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

First guy to go! American Idol rocker Paul McDonald ends women's losing streak leaving Jennifer Lopez close to tears

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Sent packing: Rocker Paul McDonald was the first male to be voted off of this season's American Idol on tonight's live show and was given the news by host Ryan Seacrest


Rocker Paul McDonald's dreams of stardom were cut short tonight after he was knocked out of American Idol - the first male in the top 13 to get the boot.

Before leaving the stage, the 25-year-old, from Nashville, sang Maggie May one last time at the special request of judge Jennifer Lopez who was close to tears at his exit.

'Let's not be sad about this,' the latest cast-off said as he got the crowd to its feet. 'It's been good fun, a good ride, it's been good times.'


Sad: Judge Jennifer Lopez was close to tears when the results were read out and asked him to sing Maggie May as his final song


Scruffy bearded McDonald had been in the bottom three with fellow contestants Haley Reinhart and Stefano Langone after his version of Old Time Rock and Roll from the movie Risky Business failed to impress audiences.

After over 53 million votes were cast, McDonald is the first male to be eliminated and actually sent home since the top 12 - after Casey Abrams was saved by the judges two weeks ago.

Stefano has received praise from the judges last night for putting on his best performance of the competition so far so it was surprising to see him him in the bottom three again - but with Idol there are no guarantees.


Tough competition: Also in the bottom three tonight were Stefano Langone and Haley Reinhart - but they were ultimately sent back to safety


Nail-biting: The contestants had another nail-biting wait to see if they get to stay on the life-changing show for another week


So long: Jacob Lusk hugged McDonald who is leaving the live shows but will get to take part in the American Idol tour this summer


He returned to his safe seat to fewer boos than last week after the crowd went crazy when Pia Toscano was sent home - a favourite to win.

The remaining seven hopefuls are Casey Abrams, Scotty McCreery, Haley Reinhart, Lauren Alaina, Jacob Lusk, Stefano Langone and James Durbin.

Meanwhile, last week's reject Toscano was supporting her pals from a star-studded audience which included soul divas Chaka Khan and Anita Baker.


Giving her the eye: Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart fuelled the fire that they are having a 'showmance' with a rousing jazz performance


Country crooners: Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina also performed a duet tonight


Former Idol winner Kelly Clarkson performed her song 'Don't You Want to Stay?' with Jason Aldean.

The first time Idol took host Ryan Seacrest to task about 'rephrasing' her tweets on air - like the one where she said Casey was cute.

'Why, what did you tweet about Casey?', Seacrest asked with fake innocence.


Sultry: Rihanna brought the house down with her debut performance of California King Bed


'Oh no, he's certainly delicious, he's cute', Kelly admitted which made the jazz singer blush.

'I just mean, you don't say the whole thing! So many people think I'm some kind of pervert or something', she added.

Casey and Hailey continued to crank the rumour mill of a secret romance between the two of them with a spirited jazz duet where he could not take his eyes off his fellow contestant.

The hour long show was given a further injection of star power when singer Rihanna took to the stage to showcase her new song California King Bed.


Scary: The contestants had filmed a zombie-themed Ford commercial which was aired during the show


Sporting bushy, scarlet curls and a flowing gown, the 23-year-old Barbadian beauty belted out the ballad and even threw in a spot of air guitar.

After the song, Rihanna let audiences in on a secret from her upcoming summer tour.

'We've designed the stage and we have two sections on the stage where fans can actually be in the show and on the stage, closer than they've ever been,' she told host Ryan Seacrest. 'It's real VIP.'

The contestants had filmed a zombie-themed Ford commercial which was aired during the show.


source: dailymail

At the bottom of the voting pile... Pia Toscano 'had no chance of winning American Idol'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

No chance: Pia Toscano never had a shot at winning American Idol, according to show sources


Pia Toscano never had a shot at winning American Idol, according to show sources.

The talent show hopeful, who was voted off last week, ‘was never going to win’, a production insider revealed after saying: ‘It was only a matter of time before Pia was kicked off.’

Toscano was apparently nowhere near the top of the voting pile, whereas four of the other five remaining contestants are said to be ‘fairly consistently placing in the top four.’

And while Idol judge Jennifer Lopez was left in tears when Toscana was eliminated, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says she was 'never a frontrunner' because she didn't connect with the audience,

He told Entertainment Weekly: 'The fact of the matter is that it appears that Pia didn't connect with the audience as much as we maybe think she did.'


Hectic schedule: Yesterday Toscano was spotted visiting the MTV Sttudios in New York for an interview with MTV news in a black skirt and green shirt


But although the source revealed Pia’s unfortunate news to TMZ, they did say that the singer’s rumoured record deal with Interscope Records is more than just gossip.

Pia is said to be just moments away from signing the deal, which may make her exit from the show a happy ending after all.

