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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 1:25 pm
Some 'American Idol' contestants are getting a second shot at fame By Sarah Kickler Kelber | Sun reporter When Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol, the humble waitress from middle-of-nowhere Texas embodied the rags-to-riches story that has become the hallmark of the reality show. An obscure but talented singer is plucked from the heartland of America, moves to Hollywood and is launched into pop superstardom. It was Southern single mom Fantasia in Season 3 and Oklahoma farm girl Carrie Underwood a year later. But that looks unlikely this year. Season 7, which producers call the most "talented" year ever, is stocked with finalists all too familiar with fame. For some, their stint on Idol is their second or even third shot at the big time. <snip> Here's a look at this season's not-so-fresh faces from the Top 24: • Carly Smithson,24, currently in San Diego The resume: Calling this Irish singer an "undiscovered talent" may be a bit much. She had a record deal before most people knew what American Idol was. Her label reportedly spent millions promoting her album, Ultimate High, but the sales figures were more like "ultimate low." Idol outlook: She could be the first non-American American Idol. • Robbie Carrico, 26, Melbourne, Fla. The resume: He's now a tough rocker, but in the late '90s, he was opening for Britney Spears as a member of the cheesy pop band Boyz N Girlz United. Thankfully, he traded in his gelled boy-band coif for a grungy rock-star mane. Idol outlook: The producers have given him hardly any screen time, a sign that his prospects are murky at best. • Michael Johns, 29, currently in Azusa, Calif. The resume: Another Anglo-Idol, the Aussie rocker was the lead singer of the Rising, a band signed to Madonna's label Maverick Records. When Maverick collapsed, so did his shot at stardom. Idol outlook: His version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" put the other Idol attempts to shame. Look for him in the top 10. • Kristy Lee Cook, 24, Selma, Ore. The resume: With farm-girl good looks and a love of horses, she may be the second coming of Carrie Underwood. But unlike Underwood, she was recording in Nashville long before her first Idol audition. Her deal with Arista didn't last, but her debut CD, Devoted, is still available online. Idol outlook: Uneven in early auditions, she may stumble in the semifinals. • Syesha Mercado, 21, of Sarasota, Fla., was on ABC's The One: Making a Music Star for the two episodes before it was canceled. She made more of an impression in her final Idol audition, which she rocked despite having lost her voice. • Jason Castro, 20, of Rockwall, Texas, was dating singer Cheyenne when she was on MTV's reality show of the same name, which followed her attempts to make it as a singer. • Joanne Borgella, 25, of Hoboken, N.J., won the 2005 season of Fat Chance, a plus-size beauty pageant hosted by Baltimore's Mo'Nique. • Jason Yeager, 28, of Grand Prairie, Texas, was a Top 25 finalist on Making the Band. Probably won't help much. • David Archuleta, 16, of Murray, Utah, won Star Search at age 12 - and later sang "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" on Jenny Jones, which can now be seen on YouTube. • Brooke White, 24, of Mesa, Ariz., released an album called Songs From the Attic on the indie label New Millennium Records Group in 2006, but she's no longer under contract. http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-to.idol20feb20,0,6683692.story
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Allietex
Member
08-16-2002
| Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 1:52 pm
Let's face it, though, they can still be called undiscovered, because they have not become stars and just because they have been on the perimenter of show business does not mean they have achieved stardom. Most people who have ambitions to be professional singers have done some professional singing. Several winners have had some professional experience. Taylor Hicks performed in nightclubs and I think had made a record, but who outside of a very small area had ever heard of him. I have no problem with any of them. Even Carly, who so many people are saying shouldn't be on the show. I understand her album sold about 400 hundred copies. Not exactly a success. All it proves to me is that these are people who are willing to keep trying. And the show is not called "Undiscovered talent," or "Rags to Riches." It is called American Idol.
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Carmenv
Member
04-14-2006
| Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 1:57 pm
I completely agree with Allietex. This doesn't bother me at all, any of it. I can't really understand why people are making such a fuss about it, especially with respect to Carly. It will be sad if this destroys her chances of becoming the next American Idol, as I think she has a legitimate shot. But if people are intent on "punishing" her because she already had a contract, then that will be too bad.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 2:00 pm
Personally I think if they want any type of success then don't win Idol. But true it's not an amateur(sp) contest. But I do think it gives an unfair advantage to the amateurs that are also trying out.
