Ledger Pop Journal - Celebrity News & Sports

Many people are still outraged that American Idol voters canned spunky songstress Melinda Doolittle from Idol this week. It will now be Jordin Sparks versus Blake Lewis for the finals and that has many up in arms. But face it - Melinda is gone because she didn't have the votes and now American Idol is stuck with a snoozer finale. Unless of course you are a 12-year old girl. Jordin is marketable if she wins, I'm not so sure about Blake. How do you market the beat box in 2007? I'm having Taylor flashbacks - Good luck Idol.

American Idol Loses Melinda Doolittle From Show, Gains Phil for Tour (Top ten Pictured)

But there is some good Idol news outside the three finalists and the show last night. Even though the Blake conspiracies and the Melinda hand-wringing are front and center when American Idol goes on tour this year they will be joined by Navy man Phil Stacey.

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A report from Us Weekly Magazine details that Phil Stacey has received the all clear from the military to join the tour. UsMagazine.com is reporting that the U.S. Navy has cleared the 29-year-old father of two to sing this summer.

Stacey’s approval comes on the heels of his May 2 elimination, after which the sixth place finisher remained steadfast in his dedication and obligation to serve. “My primary responsibility is to the United States Navy,” he explained the day after his ouster. “The possibility exists that they’ll need me for a mission. If that’s the case, I’m committed to following through with my commitment to the Navy.”

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The mag notes that today’s announcement is no doubt a relief for the Florida performer, who, while remaining dedicated to his duty, said it would “break [his] heart” if he could not tour. “[The Navy] has been 100% flexible with me with American Idol, and they’ve been gems – a huge support base for me,” Stacey says.

The American Idols Live! nationwide concert tour kicks off July 6 in Sunrise, Fla.