Jordin Sparks Takes American Idol Crown

The loveable 17-year-old who was counting down the time until she was old enough to audition for American Idol, took home the grand prize last night, and she was so deserving of it. People magazine caught her for a few minutes to get the low-down on what she's going through now, and what the future holds.

What was going through your mind right before Ryan announced that you won?
I was standing up there and Blake was holding my hand and he was like, "I love you, sweetheart." I was like, "I love you too." He squeezed my hand and I knew whatever happened I'd be okay and everything would be fine. He's such a great supporter and so encouraging of me. I'm one of his biggest fans and he's one of mine. It turned out pretty cool, I guess!

You became very emotional during your last song, 'This Is My Now.' What were you feeling then?
It was a mix of a lot of things. I can't believe that it's over. It seems like years ago that I auditioned in Seattle, but at the same time it's gone by so fast. It was a mix of everything was ending and I don't know – the song is just so amazing. I looked up at all the people and I saw my parents sitting there and I realized that what I said I wanted to do a long time ago, I was doing it. And it just totally overcame me.

Did you know you had such fan support going into the finals?
I've been in a bubble, so I didn't. When I went home I got so much support there, but that was my home state. I had no idea what everybody else was thinking. I love the love, what can I say?

Are you ready to record your first album?
I might be getting some material during the [Idols Live] tour and then I guess right after I'll start working on that.

Will you write your own songs?
I would love to write. I've written a couple of songs but I don't know if they'll go on the album. But I've written and I hope I can write a little bit on my album.

Now that you've won and have a singing career ahead of you, how does college factor in?
I haven't graduated [high school] yet. I'm only a junior. I'm still working on it. During this whole process I've been doing at least three hours a day because that's what I'm required to do and it's been really cool. It's kept everything pretty normal. I'll do my school and then I'll go sing; I'll do my school and then I'll go get fitted in amazing dresses. It's so crazy. I would love to go to college one day, but I'm kind of just thinking about the now. But education is important and I'm still getting it. I actually get out of school tomorrow!

Do you have a favorite performance?
I have no idea. I loved each and every performance that I did. There were some that I liked more than others. I think that I tried to top myself every performance. I liked them all. I don't regret anything.

Did you speak with Simon after tonight's show?
He was like, "Congratulations, Jordin. You deserved it." And I was like, "Thank you." And he gave me a hug and it was like, "Oh my God! Simon Cowell is hugging me!"

You had so many costume changes. Describe your personal style and what complements you best.
I think corset-y tops fit. Baby doll tees like this are better because it's very flattering on the side. It was so crazy doing all the costume changes. I've never done that in all my life. I'm learning more and more about myself as this goes on because now I have to look good! So now I'm like, "Okay, so the stylists are helping me out." Badgley Mischka designed those gorgeous dresses that you saw. They designed the reveal gown. It's so beautiful. It was one of a kind. I think I get to keep them all!

What part of this process has prepared you most for your career?
You know when you see celebrites and the paparazzi follow them? That actually happened to us a couple of weeks ago. We had three cars following us and it was so crazy. And I was like, "What have I gotten myself into?" But I think it's prepared me because I think I've become a better person and a better performer throughout all this – like interacting with fans and being able to convey my emotions better. Thank you to everybody who kept me around!

How do your parents feel?
I've been watching the show since I was 12 and I've always wanted to do it and I've always told my mom every year at the finale or during the show, "I want to do that, Mom. That's what I want to do. I want to be able to sing on that stage and whether I win or not, I want to be there." And now I'm actually doing it. I know she's proud of me and I know my dad is and my brother. And we're just going to take it one step at a time.

Photo from People.

Newsstand Friday: TV Guide

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Eva Longoria Exclusive!

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American Idol's Simon Cowell opens up about his Africa trip. Plus: Grey's Anatomy scoop! Someone close to Meredith is going to die.

Sanjaya on American Idol - Did America Get It Right This Time?

Last night, controversial American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar sang Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About" during country week. Simon took the gloves off and declared it "utterly horrendous," while Randy compared it to bad karaoke. Ryan tried to play peacemaker, but Simon continued, saying "I know this has been funny for a while, but because of the fact that we're supposed to be finding an American Idol, it was hideous. A ridiculous choice of song."

I hope America finally got it right, but I'm not holding my breath.

Photo from TV Guide.

Interview with American Idol's Haley Scarnato

Last week, American Idol fans said good-bye to 24-year-old Haley Scarnato. She recently sat down for an interview with AOL to dish on Simon, Sanjaya and Katharine McPhee's hair extensions.

