Fantasia Declares that "I'm Here" Live on the Oprah Winfrey Show Wednesday, February 28 The Soulful Singing Sensation As The New Celie The producers of THE COLOR PURPLE confirm that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino is set to make her Broadway debut in the starring role of Celie beginning Tuesday, April 10, 2007. The Grammy-nominated fan-favorite performed a re-orchestrated version of her character’s signature song to announce to millions worldwide “I’m Here.” As a 19-year old single mother, Fantasia began her path to international stardom when she became the winner of FOX’s hugely successful audience-driven singing competition in May 2004. Now 22, Barrino has maintained her down-to-earth nature, all the while earning the respect of an industry and garnering critical acclaim for the release of both her debut album Free Yourself, which marked her becoming the first artist in Billboard Hot 100 chart history to debut at #1 with her debut single “I Believe” and her critically acclaimed second album, FANTASIA, released by J Records on December 12, 2006. Her new single "When I See You" just went to radio. To date, she has gathered more than 20 award nominations including the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Vibe Awards, Soul Train Awards and Soul Train “Lady of Soul” Awards, Billboard Music Awards and R&B & Hip Hop Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. With her Broadway debut as Celie, the heart and soul of THE COLOR PURPLE, she can now add the distinction of being the first ever American Idol winner to star in a Broadway show. No stranger to acting, Fantasia also broke records of a different kind after authoring a New York Times best-selling autobiography Life Is Not A Fairy Tale (Simon & Schuster, September 2005) and starring in The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairytale, the Debbie Allen-directed Lifetime original movie adaptation of her truthful, outspoken, and ultimately healing memoir in August 2006. For her performance, she was nominated for a 2007 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. The biopic, also nominated as Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for the 2007 NAACP Image Awards, ranks as the channel’s second most watched movie and has been seen by 19 million viewers. From Alice Walker’s classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the landmark film by Steven Spielberg, comes a soul-stirring musical. THE COLOR PURPLE is an inspiring and unforgettable story of a woman, who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. With a moving book and a score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is about hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. Ben Brantley of The New York Times said of THE COLOR PURPLE, “A bright odyssey of survival and triumph with a fairy tale sense of wonder. Purple strikes sparks.” “Pure heart! Celebrates the inspiring relationships of faith and love, A Broadway hit!” raved Elysa Gardner from USA Today, Roma Tore at NY1 News stated, “A winner! So full of heart, The Color Purple sings to the soul.” Find out more!

On Wednesday night, the Top 12 Girls had their first opportunity to sing live in front of a studio audience and rocked the house.  Here, in handy alphabetical order, is the list of songs they performed. Alaina Alexander:  "Brass in Pocket" Amy Krebs:  "I Can't Make You Love Me" Antonella Barba:  "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" Gina Glocksen:  "All By Myself" Haley Scarnato: "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" Jordin Sparks: "Gimme One Reason" Lakisha Jones:  "And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going" Leslie Hunt:  "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" Melinda Doolittle:  "Since You Been Gone" Nicole Tranquillo:  "Stay" Sabrina Sloan:  "Never Loved a Man The Way That I Love You" Stephanie Edwards:  "How Come You Don't Call Me"

American Idol has barely begun yet the surprises in store for the viewers are already in motion. Fantasia will perform live and make a special announcement on the American Idol results show Thursday, Feb. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. After winning “Idol” in May 2004, Fantasia was signed to Simon Fuller’s 19 Recordings, which released her album through Clive Davis’ SonyBMG. Her debut single “I Believe” marked the first time in Billboard Hot 100 chart history that an artist went straight to No. 1 with his or her inaugural single. This led to the arrival of Fantasia’s RIAA platinum debut album, “Free Yourself,” in 2004. Fantasia has garnered more than 20 award nominations from the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Vibe Awards, Soul Train Awards and Soul Train “Lady of Soul” Awards, Billboard Music Awards and R&B and Hip-Hop Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards and Teen Choice Awards. Her success culminated in a New York Times best-selling autobiography, “Life is Not a Fairy Tale” (Simon & Schuster, September 2005), and a candidly revealing memoir that was adapted as a Lifetime original movie in August 2006. Most recently, Fantasia worked with music greats Missy Elliot, Big Boi, OutKast, Dre, Vidal and Swizz Beatz on her self-titled album, “FANTASIA,” which was released last Dec. 12.

