American Idol

Randy appeared cool, calm and collected during the conversation with the sunbather ... and while her identity is still a mystery, we're told she had a British accent, which would explain why she looked so comfortable doing the whole topless thing.

J.Lo explained the whole thing to BBC Radio -- saying, "I haven't been forced to make a decision and I'm glad about that because honestly I'm very on the fence about it."

Lopez added -- "I loved it, but I have a lot of other things happening, and it's going to come down to me making a choice of what I want to do for the next year."

One of those "other things" J.Lo is working on is her OWN singing competition show with hubby Marc Anthony -- called "Que 'Viva!: The Chosen". The show will focus on undiscovered vocal talent in Latin America.

FYI -- J.Lo reportedly made $12 MILLION for her role as a judge on AI this season.

Sources close to the club tell us -- "Idol" Season 5 finalist Ace Young visited the Chippendales at the Rio in Vegas recently ... and was SUPER interested in donning the famous bow tie and shirt cuffs.

According to sources, Young paid Chipps a visit to hang out with Timmons -- and to see how the whole guest-hosting thing works.

So far, there's no deal in place -- but it looks promising.

According to Locke, she's had to fight tooth and nail to get paid for performing in a 2008 "American Stars in Concert" tour -- featuring several AI alums -- even AFTER a court ordered producer Scott Stander to hand over the dough.

Epperson -- who placed in the Top 16 on "A.I." in 2008 -- filed a request for a restraining order against her 27-year-old ex BF ... claiming the guy has a history of "choking me and slamming me on the ground, fighting and wrestling me."

According to the docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Epperson claims the abuse got so bad, the ex began making "threats about killing me and then himself."

She claims he also, "called people out of my phone and threatened them as well ... threatened to shoot my friends."

Fortunately for Asia'h ... her request was granted and the ex-BF was ordered to stay 100 yards away from her at all times.

TMZ broke the story Lauren could not finish her rehearsal and the doctor froze her throat to save her voice. Haley Reinhart was summoned to the set and ready to perform if Lauren couldn't.

The doctor compared Lauren's throat to a runner with a sprained ankle.

But the show just started live on the East coast and the Midwest and Lauren is there. We'll let you know how she's doing.

UPDATE: Lauren has finished two songs ... so far, so good. Her voice hasn't cracked once during the entire show. In fact, according to the judges, her second song topped Scotty's.

TMZ broke the story ... Lauren lost her voice and could not finish rehearsing for tonight's finale.

Producers have brought Haley Reinhart to the set and she is currently in wardrobe. If Lauren can't compete, Haley will square off against Scotty McCreery for the title.

We're told during the rehearsal this afternoon, Lauren -- who has been losing her voice -- was supposed to sing three songs. She got through the first, struggled through the second and was unable to perform the third.

Our spies say a doctor on the set has ordered Lauren not to sing or speak, but there is a "real possibility" she will not be able to perform on tonight's show.

We're told if Lauren is unable to perform, producers will reinstate the third place finisher -- Haley Reinhart who will then compete against Scotty McCreery for the title.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The name of the song is "Like My Mother Does" co-written by Nikki Williams -- who married Cage's son Weston last month in Tennessee.

The song first debuted in 2008 ... but "Idol" finalist Lauren Alaina will sing it tonight.

Interestingly, former "A.I." Season 7 finalist Kristy Lee Cook released a version of the song on her 2008 album, "Why Wait."

As for fellow finalist Scotty McCreery -- we're told he's gonna sing a song called "Love You This Big."

TMZ obtained a copy of the contract all Idol finalists had to sign before the show -- which spells out exactly how much dough they'll pull in if they're invited to participate on the international tour.

In addition to the $1,000-per-concert -- the documents show each finalist will share in merchandise profits from the tour ... and will also receive $50 in spending cash for non-concert days.

Finalists are also guaranteed to stay in "Marriott/Hyatt style" hotel accommodations while on the road -- and will fly coach between tour stops.

According to the contract, the tour will kick off immediately after the Season 10 winner is announced on May 25 -- and will go until the end of September.

We're told the town has already raised $45 thousand in CASH for the event ... and local companies have donated roughly 8 grand in services.

The event will include a traditional pork barbeque, local entertainment, crafts, a parade and a concert by the country crooner himself!

As a thank you for all the local love, Scotty is expected to take his acoustic guitar and sing a whopping SIX songs -- compared to the usual two or three he belts out on Idol.

We ran into this season's seventh place winner last night in L.A. -- where he channeled Randy Jackson by saying, "Just because I'm not in the competition, don't mean I'm not in it to win it"

Stefano added, "Definitely still waiting for those Grammys."

When Gaga appeared on the show, producers smacked an "Idol" logo over her sexually explicit stilettos because they each had a Lucite penis for a heel.

The porno pumps by London fashion brand Void of Course may be racy but they ain't cheap ... they retail for over $4500.

It takes a lot of money to ride these X-rated disco sticks.