As soon as we asked about the “American Idol” winner’s relationship with busty Atlanta model Kimberly Johnston, he canceled her trip to Knoxville, Tenn., where he performed. “He said he didn’t want to see her anymore,” said our source. “He still refuses to talk to her. So that’s what’s cooking with dear David, who has refused to pay any of her expenses since they met.” That’s no way to treat a lady. Cook’s rep declined to discuss his personal life.
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David Cook, whose singing career sky rocketed after being named “American Idol” winner last year, has a special female fan he’s been keeping under wraps. She’s Kimberly Johnston, 35, a busty Atlanta model who travels with him as he tours the country. She and Cook, 26, have been con necting since just about the time he won the competition. The lovebirds have been canoo dling at out-of-the-way places late at night after his concerts. She secretly met Cook at the bar of the London Hotel on West 54th Street, according to sources at Da Tom maso restaurant. While in town, Johnston stayed at a budget hotel, the Marrakech on Broadway at 103rd Street. Last Friday, she drove from Atlanta to see him perform in Knoxville, Tenn., sources say. Cook’s reps at 19 Entertainment ignored our calls and e- mails. But we know what’s cooking, David.
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It’s David vs. David!
David Archuleta and David Cook will battle it out in next week’s American Idol finale, after a less than surprising elimination show Wednesday that sent Syesha Mercado home.
“I don’t know what to say,” a beaming Mercado replied, when Ryan Seacrest asked her to address the judges and the fans after learning her fate. “I just want to say thank you.” She looked more proud than disappointed to have made it so far after so many close calls along the way. For her final performance in the competition, Syesha sang “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys.
It was a happy ending to an emotional hour that recapped Tuesday’s grueling three-song sets and featured moving video footage of the contestants’ hometown visits. The Idol producers even played each of their farewell videos — tracing David, David and Syesha’s journeys on the show — because, as Ryan said, “it’s a very, very close race.”
It may be close, but it was hardly surprising to see Syesha say goodbye. She failed to impress the judges on Tuesday with the song of her choice, Peggy Lee’s “Fever,” which Simon called “a lame cabaret performance.” Even Paula said, “I don’t know if it’s going to be good enough to get into the finals.”
As for next week’s battle of the Davids, Simon predicted, “We’re going to have a real humdinger.”
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David Cook quickly bounced back from his brief hospitalization due to high blood pressure and heart palpitations, but the American Idol finalist is coping with more than the weekly eliminations.
His older brother Adam Cook is battling cancer, sources confirm. David hasn’t spoken about it, the sources add, out of respect for his brother – and because he didn’t want to seek sympathy votes. But he has performed with an electric guitar emblazoned with his brother’s initials “A.C.”
Cook is not the first idol to compete while dealing with a personal crisis.
“The week before we came up for the Top 24, my best friend passed away, and I was just like, ‘I don’t know if I can go out there,’” last year’s champ Jordin Sparks tells PEOPLE. “I went to the funeral and came back and then my uncle passed away – and then my grandma … and so I had three deaths go on during the show.”
The blows tested Sparks physically as well as mentally, she said last week at a Hollywood PSA shoot for DoSomething.org and Staples School Supply Drive To Do Something for students who can’t afford school supplies.
“It’s hard because you have to go out there and put this smile on your face,” says the singer. “It’s very exhausting, and it’s very overwhelming and kind of gets to you. I mean I got sick a couple times, just because I was so tired and kept trying to do all this stuff and it was crazy.”
Still, if personal matters were to become very serious, it’s possible that Cook would be allowed time off from the competition to be with his family.
“It’s only ever happened once and that was in the U.K.,” Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe told reporters in a conference call. “We gave them a week out.”
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American Idol contestant David Cook was hospitalized after Tuesday night’s live show when he felt heart palpitations, a source confirms.
Cook was treated for high blood pressure and released back to the Idol apartments where he was “doing fine,” the source says.
One of the top contenders, Cook once again wowed the judges and audience with a stylish version of Dolly Parton’s “Little Sparrow.” Sporting a new haircut, he appeared happy and healthy during his performance.
But afterwards, Cook was noticeably absent when contestants were led into the bleachers to sit with fans and watch a live performance of last year’s winner Jordin Sparks and R&B sensation Chris Brown sing their new single “No Air.” (The segment was taped for a later broadcast).
UPDATE:
TMZ has learned what probably triggered the medical emergency with David Cook tonight.
As we first reported, Cook was taken to the hospital after his heart began palpitating and his blood pressure rose. We’re told Cook, who has high blood pressure to begin with, has been under tremendous stress because his brother has been ill. We’re told David’s brother, who has cancer, suffered a setback within the last week, and it has really put David on the ropes.
David has been completely stressed out during the entire season. During one of the first shows, David broke down and said he couldn’t perform that night — and changed his mind at the last minute.
We’re told earlier tonight, David began complaining that he did not feel well. After the performance, Cook reassured people he was OK — but ultimately realized he needed medical help.
