Brooke White courtesy Fox
Sweetie-pie American Idol finalist Brooke White has teamed up with Idol Gives Back and Malaria No More to launch the "Save the World Summer" campaign, which invites kids to use their summer vacation to raise money for worthy causes.The fundraising effort was inspired by 10-year-old Ryan Skarnulis, who used his birthday party to raise close to $1,000 for bed nets in Africa. Brooke is urging kids to pick whichever issue inspires them the most and use birthday parties, lemonade stands, car washes or dance-a-thons to raise money for that cause. The vibrant and positive White has chosen Malaria No More — which helps distribute mosquito nets throughout Africa — as her own cause.Says the singer, "It's empowering for kids to learn how they can take simple steps to make a huge impact." Seeing as Brooke was sort of the mama bear to the younger wannabe Idols, it's no surprise how much faith she has in America's kids to make a difference. "They are learning what I learned through my...
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David Archuleta, like most kids his own age, has his own MySpace page, where he writes messages to his fans. Shockingly, he writes exactly how he speaks (with the exception of a few "lol" in there). The theme of this message was Father's Day, and he expressed his gratitude toward his fans for leaving kind messages to his dad. The breathy tween sensation said, "He's been great so I'm glad you guys took time to send him your messages."And, in case there was any doubt, fame hasn't changed your second place Idol crooner. For Father's Day, he took his dear old dad to Soup Plantation (all you can eat salad chain restaurant) for lunch, and even had time to go to church. Aww.Archuleta also let his fans know that he's still busy with rehearsals for the Idol tour as well as taking more meetings regarding his solo career. Do you think this MySpace message was meant to convince the public that Archie's dad is really a good guy? Or do you think we should all just leave them alone? — Erin Fo...
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American Idol honchos are in major trouble with Ricky Minor and the band. The American Federation of Musicians has hauled the show's producers into court over underpayment because they re-recorded live music for reruns and highlight shows.The union's suit alleges American Idol Productions Inc. and subsidiary Tick Tock Productions violated the collective bargaining agreement in 2007 when they began replacing the show's live soundtrack with music from other musicians for use on clip shows and American Idol Rewind. The union claims producers did so without its knowledge or approval.The suit seeks unspecified damages but the show's contract with the union requires that producers pay 75 percent of scale to musicians who appear on the show and rehearsals, with a decreasing percentage for each rebroadcast. — J.R. Whalen
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He had the courage to face Simon for all those months, but what was it like for Idol winner David Cook when he sang the national anthem at last night's NBA Playoff Game? "The nerves are way worse [than on Idol]. It’s the one song you don’t want to mess up. I’m going to try not to notice Jack Nicholson sitting in the front row and think about the lyrics,” Cook told reporters before belting out the "Star Spangled Banner" at the beginning of the game. Could have fooled us – there's not a hint of nerves in that voice! — Gina DiNunno Related: • Video Q&As: Get Your Archie Fix!• Video Q&As: David Cook, David Cook and David Cook!• What's Next for Syesha Mercado
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David Cook by Jemal Countess/WireImage.com
David Cook's not only slam-dunked a win as this year's Idol, but now he's bouncing his way to the Staples Center parquet to perform at Game 3 of the NBA finals. The June 10 performance will be Cook's first at a major sporting event (but probably not his last). Cook's upcoming game-night appearance upholds an ongoing NBA-Idol tradition in which each year's new AI winner takes the mic during the NBA finals in June. In previous years, Cook's predecessors Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, and Jordin Sparks have all performed during the basketball face-off. Here's hoping that Cook's recent victory will bode well for Boston following his arena serenade. — Anna DimondCheck out more video and more of David and American Idol.
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We've had some quality time with the Davids in the studio the last two weeks, and now we have a fabulous interview with the last lady standing on American Idol, Syesha Mercado. Syesha and I chat about the preception other Idols had of her, how she felt about the producers' song choice for her, her personal singing style and why she think Broadway will have to wait.
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David Archuleta by Frank Micelotta/Fox
C'mon, Idol honchos, give the kid a break. American Idol has kiboshed a Friday concert planned by runner-up David Archuleta in Salt Lake City as a thank you to his fans with proceeds going to charity.KUTV says contractual obligations between Archie and the show got in the way. The 17-year-old's agent, Roger Widynowski, told the TV station he couldn't hold the concert because it wasn't an Idol-sanctioned event, but said it would be held after the Idol tour, which kicks off July 1, winds down in September. — J.R. WhalenRelated:• Video Q&A: David Archuleta visits TVGuide.com• Video Q&As: David Cook, David Cook and David Cook! • Lots more Idol castoff videos
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Hello Archie fans! We have another video for you to enjoy from our chat with that cuddly singing sensation.Part 1: Archie and I talk about everything from Paula's crazy comments, to Simon's scary face to what kind of album he'd like to put out now that the competition is over.Part 2:In our second installment with David A., he talks about his dad's influence on his musical career, the importance of family, and if he would ever be willing to date a fan. And girls, I think you might like his answer!Hope you enjoy! — Erin FoxRelated:• Video Q&As: David Cook, David Cook and David Cook!• What's Next for Syesha Mercado
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In case you haven't stumbled across them yet, here are the videos of my Wednesday sit-down with your American Idol, David Cook. There are three-count-'em-three!Part 1 features my questions for David, including the sacrifices he might have to make as Idol, does he feel that not winning might have better suited his career, and his favorite performance.Part 2 finds DC answering your questions about David Cook the singer: How he preps before heading on stage, whether songs from his first album might surface on his next CD, and more.In Part 3, he answers your questions about David Cook the fella — including the romance rumors, his favorite drinks to mix as a bartender, and, yes, he flashes one of his three tattoos.Enjoy! — Matt Mitovich
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Clay Aiken by Al Pereira/WireImage.com
Coming soon to Broadway: Clay Aiken in Sperm-a-Lot!Jokes aside, the Season 2 American Idol runner-up is soon going to be a proud papa, according to TMZ.The gossip site reports that that record producer Jaymes Foster is pregnant — via artificial insemination — with the 29-year-old pop/Broadway singer's child. Before mothering his child, Foster, a friend with whom Aiken lives when he's in L.A., produced several of Aiken's albums. Foster, reportedly in her late 40s, is due in August, and although no official comment has been made by Aiken's rep, it's said the singer will take an active role in raising the child.What do you make of all this? Is Foster just trying nab some talented DNA? — Adam Bryant
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