Tuesday's Idol: What You Didn't See
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Idol Sisterhood: They're competitors on the show, but Jordin Sparks couldn't hide her enthusiasm for Melinda Doolittle last night. When the show went to commercial after Doolittle's performance of "I Got Rhythm," Sparks rushed over to the center of the stage to offer her fellow contestant a hearty embrace and congratulations for a job well done.
Rumor Has It…: Before the show, Top 24 Idol Alaina Alexander set the record straight on the rumors that she's dating contestant Chris Richardson. "It's false – Chris and I are not dating," Alexander tells us. In fact, the 24-year-old West Hollywood resident says she's been seeing restaurateur Charlie Linder "for almost three years." Alexander chalks up the buzzing to the fact that she, Richardson and several others Idols went on a group outing to a Hollywood bowling alley recently. "[Chris and I] are friends," says Alexander. "We hang out together. Nice guy. Not together." Got the memo!
Big (Air) Band: It's rare to see Simon Cowell visibly react to any contestant's performance (other than grimace), but during Melinda's performance, he and Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe smiled at each other and nodded with approval. When the singer belted out the song's final verses to the driving beat of the drums, Lythgoe even air drummed – beat for beat – in his seat.
A Tearjerker: While Gina Glocksen's mom, Nancy, was a no-show at last week's perfromance show (she was on a cruise vacation), she was back in the audience – with a tan to prove it! – Tuesday night and tearing up during her daughter's rendition of "Smile" – a favorite of Gina's late grandfather.
Blame It On Dad: Paula Abdul may have a reputation for being the last judge to enter the soundstage, but on Tuesday she was also the last judge to leave after the show ended. That's because Abdul had to make her way over to hug and kiss a very special fan goodbye – her dad! But in keeping with her nice judge rep, Paula apologized to the crowd for the hold up (the audience can't exit the soundstage until all of the contestants and judges are off the set). "Sorry, everybody," she yelled, grinning from ear to ear. "This is my dad, Harry Abdul." Everyone applauded, and Daddy Abdul waved and smiled to the crowd.
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