i love american idol so much and i am a member of americanidol.com .

PARIS RULZZ OMG SHE SHOULD'VE WON LIKE HARDOWT!! PARIZ WAS LIKE SO COOL!!

I really very much enjoyed American Idol 5 and often I go on the website.It has to be 1 of my most fave shows of this year.I watched most shows.My fave contestants were Taylor,Paris and Katharine.I take part in their discussions the most! i realy liked all of the top 12 this year.I

I was on the American Idol website a few months ago, going through the contestants profiles.  One of the questions asked was who would they thank if they won American Idol, and most of them put God.  But I've just noticed, that the past 2 Idols winners have barely mentioned a word of God in their acceptance speeches.  Are the Idol constestants being told not to acknowledge God?   If that's the case, then I think it's wrong, and a breach of freedom of speech.  Political correctness should keep out of these kind of shows. 

Thanks for the Taylor updates SoulPatrolBaby!!!! really appreciate it, SOUL PATROL!!!!

Dunno if anyone's heard about this but here we go..it's about Kat btw...it's like everywhere..

Katharine McPhee's Shocking Confession
June 21, 2006

It's the painful secret behind Katharine McPhee's famous face.

The "American Idol" sweetheart is dropping a bomb in the new People magazine, bravely revealing the torment she's kept hidden for years -- a dangerous battle with bulimia that nearly destroyed her brilliant voice.

"She was throwing up seven times a day," People's Jamie Bufalino revealed of Kat's struggle with weight, which she claims started as a teen. Bufalino told us that McPhee credits "Idol" with saving her life. "When she got to ‘Idol,' that's when she got serious," he said.

Katharine sought out help at an LA area eating disorder clinic.

Meanwhile, millions of "American Idol" fans, and even the judges, had no idea of Katharine's struggle throughout the competition.

The songstress was at war with her demons and even hinted about her torturous relationship with food to our Terri Seymour the night before the finale. "I was always trying to lose weight and then I was obsessed about the food," she said. "As soon as I stopped worrying about the food, the weight just started coming off."

Katharine revealed she's dropped 30 pounds and gone down three dress sizes the healthy way, thanks to getting help and the support of her parents and boyfriend, Nick Cokas.

In addition to People, McPhee is also Teen People's next covergirl. "I'm very honored that people say I'm a role model for young girls," she admitted.

Catch Kat in Teen People June 30, and in People magazine this Friday.

another article...

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534825/2...?headlines=true

Katharine McPhee doesn't want to hide anymore. The "American Idol" runner-up comes out as a recovering bulimic in the new issues of People and Teen People, which hit newsstands Friday and June 30, respectively.

Ardent observers
may have noticed that McPhee dropped three dress sizes from when she first auditioned for "American Idol," but the singer attributes the weight loss to her recovery, not her illness. Her battle with bulimia started her junior year in high school, and McPhee said her real problem was avoiding her emotions.

"Food was my crutch," McPhee told People. "It was how I dealt with emotions and uncomfortable situations. It was literally a drug."

The singer said she thinks her body-image issues started when her body changed at age 13. Before then, she said, she didn't think about food. She was a "stick" and "could eat all I wanted." Then, seemingly overnight, she had "womanly curves," which made her uncomfortable. Though she had always been athletic, taking dance classes and competing on the school swim team, she started exercising compulsively and starving herself.

"I got more and more obsessed with trying to lose weight and looking like other 14- and 15-year-olds," she told Teen People. "I think it has to do with growing up in L.A. where more people are body-conscious."

She didn't force herself to throw up until she was 17, she said, and she was able to hide the behavior for about six months, at which point she told her mom. She tried going to therapists and dieticians and then relapsed. She tried going to Food Addicts Anonymous but only lasted two weeks.

"It always starts off with a diet," she told Teen People. "The more I dieted, the more I became obsessed with food. Food was like a drug to me. It was such a miserable life."

