People : We thought he’d never be idled
Sanjaya Malakar‘s fans may have been stunned by his ouster from “American Idol,” but he says he wasn’t.
“When I saw (a rerun of) the show Tuesday, I kind of had a feeling,” Malakar said Thursday. “I was in the dumps all day yesterday, because I kind of knew it was coming.”
So he’s heading home to Tacoma for a while – and possibly hiring a bodyguard because of all the attention he’s received, good and bad.
“I’m actually looking into that right now,” the 17-year-old says.
Few “Idol” contestants have drawn more criticism, much of it from judge Simon Cowell. But Malakar says, “He’s an amazing person and what he does is awesome.”
He liked his Latino-week performance the most, and was skeptical about this week: “Honestly, I’m not much of a country singer.”
Malakar says he’s “just going to rest” at home before returning for the “Idol” season finale and tour. Then he’s interested in “all sorts of entertainment fields, not just singing.”
Die first? Some folks do
Lindsay Lohan says she doesn’t necessarily believe that she’s an addict, although she checked into rehab in January after attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for a year.
The 20-year-old actress tells Allure magazine that she decided to enter a treatment facility at the suggestion of her therapist.
“I just felt safe,” she says. “I thought, ‘I’m going to stay here tonight.’ And I stayed there. For a month. It was great.
“It’s so weird … I always said I would die before I went to rehab,” she adds.
Do ya think they’re sexy?
“SexyBack” singer Justin Timberlake is the sexiest male musician, while “Sin City” star Jessica Alba is the sexiest actress, according to an unscientific study by Victoria’s Secret.
Among the others on the list: Eric Bane, actor; Carrie Underwood, female musician; Danica Patrick, female athlete; Derek Jeter, male athlete; Jay-Z and Beyonce, couple; and actress Kate Hudson and soccer star David Beckham, sexiest mom and dad, respectively.
Time for a papa quiz
Actor-comedian Chris Rock has asked a Georgia court to determine if he’s the father of a 13-year-old boy whose mother tried to file a paternity lawsuit last month.
Rock, the married father of two, says he “desires to contribute to the support, maintenance, and education” of the boy if there’s evidence to prove he’s the father.
Faux-father knows best
Larry Birkhead has only kind words to say about Howard K. Stern, his former adversary in the Anna Nicole Smith paternity case.
“It seems unlikely, but he’s been a great help,” says Birkhead, whom DNA tests show is the father of the late Smith’s 7-month-old girl.
“He’s been with Dannielynn the last several months. He knows her likes and dislikes and things that could help me. He gives me credit when I’m doing good things and gives me tips on things I should do a little different.”
The birthday bunch
Actor George Takei (“Star Trek”) is 70. Actor Ryan O’Neal is 66. Actor Gregory Itzin (“24”) is 59. Actress Jessica Lange is 58. Actor Clint Howard is 48. Actor Crispin Glover is 43. Actress Carmen Electra is 35. Actor Joey Lawrence (“Blossom”) is 31.