Hollywood Crush › American Idol

It's a good thing that whole end-of-the-world thing never happened on May 21, because then we wouldn't be able to bring you the latest installment of Jackson Rathbone's EXCLUSIVE web diary, shot on the supposed doomsday. And let me tell you, you'd be missing a lot.

Like, cameos a plenty. In today's video, we catch up with Jackson and his band 100 Monkeys at their show in L.A.'s El Rey Theatre. And look! There's former "American Idol" contestant Paul McDonald rocking on stage with fiancee (and Jackson's "Twilight" co-star) Nikki Reed bopping along in the audience! And there are "AI" finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina! And how nice is Jackson offering to let them live with him? Aw, shucks. We love it.

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Tags American Idol, Jackson Rathbone, Jackson Rathbone Web Diary, Lauren Alaina, Nikki Reed, Paul McCreery, Paul McDonald, Video

When it comes to "American Idol" alumni success, there's really no one who comes close to Carrie Underwood. Yes, Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry have had chart-topping hits and Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar, but Carrie is the definition of a superstar. From taking the country and pop industry by storm, being a fashion icon, making us laugh on her guest spot on "How I Met Your Mother" and having one of the most-talked about celebrity weddings of 2010, the former "AI" champ just dazzles.

So it's of no surprise that the Grammy-winning singer is conquering another part of the biz: movies! The inspiring biopic "Soul Surfer," which opens in theaters today, marks Carrie's film debut as Sarah Hill, the real-life youth counselor who befriended the amazing surfer/survivor Bethany Hamilton (played by AnnaSophia Robb).

In honor of Carrie's transition to the silver screen, we wanted to look back at other pop stars who have made the switch from the radio to the big screen. After the jump check out our list of memorable acting debuts (some more successful than others) from some of your favorite singers.

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Tags Alpha Dog, American Idol, Britney Spears, Burlesque, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera, Crossroads, Justin Timblerlake, Mandy Moore, Soul Surfer, Taylor Swift, The Faculty, The Princess Diaries, Usher, Valentine's Day

Lady Gaga came bearing some impressive news today about her latest single, "Born This Way." The singer posted from her page, "BTW's 4th week at #1 on BILLBOARD + World Charts is both a musical+cultural triumph. Monsters it's official. You're Punk Art Pop Revolution." Gaga (pictured) also wrote that the successful song has especially great meaning to her because, "The point, with "Born This Way," is to fight for something that not everyone believes in. To overcome adversity with a message."

While Gaga fans can look forward to plenty more from the eccentric pop star, "Harry Potter" fans know their road is quickly coming to an end. With the beloved series' final installment, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," just months away, it's not just "HP's" hardcore devotees that are getting sad about saying goodbye. Actor Tom Felton (a.k.a. Draco Malfoy) acknowledged what many of us have been thinking for some time, "Very excited and yet kinda sad about coming up to promoting the last HP. Can't wait to see the film though! Will be epic."

Check out the rest of Thursday's best celebrity tweets to find out what Mandy Moore thought about last night's "American Idol" and which Pussycat Doll loved "The Adjustment Bureau"! Follow us @hollywoodcrush to get even more celebrity and pop culture news around the clock!

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Tags American Idol, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Lady gaga, Mandy Moore, Pussycat Dolls, The Adjustment Bureau, The Twitter Nation, Tom Felton, Tweet Dreams, Twitter

James Van Der Beek + Ke$ha + Unicorns. That, dear Crushers, all adds up to one epic music video. The vid for Ke$ha's latest single, "Blow" (pictured), premiered today, and as Ryan Seacrest noted it wasn't just the pop star's fans who were digging the crazy clip, "Dawson's Creek fans are freaking out - James Van Der Beek is in @KeshaSuxx's new video: http://bit.ly/eZGoUm." James himself took to his Twitter to discuss the four-plus minutes of mythical creature madness, "Ever wonder what would happen if @keshasuxx & I fought a gun battle among Unicorns? Wonder no more."

But it wasn't all unicorns and rainbow guns around the Twitterverse today. "The Vampire Diaries" star Ian Somerhalder got real with his fans when he worried about the fate of the show against ratings giant "American Idol." Ian wrote from his page, "Is American Idol the death of The Vampire Diaries? Well, viewership apparently says so... Our #'s are SO down:( if U guys like TVD u may Lose it if we don't tune in:(" While "TVD" fans must band together to keep the undead alive, "One Tree Hill" actor Austin Nichols was up for the "AI" challenge, "Looks like American Idol is destroying the other shows. They should put my show up against idol. Our numbers are always strong. CHALLENGE."

