American Idol 2011

Multiple sources tell TMZ, former “Idol” contestants Chris Medina, Rob Bolin and Tim Halperin are hitting the road on a 5-city tour, spanning 4 states -- starting off in Toledo and ending in Chicago -- and the majority of the profits will go to benefit Medina's disabled fiancée.

According to sources, 95% of the money generated by the tour will be set aside for the Juliana Recovery Fund -- a charity set up to cover medical expenses for Medina’s fiancée Juliana ... who suffered severe brain damage after a horrific car accident in 2009.

As we previously reported, the ghost seekers contacted people at "Idol" to investigate the mansion ... after the contestants living there claimed the place was haunted -- but we're told, the owner of the house quickly shut down the whole operation.

Zak Bagans -- lead paranormal investigator -- tells us, the owner was worried about all the ghost-infestation publicity ... and wanted to ward off any more possibly negative attention.

If you saw the show, James Durbin told Ryan Seacrest after his performance, "I have a lot of hairspray in my hair to keep it from jumping around -- so much so, the one thing I was worried about was having a 'Pepsi moment.'"

The "Pepsi moment" is a reference to the 1984 incident where Michael Jackson's hair caught on fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial, severely burning his scalp -- an injury that triggered an addiction to prescription drugs that may have ultimately taken his life.

A Jackson family rep tells TMZ, "We were shocked to see this. It's nothing to make light of and everybody should be focusing on who was responsible for Michael's death."

Cafe Aroma in Casey's hometown of Idyllwild, CA just renamed a section of the joint ... the "Casey Abrams American Idol Lounge."

Employees tell us, Casey's such a big shot at the restaurant -- which features belly dancers -- they've even put his name on his favorite dish ... "Casey Abrams Gnocchi Alfredo" ... 6 meatballs included.

Zak Bagans -- lead investigator of the "Ghost Adventures Crew" -- insists the alleged paranormal activity inside the Beverly Hills mansion where the "A.I." finalists were staying sounds LEGIT and "possibly demonic."

As TMZ first reported, the "Idol" gang MOVED OUT of the place last week after several spooky incidents -- including flickering lights, mysterious spider infestations, and a FLOATING WHITE SHEET!!

Zak tells us he feels the best way to investigate the supernatural situation would be to bring the "Idol" finalists BACK to the house so he can use them as "trigger objects."

Zak explains, "If there are spirits or demonic entities present they may have had a connection with one of them ... hence all the activity."

We're told the "Ghost Adventures Crew" has already been in touch with the people at "Idol."

We're told "A.I." staffers helped Casey up and put him in a chair so he could calm down.

Ironically, his song choice Thursday was "I Don't Need No Doctor."

Our "Idol" spies tell us ... Casey felt horrible that the judges used their save for him, saying "I feel really bad that other [contestants] might have to go home now because they [the judges] used the save on me."

A super-slimmed down Hudson was at LAX yesterday -- when she told photogs she just hasn't had time to watch the show that launched her career this season.

The supernatural drama began after contestants complained about bizarre flickering lights inside the house ... followed by a spooky spider infestation.

But the paranormal activity that sent the contestants over the edge happened last week -- when several wannabes claim they watched a bed sheet suddenly take on a life of its own and FLOAT down an empty hallway!!!

And as if the ghosts weren't enough, Sunday's torrential rains caused the roof to leak like a mutha.

Sources connected with the production tell us ... the contestants FREAKED OUT and demanded to move ... and "Idol" producers obliged.

Sources tell TMZ, Jacob auditioned for the gospel group called "InNate Praise" in 2007 -- formed by Nate himself -- and he ended up landing the part ... and we're told, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

According to sources, Jacob and Nate's relationship blossomed over the next two years ... as Jacob performed with the group at churches around L.A. County.

In the video -- shot back in 2007 -- Nate and Jacob are both hanging out in Nate's studio in North Hollywood. Earlier today, Jacob tweeted the following about Nate's death:

McCreery’s hometown of Garner, NC has been holding big “Idol” viewing parties -- and this week the market he works for sent over a giant cake made out of 1,000 cupcakes.

The Bakery Director at Lowes Market tells TMZ they plan on showing their support by sending more of the mammoth cakes -- which take 12 hours to bake and use 100 pounds of icing -- to future viewing parties as well.

Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler ... and yes, even Randy Jackson get to chill out in these pimped out trailers -- featuring massage chairs, surround sound systems, A/C, and even private offices ... UPSTAIRS.

Ryan Seacrest announced Casey's absence at the top of tonight's live 'AI' episode -- telling the audience, "You'll notice that Casey is missing from the group. He is unfortunately sick and in the hospital right now. So everybody wave to him."

Seacrest then addresses Casey in the hospital, "Feel better ... Get back here soon" -- so, it doesn't sound like Casey's getting the boot tonight.

The estate -- worth an estimated $12 million -- boasts 9 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a hot tub, pool, koi pond, game room with a pool table and one of the SICKEST VIEWS EVER. We're told on a clear day, you can see the ocean from the house.

Dangerfield blew the judges away during the first round of the show in Milwaukee ... only to mysteriously disappear from the show just before Hollywood week.

But TMZ spoke to Dangerfield ... who told us he's a dedicated student-teacher at a high school in Wisconsin ... and when producers told him the dates he would need to be in Hollywood ... they clashed with certain obligations he had at the school.

Dangerfield tells us, "The kids are depending on me."

Dangerfield tells us "Idol" producers tried to talk him out of his decision to quit the show ... but Scott says he had made up his mind.