• Former 'Amercian Idol' co-host Brian Dunkleman to judge 'Regis & Kelly' competition

  March 6, 2003
  Well gee, with "other opportunities" like this available to him, it's clear why Brian Dunkleman claims he opted not to return for "American Idol 2."

• 'American Idol' finalist Jaered Andrews arrested, charged with assault

  March 4, 2003
  Sometimes a good cover story can hide the truth for a while, but it usually comes out eventually. Back on February 1, we reported that American Idol finalist Jaered Andrews had been disqualified from the show because Fox learned about his former membership in a professional hip-hop group, Ordinary Peoples from Youngstown, Ohio. Turns out that the truth was more sinister.

• 'Amercian Idol' Tamyra Gray's 'Boston Public' run extended from four episodes to seven

  February 25, 2003
  ‘American Idol’ finalist Tamyra Gray made her acting debut last night on the FOX series Boston Public (Mondays, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). FOX now reports that the number of episodes Tamyra will appear in has now been increased from four to seven.

• Report: ex-'Amercian Idol' contestant Frenchie Davis hired as 'Entertainment Tonight' reporter

  February 18, 2003
  PageSix.com is reporting that Frenchie Davis, the plus-sized "American Idol" contestant who was kicked off the show after posing for racy photos on the Internet, has been hired to cover the Grammys for "Entertainment Tonight."

• 'American Idol' sues toll-call imposters

  February 15, 2003
  E! Online reports that the producers of American Idol have sued a telemarketing firm that tries to misdirect the show's viewers into making a toll call to support their favorites.

• Fox stands ground on Frenchie's 'American Idol' ban

  February 13, 2003
  E! Online reports that Fox is standing its ground in banishing Frenchie Davis from American Idol over her faux kiddie porn pictures, taken five years ago when she was 18.

• 'American Idol' contestant Frenchie Davis disqualified due to adult web site past

  February 12, 2003
  USA Today has reported that the producers of American Idol 2 have disqualified contestant Frenchie Davis after she acknowledged working for an adult web site four years ago.

• 'American Idol' Kelly Clarkson appearing in independent gay film

  February 2, 2003
  Launch.com reports that before she was an American Idol, Kelly Clarkson appeared in a gay video. The film, entitled "Issues 101," tells the story of student running for president of a fictional college's Greek system. Clarkson plays a coed who is asked by a fellow undergrad to have sex and then is seen leaving with the guy. According to Launch, Clarkson is fully clothed in her cameo.

• 'American Idol' finalist Jaered Andrews disqualified

  February 1, 2003
  The Final 32 competition of "American Idol" has yet to begin but already one of the finalists has been given the boot! USA Today reports that Jaered Andrews of Youngstown, Ohio has been disqualified after a Fox background check revealed him to be a former member of the Youngstown-based hip-hop band Ordinary Peoples.

• Marines deny 'American Idol' contestant was given special treatment

  January 28, 2003
  File this story under "Semper Hi-Fi."

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