Was that your strategy? Did people mistake your spirited performances for strutting around and playing up your overt sexuality?
I have no idea. You never can tell. I just tried to do the best that I could do, and that was that.

I know for the past couple of weeks, you were shrugging off Simon's comments about just that. But deep down, was it bothering you each week that you weren't getting much feedback on your voice, but just about what you had on?
A little bit ... they always say this is a singing competition, etc., but it is what it is. You just have to brush it off and do the best that you can do.

In retrospect, do you think that not responding to Simon's comments was the right decision?
That's who I am. I'm on national TV, and you've got to respect him. He's Simon Cowell, and you've got to set an example. It does hurt a little bit, but you just kind of brush it off and try to get through it.

What was it like to work with J.Lo as a mentor? What was she like in person?
It was amazing. She was great. She was very warm and comforting, and she had a lot to tell us. You could tell she really did want to help us. It was a very good experience on my part and I think everybody felt the same with it.

Did you get to spend a lot of time with her?
A little bit ... it was like 10 minutes, so it was good to hammer out the song and stuff.

Did you get to meet Marc Anthony at all?
Yes, we did. That was really cool, too.

What was he like?
He was great. He was really, really nice. He loves her and he adores her, so that's really cool to see. They just look really happy.

What challenge did you not expect in this competition?
That's hard, there's so much. You can't prepare yourself for something like this. You expect picking the right song is a huge deal, but just making sure it gets cleared. I didn't know it was going to be that tough to try and get the song cleared. That was pretty tough and it affected us a lot, because then if it didn't clear, we had to pick another song. It would just hold everything up. That was pretty much it.

Did any celebrity mentor give you good advice that we didn't see?
No, not really ... Lulu was amazing. That was all on TV. She and Jennifer Lopez were great. I loved them. What you see is what you get. They try to put everything in as much as they can.

Were you aware of all of the things people have been saying about Sanjaya?
Not really. Like I said, we're totally in that bubble, so we try to stay away from it, just for the sake of our own minds. Not too much, the Sanjaya thing, I hear that's an issue or something. It's kind of funny.

It's an issue all right. Considering what an issue it is, does it bother you that you got voted off before him?
No, oh my gosh! Sanjaya is a great personality; he has a great energy backstage and on stage. I think he did a great job last week. He's a great kid, and I wish the best for him and all of the other contestants.

At one point early on in the season, they said that you were wearing hair extensions that have previously been used by Katharine McPhee on the show the season before, the hair stylist reused them.
I think it's cool. It's fun. They can wash them. It was fun. It was kind of cool to wear Katharine McPhee hair extensions.

When is your wedding, and how stressful has it been being in this competition, knowing that you have that to deal with?
The wedding was Nov. 10, but we have to move it back because the tour is running into it, so we'll see how it goes.

Photo from AOL.

Newsstand Friday: TV Guide

COVER STORY

Justin Chambers Opens Up
The sexy Grey's Anatomy intern dishes on his character and his personal life.

Plus: Amazing Race Burning Questions, Leah Remini, Drive's Nathan Fillion, behind the scenes at American Idol and a chat with Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter.

BREAKING NEWS

Is Sanjaya Ruining American Idol?
Simon Cowell speaks out about Sanjaya.

Plus: Tiki Barber trades the NFL for NBC and Glenn Close comes to FX.

American Idol Says Buh-Bye to Haley Scarnato

Although I don't think she would have made it to the Final Four, or won, I was sorry to see Haley Scarnato get booted off American Idol last night. Sanjaya Malakar definitely should have gone before her. Hell, he should have gone before Sabrina and Stephanie too!

While I think Simon is usually spot-on with his critiques, I wish he would have given her more constructive criticism on her voice, and less about her legs, shorts or lack of clothing. Today, she told TVGuide.com that though she shrugged them off on stage, Simon's quips about her flesh-flashing definitely nagged at her. "Yeah, they hurt a little bit. They always say, 'This is a singing competition,' yadda-yadda-yadda, so I'm like, 'OK, this is a singing competition.... '" But as all she heard about was her look, "You just brush it off and do the best you can do."

Later in a press-conference call, Haley denied that she was using her sexuality when performing and dressing for "Turn the Beat Around" this week, saying, "The style of the song was about in-your-face rhythm, it was funky and Latin, and it has a sexy vibe, and that’s what I was going for. When it's time to sing, it's time to sing. I was just enjoying my moment."

Photo from TV Guide.

