Nicki Minaj Gives Lil Wayne A Lap Dance At Billboard Music

Nicki Minaj proved, with her raunchy performance at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, that she can be a lady on the streets and a freak on the stage.

She walked the red carpet in an elegant red gown, but oh how quickly things changed. The rapper gave Lil Wayne a lap dance, "High School" style.

Twerking like a woman possessed in her shredded leggings, midriff-baring crop-top, and high heels, she straddled and writhed against Weezy. Hard.

The big finish to Nicki Minaj's explicit twerk fest involved her completely bent over suggestively fanning her fingers between her legs.


We haven't seen a "High School" twerking display like this since ... well, the Scripps Ranch twerk team video that got 33 high school kids suspended.

Lil Wayne was in for a sultry dance from Nicki Minaj at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday.

Lil Wayne already has seizures, but after the "twerk"-filled lap dance from Nicki Minaj at the Billboard Music Awards, the rapper looked like a heart attack was on the way.
During the performance of their song "High School," Minaj, 30, had a dancer bring out a chair for Lil Wayne, 30, to sit down, before she began her sexy dance.

Minaj "twerked" all over Wayne, who looked on in amusement.

The "Super Bass" singer, clad in black leggings, a crop top and heels, gyrated on her label-mate's lap while he looked on incredulously.

Minaj work an all black outfit and Chanel baseball cap for her dance.

It was a performance to cap off her night of wins - Minaj took home three Billboard awards, including Top Streaming Artist, Top Rap Artist and Top Rap Album for "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded."

Lil Wayne, seated, and Nicki Minaj perform at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 19.

The 'Super Bass' singer went on to win three Billboard Awards on Sunday.

Minaj and Lil Wayne performed their song "High School."

Foxworthy, Pastore to appear on 'Tank'

LOS ANGELES, March 22 (UPI) -- Jeff Foxworthy and Vincent Pastore are to appear in an upcoming episode of the U.S. business-themed reality series, "Shark Tank," ABC said.

"While successful comedian and businessman Jeff Foxworthy makes his debut as a guest 'Shark' investor, Vincent Pastore becomes the first celebrity to pitch a business proposition to the Sharks. He and his New Jersey business partner present a novel idea that could have everyone holding on tighter to their money," the network said in a news release Monday.

Pastore is best known for his work on HBO's "The Sopranos."

His episode of "Shark Tank" is to air April 8.

Sideshow: Sheen knows his son's 'hell'

Charlie Sheen's bro Emilio Estevez and pa, Martin Sheen, tell London rag Telegraph they are at a loss to explain Charlie's recent off-the-wall behavior, which includes a drugs 'n' booze relapse and a strange, almost maniacal recovery. Martin, 70, who has had his own epic battle with addiction, says faith can restore the light.

"Addiction is the dark side. It's a reflection of despair. And it's fed by all the other negativity," the devout Catholic says. He adds, "You know, Charlie's 45 years old. He's not a kid. Emotionally he still is. Because when you're addicted, you don't grow emotionally. . . . You're emotionally crippled." Yet Martin, who says he had one of many "psychotic episodes" on camera in the opening scene of Apocalypse Now, feels for his son. "I know what hell he's living in." Brother Emilio, 48 (there are two other siblings, Ramon and Renée), is surprised Charlie has had more problems than the rest of the family. "We all had the same set of rules," he says.
Lauper sings of healing in Japan "The strength and dignity of the people here have been inspiring." So writes re-ascendant '80s pop star Cyndi Lauper on Twitter about the people of Japan, which was hit by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake.

Lauper, who was on tour in Japan when the disaster struck on March 11, has vowed to continue her tour to help cure the nation's ills "through the healing power of their music," to put it in USA Today's terms.

Lauper plans to do charity events on radio and TV and will donate to the Japanese Red Cross all royalties earned in-country by her new CD, Memphis Blues.


Hagar: Aliens were plugged into me So says rocker Sammy Hagar about his experience as an alien abductee. Seriously.

Hagar, 63, who is doing the promo rounds for his memoirs, Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock, tells MTV Hive.com he was abducted by aliens. "It was real. [Aliens] were plugged into me," the former Van Halen singer says. "It was a download situation. This was long before computers or any kind of wireless. . . . it was like ... 'They downloaded something into me!' Or they uploaded something."


Love, the Tiger blood way . . . Disgraced golfer turned recovering sex addict Tiger Woods may be in for a shock: His alleged new gf Alyse Lahti Johnston, 22, isn't head-over-heels in love with him.

RadarOnline cites an Anon Source who says Alyse doesn't "consider herself Tiger's girlfriend. They were just having a good time hooking up."

Will this revelation break Tiger's heart?

Meanwhile, former Tiger mistress Rachel Uchitel has completed a (no-doubt rigorous) training program to become a private investigator, says Radar (via Gawker.com).

Rachel, who committed adultery with Tiger (he was then still married to Elin Nordegren), reportedly wants to specialize in investigating "cheating spouses."


Love in all its splendour . . . Eddie Cibrian's fiancee LeAnn Rimes, 28, and his ex-wife, Brandi Glanville, 39, who have been enmeshed in an ugly public feud for two years, have called a truce. Their war began when it was revealed that Cibrian, 37, and Rimes had hooked up while the dude was still married to Glanville.

"As a collective unit, Brandi and I would like all negativity to cease toward one another," Rimes says in a tweet signed by both women.

Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown and her hubby, music producer Stephen Belafonte, both 35, tell Hello! mag they are expecting their first baby together this summer. Mel already has two daughters, Phoenix, 12, and Angel Iris, 3. Stephen has one, Giselle, 6.

E!Online's James Joyce-meets-Joan Rivers stream-of-toasted-consciousness gossiper Ted Casablanca says that oddest nouveau couple of all, Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson, "are still going strong!" TC says the duo, who reportedly have been dating since January, were very flirty over dinner Saturday at an eatery in West Hollywood.


Jennifer Lopez: Pamper me! Pulitzer-worthy investigative news journal National Enquirer reveals that Jennifer Lopez undergoes a shockingly intricate regimen to make herself pretty for American Idol viewers. Anon Sources say that to film two days of Idol auditions, J.Lo required "12 racks for her wardrobe changes, 20 mirrors, and a ton of spotlights for her makeup team. There were around 50 people in her villa dealing with makeup, hair, and wardrobe." Ironically, the Enquirer adds, J.Lo "wore only two outfits during the entire two days."


The joy of entertainment business After facing about half a million crises, production delays, and other bad joujou, the J.R.R. Tolkien prequel The Hobbit finally has begun shooting under helmer Peter Jackson, Variety says. . . . CBS will air the Daytime Emmy Awards on June 19, Variety reports. The kudosfest tanked in the ratings when it was on the CW in '09. Last year, it drew 2.9 mil viewers on CBS. . . . Ashton Kutcher, celeb face of Popchips snack-food company, has hired Diane Mizota, who hosts the GSN series Bingo America, to help him hype the brand.


The joy of being Miley Cyrus This week belongs to Miley Cyrus.

First up: E!Online reports that Billy Ray Cyrus' girl - whose witchy powers may have caused the collapse of the Cyrus clan - has made a "triumphant" return to Twitter. Miley, 18, unplugged from the 140-character insipido-service (which turned 5 on Monday) in October '09 because then-beau Liam Hemsworth didn't like it. Will her then-2,119,677 followers be back?

E! also says the Hannah Montana alum is finally releasing her duet with Bret Michaels on headbanger Poison's heartwarming song "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." It's due in May. Last but not least, Miley says on her website that she will launch an international tour in Quito, Ecuador, on April 29.


The (freaky) joy of being Charlie Sheen Charlie Sheen, who already has launched a concert tour, is sooo wanted by the great unwashed, network execs are scrambling to offer him new TV shows.

RadarOnline claims CBS boss Les Moonves is working hard to get Charlie back on Two and a Half Men - mere days after the actor was fired. Meanwhile, TMZ says Fox is courting Chas to develop a spate of new shows, and to host a late-night talk show.

Carmelo and Amar’e take Manhattan

Last month, a blockbuster trade landed Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony with the Carmelo Anthony Knicks, sparking a media frenzy and hopes for the team’s first NBA championship since 1973. The renewed optimism for Gotham hoops comes as Melo joins former Phoenix Suns sensation Amar’e Stoudemire, who this season inked a five-year deal worth nearly $100 million in the Knicks’ aggressive push for a title — and relevancy.

“The Knicks are a classic franchise, so it’s nice to see them having a moment,” says GQ senior editor Will Welch.

Off the hardwood, both athletes are known as much for their style swagger as they are for their stutter step.

Stoudemire — who threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Yankees-Tampa Bay game in September — has cemented his sartorial standing by wrangling Anna Wintour to Madison Square Garden for a Knicks game.

Meanwhile, Anthony has been a tabloid fixture since Stoudemire threw a star-studded dinner at the West Village’s Spotted Pig to welcome his newest teammate and longtime friend.

The dapper dandies certainly know how to make a Big Apple entrance — pocket square and all. “Amar’e feels like an old soul, in a way,” says Welch.

“He’s got the whole prep thing going on. You see Amar’e in bow ties, chunky-framed glasses and cardigans.”

In 2009, the Brooklyn-born, Baltimore-raised Anthony began working with celebrity stylist Khalilah Williams-Webb, who refined his aesthetic.

Much to her delight, he shaved his trademark braids without nagging.

“My first question for him was, ‘Are you going to shave your braids?’ And he said no. [But] I went to Denver one day, and they were gone. I was so excited,” says Williams-Webb, who recently picked up varsity letterman jackets and crew-neck sweatshirts for the newly minted Knick.

She put him in custom suits with pops of color and tossed the baggy jackets out with his untucked, oversize shirts.

Stoudemire and Anthony, who stand at 6-foot-10 and 6-foot-8, respectively, both have pulled off style coups for men of their height.

The stars — who entered the NBA while in their teens — are devotees of LA-based tailor Waraire Boswell. At 6-foot-7, Boswell is an expert at fitting a taller, more athletic frame.

“Despite all of the money at their disposal, they can’t just walk into Barneys and Bergdorf and buy off the rack,” says Welch. “They have to have their stuff made for them.”

Knicks fans, however, love them best in blue and orange mesh.

Stoudemire, who only started playing organized ball at 14, was drafted into the NBA right out of high school, while Anthony played a year at Syracuse, won a national championship and entered the pros with just one year of college under his belt.

Sheen's ex drops request for extended restraining order

All's well that ends well between Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller?

