Idol Chatter: Rejected by 'Idol' - but that's not a bad thing

By REGINA MEDINA
Philadelphia Daily News
medinar@phillynews.com 215-854-5985

Maybe it was Temptresse Browne's use of "ma'am" and "sir" that softened the sometimes blunt, sometimes prickly judges on "American Idol" last week.

Their empathy for the South Philadelphia teen was cemented further after she told them she was auditioning for her sick mother. Even Mr. Sourpuss, Simon Cowell, softened and called her "a sweetheart."

Browne, 16, a junior at Paul Robeson High School for Human Services, told Ryan Seacrest and the "Idol" judges she was a football middle linebacker. But after auditioning, she didn't make it to Los Angeles for a shot at becoming America's Next Idol.

The judges - Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Cowell - gave Browne a group hug after her eyes welled with tears. The trio then walked her out of the room and to her parents, a move believed to be a first in "Idol" history.

Temptresse (yes, it ends with an "e") may not be going to L.A., but she is going national with her story.

"Entertainment Tonight," which sent her a bouquet of flowers the day after her 5-minute-27-second segment aired, has an exclusive contract with Temptresse for "an indefinite ongoing series," in which she and her family will be offered "coaching to make changes in her life," said Art Rubalcava, local producer for "Entertainment Tonight." He's heading "Entertainment Tonight's" Philly operations over the Browne story, which begins taping tomorrow.

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