American Idol

Former "American Idol" contestant Corey Clark -- who is more famous for being kicked off the show than actually being on it -- is suing MTV for defamation after he claims one of their reporters repeatedly badmouthed him ... and he wants a whopping $40 MILLION for his troubles.

Hard to believe, but it's been over nine years since Clark was booted from "Idol" after making the top 10 ... because producers claimed he failed to disclose a recent arrest. Two years later ... Clark claimed to have had an affair with "Idol" judge Paula Abdul.

But Clark claims that when it came to reporting on him, MTV News (and one writer in specific) referred to him as a "degenerate," accused him of lying about the charges against him, and even urged readers to boycott his music. Mission accomplished on that one.

Clark says he was ridiculed by MTV for his relationship with Abdul, accusing him of making it up. He still maintains it happened.

Clark describes MTV's practices as "abusing the constitutional privledges of 'freedom of the press' ... with the intent to permanently impair his state property rights and decimate his mental well-being."

More bad news for "American Idol" champ Phillip Phillips -- his family's Georgia pawn shop was burglarized last night after someone used a backhoe to smash open the back door.

Sources connected to the investigation tell us ... the bad guy (or guys) took more than $4,000 worth of merchandise ... including hand guns, flat screen TVs, antique coins, necklaces, rings and the ENTIRE CASH REGISTER.

We're told the register only had $110 inside at the time.

Law enforcement believes the power and phone lines to the store were cut before the burglary and the backhoe (a piece of heavy machinery used in construction) was hotwired and stolen from a nearby job site.

We're told roughly 25 cop cars responded to the scene to hunt for the perps -- but so far, no arrests have been made.

"American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips was in far worse condition than anyone thought before he went under the knife ... TMZ has learned.

The good news ... we're told Phillip will be released from the hospital today after undergoing more than 6 hours of major surgery for massive kidney stones.

It turns out ... the stent that was placed in Phillip's kidney was there way too long -- so long, it became embedded in his body. It became so bad, surgeons had to cut the stent out with a laser.

Doctors say the surgery was successful, so Phillip will be recovering in a Malibu mansion thanks to one of the "American Idol" honchos who is letting the "A.I." winner use his pad.

Phillip is hoping to be fully recovered by July 6th ... which is when the Idol tour officially kicks off in Detroit.

Phillip says, "If I can sing with all those kidney stones in me, I can make the first date."

Phillip Phillips finally went under the knife to remove the enormous kidney stones that almost derailed his run to the "American Idol" title ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Phillip had the 6 and a half hour long surgery in L.A. yesterday -- and he is recovering well today. The stones that were removed were so huge there was no chance he could've passed them on his own.

As TMZ first reported, Phil was scheduled to have the surgery last week ... but it was delayed because he had a fever and sinus infection.

Phillip suffered through excruciating pain during the entire season of 'Idol.' It obviously paid off.

Oh what a relief.

9:05 AM PT -- Phillip's rep says the surgery went well, adding, "He's resting and will be ready for the Idol tour kickoff in July!"

Katrina Darrell -- the girl who infamously auditioned for "American Idol" back in 2009 wearing just a bikini -- insists ... she isn't a drunk hit-and-runner ... pleading "not guilty" to DUI today.

TMZ broke the story ... Katrina was charged last month with one count of DUI and two counts of misdemeanor hit-and-run, stemming from her March arrest.

As we reported, Katrina was busted in L.A. after allegedly running a red light and smashing into another car. According to police, Katrina attempted to flee the scene ... but was pulled over down the street by a cop who heard the crash.

Back at the police station, an officer administered a breathalyzer -- and Katrina allegedly blew roughly twice the legal limit in California.

Phillip Phillips will NOT have kidney surgery today as scheduled, because he's burning up with a fever ... TMZ has learned.

As we first reported, Phillip has a serious congenital kidney condition that produces kidney stones so large they cannot pass. The condition has virtually debilitated his right kidney -- requiring 8 prior surgeries.

Phillip has had a flare-up through almost the entire "American Idol" competition, requiring a stent that was surgically inserted two months ago -- causing the singer extreme and continuous pain.

We're told Phillip now has a bad sinus infection that has triggered a high fever. As a result surgeons will not operate.

We're told the surgery has been rescheduled for early next week.

Jennifer Lopez helped Britney Spears secure a $15 million paycheck for "X Factor" -- because Britney had one intractable demand ... she had to make more than J Lo did for her first season on "American Idol."

JLo raked in $12 mil for her first season on "American Idol." There are reports she made $20 mil for the season that just ended, but we hear it's less than that.

Sources very familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Britney's bottom line was no less than $13 mil. But sources connected with "X Factor" tell us Britney initially asked for a lot more -- $20 mil.

As we first reported, Britney and "X Factor" eventually settled on $15 mil for the season.

Jennifer Lopez isn't just saying publicly she isn't sure if she wants to return to "American Idol," she's saying it privately too ... because Steven Tyler asked her the same question and got the same answer.

