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Idol Showdown!
And then there were two. The American Idol season six finale week kicks off Tuesday at 8PM EST live on Fox, when über-teen Jordin Sparks of Glendale, Arizona and slick-tongued beat-boxer Blake Lewis of Bothell, Washington face off. Who will voters crown the next American Idol?
On Tuesday's telecast each contestant will sing three songs: one picked from the American Idol song-writing contest; one new song of their choice; and one they've previously performed. Then on Wednesday the top twelve season six Idols will reunite for the live two-hour results show (9 PM EST) and rehearsals are already underway.
But Sparks, 17, and Lewis, 25, took time out of their hectic schedule before the big Kodak Theater extravaganzas to talk about their Idol experience, winning the competition and what their futures hold.
Vote on Your Favorite Idol (Cover)!
It's all up to you, America! Not only will you decide if Blake Lewis or Jordin Sparks will win next week's American Idol finale, but you'll also have a say in Entertainment Weekly's next cover. The editors at EW are planning an Idol cover story about the winner and they're asking for your help. They've posted four mockups (two of each finalist) on their website so that readers can vote on their favorite. If Blake Lewis wins on Wednesday, they'll use the Blake cover that gets the most votes. But if Jordin Sparks wins, you'll see her most popular cover when the issue hits newsstands. Check out EW.com to see the other covers and vote.
Phil Stacey Gets Navy's OK for Idol Tour
It's official! Petty Officer Third Class Phil Stacey has been given the aye-aye by the U.S. Navy to join his castmates on this summer’s American Idol tour.
"It is absolutely true," U.S. Navy spokesman Bob Anderson confirms to PEOPLE. "They're working on the logistics right now: what he'll be paid, wear, stuff like that."
The nationwide concert tour kicks off July 6 in Sunrise, Fla. – not far from Stacey's Jacksonville home – and wraps up on September 22 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
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Melinda Doolittle on Leaving Idol: 'I Was Relieved'
Learning that her journey on American Idol had ended Wednesday night was "the first time that I had taken a breath in a really long time," Melinda Doolittle said Thursday.
"Knowing that I had made it this far and knowing that I was going to be able to sing from here on out without being judged and voted… it was just like this sigh of relief," she told Ryan Seacrest on his morning radio show. "Now I'm getting ready to sing just because I love it."
The former backup singer called Seacrest's 102.7 KIIS FM show and told the host that she didn't feel any resentment after being voted off – despite receiving immense and consistent praise from all three Idol judges.
"Two amazing people are in the finale right now and I couldn't be more proud of them," Doolittle, 29, said, referring to finalists Jordin Sparks, 17, and Blake Lewis, 25, who will compete in the finale next week. "Those are still my babies. I'm still their mama. I'm so proud about it and don't feel cheated at all. There are always opportunities out there to grab onto and to take a hold of so I'm just ready for that."
Wednesday Night's Idol: What You Didn't See
Melinda Doo-So-Much
After the most shocking moment of season six, when Melinda Doolittle, by far the best singer this year, got her walking papers, half the audience gasped in disbelief while others cheered that their favorite, Blake Lewis made it through. But Doolittle kept her cool throughout, gave another great performance and, without thinking of herself, managed to thank the most important people other than the Idols onstage – Ricky Minor and the band – rather than keep the beautiful bouquets given to her by finalists Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis, she walked over and handed them to the wonderful backup singers. Then it was hugs goodbye and a congratulatory embrace for Melinda as well as Jordin and Blake. Simon Cowell, Nigel Lythgoe, Ryan Seacrest, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson came up to congratulate them all for getting so far, give advice to some, while seeing off Melinda, a great Idol that nobody has seen the last of in any way, shape or form.Wednesday Night's Idol: It's Blake vs. Jordin!
PEOPLE critic Tom Gliatto is disappointed but not surprised that Melinda Doolittle is out.
Episode 38
"This. Is. The. Hard. Part," Ryan Seacrest said just before he announced who'll be missing out on next week's finale. He called out Jordin Sparks' name first, guaranteeing her return. Then, standing by Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle, he asked: "Will it be girl-girl? Guy-girl?" Blake, clearly giving way to nerves and trying to toss out a joke about his beat-boxing style, stammered a non-answer: "Girl, machine – machine..."
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Tuesday Night's Idol: What You Didn't See
She Works Hard
Jordin Sparks sang Donna Summer's "She Works Hard For the Money," but what she really did was work hard for the judges' attention. Throughout most of her performance Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson talked amongst themselves.LuLu's Back
British invasion week took place early on in the competition, but singer Lulu made her return to the studio on Tuesday night – this time, as a fan and not a mentor. "I was in town on business and Nigel [Lythgoe] told me to stop by for the show if I wanted," she told PEOPLE. "And of course, I wanted to. I'm a fan." Who does she think will make it through to the finals? "Well, I predicted early on that it would be Blake and Jordin in the finals."Tuesday Night's Idol: Mighty Melinda
PEOPLE critic Tom Gliatto hopes to see dueling divas in the finale.
Episode 37
We were finally done with superstar mentors and the distractions – however good for the planet – of fund-raising with the help of celebrity guests. What we got last night was an unvarnished musical workout from the three finalists, each of them singing three songs over the course of one live hour. I’m surprised they weren’t given separate resting stools and a water boy.Jordin, Blake and Melinda were all remarkably consistent throughout the show. There was not a single wince-inducing moment. In fact, all of them are stronger than last season's champ, Taylor Hicks. But were they equals? Not quite...
Tonight's Idol: What You Will Hear
As is the semifinals tradition, on tonight's show, the judges will weigh in on song choice more immediately than ever before – by picking songs for the top three contestants. But it's not all up to Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. Each contestant will sing three times. Apart from the judges' pick, legendary record executive Clive Davis has also selected a song for Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle and Jordin Sparks. And for their third tune, the contestants will pick their own song. While the contestants' picks and Davis' choices are still (mostly) top secret, we can reveal exactly what the judges selected.
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Who Is LaKisha's Idol Crush?
When LaKisha Jones was on American Idol, the single mother, 27, occasionally played the lover. Remember when she got Simon Cowell to smooch her on national television? Score! And while Jones said she would kiss him again, the ousted Idol revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that Cowell is not, in fact, the man of her dreams. But Jones admits that she harbors another Idol-related crush – and she wants to act on it. So, who is LaKisha jonesing to date? Hint: It's not the Dawg.
See LaKisha discuss her crush here:
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