American Idol

"American Idol" wannabeen Sanjaya Malakar may not have learned how to sing like a diva -- but he sure can act like one!

TMZ spies spotted Sanji and his similarly coiffed sis, Shyamali, getting their free swag on -- and their attitudes -- this weekend at the Hanes Style Villa in Arizona.

After picking up thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and spa treatments, we're told Sanjaya wanted a photog to give him $20 for taking his pic.

Not to be upstaged by her brother, Shyamali got in on the prima donna act by telling another style suite photog, "We're not taking a picture unless we know what we're getting." Along with swag, the dynamic duo appear to have picked up a bad rep.

TMZ TV talked to one of Sierra's sisters and one of her hometown buds -- who was with the now-pregnant Top 10 contestant the night she was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence. They had been busy spending money Jessica earned from Vivid Entertainment for her sex tape, "Jessica Sierra: Superstar."

Watch TMZ TV's story on the "Idol" wannabeen -- and check your local listings for airtimes.

As TMZ has been reporting for weeks, people behind the scenes in Britney's life have been gearing up for an intervention -- which is now officially underway. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes anger surrounding the intervention, and the anger is directed at one Sam Lutfi, Brit's constant companion.

Yesterday, Sam called TMZ's Harvey Levin, with Britney by Sam's side, and told us Britney's family "barged in" to her home Monday night. Sam said of the family, "They have an agenda. Their agenda is jealously because they don't fit in. I do. They see her three times a year."

Britney was standing by the phone during Lutfi's conversation with Levin. Lutfi claimed he did not force Britney to buy a new Mercedes yesterday as the family claimed. He asked Brit, "Did I force you to buy a car." In a heavy southern accent she responded, "No." He continued, "Do I ever bug you." She replied, "We argue."

Lutfi said Britney's mom is fine with him -- it's her dad who's problem, claiming he's been verbally abusive to Brit and physically abusive to Sam. Family sources tell TMZ they believe Sam is a "megalomaniac" who is motivated by "evil."

Fallen "Idol" Ruben Studdard can barely find a place to sing for his supper these days, and now he's suing a concert promoter called Peachez Inc., and he's asking for more than lunch money!

In a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court, the "Idol" star wants $45,000 from Peachez, alleging breach of contract. The Dallas-based company describes itself as "a specialty marketing company" with clients in the "entertainment industry." We've called Ruben's lawyers and Peachez, but so far, we haven't had a response.

It's all going downhill for Ruben, who just got canned by his record label after his latest album tanked.

A line snaked around the block at Gold's Gym in Venice a few days ago, as thousands of potential victims auditioned for the second season of "American Gladiator."

Check out the story from TMZ TV and check your local listings for airtimes.

Former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel hit the big time in the '80s with hits like "Sledgehammer" and "In Your Eyes." Guess what he looks like now!

Move over King Tut -- it's Queen Butt!

Artist Daniel Edwards has created a bootyful bronze sculpture of a curvaceous and robust Oprah Winfrey, called, "The Oprah Sarcophagus." Edwards previously created a life-sized statue of Britney giving birth, and one of a dead Paris Hilton.

It's safe to say Edwards isn't one of Big O's favorite things!

If you think Britney Spears doesn't give a crap about getting help for her condition, think again.

Multiple sources tell TMZ Britney has seen numerous doctors. We know that she's seen a new psychiatrist who has come to her home every day this week and that she's on medication to treat her bipolar disease. We also know doctors have indeed concluded she suffers from bipolarity.

Britney has seen doctors who have been referred by other doctors, plus doctors who have been referred by celebrities Britney knows, and doctors referred by her lawyers, family and friends. We're told the process has been excruciating for her, partly because her disease is severe.

Sources tell slightly different stories about the efficacy of the medication. A friend says when Britney takes her medicine she is like "a different person -- normal and sweet." But she takes her meds for a while and then feels as if she can live without it -- so she stops taking them -- and her condition quickly deteriorates. But a professional tells TMZ flatly, "The medication just isn't working."

In a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court, the "Idol" star wants $45,000 from Peachez, alleging breach of contract. The Dallas-based company describes itself as "a specialty marketing company" with clients in the "entertainment industry." We've called Ruben's lawyers and Peachez, but so far, we haven't gotten a response.

It's all going downhill for Ruben, who just got canned by his record label after his latest album tanked.

After seeing the pic of a slightly plump Seacrest on TMZ, Petranek Fitness has offered to get the "Idol" host back in top form and they're willing to train Ryan for free. Gym owner Andy Petranek teaches Cross Fit -- the routine that gave the actors in "300" their Spartan-like physiques -- and is extending Ryan (and his KIIS-FM morning staff) a free lifetime membership to his Westside gym.

No word yet if Ryan will trade the pork loin for a loincloth!

