WILD TIMES OFF SET OF AMERICAN IDOL

January 14, 2007 -- As Season Six of "American Idol" debuts Tuesday, it turns out that the drama onstage is nothing compared to the soap-opera antics offstage - in the luxury bunkhouses where finalists share bedrooms, bathrooms, meals and a general disdain for the onerous rules and curfews.

Based on interviews with 10 past contestants from different seasons, The Post can reveal what life is like in the "American Idol" dorm.

Katharine McPhee repeatedly sneaked out to visit her boyfriend. Ryan Starr spied on neighbor Jennifer Lopez's house. Scott Savol and pals made frequent trips to Hooters. And Bucky Covington says the boys' rooms were stinking pigsties.

On the other hand, Josh Gracin often cooked breakfast.

Each season, contestants who make it past the national auditions are flown to Los Angeles, where they live two to a room in a hotel. Once Simon, Paula and Randy winnow the group to 12 finalists, they're moved into private accommodations.

During the first three seasons, home was a four-story mansion on Mulholland Drive in Bel-Air. Since then, contestants have lived in a luxury apartment complex just three miles from the studio.

Read more...


FREE American Singles Online