American Idol

An astrologer who predicted last year's 'Idol' winner says the stars are lining up for Katharine McPhee to be the next 'American Idol.'

Jeff Jawer, an AOL Horoscopes astrologer, says the alignment of the Taurus moon with Venus and Pluto gives Katharine the edge over Taylor Hicks and Elliott Yamin. The 'Idol' winner will be picked on May 24.

Last year, Jawer correctly sized up the lunar signs and predicted that Capricorn Carrie Underwood would win the competition.

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'American Idol' front-runner Taylor Hicks reunited with his band when the 'A.I.' star visited his hometown of Birmingham, Ala this past week. The success of Taylor's band has erupted ever since their lead singer made a splash on 'American Idol'. The Taylor Hicks Band, starring Taylor himself, performed in front of nearly 12,000 of Soul Patrol fans Friday with performances outside City Hall and the Galleria Shopping Mall. The band also performed on a live broadcast aired on the local FOX affiliate.

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• Taylor Hicks' Homecoming
• Taylor's Mom Speaks

Was it talent or luck that landed Taylor Hicks in the top three 'American Idol' slots? We found out that Taylor-- at least partially-- banked on luck.

In the past, Hicks has always carried two lucky charms with him when he performed with his band back in Alabama -- a Ray Charles bobble-head doll and a King of Clubs playing card. Why Ray Charles? Taylor's a huge fan. Why the King of Clubs? His bandmates tell TMZ that Taylor was the king of all nightclubs in his hometown.

When Taylor made it to the top 12, his bandmates flew to Hollywood to deliver the lucky charms. We can only assume Taylor was packing a King of Clubs when he sang on 'A.I.' As for the bobble-head, it probably ended up in his dressing room -- it's way too big for the 'A.I.' stage... and his pocket.

Click here to see the good luck charms.

TMZ was along for the ride Friday when 'American Idol' frontrunner Taylor Hicks paid his hometown of Birmingham, Ala a visit. He pumped up the "Soul Patrol" with two live performances.

Related video

• Taylor Hicks' Homecoming

'American Idol' frontrunner Taylor Hicks visited his hometown in Birmingham, Ala. on Friday and received a hero's welcome.

The trip home included a parade, a performance at Alabama's largest shopping mall and a meeting with the governor. Fans swarmed Hicks for pictures and autographs at every stop.

Hicks performed the song 'Will It Go Round in Circles' for thousands of screaming fans at Linn Park and was given the key to the city by Mayor Bernard Kincaid.

The multi-platinum rock band Fuel has offered 'American Idol's' Chris Daughtry a gig with the band.

Click here to listen

Paula Abdul may have been shocked by his departure last night, but some of the country's top betting sites predicted Chris Daughtry's ouster from 'American Idol.'

Chris Daughtry will get an offer tonight to front a famous band. It will unfold on the television show 'EXTRA.'

Members of the band will appear on the 'EXTRA' set to make the offer.

Two of the most reliable predicters of 'American Idol' winners are pointing in different directions.

Screensavers.com, which has been flooded with 'Idol' downloads, says Chris Daughtry's downloads have out-numbered the other top contestants 2 to 1.

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Simon Cowell was on the set of 'EXTRA' yesterday with an unexpected guest on his lap -- a pug puppy!

Although it's not his pup, the pug won over Simon faster than any 'American Idol' winner. The notorious hard-shelled Cowell melted as the puppy warmed up to him, hanging out on his lap for the entire interview.

See the softer side of Simon come out as he gushes over the baby pup.

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Kellie Pickler has come a long way from Albemarle, NC, but it's become an expensive proposition for her Grandpa Clyde to support her by travelling to Hollywood. So, the Albemarle community has come up with clever ways to help with Grandpa Clyde's travel expenses, and it looks like they hit the Jackpot. All proceeds go to Grandpa Clyde.

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• Pickler hometown lowdown 
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TMZ has learned that the remaining 'American Idol' contestants will attend the Los Angeles Dodgers game Friday night and there's a buzz that they may perform.

We're also told everyone on the set was stunned Wednesday night that Chris Daughtry was in the bottom two.

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TMZ Exclusive Video: 'A.I.' Goodbye Dinner for Ace

'Idol' contestants Chris Daughtry and Paris Bennett helped console their friend, Ace Young, after Ace was voted off of 'Idol' last night. A TMZ camera exclusively captured the 'Idol' hunks and Bennett at the The Whisper Lounge in Los Angeles after the results show.

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• Ace On the Town After Elimination
• 'Idol' Farewell Dinner

As the 'American Idol' competition heats up, the divas have emerged -- and they are not Kellie, Paris or Katharine.

Sources connected with the show tell TMZ that Ace Young and Chris Daughtry are hands down the most difficult contestants for producers to handle. Once source called Ace and Chris, who are roommates, "constant complainers." They complain about everything from song selections to shopping.

'Bad Day' is currently the top song in the iTunes music store and the song all of America hears when contestants learn they have been voted off 'American Idol.' Not bad for a track off of an album that was made for $6,000.

Daniel Powter never had any aspirations to "be a big pop guy." He says, "For me it was mostly about trying to get on some sort of distribution, being able to get in front of people and play music and tour."

TMZ has learned that 'American Idol's' Taylor Hicks was offended by Simon Cowell's remark after Taylor's performance Tuesday night. Simon's comment -- "Are you drunk?" -- pushed a sensitive button with Taylor. Back in his hometown, Talylor has dealt with others affected by alcohol.

We're told Taylor will occasionally have a drink, but he is definitely not a drinker. While on 'Idol,' Taylor is strictly business, often drinking milk with dinner. Indeed, when two of his close friends visited recently, the friends downed beer after beer while Taylor limited his intake to Coca Cola.

Sources say that Taylor was so upset with Simon's "drunk" comment that he almost said something on the air, but resisted. After leaving the stage, Taylor made it clear that he was upset.

Brian Less of the Taylor Hicks Band back in Alabama told TMZ recently: "Right now, he (Taylor) knows that he's got to stay focused out there and do his best. So, Corona's not going to help him!"

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