American Idol

Chris Sligh performs during the Season 6 American Idol finale.

He was a big-haired favorite in Season 6 — no I’m not talking about Sanjaya and that crazy pony-hawk. But I am talking about Chris Sligh, who wooed at least a few girls into voting for him and keeping him around for several weeks and into the final rounds of American Idol.

Sligh signed with independent label Brash Music, and he has plans to release his first CD, Running Back to You, on May 6. The Atlanta-based label is behind Sligh’s first single, Empty Me, which is set to hit radio later this week. Sligh finished in 10th place last season on Idol.

Aside from promoting his debut release, Sligh also is working as a correspondent for Entertainment Weekly. He’ll be talking about this season’s Idol finalists, starting with his thoughts on the Top 12 guys.

American Idol, Chris Sligh

Jordin Sparks arrives at the 39th NAACP Image Awards on Thursday. The singer won the award for New Artist.

Her list of accomplishments quickly is growing. And that’s a good thing for Jordin Sparks, the reining American Idol champion.

Sparks, 18, spent Valentine’s Day among a group of celebrities at the 39th NAACP Image Awards, where she also was a performer. The Glendale, Ariz., native took home the award in the New Artist category.

Others nominated in the category included Chrisette Michele, Corbin Bleu, J. Holiday and Sean Kingston. One of the other big winners of the night was Chris Brown, who won the Male Artist category. Sparks and Brown currently have a hit song with No Air, which appears on the Idol winner’s debut CD.

American Idol, Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown

Jordin Sparks sings the National Anthem on Sunday afternoon before the start of Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz.

Ryan Seacrest ran the red carpet — that’s right, the Super Bowl had a red carpet — and Paula Abdul performed her new single, Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow. Then, the reigning American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, sang the Star Spangled Banner before Super Bowl XLII began.

Seacrest greeted celebrities and team officials throughout the afternoon for the biggest game of the year for the first time a Hollywood-style red carpet welcomed visitors to the stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The idea of having a red carpet at a sporting event seems a little too much for the FOX-broadcast game. The best moments from the red carpet involved Hollywood celebrities attending the game, instead of people actually involved with the on-field action.

Abdul, who hasn’t released a record since 1995, debuted her new single as part of the pre-recorded segments. The singer and Idol judge known best for singles such as Straight Up, also attended several parties and events leading up to Sunday’s big game.

Sparks, a native of Glendale, Ariz., is the daughter of former NFL player Phillippi Sparks. As the singer finished her rendition of the National Anthem, she wiped a tear from her eye. It was a memorable performance, and it certainly must be a highlight for the youngest Idol winner in the show’s history.

American Idol judge Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest attend Victoria’s Secret What is Sexy party at Super Bowl XVII at the Taste Ultra Lounge on Saturday in Scottsdale, Ariz. Seacrest was honored for his sexy smile.

Paula Abdul attends The Retreat Premier Gift Lounge Saturday at Galleria Corporate Centre on Saturday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

American Idol, Jordin Sparks, Ryan Seacrest, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson

They are the moments we watch an entire season to see. It’s that last few minutes of the finale when the winner is announced and the first performance as the nation’s newest American Idol.

So, in preparation for Tuesday night’s Season 7 premiere, let’s take a few minutes to remember those moments from the first six seasons.

Kelly Clarkson: A Moment Like This

Ruben Studdard: Flying Without Wings

Fantasia Barrino: I Believe

Carrie Underwood: Inside Your Heaven

Taylor Hicks: Do I Make You Proud

Jordin Sparks: This Is My Now

American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks responds after it’s announced she was the sixth winner in American Idol history. Sparks was the fourth female and youngest winner ever on the show.

Four girls. Two guys. In the first six seasons of American Idol, twice as many females have won the top prize — a recording contract and instant fame. And the two guys recently lost their recording contracts. So, does it matter if you’re male or female when it comes to capturing America’s votes on the FOX reality hit?

