”

HERE’S WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT WHO SHOULD HAVE WON…

Simon went on to say that “Jordin was the most improved over the whole season. She didn’t start the best but midway through, this was the girl who suddenly got momentum.”

But…

“Melinda should have won,” he says. “She tried the hardest, was consistently the best and had the best voice. I think about it now – whether I should have endorsed her as much as [I did],” he says. “I think it was the right thing to do.”

source

Post from: Idol Stalker

So many of you have written in to ask if I saw Melinda Doolittle’s face during Jordin Sparks’ performance. I did but I did not have a screenshot of it. TallFreak has graciously provided me with one. It is priceless. Melinda’s probably just concentrating on what Jordin’s doing but I cracked up last night. In this shot, even Chris Richardson looks a little taken-aback but he is a Blake Lewis fan, so it’s understandable.

Thanks, Tall Freak!

Post from: Idol Stalker

Melinda Doolittle went home last night. I am beginning to wonder about some of the theories circulating out there. One of the most popular is that they want Jordin to win, so in order to do that, they had to remove the biggest threat – Melinda. I love Blake and that is not meant as an insult, nor is it a suggestion that Jordin is not talented, but I can kinda see the logic. This is a sad day. To tell the truth, any one of the three going home is tragic. They were all so different and so talented in their own way. I think the absolute saddest part was Simon Cowell’s reaction. He was visibly upset by the news. I don’t know if I have ever seen him react like this:

Goodbye, Melinda. You are a class-act, amazingly talented and have grown so much as a performer. I hope to see your name in lights someday soon!

Photo source

Post from: Idol Stalker

Several thousand people gathered on the campus of Belmont University this morning, some arriving as early as 6 a.m., to welcome American Idol Top 3 semifinalist Melinda Doolittle back to her alma mater. Doolittle, who was once the college mascot, graduated in 1999.

Melinda, who rode through the streets of Brentwood, Tennessee in a white Mustang convertible, wiped away tears as she looked out at the crowd, many of whom were wearing “Belmont Hearts Melinda Doolittle” gear. About the homecoming, Melinda said “Wow. This is probably one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced, and it’s so good to be home.”

Belmont president Robert Fisher led Doolittle to the unveiling of a new blue street sign that read “Melinda Doolittle Way.” That sign indicates more than just the street’s temporary name for the month, Fisher said. “Melinda Dolittle Way is the way to live life,” Fisher said. Melinda is known for her humility, so it’s no surprise that she reacted to the street sign with a gasp and shaky hands. Fisher also proclaimed it “Melinda Doolittle Day.”

After taking the stage, she said, “I’m a mess. OK, my mom is worse than I am so I’m OK.”

Doolittle sang, “Home,” but the sound went out several times during the show because of production problems. She also sang “Since You’ve Been Gone,” (not to be confused with Kelly Clarkson’s song).

Doolittle said what she has learned from her Idol experience is, “You can dream so big and God can take it farther than you ever thought.”

Doolittle began her morning at the Wildhorse Saloon where she appeared on the local Foxshow “Tennessee Mornings,” and was scheduled to meet Gov. Phil Bredesen at an afternoon press conference at the state capitol.

Source

Post from: Idol Stalker

Yahoo! tracks the searching habits of Idol fans not only by who is being most searched, but also what, in particular, people are searching to find out. Let’s take a look.

Sanjaya is still the overall leader (can you believe the staying power of Antonella and Alaina?)

American Idol Leaders
Rank Idol Move Score
1 Sanjaya Malakar +14
2 Antonella Barba +4
3 Haley Scarnato +5
4 Blake Lewis – 2
5 Melinda Doolittle +1
6 Alaina Alexander – 1
7 Chris Richardson – 1
8 Gina Glocksen – 1
9 Chris Sligh – 1
10 Lakisha Jones – 0

But Haley is the biggest mover (don’t we know it…)

American Idol Movers
Rank Idol 1 Day Move
1 Haley Scarnato 217%
2 Melinda Doolittle 176%
3 Sanjaya Malakar 125%
4 Chris Richardson 110%
5 Blake Lewis 58%
6 Alaina Alexander 44%
7 Antonella Barba 37%
8 Gina Glocksen 36%
9 Chris Sligh 29%

But what, exactly, are people are searching for?

