Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery to battle it out in American Idol final... as Haley Reinhart is eliminated

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Life-changing: The next American Idol will be Lauren Alaina or Scotty McCreery as the two made it through to next week's final


Record 95 million votes put teenagers through

The next American Idol will be Lauren Alaina or Scotty McCreery - after Haley Reinhart was eliminated from the show.

Alaina, 16, and McCreery, 17, will go head to head for the tenth American Idol title next Tuesday.

A record 95m votes were recorded after the semi-final show last night.

Country crooner Scotty McCreery was the first to find out he had made it through followed by Lauren Alaina.


In... and out: Alaina celebrates as Haley Reinhart learns she has been eliminated from the show


Haley Reinhart, 20, kept her cool belting out Bennie And The Jets, without shedding a tear.

At the end of the song Haley said: 'You'll be seeing me, this ain't the end of this, this ain't the end of this thing - see you later!'

She then embraced her mother and father in the audience.

Reinhart had always seemed doomed on Idol. Unlike her remaining rivals the wavy-haired singer had been less definable and garnered fewer votes, landing at the bottom as one of the show's low vote-getters four times after weak performances of such songs as LeAnn Rimes' Blue and Blondie's Call Me.


No tears: Haley Reinhart, 20, kept her cool belting out Bennie And The Jets, without shedding a tear


This season's femme fatale found recent success by boldly tackling classic rock tunes.

She earned a standing ovation from the judges two weeks ago for a rousing rendition of The Animals' version of The House of the Rising Sun, and she was lauded again Wednesday for her performances of Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon and Led Zeppelin's What Is and What Should Never Be.

It was apparently too little, too late for Reinhart after 95 million viewer votes were cast Wednesday.


Well done: After her performance Haley ran to embrace her parents in the audience


While she was finding her groove throughout the finals, McCreery and Alaina had been delivering consistent country and pop performances since their attention-grabbing auditions.

McCreery never appeared at the bottom, and Alaina only did once two weeks ago.
Earlier in the evening as each of the three finalists were filmed visiting their hometowns.


I'll be back: Haley vowed that viewers hadn't seen the last of her


The show also featured a sizzling live performance by Nicole Scherzinger and 50 Cent and the U.S. debut of Italian boy-band and tenor trio Il Volo.

Haley Reinhart made a tearful return to her hometown of Wheeling, Illinois a village 30 miles north of Chicago where she was overwhelmed by the number of fans who came out to see her despite a downpour.

Scotty McCreery returned to his hometown of Garner, North Carolina for an all out concert performance - crying on camera as he was pictured leaving in his limousine.


Homecoming: Scotty McCreery sobs as he makes his triumphant return to him hometown


Emotional: McReery sobbed as he prepared for an all out concert performance in Garner, North Carolina


But the perhaps the most emotional return was for Southern belle Lauren Alaina returned to Rossville, Georgia to visit her old high-school before taking a tour of the nearby area, which was devastated by recent storms and tornadoes.

She wept as she past through the devastated communities meeting with some of the families whose lives had been torn apart by the disaster.

'I'm doing this for you guys,' she told the crowd.


Disbelief: Lauren Alaina returned to Rossville, Georgia to visit her old high-school before taking a tour of the nearby area, which was devastated by recent storms and tornadoes


I'm doing this for you: She wept as she past through the devastated communities meeting with some of the families whose lives had been torn apart by the disaster


McCreery and Alaina will face off Tuesday, with the 10th season Idol champion crowned on Wednesday.

It will mark the youngest finale matchup in Idol history.

Producers lowered the minimum age requirement to 15 years old this season, which allowed Alaina, who's been compared to fourth season Idol winner Carrie Underwood, the chance to audition last year.


Success: The judges are also winners, with a record 95-million votes were recorded after the semi-final show last night


The show featured a sizzling live performance by Nicole Scherzinger, she will co-host the U.S. X Factor


source: dailymail

Break a leg! Haley Reinhart takes a tumble in American Idol semi-final

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Ooops: Haley Reinhart takes a spill on the stage as she performs her first song of the night on last night's American Idol


In a week where perfection is expected on American Idol, Haley Reinhart will be wishing she kept her feet on the ground.

The contestant, who made it into the final three, had an unfortunate slip-up halfway through her first performance of the evening as she tripped on the stairs on stage.

The accident made her falter on her lyrics briefly - but showing she was the consummate professional she recovered in a split second and continued with her song.


Ouch: Haley rubs her knee as she continues her song


The show opened with a montage of clips from the three contestants homecoming visits.

