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‘American Idol’ Reveals Season 12′s Top 10: What You Didn’t See on TV – 1. A teacher of special needs students sitting behind The Hollywood Reporter in the Idol-dome had waited quite a while to get tickets for her first time in the audience. But three people sitting in the front row on the extreme right side of the audience didn’t have to wait even five seconds to be seated. Those three gentlemen were executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, co-executive producer Charles Boyd and Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter

American Idol’s Burnell Taylor Loses 40 Pounds – in One Month! – Burnell Taylor, who made it to the top 10 on American Idol Thursday, says the show has helped him to shed 40 lbs. … in just the last month. “Determination is so, so important, and if you don’t have that, then you’re not going to get past anything,” the 19-year-old Louisiana native tells PEOPLE of his dramatic weight loss. “I knew I had to lose it, and I never gave up on it because I would work out in the past and I always gave up because I never saw the results,” he said. “But when I started seeing the results I was like, ‘You have to keep going, keep going!’ ” – Read more at People

What Does a Real Vocal Coach Think of Idol’s Top 10? – But generally, the women aren’t as interesting or seasoned as the men this season. Amber Holcomb, who’s striving for a Whitney Houston vibe, has a lot of catching up to do. Her breath technique isn’t as strong as some others in the competition, which means that (pitch-wise) some of her notes come out as near misses. But she shows growth each week, which is key. And as her coaches behind the scenes shore up her skills, her great look and smile will continue to woo fans. – Read more at Parade

‘American Idol’, Season 12 Top 10 Finalists on the Red Carpet

What’s the Best ‘American Idol’ Song? Season 12 Finalists Weigh In – Billboard spent some quality time with the season 12 finalists of “American Idol” Thursday night at a red carpet reception in Los Angeles. The two questions of the night: What’s your favorite “Idol” song ever and who would win an all-star competition spanning all 12 seasons? Newly voted-in top 10 contestant Amber Holcomb praised Carrie Underwood’s “Just a Dream” for its emotional appeal while a veteran to the show, Ray Chew (music director at American Idol), chimed in on Philip Phillip’s “Home” and his enthusiasm for its continual success post Idol. Another fan favorite was Fantasia Barrino’s inspiring performance of “I Believe” on Season 3 of Idol, which resonated with contestant Curtis Finch Jr. throughout his audition process and also on our Top 100 Idol Hits List, ranking in the top 40. – Read more at Billboard

Scotty McCreery 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival

Constantine Maroulis | Interview – From “American Idol” auditions to the Tony Awards stage—Constantine Maroulis has been no stranger to success since his stint on the reality TV show eight years ago. With a leading actor Tony Award nomination for his performance in Rock of Ages under his studded belt, he’s taking on his next Broadway role in Jekyll & Hyde, the musical. Maroulis and the show are in the midst of a national tour before settling at the Marquis Theatre in New York. Now, Maroulis and his castmates are preparing for a two-week run here in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theater, March 12–24, and Maroulis spent a few minutes chatting with TOC about his upcoming run in the Windy City. – Read more at Time Out Chicago

Lee DeWyze Meets Dave Grohl

Lee DeWyze tweeted, “One of the coolest In the business. Great talking with you Dave! @foofighters @soundcitymovie #YallNeedToWatch”

Siobhan steps forward … into the past – The popular Barnstable vocalist is teaming up with former members of some of the decade’s most formidable bands to create Doubtful Guest, a rock unit aiming to reinvigorate and re-imagine the sound of the ’90s. Magnus has teamed with ex-Third Eye Blind guitarist Tony Fredianelli; bassist Sammy Hudson, formerly of Everclear; drummer Tommy Stewart, who shaped the heartbeat of the popular Lawrence-based Godsmack; and Candlebox refugee guitarist Peter Klett. The band recently created a Kickstarter campaign (www.kickstarter.com/projects/raineman/doubtful-guest) to help raise enough funds to play and videotape a showcase show in Nashville on March 27. – Read more at CapeCodOnline

Behind the Scenes Wardrobe – Carrie Underwood’s Spotlight – Get Active

Katharine McPhee: ‘I’m Mostly Daring on Things I’m Really Passionate About’ – McPhee explained to the mag, “I’m mostly daring about things I’m really passionate about. There are people who are bold at industry parties, who go up to big producers and directors and introduce themselves, and I’m not really like that. I’m really kind of shy, and I’m not the best self-promoter… there are so many ways to be bold. I think being bold is also being consistent and persistent — plugging away at what I want.” On taking chances with her third album (as yet untitled) Katharine said, “I’ve wanted to have a fun record for so long, and it’s fun! I’m not a serious person at all, and people who know me know I’m so goofy, and I want that to come out in the music.” – Read more at ExtraTV

‘American Idol’ Alum Erika Van Pelt on Season 12 Favorites and Living With Post-TV PTSD (Q&A) – This week, American Idol revealed its top 10 contestants for Season 12 — an experience few get to have, and those that do, remember it for life. “Oh God, I will never forget what that feels like,” season 11′s Erika Van Pelt tells The Hollywood Reporter. “It feels great to survive, and it’s horrible to see your friends go home. I appreciate what those kids are doing.” Since coming to the end of her own Idol journey in March 2012, the Rhode Island singer has been hustling — expanding her DJ business, Van Pelt Entertainment, her band, booking modeling work and high-profile gigs with the likes of Donald Trump and Vice President Joe Biden. And, of course, she’s been recording, with an independent album due out this May. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter

American Idol: Judges Rate the Top 10 and Talk Justin Bieber’s Concert Collapse – “I think it’s one of the best top 10 we’ve ever had because it’s so different and so eclectic and there’s so many different flavors and styles,” Randy Jackson said. “And we’ve got some big voices in the girls and the guys and I think if a girl had a shot in the last three, four, five years…it’s now.” – See more at E Online

Does Mariah Carey Think America Got the ‘Idol’ Top 10 Right?

Blake Shelton Previews a Rowdier New Album and a More Competitive New ‘Voice’ Season – During Nashville’s Country Radio Seminar this past week, Shelton sat down with a few key programmers and DJs to preview his forthcoming album, Based on a True Story, which comes out March 26. In a conversation after the playback, he talked about some of the new record’s more provocative songs (like “I’ve Still Got a Finger”) and also how changing partners on The Voice and the ACMs might change the tenor of those gigs. We sat in on the chat and bring you some highlights, here… – Read more at Rolling Stone

X Factor Stand-Out Carly Rose Sonenclar on Returning to Her Broadway Roots – Before she wowed America and landed in second place on TV singing competition The X Factor, 13-year-old Carly Rose Sonenclar honed her belting chops in Broadway musicals like Les Miserables and Wonderland. When the talented teen hit the red carpet at Cinderella’s recent opening, Broadway.com had to know if she plans to bring her powerful pipes back home to the Great White Way. “Maybe,” Sonenclar teased. “When I’m a little bit older. This is where I started!” – Read more at Broadway.com