Joshua Ledet
Joshua Ledet was determined to stay stoic, even after Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez were announced as American Idol's Season 11 finalists and his own journey came to an end. But after the lights dimmed on his final performance — and a tearful Jennifer Lopez threw her arms around his neck — Ledet could no longer keep his emotions in check.
"Honestly I didn't think I was going to cry," Ledet told reporters after the show.
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American Idol
With the 11th Season of American Idol complete, we feel like things are getting a little tired in Hollywood. Don't get us wrong: Phillip Phillips is a deserving champ, but it was just a bit too predictable that he'd win, even in the face of some amazing competition. Will a girl, even one as talented as Jessica Sanchez, really have a chance to win ever again now that the young girls of America have proven their voting supremacy?
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Elise Testone
Grasping a pink hydrangea and sporting a blue peacock feather in her hair, American Idol's latest eliminated contestant was all smiles as she greeted reporters backstage. But there was disappointment in 28-year-old Elise Testone's voice as she revealed her true feelings about the advice she received from the show's judges.
"I'd like to say that they were [helpful], but I don't really feel that way," Testone admitted.
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Matt Bomer and Darren Criss
I'm trying to come to grips with the knowledge that Steven Tyler and I have something in common. Namely, a mini-obsession with Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know," a song that after this week in TV I can't get out of my head.
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Shannon Magrane
How does American Idol's Shannon Magrane really feel about the pass Steven Tyler made at her during auditions?
When asked by Magrane's father how he was enjoying Boston, Tyler replied that it was "hot, humid and happening — just like your daughter." Though it played as an awkward moment on the show, Magrane now says her family laughs it off.
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Colton
Some thoughts on the highs and lows and assorted other TV news that caught my eye this week:
DEAD MAN WALKING: So there I was watching AMC's The Walking Dead last Sunday — the first piece of TV I hungrily consumed after a week of mostly TV-free vacation (except for the Oscars, which I should have passed on) — and as self-righteous Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) yammers on about everyone's humanity being at stake if they execute their prisoner (Randall the Outsider), I start rolling my eyes and going, "Oh, die already, you blowhard."
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Jessica Sanchez
As American Idol's Top 13 took the stage Wednesday night, some dominated with their showstopping voices (Jessica Sanchez! Joshua Ledet!) while others let nerves get the best of them (better luck next time, Shannon Magrane). But some of last night's most entertaining storylines occurred when the cameras ...
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Oprah Winfrey
Our top moments of the week:
11. Spell It Out for Us Award: On Celebrity Apprentice, the teams have to create a show for restaurant chain Medieval Times, so project manager Lisa Lampanelli taps Victoria Gotti as creative director and asks her to research medieval language. Gotti fires up Google and types in... "mid-evil." "The freakin' stationery of...
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Randy Jackson
OK, new rule, Idol: Hollywood Week should only last one week. And it shouldn't feel like a month of root canals.
For real, we just can't with this season. Overblown auditions are one thing, but this extended Hollywood Week business has taken a running jump on to our last nerve. Three bloated episodes?! And one of them, last week's ...
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American Idol
While American Idol hasn't changed its format significantly for its 11th season, there are some surprises in store.
On a call earlier this month, judge Randy Jackson sidestepped questions about the new performance challenges, but teased that everything will be tougher this year — to the point that medics were even called in to treat fainting people auditioning in the Hollywood rounds, which begin Thursday (8/7c, Fox). Is this an indication that Idol has turned up the heat?
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