The Top 12 guys performed last night, and a lot of people hit the MyIdol message boards to discuss the good, the bad, and those who might be getting their ticket home on Thursday.  Have something to add?  Start a thread or write a recap using the MyIdol message boards.  If we like your fan recap, we might even use it for the official Americanidol.com show recap.  Or we might just use an excerpt or two for the “Idol Grapevine.”  Either way, you’ve got something to say, and we’re providing the forum to say it.  So do it! Shoeless Paul Kim wants people to be shocked, so he brings the Wham! His rendition of “Careless Whisper” starts with a whisper, then builds to a roar. Paul tries to channel his inner Ace Young, but the falsetto falls short.  –onemanswarm Rudy started the night off and left me thinking, “Dude, did you learn nothing from Patrick last year?” When you are in the leadoff spot, you have to knock it out of the park or you will be forgotten. I think this performance could land Rudy a “Free Ride” to the bottom three.  –loriann Sanjaya Malakar. I like this guy. I think he has a great voice, but he blew it tonight. His nerves got the best of him and he did not pick a good song choice.  –FanforSligh61 Blake was great - can Keane even sound that good live? They don't even sound as good on the radio!  -mrshowbiz Brandon "Backup Singer" Rogers is up. Bring it, mister. Represent. He's adorable; beautiful smile. Hmmmm...The beginning started cool...didn't even realize it was "Rock with You" till the rhythm kicked in...but I'm not sure this was a good song choice. His voice is too "heavy" for it.  –ProVocalist Chris Sligh is a funny guy. I love humorous people. But humorous people who can actually sing are indeed a plus. Chris has one of the most interesting voices I have ever heard. What fascinates me is that just by looking at him, you would not expect him to exude that type of vocal, that type of sound. It's soft with just the right amount of edge, and I love him!  --Gwen4791 Sundance Head = 7.5 out of 10 / His vibrato was constant at lower singing levels. His pitch was everywhere and he went flat on a couple of notes. It was the wrong song for this dude to sing.  –heathalvarez A.J. – he is spunky! Was doing well – hold notes were a little off pitch – but his falsetto brought him back to life – that was nice! Ends a bit sharp – but certainly a good enough performance to keep him around  --FairyTalesAusies Next was Chris Richardson, singing “I Don’t Wanna Be” by Gavin DeGraw. Song Choice: Potentially scary, since it hasn’t been that long since Bo Bice nailed this song. Brave, Chris, brave. And certainly not “safe.” Performance: I liked the hip-hop twist he put on it. The judges thought his voice was a little thin, but I think it worked. I’m not sure I cared for the “bounce” (remember Elliott doing the same thing?), but I think he can get by that.  –dchambers59 Nick Pedro – The thing about ballads is that with all of these long notes and the slow tempo, mistakes stick out like a sore thumb. There were some, though not a huge amount, but some pitch problems in this song.  –Guyfromnowhere Jared Cotter is a nice looking guy who sang "Your Like A Dream Come True". It was a nice vocal but not even up to the standards of Brian McKnight. Most of it was forgettable but I did like the high note.  –crislovesmusic Phil Stacey - Awful Start, just awful - and now its coming together, nice chorus - ok, this guy can definitely sing. However, again, just like Blake - needs to be strong for all of the song - in particular with the short time you get to sing on Idol, you can sneak some bum notes in there in the middle but you got to start and end strong!  --bauba30

Elliott Yamin fans are being awarded for their patience! He is set to release his debut album on March 20. Elliott worked closely with his music publisher on the writing and production of the album, and the two parties will similarly cooperate in the marketing of the project. "This is an ideal situation that enables Elliott to have real creative and marketing input over the music that he produces," manager Jeff Rabhan said. The deal will also allow Elliott "to participate as a meaningful partner in the album's financial success," Rabhan said. "I'm excited to get my music out to my fans, and I'm thrilled to be back in the studio working on original music," Elliott said. "We are very happy to help Elliott achieve his vision and bring his music to his strong fan base,” said Danny Strick, President, Sony/ATV Music Publishing. “This project is a natural development of our role as a modern day publisher, helping our writers to reach the broadest audience." Elliott’s first single, “Movin’ On”, is already available. Elliott finished his nationwide American Idol tour shortly after the show ended, performing live in front of half a million fans. He’s planning a solo tour for spring/summer 2007.

Just dying to have a short list that clearly identifies what the top 12 guys sang in the first live show of the season? Your wish is our command! In alphabetical order, this is what the fellas sang: A.J. Tabaldo: "Never Too Much" Blake Lewis: "Somewhere Only We Know" Brandon Rogers: "Rock With You" Chris Richardson: "I Don't Want to Be" Chris Sligh: "Typical" Jared Cotter: "Back at One" Nicholas Pedro: "Now and Forever" Paul Kim: "Careless Whisper" Phil Stacey: "I Could Not Ask For More" Rudy Cardenas: "Free Ride" Sanjaya Malakar: "Knocks Me Off My Feet" Sundance Head: "Nights in White Satin"

As a special Valentine's treat, Jon Peter Lewis performed a new song he just wrote, "Have I Told You," on Fox & Friends Valentine's Day show. Following the performance, Jon headed to Louisiana for Mardi Gras, where he headlined the Larose celebration and was the Grand Marshal of their Mardi Gras parade. You can catch Jon's live performance of "Have I Told You" in the "Famous Faces" section of Fox & Friends.

Former American Idols are releasing new singles and albums almost weekly (it seems) and our Music Downloads store is stacked to the rafters with much of what you've been looking for. We've got music from Kelly to Taylor. Check out the store!

In case you experienced a major emergency, were meeting with the President, or were trapped under something large this week, we can provide you with what you need to know. We have video recaps for both the Hollywood week show AND the Top 24 reveal. Make sure to watch them both to stay on top of the "Idol" happenings.

During Hollywood week, the contestants toured the 20th Century Fox film lot, the set of Fox's Bones, Venice Beach, the Queen Mary and the Long Beach Aquarium and only Americanidol.com was along for the ride. Watch our exclusive interviews of the contestants from these world famous locations around Southern California! Watch interviews from the Long Beach Aquarium, the Queen Mary, the Fox Lot, and from Venice Beach.