Idol Exclusives 2009

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Idol Exclusives 2009
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American Idol 2009 Episodic Photos Slideshow

Danny Gokey performs in front of the judges on AMERICAN IDOL Tuesday, May 1 (CR: Frank Micelotta / PIctureGroup for FOX. , CR: Frank Micelotta / PIctureGroup for FOX. )

American Idol 2009 Episodic Photos

276 Photos - Updated 5/13 10:01 am

All Access Idol 2009 Episodic Photos

Mia's Idol Blog Slideshow

Kris Allen performs in front of the judges on AMERICAN IDOL Tuesday, May 12

Adam Lambert performs in front of the judges on AMERICAN IDOL Tuesday, May 12

Adam Lambert has a parade in his honor in his hometown of San Diego on AMERICAN IDOL

Adam Lambert arrives in his home town of San Diego for a day long celebration in his honor on AMERICAN IDOL

Danny Gokey performs for his fans in Milwaukee as part of a day long celebration.

FOX23's Idol Synopsis

Television’s No. 1 show returns for its seventh season when AMERICAN IDOL premieres in January. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the hit series empowers viewers to discover America’s next solo singing superstar by voting for their favorites to win the coveted American Idol title.

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 and Randy Jackson – 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.

Themes such as country music, hits of the 21st century and Elvis Presley songs add spice to the performance shows, along with appearances and mentoring by legendary artists like Tony Bennett, Jennifer Lopez, Martina McBride and Bon Jovi. These guest performers not only share their expertise with the contestants, they enable audience members to experience a variety of musical styles.

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.

Last season, AMERICAN IDOL entered the philanthropy arena with “Idol Gives Back,” which raised more than $75 million to fight extreme poverty in the U.S. and Africa. The special was honored with the prestigious Governors Award, the Television Academy’s highest accolade, at the 2007 Creative Arts Emmy® Awards.

Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

Idol Bios

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RYAN SEACREST - (Host of AMERICAN IDOL)

With his thriving broadcasting career and multiple ventures in media, it's no wonder Ryan Seacrest is at the forefront of entertainment. While hosting and producing multiple television and radio programs, building his Ryan Seacrest Production Company (RSP) into a viable entity that creates content for all media platforms, and investing in a myriad of restaurant ventures, Seacrest is redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur and a quadruple threat in Hollywood. DETAILS magazine crowned him one of its “Mavericks” for 2007. Recently bestowed a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame, the single Seacrest has twice been voted a Most Eligible Bachelor by PEOPLE magazine, and he was included on the publication’s coveted 50 Most Beautiful list. In 2006 and 2007, Seacrest was named on FORBES Magazine’s annual Celebrity 100 Power List, joining Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods.

Seacrest will host the 59TH PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS broadcast Sunday, Sept. 16, on FOX. He also has been selected to host the entertainment portion of FOX’s Super Bowl broadcast this winter, marking the first time the event has featured a host and red carpet pre-game coverage.

Seacrest’s next project under his RSP banner will follow the increasingly hectic life of Kim Kardashian for an untitled reality series for E! Entertainment Network. Seacrest will serve as executive producer for the show, which will highlight the entertaining life of the tabloid target and her famous family. Seacrest joined forces with MTV in a deal to executive-produce “Crash My School,” a reality series that gives kids the chance to petition their principals with the help of the show’s host. Recently, Seacrest executive-produced and launched “Paradise City” for E! Entertainment, which followed young hopefuls trying to achieve success in Las Vegas.

In June, Seacrest signed a yearlong deal with Procter & Gamble to be the spokesman for Crest and Scope. He took this opportunity to raise funds for Operation Smile, a worldwide children's medical charity whose network of global medical personnel and physicians provide free reconstructive surgery to underprivileged children with facial deformities and other dental needs.

In January, Seacrest returns to host the seventh season of AMERICAN IDOL. With his winning personality, the series has become a bona fide cultural phenomenon, making Seacrest a household name in the process.