We wouldn't go that far, but things are now civil enough between the estranged duo that Mueller will apparently not be petitioning a judge to make her temporary restraining order against Sheen go the three-year distance.

The TRO, acquired March 1 after Sheen got a little too relaxed about the, er, exciting living situation at his Mulholland Heights home while his and Mueller's 2-year-old twin sons were staying with him, is set to expire tomorrow. A court rep confirms that a hearing on the order has been canceled.

Watch Video Kirstie Alley Show Them How It’s Done On Dancing with The Stars

Kirstie Alley may have been too chicken to put on her dancing shoes last season on Dancing with the Stars, but she certainly showed her fellow competitors just how its done with her performance on tonight’s season premiere.

Watch Kirstie Alley dance the cha cha on Dancing with the Stars….

She may be sixty, but you sure couldn’t tell it during her Cha Cha performance from the time the first note played until the last hold Kirstie totally ruled the stage showing those pesky kids just how its done. Kirstie may not weigh 100 lbs, but she has the sex appeal of a star and the personality to bring the crowd to its feet.

What did you think of Kirstie Alley’s performance on Dancing with the Stars?

Shark Tank, new age Yodas of the business force

(S0201) At whatsoever mend after the low mollify of Shark Cell terminated (excavation over a period ago now), I began tuning into a podcast titled This Period in Startups. Lead multitude Jason Calacanis (of Weblogs and Mahalo honour, amongst new things) runs a routine divide titled Shark Containerful where, wouldn't you know it, entrepreneurs accommodate their ideas and are critiqued and encouraged. I carry this up not to exact out Calacanis for splitting off the idea from the ABC take (I'm not still careful which came oldest technically, and it doesn't really matter) but to recognize This Week in Startups for providing an fun and highly newsy facility for would be entrepreneurs to hone their skills and expression that ABC's pretence - where would be entrepreneurs shift their ideas in the desire that rich and eminent "sharks" will fit echt money in them - is an amour that leans far many towards blunder and Gong Show-esque usage for a person receiver chance. Console, I make it pleasant and equal revealing at times. Go personage.

And talking of Net celebrities, Blog Recusant himself Mark Cuban joins the Shark Vessel body this period, which includes returnees Barbara Corcoran, Damond Evangelist, Kevin O'Leary, and Parliamentarian Herjavec (and comedian Jeff "You see you're a rustic if…" Foxworthy give joint the committee as the simulation moves to its rhythmical minute interval this Friday… I'll unnecessary thought there until I see statesman).

A perfect representative of how Shark Containerful walks a satisfactory descent between entertainingly educational and ridiculously exploitive comes with the very ordinal bourgeois, Jonathan Boos, who runs a accompany titled Wurkin Stiffs. The quantity is essentially a magnet that's inserted into men's fasten consume shirts to relinquish them a sharp and humorous pretence. It's a elongate design that meets a market necessity, and seems to be mercantilism fine. So Boos has a h

{creation fleck.

And then this is where things get confused: O'Leary makes one of his typically gauge offers - peppered with groan-worthy proclamations such as "Never substance the cash," which alter him solid equal some new age Yoda of the business displace - followed by Damond Gospel, a retail accumulation magnate in his own opportune (he's the miscarry and CEO of FUBU), exploit peeved at Boos for interrupting him spell he was conversation. Things drop quickly with the added sharks disagreeable to agitate up Book for being petty time a sweaty Boos stands around praying for someone to variety him a exceed proffer. We get inane exchanges specified as:

"Why don't you cut him few junk?" - Barbara Corcoran

"Why don't you cut him a inactiveness?" - Damond Evangelist

"This is all wonderful. Let's contain keeping and sound 'Kumbaya.' Jonathan, do you necessity my $100,000 or not?"

We cut to gap on that remark. An sprawled invitation war then ensues, with all the sharks expend Symbol State circling the tank. If nada added this proves out the intention that erst one investor is curious in a set, it can stimulate others to deprivation to get in on the sue as considerably. Finally, Boos ends up gullible illumination a somewhat tangled arrangement involving Corcoran and Evangelist investing, with Gospel winning the precede. Boos had far outdo be key for the later of his line.

New segments engaged Megan Reilly and Wife Nuse of Tippi Toes, a franchise that teaches kids to sing and move patch parents are at occupation, Choreographer Solon of CBS foods, a maker of seafood burgers, and Outlaw Actress of Copa Di Alcohol, a winemaker and businessman of a patent for sealable single-glass units of alcohol. My aid waned as the period ground on, mostly due to the kinetics mentioned above. Perhaps This Week in Startups has spoilt me tho' and I'm just hungering to learn much most Net and discipline entrepreneurs who are confiscate seriously.

Many thoughts on the flavour first of Shark Vessel:

I had to inarticulate the broadcasting during the Tippi Toes strain. Unhappy.

"These guys are equal extortionists with tutus on, I object it." - Damond Evangelist on Megan Reilly and Sarah Nuse of Tippi Toes

The intro section for Choreographer Davis' CBS foods, with its reality show editing and Davis' sassiness, reminded me a white bit of "Rival of River," senior week's 30 Stone takeoff of experience telly. Realism television-scrubbed spirit imitating art?

I'm dumbfounded - tho' perhaps I shouldn't be - that the sharks were all over a boundary swindle same Tippi Toes time CBS Foods was rotated downwardly. While the appraisal may mortal been somewhat full, Painter is lawfully on his way to success in exploit his connective of shrimp burgers into supermarkets.

