A finalist has never been portrayed as openly gay during the past six seasons of “American Idol.” With more details about contestants’ personal lives being exposed — both on the show and unofficially online — that could change, and soon.

“It feels like we’re closer now than ever to having an openly gay contestant on the show,” says Jim Verraros, who came out after his run as a finalist on the first season of “Idol.”

“I’m not here to name any names, but I feel like there are some definite possibilities for this to happen this year,” he said. “Do I think it’ll happen? I don’t know. I hope it does.”

On Thursday, the current 16 semifinalists will be narrowed down to 12 finalists, who will perform live each week until the seventh winner of “American Idol” is selected by the voting public. At its core, “Idol” is a singing competition, but finalists’ popularity has always seemed to play a big role in who moves forward.

This week, a video of flamboyant current semifinalist Danny Noriega singing Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools” and rapping about being gay — all while wearing a do-rag — was also posted on YouTube.

“Yeah, I’m gay,” raps Noriega in the video. “But you eat hay for dinner, ’cause you look like a horse … .”

Last week, “Idol”-bashing VoteForTheWorst.com posted photos of scantily clad semifinalist David Hernandez working at gay nightclub Burn, as well as rumors that he was a stripper at Dick’s Cabaret in Phoenix. Club manager Gordy Bryan told the AP on Monday that Hernandez did indeed dance fully nude and perform lap dances for the club’s “mostly male” clientele.

American Idol contestants gay or not gay? Who the fuck cares in this day and age anyways!?

“American boy band prepares to make a comeback after 14 years” reads the British magazine, NME’s headline. In the world of pop culture 14 years away from the spotlight generally sounds a death knell. Can the ‘Kids’ do it?
The immensely successful band, which broke up in 1994, are expected to make an official announcement in the coming weeks, according to People magazine.
NKOTB sold more than 70 million albums worldwide from 1984 to 1994. Original members include brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Donnie Wahlberg.
We’ll be sure to keep you posted on this monumental event.

There are some bands who deserved to be more known than they were. Now I’m not talking about one-hit wonders- although some on this list may have been- I’m referring to bands that for whatever reason just didn’t get delivered to the masses like they could have. On the other hand, they end up being little hidden gems that you can one-up your friends with later on on that mixed CD you’re planning as a home-craft Christmas gift for you friends. They’ll make an easy-made CD of the latest Indie Rock while you’ll wow them with vaguely recognizable excellence from the past.
Here’s my list of the Top 5 Should’ve Beens:

1. The Waterboys: Hailing from the U.K. and formed in 1983 by Mike Scott, their mix of Celtic folk music and rock’n'roll was dubbed “The Big Music“. This tag was later applied to Simple Minds, The Alarm, In Tua Nua, Big Country, the Hothouse Flowers and World Party. Their biggest hit this side of the Atlantic was “Fisherman’s Blues” from the 1988 album of the same name- a rollicking, Dylan-meets-Springsteen folk-rock track romantically portraying the workingman.

2. Mike Watt (Firehose, Minutemen): An American bassist/singer/songwriter, Mike Watt is best known for his Minutemen and Firehose projects from the 80s and 90s.
Like other’s on this list Watt never found mainstream success but he did influence others who did and is widely considered a key figure in the development of American alt-rock. The Red Hot Chili Peppers dedicated their breakthrough album Blood Sugar Sex Magic (1991) to him.
Mike tours relentlessly, possibly why he is known to nap up to five minutes before heading on stage. He’s currently on assignment as the bassist for Iggy Pop and the Stooges.

3. Dr. Octagon: Yet another incarnation of the brilliant and deranged underground hip-hop legend Kool Keith. Dr. Octagon is an extraterrestrial, time-traveling surgeon/ orthopedic gynecologist who has sex with his patients/nurses. The 1996 album “Dr. Octagonecologyst” is a prime example of the massively unpopular acid rap and pornocore genres that Kool Keith helped to start.

4. No Means No: The only Canadians to make this list, NMN hail from Victoria/Vancouver, British Columbia and were formed by the Wright brothers in their parent’s basement in 1979. No Means No are credited with being part of the genesis of math rock (Shellac, the Jesus Lizard, Polvo, Don Caballero, Battles, Drive like Jehu, Jawbox, Slint etc). NMN have toured incessantly since their formation and have developed a rabid following in Europe and North America. Their most successful album was 1989’s “Wrong” on Alternative Tentacles Records.

5. Joy Division: They’re probably the most famous band on here but they’re influence on indie rock and post-post whatever blah, blah music is huge while they’re life-span was so small that they deserve the number 5 spot. Plus the Ian Curtis-based movie “Control” is so beautifully shot and acted that if you were never a fan of Joy Division, after watching the movie you very well might be. “Love Will Tear Us Apart“- their biggest hit in America and one of the best song titles ever.

Anthony Kiedis and his model girlfriend gave birth to brand new baby boy, Everly Bear. So Cute!!!

Lily Allen has just recently been named the new face of Agent Provocateur. Although she has been crying on her MySpace blog about being a fat pig! She claimed to be happy with herself. This week, reports are saying that she has dropped from a size 14 to an 8 and has shot a lingerie campaign. According to the Mirror, Agent Provocateur owners Serena Rees and Joe Corre were after a younger, fresher image. “They feel her natural, voluptuous curves will appeal to a lot of women.” Said an insider.

Although she has denied reports in the past, singer Rihanna is opening up about her brand new relationship with Josh Hartnett. (pictured below).

Unless they are lying through their teeth, the Mirror is reporting that Rihanna personally proclaimed her love for Hartnett to the 3 A.M. girls.

“I’ve fallen for him big time,” she is quoted as telling the paper at the World Music Awards in Monaco this past weekend. “I would be lying if I told you we were not more than just friends. He is so hot and he is really sweet to me. When we hang out it feels right - even though it’s still pretty new. I have so fallen for him, he’s lovely.”

 Take ‘er easy Rihanna!! dont scare him away!

Insiders close to the Boy Band/Lou Pearlman camp are now saying that Lou is a sexual predator that liked to get it on with the young men in his bands.

No charges have been made but thankfully he’s in jail on fraud charges.

Look at this girl has to put up with! no wonder she’s a mess… who could handle this? Click HERE to watch her final moments with her kids.

On Saturday, September 29, Bodog Music artist Bif Naked got married to Vancouver Sun sports writer, Ian Walker. The two got hitched in a 30-minute ceremony at St. Andrews Wesley United Church in Vancouver, BC, with 100 close friends and family. Bif was born in India, so it was only fitting that the wedding reception was held at an Indian restaurant where traditional dancers performed and guests were served amazing Indian food. The blushing bride wore a beautiful embroidered white dress which turned into a mini-dress at the reception. Bif and Ian met at a Bodog Fight event last year and he stole her heart. “Ian, he was just like so positive all the time, always very, very positive, very polite,” Bif said. “He melted my heart, he just did.” She also mentioned in her speech to all the guests that now she gets to torture him for the rest of his life! Congratulations to the bride and groom.

Britney Spears has just been ordered by a Californian judge to turn her children over to her ex-husband. According to an insider, Britney failed to do all of the things she was ordered to do, so she could keep her kids. She failed to meet with a drug counselor. She refused to submit to drug testing. She didn’t enroll in parenting classes. And she also failed to sign the judge’s order. Apparently last Friday, the judge prohibited both Britney and her Ex from driving the children unless they had a valid California driver’s license. So Britney went yesterday to the DMV and applied for a drivers license, but still was photographed later that night driving again, despite the fact that she didn’t receive her license. This mother is ridiculous and needs to be in jail. Someone needs a wakeup call.