I’m not sure it does, but here’s a look back at the lives and success of the first six Idol champions.

Kelly Clarkson
Born Kelly Brianne Clarkson, this 25-year-old has enjoyed major success since becoming the first American Idol winner. In September 2002, Clarkson beat out runner-up Justin Guarini with 58 percent of the votes.

Clarkson, who is set to start touring this week with country superstar Reba McEntire, has released three CDs — Thankful, Breakaway and My December. Thankful debuted in April 2003 at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and since has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. Breakaway sold more than 11 million copies, and last year’s My December has been certified platinum (1 million copies).

The original Idol is a Grammy Award-winning musician, and she seems to be slowing down no time soon. Let’s just hope she doesn’t attempt to recreate Grease in another box-office flop like From Justin to Kelly.

Ruben Studdard
Born Christopher Ruben Studdard, the 29-year-old was known as “the Velvet Teddy Bear” and often wore jerseys featuring “205″ to honor his native Birmingham, Ala., area code. Studdard garnered 134,000 more votes than runner-up Clay Aiken to take the Season 2 title. About 24 million votes were cast for that season’s finale.

Studdard has released three discs — Soulful, I Need an Angel and The Return. Soulful debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts, but none of the CDs have garnered major attention. In all, Studdard has sold just more than 2.4 million albums total, which led to his recently being dropped from J Records for falling short of label expectations.

Aiken has released four CDs since the show and has become a much more successful artist. In fact, aside from Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, no finalist on the show has sold more albums.

Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino simply became Fantasia when she started her rise to the top during American Idol’s third season. She drew much attention — and a little controversy — for being a single mother. She ultimately beat out runner-up Diana DeGarmo in May 2004 by earning 1.3 million more fan votes.

After taking the title, Fantasia released her debut, Free Yourself. Four Grammy nominations followed. In 2006, her second CD, a self-titled album, was released. But it has been success on the Broadway stage in The Color Purple that really has helped Fantasia make a splash on the music scene. The singer also released a book on the heels of announcing she struggled with literacy.

The critically praised acting Fantasia does on stage in The Color Purple certainly is not the same kind of praise she got from her role as herself in the made-for-TV movie Life is Not a Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story. Of course, it was Lifetime’s second-most-watched program ever.

Carrie Underwood
She has, without question, become the most successful American Idol winner. Carrie Marie Underwood, now 24, beat out Bo Bice to take the Season 4 title.

Upon the release of her debut, Some Hearts, it was clear Underwood soon would be a country superstar. She won numerous country music awards, as well as two of the four Grammys in which she was nominated for in late 2006. Some Hearts produced a number of hit singles, helping it lock in several weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts.

Last year, Underwood released her sophomore effort, Carnival Ride, which was certified double-platinum in December. The singer has sold more than 13 million albums in just two years.

Taylor Hicks
He arguably has the most vocal fans of any American Idol winner. Despite the Soul Patrol’s support, Taylor Hicks (born Taylor Reuben Hicks) has not found major success on the music charts.

After beating out Katharine McPhee to win Season 5, Hicks released a self-titled disc featuring the blues and classic R&B sounds he was known for on the show. Unfortunately, the disc failed to sell even 1 million copies and resulted in being dropped from his record label earlier this month.

Hicks is a strong live performer and continues to tour post-Idol, just as he did before rising to fame on the reality hit. Much like many other contestants, Hicks also released a book about his life, Heart Full of Soul: An Inspirational Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Finding Your Way. It officially is the longest title for any memoir released by an Idol contestant.

Jordin Sparks
She was the youngest American Idol winner ever. So, it was quite an impressive run for Jordin Sparks (born Jordin Brianna Sparks), who beat out beat-boxing Blake Lewis to win the Season 6 Idol crown.

The teenager, much like other winners Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks, never was in the bottom two or three during elimination episodes of the show. Sparks’ self-titled debut CD was released in November and features the first single, Tattoo. The CD has sold more than 450,000 copies since its release.

