TV Guide chatted with ousted ‘American Idol’ Vanessa Olivarez about the scripted slam of host Ryan Seacrest that many think played a part in her departure. Did the diss hurt her? “I think it could have,” she said. “But I’ll never know [for sure], because it’s not like I can count the votes and go, ‘Who didn’t vote for me because of my performance?’ or ‘Who didn’t vote for me because of the comments I made?’ I think that very well could have hurt me. But you know, you live and learn. It sounded funny in rehearsals, but it just didn’t come across that way in the show. I do think that maybe some of the younger kids didn’t take the comment all in good fun. And I think that’s a lot of the audience.”

Trey Parker Calls ‘American Idol’ ‘Genius’

March 19, 2003 - ‘South Park’ creator Trey Parker shared his feelings on reality television, and he had a positive verdict on ‘American Idol’. “That show’s genius,” he said. “[Kelly Clarkson] sold a bunch of singles, right? That show therefore shows us way more about our culture than ‘The West Wing’ does. You really can make someone a pop star.”

Steven Cojocaru: American Idol Worshipper

March 19, 2003 - Fashion guru Steven Cojocaru is doing teen makeovers on American Idol hopefuls, and was asked about whether Juia D’Amato is as difficult as she seems. “Julia was not a diva,” he says, “but she knows herself. Some would say that’s a diva ingredient. I liked that she came wearing killer high heels, which is totally cool in my book. I liked her whole attitude. I put her in Capri pants, and I wanted her to go a smaller size - she looked at me very J.Lo and said, ‘These are fine.’ She’s no pushover.”

Frenchie Is Hoping Ruben Studdard Is America’s Idol

March 19, 2003 - Ousted American Idol Frenchie Davis tells Us Weekly that she wants another large and in charge singer to win the show now that she’s been eliminated. “I want Ruben to win!” she said. “Big Daddy has the smoothest, most beautiful voice — and he’s the sweetest guy too.”

Simon Cowell Clarifies Position On ‘American Idol 3’

March 19, 2003 - ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell tells the New York Post that he is willing to return for a third season, but only if Fox puts it off until next year, to allow the winner more time to be turned into a star - and to protect against brand-name overkill. Cowell says he has a “gut feeling” that ‘Idol 3’ won’t run in the fall. “That’s what I’ve been told,” he said, vowing to walk if Fox insists on a September start. “If they decide to do it without me, I think that would be a mistake.”