This provides an explanation for why the cameramen knew what to focus on in the live show with such certainty. It's, however, from the questionably reputable "Philly Music News," so it's a grain of salt thing...
Local Idol Voted off AI, But It's His Love Life Getting the Attention. Local American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov, 20, of Trevose, PA was sent packing Wednesday night but it wasn't he exit from the show that has most of America talking. Rather it was the surprising public outing of his, "secret," relationship with fellow AI contestant Carrie Underwood of OK. It's not surprising to see a small outpouring of emotion this late in the game from the remaining contestants when someone is sent home but the waterworks display put on by Underwood was reminiscent of a funeral for a lost lover.
Fedorov appeared complacent with his ejection and performed with a smile on his face but one look over to the sidelines showed someone who was not handling the results quite as well. Underwood went from cheerful at her own safety to a sobbing mess in the span of under 4 minutes when it was announced that it was Anthony getting sent home rather than the expected other female contestant Vonzell Solomon. It appeared the Underwood was attempting to get her emotions under control at one point before Fedorov began to sing his parting song, "If You Don't Know Me By Now," but finally lost control when Fedorov turn to face her and sang the words, "Well I might as well say goodbye." Underwood's tear ravished face was displayed high on the massive video screen behind the singing Fedorov where she clearly spoke and signed the words, "I love you," to him.
Well, some have said that this was just a display of close friendship between two amateurs being ripped apart by the mainstream music industry, others behind the scenes admit there is more to the story. Despite the fact the Fedorov has a girlfriend of two years who he has said he loves very much, sources on the set claimed that the love scandal this season had nothing to do with Paula Abdul.
One cameraman interviewed by our local Hollywood reporter said, "It was no secret to everyone behind the scenes that Anthony and Carrie were together romantically. We were all just told to keep it as far away from the public as possible. We were given strict orders to watch our camera angles and to move the live feed off of them while on stage if they seem to be slipping into a private moment. Any shots that could not be written off as a close friendship were to be avoided without fail. It wasn't until this weeks elimination show that we were given the green light to capture anything between them, and that's because the producers saw ratings drama when Carrie became emotional the way she did and it was only allowed after we knew we were close to the end of the live feed. The real emotional breakdown between them did not happen until after we were off the air, and Anthony finished his song with Carrie clung to him and him to her while the other two contestants stood back and tried to offer support."
Another Idol insider said, "Things happen behind the scenes that you try to keep hidden. While we don't encourage romantic relationships between the final 12, we also can not stop it from happening. They are in the privacy of their own apartments 14 hours a day, we can not logically control who sleeps where. We just try to keep it on the low down."