Newsstand Friday: OK! Magazine

ANGELINA JOLIE
Her life is overwhelming Brad
Angelina Jolie has given Brad Pitt everything he’s wished for… or has she? Two years ago, Brad admitted to wanting a family life, and he has achieved it with Ange, but her nonstop jet-setting humanitarian ways are dragging him down. A friend of the Ocean’s Thirteen star tells OK!, “He’s an old-fashioned guy and is longing for normalcy, without all the constant jet-setting and moving around…”

JENNIFER ANISTON
She’s about to reunite with a former love!
Jennifer Aniston is looking happier and sexier than ever. Her secret: a hefty dose of her former love Vince Vaughn. The actor recently celebrated his 37th birthday, and Jen was on hand to make sure all the arrangements were perfect. There are loud whispers that the two are testing the romance waters again. “When Courteney Cox and David Arquette threw a birthday party for Jennifer on the eve of her 38th birthday in February, Vince was there for her, and she wanted to be there for Vince,” a source close to Jen tells OK!. “Jennifer made all the arrangements for the dinner herself.”

REESE WITHERSPOON
She’s finding love again with Jake Gyllenhaal
Reese Witherspoon’s blossoming romance with Jake Gyllenhaal is moving full speed ahead! The two first got together when Jake offered Reese a shoulder to cry on after her split from Ryan Phillippe. It quickly escalated to secret meetings, stolen moments and even Jake meeting Reese’s mom. How is her ex, Ryan, reacting to Reese’s newfound happiness? With his own rebound romance. The Crash star was recently spotted hanging out with Hollywood vixen Lindsay Lohan. “Lindsay and Ryan were making each other laugh and had such a fun time chatting,” an eyewitness who saw the two together at L.A. club Winston’s tells OK!. “The two seemed completely smitten with each other.”

SIMON COWELL
Will he be forced to quit Idol?
Simon Cowell makes a lot of insightful comments, but he may be regretting his recent one about Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar. Simon declared that he would quit the show if the 17-year-old singer won. Well, Sanjaya may be having the last laugh. The seemingly unstoppable singer moved into the top nine last week, leaving many to predict he could sail straight to number one and force a shocked Simon to keep his word.

Newsstand Friday: OK Magazine

NICOLE RICHIE
The headlining socialite speaks exclusively to OK!
OK! traveled to Lionel Richie’s Los Angeles mansion to meet with daughter Nicole, who candidly addresses the rumors about her weight, drug use and love life only in our pages. Nicole talks about her renewed friendship with Paris Hilton and the many misconceptions about her super small frame. “I don’t care about any other rumor except the one that I have an eating disorder. That really bothers me because there are people who truly have eating disorders and it is a serious disease,” she tells OK!. “To put that title on someone when it is not true is disrespectful.”

BRITNEY SPEARS
She’s lost just about everything. Will she lose her kids next?
Britney Spears’ once stellar life is in shambles. The pop princess, who was once worth $32 million, has blown through half her fortune. Unless the single-mom-to-be can revive her music career, she’ll keep hemorrhaging money until she’s broke. “She’s going to need some incredibly smart people around her who can mastermind a comeback of Mariah Carey–size proportions,” says a friend close to Britney. “Her best hope is to bury her pride and take Justin Timberlake and Timbaland up on their offer to help.” The award-winning producer has said that he’d like to take Britney under his wing to help her get back on the top of the charts.

ANGELINA JOLIE
How her sons are changing her life.
Angelina Jolie has become a mother again, with the adoption of another son, Pax, from Vietnam. But the decision to adopt wasn’t hers alone. Her first son, Maddox, 5, played a big role in the process. Angelina had set her sights on finding a brother for her eldest child. “She knew he needed to be younger, but close enough in age that they could play together,” says a friend. And 3-year-old Pax fits the bill perfectly. And where was Brad during this life-changing experience? The Tomb Raider star had a very special request for her partner back home...

SIMON COWELL
He reveals who’s going to win Idol!
Simon Cowell isn’t mincing words this season. OK! caught up with the tell-it-like-it-is judge to find out who he thinks will win this season (hint: it’s a girl!), why he wanted to get involved with the Idol charity event, and what advice he gives to Rosie O’Donnell, who’s accused the competition series of being “racist” and “weightist.”

Newsstand Friday: TV Guide

COVER STORY
Paula Abdul Exclusive!
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JHud Lets Us Down

The great thing about being an American Idol fan is knowing that you helped launch someone's career by tuning in every week, dialing in, and supporting an artist's career when they leave the show. This personal involvement in the launch of someone's career means that we probably hold American Idols stars to a higher standard and expect them to appreciate what we did for them to get them where they are. So, this story about Jennifer Hudson's diva behavior from Page Six just plain disappointing.

