American Idol

Ryan Seacrest is a candidate to take the reins from the outgoing Pat Sajak as the next host of "Wheel of Fortune" ... and we've learned discussions are in the very early stages.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Ryan is an option to replace Pat and he's been talking to Sony about potentially taking over for the retiring host. We're told Ryan has some time in his schedule now to possibly make this work, as he's no longer on "LIVE with Kelly and Ryan."

Sony owns "Wheel of Fortune" and there are reports about a field of unnamed candidates ... though it's unclear who is on the list aside from Ryan. Bloomberg was the first to report Seacrest was a possibility.

What's also interesting ... Ryan was a longtime pal of the late Merv Griffin, who created 'Wheel' -- so you gotta wonder if that factor is helping to propel Ryan's interest.

As we reported ... Pat announced this week he was going to step down as host in 2024 after 41 seasons running point on "Wheel of Fortune." Pat was hired as the host way back in 1981 by Merv.

Ryan, of course, has tons of experience hosting TV shows ... he was the original host of "American Idol" in its heyday and also hosted 'Live' with Kelly Ripa ... so he would make a lot of sense here.

Former "American Idol" winner Samantha "Just Sam" Diaz is living a bad case of deja vu ... singing in New York City subways for money.

Just three years removed from winning "Idol" in 2020, the non-binary singer says they're back to showing off their pipes in subway stations ... making a living off the cash and coins folks leave in their donation box.

Just Sam is documenting the full circle moment on social media ... posting clips on Instagram showing themself covering different songs in NYC subway stations.

In a since-deleted caption, Sam says they were embarrassed to be reverting back to subway singing after winning the famous reality singing competition.

According to The Sun, Sam's deleted caption said, "Back in 2021, I was super embarrassed to be going back to the trains. I didn’t want people to know that I legit needed the money. I didn't want people to know that it wasn't optional. I was disappointed in myself for allowing myself to fall so low after winning Idol, but then I had to take it easy on me and remember that I started my journey with Idol at 20 years old."

Sam won "Idol" at the height of the pandemic, during a 2020 season that went remote midseason, and contestants performed while isolated. Sam beat out runner-up Arthur Gunn to win the show's 18th season.

Howard Stern had some terse words for King Charles and his coronation -- going so far as to say he thought the guy was a "p****" and that the whole thing was a waste of money.

The radio talk show host went in on the Brits for putting on such an extravagant show for their new monarch -- who was officially crowned over the weekend in what amounted to a 3-day celebration, capping off with a massive concert with a lot pomp and circumstance.

You figure that's exactly what a coronation calls for, which HS says he understands -- but at his core ... he finds the idea revolting, seeing how they're pouring money down the drain.

Howard also takes some personal potshots at Charles himself ... saying the guy is no war hero, even though he kinda gets treated like one anyway by his royal subjects. His cohost, Robin, was getting in on the dogpile too ... and they called out Queen Camilla as well.

The 'American Idol' moment -- in which both Charles and Camilla made cameos on the show -- was in their crosshairs too ... with Howard saying they looked like complete stiffs on there.

Howard's gripes seem to be steeped in what a lot of people -- particularly Americans -- say about the monarchy ... namely, that it's outdated and completely unnecessary in modern times, both in terms of reverence paid and the money spent to showcase the Royal Family.

He says he gets its tie to tourism and that it drives interest in Britain at large, but the dude's completely unimpressed by the institution  ... and definitely isn't a fan of HRH, Chuck.

King Charles had a lot on his plate this weekend leading up to and following his Coronation, so it made it all the more shocking he popped up on "American Idol."

The King and Queen Camilla joined hosts Lionel Richie and Katy Perry Sunday night as they live streamed from Windsor Castle... right after Lionel and Katy's Royal performance..

Katy and Lionel, both judges on the show, kicked things off by recapping the weekend and the concert ... Lionel coyly said, "What a party, it was unbelievable. Now we are trying to figure out what we can do to bring something different to the show. So, I have a surprise."

Charles and Camilla both popped up on stage ... with huge smiles on their faces.

Charles said, "I just wanted to check how long you will be using this room for. I just wanted to check." Lionel's response ... "We have to give up the room up right away."

The appearance comes after Charles and Camilla watched LR and KP perform their hit songs from the royal box during the star-studded Coronation concert, which wrapped up the big weekend.

Of course, the events were centered around Saturday's Coronation ... watched by millions around the world.