The 22-year-old is said to begin work immediately on recording her debut album under the record company, which is chaired by Idol mentor Jimmy Lovine.


Date night: Meanwhile Pia Toscano was spotted enjoying a dinner date with Dancing With The Stars hunk Mark Ballas


Meanwhile the five remaining contestants, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk and Casey Abrams are still in the running to become the next idol.

But since Pia’s departure from the show, she has been having a successful social life and was spotted enjoying a dinner date with Dancing With The Stars hunk Mark Ballas.

The pair were spotted leaving the Gulfstream seafood restaurant in Century City in Los Angeles on Friday night.

Toscano had apparently been eyeing the 24-year-old dancing professional for some time, as they had both been filming on the same CBS lot in Hollywood.


Record deal: Despite being voted off American Idol, Pia is said to be moments away from signing a record deal


Emotional exit: Idol judge Jennifer Lopez was in tears when Toscano was voted off the show


They had yet to be formally introduced before Toscano's time on the Fox show was cut short, however, so the New York born diva was forced to take action.

And the unlikely cupid in to this very 21st century talent show Romeo and Juliet is none other than WWE wrester Chris Jericho, 40.

According to TMZ, Toscano shares a mutual friend with Jericho - who is currently competing in the ABC's weekly dance-off - so she passed her number on to him.

The date is understood to have gone well, with both parties wanting to see each other again.


Final Song - Pia Toscano - I'll Stand By You - American Idol Top 9 Results Show - 04/07/11



source: dailymail

Jennifer Hudson and Ashton Kutcher Tweet their shock after Pia Toscano is eliminated from American Idol

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Shock: In the biggest shock of American Idol so far this season, 22-year old Pia Toscano was eliminated from the competition last night


Hollywood fans of American Idol were up in arms last night after the shock elimination of Pia Toscano last night.

Despite her stunning looks and incredible voice, the 22-year-old New York received the least public votes, despite being named favourite to win by all three judges.

Celebrities including Tom Hanks, Ashton Kutcher, Ellen DeGeneres and Idol alumni Jennifer Hudson Tweeted their shock at the results.


Out of three: The elimination came after Pia was in the bottom three with Jacob Lusk, left and Stefano Langone, right


Hanks wrote: 'Don't have an Idol habit, but how could the USA vote Pia off? I may be done for the season.'

Kutcher Tweeted: 'Who are the people that vote on American idol? That's just crazy! That Pia girl is dope.'

Chat show host DeGeneres - who was a judge last season - said she was 'shocked and sad', while Hudson wrote: 'I can not believe they just eliminated Pia ! ReAlly..????'

Judge Jennifer Lopez was lost for words and clearly furious after the results were read out during the live show.

'I can't believe what just happened here,' she said. 'I'm shocked and angry... I don't know what to say.'


Still smiling: The raven-haired beauty still managed to compose herself during most of the elimination


Randy Jackson was equally bemused and told Pia: 'I'm with Jennifer, all in shock. You were one of the best singers in this.

He reiterated that no matter how much talent and wow factor the contestants had, they still had to watch their backs

'No one is safe and you've got to vote for the ones you love.'

Aerosmith rocker Steve Tyler simply complimented the brunette stunner.


Angry: Both Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson were horrified with the outcome


'You look so beautiful when you sing - like a bird,' he said.

Pia who hails from Queens, New York had sang Tina Turner's River Deep - Mountain High on Wednesday night.

Jennifer had said afterwards that she loved the performance but wanted more from her: 'That was amazing,' she said.

'Vocally you proved to us you can sing up tempo. But I'm going to keep pushing you - what I want you to do now is start.'


Tears: But following the song she broke down in tears and needed to be comforted by the fellow idol contestants


Joining Pia in the bottom three last night were Stefano Langone and Jacob Lusk, both of whom were forecast as a good bet for elimination this week.

Upon finding out the results from host Ryan Seacrest, Pia still managed a smile.
She then went home to a standing ovation from the judges following her performance of I'll Stand by You.

But after the song she broke down in tears and needed to be comforted by the fellow idol contestants.

Pia's elimination wasn't the only thing to generate shocked looks.

Jennifer Lopez blushed and had to look away during Iggy Pop's performance of Wild One as he gyrated his hips just inches from her face.

She was the last judge to her feet to applaud the legendary punk rocker.

Arthur star Russell Brand also made a surprise appearance as a charisma coach for contestants.


Watch out: Iggy approached the judges midway through his performance


The pre-taped segment showed Brand meeting with contestants and offering advice.

The show also featured a performance of Unchained Melody by season four contestant Constantine Maroulis.

The other remaining finalists include Casey Abrams, who last month scored the judges' once-per-season save, Haley Reinhart, James Durbin, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Paul McDonald.


Antics: Arthur star Russell Brand also made a surprise appearance as a charisma coach for contestants




source: dailymail