Jennifer Hudson apparently tried to back out of a performance on the Soul Train awards show. Here's what happened:

"Soul Train" producer Don Cornelius immediately called Clive Davis, the legendary J Records mogul who created the careers of Whitney Houston, Alicia Keyes and dozens of other artists.

"Clive called Jennifer and read her the riot act. He said, 'Get you're ass out to L.A.' and then hung up on her."

The strong talk from her de facto boss evidently worked because "she showed up."

But it doesn't end there. In the tradition of thankless American Idol contestants, Hudson bit the hand that fed her:

When asked last week why she didn't thank "American Idol" in her Oscar speech, Hudson snapped, "If I'd been any better at my job when I was at Burger King in my middle teens, I wouldn't be here, either, so maybe I should thank them, too."

"Extra" went through tapes of old shows and found three instances of Cowell's praising Hudson, proving that she was wrong when she claimed he was not supportive. Asked whether Hudson owed him an apology, Cowell said, "No . . . All I ever wanted to do on the show was be fair."

Reps for Hudson, Cornelius and Davis didn't return calls.

I have one word for how I feel about this story: Boo!

Photo from Page Six.

Rosie O'Donnell is Persona Non Grata

The folks over at American Idol are none too pleased with Rosie O'Donnell these days. Last week, on The View, Rosie said that American Idol is racist and weightist, for letting prior season's Frenchie Davis go after pornographic pictures of her surfaced, but letting this season's Antonella Barba stay. Yet Rosie is forgetting one big difference - Frenchie was paid for her pictures. Antonella's were stolen off her computer.

American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe issued a statement about Rosie's accusations of Idol's double standard:

"Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that American Idol is racist and/or weightist. Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that American Idol constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color."

Yesterday, on The View, Rosie said that AI producers will no longer supply the gabfest with clips from their recent episodes, because of her comments.

Last night, after Antonella performed, Simon Cowell gave her credit for the swirling media circus around her pictures. "I feel for you because you've taken a lot of stick in the media, and you've handled yourself well. I don't think anyone should be thrown into that situation. I just wish you could sing better."

Photo from AmericanIdol.com

Stop the Presses! Courtney Love NOT Coming to American Idol

The rumors have been running rampant lately (ahem, US Magazine), that the producers from American Idol called bad-girl rocker Courtney Love to have her replace judge Paula Abdul. Not true says executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.

"I did not call Courtney Love, and am afraid someone may have misrepresented me. Courtney Love is a very talented artist, but the judges for American Idol are Paula, Randy and Simon. We have no plans to add to or replace any of them."

So there.

Photo from Fox.

Newsstand Friday: InTouch Weekly Magazine

American Idol's most shocking momentsIt's not just Simon Cowell's comments that keep us glued to the tube - there's plenty of other drama!

In Touch With Matthew Fox
Fans hit on him all the time, so it's no surprise that sexy Lost star Matthew Fox has his share of admirers.

At home with The Game's Tia Mowry
Living alone for the first time, Tia has a ball decorating her first apartment.

The stars hit Sundance!
Snowy Park City, Utah, was the hottest place on earth.

The Desperate Housewives are busting out!
How did the show's stars suddenly get such a boost?

Newssstand Friday: EW Magazine

Here's what EW has to offer this week:

Cover Story
'Idol' returns! All the dish on season 6!
Simon, Paula, Randy, and Ryan spill exclusive behind-the-scenes details on season 6, which promises to be more cutthroat, unpredictable, and tone-deaf than ever Read

The Pop of King
Stephen King on '24': So good it's scary
Even longtime viewers will be spooked by the new season's surprisingly real take on terrorism

The magazine also reviews these movies:

Children of Men
Notes on a Scandal
Curse of the Golden Flower
Night at the Museum
Happily N'ever After
Black Christmas
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Venus

Simon is Raking It In

Simon Cowell, who currently oversees Britain's "The X-Factor" (picture American Idol but everyone has an English accent) is currently the highest paid British TV star of all time. He just got a £20m contract (about 39 million dollars). At least he's not a Scrooge with his moeny - the Daily Mail reports that he "is preparing to fly himself and his family first class to Barbados for Christmas." He also bought himself "a £225,000 black custom-built Bentley Arnage T limousine with that most showbiz of optional extras - mirrored privacy glass." That car is worth about $440,000. Merry freaking Christmas, huh?

Photo from the Daily Mail.