top-selling track for an American Idol

 Carrie Underwood takes the top-selling track for an American Idol act this week, but Kelly Clarkson's right after her with Stronger. And Kelly's got the track with the big sales hit, as new single Dark Side jumps 63%, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Carrie Underwood (Good Girl) - 46,000, -15%, 1.082 million
Kelly Clarkson Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - (44,000, -13%, 3.405 million)
Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull, Dance Again - 29,000, -17%, 821,000
Phillip Phillips (Home) - 29,000, -24%, 448,000
Jennifer Lopez (feat. Flo Rida, Goin' In) - 10,000, debut, 10,000
Kelly Clarkson (Mr. Know It All) - 10,000, +1%, 1.524 million
Kelly Clarkson (Dark Side) - 9,000, +63%, 55,000
Carrie Underwood (Blown Away) - (8,000, -21%, 188,000)
Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood (Remind Me) - 7,000, -23%, 1.563 million
Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson (Don't You Wanna Stay) - 6,000, -5%, 2.093 million
Carrie Underwood (Before He Cheats) - 5,000, -4%, 3.494 million

10 Years of American Idol

Hoping to discover the next pop superstar, the music competition has more than made an ineradicable mark in pop culture and is in charge for its share of lasting voices (Kelly Clarkson! Carrie Underwood! Daughtry! Adam Lambert!) and plenty of disposable ones.

Over the years, the aging struggle has had plenty of growing pains -- acid-tongued umpire Simon Cowell exiting, ratings dips and odd people choices - but despite the show’s missteps, millions go on to tune in to watch from auditions to finals, and guess who will walk away with the title.

Although recent winners of the competition have followed a different pattern -- a record number of 132 million votes helped Georgia-bred troubadour Phillip Phillips win this time contestants have found victory in virtually every genre including pop, R&B, country, rock, gospel, dance and musical theater.

American Idol Winners

Winners List of American Idol:

Kelly Clarkson (Season 1, 2002)
Ruben Studdard (Season 2, 2003)
Fantasia (Season 3, 2004)
Carrie Underwood (Season 4, 2005)
Taylor Hicks (Season 5, 2006)
Jordin Sparks (Season 6, 2007)
David Cook (Season 7, 2008)
Kris Allen (Season 8, 2009)
Lee DeWyze (Season 9, 2010)
Scotty McCreery (Season 10, 2011)
Phillip Phillips (Season 11, 2012)

fevola eliminated

Being eliminated from Dancing with the Stars on Sunday night was slightest of former AFL star Brendan Fevola's worries once dropping his dancing partner on her head at rehearsals.

Fevola was eliminated on the last but one night of Seven Network's reality dancing show, leaving singer Danielle Spencer, Packed to the Rafters star Zoe Cramond and X Factor's Johnny Ruffo to fight out next week's grand final.

The former Brisbane Lion and Carlton forward said he accidentally dropped Jessica Raffa on Friday even as attempting to lift his instructor during the jazz.

Fevola said he feared Raffa may have fractured her skull although brain scans later on Friday.

'I dropped Jess on her head and she was a small piece concussed,' Fevola told AAP.

'She had to go to hospital and have some scans.

'They found she jarred her spinal column and was in a neck brace.

'I was shaking at the time and she was clearly out of it.'

Raffa said soon after the event that Fevola insisted that she not go to sleep and instead head directly to hospital for a check-up.

'He had not once dropped me during training and it was just a mishap,' Raffa told AAP.

The accident forced the pair to change their routine for Sunday night's show although their destiny was sealed following last week's performance.

It's not the first time Raffa has been dropped during practices.

In 2009, vision impaired marathon runner Gerrard Gosens let Raffa fall and she again had to be taken to hospital for brain scans after supporting concussion.

Dancing with the Stars, which has struggled to capture audience numbers of last season, pulled out the big guns.

Dame Edna dropped by to present her learned opinion on dancing, US rocker Train performed live and Academy Award winner Russell Crowe called in at the end to notice his wife Danielle Spencer dance.

Winner of 'Dancing With the Stars' Shawn Johnson retires from gymnastics

The athlete, she won four medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, announced on Sunday that her injured knee has made it unfeasible for her to compete in the upcoming London Olympics.

