American Idol

Jordin Sparks isn't feeling great about her chances to replace Katy Perry as a judge on "American Idol" ... but she's still open to a call, and even has a sense of how she'd do it.

We caught up with the 'Idol' alum in L.A., where she confirmed she was totally serious when she pitched herself as the new judge for season 23 -- and while she believes that fell on deaf ears ... she also says she'd still love to return to her 'Idol' roots.

Jordin says hiring someone like her to fill in for Katy makes sense in her mind -- 'cause she's been on the show and has the experience ... but of course, it ain't really her call.

"American Idol" alum and Grammy-winning singer Mandisa died earlier this year -- and now, we know how ... as we've obtained her autopsy report.

TMZ obtained a copy of the document which lists Mandisa's official cause of death as "complications of class III obesity," with the medical examiner noting she weighed 488 pounds at the time of her death.

Per the report, the singer's friends found her in a state of decomposition in her residence on April 18. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene, where she was pronounced dead.

Simon Cowell is ready to get back into the boy band game ... and is already on the hunt for his next One Direction-esque success story.

Almost 15 years after making magic by bringing together Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik as a group on "X Factor," the record executive is searching for "future megastars" who are ready to put in the work to achieve international fame.

Simon announced his new project Tuesday, dropping recruitment billboards across London, which read ... "Simon needs you! Future megastars wanted for new boyband. No timewasters."

Katy Perry got a sweet sendoff on the TV show she's been on for 7 years -- with "American Idol" paying tribute to her by having the remaining contestants sing a bunch of her songs.

The pop star showed up on 'Idol' Sunday night for the season finale ... and before they announced the winner (Abi Carter), Ryan Seacrest and co. gave KP her own special moment in the broadcast ... and of course, it included music.

The 'Idol' producers brought back the Top 12 girls -- several of whom had already been eliminated, but only appeared for this highlight -- to belt out a medley of Katy's biggest songs ... including "Teenage Dream," "Dark Horse" and "California Girls."

Will Moseley's getting some support from a fellow hunter ... claiming the "American Idol" star was totally justified to sick dogs on a hog he hunted -- he says it's just the way hunters live.

Cameron Hanes -- an author and hunter whose goal is to become the "Ultimate Predator" -- spoke with TMZ ... and, he's defending Will Moseley's hunting methods.

CH tells TMZ ... hogs are an invasive species, and hunters need to take them down. Cam adds the best way to hunt them is with dogs, so he's got no issue with Hanes using them in the vid he posted a couple years back.

Will Moseley -un finalista Top 8 de la actual temporada de "American Idol"- no ha rehuido de sus antecedentes de caza en Georgia, su lugar de origen y donde él y su familia parecen ir al bosque muy a menudo para cazar.

Su padre, Todd Moseley, tiene toneladas de registros de ellos posando con cerdos salvajes muertos, que orgullosamente ponen en exhibición. Hicimos algunas investigaciones y parece que la caza de cerdos como este es legal en Georgia -con ciertas restricciones- incluyendo permisos, épocas del año, etc.

11:30 AM PT -- A rep for PETA tells TMZ ... "Anyone who encourages dogs to rip apart other animals should be in jail for cruelty to animals, not on a stage. Unless Will Moseley has changed and gained some much-needed compassion since his boar-killing days, PETA urges the public to vote according to their values and end his American Idol dream, the same way he ended the lives of vulnerable animals."

An "American Idol" contestant is getting dragged for an old video he posted that shows him on a hunt ... during which he seems to have sicced multiple dogs on a helpless hog.

Will Moseley -- a Top 8 finalist on the current season of 'AI' -- hasn't shied away from his hunting background in Georgia, where he's from ... and where he and his family appear to hit the woods pretty often to take down small game.

De las sabias palabras de Ryan Seacrest, "¡Esto es American Idol!"

Los focos están ahora sobre ti, ¡y no eres un favorito! ¿Tienes el poder que se necesita para encontrar las diferencias en estas dos fotos? Sube al escenario y demuéstrales de lo que estás hecho.

Los ídolos Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie y Ryan Seacrest se mostraron muy sonrientes a principios de esta semana en el evento de los 10 mejores de la 22ª temporada de "American Idol" celebrado en Los Ángeles. Antes de que se cierren las votaciones, ¿puedes probar lo bueno que eres con los detalles?

Y el ganador es ...

In the wise words of Ryan Seacrest, "This is American Idol!"

The spotlight is now on you, and you ain't no shoe-in! Do you have the star power to find the differences between these two photos? Take the stage and show 'em what you're made of!

Idols Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Ryan Seacrest were all smiles earlier this week at the "American Idol" Season 22 Top 10 Event held in Los Angeles. Before voting closes down, can you pick up the changes?

And the winner is ...

Ryan Seacrest y Aubrey Paige han terminado su relación luego de tres años juntos, esto de acuerdo a un nuevo informe.

People informa que Ryan y Aubrey han decidido separarse, aunque no se citó ninguna razón específica. Una fuente dice que planean permanecer en la vida del otro como buenos amigos.

Los fans comenzaron a especular que la relación de Ryan y Aubrey había terminado después de que ella publicara un críptico post en Instagram. El martes subió un video que la mostraba bailando en un apartamento... sin Ryan a la vista.

Ryan Seacrest and Aubrey Paige have called it quits after 3 years together ... this according to a new report.

People reports that Ryan and Aubrey have mutually decided to part ways -- although no specific reason was cited. A source tells them RS and AP plan on staying in each other's lives as good friends ... and will continue to support one another's endeavors.

Fans first began speculating that Ryan and Aubrey's relationship was over after she dropped a cryptic post on Instagram. She uploaded a video of herself on Tuesday, which showed her dancing around an apartment ... with no Ryan in sight.

"American Idol" alum and Grammy-winning singer Mandisa has died ... TMZ has learned.

Her father confirms her death to TMZ ... telling us her death was unexpected and a total shock to the family. We're told there were no known health issues prior to her passing, and her cause of death is not currently known.

Mandisa -- who competed on season 5 of 'Idol,' finishing in 9th place -- was found dead in her home in Nashville on Thursday.

Mandisa, la cantante, ex participante de "American Idol" y ganadora del Grammy ha muerto ... según ha averiguado TMZ.

Su padre confirma su muerte a TMZ, quien nos dice que esta fue inesperada y un shock total para la familia. Nos dicen que no había problemas de salud conocidos antes de su muerte y la causa del deceso no se conoce actualmente.

Mandisa, quien compitió en la temporada 5 de "Idol" y terminó en el 9º lugar, fue encontrada muerta en su casa de Nashville el jueves.

Katy Perry dice que Jelly Roll sería un buen reemplazo en "American Idol" cuando ella se retire, mientras sigue latente la pregunta de quién va a ocupar sus zapatos.

La cantante le dijo a E! News que está a favor de que la estrella del rap/country tome su lugar en la próxima temporada, sobre todo desde que causó una gran impresión en ella cuando apareció como invitado en el programa de ABC a principios de este mes.

Ella dice: "Tengo que decir que Jelly Roll estaba loco cuando vino al show", añadiendo que la convenció completamente con todo su conocimiento de la industria.

Katy Perry says Jelly Roll would make a good 'American Idol' replacement before she dips -- this as the question of who's gonna fill her shoes continues to linger.

The singer told E! News she's all in for the rapper/country star to take her spot next season -- especially since he made a lasting impression on her during his guest appearance on the ABC show earlier this month.

She says "I gotta say, Jelly Roll was crazy when he came on the show" ... adding he had her totally convinced with all his industry knowledge.