Why Can't New Yorkers Win "America's Next Top Model"?

New York is full of beautiful women, so why can't they catch a break on "America's Next Top Model"?

Last night, when *spoiler alert!* Florida's Whitney took the top prize, we couldn't help but wonder why our NYC girls didn't make it to the end. OK, it might have had something to do with Lauren's walk. But when you look back on top model's ten seasons sorry, cycles, you won't find much New York talent. We haven't had a single winner, for one thing (sure, Naima was living in NYC, but she's a Detroit girl). And while the most recent competition featured an all-time high of four New Yorkers, more than one season included no New Yorkers at all. We're sure there's a reason, but what is it? Here are the facts for your review and analysis:

Cycle 10: Four New Yorkers

• Lauren (Brooklyn)
• Claire (Manhattan)
• Katarzyna (Roslyn)
• Atalya (Brooklyn)

Cycle 9: One New Yorker

• Bianca (Queens)

Cycle 8: One New Yorker

• Kathleen (Brooklyn)

Cycle 7: Zero New Yorkers!

Cycle 6: One New Yorker

• Jade (Manhattan)

Cycle 5: Two New Yorkers

• Kim (Manhattan)
• Bre (Manhattan)

Cycle 4: No New Yorkers!

Cycle 3: Two New Yorkers

• Kelle (Manhattan)
• Yaya (Manhattan)

Cycle 2: One New Yorker

• Camille (Mamaroneck)

Cycle 1: One New Yorker

• Ebony (Manhattan)

Are New York ladies just not as gorgeous as we thought? We refuse to believe this is true. What's your theory? Share it!

MORE:
Top Five Reality Show Brawls
Tyra Doesn't Like a Quitter
More New York Stories

 

"American Idol" Watch: Everyone Says Goodbye

"There's a party atmosphere in the studio tonight" Ryan Seacrest says. Then he points out that we're all here because one person will go home completely devastated. What a downer.

The top three perform "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" ... and you thought David Archuleta was too white bread for Chris Brown! Poor Archie. He's really, really nervous, and now I am too.  Next up, "How Far Is Heaven" for Ford. The theme: each "Idol" 's vision of success. Syesha has a wall full of platinum records. David Archuleta has a grand piano in his yard. David Cook has a lot of cars. Dream bigger, kids!

Fantasia performs. While I can't understand what she's saying, I am with her all the way.

And now, your hometown visits!

David Archuleta goes to Utah, where he is attacked by high school cheerleaders. A billion people come out and cheer, and he cries and says "Gosh" a lot. It's pretty much the sweetest thing ever.

David ... we're not saying whether you are in or out, but let's run your goodbye reel just in case. (Yikes!)

Syesha Mercado goes home to Florida and someone throws their baby at her. She hangs with her lovely family, helicopters to a performance for a huge group of fans and also cries. (You would too.)

Syesha ... You will have to wait for it. In the meantime, watch your so-long montage!

David Cook's (very cute) brother Andrew, who also auditioned for "Idol," joins him on stage. We see the video of DC's trip home to Missouri, which features a ton of hysterical fourth graders, the Kansas City Royals and more crying.

David Cook ... time for your send-off video.

It's time for the elimination. Why am I so nervous?!

Randy says: You should be well proud of yourself.
Paula says: The world is going to remember every single one of you.
Simon says: I think we're going to have a real humdinger next week.

After 56 million votes were counted, the finalists are David Archuleta ... and ... David Cook.

Syesha thanks you for your support and sings her way out with a solid version of "If I Ain't Got You." What a pro. We don't expect to get much of a chance to miss her, as she will surely be cast in a musical as soon as that tour ends.

MORE:
The Final Three Perform
Paula Starts The Season On An Odd Note
The Monitor Hearts "American Idol"

Photos: Erykah Badu Live at Radio City

Photo: Chad Batka

As promised yesterday, we have a great batch of Erykah Badu photos ready for you, to go along with The Roots shots from the artists' Friday night performance at Radio City Music Hall.

Check out photos of Erykah Badu live on stage right here.

Were you at the concert? How was the show? Tell us about it!

MORE:
On Stage With The Roots
See More Concert Photos
Check the FanCam

Photos: On Stage With Taking Back Sunday and Drive By

Photo: David Atlas

You've seen the shots of My Chemical Romance on stage — you have seen them, right? If not, you might want to get clicking. Now take a look at photos of the night's opening bands, Drive By and Taking Back Sunday, live at Madison Square Garden.

Check out pics of the two bands on stage right here.

Were you at the concert? Did you make the FanCam cut (Gerard and Mikey's mom did!)? Don't be shy ... share your show story!

MORE:
My Chemical Romance FanCam
MCR Live On Stage
See More Concert Photos 

"American Idol" Watch: Three's A Crowd

We're down to the final three, which leaves Syesha and the Davids to perform three songs a piece — one chosen by the judges, one picked by producers and one selected by the singer. That's a lot of songs, so without further ado we present each performance, our own Three-Word Verdict and a choice comment from the judges:

Judges' Choice

1.	David Archuleta: "And So It Goes" (Paula's pick) Three-word verdict: A capella interruptus. Paula says: "It was a pure and stunning performance."

 

2.	Syesha Mercado: "If I Ain't Got You" (Randy's pick) Three-word verdict: Great backup singers. Randy says: "I'm so happy that you're peaking at the right time."

 

3.	David Cook: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Simon's pick) Three-word verdict: Exactly as expected. Simon says: "Round one goes to Cook and Cowell."

