Simon Fuller News

However, that's all changed this morning with word that Joanna Pacitti is now OUT of the competition. Pacitti was 'determined to be ineligible to continue in the competition' a statement from the Fox Network said in the early morning hours Thursday. She'll be replaced by Felicia Barton, 26, of Virginia Beach.

She was an 'ANNIE' and he was 'WICKED', but now former theater performers Joanna Pacitti and Adam Lambert are hoping to be 'IDOLS' as they both are among the Top 36 Finalists on Fox's mega hit AMERICAN IDOL. Pacitti, who was hired and then fired from the 20th anniversary production of Annie advanced to the top finalist group on tonight's American Idol, joining her was former Wicked cast member Lambert. Each has been rumored to be 'ones to watch' in this year's Idol challenge.

The sexy international dance sensation Burn the Floor, making its San Francisco premiere January 30-March 15 at the Post Street Theatre, has signed on with the Australian Team to be featured in NBC's dance-themed reality/competition series, 'Superstars of Dance.' Created by 'American Idol' creator Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe of 'So You Think You Can Dance,' the show will feature teams of professional dancers from eight countries competing against each other in various dance genres. Each team will consist of two solo dancers, a duo and a group. 'Superstars of Dance' premieres Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 9 p.m. on NBC.

Joanna Pacitti, who was hired and then fired from the 20th anniversary production of Annie advanced on tonight's American Idol to Hollywood Week after singing the Pat Benatar classic 'We Belong'.

Adam Lambert had all the right moves on American Idol last night for the series San Fransisco auditions and with a strong performance of the Queen hit 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Lambert received four yes's for him to move forward in the show. Adam Lambert has appeared on stage in Wicked and also had a role in The Ten Commandments. The eighth season kicks off with three weeks of audition episodes, featuring tryouts held in East Rutherford, NJ; Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO; Louisville, KY; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; San Francisco, CA; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. After the two-night premiere, auditions will continue for two weeks on Tuesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and Tuesday, Jan. 27 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The final audition episode will air Thursday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

The sexy international dance sensation Burn the Floor, making its San Francisco premiere January 30-March 15 at the Post Street Theatre, has signed on with the Australian Team to be featured in NBC's dance-themed reality/competition series, 'Superstars of Dance.' Created by 'American Idol' creator Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe of 'So You Think You Can Dance,' the show will feature teams of professional dancers from eight countries competing against each other in various dance genres. Each team will consist of two solo dancers, a duo and a group. 'Superstars of Dance' premieres Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 9 p.m. on NBC.

The wait is almost over for the return of television's No. 1 show! Last season's finale boasted a record-breaking nearly 100 million votes cast in the crowning of David Cook as the winner, and now, AMERICAN IDOL is set to return with a two-night, four-hour premiere event featuring extraordinary talent and outrageous new auditions Tuesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 14 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Former 'Almost Annie' singer and actress Joanna Pacitti is rumored to make a showing on the upcoming season.