"I still have the heart, drive and want to compete and help the USA at the London Olympics," Johnson said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, it has become noticeable that my left knee is not able to keep up the demands of gymnastics any longer," she continued. "All I can do now is kindly retire and thank everyone who has believed in me and my journey."

The 20-year-old injured her knee in a skiing accident in Jan 2010. Once she started training for this year's Games, it became apparent that her knee could not handle the pressure.

"It's been a really hard result. How can you tell yourself, 'No, I think it's time to say it's finally done'," Johnson said. "I'd like to be 30 and have kids and run about with them. It became more about my future life than this future one second. I'm looking at bigger picture of things."

In June 2010, the gymnast testified beside a man accused of stalking her, confessing that she was "really scared" when she discovered the scope of his interest in her.

In 2009, Johnson was crowned the winner of Dancing With the Stars.

American Idol Winner Phillip and Runner Jessica Sanchez

After a record-breaking 132 million votes, Jessica Sanchez became the runner-up on “American Idol,” making Phillip Phillips the new Season 11 winner on Wednesday night.

The “Idol” ending was crowded with Hollywood stars and die-hard fans, which went ballistic upon hearing the 21-year-old pawn shop worker was their latest “American Idol.”

Phillips, a Georgia resident, took the stage one last time after winning the singing competition to sing his new single “Home,” but was not able to finish the song as he ruined down in tears and left the stage to hold his overjoyed family members in the front row.

Previous year’s “Idol” winner, part-Puerto Rican country singer Scotty McCreery presented Phillips with a trophy, as he emblematically passed on the torch from one winner to another.

"It’s been such a respect,” said Phillips. “And the fans! Thank you for voting for us."

When asked backstage what going through his mind when he found out he was won “American Idol,” Phillips said it seemed dreamlike.
“I wasn't thinking about anything, not even the song," he told the press behind the scenes, People journal reported.
"I wasn't really deficient to sing or anything. I just started thinking about the whole journey and how distant all of us have come, and how we've made it. It's so overwhelming."

Phillips’ struggle Jessica Sanchez didn’t seem sad she missing the “Idol” title, but was joyful for her friend Phillips and “the whole gang of American Idol” for supporting her. Like Phillips, she thanked the fans for voting.

The finish also featured multiple over-the-top performances by the top “American Idol” girls and guys, who paid praise to Robin Gibbs.

Veteran artists such as Neil Diamond, Chaka Khan, Reba and “Idol” alums Jordin Sparks and Fantasia also performed.

Aerosmith and Rihanna also put on flashy productions, as the Barbados singer rocked out decked out in leather and lights.

JLO also took the step, showing off her toned abs and glossy dance moves as she sang with Flo Rida, Lil John and international reggaeton stars Wisin y Yandel their innovative track “Follow the Leader.”

Former “America Idol” contestants Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo got engaged on the “Idol” stage as Young got down on one knees and told DeGarmo she’s his “best friend” and that he loves her “to death.” 

Sanchez and Grammy-Award-winning singer Jennifer Holliday showed off their power lungs in an overpowering performance of “And I am Telling You, I’m Not Going,” which had the judges and the viewers clapping and cheering. 

Sanchez, 16, also delivered an touching rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Donald Driver faces uncertain future

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson and trainer Mike McCarthy both enjoy watching veteran wide receiver Donald Driver compete on “Dancing With the Stars.”
There is no promise he’ll be on the roster by the time training camp rolls around.

Driver is the leading receiver in contract history with 735 catches for 10,060 yards. But he turned 37 in February and said after the Packers’ playoff loss to the New York Giants that he wasn’t convinced whether the team would bring him back for the final year of his contract.

Asked about Driver’s future Saturday, Thompson stopped short of guaranteeing that Driver’s spot was safe.
“I would never speculate on something like that,” Thompson said. “He’s dancing right now. Doing well, too.”

McCarthy said there was “no reason to speculate on that.”

But, McCarthy did say he and his family are having fun watching Driver’s dancing.

