Former ‘Idol’ Contender Luke Menard Diagnosed With Cancer
hottest galleries
-
The Latest Star Sightings
Access the day’s hottest photos!
-
Isn’t It Bromantic? Hollywood’s Top 10 Bromances!
Find out which Hollywood bros will be friends ‘til the end…
-
Brad! Demi! Robert! Paris! Hot Shots Of The Stars In Shades
Check out the stars as they step out across the world in their favorite pair of sunglasses!
FIRST PUBLISHED: May 20, 2008 4:38 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: May 20, 2008 5:08 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --
Carpet layer-turned-one-time “American Idol” hopeful Luke Menard has been diagnosed with cancer.
The handsome Season 7 contender, who was kicked off as “Idol” whittled their top 24 to a top 10, has Hodgkin lymphoma, a rep for his a capella ensemble Chapter 6, confirmed to CBS news.
“Luke had a lingering cough and was having trouble breathing deeply, so he went to the doctor to have it checked out,” Jane Victor told CBS News. “The suspicion was walking pneumonia. But after a chest x-ray doctors saw a mass and did more testing, which is what led to the stage II Hodgkin diagnosis.”
Though he was booted out of “Idol” earlier in the season, Menard made several appearances in the audience of the show, as recently as last week.
Menard, 29, and his wife remain hopeful. The disease has one of the highest success rates of treatment for any type of cancer.
“They’ve been told that it’s treatable and manageable. Luke is currently in Los Angeles and plans to return home to Indiana soon,” Victor said.
Menard’s cancer was first reported on “Idol” fansite, VoteForTheWorst.com.
Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Keep your Access to everything in Hollywood! Breaking news and personal commentary from Nancy, Billy, Tony, Shaun, Maria & all of our producers! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter now!
-
Shakira blows a kiss at the 2009 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in LA on November 22, 2009
-
Janet Jackson kicks things off with a medley at the 2009 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in LA on November 22, 2009
-
Dr. Conrad Murray
-
Kate Gosselin, Jon Gosselin
-
Tom Cruise waves to photographers when arriving at the Salzburg airport in Austria
-
On The Download: Kris Allen
-
Jordin Sparks attends 2009 ‘VH1 Divas’ at Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 17, 2009
-
Katy Perry appears to pay homage to her beau, Russell Brand, with his nickname ‘Rusty’ on her bum, at the MTV Europe Music Awards, Berlin, Nov. 5, 2009
-
Adam Lambert arrives at the premiere of ‘2012’ at the Regal Cinemas LA Live on November 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California
-
The Dish with Katee Sackoff
related videos
-
‘American Idol:’ What’s Next For Luke Menard & Asia’h Epperson?
Luke and Asia’h talk with AccessHollywood.com’s Laura Saltman about leaving “American Idol,” what it has meant to them to be a part of the show and what do they think they will be doing next.
-
Dish Of Salt: TV Roundup (November 21, 2009)
Former “American Idol” contestants get together for a holiday tour. Plus, Heather Locklear made her return to “Melrose Place” this week, but did it help ratings? And, Katee Sackhoff gears up for her “Big Bang Theory” cameo.
-
Dish Of Salt: Former ‘American Idols’ Prepare For 2009 Holiday Tour
AccessHollywood.com’s Laura Saltman talks with former “Idol” contestants Gina Glocksen, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver and Mikalah Gordon as they rehearse for their 2009 holiday tour. So how did they decide to put together the tour?
-
Paula Abdul: ‘I’m Having The Time Of My Life Right Now’
AccessHollywood.com’s Dish of Salt Laura Saltman talks with Paula about Michael Jackson receiving 5 AMA nominations, missing Simon Cowell’s 50th birthday and if she has spoken to Ellen since she was announced as the fourth “Idol” judge.
-
Dish Of Salt: Adam Lambert On AMAs, Debut Album & More
Adam Lambert chats with AccessHollywood.com’s Laura Saltman about the excitement of announcing the 2009 American Music Award nominees, performing his debut single at the AMAs and the release of his debut album.
-
David Foster On Ellen DeGeneres & Whitney Houston
Music producer David Foster chimes in on Ellen DeGeneres joining “American Idol” and Paula Abdul’s departure. Plus, David chats about Whitney Houston’s comeback.
-
Dish Of Salt: Adam Lambert Reacts To His Sexy Details Magazine Photos
“American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert talks with AccessHollywood.com’s Laura Saltman about his racy Details magazine photo shoot. But as an openly gay man, did he have any issues kissing a woman for the pictures?
-
Stars Celebrate At The GQ Men Of The Year Party
Access revealed Clint Eastwood’s “Badass of the Year” cover to his wife, Dina, who had not seen it before - so what did she think? Plus, whom would the honorees vote for if there were a GQ Woman of the Year?
-
Hollywood Radar: November 16, 2009
Eighty-five-year-old legend Lauren Bacall received an honorary Academy Award at the 2009 Governors Awards this weekend - but what did Tom Hanks have to say? Plus, Anika Noni Rose gets emotional at the premiere of Disney’s “The Princess & The Frog.”
-
Stars Shine At 2009 ELLE Women In Hollywood Tribute
Julie Andrews, Robin Wright Penn and Renee Zellweger were amongst those honored at the 16th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Tribute. Plus, why does Alec Baldwin think Tina Fey should be named the most influential woman in Hollywood?
related galleries
'American Idol' Celebrity Knock-Offs
'American Idol' Top 24, Season 7
Meet the top 24 contenders for 'American Idol' Season 7
‘American Idol’s’ Season 8 Two-Night Season Finale
Hot shots from the two-night season finale of ‘American Idol’s’ Season 8!