McPhee's problem got worse when she went to college, studying musical theater at the Boston Conservatory, where her behavior was encouraged by her dorm-mates. "I definitely put on the 'freshman 20,' " she told Teen People. "We would [go out], get back to the dorm at 2 in the morning, have three slices of Little Steve's House of Pizza — which were big — and go to bed."

McPhee recognized that her behavior was self-destructive, but she thought it was the only way to succeed as a singer. She likens the purging to "putting a sledgehammer to your vocal cords." When she was rejected from 195 of 200 auditions she went to in the 18 months before "Idol," she attributed the failures to her weight, not a lack of talent. Her manager reinforced this perception, telling her, "Just lose 10 to 15 pounds, and we'll start booking stuff," she said.

"She looked beautiful but felt she wasn't camera-ready," her mother Peisha told Teen People. "It's unfortunate our society is obsessed with being so stick-thin."

But the 22-year-old finally realized she needed help. When she auditioned for "Idol," she was throwing up seven times a day, and she knew if she made the show, that couldn't continue — not if she wanted to win.

"Food — my eating disorder — was the one thing holding me back," she told People. "I mean, here I am, this singer, and it was so horrible on my vocal cords. So when I got on the show, I said, 'You know what? I can do well. Let me give myself a chance and just get a hold of this thing.' "

McPhee entered a three-month program at the Los Angeles Eating Disorder Center of California in October so she could start shooting the show in December. She did group and individual therapy six days a week and read "Intuitive Eating." She lost her fear of so-called "bad" foods by allowing herself to eat ice cream, peanut butter and mini Snickers bars (four with each meal). Now she doesn't want Snickers anymore, and she hasn't binged since two weeks before entering the program.

"I was actually addressing the issue, not trying to lose weight," McPhee told Teen People. "I was letting my body do what it naturally wanted to do, by eating normally."

While McPhee doesn't consider herself completely healed, she's thrilled at the progress she's made so far — and is hopeful that by coming forward now, she'll "encourage other people not to hide."

"I've learned to deal with my emotions differently," she told People, "to deal with them, instead of with food."

WOOOOOOO, SOUL PATROL, SOUL PATROL!!!!

Woooo Taylor's #1!!!

Hicks Heads Straight To No. 1 On Hot 100
June 21, 2006, 12:00 PM ET
Katie Hasty, N.Y.

Season five "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud" will debut on the top of the Billboard Hot 100 to be published tomorrow (June 22) on Billboard.com. The silver-haired Alabama native moved 190,000 physical singles and another 38,000 digital downloads of the track, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Three of the previous four "Idol" winners have also nabbed the top spot. Carrie Underwood's "Inside Your Heaven" sold a combined 169,000 in its first full week last year. Fantasia's "I Believe" moved 142,000 and Kelly Clarkson sold 236,000 of "A Moment Like This."

Season two runner-up Clay Aiken scored the No. 1 spot with "This Is the Night" with a whopping 393,000, staving off the winner Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings" (286,000).

As previously reported, Hicks is currently recording for his 19 Recordings/Arista debut, which is slated for release this fall.

"I'm really excited," Hicks told Billboard.com. "There's gonna be some really, really great things on the album. I've got some secret stuff that I'm completely stoked about and I know everybody else will be, too."

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/articl...t_id=1002725624

Also...

Taylor Hicks' 'Do I Make You Proud' Rockets to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart!
Wednesday June 21, 3:03 pm ET

#1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
#1 on the Billboard Single Sales chart
#1 on the Billboard Pop 100 chart

NEW YORK, June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's American Idol winner Taylor Hicks rockets to the top of Billboard's coveted Hot 100 chart with his first single, "Do I Make You Proud" released by 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records on June 13. The single simultaneously came in at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the Billboard Single Sales chart and the Billboard Pop 100 chart making it the best selling song in the country with over 190,000 copies sold in its first week of release. Hicks will perform this chart topping song on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, June 22nd.

What about Chris?  Anyone know anything about plans for his future?

That's someone I would like to hear more of - but then we never did get to hear any more of Bo here did we.

Hey guyss some Taylor news...