“Of course,” McCarthy said. “I didn’t comprehend it was such a tough thing for a man that they ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ And if I’m not at home, we have to DVR it and watch it as a family. We’re rooting him on and voting eight times like you’re supposed to. He’s doing a immense job — keeping in shape, that’s for sure. 

Not that that was ever a problem with Donald. It’s a great experience for him and his family.”

The Packers previously have made tough decisions on two veteran players in the past week, releasing security Nick Collins and left tackle Chad Clifton.

Clifton is coming off an injury-filled 2011 season, and the team was concerned about Collins’ capability to return from a season-ending neck injury.

“That is something you never get used to,” McCarthy said. “That was a hard week starting with Chad on Monday and Nick, both with medical situations that led to that conclusion.”

McCarthy said Collins’ decision was mainly personal.

“Ted Thompson and I sat down and the last question gets asked: If Nick was your son, would you let him play?”

McCarthy said. “So that’s why we made the decision we did.”

Dancing with stars Result: Good Knight, Gladys

We said goodbye to Motown Week, as well as to a Motown legend on Tuesday night, as Gladys Knight was sent home behind the sixth week of the “Dancing With the Stars” Season 14 competition.

Parting with the Empress of Soul was such sweet sadness. Professional dancer Tristan MacManus offered sweet words for his fallen star. “I’ll probably miss Gladys as much as I miss Ireland while I’m here,” the lucky attraction said in the video compilation. “And I really miss Ireland.” Aw! How grand.

OK, so Gladys may not have been the best dancer in this season’s program. She was such a immense, effortlessly cool, life-affirming attendance on the show. Yes, Gladys wear sequins and rhinestones, as is befitting this ballroom universe, but her smile and inner glitter shone just as bright. In the words of host Tom Bergeron, Gladys showed us during these six weeks that she really “out-Pipped them all.” And how fit that her departing song was her own “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Here’s hoping she’ll come back and sing it herself before the season is through. Snap, clap, move and groove!

Gladys and Tristan were beat out by member bottom-two dwellers Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower after a dance contest jive for their lives. But the verdict was not agreed: Carrie Ann chose to save Gladys, while Len and Bruno opted to keep Roshon.

The concluding hour of Motown Week started with an cheerful Motor City medley courtesy of the Harold Wheeler band that featured the dance talents of Val Chmerkovskiy, Peta Murgatroyd, the “DWTS” cast and choreographed by Louis Van Amstel.

There was a segment that interviewed the stars on the mental and physical toll that being in this opposition exerts. Injury-plagued Maria Menounos feels like an old lady, William Levy’s determined he's not going to let ankle pain take him out of the contest. Gladys wakes up in the wee hours of the morning to run the routines in her head. Katherine Jenkins can’t let her nerves get to her, or else she can’t do well. Melissa Gilbert knows that she’s going to have to tap into great that she’s never had to before.

The AT&T Spotlight Performance focused on the glorious story of Michaela DePrince, a 17-year-old who was adopted as a child by a supportive American family from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone, originate dance, and has since started studying at the American Ballet Theater School to become one of the most promising ballerinas in the country. And her dance performance, to Natasha Bedingfield’s pared down rendition of “Wild Horses” and accompanied by Adé Chiké  Torbert of “So You Think You Can Dance” celebrity, was made all the more meaningful by the story that inspired it.

“SYTYCD” was also represented in force during this week’s Macy’s Stars of Dance presentation a celestial contemporary piece by the Shaping Sound Company choreographed by Travis Wall, Nick Lazzarini and Teddy Forance. The whole thing was similar to a classical painting come to life, flowing and lovely and lighter than air. The string rendition of David Guetta and Usher’s “Without You” by ensemble Aston also helped to usher in next week’s Classical Week.

Motownphilly’s back again -- Boyz II Men returned to the ballroom stage to execute their new single “One More Dance,” accompanied on the dance floor by castaways Dmitry Chaplin, in all his bare-chested glory, and ginger Anna Trebunskaya, her skirt in tatters, dancing similar to they were the last couple on Earth.

What did you think ballroom fans? Were you as sad as I was to see Gladys go? Should the judges be unanimous in their Dance Duel decisions? Is raunchy the same thing as too sexy?