American Idol

The three rejects have spent the last week asking all of their fans to vote for Jordin Sparks. The girls have posted bulletins non stop on each of their MySpace pages, urging readers to make Jordin the next "American Idol" winner.

Why are these girls serving up the Blake Haterade? Who knows... Girl power!

TMZ spotted the last season's resident guy-linered rocker outside Hyde last night with his band, aptly named Daughtry, where he told cameras, "I think we could win this year." Sadly, we don't remember hearing Seacrest read off the 866 number to vote for him after his performance in the finale.

Fans were rabid for celebs leaving the premiere of "Mr. Brooks," and while the film's star, Kevin Costner, stopped to sign autographs and take pictures with them, Dane Cook and Bruce Willis breezed past the entire group. Yippie-ki-yay mother lover!

Also out last night were a charmingly threatening Damon Wayans, Brian McKnight, Babyface, a studly Michael Vartan, Lance Bass and the always bearded Billy Gibbons.

Bo Pickler was allegedly stealing old, run-down cars and taking them to salvage yards to sell them. Pickler has been charged with three felony charges of stealing a motor vehicle, and one charge of obtaining property through false pretenses. He is being held on a $26,000 bond in the Stanly County Jail.

Papa Pickler was released from a Florida prison in 2006, after serving a three-year sentence for stabbing his neighbor. Kellie was a presenter on the 2007 CMT Music Awards.

Is Sanjaya Malakar really who he says he is ... or is he really an art school student pretending to be an "Idol" wannabe?

TMZ received a hilarious video of Sanjaya explaining that his "real" name is Bill Vendall, and that he is an art student at the Rhode Island School of Design. He "created" Sanjaya as part of his thesis, explaining, "The character was part of a larger art installation." That still doesn't justify the hair!

Sanjaya (or is it Bill?) also declares that you haven't seen the last of him, saying, "I might pop up on your favorite situation comedy. I might run for President. I might show up as you." Oooooooh, scary.

These candid photos were taken at the birthday party of one of her closest friends ... then. TMZ also has the wrongly-canned Idol's elementary school class photo (above). Doolittle attended a Christian school, and we're told that she and her mom were very religious.

The old friend told TMZ that Melinda was as genuine then as she appeared to be on the show. "She is such a sweet girl, we spent most of our time playing double dutch together."

Watch for Melinda's career to surpass this year's actual Idol winner, probably Jordin.

TMZ spotted the zany "American Idol" judge outside of Bella Cucina last night, and despite a nasty trip over her Chihuahua that supposedly left her with a broken nose, bruised arm and a broken toe, Paula didn't look that bad ... for her.

As she left the restaurant, Simon Cowell's whipping girl noticed one photog with tears streaming down his face. While the sobbing shutterbug blamed the waterworks on allergies, the other paps jokingly outed him as a Paula Abdul fan. Oh, the shame!

Wait 'til Simon hears about this! As first reported by "EXTRA," ever loopy "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul broke her nose over the weekend, when she tripped while trying to avoid stepping on her dog -- a large, threatening, fear-instilling chihuahua named Tulip. (We kid, of course.)

Though she wasn't hospitalized, "EXTRA" says Abdul did suffer the nose-mashing fate just days before the live finale of "Idol." There's no indication that she'll be missing the big event, or that she'll have to wear any protective headgear -- to avoid Cowell's no doubt stinging barbs.

When TMZ contacted Abdul's rep, Howard Bragman, about the accident, all he would say is, "I didn't trip her!"

Despite the fact that there are two published birthdates for Melinda, Jeff Jawker of AOL Horoscopes says she's the only contestant with any "positive planetary action" on finale night, May 24. Jawker adds, "She's the astrological choice to win." And the vocal one too!

Unfortunately, for Cancer sign Blake Lewis, his planetary support comes May 26 -- two days too late! Jawker thinks he may have to settle for a record deal without an "Idol" champ moniker. Oh, for the love of Guarini, Bice and McPhee!

Jailbait crooner Jordin Sparks may be just 17, but like Capricorns, "persistence and ability to learn as they go make them powerful finishers." So is there still hope for the mature teen to come out on top? Jawker believes "if sheer planetary force is the key to success," Jordin could snatch the title from Melinda's humble hands. Use it or lose it, sister!

Blake Lewis' hair wasn't the only thing that turned black recently -- so did his toe!

TMZ has learned the "American Idol" be-bopper had to go to the doctor last Thursday to have his toe looked at after a hangnail turned his toe black. Sounds more painful than Sanjaya's singing!