The Surprising Compete, Honor Prentice and Shark Tank on Tonight

The Impressive Compete: Incomplete Business, 8 p.m., CBS

Solace racing? Plant racing? Real Phil? Twice already this flavour, with the relieve racing. When will this flavour end? July? Anyway, The Goths - assuming they reach their passports in the compartment (and real, Vyxsin, missionary up), are solace in it. Nerves re pretty frayed for it beingness this future in the vie, and ostensibly tonight they disintegrate justified advance. And I believe we are dear to the Bingle U-Turn!

Honor Apprentice, 9 p.m., NBC

So terminal week's wasn't as better, because any instance they somebody a "authorship assignment" it's dull, since they are not doing anything somatogenic. That said, the egress of Dionne Solon as a Assort A (Swearing) was awful! And the thunder downcast between Dionne and Marlee, and Dionne yelling at Marlee's translator and him reminding her - twice - that he was speaking for Marlee was awesome! And bye-bye Lisa Rinna and your lips. Tonight, "The teams moldiness period an undergo with RVs in midtown Borough; a celebrity takes command from the leader; a plan trainer takes a delapidate."

Shark Vessel, 9 p.m., ABC

This is the artificer show that they ripped off from Brits TV. "The exploits of two sisters with a children's terpsichore visitant scandalize the sharks; a chef creates tasty seafood products; a winemaker has a game-changing product; an entrepreneur has a finish of men's accessories."

Download Video Justin Bieber

Charlie Sheen

Birth Name Carlos Irwin Estevez

Nickname The Machine
Good Time Charlie
Chuckles

Height 5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Charlie Sheen was born Carlos Irwin Estévez on September 3, 1965, in New York City. His father, Martin Sheen, at the time was an actor just breaking into the business with performances on Broadway. His mother, Janet Sheen, was a former New York art student who had met Charlie's father right after he had moved to Manhattan. Martin and Janet had three other children, Emilio Estevez, Renée Estevez, and Ramon Estevez, all of whom became actors.

At a young age, Charlie took an interest in his father's acting career. When he was nine, he was given a small part in his dad's movie The Execution of Private Slovik (1974) (TV). In 1977, he was in the Philippines where his dad suffered a near-fatal heart attack on the set of Apocalypse Now (1979).

While at Santa Monica High School, Charlie had two major interests: acting and baseball. Along with his friends, which included Rob Lowe and Sean Penn, he produced and starred in several amateur Super-8 films. On the Vikings baseball team, he was a star shortstop and pitcher. His lifetime record as a pitcher was 40-15. His interest and skill in baseball would later influence some of his movie roles. Unfortunately, his success on the baseball field did not translate to success in the classroom, as he struggled to keep his grades up. Just a few weeks before his scheduled graduation date, Charlie was expelled due to poor attendance and bad grades.

After high school, Charlie aggressively pursued many acting roles. His first major role was as a high school student in the teen war film Red Dawn (1984). He followed this up with relatively small roles in TV movies and low-profile releases. His big break came in 1986 when he starred in Oliver Stone's Oscar winning epic Platoon (1986). He drew rave reviews for his portrayal of a young soldier who is caught in the center of a moral crisis in Vietnam.

The success of Platoon (1986) prompted Oliver Stone to cast Charlie in his next movie Wall Street (1987) alongside his father and veteran actor Martin Sheen. The movie with its "Greed is Good" theme became an instant hit with viewers.

Shortly after, Stone approached Charlie about the starring role in his next movie, Born on the Fourth of July (1989). When Tom Cruise eventually got the part, Sheen ended up hearing the news from his brother Emilio Estevez and not even getting as much as a call from Stone. This led to a fallout, and the two have not worked together since.

The fallout with Stone, however, did nothing to hurt Charlie's career in the late 1980s and early '90s, as he continued to establish himself as one of the top box office draws with a string of hits that included Young Guns (1988), Major League (1989), and Hot Shots! (1991). However, as the mid-'90s neared, his good fortune both personally and professionally, soon came to an end.

Around this time, Charlie, who had already been to drug rehab, was beginning to develop a reputation as a hard-partying, womanizer. In 1995, the same year he was briefly married to model Donna Peele, he was called to testify at the trial of Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. At the trial, while under oath he admitted to spending nearly $50,000 on 27 of Fleiss' $2,500-a-night prostitutes.

His downward spiral continued the following year when his ex-girlfriend Brittany Ashland filed charges claiming that he physically abused her. He was later charged with misdemeanor battery to which he pleaded no contest and was given a year's suspended sentence, two years' probation and a $2,800 fine. He finally hit rock bottom in May 1998 when he was hospitalized in Thousand Oaks, California, following a near-fatal drug overdose. Later that month, he was ordered back to the drug rehab center, which he had previously left after one day.

During this stretch, Charlie's film career began to suffer as well. He starred in a series of box office flops that included The Arrival (1996) and Shadow Conspiracy (1997). However as the 1990s came to end, so did Charlie's string of bad luck.