Sparks recently released her second single, No Air, which is a duet with Chris Brown.

So, what do you think? Even though the numbers and awards seem to show Carrie Underwood is the most successful winner to date, do you think someone else is the ultimate American Idol?

American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks

There are few people — if any — who would argue American Idol would be a done deal without Simon Cowell. His honesty and, sometimes, mean spirit are more than a small percentage of what makes the show such a success. People want to love — or hate — what he has to say.

This afternoon, Cowell had a lot to say during a short press conference to promote Season 7 of American Idol, which premieres Tuesday. The good news is the frown-faced judge says this really could be the best year ever.

“I think three or four of the contestants we’ve got this year would have gotten recording contracts even without Idol,” he said. “I think they’re that good.”

Simon continued to say, “The good news is that this is a much better season than last year … (it’s) one of the strongest years that we’ve had in a long, long time. It’s younger, I think the talent is more current, they’re more interesting people. So I go into this season a lot more optimistic than I went in last year.

Hopefully this season will be better than the last — though I do think Jordin Sparks is quite a talent. It’s just all those celebrity appearances clouded my vision to see the best of the best really shine.

Simon Cowell, American Idol, Jordin Sparks

If you just heard a new song on country radio you swear was Season 6’s Phil Stacey, you may be right.

The Navy man with many hats — quite literally — released his first single, If You Didn’t Love Me, to country stations Monday. The song was co-written by Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox. Stacey recently signed a deal with Lyric Street Records.

Stacey moved his wife and two children to Nashville after completing a 55-city summer tour. He has been working on his debut album, which will include If You Didn’t Love Me. The CD is expected for release in April.

The singer was sent home from Season 6 of Idol after eight weeks on the show. Season 7 of Idol returns to FOX on Jan. 15.

American Idol, Phil Stacey

Season 6 runner-up and resident beat-boxer Blake Lewis released his debut CD, Audio Day Dream, today. I bought the disc and I’ve been scanning it.

From what I’ve read, it’s getting average to below-average reviews for the most part. Once I give it a fair listen, I’ll share my thoughts. Until then, what do you think

Blake Lewis, American Idol, Audio Day Dream

The Pony-Hawk could be making a comeback on stage. Seattle-area native Sanjaya Malakar will be back on stage Dec. 2 as a special guest in two productions of Black Nativity at Seattle’s Intiman Playhouse.

Sanjaya, who was a favorite contestant during American Idol’s sixth season, will perform a solo at the 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 performances. Also performing solos at those performances will be former Idol contestants Karma Johnson and Leah LaBelle (who now goes by Leah Vladowski). All three singers are alumni of the Total Experience Gospel Choir, founded by Pastor Patrinell Wright, who has been musical director of Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play since it was started in 1998.

LaBelle was a top 12 finalist on Season 3 of Idol. Johnson appeared as a contestant, but she was not a Hollywood finalist during the show’s first season. Sanjaya, of course, was favored by many for his enthusiastic — if not always on key — performances and always talked-about hairstyles on the show.

According to a release, Black Nativity is a “celebration of faith, expressed through exuberant performances of song, story and dance, and reaching audiences of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs.” This year’s Idol connections are certain to draw a much more pop culture-based audience, at least at the Dec. 2 shows. Black Nativity’s 10th anniversary production will begin Nov. 28. Shows continue through Dec. 28 at the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer Street in Seattle Center. Tickets are available by calling (206) 269-1900 or online at www.intiman.org.

American Idol Jordin Sparks rides in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

If you still haven’t picked up a copy of Jordin Sparks’ debut CD, how can you possibly call yourself a true American Idol fan? If you have picked up the CD, you may have noticed something — it’s hard to stop hitting the repeat button after the first track, Tattoo, ends.