All three got to head home for a brief trip back to their home towns, which they have been away from since the live shows began two months ago in Los Angeles.

The reception that Haley, Scotty and Lauren received was overwhelming with the clips showing hordes of people lining the streets as the contestants go paraded like superstars through their hometowns.

The show's host Ryan Seacrest then introduced this week's superstar mentor - Grammy award winning artist Beyonce.


Crooner: Scotty was consistently good in all three of his performances and the judges said he 'is in it to win it'


'I think all three of the contestants are unbelievable and there is something very unique about each of them, Beyonce said of the three finalists.

' I think America is going to have a tough decision.'

After a glowing review from Beyonce, Scotty McCreedy kicked of the first of his three performances with a powerful rendition of Lonestar's 'Amazed.'

'I think you just keep getting better and better,' Steven told him, copying the song's lyrics in his commentary.

'I'm sure there are a million girls out there wishing you were singing that song to them,' Jennifer told him.


Belting it out: Lauren, who is only 16-years-old sang a selection of songs that highlighted her powerful voice


This was followed by Lauren singing She's A Wild One, which she told Beyonce she chose because she used to sing it with her best friend as a child.

The 16-year-old belted the song out and appeared to be enjoying the moment with Jennifer telling her she 'attacked it.'

'I could tell you were loving it and had a connection with it,' Randy told her.

Haley chose a risky song for her first song in Led Zepplin's What Is And What Should Never Be.


Mentor: The superstar helper this week was Beyonce who talked each performer through their first song choice


Inspiration: Beyonce said that America is going to have a tough choice because all three contestants are 'unbelievable'


She was joined on stage by her father playing the electric guitar, the first time a parent has even joined a contestant on stage in the history of Idol.

Despite her minor stumble halfway through the song, the judges loved her performance.

'This was one of your best performances EVER!' shouted Randy. 'This girl is in it to win it!'

The other judges echoed his sentiment, both agreeing that she nailed the song even though she took a risk with it.

After the first round of songs, both Jennifer and Randy picked her as the best performer so far.


Smooth: Scotty was chosen a Kenny Rogers song which got the audience on their feet


Helping hand: Lauren got some bronzer applied to her legs last minute after a wardrobe malfunction that ripped her tights


Round two was songs picked by Jimmy Iovine and back on the stage was Scotty singing Thompson Square's Are You Going To Kiss Me Or Not.

The 16-year-old crooner played the acoustic guitar whilst singing and managed to get the audience on their feet.

'Real character showing through,' Randy told him.

Jennifer loved the performance but became very embarrassed after asking him if he could shave his head for the finale.

'Didn't everyone else like him with that shaved head and those rosy cheeks,' she gushed.

Tennessee native Lauren had the second slip up of the night but this one was a wardrobe malfunction.


Heart-warming: Lauren said she chose her first song because it reminded her of her best friend a home


She accidentally snagged her tights on the way to the stage and required a quick make-up touch up with bronzer to her legs.

For Lauren's second song Jimmy Iovine chose If I Die Young by The Band Perry.

The performance was moving but she forget a key change towards the end of the song, however, as Haley did earlier in the night, she recovered quickly and her mistake was barely noticeable.

'You have the most beautiful tone to your voice,' Jennifer tells the 16-year-old singer.

'You nailed it again,' Steven cheered.

For Haley's second song she took on Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon, a difficult choice of song irrespective of the singer.

The slowed down version showed off Haley's raspy voice and the addition of a wind machine upped the eerie effect of the performance.



Cheers: All three of the judges had glowing reviews for the contestants three performances


Randy said her pitch was 'perfect' and she did 'a good job' but the other comments were fairly underwhelming.

'It was a nice way to slow it down after your last performance,' Steven told her with Jennifer admiting, 'I thought you were going to take it further at the end.'

Steven thought that Lauren won that round but neither of the others agreed with him.
'Scotty, Scotty, Scotty, Scotty,' said both Jennifer and Randy.

The show then had a brief intermission while they aired the world première Beyonce's new music video for Run The World.

All three contestants nailed their round three performances.

The judges picked the Kenny Rogers classic She Believes In Me for Scotty, Lee Ann Womack's I Hope You Dance for Lauren and Alanis Morrissette's You Outta Know for Haley.

Lauren came out on top with both Jennifer and Randy choosing her as the winner of the round, meaning each contestant, appropriately, each won a round.

