American Idol news stories on Newser

16-Year-Old Kills 'I Will Always Love You'

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:17:56 CST

Sixteen-year-old Jessica Sanchez "made 40 million people cry" last night when she performed Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" on American Idol , judge Steven Tyler told her. The San Diego high school student enjoyed a standing ovation after her performance and reaped praise from all three judges; Randy Jackson...

American Idol Wants Obama

Kevin Spak — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:50:40 CST

If the whole presidency thing doesn't work out for Barack Obama, he could have a future in show business. American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe was duly impressed with the president's brief rendition of "Let's Stay Together," he said yesterday, in a tweet spotted by Politico . "@BarackObama we loved your vocal...

Idol Cruises Into 11th Season

Dustin Lushing — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:15:00 CST

American Idol has dominated the Nielsen ratings for 10 seasons, and its 11th season starts up tonight. Bill Keveney of USA Today rounds up some reasons why this pop culture institution might just go on forever:

Kelly Clarkson Loves Ron Paul, Haters Pounce

John Johnson — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:10:22 CST

Kelly Clarkson knows all about casting votes in public when it comes to singing, but politics is whole different kettle of fish: The former American Idol champ stirred up a hornet's nest with a tweet of support for fellow Texan Ron Paul, notes AFP . "I love Ron Paul. I liked...

Idol Producer: J.Lo Coming Back

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:29:03 CDT

Though we haven't heard the words from J.Lo herself, an executive producer of American Idol says celebrity judge Jennifer Lopez will return for another season. Nigel Lythgoe made the announcement on the On-Air with Ryan Seacrest program yesterday morning. He acknowledged it wasn't official, but he added he was...

J-Lo May Not Come Back to American Idol

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:26:55 CDT

Jennifer Lopez may come back for a second year as a judge on American Idol . Or she may not. "You know, this is the question of the hour. I don't know, I don't know," Lopez said yesterday in an interview with the BBC. "I had an amazing time doing it...

Fly Ties: Fish Bait Goes High Fashion

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00:35 CDT

For every trendy lady you see running around with long feather extensions in her hair, a fly fisherman somewhere sadly goes without a lure. Hackles—the long, skinny rooster feathers fishermen use to make lures for bait—have been selling out nationwide. Hairdressers have gotten desperate to follow the craze...

Oprah Finale Draws Biggest Audience Since 1994

Sarah Whitmire — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:33:05 CDT

It's starting to look like Americans haven't moved from the couch all week. Early numbers show yesterday's finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show drew the most viewers it has had in 17 years. The final episode—which featured no guests , but rather a personal conversation between Oprah, her studio audience...

Great Scotty! McCreery Wins Idol

Rob Quinn — Thu, 26 May 2011 02:30:00 CDT

Scott McCreery won the battle of the teenage country singers last night and walked off with this year's American Idol crown. The deep-voiced grocery store clerk from North Carolina is, at 17, the youngest ever to win the singing contest, reports the New York Daily News . Defeated finalist Lauren Aliana—...