This came from al.com

Taylor Hicks will sing with Snoop

Newly crowned "American Idol" Taylor Hicks will return to Birmingham this weekend and sing with Snoop Dogg at City Stages.

Hicks, who is in Los Angeles preparing for the "American Idol" tour that comes to Birmingham in August, will fly into town today and perform with Snoop Dogg, who headlines the Miller Lite Stage at 10:50 p.m. Saturday.

some feedback from the show!

Originally posted by taymyfave
Just got back from there. Waited at the Miller Lite Stage from 7p until. Taylor looked fab and was awesome. Snoop was happy to see him. Snoop did one song. Then you heard a harmonica playing from the back stage. Couldn't see Taylor but everyone knew what was about to happen. Snoop said "Come on...come on". It was great, but didn't last long enough. Taylor was so into it and so was Snoop. Could barely see them, watched some on the big screen right over my head.
Sang Gin and Juice together. Was only on about 5 minutes

Hi all Chuck and Missy have reported in from City Stages with the following:

Snoop was joined by Taylor during the third song "Gin & Juice" He played the harmonica for most of the song and then exuberantly joined Snoop for the chorus segment...

"Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice (beeotch!!)
Laid back [with my mind on my money and my money on my mind]
Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice (beeotch!!)
Laid back [with my mind on my money and my money on my mind]"

He then left the stage and did not return until the Snoop send off song,
"Na na na na, na na na na, hey heyyy, Snoop Dogg ...
Where Taylor again played harmonica and joined in all the Na Na Na-ing...
Taylor left the stage with a big 'ol "Soul Patrol!"
There it is in a nutshell....Taylor has a rippin' good sense of humor...as should we all.
Pics will be forthcoming...

One more screen cap. Taylor smiling as he's about to rap "WE DON'T LOVE DEM HOES!"

Tay rapping and Snoop is amazed

He played the harmonica for most of the song and then exuberantly joined Snoop for the chorus segment...

"Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice (beeotch!!)
Laid back [with my mind on my money and my money on my mind]
Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice (beeotch!!)
Laid back [with my mind on my money and my money on my mind]"

LM@O!hahahahhahhaa! I just watched the vid.. he yelled "SOUL POUND" a mixture of Soul Patrol and Dog Pound..LMAO!he was totally getting into it!Looked like he had a blast!

Here's the vid...

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=3EADA2286CC154DE

Hopefully there will be a better version out soon.

Do I Make You Proud has really grown on me.  It's such a joyful song to listen to, and the lyrics fit Taylor perfectly. At first it reminded me a bit of Lonestar's Amazed, though it ended up becoming it's own. 

The beginning of Katherine's song reminds me of Evanessence' My Immortal.  The lyrics are bit too fantasy, and fake for me, it fits this singer perfectly too. 

If anyone's interested you can see Taylor's ford commercial here:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/features/commercials/?id=2&cat=

Taylor is hot *coughs* uh, yuh.

Woooo!!!Taylor was voted the #1 hottest bachelor in the new upcoming people magazine!here's the article and some pics..Tay is a hottie

Bachelor No. 1: Taylor Hicks Lets Loose
The 29-year-old American Idol is single – and looking. Who for? A woman who can 'let her hair down and can be who she is and is not pretentious about anything'

Tuesday Jun 13, 2006 4:00pm EST

"The best flirting technique would be not to flirt at all and just let it happen," says Hicks.
CREDIT: ROBERT TRACHTENBERG

Taylor Hicks Lets Loose

As a 6'1" rocker, getting the girl has never been a problem for Taylor Hicks. Even before American Idol, "we'd go out and girls would ignore everyone else," says friend Chris Horner. "A waitress once asked Taylor what I wanted to eat. She wouldn't look away from him." During the show, that sex appeal won Hicks – whose first single is just out – fans so fervent they use a made-up word to describe his effect on them ("thud," which means to swoon).

Still, he's no player. He told executive editor Liz Sporkin and senior editor Lisa Arbetter he's ready for love. "I've been in a bubble," he says. "There's been no time. Now I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with the right woman."

