Photo Credit: Buzz Foto

2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, 31, was spotted at the airport – he just finished touring with David Foster and he’s on his way home to his wife Surata. The “velvet teddy bear” has been busy performing and promoting his latest CD “Love Is.”

Details magazine saw something in American Idol’s Adam Lambert that we never noticed before. We knew he was cute, but he’s really sexy when he’s done up as a 50’s kind of rockabilly rebel James Dean type. In fact, he’s a knockout. Which way do YOU like him best?

Photo Credit: Splash News

The nominations for the American Music Awards brought out some noteworthy looks. Paula Abdul seems to be everywhere these days and it looks like she rummaged through her closet and resurrected her 1980’s “Forever Your Girl” look. We could swear we’ve seen that hat and jacket and jewelry before. But she still wears it well. Adam Lambert seems to be trying to finagle a role in one of the “Twilight” movies – he ‘s got the sly vampire look down pat.

Photo Credit: Splash News

The longer hair and giant sunglasses ALMOST render Adam Lambert unrecognizable. But the paparazzi caught him walking out of a Beverly Hills doctor’s office carrying a little bag of free samples. He just got back into town after being on the road with the American Idol show.

We have solved the mystery around Ellen DeGeneres’s unexpected new job as a judge on American Idol! The announcement that Ellen was replacing Paula Abdul came completely out of the blue – she had never been previously mentioned. And here’s why: Fox has had their eye on Ellen for awhile because they want her to host a late-night talk show. Fox executives lured Ellen with a lucrative package – she’ll appear on American Idol now and in five years she will debut her night time talk show on Fox. She couldn’t resist THAT combo

Photo Credit: Splash News

American Idol is a hotbed of gossip since Ellen Degeneres was abruptly hired to replace Paula Abdul. When noteworthy former contestant Constantine Maroulis and Idol judge Kara DioGuardi spotted each other across the catwalk at a New York fashion show, they just HAD to have a chat. Constantine was very curious about Kara’s take on the situation, but Kara seemed far more interested in texting- or is she taking his phone number?

Ellen Degeneres has been officially hired as the fourth judge on American Idol, leaving Paula Abdul out in the cold, moaning “What did I do wrong?” (Honey, you asked for too much money!) Ellen says she will be “the voice of the common people who are out there watching the show on TV.” But she’s way more than that – Ellen is smart and showbiz savvy and her quick wit will give Simon a run for his money. Finally, producers hired someone who already has a huge following – Ellen will revitalize the ageing series.

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Paula Abdul looked like she was walking on air at LAX this weekend. You’d think she didn’t have a care in the world. (Maybe she doesn’t. We still maintain that she will return to American Idol.) She was NOT happy to find a police officer writing a ticket for her limo driver. Paula turned on the charm, but the cop wouldn’t budge. He obviously had no sympathy for her career dilemma.

Photo Credit: Bauer-Griffin

We don’t. We don’t care WHAT Paula tweets. She moaned “With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to Idol.” Haul out the violins. We think it’s another carefully orchestrated drama and both sides are enjoying the resulting publicity and attention. It’s all about the MONEY! Paula wants 20 million and Idol producers are giving her a hard time, but both sides will give in and reach an agreement. (Can you really imagine the show without unpredictable Paula?) Meanwhile, they’re both thoroughly enjoying the uproar.

Paula Abdul SHOULD look happy – money just keeps piling up in her bank account. TWO Las Vegas casinos are in a bidding war to obtain a talent and variety show she’s pitching. Paula plans to produce a music and dance extravaganza similar to the Cirque du Soliel, but SHE will only appear occasionally onstage. According to the Enquirer, she’s been talking to The Venetian hotel and Steve Wynn’s Encore and both are offering tens of millions of dollars for her services. The rich get richer.