The singer-dancer-actor was close to signing a deal to join Fox TV‘s hit singing contest, a person familiar with the negotiations said late Thursday. The person, who was not authorized to comment publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.

Fox declined comment. Phone and e-mail messages for Lopez’s representatives were not immediately returned.

The “American Idol” opening for Lopez comes with comedian-talk show host Ellen DeGeneres’ departure from the show.

Degeneres announced Thursday she was leaving after one year as judge.

“A couple months ago, I let Fox and the `American Idol’ producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” DeGeneres said in a statement. The comedian-talk show host said she realized that while she “loved discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings.”

In May, Simon Cowell exited after nine seasons to start a new talent show for Fox.

Those under consideration for his spot, according to reports, are a varied group that includes Steven Tyler and Harry Connick Jr.

Lopez’ films include “Selena,” “The Wedding Planner” and most recently “The Back-Up Plan.” She has appeared as a mentor on “American Idol.”

She was part of the “Fly Girl” house dancers on the comedy show “In Living Color” in 1990 before becoming a backup dancer for Janet Jackson.

Lopez’s first album, “On the 6,” came out in 1999, launching a career in pop, Latin, hip-hop and R&B. “Love?” is the latest CD from the Grammy-winner, who has twins with husband Marc Anthony.

Two new judges could help “American Idol” reinvent itself for its January return, when it will try to stem a ratings slide and bring in younger viewers. The show’s audience has been gradually aging, and advertisers prefer to pitch to young adults.

Judge Kara DioGuardi, who was added to the panel two years ago, is not under contract for next year and Fox has not announced whether she’ll return. Original judge Randy Jackson is the fourth panel member.

With audition episodes featuring the judges set to begin filming in September, the pressure is on to announce the panel. On Monday, Fox will have a chance to do that when it presents its 2010-11 programs to a meeting of the Television Critics Association.

When DeGeneres joined the show as a replacement for Paula Abdul, proclaiming herself a fan of “American Idol” and a pop aficionado, observers noted she didn’t bring music industry expertise to her role. Some complained she proved more of a cheerleader than an incisive critic in the mold of Cowell.

She had a reported five-year contract.

“American Idol” was the nation’s favorite program last season, the seventh time it’s held that position. But it showed rare vulnerability, beaten in the weekly ratings several times by ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

A total of 24.2 million viewers watched the ninth season’s final duel between Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, compared to the nearly 29 million viewers who saw Kris Allen claim victory over Adam Lambert last year.

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AP Television Writer Lynn Elber contributed to this report.

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Fox is a unit of News Corp.

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Online:

http://www.fox.com

Before American Idol viewers decided to vote for the same guitar-playing male every season (David Cook…Kris Allen… Lee DeWyze), they selected Jordin Sparks as their champion.

We’ve been big fans of the talented singer since since she took the Fox stage and we were lucky enough to speak with her this week, as she took time away from her summer tour. We thank Jordin for her time and we present this exclusive interview below…

What has the American Idol experience been like for you? Can it be compared to what you imagined it would be like?
I imagined it would be easy, just a singing competition. HA! It was a lot of work and pretty stressful. But I made friendships that will last forever and I am really happy with how it turned out.

You’ve sung with Chris Brown. You’ve sung at the Super Bowl. What has been the most memorable professional experience for you?
Well, the fact that I get to sing for my job is the best thing. Everything else, the duet, the Super Bowl, touring… it’s all a bonus.

Idol has received some criticism for naming three consecutive winners that were all very similar. Any thoughts on that?
I definitely think that when the show started to allow instruments, it opened itself up to a whole bunch of people who wouldn’t have auditioned before. So I’m glad those people can have the opportunity as well. But the show shouldn’t receive criticism for naming winners the audience voted for.

Any thoughts on Simon leaving?
It’s bittersweet. Simon was made out to be the villain. I’m going to miss him for sure… It’s going to be so different without [Paula and Simon]. I wish them nothing by the best in whatever they do moving forward.

What was it like to participate in the We Are the World remake?
It was amazing for me. The original is such a classic and pretty much everyone knows it… to see all the artists there for a cause bigger than ourselves was so humbling.

This is your first-ever solo tour. Talk about your plans and hopes  for it: 
I’ve been so used to being the opening act. I’m adjusting to having more songs to sing, going on later, etc. But I’ve been having so much fun!

I just hope that those that come to the show have a great time. I’m lucky to have Allstate on tour with me to Promote X the TXT. It’s all about stopping texting and driving and making our streets safer.

We have a booth where my fans and parents can take the pledge to not text and drive.They can also take the pledge at facebook.com/thumbsuppledge.

I loved In the Heights! What made you want to join that cast?  Talk about your Broadway debut and how excited you are.
I’m so excited! I can’t wait to do something new. I wanted to be in the show as soon as I saw it back in February.

