love & idol

*Here's a very brief recap of Ruben's wedding, which took place Saturday in a church in a suburb outside Birmingham. He met her in 2006, during a fan meet-and-greet in a Wal-Mart.

*Season 7's Kristy Lee cook has signed with Arista Nashville, the same label that dropped her when she was a teenager. Her first single, "15 Minutes of Shame," comes out August 11. Read more here.

*Finally, is anyone actually surprised that David Archuleta has never kissed a girl? Um, yeah, that's what I thought. Full story here.

we'll always have paris

Season 5 finalist Paris Bennett is preggers...and engaged. Read more here.

Paris is 19 now, in case you were wondering. I think my favorite part of the aforementioned article is this quote from Paris' grandmother:

"I'm proud of how she did it. I was 16 when I got pregnant," said Jamecia.

I never really liked Paris that much while she was competing. A bit too robotic. But, um, I still pass on my congratulations.

Have a good weekend!

no atlanta auditions this year

Local singers looking for "American Idol" fame will have to travel outside their comfort zones this year. Literally.

Audition cities for the eighth season of the reality TV show have been announced, and while producers traveled to Atlanta last year, it's not included this time. Still want to try out? Here are your options:

Thursday, July 17 San Francisco, Calif. The Cow Palace

Monday, July 21 Louisville, Ky. Freedom Hall

Friday, July 25 Phoenix, Ariz. Jobing.com Arena

Tuesday, July 29 Salt Lake City, Utah EnergySolutions Arena

Saturday, August 2 San Juan, Puerto Rico Coliseo de Puerto Rico

Friday, August 8 Kansas City, Mo. Sprint Center

Wednesday, August 13 Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena

Tuesday, August 19 East Rutherford, N.J. IZOD Center at the Meadowlands

Read more here.

back in the saddle

Can you blame me for taking a month off post-"Idol" finale? Don't answer that. Anyway, this blog is back in action now. And boy, what a difference a month makes. Here's a rundown of what's transpired in "Idol" land since I last blogged:

*Clay Aiken is going to be a dad. (Artificially.)

*Ruben Studdard is getting married. (Not to a Big Mac.)

*Blake Lewis got dropped from his record label.

*Former contestant Vonzell Solomon got caught with a gun in the airport. And her house is being sold in foreclosure.

*Syesha modeled bikinis.

*Everybody and their mother from last season is working on an album.

*The tour is coming up!

Wow. Looks like I didn't miss that much after all. Stay tuned.