newsmakers

May 29, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

newsmakers

Bowersox, boyfriend split before ‘Idol’ loss

LOS ANGELES

If Crystal Bowersox really wanted to lay blame for not winning “American Idol,” she could put it on her boyfriend. The 24-year-old musician from northwest Ohio has told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show (on KIIS-FM) that she and Tony Kusian broke up by mutual decision — and that it happened Tuesday morning. That was the day of her last chance to perform for votes on “Idol.”

Bowersox says “Big Tony” was a small-town guy and didn’t like the Hollywood lifestyle, while she’s ready for a big career. The earthy singer and single mother says the breakup “put that fire in my belly” for her performance. She says she’s not mad at her ex, and they’ll be friends for a long time. The “Idol” title went to rival contestant Lee DeWyze on Wednesday’s show.

50 Cent drops 50 pounds for film

NEW YORK

Losing 50-plus pounds was a complicated process for 50 Cent — but not an entirely new one. The rapper plays a football player with cancer in the upcoming film “Things Fall Apart.” He dropped from 214 pounds to 160 in nine weeks after liquid dieting and running on a treadmill three hours a day.

But the 33-year-old tells The Associated Press that when he was shot in the jaw in 2000, he could drink only liquids and his weight dropped to 157. He says that “it was a lot tougher” this time.

The film is about the rapper’s childhood friend who died of cancer and is in production. The rapper says he now weighs 198 pounds.

Investors offer to buy ‘American Idol’ owner

NEW YORK

A group of investors led by British media mogul Simon Fuller is offering to buy CKX, the owner of the “American Idol” reality TV show. Fuller created the “Idol” franchise but sold his company to CKX Inc. in 2005.

CKX says it is evaluating the proposal and other strategic alternatives, but did say how much Fuller’s group is offering to pay. The company also owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali.