American Idol is known for making nobodies into well-known somebodies. But before the major elimination drama begins, Fox throws a party for each season’s top 12 contestants that is relatively low on hype and high on down-home feeling. Tomiko Iwata oversaw this year’s event on Thursday, March 8, at WP in the Pacific Design Center, which was awash in logos and products from sponsor Coca-Cola. Wolfgang Puck’s menu included hearty comfort foods like pasta, veggies, baked potatoes, and a build-your-own ice cream sundae bar. Images Printed on Chocolate doled out lollipops emblazoned with guests’ photographs—not a brand-new concept, but a runaway hit of the night, with wait times topping an hour to retrieve the sweets. By the way, Fox blitzed the party circuit last week, with a launch party for The Wedding Bells the following night at the Ebell Theatre.
—Alesandra Dubin
Posted 03.14.07
—Alesandra Dubin
Posted 03.14.07

At Fox’s casual, unpretentious party for this season’s top 12 American Idol contestants, a changing lighting scheme rotated through candy colors.