American Idol has come to an end… for now… and I, for one, am sad. Last night, Trent Harmon was named the Season 15 winner, and the “bookend” toKelly Clarkson. Today, both Trent and La’Porsha Renae signed major record deals, however. Both well deserved.
As an American Idol super fan (and I’m not ashamed to admit it), I loved every minute of the finale, though I did feel a little bad for this season’s finalists, who were reduced to singing backup and rolling a gift for Ryan Seacrest onto the stage. Instead of the usual finalist & artist pairings, we were treated to non-stop performances by past American Idol contestants, including Chris Daughtry,Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and more. Sadly, a very pregnant Kelly wasn’t able to attend, but she did pre-tape a medley of her greatest hits, ending with an acappella “A Moment Like This.”
Notably missing (to me anyway) were Adam Lambert, Haley Reinhart, Casey Abrams, Crystal Bowersox, and a mention of late Michael Johns. But, still, it was a great two hours of television. That I may or may not have watched twice already. 😉 Look below for pictures from the American Idol series finale.
Lilly Ghalichi and Jennifer Stano hosted a Have Faith Swimgerie runway show last night. In case you're not familiar, Swimgerie is "scrunch butt sexy bikinis and lingerie inspired swimwear" designed by Lilly and Jennifer.
News anchor Nancy Grace is experiencing one of the great benefits of appearing onDancing With The Stars, which the unavoidable weight loss!
Nancy, 51, reveals she has already shed over 10 pounds in just a few weeks of dancing! “I’ve inadvertently lost 10 lbs. on the I’m-too-tired-to-eat diet,” Nancy told PEOPLE on Friday. “By the time I get the children [3-year-old twins Lucy and John David] ready for school, then practice and then come home, I’m like exhausted.”
Unlike some other controversial figures who have danced before her and shall remain nameless, coughs – Kate Gosselin, Nancy surprisingly reveals she is enjoying her time on the show despite the grueling schedule. “If you would have told me five to seven hours of dance practice was fun, I would have never believed you,” she said, “but it is.”
Nancy, who is partnered with DWTS newbie Tristan MacManus, however admits she sometimes gets nervous and we’re guessing finding herself in the bottom two on Tuesday night did not help matters. “My nerves are much, much worse,” she said. “I’m a fish out of water on the dance floor. It’s a lot more nerve wracking than trying a murder case.”
In other news, the first DWTS dating rumors have finally emerged! In what we have come to expect every season, Star magazine is reporting that things are beginning to get hot and heavy between dancing partners Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas. Kristin was dumped by her NFL fiance Jay Cutler back in July, while Mark and American Idol alum Pia Toscano ended their 5-month relationship just two weeks ago.
Star reports the two share an “obvious attraction” that recently had “tongues wagging” during a recent outing. “She was sitting on his lap, and he nuzzled her neck,” an eyewitness tells the mag. “They were having dinner with Derek Hough but didn’t pay him any attention because they were too wrapped up in each other.”
And in usual DWTS fashion, Kristin and Mark issued a non-denial denial! Aka even though they might not really be dating, they would prefer fans to think they are so they can keep voting for them!
PEOPLE magazine caught up with the dancing couple to ask about the dating rumors. “That s––t’s already started,” Mark, 25, so eloquently stated. “She is a sweetheart. We have a lot of fun. We laugh a lot. We’re getting along great.”
Kristin also chimed in with her non-denial. “I kind of expect [the dating rumors], to be honest,” she says. “But that’s what happens when you put two people together.”
As for what led to the Mark and Pia break-up, the two officially stated they were simply too busy to keep seeing each other, though sources close to Mark reveal Pia became too clingy and jealous of his relationship with Kristin. Sources close to Pia however deny that stating Mark wanted to end things to make way for his showmance with Kristin.
A new episode of DWTS airs tonight on ABC at 8/7c.
And then there were six. In a predictable turn of events, the lowest scoring star got the boot on Tuesday’s results show of Dancing With The Stars.
Yes, wrestler Chris Jericho and partner Cheryl Burkewere sent packing following their lackluster Tango on Monday night. Chris’s elimination proves this season is still up for grabs as just a week ago, he was tied for second place.
Chris, 40, was however a great sport about his elimination. “It’s actually good timing, because I have to fly over to England for the royal wedding,” he joked upon hearing the news. “No, but honestly, it wasn’t my best dance last night, and at this point you have to be your best because everyone’s so evenly matched,” he added.
Chris then went on to praise his partner Cheryl. “The only reason I got this far is because of Cheryl. She’s a great performer, she’s become a friend for life…I haven’t seen my kids in four weeks, so it’s time for Chris Jericho the Dancer to step aside and Chris Jericho the Daddy to come back.” he said.
Meanwhile, former American Idol contestant Pia Toscano gave her widely talked about performance during which her new beau Mark Ballas and Karina Smirnoff danced while she sang “I’ll Stand by You.”
And of course show host Tom Bergeron had to ask Pia about her romance with Mark. Tom didn’t ask if they were dating, simply asking her if Mark was a good kisser. “He’s a wonderful person,” was Pia’s reply. Well played Tom Pia. Well played.
The remaining six contestants live to compete once again next Monday.
Following “American night” last week on Dancing With The Stars, the show returned Monday night with a very non cheesy “guilty pleasure night.”
And it was a good night as the first 10s of the season were handed out to two contestants. Romeoreceived the first 10 of the night for his lovely Viennese waltz with partner Chelsie Hightowerto Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” “Every once in awhile in a season, magic happens,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “And that was magical.”
