American Idol

After Diana Ross opened what is expected to be the biggest season of guest stars, “Idol” stylist Dean Banowetz admits there’s one upcoming appearance he’s excited to see.

Me: This year there are more big-name stars than ever before. Do you get star-struck when folks like Diana Ross stop by the show? Is there any guest you’re particularly looking forward to being on the show this season?
Dean: I don’t get star-struck, but I am very excited about seeing Gwen Stefani!

Me: This was the first big week for big hair. How can someone achieve those big, curls you gave Sanjaya?
Dean: If you go to www.americanidol.com, and click on the style section. I have all the step-by-step instructions for all the contestants.

American Idol, Diana Ross, Dean Banowetz, Sanjaya Malakar

This week I chatted with “Idol” stylist Dean Banowetz about hair extensions, LaKisha and preparing for the finals. Here’s what he had to say.

Me: After this week’s eliminations, you’re dealing with the top 12. That means the singers have to step up their game. But what about you? How much does your work change at this point?
Dean: At this point my focus is doing little changes to help alter the looks of every contestant. I will experiment with different looks to help them look more polished.

Me: There seem to be some definite favorites already. Do you think America knows who it wants to be the next “American Idol,” or do you think it will be a complete shocker?
Dean: You never know what America is thinking! You are only as good as your last song.

Me: You previously said you were looking forward to making some major hair moves on Gina Glocksen. What other contestant transformations can we expect? C’mon. Spill a little something.
Dean: I do know that some of the guys are on haircut restriction, and I am sewing extensions for the girls as we speak.

Me: This week, LaKisha’s hair looked awesome. I’ll admit she’s one of my early favorites (I think I can speak for America, too). So, tell us, what’s she really like?
Dean: I have to be careful about singling anyone out. I do have my opinions but can’t express them about just one contestant. LaKisha is a great singer, and I think she and all the contestants will do well. I know it is generic, but we have rules.

Me: What else can we expect as we move into the finals?
Dean: Stand by for more and more and more special guests.

Dean Banowetz, American Idol, LaKisha, Gina Glocksen

“American Idol” stylist Dean Banowetz answered these questions after the guys and girls performed this week.

Me: Do you think America is getting it right so far?
Dean: So far they have gotten it right. The key will be the next two weeks. I so want the bad singers to go so it doesn’t seem like a joke to keep a bad singer on.

Me: Some singers have big personalities, and others are lacking in that department. Who, if anyone, is hiding their big personality on stage and keeping it all behind the scenes?
Dean: Everyone is trying to win Miss Congeniality. No one is pulling Diva yet. That will happen after the top 12 are chosen.

Me: In Blake’s dedication video, his hair was lacking a spike. What was going on with that?
Dean: Blake is really into trying different things with his hair. He (is willing) to mix it up to get people talking. He is smart; he is working the press angle without talking to the press at all.

Me: There were a lot of tears this week. Who’s the most genuine with their emotions?
Dean: It is all real. Every contestant wants it so bad. They want to get into the top 12; they are very emotional about it.

Me: OK, I have to ask. What’s the backstage buzz on the Antonella nude photo scandal?
Dean: No one says a word about it when she is around and, the second she leaves the room, everyone wants to know if they are real photos. I don’t say a word. I don’t want photos of me showing up one day.

This week I asked “Idol” stylist Dean Banowetz about who he’s looking most forward to styling, the guys and the chaos behind the scenes. Find out more about Dean at www.deanbanowetz.com, and check back here for regular updates and thoughts from the stylist.

Me: Who would you be most sad to see go, in terms of hair potential, this season?
Dean: Gina, I can’t wait to do a ton of changes cuts and colors. I really want to do some fun things with Sabrina and Jordon as well.

Me: Many of the guys have really short hair this season. Is everyone on haircut restriction at this point?
Dean: Five have really short hair. They are all on haircut restriction already.

