Of all the many paths across the Idol Nation, none has run over rockier terrain than that taken by Season Six anti-hero Sanjaya Malakar. Initially a not-implausible mid-range contender with a nice voice, when his talents ebbed in the upper...
Within the crowded mob of "Idol" watchers, one blogger has risen to the top. For the show's many fanatics, MJ's Big Blog has become the one crucial destination -- proof that the Internet belongs to obssessives. The Big Blog's caretaker...
We hear rumors about some ruckus happening back East in the next few weeks -- some kinda politics coffee klatch that we're sure will be vastly overshadowed by the start of Season 7. But the eyes of Idol Nation today...
Contrary to rumors circulating last week, Jennifer Hudson will not be performing at the presidential inauguration. The rumor mill had stirred hopes that the event would bring Hudson back to the stage for the first time since the tragic slayings...
With eight days to go until Season 8, it's a big morning for Idol news. We're going to tackle as much as we can here, but at this moment, the major event burning up the wires is the unveiling of...
What's On Now
American Idol auditions in San Francisco
Contestants at the Cow Palace Arena in San Francisco get their chance to become a star when they audition to become the next AMERICAN IDOL.
'American Idol 7' Top Five
The Final Five (FOX)
About American Idol
AMERICAN IDOL, the most anticipated show of the year, returns for an eighth season in January. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the runaway hit series empowers viewers to discover America’s next solo singing superstar by voting for their favorites to win the coveted title. Last season, AMERICAN IDOL was the nation’s No. 1 television series.
Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom and a chance to be the next American Idol. The show's judges - Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and new judge Kara DioGuardi - winnow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who sing their hearts out each week for the studio audience and the television viewers. The judges have their say after every performance, but it's the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of the competition and who will go home. Voting via telephone and text messaging begins immediately after each performance show, and the results are announced during the following night's broadcast.
Eventually the competition is narrowed down to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract and the American Idol title. Past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and recently crowned Jordin Sparks already have risen to the top of the recording industry.