Tomorrow the public vote will determine which two contestants go through to the live finale next week


source: dailymail

'Make love to that microphone': Lady Gaga pushes American Idol contestants to their theatrical best

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Theatrical: Lady Gaga tutored the four remaining American Idol contestants, advising them to add a touch of theatre to their performance


Lady Gaga is not known for her restrained approach to performing - whether it be emerging from an egg or dousing herself with blood onstage.

So perhaps she was just what American Idol needed to liven it up as the final four contestants performed last night.

The eccentric pop superstar pushed the Fox singing competition's finalists to add theatrics to their renditions of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller songs.


Intimidating? Gaga tutors the religious country singer Scotty McCreery, who kissed his crucifix when she told him to act like the microphone was his girlfriend


Her advice that Scotty McCreery should pretend that the microphone is his girlfriend prompted the deep-voiced 17-year-old country crooner to kiss the cross around his neck.

'You've got to get right in the center of that hot dog,' she advised the conservative singer.


Ready for super stardom: McCreery received plaudits from the judges for his performance


Lady Gaga's steamy direction didn't seem to deter McCreery, who impressed the judges with both his rollicking take on The Coasters' Young Blood and heartfelt rendition of Alan Jackson's Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) during the beginning of Wednesday's episode when the finalists were tasked with performing inspirational tunes.

'You're ready for superstardom, and I hope you make it,' Randy Jackson told McCreery afterward.


Popular: The singer has the audience on their feet


Lauren Alaina also seemed poised for greatness with her inspirational ballad of Martina McBride's Anyway, but she wasn't ready to proclaim that she was 'evil,' as noted in the lyrics to Elvis Presley's Trouble, until she received some motivation from Lady Gaga, who directed the 16-year-old singer to sing the ditty in character.

'When I was 16, I was way too weird to be on American Idol,' Lady Gaga admitted.
The result was apparently delicious, with Steven Tyler noting that Alaina 'delivers a song like a blue plate special.'


Intense: Gaga stares at Lauren Alaina as she performs her version of Elvis' Trouble



What an outfit: Lauren Alaina and the other contestants performed songs by writers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller


Haley Reinhart, 20, wasn't quite as yummy.

The judges bickered about her interpretation of Michael Jackson's Earth Song.
Tyler was a fan, but Jackson and Jennifer Lopez didn't eat it up.

'I felt like you were just screaming,' Jackson said over a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Reinhart returned with a vengeance - and a string orchestra - with Ben E King's I (Who Have Nothing).


Taking her advice: Gaga tutors Hayley Reinhart, who then had her stand-out performance of the season


Two different sides: Hayley sang 'Earth Song' by Michael Jackson then Ben E King's I (Who Have Nothing)


Lady Gaga directed her to let out a dramatic exhale in the middle of the song.

The judges were floored. Jackson dubbed it 'her moment' of the night, and Tyler informed her that she 'just Reinharted yourself into the middle of next week.'

'That was amazing,' said Lopez. 'One of the best performances of the year.'

James Durbin, the wailing 22-year-old rocker, opened the show clad in tails with Journey's Don't Stop Believin' and closed it down with a metal-tinged take on The Clovers' Love Potion No 9.


Getting into it: Gaga and James Durbin share a love of performance


Hands on: Gaga shows James how to move


Jackson, who formerly played bass with Journey, said Durbin was 'paying homage to my friends,' and Tyler attested that he 'did it right.'

'You can sing anything,' Lopez told Durbin after Love Potion No. 9.
One of the four finalists will be eliminated tomorrow night.



The final four: The judges look on as their contestants line up with host Ryan Seacrest


source: dailymail

America Idol's Ashthon Jones is first to be sent packing as 'stressed out' Casey Abrams fails to show due to hospital dash

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Time to go home: Ashthon Jones is comforted by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest after being voted off


It turned out that axed contestant Ashthon Jones's was not the only casualty of American Idol last night.

The 25-year-old hopeful was sent packing in last night's results show as it emerged that fellow contestant Casey Abrams was unable to attend the show due to a hospital dash.

According to internet reports, 20-year-old Casey, from Illinois, needed to medical treatment for a stress-induced bleeding stomach ulcer.

He suffered a similar set back a few weeks ago just before the Top 24 was revealed.
Host Ryan Seacret was scant with details, only revealing he was in hospital and wished him to 'get back here soon'.

But the show must go on, so it was left to the remaining 12 to perform a cover of Michael Jackson hits.


Awaiting their fate: Ashthon waits with Karen Rodriguez and Haley Reinhart to find out who's going home


Too much to handle: Ashthon and Haley comfort each other as they wait for the judges' decision


The performance was somewhat sketchy, however, with pre-recorded vocals and some poor examples of lip syncing.

