‘Idol’ Chatter: May 24, 2006

Could somebody get me a tissue? I have a nosebleed from my seat inside the “American Idol” finale. OK, not really. Only because my co-workers and I ditched our original seats in the back of the second mezzanine and snuck into a box seat, begging the usher to let us stay there. Fortunately, he did. Tonight, I don’t think we will get as lucky since they are expecting a full house and a ton of celebrities. At least this time I’ll know to bring my binoculars and my Dramamine.

So, thanks to being able to lean over the edge and peer down onto the orchestra seats, I can give you all sorts of scoop you didn’t see on television. First up, I have heard from multiple sources that Katharine McPhee has a boyfriend that is 19 years older than she is. Tonight we think we spotted him in the audience sitting with Kat’s family. I also got a tip that Tom Cruise had asked her to sing at his and Katie Holmes’ wedding. It sounded suspicious to me but Shaun Robinson asked her tonight after the taping and Katharine confirmed it was a rumour floating around. Kat has not personally been asked yet but would of course do it in a heartbeat. Taylor Hicks chimed in that he would be available to back her up on harmonica. Katharine admitted she was exhausted today and she knew her voice wasn’t at full capacity when she sang her final song. She promises the song sounds beautfiul on the record, despite the judges bashing it on the show.

Taylor looked great backstage. He seems to have slimmed down a lot since I first met him back in March when the Top 24 were announced. He admitted he has been going grey since the ripe old age of 13. His friends and family were plucking his gray hairs out in grade school. Right now Taylor is a single guy who’s looking for someone who will cook him Cajun style turnip greens. Sounds gross to me, but apparently it’s all the rage in the South.

Inside the house were all the Top 12 Finalists who you could just feel were dreaming about what it would have been like to be up there in the Final Two. Sitting next to his wife, Chris Daughtry looked the most agitated watching the performances. Elliott Yamin sat next to his girlfriend, who has been kept a mystery until now. If you want to catch a glimpse, pause your Tivo during Taylor’s first song just as he is passing by Elliott. She’s the girl next to him in the black dress. They spent the whole night holding hands and at one point I caught her lovingly massaging Elliott’s back. Bucky Covington sat with his wife while the rest of the Top 12 brought along one or both of their parents. Kellie Pickler sat with her recently released from prison father, Clyde, and her little brother. Ace Young had his parents with him while his brother Ryan sat next to Chris’ wife.

Celebs came out in droves tonight. Tori Spelling and her new husband, Dean McDermott, and stepson showed their love for Taylor carrying a sign that said ‘Hicks Kicks.’ Mandy Moore, Taye Diggs and Christina Applegate all had prime seats. I heard Heather Locklear and Ray Romano slipped in last minute as well. There was a quick shot of Ben Stiller in the crowd which reminded me of last season’s finale when he came backstage gushing over Bo Bice in front of our cameras. I love that jaded Hollywood stars get excited about “American Idol.”

Just listen to the audience reaction after each song and you will know why I will be utterly shocked if Taylor Hicks doesn’t pull off a win tonight.

I’ll be down at the Kodak Theatre all day today and will have all the scoop from the red carpet and backstage tomorrow.

— Laura Saltman