HOT FROM FOX...

ALLISON IRAHETA RETURNS TO ROCK THE "AMERICAN IDOL" STAGE PERFORMING "SCARS" ON THE SEASON'S FIRST LIVE RESULTS SHOW THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, ON FOX

Season Eight AMERICAN IDOL finalist and fan favorite Allison Iraheta returns to the IDOL stage to perform her new hit single, "Scars," on the first AMERICAN IDOL results show of the season Thursday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. "Scars" was written by Toby Gad and Alyssa James, and produced by Gad.

A devoted AMERICAN IDOL fan since the show's debut, Los Angeles native Iraheta turned her childhood dream into reality when she became one of the final four contestants of Season Eight. The 17-year-old singer impressed the AMERICAN IDOL judges and viewers with performances that reached well beyond her years. Her debut album, "Just Like You," on 19 Recordings/Jive Records, was released December 1 and features her first single "Friday I'll Be Over U," penned and produced by Swedish hit-maker Max Martin. Also included on the album is "No One Else," which was co-written by AMERICAN IDOL judge Kara DioGuardi, Greg Wells and P!nk.

This week, the Top 24 will be split into two groups - 12 females and 12 males - and each contestant will perform a Top 10 hit from the Hot 100 chart. The fate of these 24 semifinalists - one of whom will be the next American Idol - now rests in the viewers' hands. See what happens when the competition heats up and contestants shine during the season's first performance shows. The 12 female semifinalists will perform Tuesday, Feb. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), and the 12 male semifinalists will perform Wednesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Then tune in to see who America picks to continue in the competition when two guys and two girls are eliminated on the season's first results show Thursday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Also during the results show, AMERICAN IDOL Season Eight winner Kris Allen will perform and share footage of his trip to Haiti to raise awareness and funds that will benefit those in need via one of this year's IDOL GIVES BACK beneficiaries, the UN Foundation. During the show, viewers will be asked to support the efforts in Haiti by donating much-needed funds. Donations will be accepted online and via text-messaging, and proceeds will go to the IDOL GIVES BACK Foundation to help the UN Foundation and their work in Haiti. This initiative was set in place by Simon Fuller as a way for viewers of AMERICAN IDOL to give much-needed support to the crisis in Haiti.

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America. The series features host Ryan Seacrest and judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson.

Visit americanidol.com for more information on AMERICAN IDOL in addition to exclusive videos, photos, special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.