But it wasn't long before the cohort of finalists was cut down to size with Haley Reinhart and Karen Rodriguez joining Ashthon in the bottom three.

Later in the show Ryan sends Karen to safety, before revealing Ashthon, who sang Diana Ross' When You Tell Me That You Love Me in Wednesday night's show, has the least number of public votes.


Hospital dash: Casey Abrams, seen here performing in Wednesday night's programme, was unable to make the results show due to a 'stress-induced stomach ulcer', according to reports


Early indications show around 30million votes were cast by the public.

After performing When You Tell Me That You Love Me, the judges vote unanimously to eliminate Ashthon and decided not to use their 'save' vote.

The save card was brought in recently and allows all four judges to save one contestant from being eliminated.


Judgement time: American Idol judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson sit on the panel


Teary-eyed: Jennifer appeared to be finding it difficult to decide which of the contestants go home


It can be used up until the top five contestants are eliminated and only once.

It has to be an unanimous decision and once used up it cannot be brought into effect again for the rest of the season.

Last night's result show also featured a performance from former American Idol winner Adam Lambert.


Swan song: Ashthon performs for the final time as she's watched by the rest of the American Idol contestants



Sad to see her go: The remaining contestants applaud after Ashthon's emotional final performance


In the the first of the studio shows of the season on Wednesday, the contestants had just a minute and a half to try and persuade America to vote for them - but even that was too long for some.

The 'live' America Idol show - recorded a day early to allow the new judges time to settle in - didn't go well for everyone, with lacklustre performances and dull song choices slowing things down.

The boys were more on form, with Paul McDonald, Casey Abrams, Jacob Lusk and James Durbin all exciting the judges.


Who are you backing? Amanada also attended the contestants performances and chatted to Seacrest


Of the girls Pia Toscano lived up to last week's stunning performance, but many of her fellow females failed to deliver.

Naima Adedapo at least had some energy as she offered up an imitation of Rihanna, but Karen Rodriguez struggled to do justice to her choice of Selena's I Could Fall in Love and Haley Reinhart was simply labelled 'boring' by Randy Jackson.

The finalists had paid tribute to their own Idols as they performed songs by their very favourite artists.


Famous faces: P Diddy performed his track Coming Home on the programme last night


"Casey Abrams - With a little help of my friends" American Idol 2011 Top 13



source: dailymail

'J.Lo made me cry twice,' says P Diddy as he prepares to reunite with ex on American Idol

By Daily Mail Reporter


Moving moments: P Diddy says his ex girlfriend Jennifer Lopez has made him cry twice in her role as a judge on American Idol


P Diddy has admitted that ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez has made him cry twice in her role as a judge on American Idol.

The hip hop star said he can't help but be moved by the compassion that Lopez shows, especially when compared to her predecessor Simon Cowell.

'The way [Jennifer] handled coming after Simon, and even myself from Making the Band and the way we were hard coaches - she's been like, a compassionate person,' he told Access Hollywood.


'She's made me cry like, twice, and she's looked good doing it. And she's made sense so, you know, I'm proud of her.'

He added: 'She's a nice person so, you know, when you're super nice, your emotions get the best of you.

'It's good though - it's good to see that change in the competitive shows. I think she's very refreshing.'

Diddy will serve as a musical mentor on American Idol during next week's live shows.

Lopez and Diddy began dating in 1999 but the high profile relationship ended two years later soon after they were both arrested over a nightclub shooting in New York.

She revealed in a tell-all interview last year that the incident was one of her lowest moments.

'That was one of the worst nights of my life,' she said bluntly. 'It was devastating for me to have lived through that.'

She says the relationship was never able to recover.

'It started out as something very pure and innocent,' she said. 'But it did get ugly - it did get sordid.'

'We did fall in love and we were very close. He became a mentor as well and he really nurtured me.

'But my relationship with him was always something I knew would end.'
Lopez now has twins with her husband, Marc Anthony.



Source:dailymail

Jennifer Lopez shows off her toned abs in stomach-baring shirt as she celebrates with American Idol's Top 13

By SARAH BULL

Tanned and toned: Jennifer Lopez shows off her impressive toned stomach as she arrives at the American Idol finalists party last night


She might be 41 and the mother of two-year-old twins, but Jennifer Lopez proved last night she still has the body of a 20-year-old as she attended the American Idol finalists party in a stomach-baring shirt and tiny shorts.

The singer smiled and waved at photographers while showing off her impressive toned abs in the cropped top, which she teamed with a black and white checked jacket and high-waisted shorts.