Me: Tell me a little bit about the backstage chaos of week one.
Dean: There are so many people to get done in a really small space. There are photographers and producers, as well as the stylists and PAs, all shoved in a small space. And I am a big girl!

‘American Idol’ hairstylist Dean Banowetz

He’s responsible for the much talked-about Clay Aiken transformation. Nadia Turner’s mohawk? Yep, he made that happen, too.

“My makeovers are the reason people watch,” jokes Dean Banowetz, the celebrity hairstylist leading “American Idol.”

Of course, there is at least some truth behind that. “When a contestant walks out on stage, the first two things people notice are hair and clothing,” Banowetz adds.

Long before he landed the “Idol” gig, Banowetz was living the farm life in Iowa. He is the 13th of 15 children, and his life story includes a lot of stops before Hollywood — time in the military, art school at the University of Iowa, cosmetology school and owning his own salon.

After being encouraged by an industry expert, Banowetz began to apply for star-studded opportunities. He landed a styling job for “Extra” and Leeza Gibbons and, through the years, has taken over the hairstyles for clients such as life coach Tony Robbins, actress and author Linda Blair and, of course, Ryan Seacrest.

Banowetz landed the “Idol” gig before the show’s first season. He was hired to take care of Seacrest’s hair, as well as everyone else on the show. These days, Banowetz spends plenty of time making sure Seacrest’s hair is just right, traveling to the host’s gigs with “E! News,” red-carpet events and across the country for “Idol” auditions.

On the set, Banowetz takes on the challenge of keeping Simon Cowell and Seacrest looking sharp, as well as the finalists. And the schedule can be a bit overwhelming, the stylist says.

“I’ve told Ryan more than once we need a reality show following a celebrity’s entourage around,” Banowetz said. “Half my battle is getting to all the places I need to be on time with half the stuff I need.”

So, why doesn’t Banowetz fix the hair disasters that get shown during the early episodes? That’s a question one friend asked just last week.

His response: “The worse she looks, the better my job is going to look when I start working on her. I try not to look at people too early, because you don’t know who’s going to make it.”

“I always say, ‘I’m not thinking of doing anything until you make the top 12,’” he said.

And at that point the transformations aren’t instant.

“The majority of the first two weeks is just getting everyone styled. We don’t usually do any transitions until the third or fourth week. It’s imperative that you don’t do a complete makeover right away. Unlike the ‘Oprah’ show, you don’t want that immediate ah-ha. I have to spread that transition over four months.”

A FEW MORE QUICK QUESTIONS WITH DEAN BANOWETZ

What do you think of Jennifer Hudson’s recent win at the Golden Globes?
“Everyone kind of laughed at her acceptance speech about the award giving her more confidence. People chuckle, but they don’t realize she was the seventh runner-up and nobody gave a crap. When you’re in front of 40 million people singing and, basically, tell you you won’t amount to anything, that’s tough.”

Do you have a favorite style from the show?
“There’s a lot of different ah-ha moments for me, the first time Kim Locke came out with her straightened hair. Nadia’s mohawk in Season 4. Katherine (McPhee), I loved working on her. She let me put in a ton of extensions and curl it a bunch of different ways.”

What do you think of Clay Aiken’s latest style?
“My biggest transformation, it still is him, but then he goes and does the K.D. Lang thing.”

Are there contestants you wanted to change more?
“In a perfect Dean world, I would have colored Taylor’s hair. I didn’t want to color everything, I just wanted to put some color in to bring out his eyes and make him look a little younger. Taylor thought if he altered his hair, people would not want to vote for him.”

COMING THIS SEASON
“American Idol” stylists Dean Banowetz and Meagan Herrera will offer their thoughts on the contestants, hair transformations and other backstage dish each week throughout the “Idol” season right here at watchingamericanidol.com, so make sure you check back for updates.

Until then, check out Dean’s Web site to find “Idol” styling tips and tricks, a blog full of how-to transformations from Season 5 and photo galleries of “Idol” styles, including a new compilation of Jennifer Hudson.