Simon Cowell spoke to Ellen today about the upcoming American Idol finale (he predicts David Cook will win), his harshness and, of course, FantasiaGate. The former Idol’s performance on last week’s results show “just sort of exploded,” according to Cowell, whose commentary always perfectly sums up everything we were feeling as well.

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• Alicia Keys has gone from schilling for Dove products to being the next spokesperson for Vitamin Water. The music biz just doesn't pay what it used to. [Bossip]

• Fantasia is lucky she wasn't actually competing on American Idol last night. That's all. [SB]

• Aww. I remember when Lil Kim and Lil Cease were part of one big, happy mafia. [AHH]

• Lil Wayne should be banned from interviews. [PH]

• A new movie called "Misunderstood" examines youth and masculinity in the black community. [EUR]

Despite being the largest minority group in America, no Hispanic person has ever made it into the final four of the program American Idol, a contest that relies on viewer votes to choose its winners. Black performers, however, have been favorites every season, even winning the show three times.

We don't watch AI, but a blogger who does claims one of this season's top black contestants, Syesha, has intentionally been "looking less Black and more Hispanic," despite the unsuccessful history of Latinos on American Idol.

She has been straightening her hair, wearing lighter colors and featuring her [Hispanic] dad more than her [black] mom on her video vignettes. Sure, it hasn't been a straight line or anything but clearly it has been happening.

Is Syesha really doing this? If so, why? Have black American Idol contestants been significantly better than Hispanic ones? Do Hispanics even watch the fucking show? In the words of a man who wouldn't have been caught dead on American Idol: What's going on?

Page Six reports that Fantasia, who is seeing rapper Young Dro, is pregnant with his baby, and speculates that the 50+ Color Purple performances she's missed this year (although I know she was present and not-pregnant-looking at last Saturday's, since I was there) might have something to do with it. But the gossipers lost me with this statement: "[Fantasia is pregnant], say several reliable* bloggers including MediaTakeOut.com and celebrity writer Jonathan Jaxson." Not sure if I agree with the choice of words, there.

*emphasis mine

UPDATE Despite the assertions of a couple of bloggers known for their super reliability, Fantasia's spokesperson had this to say about the pregnancy rumors:

"Fantasia is not pregnant and the internet rumors are entirely untrue."

The representative adds, "It is true that she has missed some performances because she has gotten sick from time to time over the nine months, but doing eight shows a week is a lot so she missed a few."

No, really. She does.

And a movie?
For television. My autobiography, From These Roots. Hopefully it will happen early spring. I have verbal commitments from Billy Dee [Williams] to play my father, and Terrence Howard to play Smokey Robinson.

Who'll play you?
I'm not sure yet. Jennifer Hudson came to read for me. I also have an interest in Halle Berry possibly doing it. And Fantasia.

I mean no disR-E-S-P-E-C-T, but Halle Berry is pregnant and less than physically or vocally suited for Aretha's movie needs. Team J-Hud. On the less critical end, I can honestly think of no one who would be a better Smokey Robinson than the toilet paper bandit.

[People]

This weird couple is everywhere. I can't tell if I will eventually get used to Tameka and Usher, the duo, or if I will be forever mystified by their seemingly happy union. They brought their big, mismatched smiles to the Tony Awards last night, where Usher presented and Fantasia performed. Check out some more pictures from the awards below.

Fantasia Barrino, who is set to perform at this year's Tony Awards, celebrated The Color Purple's one millionth customer with her castmates after yesterday's performance. The relatively new Broadway star is also supposed to perform on Live with Regis and Kelly tomorrow. Clive Davis may be unenthused about her, but the theater world seems pretty impressed.

[EUR]