American singer and songwriter Phillip Phillips was 21 years old when he was crowned the "American Idol" season 11 champ back in 2012. Not only did his winning song "Home" become a top-seller in "American Idol" history, but the track was used to cover the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The singer has performed live on "Good Morning America" and "The Today Show", as well as late-night TV shows, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." He's also opened shows for top players in the music game like John Mayer and Matchbox Twenty.

"Just know you're not alone, 'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home."

Luke Bryan's looks over the years will make you wanna "Strip It Down!"

Here's a 31-year-old version of the singing stud showing some side eye at Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, California back in 2008 (left). This was just one year after the release of his debut album "I'll Stay Me."

And, 15 years later the singing stud took a break from his judging duties and recently snapped a selfie on the set of "American Idol" ... showcasing his show-ready looks and pearly whites.

On Friday, Mr. Bryan took the stage at Stagecoach and gave the audience his notorious "Shake It For Me" dance moves, but the question is ...

Before this little singer's pipes blew away America (and Simon Cowell), she was just getting all dolled up in her white dress, gearing up for her big solo and growing up in Chicago, Illinois with her sister and brother.

From the American Idol stage to the big screen, this singing machine can also act, and she played the smart and comical assistant to Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) in "Sex And The City: The Movie."

Need one more hint? She was a "Dreamette" alongside Beyonce and Anika Noni Rose.

Kaya Stewart, the daughter of Eurythmics star Dave Stewart, is off "American Idol" -- despite her Rock HOF lineage ... she made a shocking and tearful exit from the competition's Hollywood Week.

Kaya was supposed to perform a duet on Monday night's episode with 22-year-old Fire -- but she stunned just about everyone when she said she was quitting the show because she'd been ill all week.

She broke down as she told the judges -- Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan -- she'd been unable to fully recover, so she wouldn't be continuing on the show.

Her surprise exit had poor Fire tearing up, but she powered through to sing ... with help from another contestant.

Jayna Elise had been sitting in the audience, and volunteered to duet with Fire ... and they crushed Adam Lambert's hit, "What Do You Want From Me." Fire did most of the vocals and had the judges on their feet, crying for her performance.

As they say ... the show must go on, and Fire did that and then some.

Kaya had been a controversial pick by the judges. Not that she wasn't a good singer, but she auditioned with her superstar father -- who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Lionel -- playing guitar for her.

It sparked the ol' nepotism, or "nepo baby," conversation again. Haters say her dad's celeb status got her a spot on the show that could have gone to someone else.

CJ Harris, the former "American Idol" contestant whose sudden death left family members shocked died from a heart attack ... medical officials have confirmed.

The Walker County Coroner tells TMZ -- doctors at the hospital where Harris was rushed have listed his official cause of death as a heart attack -- and therefore, an autopsy is not necessary.

As we reported ... CJ was taken to a local hospital by ambulance in Jasper, Alabama Sunday night, after suffering what friends and family members believed was a heart attack at the time. Unfortunately, he didn't make it.

Fans will remember CJ as a contestant from season 13 of the hit singing competition series ... making it to the top 6 back in 2014.

His rendition of Allman Brothers Band's "Soulshine" got him a ton of buzz and attention from the show's judges.

After the show, he performed with Darius Rucker at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. CJ even played for audiences in 'American Idol's season 13 tour, which featured the top 10 finalists.

CJ Harris, the former "American Idol" contestant who made it to the top 6 in 2014, has died.

A family member tells us CJ suffered an apparent heart attack Sunday night in Jasper, Alabama ... he was taken to a local hospital by ambulance, but didn't make it.

Fans of the show remember the Jasper native auditioning for the judges back in 2014 in Salt Lake City ... blowing them away with his version of Allman Brothers Band's "Soulshine."

Judge Keith Urban told CJ, "You sing 'cause you have to sing, not 'cause you want to sing. And, I mean that in the deepest way. And, that's why it's so believable and real."

Following his incredible audition, CJ rocked America with powerful versions of "Too Close," "American Woman," and "Free Fallin'." He was chosen by the judges as a wild card in the semi-finals after not receiving enough votes, getting kept in the competition -- making it all the way to the top 6 before getting eliminated.

After "Idol," CJ performed with Darius Rucker at The Grand Ole Opry, someone he's said was a massive influence on his style. He even played for audiences in the competition show's season 13 tour.

He was only 31.

Kelly Clarkson says a strange person is showing up to her house, trespassing on her property and leaving her unwanted gifts ... so, now she's getting the police involved.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... for the past month, the same person's been popping up at Kelly's L.A. area home, going up to her porch and dropping things off for her.

We're told they're leaving behind cards, plants and other random items for Kelly ... even though she told cops she's never met them before, and doesn't know who the stranger is.

