21 year old James Durbin has had a rough life. Although he gets his musical ability from his father, he never had a chance to really know him – he overdosed on drugs when James was young. “I didn’t get a chance to know him,” he said in a tear-filled interview on this evening’s episode…

26 year old Emily Anne Reed received a phone call last week that no one wants to hear: “Your house is on fire.” She ran home from her job in Arlington, VA to discover only ashes. Standing on the Idol stage tonight with guitar in hand she looked unfazed. “It broke my heart [to lose…

A horrific accident almost took his life, but Stefano Langone was too tough to give up. It took 4 months of intensive therapy to recover, but his passion for music and the piano lit a fire inside of him that kept him going. Tonight he stood in front of the Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and…

By Amy & Nancy Harrington, Pop Culture PassionistasThis week an Oscar contender supports Free the Children, a reality star shows her philanthropic side and an “Idol” gives a wake-up call (with flapjacks).Natalie Portman Announces Free The Children ContestThe last few months have been good ones for Natalie Portman. The 29-year-old actress announced that she is…

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