'American Idol' Contestant - Homicide Victim
A former two-time "American Idol" contestant was struck and killed by a car yesterday, and authorities are calling it a homicide.
Alexis Cohen suffered chest, head and abdominal injuries. Further details about the 25-year-old's death have not been released.
It happened in Seaside heights, New Jersey. Cohen was found in the street by two pedestrians.
Former "Idol" Contestant Found Dead
Alexis Cohen, a former "American Idol" contestant was found dead early this morning in Allentown, PA.
The 25-year-old, known as "Glitter Girl" auditioned for "Idol" in January 2008 and returned for a second time in 2009 but never received a golden ticket.
Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office tells TMZ Cohen's body was found in the street by two pedestrians who then contacted local police. As of now, there is no apparent cause of death. An autopsy is scheduled for this afternoon. Cohen's death was first reported by APP.com.
Paula Abdul -- Will Work for Food?
New developments in Paula Abdul's "American Idol" contract negotiations -- Ryan Seacrest, who's pulling in $15 million a year, has agreed to buy her lunch every day if she comes back.
As we first reported, Abdul is holding out for more dough. We're guessing somewhere around $4.5 mil a year.
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Seacrest Out ... with the Mayor?!
L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his GF, hot newscaster Lu Parker, had an unlikely dinner date this weekend -- Ryan Seacrest.
The city needs $1.4 million to cover costs for Michael Jackson's memorial ... and Seacrest just signed a $45 million contract. Wonder what they talked about ...
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Paula Abdul -- One Pissed Off Judge!
Paula Abdul is pissed off that Ryan Seacrest is a very rich man, our "American Idol" spies say.
Abdul isn't angry at Ryan personally for his new $45 million, 3-year deal, but she's bent out of shape at producers that she's making minimum "Idol" wage -- we're told between $2 and $3 mil a year.
Our spies say producers want Paula back for sure, but she's now doing the Hollywood thing of pretending like she'll walk.
Here's the fun part. Auditions for the next season start on August 6. We're told there are already plans to start the auditions without her if they don't have a deal.
As for what Paula wants -- we're told somewhere between 2 and 3 times what she's making now. Here's our guess -- $4.5 a year ... a lot better than the $5,000 a week she pulled in for season one.
Welcome to Hollywood -- Abdul Threatens 'Idol'
Paul Abdul is hurt, angry and threatening to quit "American Idol" ... like "60 Minutes" wants to snatch her up.
It's absurd, but Abdul's manager told the L.A. Times, "Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on 'Idol," adding "Idol" producers have been "rude and disrespectful" by not offering her a new deal.
Ok, let's now get real. Our "A.I." spies say Abdul is raking in about 2 1/2 million bucks a year -- a nice check, but compared to the $15 mil a year that Ryan Seacrest just sealed ...
In Hollywood, stars have to talk the walk in order to rob the bank. Paula's manager says since "Idol" hasn't offered her a new deal she's now considering starting a competitive show. Here's the deal ... Paula tried starting her own series a few years back with Paramount .... NIGHTMARE! The idea crashed and burned.
So it's yet another ploy for more moolah, and more power to her. Whatever the deal it's a long way from Paula's first season paycheck -- our "A.I." spies say she was pulling in $5,000 a week.
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Seacrest Definitely In ... DioGuardi Out?
Thanks to a brand new $45 million deal, Ryan Seacrest will be back hosting "American Idol" next season -- but Kara DioGuardi might have reason to worry.
Seacrest -- who is now richer than fettuccine alfredo -- was eating with Jennifer Lopez this weekend at Madeo when we suggested she take Paula Abdul's place on the panel ... Ryan said he'd love to see J. Lo sitting "next to" her.
They'd be crazy to get rid of Simon ... Kara D., not so much.
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Topless Taylor Hicks
Former "American Idol" star Taylor Hicks laid out in Mexico yesterday, working on his soulful tan.
Hicks has not had a song make the charts since 2006.
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Lambert's Old Label -- We Got It in Writing!
Adam Lambert claims the album he recorded pre-"Idol" was nothing more than him singing someone else's songs -- but that just isn't true.
We've obtained an internal memo from two divisions of Adam's old label, which clearly lists Lambert as the co-writer on nine of the 11 tracks on the album.
Lambert's new handlers released a statement on his behalf this week condemning the album, which said: "I was hired as a studio singer to lend my vocals to tracks written by someone else ... I was broke at the time and this was my chance to make a few bucks."
Ironically -- or not -- one of the tracks Lambert co-wrote is called "15 Minutes of Fame."
Another 'Idol' Lands Dream Role
One day she's a nobody, the next day she's an "American Idol," and then all of the sudden she's starring in "Dreamgirls" ... no, not Jennifer Hudson ... Syesha Mercado.
Sources say the season seven "Idol" contestant has been cast in the upcoming international tour of "Dreamgirls" the play -- landing the role of Deena Jones, who was played by Beyonce in the movie.
Calls to Syesha's rep have not been returned.
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Ruben Voted Off Photog's iPod
Keep in mind Ruben Studdard won "American Idol" when watching this video -- because when he turned the camera on our guy and asked him which of his songs was his favorite, our photog couldn't name a single one.
Kris Allen, consider this a warning.
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Seacrest on Strip Club: It Was Research!
He was leaving a chop house, but last night Ryan Seacrest wasn't talkin' strip steak -- he was talking strippers.
It wasn't all about chicks grinding to Def Leppard at the British strip club Seacrest and Simon Cowell hit up last week -- according to him, they were just there for "research" on mimes.
They must have done some good probing -- Seacrest still admits he blew "too much" on a lapdance.
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Adam Lambert: Booze Before Babes
Adam Lambert's a smart guy -- despite the fact that he's openly gay, he's still giving the ladies a shot at a steamy make-out session.
Lambert's revelation came at the end of last night's 20/20 interview. For all those ladies wanting to lock lips with their "American Idol" all it takes is a "couple of drinks."
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'American Idol' Kings Got a 21 Stripper Salute
21 wasn't the age restriction for the London strip club Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell went to last night -- it was the number of chicks that were dancing for them at the same time.
The owner of Stringfellows gentleman's club told us R & S -- who have been to the club before -- were given two private tables that were surrounded by at least 21 professional pole masters. That equals 42 boobs or 10.5 strippers each.
The owner said the girls love it when R & S show up, because they're "great guys ... and extremely generous." As for private dances -- we're told the boys always keep it classy and stay out of the champagne room.
Either way, we're glad to see Simon is teaching Ryan about English culture ... like that crumpets are always better with T ... and A.
Ryan and Simon Search for Talent at Strip Club
This ... is an American one dollar bill.
Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell scouted for undiscovered, highly flexible talent at a London strip club called Stringfellows last night -- and were diligent enough to stay there until 4:45 this morning.
Next season on "American Idol," look for hot chicks who can't sing, but can pick money up off the floor without using their hands.
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Danny Gokey Love$$$ 'American Idol'
Believe it or not, the best part of "American Idol" actually isn't having 12-year-old girls screaming your name, because according to Danny Gokey, it's all about the "MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. MONNNNNNEY!"
He requested we not air that part. Whoops.