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Justalittlebean
Member
08-15-2003
| Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 2:46 pm
Jason Yeager is a singer in Branson Missouri. He may be from Texas but he's lived in Branson for a few years now. I wasn't surprised he sang Moon River because that's the kind of music the people who go to Branson like. Here's a little info I found: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/gallery/jason-yeager/

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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Monday, March 03, 2008 - 12:59 pm
Cyrus, Underwood to headline 'Idol' Charity show" LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The second "American Idol" charity event is set for April 9, with a lineup that includes Bono, Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Fergie, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 6:58 am
David Hernandez was a dancer in a strip club LOS ANGELES - "American Idol" contestant David Hernandez once entertained audiences by removing his clothes instead of singing tunes, a manager at a male strip club in Phoenix told The Associated Press.
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Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 7:50 am
Whoa, Nellie. Stuff like this always makes me think of Frenchie. I don't get why she was disqualified and others were not.
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Babyruth
Member
07-19-2001
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 8:43 am
I didn't realize strippers had to have a state license. Funny!
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Kookliebird
Member
08-04-2005
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 11:17 am
But, where do they carry it? sorry about that, but I couldn't resist.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 12:21 pm
if frenchie was booted off, after she was up front and told everyone about her topless photos, this guy should be booted off as well. case closed. that u tube of daniel noriega is also disgusting.
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Sherbabe
Member
07-28-2002
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 12:24 pm
btw, www.votefortheworst.com has daniel noriega and amanda overmeyer as this weeks contestants to save.
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Sportygirl
Member
06-14-2005
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 12:36 pm
This was on MSN Entertainment 'Idol' Once Danced For An Audience Other than Paula, Simon and Randy March 4, 2008, 8:50 AM EST "American Idol" contestant David Hernandez once entertained audiences by removing his clothes instead of singing tunes, a manager at a male strip club in Phoenix told The Associated Press. The 24-year-old finalist from Glendale, Ariz., once worked as a stripper at Dick's Cabaret, appearing fully nude and performing lap dances for the club's "mostly male" clientele, club manager Gordy Bryan said Monday. "He had the look and the type that people like, so he made pretty good money here," Bryan said. It's not clear whether a history as a stripper could disqualify Hernandez from the competition. In 2003, finalist Frenchie Davis was dismissed because of her appearance on an adult Web site; but last year, Antonella Barba remained in the competition after racy photos of her surfaced on the Internet. Fox spokeswoman Jill Hudson did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment Monday.
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Carmenv
Member
04-14-2006
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 2:06 pm
I just saw online that they don't have plans to disqualify him...I'll try to find the link.
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Carmenv
Member
04-14-2006
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 2:07 pm
Here it is: http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=303884>1=7703
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Lexie_girl
Member
07-30-2004
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 3:02 pm
Does anyone have an accurate song list for tonight?
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Carmenv
Member
04-14-2006
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 3:09 pm
It's my understanding the performances will be live tonight and tomorrow, in which case, no taping for people to spoil, right? So I'm not sure there will be an accurate song list out there anywhere...
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Biginjapan
Member
07-23-2005
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 3:14 pm
Well i bet the ratings for AI are up tonight as this is all over the news and people will want to tune in to see who this stripper boy is.
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Naja
Member
06-28-2003
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 3:18 pm
No one knows if the leaks are accurate until the shows air. Last year more than half the leaked lists were on target. Carmenv, the leaks come from people who attended the dress rehearsals usually if the show is live. There is a list at idolforums and dialidol.com in their forum. Same list.
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Carmenv
Member
04-14-2006
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 3:24 pm
Ah...I always thought people were spoiling from the taping of the shows. I never thought of the dress rehearsals! Thanks, Naja.
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Robinyyes
Member
07-06-2004
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 4:05 pm
1-Everytime you go away 2-what about love 3-tainted love 4-the greatest love of all 5-father figure 6-open arms 7-rebel yell 8-the rose 9-bette davis eyes 10-celebration 11-call me 12- always something there to remind me 13-whats love got to do with it 14-hurts so good 15-we built this city 16-every breath you take
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Jedisan
Member
01-11-2002
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 5:16 pm
I am guessing it is 80's night? oh my - i don't think I can bear to hear some of those songs again...
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Lexie_girl
Member
07-30-2004
| Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 5:43 pm
Thanks Robin. I guess I'll have to wait to see who is singing what (unless you can post a link for me).
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Naja
Member
06-28-2003
| Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - 10:16 am
Remember Ricky H who always gave us spot on spoilers every week over at idolforums in past years? He showed up today for the first time in a long time and posted a photo hint that seems to be saying they will be doing wildcards again this year.
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Gurliegirl
Member
06-20-2006
| Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - 10:20 am
Soooo, of the above list of songs how many did we hear last night? I'm seeing only one, right?
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