Danny Noriega's Family Will F*** You Up
One of "A.I." contestant Danny Noriega's Sierra High School classmates talked with TMZ -- and told us that the kid who glammed-up "Tainted Love" was nobody to mess with! Who knew?!
Apparently Danny has a big family -- including an older brother that doesn't like people messing with his little bro. Simon better watch what he says!
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"Idol's" Hernandez' Almost-Pro Past
David Hernandez is no newcomer when it comes to the music biz, TMZ has learned -- we're told that he worked with Universal Records before his "Idol" turn, and we've uncovered video of the vocal powerhouse messing around in an NYC sound house just pre-"AI."
Hernandez originally worked with Universal, but the label suddenly dropped him before he was discovered anew by Vocal Chills Management, another NYC-based artist management company -- that's Jacob Madrid, another Vocal Chills artist, he's vamping with. Right now, of course, David might be better known for his smooth chest -- but his smooth vocals should count for something, too.
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Bar to Carly Smithson: Don't Come Back!
The bar where "Irish American Idol" contestant Carly Smithson used to work doesn't want her back -- because they want her to win!
TMZ spoke to some of Smithson's former co-workers at popular San Diego Irish bar The Field and they say Carly, who started out as a server and got promoted to bartender, is easy-going and good-natured. We're told her specialty was serving Guinness beer with hearts and shamrock shapes in the foam. That's talent, folks! Co-workers said Carly even picked up cooking tips from the bar's chef and loved making bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Paging PETA!
Despite releasing a failed album on MCA Records in 2001, we're told Carly often would sing at the bar after her Saturday night shift. Sounds like good "Idol" practice, because singing in front of a room full of drunks probably isn't that different than performing for Paula!
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Spies Inside "Idol" Rehearsal Spill It
So today's "American Idol" rehearsal has just ended and here's what we got from our spies.
David Cook and Michael Johns were talking while the girls were on the stage, discussing who was hot. At one point David said, "I would do her," pointing to someone -- sorry, we don't know who.
The worst performance was courtesy of Brooke White, though she looked the best. She sang a slowed-down, country version of "Love is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar and it sucked. The best performance was Asia'h Epperson, who sang "I Want to Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston.
All the contestants were there and they have some kind of code, constantly referring to "shenanigans," which normally is a buzzword for hijinks, but they were clearly referring to something specific.
Danny Noriega and Ramiele Malubay are definitely best friends. He was on the side making a half-a-heart sign with his hands and she would complete the heart. The two talked about going to the mall for food after rehearsal.
David Cook was making fun of David Archuleta, like a big bro ragging on lil' bro. Cook was beaucoup arrogant during the rehearsal.
Seacrest sang "You Give Love a Bad Name" and was just as bad as yesterday, but lil' blondie freely admitted he was bad.
We're told they had 20 million votes for the guys last night -- a high for the season.
"Idol" or Drowning Daughter? Mom Chose "Idol"
A 25-year-old mother of five accidentally left two of her young children in the bathtub last week in Indianapolis, leaving one to nearly drown -- because she was too busy watching "American Idol." Don't worry -- like Luke Menard, the kid survived.
According to a police report, Sheila Brooks placed her youngest kids (Sirius, 3, and Sereena, 1) in the tub and then went to another room to fetch some clothes. After watching "Idol" for a few minutes with two of her other children -- Daesheana, 7, and Dasianaye, 5 -- Brooks suddenly remembered about the other two kids and sent Daesheana to get them out.
The police say that when Daesheana got to the bathtub, she found Sirius submerged underwater and not moving. She called for her mom, who then performed CPR and called 911.
As of now no charges have been filed and Sirius is still in the hospital, according to WIBC radio.
Chikezie Has Major Baggage in Past
Chikezie didn't score with Simon last night, but he was a big hit at Terminal 4 at LAX.
We've turned up pictures of Chikizzle when he was working at the Transportation Security Administration at the Los Angeles International Airport, where he was a baggage screener.
Chikizzle was a member of the TSA Choir, which performed at TSA functions (who knew!). Turns out the manager at Terminal 4 was an even bigger star than Chikizzle. The manager played backup keyboard for Santana in the 60's.
Here's what worries us. Chikizzle had an iPizzle in his ear while he screened luggage for bombs, but everyone says he was a great employee.
David Hernandez: If You Could See Me Then
Prior to "American Idol," David Hernandez did more than just strip in gay bars -- he also sang on cruise ships with a group of guys called the Vinyl Four.
David has performed on over 12 luxury liners in the last two years. The boy likes to cruise!
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"A.I." Contestant's "At-Risk" Past
"American Idol" wannabe Danny Noriega has issues.
We found out Danny attended Sierra (Continuation) High School in Azusa, Calif., a school dedicated to "at-risk" kids.