PEOPLE : First of all, let's bust a myth. There's nothing goofy about you.
Taylor Hicks: They made me out to be the goofy wedding singer. And that's completely the opposite. I'm a musician and a writer. I'm more of a deep person than the way they portrayed me on American Idol. I was just enjoying the moment.

Women have been going crazy over you. What do they do when they see you?
I've been completely mobbed. Some of them cry. Some of them scream. Some of them put their hands on you. Most of them want hugs. And you know, there's nothing wrong with giving a hug or two.

What do you think people are connecting to?
I would say being real. Just a real, down-to-earth person who's a musician.

Why don't you have a girlfriend?
All I've done for the last year is work on my career. There's been no time for any kind of love reaction. It's going to be interesting now. I wouldn't mind going on a date or two. Being a struggling musician is not a very comfortable position. Now I feel like I'm a little more comfortable, so my dating can increase.

What are you looking for in a woman?
She's gotta be cool. She's gotta be easy to get along with. And deep. Shallow does not turn me on at all.

What do you like, lookswise?
Natural beauty. Like the morning after, not having to wear makeup. Not even having to wear makeup to go out. And preferably tall, but there are very beautiful petite women.

Do you like southern girls?
They're nice.

Do you find any of the American Idol girls attractive?
Of course they're attractive. But I don't think I'm going to date them.

Are you looking for somebody who would have accepted you before you were crowned American Idol?
Yes! Yes!

How will you be able to tell?
By being very observant and using my instincts.

Have you ever been in love?
Yes. I've been in love two or three times. Maybe once I was in love with love.

Ever had your heart broken?
Of course my heart's been broken, and their hearts have been broken. But I was very sensible about each relationship I was in. It carried over into a good solid friendship afterward. I'm the guy you dated that you're still friends with. There are no grudges.

What's gone wrong?
Career had a lot to do with 80 percent of my breakups. It's very tough to date a struggling musician. The idea of it is enticing and fun and mysterious. But the reality is long hours and hard work. I have a lot of respect for the women I've dated.

How do you deal with heartache?
I write. Write a great love song. Sometimes I wonder if my own relationships have not been my own yearning for the great masterpiece.

Name a song you've written for a girlfriend.
"The Fall." It was about a bad breakup. I guess I was young and too immature to really understand the situation. I was p----- . So I wrote. [Sample lyrics: "Feelings will pass and soon have to go/ the colder the heart, the harder the wind blow/ although you're trying to make your own throughway/ you turn your back on love with the games that people play"]

Do you usually write when you're angry?
Sometimes. Sometimes I write when I'm happy. I'll tell you the easiest time to write: when you're lonely.

Are you often lonely?
Interestingly enough, I've led a pretty lonely life.

So the fringe benefit of being lonely is good writing?
Yeah. The muses visit when I'm lonely.

But you've never had a problem attracting women. That's always been easy for you.
Yeah, it seemed like it. You know what, though? I'm pretty humble.

Are you a romantic?
I don't know. I'm sweet.

What do you do to show your sweet side?
I'm very thoughtful. Maybe sweeping her driveway or buying a present. Not flowers; I think flowers are too cliché. If I was shopping with someone and she fell in love with a music box, I might buy that. Once I bought an Ann Taylor dress that I saw for somebody. I saw her drool over it, so I decided what the heck, I'd buy it for her.

What's the greatest length you've ever gone to for a girl you liked?
I take care of the people I'm around. When they're sick, I take care of them. Take them to the doctor. Whatever they want, I take care of it.

Have you had any dating disasters?
You know, I really haven't. If I'm going to ask someone out on a date, I always make sure that things are comfortable so dating disasters don't happen.

Any blind dates?
A couple. Luckily I was with some friends and everything was cool.

What about dating online?
I've surfed the Web and the whole dating connection. I find that pretty fascinating, but no real leads.

Are you more aggressive or passive when it comes to women?
Passive. Very much so. Passive.

What did you learn about relationships from playing in so many bars?
It's not really good to mix red wine and a very intimate conversation.

What have you seen that's worked?
The best flirting technique would be not to flirt at all and just let it happen.

