American Idol

Now that Sanjaya Malakar has been given the boot -- pasty Phil Stacey now has a web site's dubious honor as the "worst" on "American Idol."

VotefortheWorst.com, a web site which asks for visitors to intentionally vote for a bad "Idol" contestant, has named the bald soprano its new poster boy. The site has been credited for keeping vocal weakling Sanjaya on the show long enough to make the top seven, but Sanjy says that "creative haters" had nothing to do with his semi-success.

The web site's special message to Phil: "We love you even if you can't be exposed to direct light."

Malakar, the Ponyhawked Wonder who was given the ax this week, was a constant joke for the shock jock, who urged his listeners to vote for Sanjaya to screw with the "Idol" system -- by intentionally voting for "the worst."

Malakar tells Ellen DeGeneres he doesn't believe that Stern's fans and other "haters" voted enough "to make a dent in the system." While confident, and perhaps delusional, Sanjy feels it was his own large fan base that kept the straining singer around for so long.

Sanjy also reveals, in an interview airing Monday on Ellen's talk show, that if he were to shave his hair, he'd donate it to the Britney-esque Phil Stacey -- though it's doubtful Phil would consider it a good luck charm!

TMZ has obtained some classic video of a 9-year-old Malakar performing in a local production of "Bugsy Malone" -- a musical with children playing mobsters -- where the rejected "Idol" performs an amusing tap dance with a broom.

The Hawaii Children's Theatre performance was recorded in 1999, but there are already signs of some of his infamous traits -- the cheesy Mariah hand waves, his studied pre-teen chicken-necking, and signature note reaching. A star was born!

There's also a taste of Malakar as a random but adorable orphan in "Oliver," and sister Shyamali in "A Christmas Carol" as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Now Sanjy joins the ranks of wannabeens past ... but this kid is money.

TMZ caught the loopy "Idol" judge outside Mr. Chow last night, where she went to chow down after the results show, in which the Sanjaya the Ponyhawked Wonder got the ax. When asked her feelings on his exile, Abdul wasn't exactly sympathetic, brushing off the question with a "Oh he'll be fine," and proceeded to sign photos for waiting autograph hounds.

With Sanjaya's media attention and lightweight vocals gone, Paula added, "The competition's gonna start getting heavy."

Through AOL Horoscopes, numerologist Hans Decoz says, "Sanjaya Malakar is dominated by the number 2," and folks with that number are often underestimated and perceived as weak or imcompetent. But watch out! People with this number "will survive at all costs!" You have to give it to Sanjy for his resilience, and his bounce-back hairstyling!

His name "has a base vibration of 5," indicating that he is willing to "take risks and get off the beaten path." Or off key? Number 5 vibe also "manifest in a high-pitched energy ... that means he or she is almost certainly bound for fame and fortune."

Perhaps they meant off-pitch energy?

TMZ spoke with Simon Cowell this morning about last night's incident on "A.I.," in which Cowell sarcastically rolled his eyes after contestant Chris Richardson offered condolences to the families of the victims at Virginia Tech.

Cowell told TMZ, "I couldn't hear what Chris had said. I was talking to Paula. My reaction (rolling my eyes) was to what he had said previously, that singing nasally is a form of singing."

It's true, when the judges are off camera they frequently jab at each other as the singers do their thing.

Simon told TMZ he was shocked when he saw what went down: "When I watched the show back, I was horrified."

Maybe it's the ridiculous ponyhawk, his karaoke-quality "singing," or that cheesy smile, but whatever it is -- Spade's got Fanjaya Fever!

TMZ caught the "Showbiz Show" host outside of Koi last night, hanging out with "Full House" alum Bob Saget. After Spade and Danny Tanner parted ways, the man who once dated Heather Locklear revealed his affinity with everyone's favorite "American Idol" yelper, telling TMZ, "Sanjaya's sexy, there's no stopping that guy!"

Please let him be wrong.

"American Idol" fans can't get enough of Jordin Sparks!

Last night, the 17-year-old beauty wowed judges and viewers alike, not just with her rendition of Martina McBride's "A Broken Wing," but with her flowing silk Nicole Miller dress. Gorge! In fact, fans were so enamored with the orange Mayan Deity (that's what it's called) frock, that by the time the show aired on the West coast, it had already sold out on Bloomingdales.com! Ka-ching!

A rep for Nicole Miller tells TMZ , "All stores should still be selling this dress and if they sold out, they should be getting a new shipment in May!" At press time, the goddess gown -- which retails for $575 -- was still available at Saksfifthavenue.com. Hurry, girl!

Two weeks ago, the 17-year-old wannabe crooner sang Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek" while sporting a slick 'do and an even slicker white suit from Swedish retailer H+M. Sanjy's homage to "Saturday Night Fever" didn't go unnoticed, as fanjayas have been hitting up the fashion chain, requesting the $180 two-piece suit in droves. TMZ contacted a local H+M store and we're told that although the demand has been steady, they still have the suit in stock. Better hurry up before they're eliminated!