The crowd at the school? According to Sierra High's website, students are "significantly behind in credits -- and at risk of not graduating -- who want a second chance to succeed and achieve a high school diploma."
Danny graduated last year, but school sources tell us he had a rough time, working through his "gothic" phase -- that's when Danny boy went on his Christmas video rampage. One source says Danny had "multiple issues" which landed him at the school.
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Simon's Stabs at "Idol" Stripper -- Off-Camera!
They didn't talk about David Hernandez's naked past on "American Idol" last night -- but listen closely to this clip, that sly Simon Cowell still got in a little jab at David off-camera!
After his rendition of "All Coming Back to Me Now," Simon can be heard telling the other judges to "say I liked the way you stripped it down." Burn!
Somehow the news about David's stripperific past wasn't included in his "most embarrassing moments" package.
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TMZ to A.I. - We Can Name That Tune!
So our spies know what the guys are singing tonight on "American Idol." The rehearsal just ended, and you won't believe who laid down the best performance. Click to gallery to see who sang what.
As for what happened behind the scenes, it's obvious producers are following the "A.I." scandals because they had David Hernandez and Danny Noriega stand next to each other and teased them together going into commercial.
We're told Chikezie was having some pitch and arrangement troubles and Exec Producer Nigel Lythgoe was coaching him afterwards. Jason Castro was a nervous motha. Luke Menard sucked worst.
The girls, especially Pepe-Le-Pew-like Amanda Overmeyer were ragging on Danny Noriega for the Christmas video that surfaced on MySpace featuring Danny boy talking about raping mothers. Class.
During a break in the rehearsal, Ryan Seacrest sang "Hold On Loosely" by 38 Special. He was awful -- but he knew it.
The packaged pieces are the "A.I." contestants embarrassing moments.
By the way, in rehearsal, Danny Noriega was top dog -- by far.
'Idol' Wannabe Goes Topless And Strips, Too?
Every "American Idol" seems to have a skin scandal, and this year's involves pretty guy David Hernandez, a gay strip club, and a big trove of half-nude pics of David tending bar.
Hernandez worked as a bartender at a gay club and the saucy snaps of that gig have landed on VoteForTheWorst.com. And today, the manager of a strip club called Dick's Cabaret in Phoenix. tells the AP that Hernandez performed fully nude and did lap dances for the mostly male clientele at Dick's -- and "made good money" to boot.
No word if he'll face the fate of Season Three's Frenchie Davis. FOX tells TMZ, "We don't comment on the personal lives of the show participants."
"Idol" Punk-Boy's Shocking X-mas Rant!
TMZ has unearthed this unbelievable video of former hardcore punk-rocker turned future "American Idol" wannabeen Danny Noriega going off on a crazazy rant on the baby Jesus' birthday.
Noriega posted the salacious nonsense on MySpace in which the sass-master himself sends some pretty disturbing and vile Christmas tidings to the world. Screw you dude!
"Idol" Hopeful's Boy Band Past -- It Blows!
"American Idol" has been trying to make Robbie Carrico into this season's Chris Daughtry (except for the hair) -- but it's pretty obvious he's a lot closer to being the next Clay Aiken.
Check out this snippet of "Caught in the Middle" from Carrico's 2001 boyband called BFactor. You don't need Simon to tell you how bad it is.
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Overmeyer Over Already?
Is skunky Amanda Overmeyer's time in L.A. coming to an end? The "American Idol" contestant took a can of Aquanet to her blond weave hair, then went shopping on Melrose over the weekend.
Our spies saw the "singer" -- complete with spiked out bangs -- browsing for winter coats.
Cause it sure is cold in Mulberry, Indiana this time of year.
Former Idol Contestants' 'Lofty' Demands
Before fading into fallen "Idol" obscurity, Ruben 'The Velvet Teddy Bear' Studdard and Kimberley Locke can still get their dressing rooms fitted to their liking.
While Locke requests simple and "Fit Club" friendly items like salsa, tortilla chips, and fruit - specifically melons and cantaloupe (ick, really?), Studdard asks for an entire "loft" of wheat bread.
That's a whole lotta PB&J sandwiches.
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Hillary to 'SNL' Don't Change a Thing!
Unlike her debates with Barack, Hillary Clinton's appearance on "SNL" this weekend came with no arguments from the New York senator.
Sources tell TMZ the skit -- featuring Amy Poehler in Hillary drag -- was written on Saturday afternoon and sent over to Hill's camp for approval. We're told the material was promptly okayed with no edits. She's not the candidate for change!
While sources tell us Clinton skipped the earlier run-through, she showed up to the studio at around 10 p.m. -- blanketed with over 15 security guards and Secret Service. We're told Hillary was a really good sport and left not too long after the opening sketch was finished.
After Tuesday's primaries, the country may know if her campaign is finished.