In 2000, Charlie, now clean and sober, was chosen to replace Michael J. Fox on the ABC hit sitcom "Spin City" (1996). Though his stint lasted only two seasons, Charlie's performance caught the eye of CBS executives who in 2003 were looking for an established star to help carry their Monday night lineup of sitcoms that included "Everybody Loves Raymond" (1996). The sitcom "Two and a Half Men" (2003) starred Charlie as a swinging, irresponsible womanizer whose life changes when his nephew suddenly appears on his doorstep. The show became a huge hit, breathing much needed life into Charlie's fading career.

Charlie's personal life also appeared to be improving. In 2002, he married fellow actress Denise Richards, whom he first met while shooting the movie Good Advice (2001). In March 2004, they had a daughter, Sam, and it was announced shortly after that Denise was pregnant with the couple's second child. By all reports, the couple seemed to be very happy together. However, like all of Charlie's previous relationships, the stability did not last long. In March of 2005, Denise, who was six-months pregnant, filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. She gave birth to a second daughter, Lola, in June of that same year. Their divorce became final in late 2006.

Super Bowl 2011 National Anthem Singer: Christina Aguilera Fail

UPDATE: Christina Aguilera majorly botched the national anthem: according to the AP, instead of singing "O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming," she sang "What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last gleaming."

In a statement announcing her singing assignment on January 24th, Aguilera said, "I have been performing the anthem since I was seven years old and I must say the Super Bowl is a dream come true."

Watch her struggle with the lyrics below.

"'American Idol' Spares Stefano Langone, Naima Adedapo, Ashthon Jones"

After what's felt like years (OK, just two months), "American Idol" finally got to its first live elimination show Thursday night (March 3), and it was not pretty. The biggest cut-down in show history came after host Ryan Seacrest said more than 40 million votes were cast over two performance nights.

The good news was that favorites like Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams, Thia Megia and Jacob Lusk made the cut, but that meant that a few beloved singers like Brett Loewenstern and Julie Zorrilla were eliminated as the show revealed its top 13 finalists.

After copious time-killing segments, Ryan Seacrest finally got to the first elimination nearly 25 minutes into the two-hour episode, with country boy Scotty McCreery moseying into the top 10 while Robbie Rosen was sent packing. Next up were Clint Jun Gamboa, Jovany Barreto and Jordan Dorsey. After blowing it with Usher's "OMG," Dorsey got the hook, along with karaoke host and eyeglass aficionado Gamboa and Barreto.

The girls were in the hot seat next, and it was hard to believe that Pia Toscano and Alaina were standing next to each other, since Toscano got a standing ovation and high praise from the judges, and Alaina has been a favorite for weeks. It was good news for 16-year-old Alaina and, of course, for Toscano as well, as Seacrest reveled in his favorite game of elimination psych-out.

But when Ta-Tynisa Wilson and Julie Zorrilla came up, after a night when both blew their chances with subpar performances, it was no surprise that both missed out on the top 10. It was hard to know who might lose out when glamazon Kendra Chantelle, baby-diva Ashthon Jones and funky bilingual singer Karen Rodriguez took center stage, though. Shockingly Jones was sent packing, as was Chantelle, with Rodriguez filling out the third women's slot.

Young Luther Vandross-alike Lusk huddled up next to bearded wild man and budding sex symbol Abrams and cutie crooner Tim Halperin. Lusk sang hallelujah when he got the call, and to no one's surprise, Abrams was next, as Halperin made the long walk.

The hits kept on coming, as funky soul singer Naima Adedapo, 16-year-old wunderkind Megia and blues mama Lauren Turner all got the boot. With only two spots left, Adedapo and Turner got some bad news, as Megia became the second high-schooler to get a magic ticket.

It was anyone's guess who would be out when two of this season's standouts, spunky ginger Loewenstern and flair-loving showman Paul McDonald stepped up to the spotlight. Alas, sensitive teen Loewenstern would have to hope for a wild-card spot, as McDonald got the call.

Vying for the final spot on the girls' bench were Haley Reinhart and resident quirk Rachel Zevita, who went over the cliff on Wednesday night with a mannered cover of Fiona Apple's "Criminal." Without much drama, Reinhart got the call, as multiple-auditioner Zevita washed out.

The judges were digging Stefano Langone on Tuesday night, certainly more than James Durbin, who took a chance with a Judas Priest song and may have overplayed his rocker card. But only one of the roommates could snag the final men's spot, so it was curtains for Langone and joy for Lambert-like rocker Durbin.

With 14 singers vying for the wild card, the judges chose six to get another chance. Jones was up first, strutting to her spot to sing the song that made Jennifer Hudson a star, the "Dreamgirls" classic "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," giving it plenty of attitude, but coming off a bit shouty as she played to the rafters in an attempt to work her way back. Steven Tyler thought she brought it again, Jennifer Lopez felt the passion and Randy Jackson loved the attitude.

Langone picked Smokie Norful's emotional ballad "I Need You Now," filling the tune with lots of passion and turning it into a tour de force that tugged heartstrings and seemed to punch his ticket. Randy loved that Stefano picked one of his favorites and Lopez said he nailed it when he needed to.

Chantelle got the next shot with Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia on My Mind," starting out low and breathy and then climbing into her high, sweet range and hitting a series of giant notes near the end that felt like her attempt to swing for the fences. Jackson wasn't sure where it was going at first but said she totally pulled it off.

Barreto dedicated Jon Secada's "Angel" to the woman he once loved, figuring he'd try to curry some favor as well by singing a half Spanish/ half English tune. His vocals were strong and moving, but it was unclear if it was enough to get him back in the mix. All Lopez could say was "you did all you could do," which didn't sound promising.