Check out the rest of Friday's best tweets from the stars, including Ellen DeGeneres and Neil Patrick Harris' preparation for Oscars Sunday and Keegan Allen's countdown to "Pretty Little Liars" Monday! Follow us @hollywoodcrush to get even more celebrity and pop culture news around the clock!

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Tags American Idol, Austin Nichols, Dawson's Creek, Ellen DeGeneres, Ian Somerhalder, James Van Der Beek, Ke$ha, Keegan Allen, Neil Patrick Harris, One Tree Hill, Pretty Little Liars, Ryan Seacrest, The Twitter Nation, Tweet Dreams, Twitter, Vampire Diaries

When "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez tweeted that "Milwaukee had some of the best talent" she wasn't kidding. But J. Lo definitely didn't warn followers that in addition to being wowed by "AI" hopefuls, they'd also be bawling their eyes out (case in point, "Lost" actress Rebecca Mader who posted, "American Idol Auditions made me cry!!!") Those tears were flowing from inspiring contestant Chris Medina, who covered The Script's "Breakeven," a moment so touching the band's guitarist Mark Sheehan took to their Twitter to write, "Chris Medina: Not only R U a major talent but U R 1 in a billion! Stay Strong,Never waver,This world needs more MEN like U. Peace+Love."

Speaking of teary-eyed television (though these will most certainly be tears of joy for viewers), "The Vampire Diaries" finally makes its return tonight. Star Ian Somerhalder (pictured) spilled, "New episode of Vampire Diaries tonight! Finally... I hear it's good and damon cries- I thought boys don't cry."

Check out the rest of Thursday's best celebrity tweets and find out which "Parks and Recreation" star joined Twitter and who is headed to the set of "Hawaii Five-0"! Follow us @hollywoodcrush to get even more celebrity and pop culture news around the clock!

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Tags American Idol, Chris Medina, Hawaii Five-0, Ian Somerhalder, Jennifer Lopez, Lost, Mark Sheehan, Parks and Recreation, Rebecca Mader, The Script, The Twitter Nation, The Vampire Diaries, Tweet Dreams, Twitter

Just when you thought reality television hadn't shocked us enough, along comes TLC's latest called "My Strange Addiction," a show about, well, people with some very strange compulsions (example: eating paper!) "Jersey Shore" star Snooki could relate, as she told followers, "Excited to watch My strange addiction on @TLC ! My Strange Addiction is pickles......lol jk ;)." Meanwhile, comedian-actor Dane Cook could very well be a viable candidate for the new series, as he joked today, "I don't have OCD. But I really wish the letters were in the correct alphabetical order so I could breathe. CDO ahhh much better."

Speaking of televised embarrassing situations, we're just a few weeks away from the new season of "American Idol," and with it, those (mostly) train wreck-y first round of auditions. Still, it's not the hopefuls hitting wrong notes that Khloe Kardashian is looking forward to, rather the new set of hosts, including Jennifer Lopez (pictured.) Khloe tweeted about the upcoming 10th season, "I'm so excited for American Idol auditions!!!! OMG and JLO looks FLAWLESS in these commercials!!!!"

Check out the rest of Wednesday's best tweets from the stars, including Jenna Dewan's comfy movie-going experience and Adam Levine's sweet new ride (courtesy of U2!) Follow us @hollywoodcrush to get even more celebrity and pop culture news around the clock!

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Tags Adam Levine, American Idol, Dane Cook, Jenna Dewan, Jennifer Lopez, Jersey Shore, Khloe Kardashian, My Strange Addiction, Snooki, Tweet Dreams, U2

If you stayed up until the wee hours of the morning trying to get a glimpse at that amazing lunar eclipse, you were hardly the only one craning your neck towards the night sky. Former "American Idol" contestant Jordin Sparks (pictured) told fans that she was, "Literally outside in my pjs using my telescope watching this lunar eclipse" while, unfortunately, fellow songstress Michelle Branch, "Missed the lunar eclipse because of all the rain clouds :(" Luckily for her, Ryan Seacrest generously shared the winter solstice wonder, "If u missed the lunar eclipse last night, here's the whole thing in 2 minutes: http://bit.ly/fBUgkR."