Even celebs are taking notice of the vocally-challenged media sensation's trendsetting style. At this past weekend's GLAAD Awards, "Grey's Anatomy" star Katharine Heigl arrived decked out in a more feminine version of Sanjaya's ivory suit, and even donned a matching black shirt too. Luckily, Heigl passed on the ponyhawk!

From hair god to fashion icon, looks like the only thing the rising popstar can't do ... is sing!

A new "Idol" week starts after the departure of Wednesday night's eliminated contestant -- see-ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!

On Thursday, contestants mull over song choices and begin to work out their particular look for their next performance. This is where Sanjaya's hair-tastrophes are born! On Fridays, after song choices are nailed down, contestants hit the town to purchase any last-minute wardrobe. It was on a Friday that TMZ spotted "Idols" lunching after shopping at the celeb-heavy Grove mall.

On Saturdays, the wannabes meet with that week's celebrity mentor to pick up tips on their renditions and to make any needed tweaks to their song's arrangement. The meetings are filmed rehearsals, with J.Lo, Gwen Stefani, or, as was the case this weekend, Martina McBride.

Sunday is a busy production day, as the "Idol" kids tape those goofy Ford-sponsored music videos. Say cheese! TMZ has learned that if production wraps early, they usually get some much-needed free time on Sunday nights. You hear that LC?!

Monday is all about rehearsals, rehearsals and more rehearsals. Yes, Sanjaya actually rehearses.

Tuesday is live performance night, which finds everyone (contestants and production staff alike) scrambling to iron out all last minute details. A dress rehearsal run-thru happens just prior to the live taping at 5 PM PT. Afterwards, we're told, many of the contestants gather at their Hollywood apartment complex to watch the show together.

The recently brunetted singer played a small gig last week at Hollywood's famous Cat Club on the Sunset Strip.

Alaina's plan is to play "a gig a month," so if you missed this one, you're sure to catch the sometimes pitchy singer strumming at some other venue. Our recommendation for her next show: less clothes!

When Britney needs to get somewhere, she brings her two favorite peoplemovers. Her enormous bodyguards politely warned onlookers to "start moving or get pushed." Something tells us they should listen.

What happens when MTV and "American Idol" collide? You get Lauren Conrad and Chris Richardson at Les Deux. We smell a new reality series.

Britney's shedding the pounds while rebuilding the career. We caught her outside of Millennium Dance Complex, Red Bull in hand and looking hot. Bald and hot.

Last season's petite powerhouse phoned into the "Tone E Fly Morning Show" in Minneapolis today, and called "Idol" "a joke," and said she and a few other contestants are using the Web site VotefortheWorst.com to screw with the results.

"We want to see him [Sanjaya] win because it'll kind of prove that 'American Idol' is kind of losing its taste," says Bennett, "it kinda isn't going for talent anymore and more for popularity."

At least she isn't bitter.

After going through metal detectors, checking our cell phones/cameras at the door, and depositing our gum into the CBS Studio page's blue cup (no gum chewing allowed on camera), TMZ was ushered to our seats. Celebrities in the audience included Eva Longoria, Sharon Osbourne, J.Lo BFF Leah Remini, and most interestingly, 80s TV bad girl Donna Mills.

Remini brought some of her tough Brooklyn girl edge to the "Idol" set, as staff made an entire row get up and move so she and her hubby, Angelo Pagan, could sit on the aisle. When a page tried to get Leah to dispose of her gum, she shot him an evil death-ray look that sent him cowering back to his post. The power of Xenu!

Booted "Idol" hopeful, curly-haired Chris Sligh entered the studio and the crowd roared with applause and cheers. Sligh must be a huge fan of "King of Queens," because he made a beeline for Remini and introduced himself. Pre-teen fans roamed the set asking for autographs from ex-"Idols" like Sligh, Alaina Alexander (who traipsed around in trollopy red five-inch heels), and Season 5 diva, Mandisa, membah huh? Some Fanjayas even approached Sanjaya Malakar's sexy sister Shyamali for her John Hancockakar!

In the opinion of one Glocksen supporter, "Idol sucks without you. Actually, Idol REALLY sucks this year, period. You, Melinda, and Jordin were the only bright spots, before I started boycotting."

It could be that GG's fan base has thrown their pierced punky power to Sanjaya! Rock on!

TMZ has obtained the exclusive first images of the shocking video, featuring Season Two contestant Olivia Mojica. Here's one pair of lungs Simon won't dis!

The video, which Mojica made with her boyfriend a month ago in her New York City apartment, is set to hit shelves on May 3, courtesy of Vivid Entertainment, the adult entertainment company behind Kim Kardashian's X-rated romp. Vivid is currently hosting the uncut trailer at hardcoreidol.com.

Reps for Vivid, who claim they obtained the footage through an unidentified third party, are currently trying to contact Mojica to see if she will help promote the video and share in revenue from its sale.