American Idol

Good thing she didn't butcher the national anthem like she did "Eight Days a Week."

TMZ got a hold of some ass-kicking snaps from our friends at The Daily Courier of the barely-alive "AI" golden girl. Her fellow wannabes might want to watch out -- we're told by her martial arts instructor that she's "feisty and cocky in the ring." Hell hath no fury like a kickboxing horse-woman booted off "Idol"!

Record execs are trying to get a single written for the former stripper and fast, as TMZ first reported, which was news to David when our cameras got him last night.

Don't let his early exit from "Idol" fool you -- David Hernandez is still hot ... and we don't mean those stripper pics!

TMZ spoke to several H-Wood record execs who are still dying to work with David. We're told the thinking is.... strike while the iron is hot and release a quick single rather than wait and release a full album. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.

It's 3:00 AM. Jason Castro is asleep in his bed. Two phones ring: one has Simon Cowell on the line, the other is a group of orphans in Honduras who need a home. Which phone does Jason answer?

Soft-spoken Jason Castro, a junior at Texas A&M, was inducted into the Aggie Mens Club this past fall -- an organization that provides a "social atmosphere of Christian fellowship and brotherhood." They're currently on a trip to Honduras, donating time and money ($14,000) to build homes and orphanages.

TMZ spoke to Chris, the Club's president, who's now in the country's poverty-stricken capital, Tegucigalpa. Chris spoke highly of Jason -- saying Jason would likely have joined the 14 guys who are in Honduras right now ... but for "Idol."

BTW, the guys way down south caught Jason's performance Tuesday night -- thank God for Honduras cable.

As TMZ first reported, major publishers have already started writing songs specifically for Hernandez, regardless of being booted from the competition.

TMZ spoke with Ramiele Malubay's Spanish teacher at Zephyrhills High School, who distinctly remembers something that could knock Rammy off "American Idol" -- she's extremely allergic to peanuts!

This could be vital information for fellow "Idol" contestants who might want to sabotage Ramiele if they ever feel she's a threat. Fortunately, based on previous performances, that probably won't be an issue.

Surprisingly, "Idol" wannabe Kristy Lee Cook didn't get axed after massacring the Beatles' "Eight Days a Week" -- and her good looks may have a lot to do with it!

Sources tell TMZ most of the contestants (and the world) were convinced Kristy was getting the boot last night. After strip daddy David Hernandez was eliminated, we're told several of the contestants were overheard discussing Kristy's survival and the prevailing theory was that she was saved -- not by her vocal talent -- but because "it's too early to send home the hot chick." Can you say Kellie Pickler and Haley Scarnato?!

Another thing working in Kristy's favor is the loyal country music crowd. In the end, her twang may take her farther than her t**s!

The band DOXOLOGY recorded their version of the track a year and a half ago, putting it up on iTunes and on the band's MySpace page. The band's manager tells TMZ the song is what they're best known for and have played it at nearly 200 shows.

The manager says the band has no intention of suing, but they're trying to get in touch with the show -- they want some props.

"Idol" tells TMZ the contestants pick their song and present their ideas for the arrangement to the show's musical department and work with them on it.

Welcome to Hollywood.

September 11, 2001 isn't just the day the world stopped. It also just happened to be "American Idol" Chikezie's sixteenth birthday.

It's pretty ironic Chikizzle ended up working as an airport screener for TSA.

One of them has demons to exorcise.

We're just sayin'!

"A.I.'s" Kristy Lee Cook hails from Selma, Oregon -- which boasts a population of less than 3,000. Turns out that a number of the residents can't get "Idol" at home, so they mosey on over to the local Country Folks Restaurant to catch Kristy's performances -- and chow down on $1 hot dogs!

The eatery is pro-Kristy -- where family and friends also attend to root for the hometown girl they watched perform at local fairs when she was younger.

After last night's performance, Kristy better hope the townsfolk have better access to telephones than they do cable television!

Chikezie was in a church choir called Praise Team. In this video, shot in October of last year, it's clear that his years there have served him well. The pastor of the church, Carl Hargrove, tells TMZ that Chikezie sounds better in church than he does on "AI". Guess there's nothing quite like the acoustics in God's house.

Pretty boy Luke Menard ditched his a cappella group for "American Idol" -- and even though he's gotten the axe from the show, he may be getting replaced in the group too.

TMZ contacted Chapter 6, a popular all-male group in the college touring circuit, who tells us "It was a great run for him ... At this point Luke has many offers being presented to him and we are not sure if or when he will rejoin the group ... we will continue to look for tenors that are able to cover his track and we will continue to tour and record."

Based on the Bruce Campbell look-alike's unmemorable solo "Idol" performances, replacing him may not be a bad idea!

TMZ spotted the brutally honest judge at Ago after the show and after raving about "the Irish one," he also gave his predictions for who should get the boot tonight -- will he be right?