Have you come close to marriage?
No.

Do you want to get married?
It's a whole lot easier to think about now. I had to deal with being somewhat of an outcast because it's not socially acceptable to be a struggling musician. There have been times where I've felt sorry for the person I was dating. I felt she deserved better.

Do you want children?
I want a little girl. I do have a name picked out.

What is it?
I won't tell.

Why a girl?
Because I have the band. I have my brother. I'm surrounded by all guys.

How did you impress women on a budget?
By using my head. I think cooking is a whole lot cheaper than going out.

Do you cook?
I do. I have this really great southern spaghetti recipe. There's one magical ingredient. I can't tell you what it is.

Come on.
No.

Please?
Okay, it's brown sugar.

When you were struggling, what would you do when you got some money?
Take myself out to eat. I love going out to eat because I'm always entertaining. I'm always entertaining people, so I get entertained by food. And hopefully, a woman soon.

If you had nothing to do on a Sunday, what would you do?
I would probably start a pot roast early in the morning. I wouldn't eat all day. I would wait. I'd check e-mails. Listen to some really great jazz. If it were nice out, I'd probably sit out on the deck. My apartment has a wonderful view of Birmingham.

Do you still have the apartment?
I just gave it up, so I'm homeless right now. I think that's really cool. I'm a free spirit in every sense of the word.

Taylor at a Glance

Always in his fridge:
"Vitamin D milk. I like whole milk. I'm a southern boy. I like drinking a glass of it every day."

The oldest thing in his fridge:
"I found some salsa from like 1995."

Favorite alcoholic beverage:
"I like Budweiser. And Crown Royal sometimes. Straight up."

On his nightstand:
"A picture of a bar, the Flora-Bama Lounge & Package on the Florida-Alabama line. The reason it's on my night-stand is that this roadhouse taught me how to entertain babies, children, retired FBI agents, single moms and 17-year-old spring breakers. I grew into the entertainer I am today. I am forever indebted to [b]that place."

Favorite restaurant:
"Fox Valley, about a 10-minute drive from Birmingham."

Last book read:
"I'm halfway through The Da Vinci Code."

Favorite mood music:
"Earth Wind and Fire, Lionel Richie, 'Sweet Love' by the Commodores."

Favorite clothing store:
"Banana Republic."

Weakness:
"Shoes. I've probably got 50 pairs."

Shoe size:
"12."

What he likes for breakfast:
"Bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches on wheat toast with grits and pancakes."

Where he learned to dance:
"In my room. I watched Soul Train. Elvis. James Brown."

I was supposed to post this a few days ago but I was too lazy lolz..but anyways...

Kat has been touring with Andrea Bocelli..she performed at a couple of his recent shows..and did a couple of duets with him including "The Prayer" if anyone wants vids or mp3's let me know.

She's also had offers from director Steven Speilberg and she's gonna have a meeting with him.

Here's an article about Tay's record deal aswell.

American Idol Taylor Hicks & Elliott Yamin Repped by The Firm?
By Jennifer Cox
Jun 10, 2006
Hollywood management company ‘The Firm’ was rumored to have wooed American idol finalist Elliott Yamin and now it is being reported that they are looking to grab idol winner Taylor Hicks as well.

A short item on page six reports that Taylor is signed, sealed and delivered to the management company.

We hear "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks has signed on to be managed by Jeff Kwatinetz's The Firm, which also reps former "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson, the NY Post reports.

***

Will Elliott be next?

Lynda Johnson noted earlier that BLEEP reported last week that though Elliott Yamin has yet to land a record deal, but Hollywood powerhouse management company 'The Firm' flew the crooner to Vegas a week ago and hooked him up with tickets to back-to-back concerts by Madonna and Prince.

While this is all good news for the finalists, history shows good record sales are not guaranteed. After winning 'Idol' in 2002, Kelly Clarkson sold over 7 million CDs and won two Grammys while her first season runner-up, Justin Guarini, went on to sell less than 150,000 copies of his debut CD before being dropped by RCA.