Tyler called Adedapo, which meant the definitive end of the line for Zorrilla, Turner and Wilson. At first Naima didn't seem to have enough in the tank to take on soul icon Donny Hathaway's "For all we Know," but she gave it her all and put some smooth soul into the performance. Tyler felt she dug deep, but Naima's tears signaled that she didn't feel confident.

The final shot went to Rosen, meaning Gamboa, Dorsey, Loewenstern and Halperin said bye-bye. Double-R chose Elton John's "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Hard," reworking the song into a kind of flamenco torch song, which he sang while flashing his puppy-dog eyes and over-emoting by several measures. Jackson called it nice and tender, saying the decision was going to be a brutal one.

After the break, the judges weren't ready, so Seacrest cued up the glittery video for Lopez's "On the Floor" to give them a chance to deliberate some more. With time running out, it was redemption time for Jones and Langone, as well as Adedapo, who helped fill out the top 13.

The first live performance shows of the season kick off next Wednesday.

SPOILER: American Idol's Finalists Announced!

 

The evening started with a beautiful phrase appearing onscreen – "Every superstar begins with a dream" – and then, for some reason, we heard Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata."

But that's not what you want to know: The season's first live results show reduced 24 singers to a top 10 picked by viewers, plus what turned out to be three "wild" saves by the judges.

The American Idol top 10? Keep reading to find out.

They are:

Scotty McCreery, Jacob Lusk, Casey Abrams, Paul McDonald, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Pia Toscano, Karen Rodriguez, Thia Megia and Haley Reinhart.

It took the first 70 minutes of the two-hour show to reach that list. Then the judges asked six singers to perform again, and from those they rescued three:

Ashton Jones, Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo.

Now that we have their names out of the way, we can flashback to the songs that saved them:

Ashton was the first "wild" performer, and strutted defiantly while she sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." "I still LOVE the attitude," said Randy Jackson.

Stefano sang – well, over-sang, but given the pressure it's understandable – "I Need You Now." Jennifer Lopez was seen saying, "Yes," very enthusiastically. Steven Tyler said, intriguingly, "You gilded the lily of your own passion."

And Naima performed the standard "For All We Know" with unfaltering drive, breaking down into sobs at the end – as Tyler was seen giving Jennifer a tiny nudge with his elbow.

The others who sang for their life, and lost, were Kendra Chantelle, Jovany Barreto and Robbie Rosen.

They exited with: Ta-Tynisa Wilson, Lauren Turner – I'm sorriest to see her go – Rachel Zevita (who looked absolutely miserable), Julia Zorrilla, Brett Loewenstern, Tim Halperin, Jordan Dorsey and Clint Jun Gamboa. I record their names for Idol posterity.

All in all, this is a good top 13, with an unusual range of style. I'm rooting for Thia.

While the judges were arbitrating, we were treated to Lopez's new video, "On the Floor," which had a catchy chorus and a nice visual motif of Lopez in silver dancing in front of a gold wall.

"'American Idol' Top 10 includes Pia Toscano, Casey Abrams and more"

The semi-finals only lasted one round, so here we are gang. The finalists of "American Idol." Let's jump right in, shall we?

After a way-too-long, super-dramatic intro of the Idols' audition footage while classical music plays in the background, we get to the live show. Tonight, Randy is the Thing That Ate Michael Jackson, Steven Tyler is mariachi on top, Poison on the bottom and J.Lo is a college girl dressing as a slutty dragon for Halloween.

The Idols are introduced and here are some highlights: Casey Abrams does a politician's thumbs up that I'm sure he thinks he is doing ironically; Haley Reinhart and Kendra Chantelle have their pageant waves to go with their pageant hair; Thia Megia looks like a Cosby kid; Brett Loewenstern has his hair a little more wild and a little less Vidal Sassoon (which is a good thing); Paul McDonald has on his floral suit jacket again, which is kind of awesome; Rachel Zevita is Morticia going clubbing; Robbie Rosen is the Jonas brother they keep locked in the basement like Sloth and Julie Zorrilla is wearing her Rachel Berry best.

We finally get a explanation of how the Wild Card goes - the judges pick people to sing again for a spot in the finals. Are they doing this all during the show? That's crazypants.

But first! A recap of what we all just watched 24 or 48 hours ago. Ughhhhhh. Then there's a weird interview segment where all the guys seem appropriately adorable and whatnot, but c'mon. This show needed to be two hours?!

Ryan brings Scotty and Robbie to center stage. Well, Scotty is advancing, obviously. Robbie, I don't think so. And then that's the way it goes. On Scotty's way over to the couch, they show a shot of his family and his sister just cries and cries, it's the sweetest thing ever.

Next is Clint, Jordan and Jovany. OK, honestly? None of them should advance, but now I'm worried Clint did. Blech. Jordan talks about how he should've done John Legend's "Ordinary People" and yes, that's true. Why in God's name did you choose "OMG"? Jovany's just happy to be here, he's such a doodlebug. I just want to hug him, he seems so earnest. But then Ryan tells all of them they are not in the Top 10. Yeah.

Now it's the girls' turn for a video recap of last night and the interview package. I wish I could bleep bleep bleep this, but it's live. Bah. I can't even switch over to something else because everything else is in reruns tonight. Booooo.

