American Idol

The "American Idol" kids might be all aw-shucks on the air, but they're a lot more oh-no-you-didn't when the cameras stop rolling!

This year's crop of "Idol" finalists, according to spies at the apartment complex where they're all sequestered, "act like they're stars already" and are definitely "not nice" to the staff at the building -- and complain a lot about things like a little construction going on at the complex. "They're always hiding like they're special," we're told, and they're very aloof, especially compared to last year's crew, which was much nicer.

But after laying down the track, the "A.I" wannabe tried his hand at Barry's Bootcamp in West Hollywood, where regulars include Jake Gyllenhaal, Teri Hatcher, and Nicollette Sheridan. But when it came to the fitness ass-kicking, according to Barry, the Aussie just laid down -- and couldn't keep up with the workout.

Wait 'til Simon finds out about this.

The petite performer is singing aboard Rosie O'Donnell's "R Family Vacations" cruise.
Show tunes for everyone!

Thankfully, she doesn't murder the song, a la "Eight Days a Week."

Think of the children!

Marty tells TMZ when Kristy was 16, she called Marty (then her manager) to get tickets to an Oregon country fair where Tanya was performing. Marty did Kristy one better -- she talked Tanya into letting Kristy sing a couple of songs on stage! Tanya then took Kristy and her family backstage to hang out.

Marty, who's still friends with Tanya, told her about Kristy being on "American Idol" -- so Tanya got Kristy's number and called her last night. Tanya told Kristy that she was pretty, had a great voice and to just go out there and be herself!

The advice is great -- but Tanya might wanna vote next week.

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.