Here is a list of the top five searches broken down by contestant -

- Sanjaya Malakar

1. Sanjaya Malakar Hairstyles
2. Sanjaya Anthem
3. Sanjaya Conspiracy
4. Who is Voting For Sanjaya
5. Sanjaya Wig

- Haley Scarnato

1. Haley Scarnato Scandal
2. Haley Scarnato Legs
3. Haley Scarnato Pregnant
4. Haley Scarnato Shorts
5. Haley Scarnato Height

- Melinda Doolittle

1. Melinda Doolittle School of Humility
2. Melinda Doolittle Neck
3. Melinda Doolittle Shrek
4. Is Melinda Doolittle Married?
5. Melinda Doolittle MP3s

- Blake Lewis

1. Blake Lewis Shirtless
2. Blake Lewis Tattoos
3. Blake Lewis Love Song
4. Blake Lewis 311
5. Chris Richardson vs Blake Lewis

- Chris Richardson

1. Chris Richardson Dating
2. Chris Richardson Shirtless
3. Chris Richardson and Alaina Alexander
4. Chris Richardson Girlfriend
5. Contact Chris Richardson

- Jordin Sparks

1. Jordin Sparks Father
2. Jordin Sparks Height
3. Jordin Sparks I Who Have Nothing
4. Jordin Sparks Fan Sites
5. Jordin Sparks American Juniors

- Lakisha Jones

1. Lakisha Jones Videos
2. Lakisha Jones Biography
3. Diamonds Are Forever Lakisha Jones
4. Lakisha Fanatics
5. Lakisha Jones Last Dance

- Phil Stacey

1. Phil Stacey Navy
2. Phil Stacey Audition
3. Phil Stacey Wife
4. Phil Stacey Hair
5. Nosferatu Phil Stacey (LOL, my son said this last night!!!)

Post from: Idol Stalker

Wow. Some have called this season’s contestants dull and unoriginal. Tonight might have been an example. Classics are classics and must be respected but, while almost everyone sang well enough, there was little that will keep me up tonight.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO TELLING CONTESTANTS TO TAKE RISKS (Haley risked a “wardrobe malfunction” but that doesn’t count)?

My co-blogger, Jason, has done a fine job live-blogging the show tonight, so I’m just going to add my two cents about the performances. 

Blake doesn’t have to beatbox every week and he’s definitely among the best (and maybe the most versatile) but he sang “Mack the Knife” so straight, he almost sounded like he was auditioning for “Beyond the Sea 2: Bobby Darin Lives.” You can be respectful but still true to yourself.

Phil is a good singer but this did not even seem like a genuine performance. If you weren’t distracted by the sweat beads on his melon, there wasn’t much excitement in his rendition of “Night and Day.” In fact, I felt like a night and a day had passed by the end of it.

Melinda, as Simon said, is almost impossible to criticize. I happened to agree with what he said, however, about the first half of the song being kind of bland. That song has some real potential and I felt like she could have given more, but she’s great so who cares?

Chris gets props for mixing old with new by wearing jeans but did he have to steal Sanjaya’s hat? Just kidding. He stayed true to himself, even if it wasn’t his best performance (in my very humble opinion, at least). One tip though – learn to keep the microphone near your mouth. If you turn your head, the mic should follow! He’s had a problem with this all season. It’s bugging me.

Jordin was a bit boring to me. I’m not sure if the mic feedback was an indication that the sound was off because I’m wondering if the judges heard her whole performance. It was a clone-like, factory-made performance.

Gina is a good singer. She had a good performance. She could maybe control the eye seizures (those of you with TiVo, DVR, PVR, etc… check it out). I was somewhat irritated to have the soldiers in Iraq brought into the mix by Tony Bennett (not her fault). I was half expecting her to be draped in a flag with an eagle on her shoulder, or something. Well, at least it would have been interesting…

Sanjaya, as Mr. Bennett said, “dares to take risks.” Honestly, I do think this is part of the reason he’s still here. When he’s gone, we pretty much know how it’s going to go down and the performances will be predictable (with the exception of Blake, maybe) but Sanjaya has made himself stand out. His performance did sound a bit like a clip from an episode of Barney. Hey, Madonna’s not a great singer but she knows how to market herself. Don’t underestimate the importance of being an entertainer.

Haley is starting to annoy me in a major way. Her singing is just right for Broadway or Disney movies, and she knows it, so she sells sex, really. There, I’ve said it. Even Tony Bennett had to ask her to tone down the level of skank she was trying to put into the song. The shimmying and toying with men in the front row was almost shameless. She’s not going to win (let’s hope) so she’s using gimmicks to get votes. Why does Sanjaya get all the buzz? This is a family show and there have been times when I was embarrassed for her. Seriously.

