Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta — American Idols to dye for

Adam has blue highlights in his jet-black hair. They weren’t always noticeable under televison lights, but they’re very apparent when meeting him in person. “They’re a little punched up now from where they were,” he says. “The inspiration was one of those black feathers, you know, that are kind of iridescent? I took that to my hairdressers and said, ‘Make my hair look like that!’”

Allison Iraheta, who sported dyed-red hair all season, now boasts a veritable rainbow of colors — pink, red, blue and green. “I got a little bored of the red,” she says. The additional colors are all new, added just in the past week.

USA Today

Matt Giraud and Michael Sarver give a show before the show

When the Idols first arrived in Portland a few days ago, Matt Giraud got back to his roots as a hotel lounge piano player when he and Michael Sarver ran across a piano in their hotel lobby and started an impromptu late-night set.

“We found an old rickety piano,” Matt says, “and, since I’m a piano player, I can’t help it.”

“And, since I’m a singer, I can’t help it, either,” Michael says.

USA Today

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP

Matt Giraud puts on his hosting hat

Matt Giraud has gone over to the other side. The fifth-place contestant on this season’s American Idol has signed up to help host and judge an online vocal talent competition on YOBI.tv – The Reality Contest Network.

“It’s a new web series called YOBISing,” Matt says. “They’re in their second season, and they hired me to be their Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell.” Matt says he recently taped a promo video, which will be out soon: “Then, after the tour, it’s going to pick up.”

Idol Chatter

Anoop Desai, getting back up to speed

Shortly before Saturday night’s dress rehearsal, Anoop Desai was nursing a hot tea, trying to pamper his voice after a week of being under the weather.

“Last Friday, we had a pretty tough rehearsal, then I went out afterwards, so that did a number on my throat,” he says. “I was on vocal rest for about four or five days — I didn’t talk at all. As I was getting over that — I guess my immunity was low, because of whatever medication I was on — I caught something else. I’m getting over being on that. Most of these bugs are about a week long, so I’m on the last leg of it, hopefully.”

USA Today

Megan Joy, stair master

Megan Joy plans on being in the best shape of her life by the time the American Idols Live tour wraps. “I ran around the arena, like, seven times today,” Megan said on the eve of the tour launch, “and then up and down the stairs until I couldn’t do it anymore.”

USA Today

Susan Boyle Records First Song for New Album

Susan Boyle took time out from the Britain’s Got Talent tour to record the first track on her planned album with Simon Cowell’s team, who are clearly excited by what they heard.

“She sounds fantastic on record,” says Cowell. “She’s so good, the album is not just going to be show tunes. We’re going to take our time with this.”

People.com

Angels honor Gehrig on Fourth of July

In an effort to raise awareness and financial support for organizations leading the fight against ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the Angels will have American Idol Finalist Michael Johns sing the national anthem before Saturday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Johns, an avid supporter of ALS research, has been involved in certain organizations to help the fight against ALS.

In December 2008, he released the song “Another Christmas,” with 50 percent of the proceeds going towards ALS research.

“Michael Johns embodies the spirit of this day,” Angels entertainment and production manager Pete Bull said. “He loves America and the opportunity he had with American Idol was able to show what we can provide as a nation. He truly loves our country.”

MLB

Kellie Pickler insists she’s not dating Kid Rock

Though a tabloid recently “reported” that Kellie Pickler and Kid Rock are dating, Pickler’s publicist protests, saying there is no truth to the story.

So ‘ ¦ not dating, haven’t dated. That’s the official word.

Kellie joins a formidable list of celebrities not dating Kid Rock. Others not romantically involved with Rock include Cameron Diaz, Venus Williams, Taylor Swift, Mork & Mindy’s Pam Dawber and embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. We will keep you up to date if anything changes.

Tennessean.com

Dreamgirl’s nightmare run

THE past year for singer and Oscar-winning actor Jennifer Hudson reads like one of her on-screen plots, but things are changing.

Riding high on a wave of movie and music success, Hudson’s fairytale life was shattered in October when her mother, brother and nephew were shot and killed.

Distraught, Hudson released a statement to fans thanking them for their support, but has never spoken publicly about the deaths.

Nine months on, the 27-year-old is pregnant with her first child, to her fiance, actor David Otunga, and her career is firmly on track.

News.com.au

IDOLIZED

There was a time when Lindsey Cardinale could blend in as a college student on any campus across the country.

But then she appeared on the popular television show “American Idol” and is now recognized nationally.

Cardinale, who performed Friday evening at Betts Park for the Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration, was a finalist on the fourth season of “American Idol” in 2005.

Cardinale said Friday morning that she has been balancing singing and school in Nashville, Tenn.

The country singer said she is a journalism student with a minor in songwriting, and she has been fitting in shows between classes.

“I’m such a big school person,” Cardinale said, adding that she genuinely enjoys college and when she has a week off, she sometimes doesn’t know what to do with herself.

Times Observer.com

Topless Taylor Hicks

Former “American Idol” star Taylor Hicks laid out in Mexico yesterday, working on his soulful tan.

TMZ.com

Jordan Sparks: Happy Birthday, Steph Jones!

Jordin Sparks celebrates her boyfriend Steph Jones’ birthday at Castle Ivar on Friday night (July 3) in Los Angeles.

Looks like Jordin got quite the show at the party. Steph stripped down to his tank top and worked a pole dance for the crowd, which included Jordin’s fellow American Idol contestant Blake Lewis.

Just Jared

SIMON COWELL’S MINDER TONY AXED

Simon Cowell’s bodyguard Tony Adkins has lashed out at the music mogul after being dumped from X Factor.

The 20st slaphead minder has become a celebrity in his own right after booting off rowdy and lippy contestants from the top telly show.

But man mountain Tony, 47, has now been replaced by THREE other bodyguards – without explanation.

People.co.uk

LA Ballet meets ‘So You Think You Can Dance’

Viewers of “So You Think You Can Dance” — now in its fifth summer season on Fox — were treated earlier this week to the competition’s first pointe-shoe performance: Contestants Ade Obayomi, 20, of Orange County and Melissa Sandvig, 29, of Los Alamitos were seen as literature’s most romantic (though unfortunately doomed) young couple in a graceful pas de deux from “Romeo and Juliet,” with Sandvig on her toes. The judges loved it.

And Culture Monster is pleased to report that the man who choreographed the pas de deux and coached Obayomi and Sandvig through their moves was none other than Thordal Christensen, who is co-artistic director of Los Angeles Ballet with his wife, Colleen Neary.

LA Times