'Idol' final 3 pay visits to their hometown fans

'Idol' final 3 pay visitsto their hometown fans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The three remaining 'American Idol' contestants took to the streets over the weekend -- of their rapturous hometowns. Local loyalists showed all day just who they thought should win Fox's wildly popular singing contest, which will feature some of the scenes next week.
Back before she was an "American Idol" finalist, Melinda Doolittle was a Belmont University mascot. She wore a hot, sweaty bear costume and jumped around in the name of school spirit. The tables were turned on Doolittle, 29, in a big way when she returned over the weekend to her alma mater. Hundreds waved signs and shouted encouragement to her: "We love you, Melinda." "You're going to win, Melinda." "Doolittle's Da Bomb." "Melinda for President." The school even named a street after her, unveiling a black iron post with a blue sign that read: "Melinda Doolittle Way."
The scene was just as raucous in Seattle, where Blake Lewis, 25, played a free concert before more than a thousand fans at Westlake Park. He was joined onstage by Seattle's own Sir Mix-A-Lot, who sang his hit "Baby Got Back" over what many in the crowd came to see: Lewis' beat-boxing. "Every time you watch 'American Idol,' you see people that can sing, and that's it," Mix-A-Lot said to wild applause. "This cat got real talent. ... He's the new king of Sea-town, baby."
Meanwhile, in Glendale, Ariz., an estimated 5,000 fans weathered 100-degree heat to see the 17-year-old Jordin Sparks, their hometown fave. A stage was erected in an outdoor plaza at Westgate City Center and some fans waited up to five hours to see her. "You guys are crazy but I love you for it," Sparks told the crowd before singing three songs that she has performed on the show. "I hope I make you proud next Tuesday," Sparks told the crowd, referring to the upcoming semifinals.
The last singer standing will be announced May 23.
Today's birthdays
Opera singer Patrice Munsel is 82. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., is 65. Rock singer-musician Jack Bruce (Cream) is 64. Movie producer George Lucas is 63. Actress Meg Foster is 59. Rock singer David Byrne is 55. Movie director Robert Zemeckis is 55. Actor Tim Roth is 46. Rock singer Ian Astbury (The Cult) is 45. Rock musician C.C./Cecil DeVille is 45. Actor Danny Huston is 45. Rock musician Mike Inez (Alice In Chains) is 41. Fabrice Morvan (ex-Milli Vanilli) is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Raphael Saadiq is 41. Actress Cate Blanchett is 38. Singer Danny Wood (New Kids on the Block) is 38. Movie writer-director Sofia Coppola is 36. Singer Natalie Appleton (All Saints) is 34. Singer Shanice is 34. Rock musician Henry Garza (Los Lonely Boys) is 29. Actress Amber Tamblyn is 24. Actress Miranda Cosgrove is 14.