Lakisha is back! She’s one of the few contestants I’ve seen in the history of the show who had the guts to go against the advice of the guest (Tony Bennett told her to omit the “ain’t no sunshine when he’s gone” at the end of her song but she didn’t). She is a PLUS-SIZE BEAUTY and I love her. I just want her to stay in the zone from now on.

Post from: Idol Stalker

Blake Lewis
Blake is singing “Mack the Knife”, which according to Tony Bennett is “pre-rap” music. He’s nailing it to the floor man! Blake is totally smooth in just about everything he does on stage. The question will be if he adds any of his flair to the rendition. His dancing on stage reminds me of some of the moves Harry Connick, Jr. has in concert. Probably his best performance in my opinion. Great trumpet flair by the band at the end (coming from the guy who’s played trumpet for years)

• Randy: that was a very good way to start off the evening. Perfect song for you, couple of pitch problems. I liked it.
• Paula: you personify pizazz. “You’re just cool!”
• Simon: good choice of song, performed it well. 7-10, but gives the band 8-10. The band played a big part.

Phil Stacey
Phil has been looking forward to this week ever since he knew it was coming. He’s considers Tony a legend and Tony said that Phil is one of the better singers in the competition. I believe he did a good job on this genre.

• Randy: interesting choice, just didn’t feel any real connection or action
• Paula: reminiscent of a young Frank Sinatra, I still need you to have more joy and warm up the vocals. Have the personality come through
• Simon: had all the joy of singing in a funeral parlor, completely and utterly gloomy and slightly dark. No life in the performance

Melinda Doolittle
Singing “I’ve Got Rhythm”, and sporting a bit of a new look herself. Melinda’s phrasing and articulation as she’s singing is absolutely professional quality already. She’s putting a lot of personality into the performance, let’s see if the judges recognize it.

• Randy: you come out here every week and give everyone a lesson in singing, “this is how you do it right here America!”
• Paula: it’s like a master class, flawless from beginning to end.
• Simon: thought it was a bit cabaret, thought the 2nd half of the song was great, had personality and fun

Chris Richardson
Fan question, “What do you consider most when choosing a song?” First and foremost you gotta do something you’re comfortable with, then what the audience likes and hopefully the judges will like it as well. Chris is singing “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”. A little bit of a transition for Chris on this performance from what he’s been doing the last couple of weeks. I think he’s really showing up tonight and bringing to the contest. He’s built himself up some more status for votes tonight I believe.

• Randy: one of your best performances of the whole season, you came out with a vengeance and interjected his own style
• Paula: didn’t compromise anything, made it so hip and cool. Best performance “bar-none”
• Simon: thought it was very good, very believable. Agree with Randy and Paula, made it kind of hip and worked it out very well. Probably one of the strongest tonight.

Jordin Sparks
Tony says that Jordin is terrific. Very intelligent about her improvisation as well. It wasn’t outlandish. She’s doing a good job, but I think Simon will label it “forgettable”. It seems to be at the height of her range too, which catches me off guard. Sounds like she’s straining more to hit the notes, I wonder if she’s fighting a cold or something. Last note was nice and strong though.

• Randy: we got some heat up here, the bomb again, she’s like a pro and only 17. what?
• Paula: you’re a natural and you exude when she’s onstage
• Simon: she sang it very well, but didn’t make the song young and current, very old-fashioned and traditional though

Gina Glocksen
With Gina singing “Smile”, this will be a vast departure from her normal style of song and performance. WOW! Let’s talk about a completely different look at this stage in the performance. Her classy style tonight reminds me of the same kind of contemporary style that Gwen Stefani has. She did a great job as well. It’s a contest tonight.

• Randy: very nice controlled, performance from the rocker girl. I liked that
• Paula: flawless performance
• Simon: not too pleased with the vocals, two other female performers came out and totally out-performed her.

Sanjaya Malakar
He says his goal this week is to make America see that he actually can sing. We’ll see. Looks like he found the flat-iron hairstyling that Melinda was using. I will admit that he’s doing a much better job this week, but everyone I’m sitting with tonight watching the show agrees that it just comes across as a high school level performance.

• Randy: what I like about you now is that you’ve turned into an entertainer
• Paula: “I get why people love you”
• Simon: let’s try something different this week, “incredible” [Was that sarcastic?]

Haley Scarnato
Big discussion in my brother’s living room tonight about whether or not Haley is portraying herself a little too “trampy” with some of her warddrobe choices.  I didn’t really have a problem too much with what she’s worn, but she’s definitely displaying a significant amount of cleavage this performance. My brother said this, if she were your wife or girlfriend, would you want her dressing like that? Her performance is coming across very cabaret tonight with “Ain’t Misbehavin’”.