Even though I had heard the first single for the Season 6 Idol winner dozens of times prior to Tuesday’s release, it just seemed to be more and more catchy as I kept playing it on repeat the day I bought the CD. Finally, I have allowed myself to listen to every song on the disc. And I have to say, it’s better than I expected. It’s not as strong as the debuts from Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood, perhaps, but it certainly is better than you may have expected from the youngest winner in the show’s history.

Aside from Tattoo, the best song on Jordin’s self-titled debut certainly is No Air, a duet performed with young R&B superstar Chris Brown. The lyrics are age-appropriate, but the soulful style proves both of these young artists are bursting with talent. Judging by this track alone, Jordin is putting herself in line to have a successful career, much like the pop and R&B superstars who came before her.

The other song that really stands out among the others is Next to You. It’s the solo equivalent of No Air in the way it showcases the vocal ability that helped land Jordin the Idol title. These few tracks far outshine the others — including the song written for the show, This is My Now, which closes out the collection. Overall, the disc comes together well. There’s certainly room for growth as Jordin develops into a seasoned artist, but for a first time out she should be thrilled with the success that’s no doubt coming her way.

Jordin Sparks, the CD, is definitely an extension of what the singer showcased during her run to the top of Season 6. It lays the groundwork for what I expect will be Jordin’s career-long style, a smooth mix of R&B, soul and pop tracks that take advantage of modern techniques, yet still count on the talent of the artist.

Jordin Sparks, American Idol, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson

On the eve of her debut CD release, American Idol Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks may be getting a Tattoo. (Get it? Tattoo, her first single, you know?) Or maybe she’s just preparing for what’s about to be a whirlwind media tour in promotion of her self-titled release.

The CD, which is being released Tuesday, will find the singer as a guest on ABC’s Good Morning America on release day. Other upcoming appearances include a Nov. 21 stop at Live With Regis and Kelly on NBC, a day before Jordin will appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

CDs are certain to be flying off the shelves all day Tuesday, especially in the Tempe, Ariz., area, where Jordin will appear Saturday to sign autographs for fans in her hometown. The signing will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Virgin Megastore, 5000 Arizona Mills Circle. Anyone who buys the CD beginning Tuesday at the store can get a wristband for the signing.

After the weekend, Jordin will return to the small screen for an appearance Monday, Nov. 26 on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on NBC.

American Idol, Tattoo, Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks performs after it’s announced she is the winner of Season 6 of American Idol. The show, which returns Jan. 15 to FOX, has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award.

With Season 7 two months away, American Idol fans can stand up and show their support for their favorite reality show.

Idol has been nominated for a People’s Choice Award in the Favorite Competition/Reality Show category. The awards, to be broadcast Tuesday, Jan. 8 on CBS, will be hosted by Queen Latifah. Considering the ongoing TV writers strike, Idol may be some of the only fresh programming airing in 2008.

To cast your vote, visit the People’s Choice Awards polls. Voting closes in 20 days, according to a countdown on the Web site.

American Idol, Jordin Sparks, People’s Choice Awards, Queen Latifah

Just three days after the release of her self-titled debut CD, the Season 6 American Idol winner will light up her hometown of Glendale, Ariz.

Jordin Sparks is set to be the guest of honor, flipping the switch to turn on 1.5 million Christmas lights at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23 in downtown Glendale. Jordin also will be the reader for the annual reciting of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Her dad, former NFL star Phillippi Sparks, was at this week’s announcement. He said he hopes his daughter also will sing, even though that’s not a guarantee, according to city officials.

In coordination with the celebration, the U.S. Post Office will offer free postcards of Jordin with a commemorative postmark to those in attendance.

Jordin’s debut, which already has produced a successful first single, Tattoo, also has been generating a good buzz in national media. The latest issue of Rolling Stone rates the debut at three and a half out of four stars. The CD will be released Tuesday, so you can judge for yourself.

American Idol, Jordin Sparks, Tattoo