Life After 'Idol:' Finalists Visit Access Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (May 29, 2007) -- Following her "Idol" coronation, Jordin Sparks made an exclusive stop by the Access Hollywood stage to show off her winning vocal chops.

And what's the only thing better than one exclusive visit? How about eight of them all at once, as eight of "American Idol's" final 10 visited the Access stage to chat about life in the spotlight and their new found fame.

"It was a year ago and nobody knew who you were," Access' Shaun Robinson joked with the group.

"Five months ago," Melinda Doolittle joking corrected her.

One thing is for sure everyone knows them now! But the top eight apparently still arent used to seeing themselves on camera, as they took every opportunity to ham it up on our set before the interview began, with Sanjaya Malakar smothering LaKisha Jones with kisses.

"Sanjaya you kiss me one more time and I'm gonna beat you down," she smiled.

In that regard, it looks like LaKisha stands alone, because plenty of girls are clamoring for smooches from Sanjaya.

"It's very awkward sometimes though because you're walking down the street and someone will be like, 'Hey Sanjaya! How you doing?' and I'm just like 'Hi,'" he told Shaun.

"It's weird because I thought Sanjaya was the most non-popular person on the show," Chris Richardson joked, getting a big laugh from the rest of the group.

But no doubt, with his luscious locks Sanjaya was the stand out of this "Idol" season even if it wasn't for typical reasons.

But how did all of the controversy impact the musical Malakar?

"I was just focusing on what I had to do each week because that's what you have to do," he told Shaun. "You can't get distracted by that stuff."

So did his fellow contestants feel all of the attention helped Sanjaya stick around a little longer than he would have otherwise?

"I think the press certainly helped Sanjaya get votes, but I also think he deserved it," Phil Stacey said.

"He stuck through it too," Chris Richardson added. "Especially being his age and having so many people just coming down on him, he still would come in with a smile every single day."

But in a bizarre twist, "Idol's" most talked about commodity might not even be who he says he is!

In a popular video on YouTube last week, Sanjaya claims his name is Bill Vendall, a 25-year-old grad student who's been playing the role of "Sanjaya" as an art project.

Shaun asked Sanjaya about the video.

"Okay, you wanna explain that?" Shaun asked him.

"I was having fun and then people believed that I was actually Bill Vendall," he laughed. "I'm not Bill Vendall!"

As it turns out, the bizarre hoax was actually commissioned by Will Ferrell for his Web site FunnyOrDie.com.

Ok, all gags aside it's time to talk business as the "Idols" are gearing up for their big summer tour.

"It's gonna rock," Richardson said.

"Now the pressure is off we're not competing for anything anymore," LaKisha noted.

No pressure and no judges.

So who do the "Idols" think received the worst slam from the always candid Simon Cowell?

"Haley," Chris Sligh quickly answered, drawing a laugh from Scarnato. "It was when he was like, 'I can't even remember your name.'"

But apparently Haley isn't the only one who Simon couldn't remember.

"Don't take it too hard," Phil Stacey added. "He came up to me at the finale and said, 'Chris, how have you been doing?'"

For information on the "American Idol Live! Tour," CLICK HERE to visit our AccessHollywood.com Tour Headquarters.