TMZ has learned that “American Idol” contestants Sanjaya Malakar and Lakisha Jones have developed a very special, and somewhat unlikely bond.

The two have become fast friends, with the older, and let’s face it, more talented Lakisha often heard giving pep talks to the struggling 17-year-old, along with performance advice like, “Do your thing and just be yourself out there” and “Don’t listen to what people have to say.” But love the hair, dawg!

While Timberlake wannabes Blake and Chris R. have also become BFFs, it’s Lakisha and Sanjaya’s friendship that has most surprised the on-set staff. Sources tell TMZ that Lakisha is genuinely lookin’ out for Sanjaya, and has become somewhat of a role model for him.

And from the looks of it, Sanjaya is also taking Lakisha’s hairstyling advice, as clearly evidenced by last week’s flatiron blowout weave!

I cannot for the LIFE of me figure out how this kid is still on American Idol.  We are glutton for punishment, I suppose.  I wonder what CRAZY hairdo he’s going to come up with for next week. 

Simon Cowell told Ryan Seacrest to come out of the closet!

And the thing is – Ryan should have seen it coming.  As soon as he said what he said – he left the door WIDE open for Simon to pounce on him.

Ryan: “We have a question from Georgia. What do you consider the hardest part of this contest?”

Melinda Doolittle: ”Wow. I would have to say the high heels and these dresses. I like my tennis shoes and my sweat pants. I’m sorry.”

Ryan: ”Simon, any advice on the high heels?”

Simon: “You should know, Ryan.”

Ryan: “Stay out of my closet, Simon.”

Simon: “Well, come out.”

Ryan: “This is about the top twelve. Okay? Not your wishes…We’re friends.”

Source

Former “American Idol” finalist Mario Vasquez is facing accusations that he tried to masturbate in front of a male employee in a bathroom on the set of the hit show in February 2005.

Shortly thereafter, Vasquez mysteriously dropped out of “Idol,” citing personal reasons.

According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and obtained by TMZ, Vazquez allegedly “sexually harassed” Magdaleno Olmos, assistant accountant for Fremantle Media, the company that produces American Idol.

In the lawsuit, Olmos claims “Vazquez stared lasciviously, smiled lasciviously … and on one occasion followed him into a bathroom … knocked on the door of the plaintiff’s stall and made eye contact through the space in the stall door.”

STORY GETS R-RATED AFTER THE JUMP… (more…)

How hard was it to deal with all the controversy that was going on around you when you were on the show?
It was definitely difficult and it wasn’t how I intended things to go, but I tried to block it out as much as possible and stay focused on the competition. All that other stuff was completely irrelevant to the fact that I’m here to sing.

Visibility is important – does part of you feel that there’s no such thing as bad publicity?
Yes, it’s true that my name is more well-known because of it, but I’m not known for the things that I would like to be known for right now. I wanted to make a name for myself in singing. The pictures that have been released of me – the ones that actually are me – they were very personal and that is not how I intended to portray myself. I’d rather promote myself in a more classy way. And, again, that was private – that was not for the public eye.

Were you approached to pose in Playboy?
I heard about it but I was never approached.

Would you do it?
No. Right now I want to look at all the offers I get and sort out what’s best for me right now. I’m definitely not opposed to acting or modeling or something. I would definitely do pop music, but I would add my style to it – you know, a little R&B-ish pop music, maybe bluesy, jazzy.

Source

American Idol judge Simon Cowell has doomed a wannabe singer’s chance of winning the TV talent contest by revealing he’ll quit the show if he wins. The acid-tongued British judge admits he was stunned when contestant Sanjaya Malakar beat rocker Sundance Head for a place in the final 12 on Thursday night, and he’ll leave the show if the Indian-American singer is crowned the next “American Idol.”

Brutal Cowell says, “He’s not going to win. I won’t be back if he does!”

I can’t even begin to imagine how he’s still on the show anyway.  He has an AWFUL voice.

Obviously a girl is going to win this year, cause the mens suck!  But enough of that, I just wanted an excuse to post a picture of Sanjaya’s hair.  What’s up with his freaking hair? What’s the deal… I mean seriously.  His hair makes me cringe.  I don’t like to look him in the eyes when he sings…he weirds me out.

Now I can’t tell who has worse hair – Sanjaya or Paula.  You decide.