• Randy: thought this would be a good style week for you. what about you Paula [Randy totally didn't say anything]
• Paula: did I mention you look good in green
• Simon: you’ve got great legs. A little pageanty.

LaKisha Jones
Picking “Stormy Weather” is totally the right choice for LaKisha tonight. She should be able to totally rock this performance with this style and particularly this song. LaKisha brought back the gauntlet tonight, but so did just about everyone else so we’ll see what happens.

• Randy: loved it, perfect song for her
• Paula: most gorgeous she’s ever looked, sounded beautiful as well
• Simon: sassy, great performance!

So, what will it be this week? Will Sanjaya go home? Honestly at this point, I don’t think so. He’s probably still got a couple of more weeks on the show. I think he’ll be around until some other contestants are out and the people voting for them start piling up their votes for the other contestants that can actually sing.

Post from: Idol Stalker

Phil Stacey
Starting off the last five contestants is Phil Stacey. “Every Breath You Take” by the Police. Gwen was surprised by how good it sounded. Just stick with the melody and let his voice deliver the song. Phil is pulling out a little flashback from last season with Ace Young knit hat look. Not quite the same, but definitely reminiscent. Phil is doing well with the song, the last run was a little weird sounding though.

• Randy: actually kind of liked it, solid performance for him, didn’t push it and that was good
• Paula: so much personality and color to his voice, but the verses he plays it safe. Build more character into the verses
• Simon: actually thought that was very good. Great song choice. Only time he felt like he is taking it seriously and trying to do well in the competition.

Melinda Doolittle
Gwen says she blew her away watching her sing. I would say “good luck” but doesn’t think she needs it that much. Melinda is doing her usual. Delivering as expected. Strong, stable and dependable. She comes out every week and delivers a top-notch performance. Has she had a single non-stellar performance? Is it all about experience?

• Randy: the reason I called you a pro is that you look at the song and deliver the song every week. That was the bomb again!
• Paula: you have charisma from the word go. tell the story from the first word out of her mouth to the end. I look forward to hearing you perform each week
• Simon: don’t think this is the best performance. Vocally though she was outstanding as usual

Come back for Blake’s performance after the jump.

Blake Lewis
“Love Song” by The Cure is Blake’s choice. Gwen warns him about when he does the beat-boxing because it could distract. It wasn’t until this past week that I realized how many songs by The Cure I really like, and this is one of the top. This style fits Blake’s tone of his voice. It will be interesting to see where he weaves in the beat-boxing. He’s really letting his vocals rise to the forefront on this performance and trust himself with that alone. Maybe he won’t do the beat-boxing at all. And he doesn’t. Blake so reminds me of Sting.

• Randy: not sure if it’s the perfect song choice, made the most of it
• Paula: Loved what you did with the song. Taking risks and being original. Making the whole competition hip
• Simon: definitely the strongest guy in the competition, doing his Chris Daughtry thing and not become to self-indulgent. It confuses me when Simon commends one contestant for knowing who they are and bringing it every week as he does with Gina, but then encourages Blake not to get caught up in the rut.

Jordin Sparks
“Hey Baby” Cute and refreshing is what Gwen says. Not her best performance, may have taken a step down this week, but it was a tough song to come out with. I think it was a bad choice because it doesn’t allow her to really show off her vocals that well. It was high energy though, and maybe that’s what she was going after this week. Expanding the image the audience has of her a bit. Not sure if it’s going to work for her though.

• Randy: very risky thing to do, she can sing anything and that was brilliant
• Paula: and your adorable, hip and young. Love seeing you in this mode
• Jordin: probably most improved contestant we’ve seen, a bit copycat’ish though

Chris Richardson
Doing the classic No Doubt song, “Don’t Speak”. Gwen hopes he just sticks to the melody and just focuses on the song and the emotion behind it. I think it’s starting off well for Chris. Hopefully he stays within the ropes that Gwen wanted him to with the performance. He doesn’t appear to be embellishing it too much. Personally though, I’m just tired of the nasally, pinched sound he’s got. He can sing and I’m sure lots of people like it, but just not for me.

• Randy: very interesting, liked the R&B style, not his best vocal, liked his twist on it though
• Paula: you’re good Chris, you’re good, just good
• Simon: song choice got you in trouble last week, much better song choice this week and liked the arrangement. Didn’t like the vocals though

Who will it be then folks? Can we finally get rid of Sanjaya, or will he keep pulling it out again? It’s going to get really frustrating if he makes it through a couple of more weeks. Let’s vote for the right people this week gang, DO NOT VOTE FOR SANJAYA!

Post from: Idol Stalker