Simon Cowell

Executive Producer of American Idol Ken Warwick spoke to the media yesterday regarding the exciting new changes for season eight, and he made sure to separate fact from fiction.  The goal, as always, is to keep the core aspects of everyone's favorite show in tact while providing elements...

Amanda Overmyer will undoubtedly go down in AI history as one of the most memorable Idols to grace the stage.  Dubbed the Rock N' Roll nurse by Randy Jackson, Amanda became known as the Harley-riding rocker that wasn't about to conform to anyone's standards--even the judge most live to imp...

From the moment Mandisa elicited an apology from ornery judge Simon Cowell, she not only won his heart, but the hearts of AI viewers everywhere.  With her booming voice and mega-watt smile, performances like Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman" propelled Mandisa to the final rounds of season f...

Talk about an American Idol Cinderella story--the successful Jennifer Hudson of today wasn't even voted through to the final round on season three of AI, but instead came back in the Wild Card round as Randy Jackson's choice. While not as popular with viewers toward the beginning of the se...

Grammy-Nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi has joined American Idol as a fourth judge.  She will sit alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson at the judges' table and use her background as an award-winning songwriter and producer to praise or critique the wannabe hopeful...

With crowd favorites like Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” and “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess,” Fantasia would earn millions of votes and garner some of the highest praise by an Idol. Randy Jackson called “Summertime” the best performance ever in Idol history and Simon Cowell went so far as...

While some skeptics might claim that Carly Smithson was just keeping a stiff upper lip after her elimination the other night, Carly begs to differ with that theory. In a phone interview with her after her departure, she explains that she reacted so well to her departure because she truly wa...

The four Idols voted off this week sat down with us to talk about the extremely strong bonds they formed, their disappointments, greatest memories, and plans for the future. One thing is for certain—each one of them seems to be genuinely happy for their peers that are continuing down the...

Vanessa Olivarez became known for her fiery red hair, but her fiery personality was also a good match for Simon Cowell during the second season of "Idol." At one point during the semi-finals, Simon commented on her weight, but instead of getting flustered, Vanessa shook her rear and excla...

Everyone has their own former American Idol finalist favorites who touched us with their heart and passion. Here’s your chance to discover what these unique vocalists have been up to since they left the show. The brand new "Curtain Call" series reintroduces you to some of Idol’s most t...

Jon Peter Lewis will release his second album this spring! Chris Garcia, who has worked with Santana and Michelle Branch, Dido and Jewel, is producing the album under the guidance of executive producer Don Grierson, a former head of A&R for Capitol and Epic Records involved with Bob...

People around the world know Simon Cowell as the judge who doesn't mince his words, and yesterday's media event was no exception. Simon took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions from the press regarding everything from this season of "Idol" to the presidential candidates to t...

Many people attribute the onset of Rock 'n Roll on "Idol" to Constantine and Bo, but Ryan Starr brought it to us in the very first season of the show. Known for her risky song choices and wearing her own fashions, Ryan got all the way to number seven during the trailblazing season. Ryan stood out...

Jon Peter Lewis, or "JPL" as he became known on "American Idol," became popular with the viewers through his multi-layered voice, signature dance moves, and his great disposition. What's even more interesting is how he actually came to be a finalist. After cashing in his college loans in o...

In 2005, the producers of "American Idol" changed the age guidelines for the show from 16-24 to 16-28. Fans everywhere are grateful to this day, as these new guidelines allowed Bo Bice to bring his southern rock style to the show. He became known for his cool stage presence and his amazing tak...

Americanidol.com would like to wish Josh Gracin a very Happy Birthday today! While Josh Gracin was originally known as the Marine who auditioned for "American Idol," he ultimately found his way to the hearts of the viewers with his impressive voice and country style. His time on "Idol" was...

Jon Peter Lewis, the first singer to bring rock 'n' soul to "American Idol," is joining forces with the independent roots rock label Authentic Records. Jon will promote his debut record, "Stories From Hollywood," which features the hit title track and infectious singles "If I Go Away," "...

While Simon Cowell is a prominent figure in the media today, his transition into his impressive career wasn't always smooth sailing. Like many people just starting out, he began his career in the mail room at EMI Music Publishing. Having quickly learned the ropes, Simon teamed up with Pete...

Mandisa made her mark on American Idol with her booming voice, beautiful smile, and her ability to do what no one had ever done before: She was able to get Simon Cowell to apologize! With amazing performances on the show, such as Chaka Khan’s anthem “I’m Every Woman,” it’s no wonder that she...