American Idol

Sanjaya won the battle, but "J" thinks she'll win the war.

"J" is the "American Idol" fan who starved herself for 16 days in an effort to get Sanjaya Malakar off "American Idol." It hasn't worked (yet), but she tells TMZ that she thinks the tide is turning. "I wanted people who were upset Sanjaya was still on the show, but hadn't voted, to be motivated to call because of what I was doing. I believe that I got people to do this."

"J" lost 17 pounds during her protest and says the desire to eat had completely disappeared. She says that she could have continued, if not for doctor's orders, and that she had the support of friends and family until her health became an issue. "For the most part, it was a pretty positive reaction," she says. "They were glad that I took a stand for something I believe in."

In her final video posting, a computer screensaver can be seen in the background -- an ad for Fitness-Singles.com. So was this all a publicity stunt for a dating website? "It's funny that so many people are reading so much into that. I actually have a job with Fitness Singles in their support department, so that screensaver has been on my computer for quite some time now."

If you absolutely have to listen to Sanjaya Malakar sing, you might as well try to make some money doing it.

Bodog.com is taking wagers on Sanjaya's hairstyle for tonight's Tony Bennett themed episode. The "Johnny Depp" the is the favorite at 2/1 (a $1 bet pays out $2). If he goes with a "Donald Trump," it's worth 13/1. And if Sanjaya goes Britney and shaves his head, it pays 20/1.

You can bet on one thing for sure ... tonight, all eyes will be on Sanjaya's hair!

TMZ has learned that a Hollywood independent comedy production company is searching for a Sanjay-alike -- no talent required.

The company posted an ad on Craigslist, asking individuals to submit headshots and their MySpace link to be eligible for an audition. The ad says:

"Independent Comedy production company seeking a Sanjaya look-alike for an American Idol parody - the auditions may possibly be filmed by a national television news show. Whoever gets the part will star in our spoof. Lots of exposure for the actors auditioning. Don't worry if your hair isn't long, we will get a wig for you. Don't worry if you can't sing, after all, it's Sanjaya."

Sanjaya has captured headlines for surviving the weekly cut on the mega-hit talentfest. Websites and petitions have popped up on the net, including votesanjayaoff.com -- one Philadelphia DJ is living in a tent on the roof of a car dealership until the vocally challenged,

hair-raising Idol gets the phoned-in ax.

Sanjaya Malakar is getting fried this week!

Kentucky Fried Chicken has offered the "American Idol" wannabe a free lifetime supply of their Famous Bowls if the 17-year-old hirsute crooner sports a bowl hairdo in one of his next televised performances.

In an open letter to Sanjaya, KFC President Gregg Dedrick writes, "We're sure America will be as 'bowled-over' by your take on this classic look as they are by our KFC Famous Bowls."

In addition to the poultry perks, KFC will also make a contribution in Sanjy's name to Colonel Scholars, a charity that provides young people with college scholarships. Who knew bad singing and funny weaves could do so much good?!

She's an American Idol, she's Sanjaya's best girlfriend, and she's got charm ... and she is one.

Thanks to an eBay auction, Miss LaKisha Jones can be your very own wrist adornment with this Italian charm bracelet add-on.

The single mother of one and former bank teller will be putting it down with Tony Bennett tonight. As Randy Jackson said, "She's a true fly diva!"

The MySpacer who had gone 16 days without food in protest of Sanjaya Malakar's presence on "American Idol" has finally relented -- under doctor's orders.

"J," the one-letter moniker by which she is known to millions, says that she will continue to fight the good fight the old fashioned way: by voting for anyone other than Sanjaya.

Wearing a bucket cap, brass medallion, and charming black purse, the ponyhawked singer recorded some tracks for this week's show, which will feature crooner legend Tony Bennett.

That's right, Tony Bennett, 80, and Sanjaya -- sharing the same stage. In 2005, Bennett received a Kennedy Center Honor, but working with Sanjy has to be a career highlight.

While most of the country may have fallen in love with "American Idol" wannabe Sanjaya Malakar, there is one group that is finding his growing popularity a tad irritating -- his fellow "A.I." contestants!

An inside source revealed exclusively to TMZ that some of the remaining "Idol" hopefuls are annoyed that the vocally-challenged 17-year-old continues to advance, while other "more talented" singers get sent home. We're told the contestants are not-so-much mad at Sanjaya, but at the situation, which finds websites like votefortheworst.com and satellite radio host Howard Stern urging fans to keep Sanjaya in -- simply as a joke.

We're told the "Idols" don't find it funny, since it's their future being toyed with. Our source adds that the contestants find it troublesome that they all work so hard to pick the right song and rehearse each week, but it appears that all Sanjaya really has to do to move forward is to show up wearing a scrunchie.

TMZ contacted an "Idol" rep, who had no comment.

Sanjaya's biggest fan is at it again -- no, not that overwrought teenweeper -- but Eric Schwartz aka Smooth-E. This time, Smooth assumes his Sanjaya alter-ego to send a little Easter/Passover love to his fans.

As expected, it's Sanjy's hair, rather than his singing, that inspired this mock greeting card.

Pitchy!

Just because "American Idol" contestant Sanjaya Malakar isn't the strongest singer on the show, it doesn't mean he won't have a career ... so says a music insider to TMZ.

Stuart Meyer is an A&R rep for Sub Pop Records -- home to early Nirvana and The Shins, and just happens to be based in Sanjaya's hometown, Seattle. Meyer says that actually being able to sing is just one quality a pop star needs to have. "He has a charm about him that is key to being a pop star," Meyer says. "Some of the biggest pop stars, like Madonna and Britney, aren't exactly the best singers." Word.

Meyer added that he thinks Sanjaya has "a bright future ahead," saying, "I'm sure someone will sign him, he has personality."

No matter what you think of Sanjaya's so-called voice, Meyer says he does have a leg-up on a lot of other pop stars. "You have to give him credit for getting out there and singing live; a lot of the biggest pop stars out there today rarely do that." Um, Ashlee Simpson anyone?

Call off the search -- "J" is still with us.

When "J" -- the MySpace girl who is on a hunger strike until Sanjaya is off "American Idol" -- didn't update her blog, we feared the worst. But alas, she's still alive and still going strong.

"I first want to say thanks to TMZ and the rest of you guys for worrying so much about me since then, that really means a lot," she wrote. "It's helping to get me through a rough time. Don't worry though, I'm still alive." Whew!

"J" has gone without food for 13 days now, sustaining her protest with water, vitamins and an undying love for "American Idol."

Just remember "J," if you ever need someone to lean on -- or a sandwich -- we're here for you.

A Sligh-tly sore loser, are we?

Mop-topped "American Idol" hopeful Chris Sligh, who just got the axe on Wednesday, now says he thought about quitting the show after getting excoriated for his maverick arrangement of "Endless Love," and that he really just stayed in to get paid as one of the Top Ten, who will go on tour this summer.

In an interview with his hometown paper, the Greenville, S.C. News, Sligh says he never really wanted to be the American Idol. "I never came into this wanting to win it. I made the Top Ten. That was my goal," says the big-haired Sligh, who many observers pointed out bears a striking resemblance to "The Simpsons'" Sideshow Bob.

The loyal "American Idol" fan who has been on a hunger strike until Sanjaya is voted off of "Idol," didn't update her daily blog last night after Sanjaya survived another round of cuts, prompting us to wonder: Has Sanjaya's "singing" claimed its first victim?

The MySpacer, who only goes by the name of "J," has been at this for nearly two weeks. After Tuesday night's episode, she wrote, "Tomorrow is Wednesday, hopefully the day that will save my life." Cryptic.

"J," if you're out there, let us know you're ok. And have a steak or something -- Sanjaya isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Sanjaya's mindboggling pony-hawk was enough to almost distract from his butchering of No Doubt's "Bathwater." Almost. Unfortunately, a more appropriate song choice for Sanjaya would have been the power pop band's 90s hit, "Don't Speak," which Timberlake-alike Chris Richardson ravaged. *beep beep*

If Sanjaya survives another week, he's going to have a busy day in the studio -- the hair studio that is!