We bumped into Tyler yesterday in Malibu, and in between posing for pics with a fan, he told our photog he got a big "I don't know" when he asked JLo about her plans for next season.

"American Idol" champ Phillip Phillips is celebrating his win by PARTYING LIKE A ROCK STAR IN VEGAS ... at least that's what he should be doing, but instead he's hanging out with his parents and giving them his brand new car!

Sources tell TMZ ... the brand new 2013 Ford Fusion (valued at $25,000) Phillip was given for winning the competition will actually be a gift to his parents ... because he's perfectly happy driving his 2001 Ford Ranger truck (see below) and refuses to give it up.

In fact, we're told Phillip wasn't even tempted to use the new car for himself.

"American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips will get badly-needed surgery for a bum kidney on Tuesday, and he'll be recuperating in style in a swanky Malibu mansion ... TMZ has learned.

As we first reported, Phillip endured immense pain during the entire competition ... the result of a congenital kidney stone problem that has already resulted in 8 surgeries. He's been living with kidney stones that are so big they can't pass through his system.

Doctors inserted a stent into Phillip's kidney 7 weeks ago, as a temporary fix, but the pain borders on unbearable. In fact, when Phillip went home to Georgia a week ago, his doctor urged him to throw in the towel and get the surgery immediately, but Phillip said no.

So we've learned the surgery will take place Tuesday afternoon.

"American Idol" champ Kris Allen is DEAD WRONG ... the show has life in it yet ... at least according to Season 5 champ Taylor Hicks -- and his own shining success is proof.

As we reported, Kris Allen thinks it's about time "Idol" producers pulled the plug on the operation -- after this season's finale put up the lowest ratings in the show's history.

But Taylor tells TMZ, "American Idol is a juggernaut ... Because of my American Idol win, I am able to do the thing that I love most, which is to be an entertainer."

Taylor adds, "The fact that I am headlining Vegas 6 years after auditioning there and then ultimately winning AI is testament to the incredible platform the show continues to provide for me."

Stick a fork in "American Idol" ... it's done -- at least according to former champ Kris Allen, who strongly insinuated the show has run its course.

Kris -- who beat out Adam Lambert to win Season 8 -- was in LA yesterday when we asked if he caught the "Idol" finale Wednesday night. But like millions of former "Idol" fans across the country, Kris said he did NOT.

In fact, Kris said it might be time to pull the plug on "Idol" ... for good.

But it could be a case of "Bitter, party of one." Kris' latest album is only projected to sell a measly 15-20k in its first week ... and there are rumblings that he will be dropped from his record label.

So we gotta ask ...

Newly-crowned "American Idol" champ Phillip Phillips will finally undergo urgent kidney surgery next week, TMZ has learned.

TMZ broke the story ... Phillips doctors ordered him to undergo a procedure to fix his severe kidney stone problems -- which have worsened since the singer went on "Idol" -- but Phillip refused, insisting on finishing the show first.

But now that it's all over ... and Phillip won ... we're told he's finally planning on getting the operation in L.A. in the next 7-10 days.

We're told Phillip's parents will be flying in for support.

Kidney operations are no joke -- Phillip can expect to spend several days in the hospital, followed by a 6-week recovery period.

"American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips' family has reason to celebrate, now that the "A.I." winner will be rolling in the dough ... and the first move is selling the family pawn shop.

Sources close to Phillip’s family tell TMZ, Phil's dad Donnie has been mulling over the idea of selling the Albany, GA pawn shop ... but apparently Phillip's success made the decision a no-brainer.

Donnie is banking on a bidding war, now that the shop has the "A.I." cache.

He won't be the next "American Idol" ... but recent cast-off Joshua Ledet has already gotten an offer to appear in a real-life stage production ... with a bunch of naked men.

TMZ has learned ... the top banana at the Mantasia male strip club in NYC has been super interested in Ledet ever since "A.I." fans dubbed him "Mantasia."

In case you haven't been watching, Ledet earned the moniker because his powerful voice drew comparisons to a male version of Fantasia Barrino.

But the head dong wrangler at the male review believes Ledet's nickname was a message from the stripper gods that the two were destined to work together ... even if Josh doesn't drop trou.

"We'll find something for him, he's a very talented performer," the stripper boss tells TMZ.

The dog who won "Britain's Got Talent" just rejected an offer to appear on the "American Idol" finale, TMZ has learned, because the talented canine is too busy being famous.

Sources tell TMZ ... Pudsey the dog and 17-year old owner Ashleigh were asked to appear live on the "Idol" stage -- it's unclear if they would perform -- but when producers called about the potential gig ... they were met with a big, fat NO.

The reason behind the rejection ... we're told Pudsey and Ashleigh have been getting offers round-the-clock since winning the UK's talent competition ... and the pair is literally too busy to squeeze in an "Idol" appearance.

Good news is ... we're told Pudsey will be making trips to NYC and L.A. soon for OTHER major TV appearances -- just not "Idol" -- and will meet with several producers as well.