Our sources say Kelly has yet to come face-to-face with the intruder, but we're told her security was concerned enough to call LAPD to file a report ... and now LAPD Threat Management is investigating.

Cops see the person's alleged behavior as very troubling -- they don't know yet if it's a fan who means no harm, or a situation that could escalate into something far more sinister.

Our sources say Kelly's got surveillance footage of the person dropping stuff off on her porch ... and LAPD is trying to identify them for a background check, and to assess potential threats.

David Archuleta says dozens of fans walked out of a recent show of his after he spoke about being queer ... a moment he believes drives home just how important it is to continue to tell his story.

Archuleta arrived in Los Angeles Thursday, just hours after wrapping a stop on his Christmas tour in Utah, where he says fans bailed during a break in the performance where he talked about his recent journey coming out.

In fact, he even shared an email from what appeared to be a manager of the venue where he sang ... expressing their disappointment over his decision to talk about his sexuality.

Part of the email read, "I do not believe that, that concert was a setting for that to happen. We have some very upset patrons that I will dealing with today. I would hope in the remaining concerts, that would not be allowed and just allow them to have an awesome Christmas experience."

David said he could feel the tension in the crowd when sharing his story, and he was disappointed to see some fans leave, but that won't stop him from sharing his experience, because he knows the message could help save lives.

Archuleta -- who placed second behind David Cook in season 7 of "American Idol" -- grew up in a strict Mormon household, and says he had to keep his sexuality a secret. At one point, David says he contemplated taking his own life.

American rock singer and songwriter David Cook was 25 years old when he was crowned as the "American Idol" winner of season 7 back in 2008.

Cook's musical talents took him all the way, but his runner-up David Archuleta definitely put up a fight and Syesha Mercado was not too far behind with her exceptional musical chops!

While America had the ultimate say on Cook's big win, judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson did not hold back from putting in their two cents and helping guide the singer to the finish line.

The family of Willie Spence, the "American Idol" runner-up who died in a Tennessee car accident, doesn't think alcohol played a role -- instead, their alternate theory centers around his weekend activity.

Family sources tell TMZ ... Willie was leaving Tennessee State University's homecoming weekend when the crash happened, and while some have speculated he was driving drunk, his family says the late singer wasn't a drinker, so that doesn't track.

The accident took place during the day, not late at night ... another reason why they think he wasn't fresh out of leaving some big party.

However, we're told it was a long weekend for Willie -- one that might've left him severely fatigued, and the family's fear is he fell asleep at the wheel.

Police have yet to determine an official cause for the accident or his death.

Willie's family tells us he was on his way back to Atlanta to meet with an organization that helps abused and trafficked women ... a partnership he excitedly told his mother about the day before the fatal accident.

"American Idol" runner-up Willie Spence has died in a car crash ... a relative confirms to TMZ.

The singer was in Tennessee Tuesday when the crash took place ... although specifics of the accident have yet to be released.

Willie posted a video just hours before the crash ... doing what he does best -- singing his heart out. Douglas Now was first to report the story.

Fans of the show remember Willie blowing the judges away in season 19, and making it all the way to the finale ... singing hits like "A Change is Gonna Come" and "Georgia on My Mind." He ended up coming in 2nd place behind Chayce Beckham.

There's been an outpouring of love for Willie since his passing ... Katharine McPhee of 'AI' fame expressed her heartbreak -- saying, "God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you."

The 2 performed a duet together during his time on season 19.

Producer Randall Emmett also left a message for Willie, writing "I was lucky to have him sing for me live at my home and other events, I will miss you my friend. I know you touched so many of us."

He was 23.

RIP

"American Idol" trio Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are putting the band back together -- at least for today, all in the name of supporting Kelly Clarkson and her new star on the Hollywood Wall of Fame.

The show's OG judges joined the show's very first winner, Monday, during the WOF ceremony ... and it's giving major blast from the past vibes.

In classic fashion, Simon even called out Paula for pulling up late to the whole shebang -- obviously playing around with each other and making light of the situation.

The former judges made sure to flick it up with Kelly at the event. And, it looks like they all couldn't be happier to link up again, especially under such rewarding circumstances ... and she even took a moment to share her excitement with our photog.

You'll recall, Kelly Clarkson was on the very first season of "American Idol" in 2002 and ended up winning the whole thing, which led to her record deal with RCA.

Of course, she's since become a well-decorated pop star and an Emmy-Award-winning talk show host ... and now 20 years later she received her Hollywood star with her judges by her side.