The American Idol finalists performed for the first time last night. And surprised abounded!
Brooke White and David Cook continued to impress judges, but David Archuleta actually forgot lyrics and had his performance referred to as a "mess" by Simon Cowell.
Here are a few thumbnails from the evening. Click on them now to see enlarged versions...
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On yesterday's broadcast of The View, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul were asked directly about the gay stripper past of David Hernandez. Neither American Idol judge seemed fazed by the controvery.
"It's a singing competition," said Jackson. "If you look at the entertainment business, there's a lot of stars in a lot of different scenarios."
David Hernandez is the topic of an American Idol scandal during season seven.
The View co-host Joy Behar compared Hernandez's situation to that of second-season Idol semifinalist Frenchie Davis, whose past did make a difference when she was disqualified over nude pictures she posed for at the age of 18, in which she simulated masturbation for a kiddie-porn website.
"It was a little bit different," Abdul replied, with Jackson adding: "I think the circumstances were quite a bit different."
With Simon Cowell not participating in the interview, Abdul made some jokes at his expense.
"Simon represents the ugliness and harsh reality of how hard it is to make it in the business," said Abdul. "He would poop in his own pants if he had to face himself."
Well, okay then. We're gonna leave that image alone.
We didn't see this photo coming.
A series of American Idol finalists - Ramiele Malubay, Jason Castro, Carly Smithon and Michael Johns being the most prominent - attended the movie premiere of Horton Hears a Who over the weekend.
Seen here, they actually posed with star Jim Carrey and his girlfriend Jenny McCarthy:
At the TV Guide party celebrating the top 12 American Idol finalists last week, series alum Kimberly Caldwell got a chance to speak with season seven favorite David Archuleta.
Considering how adorable this 17-year singer is, it's not difficult to imagine what Caldwell must have been thinking during the interview:
We've already shown you a photo of David Hernandez shirtless.
But now fellow American Idol finalist, Jason Castro, is proving that you needn't work at a gay bar in order to take your top off. Check it out:
Don't worry, fellas, we're trying to find a picture of Kristy Lee Cook shirtless. No luck so far.
On Wednesday's episode of American Idol, the women took the stage to sing 1980s hits.
Three of them â" Asia'h Epperson (eliminated last night), Carly Smithson and Syesha Mercado â" sported pants or shorts with a high waist, a trend that we've seen on celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Fergie, Ashley Tisdale, Mischa Barton and many others in 2008.
So, let us know: Who wore it best on the American Idol stage?
Soon after they were named the finalists on this season of American Idol, the top 12 contestants attended a TV Guide party in their honor.
How did the newly minted contenders feel about their status? Kristy Lee Cook (pictured), who was left standing alongside eliminated hopeful Asiah Epperson, said last night's show was a heart-stopper.
"It was just me and Asia'h left," Cook said to TV Guide. "And they were like, 'and we'll tell you ... right after the break!' I was like, 'uughh. Are you kidding me?!'"
David Cook, meanwhile, knew he was safe early on. But that didn't mean the night was stress-free for this rocker: "I lucked out. They let me go first." But he added, "[Fear and stress are] an inevitable part of this whole experience, and I'm surprised that I haven't lost 200 of the 185 pound frame that I'm carrying."
Not all contestants were frightened last night, however; some were the most scared when the competition began. Like Syesha Mercado.
"My first three performances I was super, super nervous," she said. "And my family and friends who know my voice, they could tell, my nerves kind of came through on my performances. But you know ... the best thing to do is just leave those performances in the past, and move on to the next one."
As for heavy favorite David Archuleta? Sources say he was is so "shy" and so gentle on the show that he"wears angel wings." Whatever that means.
Archulets was so excited throughout the evening that he couldn't bring himself to frown for the camera, even in jest. Finally, he resorted to just pulling down the corners of his lips, but nothing could suppress his smile. Altogether now:
AWWWW!!!!
Way to go, David Hernandez! It's on to the finals!
For the first time in American Idol history, fans can download every performance from every contestant as soon as a show ends.
Here are the latest rankings of these hopeful artists on iTunes. No shocker here: David Archuleta leads the way.
Who was your favorite female performer on American Idol last night?
We loved Amanda Overmyer, Carly Smithson and Brooke White. They should all be safe, heading into tonight's results show.
Click on any of the photos below of the final 8 women and be sure to leave a comment. Let us know who you think ought go home tonight.
David Hernandez might get voted off American Idol this week. But that will be the fans' call, says executive producer Ken Warwick.
On Tuesday afternoon, TVGuide.com spoke with Warwick, who confirmed that the stripper past of Hernandez won't affect the contestant's standing on the show as far as Idol officials are concerned:
TVGuide.com: Will the revelations about David's stripper past have any impact on whether he stays on the show?
Ken Warwick: No, it won't make any difference. The truth is, we're never judgmental about what people do to earn a living. They've got to put food in people's mouths. We've had strippers on the show before. Nikki McKibbon was one in [Season] 1. We're never judgmental about people who do things like that. If it were some sort of heavy porn, then maybe we'd have to take action. But certainly not on this.
TVGuide.com: Were you aware of his past before it was reported?
Warwick: No, I wasn't. [Laughs] But the truth of the matter is, it wouldn't have made any difference. There are a lot of people I know who'd love to have the opportunity just to make a better living by taking their clothes off.
TVGuide.com: Do you feel for these kids who are suddenly thrust into the public eye and then have everything in their pasts dug up?
Warwick: Very often, I do, yeah. I mean, David Hernandez, whatever you say, is a nice guy. And he can sing. He's got a great voice. He deserves to be there, as far as I'm concerned.