Perrie Cataldo -- a smooth-talking "AI" contestant who crooned his way to Hollywood last night -- once had a secret weapon up his sleeve ... literally!

TMZ has obtained an arrest record revealing that Cataldo carried a handgun into a bar in Glendale, Ariz. back in 2006, after being kicked out for fighting. According to the arresting officer, Cataldo was "concealing" the gun under his clothing, and was confronted by security and arrested.

Cataldo plead no contest to carrying a concealed weapon (a misdemeanor) and was fined $568.

Cataldo went to serious lengths on last night's show to explain to the judges that he'd turned his life around since then. He revealed his baby mama was killed for being "at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people, doing the wrong thing."

FOX had no comment.

It takes a lot of courage to rock that much hair and pancake makeup.

We're just sayin'!

Sanji was spotted trying to go incognito while walking in L.A. on Sunday. Sanjaya is one "Idol" reject who hasn't been dropped by his label -- because he never had one!

As Aiken made his debut at Broadway's "Spamalot" on Saturday, TMZ was in the house and -- believe us -- the Shubert Theater was full of middle-aged housewives (who comprise the Claymates) elbowed and bitched their way through a crazy throng to get their Romeo's autograph.

The song, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" will be performed by the wackadoodle "American Idol" judge during the Super Bowl. Can you say audio malfunction?!

Straight up now, tell us what you think.

Hyper-sentimental Paula Abdul is prepping for her big comeback gig at the Super Bowl -- but it looks like the whole thing could be a golden ticket to her biggest and most public meltdown yet!

A source close to Paula and familiar with preparations tells TMZ that it's going to be "a massive disaster" -- exact words -- and that the whole thing is a "bad, bad idea." The "AI" judgewreck has already lost her voice in rehearsals for the show, and we're told she isn't going to sing live in Arizona (duh). Her vocals, therefore, will be "enhanced." Pitchy keen!

TMZ has learned that the pregnant former Idol flew into LAX late Friday night, where she was met by the center's Director, Michael Bloom, who escorted Jessica straight to the PRC to begin her year-long stay at the live-in facility. Sources tell TMZ that Dr. Drew met with Sierra on Saturday afternoon, and he's now trying to work with a Florida court to get permission for her to attend group meetings outside the facility -- no answer yet!

The Florida judge sprung her loose last Monday, on condition that Jessica go back to Dr. Drew's rehab clinic in California and that she stay the hell away from television cameras.

So what does the "A.I." loser do? She leaves the courtroom and holds a news conference -- in front of TV cameras. And you thought Kellie Pickler was dumb.

Today the judge ripped Jessica a new one, saying, "Those mics are like a magnet to you, so I tell you what -- you're not allowed within 100 yards of a mic or a TV camera."

TMZ has learned "American Idol" rehab queen and mommy-to-be Jessica Sierra has been denied treatment in California. They don't want ya!

Sierra was released from jail in Florida this morning, and was to fly to Dr. Drew's Pasadena Recovery Center, but never got on the plane. A judge had agreed to send Sierra to Drew's facility for a year, to be followed up by three years of probation. But now, City of Tampa prosecutor Pam Bondi tells us California has denied treating Jessica Sierra as an "emergency transfer." Because of this, Sierra will appear in a Tampa courtroom tomorrow to figure out what her next steps are. What we don't know is why they denied her. Working on that one (but maybe it's obvious?)

Sierra had been in jail since December 1, after her arrest on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence. The arrest came after she taped the VH1 series "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew."

That arrest was a violation of her probation on previous charges stemming from another arrest in April. On that occasion, cops say she threw a glass at a bar patron and had cocaine on her.

Stay tuned ...

With her family and the "Loveline" doc at her side, a Tampa, Florida judge cut a deal with the season four star Monday morning, giving her three years probation -- as long as she completes a one-year stint at Dr. Drew's Pasadena, Calif. treatment center. If she fails the program, Sierra will go back to jail.

Sierra, who is facing two felony counts of possession of cocaine and battery, will not be released from police custody until flight plans are made. Cops will escort her to the plane once travel plans are set.

The judge also ordered Sierra to keep her trap shut to the media, telling the singer, "You are not going to become a celebrity because you are a recovering addict."

TMZ spoke to prosecutor Felix Vega who said, "Dr. Drew seems very concerned, very caring, but very serious about getting her the help she needs."

Although abysmal record sales forced the plus-size 29-year-old schvitzing velvet teddybear to be dropped last month by his label, J Records, Ruben isn't performing at local balloon festivals or housing developments just yet. Studdard will hit the road this fall as part of the 30th anniversary of the national tour of Tony-award winning musical "Ain't Misbehavin'." The joint is jumpin'!

Joining Rube will be fellow "Idol" castoff Frenchie Davis, who previously spent over four years on the Great White Way in "Rent." At least for now, these two wannabeens will still be able to pay their rent!