In a move that left some in tears, Danny Noriega was voted off “American Idol” Thursday night.
If you were one of the many Noriega fans shedding tears for the 18-year-old take heart–a big name celeb has come to the “Idol” contestant’s aid and you could soon be hearing him belt out hits like “Tainted Love” very soon.
So who is Noriega’s A-list fan?
It’s none other than Rosie O’Donnell.
Surprise. Surprise. NOT!
The former talk show host wasted no time jumping on her soap box (a.k.a. her personal blog) to rave about Noriega’s performance and while she was at it she offered the teen an amazing consolation prize: a free cruise to Mexico on O’Donnell’s R Family Vacations.
“I don’t know if you have to sit around the American Idol studio and look sad for the next few weeks — because I think that’s part of the contract,” joked O’Donnell on her video blog. “[But] you got a free cruise. You and a friend.”
O’Donnell continued by saying that she expects the young singer to work for his vacation by dueting with her True Colors Tour partner Cyndi Lauper on board the ship.
“Come on there, and I want you to sing ‘Tainted Love,’” O’Donnell says. “I think you’re fantastic. And I think you’re a bold and brave and beautiful young man. And I admire you, Danny Noriega. You have an amazing voice. And your hair looks good straight.”
What do you think about Rosie’s gesture?
Somehow I don’t think she would extend the same offer to Justin Timberlake—not that she has to. The actor/singer/clothing designer is adding yet another line to his resume—–TV producer.
Timberlake is currently producing an NBC pilot about a bachelor who can’t get a date to save his life. “My Problem with Women,” follows thirtysomething Jose as he attempts to understand his romantic failures through therapy sessions. The show is based on a Peruvian TV comedy called “Mi Problema con las Mujeres.”
Sources say the Grammy-winning pop star got the gig courtesy of his pal Ben Silverman who just happens to be NBC’s entertainment chief.