American Idol Gossip and News

American Idol contestants really put Steven Tyler through the emotional ringer last night. First, Reis Kloeckener brought the Aerosmith frontman to tears due to his story of overcoming high school bullying. Then, Ethan Jones moved the rocker by talking about his father, who used to lead the family band until he was overcome by drugs and alcohol and is currently in a rehab facility. That's something to which Tyler can definitely relate. But Jones has more than a gripping tale; he also has a strong voice. Watch him put it to use now during a rendition of Edwin McCain's "I'll Be." Ethan Jones American Idol Audition Ethan is off to Hollywood, one of 255 total Golden Ticket recipients. He'll compete with Lauren Gray, another strong St. Louis performer, when he arrived in California.

Lauren Gray delivered a black-and-white audition on American Idol last night, leaving little for the judges and viewers to even debate. She was awesome! Lauren Gray American Idol Audition This Arkansas native - who works in her family's one-stop wedding business by day, and sings in her family's rock band at night - did Adele proud by covering her single "One and Only." The look on Jennifer Lopez's face in the following video really says it all about this crooner, as does J. Lo's appropriate response when Lauren says "This is the biggest thing that's ever happened in my life." "It won't be the biggest thing ever." Gray is off to Hollywood, and so are two other standouts from St. Louis: Johnny Keyser and Reis Kloeckener.

Based on the last few years' worth of voting results, Johnny Keyser has the look of an American Idol champion. He's young, white and male. But does he have the sound? Yes, based on this 22-year old's audition in St. Louis last night, the last stop for the Fox juggernaut before it finally showcases contestants to Hollywood. With his family watching, and following Johnny's tale of growing up without a mother, Keyser received nothing but praise from the judges and unanimous Golden Ticket approval. Does this waterskiing waiter from Pompano, Florida really have a chance of going far? We think so. Listen for yourself: Johnny Keyser American Idol Audition

Last night, Britney. Tonight, the Biebs. Reis Kloeckener, whose carefully cropped hair with bangs lying flush against his forehead brought to mind a certain teen pop star, can tell those...

With awards season in full swing, wouldn't it be nice to celebrate by partying the night away with Hollywood's hottest A-listers at a huge awards show bash? Well, you...

He's no Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood, but William Hung certainly left his mark on the American Idol franchise. Who could forget his passionate, off-key rendition of Ricky...

Watch your back, Britney Spears. During American Idol's audition show from Portland on Wednesday night, blond 27-year-old contestant Britnee Kellogg definitely made her presence...

Do not judge a book by its cover. Or an American Idol contestant by her glasses. That's the back-handed compliment of a message Randy Jackson sent to viewers and Brittany Zika last night, telling the aspiring singer - following a great rendition of Brandi Carlile's "The Story" - that she looks "nothing like what you sound." Meaning, we can only presume, that someone with a terrific voice ought to look more like Carrie Underwood and less like your local librarian? Either way, Zika is off to Hollywood. Watch her audition now: Brittany Zika American Idol Audition Along with Brittany, two other Portland-based hopefuls stood out this week: Britnee Kellogg, who is taking her two sons with her to Hollywood, but not her cheating ex-husband. Romeo Diahn, who spent most of his childhood in a refugee camp after fleeing from war torn Liberia.

Britnee Kellogg auditioned for American Idol in Portland last night and the backstory she shared with us shed a great deal of light on Jennifer Lopez's divorce from Marc Anthony. Wait... what?!? The 27-year old hopeful told the judges she was married for a long time to a basketball player, giving up her dreams so that he could follow his own... only for him to then cheat on her and tear their family apart. Cue to a close-up of J. Lo and a comment from her later on of "I am feeling you!" Are you feeling Kellogg's cover of "You're Bo Good?" Does she deserve a spot in Hollywood? View now: Britnee Kellogg American Idol Audition Keep an eye on Britnee in Hollywood, along with refugee camp survivor Romeo Diahn. He has an amazing story.

A total of 45 Golden Tickets were handed out in Portland last night, as American Idol made its first-ever stop in this Pacific Northwest city. But one contestant made an impression above all others who were granted access to Hollywood: Romeo Diahn, a Liberia native who fled that country in the 1990s during its civil war and ended up in a refugee camp in Ghana. As Steven Tyler notes in the following audition, Diahn literally sang for his life during his time there, and the result - as J. Lo puts it - is a unique "vibe and flavor" unlike anyone else the judges have seen. It's an incredible story and we'll be keeping our eye on Romeo in Hollywood. Romeo Diahn American Idol Audition

Why is Jim Carrey's daughter auditioning for American Idol if her daddy is rich enough to pay for someone to produce a album for her? ?Alissa M., via the inbox As...

When it comes to love, this American Idol vet is ready for an encore. Danny Gokey, the soulful finalist whose 2008 Idol bid was marked by the wrenching and untimely death of his wife...

It's Madonna's world and we're all just living in it.  The Queen of Pop has a major week coming up, including the wide release of her directorial debut, W.E., the debut...

If you haven't seen the video of President Obama singing Al Green at a fundraiser at New York City's legendary Apollo Theater last week, you need to. No matter what you think of his views, the Prez proved with his riff on "Let's Stay Together" that he's got pipes! And we weren't the only ones impressed. Friday, American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe Tweeted an official offer to the Commander in Chief that he can't refuse. Or at least he shouldn't: Obama Sings Al Green "@BarackObama we loved your vocal performance so much we'd love to invite you on to #AmericanIdol this Season for a duet with Al Green." Now that would be the DVR moment of the decade. We're gonna guess that Obama will cite scheduling conflicts and pass, but if you think about it, what better way to win over voters in an election year? Okay, perhaps a robust economy would be a bigger ballot box boost, but you get the idea. The guy's vocal ...

Who knew? Barack Obama's got some pipes on him. The President's small serenade to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" at a fundraiser at New York City's...