I loved the characters and how there was a person everyone could relate to. I’ve always wanted to do Boradway, but I didn’t plan for it to be this year.

I have all the songs memorized, I just need to work on the lines, entrances and exists. I don’t think I do too much dancing, but I’ve got rhythm – and I get to be in one place for an extended period of time… I can’t wait to have a “normal schedule.”

Based on recent tabloid reports, Prince William might soon be engaged and might soon be a father.

But this much we know for certain: he’s 28 years old today!

The hunky piece of royalty shares a birthday with former American Idol winner Kris Allen and his relationship with Kate Middleton is at the center of British gossip magazines every week of every month of every years. We almost feel badly for him, but then we take a look at his face.

And who can have pity for such a stud muffin?!? Happy birthday, Big Will!

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Adam Lambert may receive more attention, but let’s not forget:

Kris Allen won the eighth season of American Idol. The singer hasn’t gone on to huge success, though fans can take solace in this fact: he isn’t Taylor Hicks, either. Expect Allen to stick around the music scene for years to come.

This talented crooner turns 25 today. He’s the face of Ford in new commercials and he also just seems like a really nice guy. Earlier this spring, he helped bring money and attention to the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Gestures such as that earn Allen our respect. Send in your birthday wishes to him today and enjoy the following photo montage of the artist…

These are your past three “Idol” winners, America.

All demure, lilywhite males, certified safe for cougar- and tween-crush voting blocks.

Get used to it. The recent past is also the foreseeable future for a tiring franchise with an aging audience.

Milquetoast white guys? Yep. This … is “American Idol.”

Where flawed singers, whose flawed voices and flawed looks have been keeping hope alive among our garden-variety dreamers and the delusional for a decade. Where passable guitar self-accompaniment sounds almost as good as it does at Starbucks. Where mediocrity still gets bathed in heavenly light and hyperbolic praise.

(Carrie Underwood, a bona fide country crossover Goddess with a capital G, notwithstanding. Point to Simon Cowell, who predicted as much).

Speaking of Cowell, the man could barely keep himself awake for this year’s pageant, but a big piece of the “Idol” back-end compelled him to spew superlatives through clenched teeth when they got down to the contestants who walk away with actual recording contracts. He’s no dummy.

I’ve largely sided with Simon over the years, but on Wednesday I think he missed the point about one thing.

(Read the rest of the post at TheWrap)

]]> http://www.wehostingsolutions.com/picturesofcelebrities/famous/american-idol-names-ninth-winner-says-goodbye-to-simon-cowell/feed/ 0 http://www.wehostingsolutions.com/picturesofcelebrities/famous/american-idol-crowns-winner-spoiler/ http://www.wehostingsolutions.com/picturesofcelebrities/famous/american-idol-crowns-winner-spoiler/#comments Wed, 26 May 2010 21:21:33 +0000 AP LOS ANGELES — Lee DeWyze, a paint store clerk who overcame his shyness to impress “American Idol” judges and viewers with his spirit and soulful voice, triumphed Wednesday over bluesy musician Crystal Bowersox in the contest’s ninth season.

When asked by host Ryan Seacrest how he felt, an emotional DeWyze said, “I don’t know. It’s amazing, thank you, guys, so much … I love you. Crystal, I love you.”

The finalists had closely matched fan bases, with just a 2 percent voting gap between them coming into the finale, Seacrest said. DeWyze’s victory was based on votes cast after Tuesday’s performance show, which drew more judges’ compliments for Bowersox, 24, of Toledo, Ohio, than for DeWyze, also 24, of Mount Prospect, Ill.

The total number of votes cast in the finale weren’t announced by Seacrest. That’s a departure from most years past: Last season, for example, the high-profile contest between Kris Allen and Adam Lambert drew 100 million phone and text message votes.

Fox didn’t comment on the omission. But “Idol,” although still TV‘s top-rated show, has seen audience erosion this season that could have affected the tally. The talented but low-key Bowersox and DeWyze might also have provoked less interest.

The finale made the most of Simon Cowell‘s last appearance as a judge. A film package recounting highlights from the Cowell years was shown and comedian Dane Cook came on stage to sing “Simon Says,” made up of the Brit’s barbed comments, and to crack a few jokes.

“You have the honesty of Abe Lincoln and the charm of the guy who shot him,” Cook told Cowell, who took the ribbing with a smile.

The walk down memory lane continued with ex-judge Paula Abdul, who often played Cowell’s sparring partner during the seasons the shared.

“I’ve loved all the fun we’ve had together,” Abdul told Cowell. “`American Idol’s’ not gonna be the same without you. But as only I can you, it will go on.”

Cowell, in turn, shed his usual cool in an on-stage appearance.

“I didn’t think I was going to be this emotional and I genuinely am. … Everybody asks who’s going to replace me, who going to be the next judge. The truth is,” he told the audience, “you guys are the judge of this show and you’ve done an incredible job over the years.”

