People: So, Cook – how hot of a date?
Newly crowned “American Idol” David Cook says he doesn’t abide by the conventional three-day wait period after a date.
“I don’t really believe in any sort of theories,” the 25-year-old singer says. “I just kind of call when I call.”
So has Cook called – or texted – second-season “Idol” alum Kimberly Caldwell, with whom he had a recent dinner date?
“Great girl, we hung out and we’ll see what happens,” he says.
Cook defeated 17-year-old David Archuleta last week in a landslide victory. He says he’ll start recording his debut album (slated for a fall release) this summer while on the “American Idols Live!” Tour.
The rocker/ex-bartender transformed into this season’s heartthrob around the time he got rid of his unpopular (and unflattering) comb-forward haircut and grew facial scruff.
Asked if his makeover contributed to his success, Cook says: “I don’t really know. I think, you know, for me it was time to get a haircut. I forgot to shave one week. It’s really all it is. … I hope that at the end of the day, I did well on my own musical merit.”
MMMBaby
The drummer for “MMMBop” brother-rockers Hanson is a first-time father.
John Ira Shepherd Hanson was born Tuesday to Zac Hanson, 22, and his wife, Kate.
Smells fishy, Fiddy
A multimillion-dollar home at the center of a bitter dispute between 50 Cent and his son’s mother was destroyed in a suspicious fire.
Six people, including the rapper’s ex-girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins, and their 10-year-old son, Marquis, were taken to a hospital Friday for smoke inhalation.
Tompkins sued 50 Cent earlier this year claiming he had promised her a house more than a decade ago, but now wants to evict her.
Hard to walk that way
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler says he checked into rehab as a “safe environment” to recover from several foot surgeries.
The 60-year-old singer says the surgeries were to correct longtime foot injuries resulting from his physical performances with the band.
Toni Braxton: Repealed
A Las Vegas hotel has announced that the rest of Toni Braxton‘s scheduled shows have been canceled so she can focus on her health.
“Toni Braxton: Revealed” at the Flamingo Las Vegas has been dark since the 40-year-old singer was hospitalized April 7 with chest pain.
Iraq-and-roll all night?
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she was “thrilled” by a late-night encounter with rockers Kiss while she was in Stockholm for an international conference on Iraq.
Rice added that her favorite Kiss tune is “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
The birthday bunch
Actor-director Clint Eastwood is 78. Singer Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary) is 70. Actress Sharon Gless is 65. Actor Gregory Harrison is 58. Actor Tom Berenger is 58. Comedian Chris Elliott is 48. Actor Kyle Secor is 48. Actress Lea Thompson is 47. Singer Corey Hart is 46. Rapper DMC (Run-DMC) is 44. Actor Colin Farrell is 32.