'Idol' News Beat: Siobhan Magnus Records, Plus Alex Lambert Homelessness Update

Remember way back when Season 9's Alex Lambert claimed, via Twitter, to be living on the streets? Then a rep from 19 Entertainment, which has a development deal with Lambert, claimed the contrary, citing a retainer from which Lambert recieves monthly checks.

Well, Lambert, who's been tweeting away over the past month, had this to tweet about 19 Entertainment's reponse:

"19 entertainment put me on a retainer>>?"

Then, in a response to a tweet from fellow season 9–er Andrew Garcia asking what a retainer is (umm), Lambert followed up:

"$$$ dude! These guys have been telling the media they been payin me! Makin me look like im lyin! It's a shame dude!"

He then added, "I just got back on the internet from like a week ago and I'm reading that everywhere! When Do I get this retainer?"

That was back at the end of January. 19 Entertainment has yet to comment to date. After all, who wants to talk about a homeless has-been from last season when there's a brand-new season to promote?

Grammys: Adam Loses, Fantasia Finally Wins
Unfortunately, Bruno Mars beat out Adam Lambert, among others in the "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" category at Sunday night's Grammy Awards. But longtime nominee Fantasia Barrino finally got her golden moment, taking home the trophy for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" for her single 'Bittersweet.' Fantasia has been nominated for a total of eight Grammys, with this year marking her first win.

Katharine McPhee Takes Another Shot at TV
Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee is taking another stab at TV stardom, co-starring in 'Smash,' her second NBC pilot. Last year, McPhee appeared in the Peacock's half-hour pilot for 'The Pink House,' which was ultimately not picked up. Now McPhee is co-starring in a one-hour pilot along with Debra Messing, based on a story conceived by Steve Spielberg, according to Deadline. The plot revolves around the production of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. McPhee plays a young actress willing to take desperate measures to get the part, including we'd imagine, dying her hair blonde ... again.

Kelly Clarkson Wrapping Up Work on Fifth Album
Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson recently let fans know she's about to button up her fifth album, which will include songs featuring Idols Jordin Sparks, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta. Non-Idol Eric Hutchinson, who opened for Kelly in '09, has also written a song for the record that Clarkson says is "highly influenced by Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder." Clarkson also lists Radiohead, Tina Turner and Sheryl Crow among her influences on the album. No release date has been set but Clarkson told fans via Facebook, "I recorded my last song on the 25th of this month and then we will be releasing the album!"

Siobhan Magnus Hits the Studio
Season 9's Siobhan Magnus, whose eccentric fashions and theatrical vocals polarized 'Idol' fans, is currently working on a solo album in Nashville. Magnus is working with Pacific International Music and according the official site, "The Rock/Indie-styled collaboration has produced four singles so far." In addition to recording a solo record, Magnus is still handling vocals for her band, Lunar Valve.


That's all for now. Come back Friday for more 'American Idol' news, and don't forget to check out our ongoing season 10 coverage!