American Idol

TMZ has learned "American Idol" musical director Rickey Minor will become the new Kevin Eubanks on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

We're told the announcement is supposed to be made tomorrow.

Minor has worked as a musical director for Beyonce, Ray Charles, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston and many others. He was also musical director for the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl.

Eubanks is leaving the show late next month... exactly the same time "Idol" goes on hiatus.

UPDATE: NBC has officially confirmed TMZ's story ... Minor will debut on "The Tonight Show" on June 7.

"American Idol" reject Chikezie Eze owes Bank of America more than $17,000 ... which in Neiman Marcus terms is 28 bottles of cologne.

You'll recall Mr. Eze was charged last Friday with attempting to buy 2 bottles of really, really expensive cologne at Neiman's using fraudulent credit cards. Neiman's, which charges more than $1,200 for the two bottles of cologne has not been charged with highway robbery -- so far.

In the B of A civil lawsuit, the bank claims Eze overdrew funds from his account and owes $17,433.63.

One of them is wearing matching earrings.

We're just sayin'.

A finalist from season 6 of "American Idol" was arrested in Georgia last night after cops say they had to rip her out of a ferocious girl-on-girl brawl.

The perp is 22-year-old Stephanie Edwards who finished in 11th place behind Jordin Sparks back in 2007.

According to the Chatham County Sheriff's Dept, Edwards was busted in Savannah around 10:00 PM after cops noticed the singer and another woman "fighting in the middle of the street." Cops say they broke up the fight and arrested both women.

Edwards told police she had gone to the other woman's home to confront her about "harassing phone calls" -- and that's when things got violent.

Both women were transported to a nearby jail. Edwards has since been released.

As for who won the fight -- cops say Edwards had a couple of scratches on her face and chest, but the other woman had a bruised up right eye ... so, sounds like a draw.

TMZ has learned Chikezie Eze did not pass the smell test with the L.A. County District Attorney, who has charged the "American Idol" castoff with the crime of attempted grand theft for allegedly trying to buy two bottles of cologne with fraudulent credit info.

Chikezie was arrested last February after trying to buy cologne at Neiman Marcus .... prosecutors say he fraudulently tried using credit information from a man named Willem Grandia.

And only at Neiman's would two bottles of cologne constitute grand theft -- the tab was $1,289.57.

In addition to the misdemeanor grand theft charge, the D.A. is prosecuting Chikezie for misdemeanor identity theft.

Choices, choices.

The General better start preparing for war -- 'cause Larry Platt has been hit with a nasty lawsuit over "Pants on the Ground."

Here's a shocker -- it's all over money.

A music company called American King Music claims they funded Platt's recent recording session with rapper/producer Mims for the official full-length version of POTG.

But in the suit, filed in Atlanta, American King claims Larry and his reps, "failed to take care of Platt's obligations." They fail to describe exactly what those obligations are.

Now, American King is suing over the music distribution agreement and expenses related to producing, writing and recording of the single.

UPDATE: TMZ spoke with Platt's manager, Pinky, who tells us Larry never made a contract with American King -- but the company believes they're entitled to 50% of the profits from sale of POTG on iTunes.

Pinky tells us they're prepared for battle -- and adds, "This is a lawsuit for a non-agreement."

Uzomah, who repeatedly hunted the "American Idol" host down and came close to him while armed with a knife, agreed in court to submit to a 3-month psychiatric evaluation at Chino State Prison in California.

As for prison time, we're told he could serve up to two years behind bars. And it's likely the judge will issue a criminal stay away order to keep Uzomah clear of Ryan Seacrest for the next 10 years.

People who worked on the case say the L.A. County Deputy D.A. assigned to the case, Wendy Segall, drove a hard bargain.

Adam likes to use protection.

Kelly was performing in Germany on Friday night when she mysteriously disappeared from the stage during a song. The band covered for her for a bit before she finally returned. She finished the song and then admitted, "I'm really sorry, I had to pee."

This pic of Aiken groping Simon's alleged fiancee's breasts dates back over six years ago.

The former "American Idol" contestant is in Chile for the Viña del Mar International Song Festival. He bashed the experience last night on Twitter, saying, "Thanks 4 nothing Chile!...what an aweful experience!"

Less than an hour later, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit and Yamin began tweeting:

-- "Huge earthquake just now in Chile!!....I swear I thought this was the end of my life!!!!!"

-- "F**k!!!!!! I take it all back everybody!!....I just escaped w my life,from an 8.3 earthquake!!!...is everybody ok?...where was the epicener?"

-- "Complete and utter choas on the streets...no power...my heart is beatin outta my chest!....tsunami warnin...I am only a mile inland!"

The genius behind "Pants on the Ground" performed at JET nightclub at the Mirage Hotel last night -- and judging by the bevy of women who surrounded the General ... that song may have taken on a whole new meaning.

Chikezie Eze was arrested after trying to buy men's cologne on a stolen credit card ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

We broke the story ... the former "American Idol" was busted at Neiman Marcus last night and booked on felony identity theft.

Chikezie told us earlier today he used a Neiman's credit card with his name on it to purchase two bottles of cologne, but we've now learned the store flagged the plastic as a "stolen credit card."

Chikezie is out on $50,000 bail ... the approximate price of two bottles of cologne at Neiman's.

UPDATE: A rep for Neiman Marcus tells TMZ, "We're cooperating with local authorities."

Chikezie Eze is now dealing with a felony arrest because he just wanted to smell good.

We spoke with the "American Idol" alum a few minutes ago about his arrest last night at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills for felony identity theft.

Chikezie says he went cologne shopping at Neiman's last night, took two bottles to the counter and presented his Neiman's credit card -- a card he had never used before.

Chikezie says the clerk flagged the card, called security and he was taken downstairs for questioning. He says he was told something was "untrue" on his credit card application, though he had no idea what it could be.

Chikezie says, "They said they were waiting for someone to use the card and when they did they would pull them down."

Chikezie says he has no idea what information on the application might be false, adding, "I am who I am. It's not like I can hide that." He mentioned security said something about the name of his company -- Advanced Business Strategic Solutions -- on the application, but didn't know if that's why Neiman's flagged the card.

Chikezie says, "I haven't done anything wrong myself and I'm pretty confident nothing is going to happen."