An Idol Tracker's journey ends

Forgive me for interrupting regularly scheduled Idol news with some personal business, but I have an announcement to make to Idol Tracker readers. Tuesday will be my last day with the L.A. Times and thus my stint as the L.A. Times' Idol Tracker comes to an end.

It has been an amazing three years covering the most important spectacle in the history of the world.  Three years ago, when we started the Show Tracker blog, I volunteered to write the occasional review of the occasional episode of "Idol," never imagining my life would disappear down the "Idol" rabbit hole.  But then I came face to face with the incredible stories of these young people, these warriors of song, who every year risked the worst fate any of us can imagine -- public humiliation before tens of millions -- all for a shot at their dreams.  I also got to meet the incredibly talented group of people who put the show together and on so many occasions was allowed to peek backstage at what goes into creating a goliath like "Idol."

So many memories from three years on the "Idol" beat.  Come with me now on a little stroll down Memory Boulevard, as we visit an Idol Tracker's greatest days, with a few of the pictures and videos I've snapped over the years.  Ah, yes, I remember it well ....

Keep Paula: a grass-roots rebellion sweeps the Twitterverse

Since Friday's news, first reported here on the Idoltracker, of judge Paula Abdul's unhappiness with the pace, or nonpace, of negotiations to renew her "Idol" contract, a brushfire has been sweeping the Web. Using the hashtag #keeppaula, fans have been wildly tweeting on Twitter their support for the seemingly embattled judge.

For a time Saturday evening, the "Keep Paula" movement made it to the No. 2 slot (see left) on Twitter's much-contested trending topics list -- falling behind only people twittering their support for Indonesia in the aftermath of this week's terror attacks.

And it wasn't just "Idol" fans showing their support.  From across Idol Nation and the Idols Live tour bus itself, former cast members were chiming in with their support. 

See after the jump for some examples and judge Abdul's own balcony address to her supporters -- Twitter-style.

The Contenders: Meet Taylor Vaifanua

"American Idol" Season 8 contender Taylor Vaifanua, 16, auditioned in Salt Lake City with "Joyful, Joyful". She's a high school student from Hurricane, Utah who got yeses from the whole panel, sending her to Hollywood.

She's already been compared to Jordin Sparks, "Idol" Season 6 winner, so we're interested to see how far Season 8 takes Taylor Vaifanua.

Taylor's on MySpace, so check out her page for more on the talented teen.

--Leslie Anne Wiggins

photo: Fox

Jordin blogs Gina Glocksen's wedding

The Idol Nation event of the season apparently went off without a hitch on New Year's in Naperville, Ill., as Season Six contender Gina Glocksen tied the knot with her longtime beau, Joe Ruzicka.  Her Season Six comrades Jordin Sparks and Hayley Scarnato were bridesmaids.  On her MySpace blog, Jordin provided some behind-the-scenes details: 

After a couple tears, some wedding photos, and numb feet, we were off to the reception. And that's where the party started. Actually, no, it started on the bus. THAT'S where it started. Anyway, it was beautiful. Tons of friends and family, great dinner, and "clinking of glasses". But, you know Gina, she likes things different, instead of 'clinking', the whole table had to stand up and sing a love song! You guys know how that went. Lots of singing. I sang Gina and Joe's first dance. No pressure right!?! I sang a version of I Wanna Hold Your Hand, and they were in their own little world. Gliding across the floor like they were the only ones there. And to them, they were. Gina danced with her father to My Girl, sang by Jay and Sharlotte (one of the backrounds on AI). Then Gina got up and sang I Hope You Dance for Joe and his mom. I cried...again. I missed hearing her sing.

Next up on the Idol wedding circuit: Kristy Lee Cook, who last we heard was planning to tie the knot sometime this spring.

Many congratulations to Gina and Joe!

— Richard Rushfield

Photo: Kevin Winter / Getty

'American Idol': Happy birthday, Jordin Sparks!

Monday was Season 6 "American Idol"-winner Jordin Sparks' birthday, and believe it or not, she only turned 19. Jordin won the "Idol" title at just 17 years of age.

The singer got a pretty awesome early-birthday gift a few weeks back when she was nominated for a Grammy for best pop collaboration with vocals for "No Air" featuring Chris Brown. And the awards didn’t stop there; just last month, Jordin took home the American Music Award for favorite artist, adult contemporary music.

But hands-down, Jordin’s most buzzed about moment of 2008 came at the MTV Video Music Awards in September. British comedian Russell Brand was poking fun at the virginal Jonas Brothers and the "purity rings" they wear. Jordin, who also sports a purity ring, was not amused, and when she was called upon to present an award, Jordin used her moment at the mike to snap back at Russell: "It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut." So a belated happy birthday to one very spunky 19-year-old!

-- Stephanie Lysaght

(Photo credit: EPA)

'American Idol' Daily: Idol Nation invades the American Music Awards

The steady takeover of the music industry by "American Idol" was on full display Sunday night at the American Music Awards. "Idol" alums may not have taken home every last trophy, but Idol Nation has become the largest caucus to be reckoned with in any music conclave. Out on the red carpet was David Cook entertaining the fans, and presenter David Archuleta worked the rope line. Inside Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry and Jordin Sparks all awaited their respective envelopes, with Carrie taking home the Favorite Country Album prize, and Daughtry sweeping up the Favorite Pop/Rock Group. (Our colleague Stephanie Lysaght thought David A. was shortchanged on his rightful stage time.)

What struck me however is how diverse the "Idol" octopus' tentacles are. What do the above performers have in common? Other than that they could vaguely be called middle-American pop, not too much genre-wise. "Idol"-music, once a clear identifiable genre itself, now seems to have become more of a movement with a common ethos sweeping across the genres.

Check out video of all the "Idol" moments at the infallible resource mjsbigblog.

And for the rest of the day's "Idol" news, keep reading ...