USA Today reports that Tamyra Gray may have been eliminated from American Idol last week, but she got a vote of confidence from the producer of the show: It picked up an option to manage the 23-year-old singer. "This girl is a star," says Tom Ennis of 19 Entertainment. "She has a very bright future."

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Under contractual agreements with all 10 finalists, 19 Entertainment has until three months after American Idol's Sept. 4 finale to decide whether to manage any of their careers. Gray's option is the first to be exercised, although others, including the eventual winner, will follow, Ennis says. As with all finalists, Gray can't release any songs until after the Idol winner puts out a CD, which is likely to be shortly before Thanksgiving, Ennis says.

Gray's elimination drew a huge response. On the show's Web site (www.idolonfox.com), she received more e-mails after her ouster than any previous finalist, Fox says.

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