We get some results now. Ryan brings down Pia and Lauren Alaina, both of whom I'm sure are safe. And then they are, yay. That's totally right. I love how Lauren still has that baby fat of not having had her last growth spurt yet, it makes her even more adorable. She's a beautiful girl, but I just find that cute and young and charming.

Ryan then brings down Ta-Tynisa and Julie. Uh oh, Julie. You did not make it through. Do we even have to discuss Ta-Ty and her Rihanna debacle? Yep, that's what happens. Julie is sure to be a Wild Card, though. She's one of the best who flubbed last night.

The next group is Kendra, Ashthon and Karen. I predict only Karen makes it through, though I think Kendra deserves a Wild Card singing spot. And that's what happens. Yep.

Next group is Jacob, Casey and Tim. Awww, poor Tim. He's not through, but I hope he gets a Wild Card. And then yeah, only Jacob and Casey make it.

The next group is Thia, Naima and Lauren T. Well, only Thia is advancing, but either one of the other girls could have a Wild Card, hopefully both. Just how many will perform tonight? Hmm. Then yes, Thia is through. I should take this "Idol" psychic act on the road.

Brett and Paul are next and I'm sure Paul is through. Brett is lovely, but he wasn't good two nights ago. I sincerely hope he gets a Wild Card and does well, Brett's great. And then yes, Paul is through.

Rachel and Haley are the next pair. Yay for Haley, because ain't no way Rachel is getting through. And then yes, that's what happens. Sorry, Rachel. You're too weird. I don't even think she deserves a Wild Card chance, honestly.

Stefano and James are next, which is a shame because Stefano wasn't awful two nights ago. But James is clearly in, he was amazing.

Stay tuned for more info on the Wild Card round.

When it's Wild Card selection time, J.Lo reveals they are choosing six out of the remaining 14 Idols to sing again - three boys and three girls. The first choice is Ashthon Jones (from Randy) who does "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," which is not by Jennifer Hudson, just in case you didn't know. It's from "Dream Girls," but we understand the confusion.

Anyway, it's OK but doesn't blow me away. She doesn't sustain the big notes long enough (too many runs) plus the one big end note was not in tune. Oh my god, there are judges comments?! That's weird. J.Lo can't handle the pressure and Randy compliments her attitude (which means she didn't blow it out).

Stefano Langone (from J.Lo) is next. He does "I Need You Now" and it is unfortunately not the Alias song. But anyway, it's good. Stefano has so much potential and he really blew it on his semi-finals night, but this was very pretty and very, very current. I bet he's through.

Now Steven gets a pick in Kendra Chantelle and we're sure it's 90% that she's good and only 10% that he wants to sex her up. She sings "Georgia On My Mind" and it starts off too low to really hear her, she must have some big high stuff planned to have to start it that low. And then yes, she hits a couple big ol' high notes. She's good and last night's "Impossible" did not really show her off the best. Hopefully she keeps going in the competition.

J.Lo's next pick is Jovany Barreto and he goes with "Angel" by Jon Secada and it is totally in his wheelhouse, plus he sings in Spanish, so he's pandering a bit to J.Lo (like Karen, but with Karen at least J.Lo didn't have a vote). It's ... OK, but honestly it's not fantastic. It's kinda boring.

Steven's next pick is Naima Adedapo (wow, Julie Z doesn't even get a chance, I am so surprised. Truly). She does "For All We Know" and it's goosebump-inducing. So good, wow. I mean, I'm super happy for Naima, she's wonderful. I'm just sad about my girl Julie. I think (based on these performances) it should've been Naima, Kendra and Julie in the girl Wild Card spots.

Randy has the last pick with Robbie Rosen. Huh. Did not see that coming, thought Tim Halperin or Brett Loewenstern would have a chance. Robbie sings "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" and it's ... slow and melodramatic. Hmmm.

Honestly, I think the three Wild Cards should be Kendra, Stefano and Naima. We shall see.

Back from the break, J.Lo and the guys tell Ryan they need more time (yeah, uh huh) so that they roll J.Lo's "On the Floor" video while the judges deliberate. Sure, that is totally spontaneous and not at all planned.

Finally we get the last spots - Randy picks Ashthon (um, what? Seriously. What?), J.Lo picks Stefano (yep) and Steven picks Naima (after saying, "I wish we could do all of them." Steven, don't let your personal thoughts about the contestants spill into the show).

So here is your Top 13 - Casey Abrams, Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Ashthon Jones, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez and Pia Toscano.

Clues in the search?

The top three most searched "American Idol" semi-finalists this week on Yahoo were Thia Megia (a Milwaukee auditioner, but she's not from here -- she's a California girl); Casey Abrams, and Lauren Alaina.

Deep-voiced country crooner Scotty McCreery, an MKE auditioner (he's from North Carolina), came in number four.

Yahoo suggests the most-searched names suggest that these performers also pulled the most votes. Milwaukee's Naima Adedapo isn't in the top 10 most-searched "Idol" performers. Rounding out the list, though, is MKE auditioner Haley Reinhart (from the Chicago area) -- at number 10.

Well, one thing's for sure. Tonight, more than a few dreams will be crushed.

I'll be blogging live again for tonight's two-hour results and wild card show (who will be saved?)

See you at 7, Channel 6.

Thia Megia joins American Idol's Top 10

Young singer Thia Megia is now in cloud nine as she got her chance to be part of American Idol Season 10's Top 10.

