Blog Posts by Lyndsey Parker

Michelle Chamuel is Team Usher's only standout"The Voice" Season 4 finally went live this week, as the contestants competed for the public vote and for coveted spots in the top 12 semifinals. Once the show is down to that all-important top 12, team quotas will no longer matter, and it'll be every singer for him- or herself. But this week, such quotas still applied. And the members of one of the teams were probably very relieved that that was the case, because they would have been screwed otherwise.

So this week, three contestants from each team will ultimately advance: two voted through by America, and one saved by each coach. On Monday, it was time for the eight contestants comprising Team Adam and Team Usher to compete, and honestly, Adam Levine made Usher look like a chump.

Crystal Bowersox with Brian Walker at South By Southwest 2011In sad "American Idol" news, Season 9 runner-up Crystal Bowersox has revealed, via People magazine, that she is splitting from her husband, fellow folk-rock musician Brian Walker.

"After two and a half years, we have decided to end our marriage," the couple told People in a statement Monday. "The friendship and love which brought us together remains strong, and we will continue to support each other in our careers and personal lives. We are hopeful that people will be respectful of our privacy as we face this emotional and challenging time for our family."

Reigning "American Idol" champ Phillip Phillips, who has a long and well-documented history of kidney stone problems, has postponed the remainder of his college tour due to illness.

This news was first revealed in a Sunday press release issued by the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; the Season 11 winner was set to perform with special guest Gin Wigmore on the campus tonight (Monday, May 6). But that concert and eight others--including a show in Dublin, Ireland--have been scrapped for now.

"Hey guys, due to doctor's orders I have to reschedule my last tour dates," Phillip tweeted on Monday morning, confirming the university's report."They will be rescheduled! Looking forward to seeing you on Mayer!"

The Rolling Stones with Gwen Stefani, backstage at the Staples Center May 3 [photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images]

It's only rock 'n' roll, but a lot of people, including some very big-name celebrities, sure seem to like it. On Friday, May 3, the Rolling Stones celebrated a half-century in the music biz by kicking off their "50 and Counting" tour at Los Angeles's Staples Center, and they were joined--onstage and in the audience--by some very famous guests.

Last night on "American Idol," Amber Holcomb went home in fourth place. This was not a huge surprise, but today, my "The Day After" co-host Matt Whitfield and I still have much to discuss: the welcome return of David Cook and Constantine Maroulis, the less-welcome return of will.i.am, the rumors of Harry Connick Jr. possibly joining the "Idol" judging panel, and what's next for the finale three girls. Enjoy the "Idol" chatter!

Amber Holcomb cries in her dad's armsFor weeks on "American Idol," the judges worked tirelessly on a campaign that I'd like to dub Operation Make Amber Happen. Amber Holcomb was an "Idol" underdog really ever since she squeaked into the top 10, but the judges and in-house advisor/Interscope Records exec Jimmy Iovine really believed in her--frequently praising her as the most "marketable" and "current" contestant in the competition, even when she sang the most old-fashioned ballads imaginable.

On last night's "American Idol" top four redux show, Nicki Minaj threatened Mariah Carey with a Q-Tip (a cotton swab, not the A Tribe Called Quest rapper). Meanwhile, guest mentor Harry Connick Jr. seemed to be threatening Nicki and Mariah's jobs, when he boldly sat behind the judges' table and looked right at home. Just another bizarre night on the "Idol" set, then.

Today, my "The Day After" co-host Matt Whitfield and I talk about last night's episode (including Nicki's weird weight remark to Candice Glover, and Harry's all-around awesomeness), and we make our predictions for who's going home tonight. We also we address Nicki's latest Twitter rant, of course, which erupted online this morning. Enjoy the "Idol" chatter!