And speaking of things in the dark, the doomed-from-the-get-go Broadway show "Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark" hit yet another snag as the injury-prone production saw a fourth accident on stage (this time, an actor plunged 20-30 feet while performing a stunt during a preview on Monday night). The show, which has already been pushed back quite a few times, has famous Broadway fans nervous to even step foot in the theater. As "Modern Family" star Jesse Tyler Ferguson put it, "I'm torn between wanting to see "Spiderman" on Broadway and not wanting to see someone literally die doing musical theater."

Check out the rest of Tuesday's best celebrity tweets, including Austin Nichols' appreciation for "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and Ashley Monroe's proposition for James Franco! Follow us @hollywoodcrush to get even more celebrity and pop culture news around the clock!

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Tags American Idol, Ashley Monroe, Austin Nichols, James Franco, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jordin Sparks, Michelle Branch, Modern Family, Ryan Seacrest, Spider-Man, The Twitter Nation, Tweet Dreams, Twitter

With just ten days left until Christmas, it's now getting down to crunch time to find that perfect present for the people in your life. The same goes for stars (who needs personal shoppers?!) like Adrienne Bailon of The Cheetah Girls, who told followers she was, "Starting my Christmas shopping today!!! :) :)" Meanwhile, "Jersey Shore" star The Situation had some other things on his agenda besides making a list and checking it twice, as he posted from his page, "SO COLD OUT, going to do some GTL, Then some holiday shopping."

Rather than face the frigid temps and stressful shopping malls, Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams (pictured) opted to stay indoors to get the job done. The rocker wrote, "Online shopping again. Makin Christmas shopping my beeeotch!" Singer Jordin Sparks had the very same idea, as the former "American Idol" contestant confessed, "I need to christmas shop. *runs to computer* #Onlineshopping #procrastinator #uhoh"

Check out the rest of Wednesday's best tweets from the stars, including Mario Lopez crashing the set of "Glee" while Jodelle Ferland ruins a perfectly good gingerbread house! Follow us @hollywoodcrush to get even more celebrity and pop culture news around the clock!

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Tags Adrienne Bailon, American Idol, Glee, Hayley Williams, Jersey Shore, Jodelle Ferland, Jordin Sparks, Mario Lopez, Paramore, The Cheetah Girls, The Situation, The Twitter Nation, Tweet Dreams, Twitter

Oh hey, have you heard? "Glee" is kind of a big deal. It's why filming an episode of "Glee" based on "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" has now made the series' creator Ryan Murphy a major contender to remake the cult classic, why star Lea Michele now gets the paparazzi engagement treatment, and why Paul McCartney sends mixed tapes of his music to the "Glee" offices so he can be the next star to get an episode based on him.

The latest magazine to jump on the "Glee" success train is GQ, who made the little musical show that could the subject of their latest cover story. "I didn't want to do a family show," Ryan said. "I wanted to do my version of a family show. But we try to be as responsible as we can, because we know some young people watch. Some of the humor goes over their head, hopefully."

The story focuses on a lot of the behind-the-scenes goings on of "Glee," including its move from Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School in Long Beach, Calif., to a sound stage on the Paramount lot, which Cory Monteith said is "a testament to the juggernaut that 'Glee' has become."

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Tags American Idol, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Glee, Lea Michele, Ryan Murphy

As you've likely heard, the country's favorite singing competition series "American Idol" has finally announced who will take over Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres' vacant judges seats and empty beverage-company-sponsored tumblers (hopefully they'll be washed first!). During a live webcast, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler and Jennifer "Jenny from the Block" Lopez were named to the judges panel along with incumbent Randy Jackson.

Rumors had been circulating for weeks that Steven and Jennifer would be the chosen ones to trade one-liners with host Ryan Seacrest when the series returns next year for its 10th season. Now that it's official, though, it's time to weigh in with your thoughts.

Both artists have compelling musical chops to support their appointments. Steven has been rocking and rolling for 40 years with his band Aerosmith. He was named one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers and is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And did we mention that epic collab with *NSYNC and Britney Spears at Super Bowl XXXV? That alone...

For her part, Mrs. Marc Anthony has sold more than 55 million records, and I'm sure you'll agree that as both an actress and singer, she knows a thing or two about performing. But those are just our thoughts. Let us know what you think about the new judges after the jump!

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Tags American Idol, Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest, Steven Tyler