Romeo ended the night with a score of 28 as so did Disney starlet Chelsea Kane and partner Mark Ballas. Chelsea and Mark received the second 10 of the night for their quick-step to “Walking on Sunshine.” “I’m getting a suntan from you!” said judge Bruno Tonioli. “You have so much zest. Splendid.”
And it wouldn’t be a typical DWTS night if a mishap didn’t occur. This week, actor Ralph Macchio suffered that fate when his partner Karina Smirnoff tripped over him during their paso doble to “Everybody Dance Now” by C+C Music Factory. The duo quickly recovered and ended the night with an okay score of 24.
At the bottom of the leaderboard this week and in serious danger of going home is wrestler Chris Jerichoalongside partner Cheryl Burke. The duo danced the tango to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” with Bruno stating the wrestler looked like “a lump of granite.” Ouch.
The results show airs tonight at 9/8c and someone will be going home. Below are the scores from last night –
Romeo & Chelsie Hightower: 28 Chelsea Kane & Mark Ballas: 28 Hines Ward & Kym Johnson: 27 Kirstie Alley & Maks Chmerkovskiy: 26 Kendra Wilkinson & Louis van Amstel: 25 Ralph Macchio & Karina Smirnoff: 24 Chris Jericho & Cheryl Burke: 22
In other DWTS news, it seems Mark Ballas, 24, and eliminated American Idol contestant Pia Toscano, 22, are still going strong. The new couple was photographed dining at a Beverly Hills restaurant on Sunday night. Also pictured with the duo were Mark’s mom (in the blue dress), and his fellow pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Those photos are below!
Following a patriotic-themed night on Monday’s Dancing With the Starsshow, Kendra Wilkinson, Ralph Macchio and Petra Nemcova found themselves in a three-way tie at the bottom of the scoreboard, as they each scored a 22.
While some predicted Kendra would be the one sent packing, that fate was ultimately suffered by 31-year-old supermodel Petra and her partnerDmitry Chaplin for their quickstep. Petra’s elimination seemed to stun the judges, who gave her a standing ovation. “Petra’s been fantastic,” said judge Len Goodman after Petra landed in the bottom two. “Two weeks ago, she was [on] top of the leaderboard. It’s madness!”
“It’s been a life changing journey for me,” Petra said. “So many people got inspired because of Dancing With the Stars that I started to do dance-a-thons at schools to fundraise for [my charity] and change the lives of so many children around the world.”
Petra also spoke highly of her partner Dmitry. “He’s been an incredible friend, like a big brother to me,” she said.
Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that recently-ousted American Idolcontestant Pia Toscanowill perform on the show next Tuesday for her new beau Mark Ballas! Yes Pia will perform while Mark dances to her song. Following their first date 2 weeks ago, the two have been seen spending more time together.
And as for that New York Post report that stated Pia didn’t bother breaking up with Carlos Nunez, her boyfriend of four years, before she went on a date with Mark, sources tell TMZ it is false. The source adds that Pia and Carlos had been broken up for two months before she came to Hollywood in March.
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON DWTS’ VOTING RESULTS? DID PETRA DESERVE TO GO HOME?
After being declared the early on favorite to win Dancing With The Starswell before the show premiered, Kendra Wilkinson has failed to impress the judges on the show.
Having been repeatedly criticized for her lack of elegance and well, all around lack of coordination, it seems Kendra has had it!
In an interview following Tuesday’s results show, Kendra took special offense to judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s comments about her lack of elegance. “We have our own definition,” said Kendra. “Elegance is what [my husband] Hank [Baskett] sees, not what Carrie Ann sees. That’s what I care about.”
Kendra then admits she felt “like giving up” following Carrie Ann’s comments. “Another woman telling me about elegance eats away at my ego,” she said. “I’m a huge Carrie Ann fan, and she’s [usually] so sweet, but that one comment – I felt belittled at that moment and embarrassed.” Wowzers. A new episode of DWTS airs tonight on ABC at 8/7c.
In other DWTS/American Idol news, the NY Post is reporting today that ousted AI contestant Pia Toscano, who is now more popular than ever thanks to her early departure on the show, forgot to break up with her boyfriend of 4 years Carlos Nunez before going on a first date with DWTS pro Mark Ballas.
A mutual friend of the couple tells the Post, “It seems inevitable to anyone with eyes. They hadn’t spoken as often as you’d think once she made the final 12. She kind of played a disappearing act.”
The friend reveals that problems in the relationship became more obvious when Carlos flew to Los Angeles to see Pia’s first ‘Idol’ performance but she could only find a “couple of hours” to be with him.
It gets even better as Carlos was reportedly with Pia’s family the day of her shocking elimination from Idol and even comforted her weeping family as they watched the telecast. The very next day, Pia and Mark were seen going on their first date.
Just two weeks ago, Carlos told the Post he was “confident” in his relationship with Pia. “We’ve been together for a long time. We have a strong foundation. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,” said Carlos.
As for Pia, she had the following response on twitter to a fan who kept tweeting nasty comments to her about the NY Post story. “Please don’t post this garbage on my page.. And you my friend are the dumb one for believing it! Good day,” tweeted Pia.
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON KENDRA’S COMMENTS & THE NYPOST STORY ABOUT PIA? WAS CARRIE ANN INABA’S COMMENT TOO HARSH?