***

Taylor’s "Do I Make You Proud," which he performed in the show's finale, and a soulful cover of the Doobie Brothers classic "Takin' It to the Streets" — will be released in stores and through digital outlets June 13.

Expect monster sales from Taylor, Elliott's splash may be a little tougher to guage.

Reading profiles - now I can see why I liked Bo and Chris best from the last 2 shows!

Bo's favourite male artiste(s) was put down as Matchbox 20.  Chris says his favourite is Rob Thomas - singer with Matchbox 20.

Guess they must be influenced by their favourites singers/groups! 

 Coincidence - RobThomas/Matchbox 20 are my favourites!

YEAH!!!!!! TAYLOR HICKS REWLS!!!!! Ellen should dye her hair grey for Taylor, SOUL PATROL!!!

Hey ya'll for anyone who is interested Taylor's gonna be on the Ellen D show soon!so keep an eye out

Ellen D is on 5pm weekdays on channel 1

What the f*** was up with Meatloaf's singing the other night?!

Taylor's version of Georgia On My Mind REWLS!!!!

Just wondering..has anyone heard Taylor's original music from his albums "Under The Radar" and "In Your Time"?

I love em hehe...oh and Ya'll needa hear his version of "Georgia On My Mind" it's amazing!!all us Soul Patrollers were dying to have him sing it on idol..he wanted to aswell but he said there was no theme appropriate for it..what a shame,it would have been awesome!

TRIVIA:

Alabama Did It Again!

As you can see Alabama Did It Again! For the past 5 seasons, they produced 2 Winners and a runner up. California might have the numbers with 7 finalists coming from the Golden State but they haven't produced a winner yet. North Carolina could be considered as the 2nd strongest state on American Idol, producing a winner, a runner up and a 3rd runner up. Texas is the 3rd strongest state producing a winner and a 2nd runner up.

California
-A.J. Gil
-Ryan Starr
-Corey Clark
-Matthew Rogers
-LaToya London (4th Place)
-Katharine McPhee (2nd Place)
-Lisa Tucker

North Carolina
-Clay Aiken (2nd Place)
-Fantasia Barrino (Winner)
-Chris Daughtry (4th Place)
-Kellie Pickler
-Bucky Covington

Texas
-Nikki McKibbin (3rd Place)
-RJ Helton
-Kelly Clarkson (Winner)
-Kimberly Caldwell
-Rickey Smith

Georgia
-EJay Day
-Justin Guarini (2nd Place)
-Vanessa Olivarez
-Diana DeGarmo (2nd Place)
-Paris Bennett

Florida
-Vonzell Solomon (3rd Place)
-Nadia Turner
-Jessica Sierra
-Melissa McGhee

New York
-Christina Christian
-John Stevens
-Constantine Maroulis
-Kevin Covais

Alabama
-Ruben Studdard (Winner)
-Bo Bice (2nd Place)
-Taylor Hicks (Winner)

Tennessee
-Kimberley Locke (3rd Place)
-Trenyce
-Mandisa Hundley

Hawaii
-Camile Velasco
-Jasmine Trias (3rd Place)

Illinois
-Jim Verraros
-Jennifer Hudson

Louisiana
-George Huff
-Lindsey Cardinale

Ohio
-Charles Grigsby
-Scott Savol

Oklahoma
-Carrie Underwood (Winner)

Virginia
-Elliott Yamin (3rd Place)

Maryland
-Tamyra Gray (4th Place)

Michigan
-Joshua Gracin (4th Place)

Pennsylvania
-Anthony Fedorov (4th Place)

Colorado
-Ace Young

Connecticut
-Julia DeMato

Kansas
-Amy Adams

Missouri
-Nikko Smith

Nebraska
-Jon Peter Lewis

New Jersey
-Anwar Robinson

Nevada
-Mikalah Gordon

Utah
-Carmen Rasmusen

Washington
-Leah LaBelle

SOUL PATROL!!!!!!!!! HOT DAMN!!!!

TAYLOR YOU MAKE ME PROUD!!WOOOOOO! LOLZ