After having his pedi-cured, sources close to Blake say the 25-year-old then boarded a private jet for a visit to his hometown of Bothell, Washington.

Now we know why Blake sometimes seems a little light in his loafers.

After being voted off "American Idol," LaKisha Jones was amazed to find out that some of her biggest fans are -- celebs!

TMZ has learned that LaKisha was in New York this week doing the normal "Idol" rounds of post-loss press, and like a true star, she hit up a swag suite to grab some freebies at the network upfront presentations. Celebrity rule #1: The more you make, the more you take! Sources tell TMZ that during her visit to the gifting gala, KiKi was shocked to find herself inundated with praise from admiring stars like Lindsay Lohan, Kelsey Grammer and cast members from "Grey's Anatomy." We're told the Hollywood crowd gushed that the 27-year-old single mom was their favorite this season. Well, then why didn't ya vote for huh?!

As this was one of her first experiences outside the protective confines of the "Idol" womb, LaKisha couldn't believe the A-list attention she was getting. Tick tock! Enjoy it while you can, girl! Enjoy it while you can!

Now only TMZ can show you exactly what the girls will be wearing tonight!

Not the most fashionable of the bunch, Melinda Doolittle is hoping to pump up the votes in a V neck short (and we mean short) sleeve dress by T-Bags. For the love of Haley Scarnato, unless she's trying to get a leg up on the competition, we hope imagine she'll be wearing this $165 number over pants or leggings.

As arguably the most marketable of the trio, Jordin Sparks will squeeze her curves into a sexy blue Twister halter by LaROK. The $168 slinky frock comes with double straps in the front -- girl needs all the support she can get!

Blake Lewis added blonde skunky streaks to his new brunette 'do this week, and angry "A.I." fans had a lot to do with it!

TMZ has learned that after the be-bopping boob revealed his darker shade last week, fans on blogs and websites (and Rosie on "The View") had nothing but negative things to say, which made Lewis question his decision. Do blondes have more fun? A reader on TMZ left the following comment: "And please tell Blake that going dark didn't work for Ashlee Simpson and it doesn't work for him either!!" Talk about career-enders!

A well-placed source tells TMZ that while Blake wasn't ready to go completely back to his dated frosted fiasco, he did add the blonde highlights as a compromise. A little dab'll do ya! Vote for me!

Regardless of who is crowned -- and thanks to Blake -- Chris Sligh's Shirley Temple curls, Haley's used weave and, of course, Sanjaya, the real winner of this season's "Idol" will be -- hair!

Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson are the latest to wax on Hilton's upcoming trip to jail -- Simon telling cameras they "feel sorry for her" as Randy said the entire situation is "crazy dude, she's a good girl, she'll get it together." Way to go, dawg, with the jailhouse rockin'!

Cowell even said he'd visit the pokey-bound heiress when she gets locked up -- sounds like a great "Inmate Idol" opportunity!

"American Idol" may be able to tell their contestants what they can and can't sing, but they can't censor P!nk!

P!nk's pre-taped performance of her song "Who Knew" is scheduled to air tonight on "Idol" (after being bumped from the "Idol Gives Back" charity episode), but TMZ has learned that the pop star was originally set to sing her current racy hit, "U + Ur Hand."

We're told when the "Idol" powers-that-be realized the song made references to self-love, they asked P!nk to alter the lyrics to make them more appropriate for the "family-friendly" show. You know, like an exhumed Elvis! Well-placed sources tell TMZ that P!nk wasn't willing to compromise her artistic integrity (you go girl!) and agreed to sing her last single, "Who Knew," instead.

If "Idol" really wanted to protect audiences, there's only one person they should have censored -- Sanjaya!

An "Idol" rep had no comment. A call to P!nk's rep was not immediately returned.

"Idol" champ Kelly Clarkson has used her music muscle against her record label head, Clive Davis -- and won!

Well-connected record company sources tell TMZ that Clive likes to exercise "creative control" over artist recordings and wasn't happy at all with Kelly's latest album, "My December." There are unconfirmed reports Clive wanted to shelve the entire album. TMZ has confirmed that the 75-year-old music mogul asked for "significant" changes and wanted to put the brakes on the CD. But Clarkson wasn't having any of it -- especially since she wrote/co-wrote all the tracks on the record.

Sources tell us that Clarkson stood up to him and flat out refused to give in, and in the end she got her way.

One source told TMZ there is "deep tension" between Clarkson and Davis, adding, "She's definitely upset, but she's not a stupid girl."
"My December" drops July 24. Kelly performed one of the album's tracks on "Today" this morning.