 

Contestants' Choice

1.	David Archuleta: "With You" Three-word verdict: Too Pat Boone-y. Simon says: "It was a little like a chihuahua trying to be a tiger."

 

2.	Syesha Mercado: "Fever" Three-word verdict: Not hot enough. Paula says: "I'm not sure it showed me who Syesha is as an artist."

 

3.	David Cook: "Dare You to Move" Three-word verdict: Flat, then screechy. Randy says: "Little pitchy, baby."

 

Producers' Choice

1.	David Archuleta: "Longer" Three-word verdict: Not a duet. Paula says: "It was a lovely performance."

 

2.	Syesha Mercado: "Hit Me Up" Three-word verdict: That was cute. Paula says: "I don't know if it's going to be good enough to get in the finals of 'American Idol.' "

 

3.	David Cook: "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" Three-word verdict: Yep, he's in. Simon says: "David Cook wins the night."

 

What's your take on last night's performances? Did the producers make their preference clear? When even Paula says you're out, is there any chance for you? If comes down to a battle of the Davids, who will you back? Tell us about it!

MORE:
So Long, Jason Castro
Thanks For Bringing The Crazy, Paula
The Monitor Hearts "American Idol"

FanCam: My Chemical Romance at MSG

On Friday night, we encountered exactly the crowd we expected to meet before My Chemical Romance's concert at The Garden: die-hard supporters with poetic souls, pumped-up fans ready to rock and the mother of two bandmembers weighing in with her thoughts on Gerard's greatest 'do.

Wait, what? See for yourself:

Want more? See photos from MCR's big show right here. And tell us all about your experience.

MORE:
MCR Live On Stage
My Chemical Romance Archive
Nothing But FanCam

Photos: The Roots Live at Radio City

Photo: Chad Batka

Black Thought, ?uestlove, Kamal, Captain Kirk Douglas, Owen Biddle and Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson were all in the spotlight at Radio City Music Hall on Friday night, as The Roots opened for Erykah Badu on the big stage.

Check out photos from their live set right here.

Were you there? Tell us all about it, and check back tomorrow for photos from Badu's performance. (Edited to add: Heeeerrre's Erykah!)

MORE:
See More Concert Photos
Nothing But FanCam

Death Cab for Cutie, Cyndi Lauper Make Us Cry

Today marks the release of Death Cab for Cutie's latest album Narrow Stairs. We don't know about you, but we can't think of Death Cab without thinking of that one video (not this video) for "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" that makes us cry.

Be honest: How many videos really make you cry? When it comes to tugging at the heartstrings, music videos (even videos for sad songs) fall far short of movies, sad songs themselves and even commercials.

Don't leave us sniffling alone: Check out our picks for the top three most devastating music videos, and share your own tearjerking clips:

 

1.	"I Will Follow You Into the Dark," Death Cab for Cutie: It's a sad song, but not something we'd normally shed tears over ... until the 2:06 mark of this video. Then it's a rainstorm right through to the end, every single time.

 

2. Cindy Lauper Time after Time Uploaded by astre

"Time After Time," Cyndi Lauper: When Cyndi Lauper cries, we all cry.

 

3.	"Prison Sex," Tool: This is mainly confounding and creepy, but that last scene, where the person(?) raises its hand and it is pushed down, that's just devastating.

 

What are you blubbering over, crybaby? Tell us about it!

MORE:
New Releases: Neil Diamond A-Z
Def Leppard's Sparkle Lounge
Mariah Carey's Hit Machine

"In The Heights" Leads Tony Nominations: Breakfast Bites

• Nominations for the Tony Awards were announced this morning, and the NYC-set musical "In The Heights" leads the field with 13 nominations. "South Pacific," "Sunday in the Park With George," "Gypsy" and "August: Osage County" also scored multiple nods. Prizes will be handed out June 15 at Radio City Music Hall.

• The Cure have posted the single "The Only One" on their web site. The band will post a new single on the 13th of each month ahead of their still-untitled 13th studio album, due September 13. The band will play back-to-back shows at MSG and Radio City next month.

• The 125th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge will be celebrated with a week-long party, kicking off May 22, with concerts including a performance by the Brooklyn Philharmonic, a Grucci fireworks show and other family events.

• New York City might have been the fifth star of the show, but when it came time for the world premiere of the "Sex and the City" movie, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha walked the red carpet in London.

• Stranger than fiction: The Daily News reports that Remy Ma and Papoose's Rikers Island wedding was called off on Monday after Papoose allegedly smuggled a handcuff key into the jail.

• Insult+injury: Sasha Frere-Jones' New Yorker profile of "American Idol" (which includes an explanation of the performance/judging/vote process ... come on, it's the seventh season!) gives Gawker commenters an excuse to rip into David Archuleta ... just three days after we learned that his dad has been hit with a backstage ban. Poor kid.

Photo: InTheHeightsTheMusical.com

MORE:
More New York Stories
Movie Talk With The Fan on The Street

Photos: My Chemical Romance Live at The Garden

Photo: David Atlas

My Chemical Romance played Madison Square Garden on Friday night, with Taking Back Sunday and Drive By. The show was a big deal for the Jersey boys — they even called it their Super Bowl.

Check out photos from the big show right here.

Were you there? Tell us all about it, look for yourself in the crowd shots and see if you made the FanCam cut!

MORE:
See More Concert Photos
My Chemical Romance Archive 
Nothing But FanCam