Since losing "American Idol" four years ago, Chris Daughtry has really grown as an artist.
The 30-year-old showed off his non-bald scalp at a concert in Miami this weekend.
It's good to see Chris going back to his roots.
Filed under: American Idol
It seems one high-pitched "American Idol" favorite is not who she appears to be -- at least when it comes to her accent -- because Nicci Nix has been on all sorts of reality shows before ... with a completely different voice. 
Nix -- who impressed the "A.I." judges with her helium sounding, Italian accented voice -- has appeared on at least 4 other reality shows before she got to "Idol," including "Fear Factor," "Next," "Making the Band" and "Date My Mom." 
When Nix appeared on "Fear Factor," not only did she go by another name (Nicci Palmeri), but she claimed to be from California and talked without the slightest hint of an Italian accent. The accent was also MIA when she appeared on "Making the Band" ... plus her voice sounded deeper back then too.
But now, Nix's "accent" has helped her through to the Hollywood round on "Idol" -- wonder what she'll sound like when she gets there.
Filed under: TV, American Idol
Randy Jackson isn't used to stealing the show -- but according to a new lawsuit, that's exactly what he did with "America's Best Dance Crew."
The Dawg and MTV are being sued by a guy named Dwight McGhee -- who claims the two powerhouses ripped off his idea for a reality show about a dance crew ... called "International Breakerz League."
According to the lawsuit, filed last week in L.A. County Superior Court, McGhee claims he pitched his show idea -- which he calls "uncannily similar" to ABDC -- to MTV back in 2004.
Fast forward four years later: ABDC premieres on MTV ... and McGhee is pissed, claiming he and MTV struck an "implied" contract when he pitched his concept.
Now, McGhee wants Randy and MTV to pay more than $2,000,000 for his trouble. Good luck with that.
No immediate comment from Jackson or MTV.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TV, American Idol, Exclusives
Gen. Larry Platt just took in-flight entertainment to the next level.
Platt's manager tells TMZ Platt busted out an impromptu performance of "Pants on the Ground" during a flight from L.A. to Atlanta this AM -- after passengers recognized him and then begged him to do it.
We're told Platt -- who was on his way back home from The Grammys -- performed the song in the aisle in coach.
Platt was the last person to get off the plane -- because the pilots and flight attendants wanted to meet him.
Filed under: American Idol, Exclusives
Good news for Gen. Larry Platt -- "Pants on the Ground" has finally been recorded in a studio. The bad news -- the General has no idea it's been released ... and a conflict is brewing.
Larry's former manager Jason Mills -- who's releasing the song to radio stations -- tells us he doesn't need Larry's approval because Mills says it's "promotional" and not for profit ... at least for now.
Mills says he now represents the producer, Carlos Thornton (aka Los Vegas) and Mills claims the producer has the right to release the tune, without the General's approval.
We're thinkin' .... the General might have issues with this.
Filed under: Music, American Idol, Exclusives
Before Massachusetts Senator-elect Scott Brown gets officially sworn into office, he's going to use whatever political power he can to write a terrible injustice -- his daughter's dismissal from "American Idol."
Brown explained to Barbara Walters that his daughter was only 17 at the time Simon Cowell described her performance as "robotic" and "empty" and he'd love to have her get on the show again.
The way Brown's luck has been lately, she'll probably win next season.
Filed under: TV, American Idol
Angela Martin -- the "American Idol" contestant whose "A.I." dreams have been derailed twice by personal turmoil -- just appeared on the Ryan Seacrest radio show to make another plea to find her missing mother. 
Martin's story is heartbreaking: She's made it to Hollywood twice before auditioning again this season -- but both times, she left the show early. Her father was murdered during her "Idol" run in 2007 and in 2008 she had to quit because of a court appearance.
Now Angela has made it to Hollywood again -- but this accomplishment has been marred by the mysterious disappearance of her mother Viola Brown Martin -- who went missing the day after a family Christmas dinner back in December.
Filed under: American Idol, Ryan Seacrest
"General" Larry Platt's gripe with saggy bottoms has gotten the "American Idol" star all the way to the Grammys -- dude's gonna be performing on the red carpet.
TMZ spoke with Platt's manager -- a charming woman named Pinky -- who told us the "Pants on the Ground" king will bust out his intoxicating anthem right before the awards show.
Unfortunately, the "General" is gonna have to find somewhere else to see the awards -- Pinky tells us there are no plans to actually go inside.
Probably for the best, considering Lil Wayne and T-Pain are expected to be at the Grammys ... gold teeth and all.
Filed under: TV, American Idol, Awards/Awards Shows, Exclusives
The whip-toting, leather-clad "American Idol" contestant on Wednesday's show is used to sexing it up in front of large crowds -- she was once a chaps-wearing booty shaker for an Arena Football team.
TMZ has found photos of Erica Rhodes from her stint as a dancer for the Dallas Desperados -- which were taken back in '06 and '07 when the AFL still existed.
As long as Erica keeps wearing leather ... we'll be rooting for her.
Filed under: TV, American Idol, TMZ Sports
"General" Larry Platt isn't the first person to sing about crooked hats and droopy pants -- and now a Michigan hip-hop duo is saying "Pants on the Ground" is a "take off" of a song they recorded back in 1996.
The Green Brothers -- a rap group consisting of an elderly Platt-alike gentleman -- re-posted the music video for their song "Back Pockets on the Floor" this week -- and you're gonna be shocked at the similarity.
The group claims their lift-up-your-pants jam has "the same intent, idea and in part the same message" as the "American Idol" wannabeen's.
According to MyFoxDetroit, Gerald Green says the group "wishes Platt well" ... they just want their version heard too.
Filed under: TV, Music, American Idol
One of the fake wannabes posing in this "They All Start Somewhere" ad for "American Idol" actually started off somewhere pretty significant ... the loins of legendary musician Kris Kristofferson.
TMZ has learned 26-year-old Jesse Kristofferson posed for the advertisement last year -- and according to Jesse's rep, Jeff Ballard, the people at "Idol" have no idea the ad features the son of a famous singer/songwriter.
Well now they know ... and knowing is half the battle.
Filed under: American Idol, Exclusives
The "Pants on the Ground" phenomenon has infiltrated the Canadian government -- where one member of the legislative assembly broke out in song to attack a member from a rival political party.
It all went down Friday morning inside the New Brunswick Legislature -- when veteran politician T.J. Burke used "General" Larry Platt's theme song to explain how an opposition member had been caught with his "pants on the ground" during a recent radio interview.
Details aside -- it's just funny.
Filed under: American Idol, Politix
Brett Favre isn't the only one doing "Pants on the Ground." Check out Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl running back DeAngelo Williams doing his version.
And the genius himself, Larry Platt, was a surprise guest at a Minnesota Vikings team meeting today to perform the song for the team. Is it too late to bet on the Saints?
Filed under: American Idol, TMZ Sports
LateNightWithDavidLetterman suv glee MeetTHeBrowns SuperBowl arraignment InvoluntaryManslaughter CharlieSheen MelroseAvenue dysrythmia ConradMurray Dr.ConradMurray SupriyaHarris JacksonEstate football lawsuit LilWayne LAPD explosives miami MedicalLicense stolen ChildSupport MulhollandDrive court BradAndAngie JoeJackson slander DrConradMurray hospital NewOrleansSaints arrested bikini death assault windermere car DomesticViolence charged comic JerseyShore divorce photo CelebrityContest DistrictAttorney surgery winner propofol governator misdemeanor MarissaMiller prosecution surrender WarrenSapp copyright autopsy Saints L.a.CountyD.a. bail plea iv DrewBrees KimKardashian MichaelJackson philadelphia photos gossip snooki MaeWhitman HughHefner felony NancyKerrigan d.a. LindsayLohan aspen MatthewWilder brangelina EntertainmentTonight commercial picture CaptainPhilHarris BeachBowl JacksonFamily JenniferAniston SilkStockings BradPitt manslaughter prize CelebrityBaby SarahPalin tlc vote fight SylvesterStallone menacing LasVegas speech FelonyMenacing heisman PaulYoung
