Idol News: American Idol's Michael Johns Dies At 35

Terrible news. American Idol alum, Michael Johns, has died at 35. He finished 8th during Season 7 in which David Cook won the title. According to reports, Johns died due to a blood clot on his ankle.

THR - Michael Johns, a finalist on American Idol season seven, died on Aug. 1, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed via multiple sources. The cause of death is believed to be a blood clot in his ankle. 

The singer competed on the Fox music show in 2008 and came in eighth place. He followed with a full-length album, 2009's Hold Back My Heart, that included single "Heart on My Sleeve." 

"Michael Johns was an incredible talent and we are deeply saddened by the news of his passing. He was a part of our AMERICAN IDOL family and he will be truly missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time," read a statement posted on the show's official Facebook page. 

It's very sad to learn about Michael Johns' untimely passing. Yes, I didn't know him personally, but he's part of the reason why this blog exists. American Idol Season 7, to me, will always be the best season EVER that it had me put up a blog and take things a little further than the usual American Idol fan. That season will always have a special place in my heart, so this tragic news is shocking.

Rest in Piece, Michael Johns. Thank you for the music!

It's All Wrong, But It's All Right


The Letter with Carly Smithson


Life Is Okay with Brooke White

DAM NATION: American Idol 7: Mixed Tape

Here's the last mixed tape that I'll post, American Idol Season 7. Again, I carefully picked the best songs each contestant recorded during their season and I tried my best not to make it a snoozefest. Hope you enjoy this!

Season 10 Mixed Tape HERE.
Season 9 Mixed Tape HERE.
Season 8 Mixed Tape HERE.

1. Always Be My Baby David Cook

2. Angels David Archuleta

3. If I Were Your Woman Syesha Mercado

4. Somewhere Over The Rainbow Jason Castro

5. Let It Be Brooke White

6. Here You Come Again Carly Smithson

7. Anyway Kristy Lee Cook

8. It's All Wrong But It's All Right Michael Johns

9. Do I Ever Cross Your Mind Ramiele Malubay

10. She's A Woman Chikezie Eze

11. The Time Of My Life David Cook

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American Idol 7 Wrap-Up: 10 Worst Performances

Yes, after 6 months, 41 episodes, 156 live performances and 13 elimination rounds. David Cook is the New American Idol. And after a long but delightful season – a season where aspirants were allowed to play guitars, pianos, harmonicas and yes, ukuleles for the very first time; a season where the performances were judged before they happened; a season where the truly talented people got booted out early than expected; a season where a stage dad was banned in his son’s rehearsals; a season where the chosen ones didn’t do so well; a season where one stopped and restart a performance; a season of forgotten lyrics; a season of iTunes; a season of arms swaying; a season of dreadful biases from the judges – our collective journey ends tonight. Arguably. one of the best seasons in American Idol.

However, even the strongest batch had their own share of bad performances [like any other season]. Though, I'd argue that on most American Idol years, the poor performances are given by the same people, over and over again, until they are eliminated. This season, in that regard, was a little different. For whatever reason, many of the top 10 finalists on American Idol 7 were severely hit and miss. Take Brooke White, David Archuleta and Jason Castro. Their best performances were awe-inspiring, their worst were dreadful. We had some consistent performers (David Cook...uh, I guess that's it), but this will probably go down as the season of the inconsistent.

So, I compiled the 10 Worst Performances of this Season [based from my own opinion – of course – and probably the judges themselves].

10. The Show Must Go On

Carly Smithson

For an inspirational theme: she looked angry, the song was angry and the make up was angry. Her Irish death stare on the camera didn’t help as well.

09. All By Myself

Asia’h Epperson

Her performance in this pretty big song was just horrible as she totally missed a note. She butchered it!

08. Carry On My Wayward Son

Amanda Overmyer

Total train wreck. She looked overdone with that scary hairdo and her performance was as hideous as her look.

07. We Can Work It Out

David Archuleta

Forgetting the lyrics twice on that new big stage during the Top 12 night cost him his front-runner status. This also proved that he is incapable of singing up-tempo songs.

06. You Must Love Me

Brooke White

Where do we go from here, this isn’t where we.. I’m sorry, can we?

05. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Garrett Haley

He sounded like a girl trapped in a guy's body. Maybe Ellen Degeneres or Helen Hunt!

04. I Shot The Sheriff

Jason Castro

This guy looked stoned! What was he thinking? “Bob Marley!”, according to him. It was just a mess.

03. Long Train Running

Jason Yeager

Awkward, dorky and cheesy – three words to best describe him. It was painful to watch! Absolutely the most ridiculous ending in music history!!!

02. Eight Days A Week

Kristy Lee Cook

It was not the worst vocal performance this season but it was undeniably the worst mutilation of a classic song I’ve ever seen/heard. To turn a classic Beatles pop song into hillbilly country ditty is an abomination.

01. Where The Boys Are

Amy Davis

Remember her? That’s my point!