Seacrest recently gained critical acclaim for his scene-stealing cameo in the summer hit “Knocked Up.” The film shows audiences a different side of Seacrest when he launches into a riotous rant denouncing the superficial workings of the entertainment industry.

In January 2006, the multitasking Seacrest signed an agreement with E! Networks calling for an extensive on-air presence as well as broad development and production under the banner of RSP, which is housed at E!’s headquarters in Los Angeles. He currently serves as managing editor and lead anchor for “E! News,” with Giuliana DePandi, and as executive producer and host of the network’s popular “Live From the Red Carpet” specials, which cover the most exclusive red carpets in Hollywood.

Seacrest also reaches millions through the world’s most popular radio countdown show, “American Top 40,” which he took over from radio legend Casey Kasem. “American Top 40” remains an institution in radio, and with Seacrest at the helm, it is heard on more stations and in larger markets than ever before. Since his debut, the show has more than doubled its listenership. Radio stations nationwide access the show via satellite or the Internet, ensuring up-to-the minute music chart information.

Locally, Seacrest took over the most coveted radio job in Los Angeles three years ago on its Top-40 radio powerhouse, 102.7 KIIS-FM. Since the February 2004 debut of “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” the program has become the No. 1 morning show in L.A., broadcasting weekdays from 5:00-10:00 AM.

At the end of 2005, Seacrest signed a long-term deal to executive-produce and co-host “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” broadcast live from New York’s Times Square. Seacrest will take over as sole host when Clark decides to step down. The show traditionally out-rates all other network competitive New Year’s Eve programming combined, and for many years has been the highest-rated entertainment program for the entire week surrounding New Year’s. Since Seacrest became involved, the show has spiked in network rating and won the night for viewership.

Seacrest often serves as guest host of “Larry King Live,” with all episodes earning high ratings. In a recent New York Times interview, Larry King named Seacrest his first choice as a successor when he decides to step down. Seacrest also frequents the hosting chair on “Live with Regis and Kelly.” In addition to his hosting credits, he has been part of the campaigns for Coca-Cola and Cingular Wireless through AMERICAN IDOL. Coca-Cola renewed its partnership with Seacrest and AMERICAN IDOL in the show’s sixth season, when they debuted new commercials and offered fans a fully integrated on-line program that enabled them to reach out to members of the cast.

Seacrest’s entrepreneurial endeavors under the RSP umbrella, in addition to the production of broadcast media, include part ownership in Los Angeles and Las Vegas hotspots. Currently Seacrest is a part owner of such popular Los Angeles-area restaurants as Katana, Sushi Roku and Boa.

Originally from Atlanta, Seacrest started his career in broadcasting at the age of 16, when he applied for an internship at one of Atlanta’s top radio stations, WSTR-STAR 94. While working at STAR 94, he finished high school and went on to attend the University of Georgia, where he majored in Journalism. During his freshman year in college, he was offered his first television show as the host of ESPN’s “Radical Outdoor Challenge,” in which athletes competed against one another for cash prizes.

Seacrest currently lives in Los Angeles.

PAULA ABDUL - (Judge on AMERICAN IDOL)

Paula Abdul is one of the most recognized pop singers and choreographers in film, television, video, stage and live tours. Her celebrated work in choreography includes Emmy-winning contributions to “The Tracey Ullman Show,” Abdul’s own performance on “The American Music Awards” and her choreography for the Academy Awards, for which she earned an Emmy nomination.

Other triumphs include her award-winning work with Janet Jackson, which garnered two MTV Video Awards; and working with such music legends as Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Luther Vandross, INXS, Heart and Prince. Abdul’s favorite memory is dancing alongside her idol, Gene Kelly, in the Diet Coke commercial that was inducted into the Coca-Cola Hall of Fame Museum as one of that company’s top commercial campaigns.

Abdul’s choreography contributions in feature films include the Academy Award-winning “American Beauty,” working with Cuba Gooding Jr. on his Academy Award-winning performance in “Jerry Maguire” and transforming Val Kilmer into Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors.”

Abdul’s music career encompasses worldwide album sales exceeding 30 million records, two No. 1 albums, six No. 1 singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two Emmy Awards, two People’s Choice Awards and two Kids’ Choice Awards. She has also been honored with a Star on Hollywood Boulevard and inducted into Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Hall of Fame.

Contestants and viewers alike praise Abdul’s positive feedback on AMERICAN IDOL. She has even designed good-luck jewelry for the IDOL contestants, which provided the inspiration for her most recent venture. Abdul introduced her Paula Abdul Jewelry Collection on QVC to record-breaking sales. The collection consists of charms, pendants, earrings and bracelets in a mix of textures and metals, adorned with meaningful phrases.

Abdul continues to honor her roots by running dance and cheerleading camps, competitions and scholarship programs throughout the country, and has never forgotten her first break as a Los Angeles Laker Girl. She lives in Los Angeles.

SIMON COWELL - (Judge on AMERICAN IDOL)

Simon Cowell’s trademark candor and eye for talent during his last six seasons on “American Idol” has made him a household name in the United States

Cowell, through his UK-based media and entertainment company, SyCo, recently became the first producer to simultaneously have the No. 1 program in the UK and U.S. as “Britain’s Got Talent” and “America’s Got Talent” topped the TV charts in the same week. Cowell is the creator and executive producer of “American Inventor” and “America’s Got Talent,” and serves as a celebrity judge on AMERICAN IDOL, “Pop Idol,” “The X Factor” and “Britain’s Got Talent.”

Cowell has orchestrated the careers of numerous recording artists, including the pop-opera quartet Il Divo. He sold more than 150 million records and 70 No. 1 singles in the United States and the UK during his 16-year tenure with Sony BMG.

Cowell is venturing into features with a music-themed project tentatively titled “Star Struck,” which he is producing through SyCo. Inspired by the 1980 film “Fame,” “Struck” is set behind the scenes of a TV singing competition and follows contestants trying to make it to the top.

Cowell was recently ranked third on the Forbes TV Faces list and 21st on the 2007 Forbes Celebrity 100 Power List. In 2006, he was named 2006 UK Personality of the Year by Variety, and in 2004 was named one of the Top Entertainers of the Year by Entertainment Weekly.

Cowell lives in Los Angeles and the UK.

RANDY JACKSON - (Judge on AMERICAN IDOL)

Randy Jackson, a Grammy Award-winning producer, is a 20-year music industry veteran. He started out playing bass at the age of 13, and got his big break when he joined the band Journey. As a musician and producer, he also spent eight years, as vice president of A&R at Columbia Records, followed by four years as Senior V.P. of A&R at MCA Records.

Jackson has recorded, toured and performed with the likes of: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, *NSYNC, Madonna, Elton John and Destiny's Child, among others. He has worked on over 1,000 gold and multi-platinum albums. His contributions have helped to sell over 200 million albums worldwide. With his talent, immense studio knowledge and performing, touring and record company experience, Jackson is one of today’s most highly regarded music industry experts.

Last fall, Jackson launched his own radio countdown show, “Randy Jackson’s Hit List,” for the Westwood One Radio Network.

Jackson lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.

KARA DIOGUARDI - (Judge on AMERICAN IDOL)

One of the industry’s most sought after songwriters and producers, DioGuardi’s songs have appeared on more than 100 million records.

Her songs have been recorded by Grammy award-winning artists including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Santana, and Pink. Scores of major recording artists including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Pussycat Dolls, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Natasha Bedingfield, Jewel, Ashley Tisdale, Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue, Enrique Iglesias, Nick Lachey and Marc Anthony have also released DioGuardi’s songs.

Over the last four years, she has been awarded 10 BMI Pop Awards for having written the most performed songs on radio. From her catalog of several hundred songs, over 264 have been released on major labels worldwide; and over 165 have appeared on multi-platinum selling albums.

DioGuardi co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, where she develops and mentors fellow hit writers, producers and artists.

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