Clay to Idol's Adam: Sorry for 'Colorful' Slam

Former runner-up trashes Idol , contestants in blog

(NEWSER) - Former American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken finds this year’s runner-up, Adam Lambert, “slightly frightening.” Aiken trashed Idol in a post on his blog yesterday, Gawker reports, and Lambert did not escape unscathed. Aiken says he watches Idol only once a season, and “this year, I happened to turn it during the minute Adam Lambert was singing ‘Ring of Fire’ and, at that moment, thought my ears would bleed.” More»

(NEWSER) - American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert, widely rumored to be gay, is finally coming out. A source tells the New York Post he’ll make it official on the next Rolling Stone cover. Meanwhile, Idol judge Kara DioGuardi seemed pretty certain of Lambert’s sexuality during her appearance on The View today, Perez Hilton reports: “I don't think that Adam was ever in (the closet). I think he was always openly out." More»

(NEWSER) - Last night’s American Idol was more than just a reality-show finale: It was a symbolic victory of the religious right over the liberal left; red states over blue states. At least according to two bloggers. “For a theory about how Kris Allen pulled an upset over the wildly popular Adam Lambert, the Christian vote is a pretty good one,” argues Michael Giltz in the Huffington Post. More»

Plus, Winehouse hospitalized yet again, and more

(NEWSER) - Britney Spears’ legal battles continue—but this time it’s the pop princess who’s getting sued, by her former bodyguard, Us reports. Kerry Vine, who says he was hurt while working at Spears’ former home, is suing her for personal injury, battery, and negligence. Elsewhere:

• Amy Winehouse was hospitalized—for the third time in three months—after binging on alcohol in St. Lucia, the Sun reports.

Jessica Sanchez gets standing ovation for Whitney Houston cover

(NEWSER) - Sixteen-year-old Jessica Sanchez "made 40 million people cry" last night when she performed Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" on American Idol, judge Steven Tyler told her. The San Diego high school student enjoyed a standing ovation after her performance and reaped praise from all three judges; Randy Jackson called her "one of the best talents in the whole country." Last night's Idol featured Stevie Wonder songs for the male contestants and Houston songs for the females, the AP notes. More»