The finale, as usual, was stuffed with humor, including the return of Larry “Pants on the Ground” Platt and William Hung, return appearances by former contestants and music stars.

Kris Allen, last year’s winner, sang “The Truth,” with Carrie Underwood, Michael McDonald, Christina Aguilera, Hall & Oates, Robin and Barry Gibb, Janet Jackson and Joe Cocker were among those whose performances were scattered throughout the two-hour show.

Bret Michaels, the ailing former Poison frontman and reality TV star, joined “Idol” finalist Casey James on one of the band’s biggest hits, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

David Cook, a past “Idol” winner, was unable to attend because of a charity commitment, Fox said.

Bowersox, with a distinctive, Janis Joplinesque-voice and whose status as a single mom and warmth earned her the nickname “Mama Sox,” had basked in praise Tuesday.

“You took that song and you absolutely nailed it,” Cowell said of Bowersox’s rendition of “Black Velvet,” a song he said he’s normally “allergic” to because it gets murdered.

The assessments of DeWyze were respectful but more measured – with Ellen DeGeneres the exception.

“Lee, I couldn’t be prouder if I birthed you myself,” she told him after he sang Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer.”

DioGuardi admired DeWyze as an “emotionally accessible” singer after he performed R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” as his second number, but Cowell urged him to try harder.

“When you come out for your last performance, I want a 10 out of 10, because you’re capable of that,” Cowell told him.

With U2′s “Beautiful Day,” Jackson welcomed hearing “the guy with the strong big rock voice” and DioGuardi said he had “one of the most commercial voices of the season” and deserved to be in the finale.

Cowell, who had pointed to DeWyze as the frontrunner before the finale performances, said that “American Idol” was designed for someone like DeWyze, who worked in a paint shop when he tried out for the show and needed a break.

DeWyze’s first single will be “Beautiful Day,” which he performed Tuesday.

Seacrest, who appeared to have an on-air testy relationship with Cowell this season, had only warm words for him Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We really are going to miss you. You are a dear friend and we wouldn’t be here without you,” Seacrest said.

Cowell isn’t going far: He’s going to produce and judge “The X Factor,” a Fox version of his popular British talent contest.

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Fox is a unit of News Corp.

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Online:

http://www.americanidol.com

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AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen contributed to this story.

Uh-oh. It’s continuing to spread.

In a new interview with OK! Weekly, Adam Lambert is the latest celebrity to admit: I’ve got a case of Bieber fever.

This infliction doesn’t seem as dramatic as other verified outbreaks, as Lambert responded to a question about watching Justin Bieber perform at last Sunday’s Wango Tango concert and said:

“I have to say I’m sorry I missed it. I met him before at a couple radio shows, he’s a really nice kid. He’s really friendly and he’s funny… He’s obviously worked really hard. I know adolescent girls are loving him. Good for him.”

Other topics touched on in the discussion included Kris Allen and Adam’s upcoming tour. Check out a few excerpts from it:

On Allen: “If there was ever a rivalry it would have been last year and that wasn’t the case. He and I get along so well… We really respect each other.”

What will the tour be like? “I would definitely say my theatrical past and sensibility are definitely being put into play. I wanted to create like a story through the music, even if it’s loose and it’s not super clear, I wanted it to make sense to me and my people. So, that when performing these songs, there’s an emotional motive.”

Can American Idol survive without Simon Cowell? “I think people will definitely miss Simon, [but] at the end of the day it’s really about the contestants. That’s why people turn in every week. They get invested and so I think it will be fine.”

Read the full interview now and, as always, sound off: How awesome is Adam Lambert?!?

In an oddly structured evening in which three big acts came out and did solid performances of so-so songs, we found out first that Casey James was safe. Naturally, that meant the only suspense would be if Lee was going home but then he was announced as safe too. That left Michael and Crystal, though Ryan Seacrest had been careful at the top of the show to announce the results were presented in “no particular order.” So why group Michael and Crystal as the faux “bottom two?” It just meant everyone knew that Michael was going home after the first 10 minutes of the show but wouldn’t know for certain until the end. He then reprised “Will You Be There” and if Michael had been that forceful and focused on performance night, he’d probably still be in it. Of all the contestants who got to sing in defiance of going home, Michael can take comfort in delivering the most.

So is it clear cut that Crystal and Lee will be the finalists or can Casey sneak in there? And is it foolish to think Crystal is a lock when last season most people thought Adam Lambert was a lock over Kris Allen?

Thanks for reading. Visit Michael Giltz at his website and his daily blog. Download his podcast of celebrity interviews and his weekly music radio show at Popsurfing and enjoy the weekly pop culture podcast he co-hosts at Showbiz Sandbox. Both available for free on iTunes. Link to him on Netflix and gain access to thousands of ratings and reviews.

Credit: Michael Hickey/WireImage.com