Lopez attended the event, held at the The Grove in Los Angeles, shortly after deciding the top 13 on American Idol alongside fellow judges Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler.


Daring: The 41-year-old mother-of-twins, seen here with producer Redone, teamed her stomach-baring shirt with a pair of high-waisted black shorts and a checked jacket


The trio were due to choose a final 12 from the 24 remaining singers on the TV talent show, but ended up putting through three wildcard choices after failing to reach a decision.

And last night the top 13 celebrated their success at the Fox party, with all the finalists posing ahead of the live performance shows starting next week.

But the star of the evening was undoubtedly Jennifer, in her daring but fashion-forward outfit.


The Top 13: American Idol Finalists Jacob Lusk, Haley Reinhart, Thia Megia, (back row) Lauren Alaina, Stefano Langone, Naima Adedapo, Karen Rodriguez, Ashthon Jones, James Durbin, Scotty McCreery, Pia Toscano, (front) Paul McDonald and Casey Abrams


Colourful: Naima Adedapo (left) and Thia Megia went for colourful outfits in a bid to stand out from the crowd at the event


The singer-turned-actress has struggled to get back to her pre-pregnancy weight after welcoming twins Max and Emme in February 2008.

A keen follower of the Dukan Diet, a French weight-loss plan which is high on protein, Jennifer has worked hard to get back into shape - and the results certainly show.

She said recently: 'I worked out a lot. I struggled to get rid of the last 20 pounds. I had to change my eating habits after having the twins.

'I eat a lot less now than I used to. But I love bread and you're not allowed bread with most diets.'


Here come the girls: (Left to right) Pia Toscano, Lauren Alaina and Ashthon Jones pose for photographers on the blue carpet


Black and sparkly: Hailey Reinhart (left) and Karen Rodriguez opted for red carpet staples for the party


Jennifer also showed off the results of her strict diet and exercise regime when she premiered her new music video On The Floor on American Idol last night.

The song, on which she collaborated with music producer RedOne, is a thumping club track which sees the singer take on two different personalities in the video, shot inside a nightclub.

Talking about the video recently, Jennifer said: 'I play one character where she kind of runs this party, acts like she's kind of bored with it, but at the same time is really loving it and loves this underground party dance culture.

'So I got to be wild and crazy, and at the same time I got to be sexy and sweet too.'


Smiles all round: (Left to right) Scotty McCreery, James Durbin and Stefano Langone give photographers their best shot


Dressed to impress: Casey Abrams, Jacob Lusk and Paul McDonald are suited and booted


Jennifer had given fans the opportunity to vote for the ending of the video, after filming two alternative versions, before debuting the finished version on the show last night.

In the video, Jennifer is seen flaunting her flat stomach stomach in several different outfits, causing Idol host Ryan Seacrest to comment afterwards: 'Those abs are looking good!'

But while Jennifer wowed on the red carpet with her outfit, she did have some competition from the American Idol girls, who tried to outdo each other in various colourful clothes.


Judges: Randy Jackson poses with Idol host Ryan Seacret while Steven Tyler goes for a unique look in a pink frilly shirt


Naima Adedapo, who narrowly avoided being sent home as she was put through as one of the show's wildcard choices, arrived in a pretty patchwork dress while Thia Megia, the youngest of the contestants at just 15, wore an alphabet knitted jumper and denim shorts.

Pia Toscano went for a flirty nude dress, while Lauren Alaina opted for jeans and a floral silk one-shouldered top.

Meanwhile Ashthon Jones, who was also put through as a wildcard choice, went for a geometric purple and black tight dress and black leggings, while Haley Reinhart and Karen Rodriguez went for black sparkly dresses.


Feisty: Jennifer debuted her new video On The Floor on the show last night, after giving fans the chance to choose the ending for the video


Some of the boys also went all out on the blue carpet, with Jacob Lusk opting for purple shoes to match his shirt, and Paul McDonald opting for a unique blue shirt printed with bird motifs.

Scotty McCreery, James Durbin, Stefano Langone and Casey Abrams also attended the event, basking in their new-found fame.

Other celebrities to attend the event included judges Steven Tyler, who opted to wear a bright pink frilly shirt, and Randy Jackson, along with host Ryan Seacrest.
TV chef Gordon Ramsay also put in an appearance, along with actresses Devon Kelly and Liza Lapira.


Famous faces: TV chef Gordon Ramsay was one of the celebrity guests at last night's party


Making an appearance: Actresses Devon Kelly (left) and Liza Lapira posed up for photographers outside the party




source: dailymail