On Thursday (Friday in Manila), voters and American Idol judges -- Randy Jackson, rock star Steven Tyler and singer-actress Jennifer Lopez chose the 15-year-old Megia to continue her journey as one of Top 10 finalists of the hit US talent show after her powerful performance of the song "Out Here On My Own."

Before the announcement, Megia got praises from the show's judges.

"You sang Out Here on My Own. Steven was blown away by your perfect pitch. Jennifer loved it," American Idol host Ryan Seacrest said.

Megia said that it was unbelievable to hear praises from the judges.

Last Monday, international singing sensation Charice expressed her happiness that Megia found her way to "American Idol Season 10."

Megia, one of the favorites in "American Idol" from Mountain House, California, was a semi-finalist in America's Got Talent Season 4 in 2009.

In 2009, Megia met Charice at the David Foster and Friends concert in Vancouver, Canada.

Meanwhile, half-Filipino Jun Clint Gamboa did not make it to the American Idol Top 10.

Here Are Your Top 13 of 'American Idol' Season 10

It's now safe to say that American people chose the Top 10 of "American Idol" wisely. Judges and audience favorites Casey Abrams and Pia Toscano are through to the next round via voting. These two frontrunners are joined by Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Karen Rodriguez, Thia Megia, Paul McDonald, Haley Reinhart and James Durbin.

The other 14 will be filtered again by the judges who have the authority to give only three men and three women a second chance performance. Randy Jackson's picks are Ashthon Jones and Robbie Rosen who sang "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" respectively.

Jennifer Lopez picked Stefano Langone and Jovany Barreto who sang "I Need You Now" and "Angel" respectively. Steven Tyler picked Kendra Chantelle and Naima Adedapo who sang "Georgia on My Mind" and "For All We Know" respectively.

After a music video of Jennifer's "On the Floor", the judges deliberated. Randy picks Ashthon, Jennifer picks Stefano and Steven picks Naima.

American Idol Top 10:

• Scotty McCreery
• Pia Toscano
• Lauren Alaina
• Karen Rodriguez
• Jacob Lusk
• Casey Abrams
• Thia Megia
• Paul McDonald
• Haley Reinhart
• James Durbin Wild Card Pick:
• Stefano Langone
• Ashthon Jones
• Naima Adedapo

"Pia Toscano's Star Explodes After “American Idol,” Dominates All Buzz"

Although Jacob Lusk and Scotty McCreery were at the top of the buzz heap after Tuesday night’s “American Idol,” several contestants made impressions and spurred interest from online fans. The race is not nearly as close after Wednesday’s top 12 female show.

By 11:15 PM on Tuesday night, Lusk, McCreery, Casey Abrams, Paul McDonald and Brett Loewenstern had all made impacts on Google’s Trending chart. As of 11:15 on Wednesday, the only female garnering interest is Pia Toscano.

And she is doing so in a big way–following her acclaimed rendition of “I’ll Stand By You,” which garnered the first judge standing ovation of the season, Toscano ranks as the most-searched term on Google. That should bode well for her in the voting–Pia Toscano appears a lock for a spot in the finals.

No other female contestant, nor any song selection, was in the top 20.

(Update: As of 12:38AM, Pia Toscano remains the most searched term on Google. She is no longer alone in the trending mix, however, as “Idol” contestant Haley Reinhart is now tracking at fourth)

Karen Rodriguez Creates Bilingual Stir on American Idol

If most American Idol viewers agree that Pia Toscano put on the best semifinalist performance last night among the remaining 12 women, these same fans would say that Karen Rodriguez put on the most interesting.

Perhaps even the most scandalous, according to THG readers.

The New York native threw in a twist to her rendition of Mariah Carey's "Hero," singing almost half of the song in Spanish. This actually riled up a few respondents in our blog, who called Karen out for daring to be different.

Watch the performance now and sound off: Do you see anything wrong with the inclusion of a Spanish verse?

If most American Idol viewers agree that Pia Toscano put on the best semifinalist performance last night among the remaining 12 women, these same fans would say that Karen Rodriguez put on the most interesting.

Perhaps even the most scandalous, according to THG readers.

The New York native threw in a twist to her rendition of Mariah Carey's "Hero," singing almost half of the song in Spanish. This actually riled up a few respondents in our blog, who called Karen out for daring to be different.

Watch the performance now and sound off: Do you see anything wrong with the inclusion of a Spanish verse?

Pia Toscano

Naima Adedapo is a singer, dancer combination from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She auditioned in Milwaukee for American Idol 2011, and is also a rumored Top 40 contestant on American Idol Season 10. Not much is known about Naima Adedapo, but what is known is that she has an extensive dance career, which definitely increases her chances on stage.

Naima Adedapo sang Donny Hathaway’s “For All We Know” for the judges, and from just that brief performance it is evident that she has some potential at becoming the next American Idol. According to Naima Adedapo, she has worked as a janitor, cleaning toilets before auditioning for American Idol.

Naima Adedapo’s main inspiration is her daughter. As far as musical influences are concerned, we will just have to wait and see what Naima Adedapo brings to the American Idol Season 10 stage. One thing is for certain; her dancing abilities make her a true standout among a field of singers. If you think Naima Adedapo is the rising-star, underdog of American Idol Season 10, then be sure to vote for her for American Idol 2011.