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

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.

Help will come in the form of several different life coaches, including high-energy weight-loss guru Richard Simmons.

Simmons, who has been known to counsel extremely overweight individuals, will be in Philly Wednesday to spend time with Temptresse's mom, Diane Browne, 43, who at 626 pounds has difficulty breathing and is confined to a wheelchair.

"I really hope this family takes to these opportunities that will be presented to them," Rubalcava said. "Most people in their situations don't get the opportunity to turn things around."

"ET" anchor Kevin Frazier and Thomas Roberts, an anchor from sister infotainment program, "The Insider," will arrive in town tonight to begin taping segments tomorrow with the family, which also includes Temptresse's dad Reginald Reed, 45, Rubalcava said.

The family is precluded from talking with other media, including the Daily News.

One gnawing issue that a life coach might examine is Temptresse's claim that she is a "middle linebacker.

"Don't let this fool you," she said. "Make me mad enough and I'll break your bones."

Gulp.

Temptresse indeed tried out two years ago for the West Philadelphia High School football team - Robeson doesn't have one - when she was in ninth grade, "but she didn't make the team," said John Council, Robeson principal.

"She went to a few practices," he said.

She isn't playing on a team, Rubalcava said.

Since her appearance, some blogs and web sites noted the singer-linebacker and her sad story.

Throughout her heartbreaking segment, it's clear that her mama is a No. 1 priority.

"I wanted to do it for myself and the other thing is to do it for my mother," she tells Seacrest. She helps her mother by getting her water, dressing her and helping to pay bills, Temptresse said in her segment.

Diane Browne, who is seen with a breathing tube on the segment, calls her daughter the "ultimate perfect kid."

She added, "I sometimes feel a little guilty. I think she should be thinking of other things and not be concerned with me."

It's that way at school as well, Council said.

"She's definitely motivated by her mom. She reminds us of that quite often," Council said.

Temptresse is "a fun-loving person, an enthusiastic person" who often opts to start "dancing in the lunchroom and others will join in," he said.

Council already has met with Rubalcava about possibly filming at Robeson, but nothing is set yet, Council said.

Temptresse was camera-ready for her audition, wearing a multi-colored poncho and a long bone-colored necklace.

After she sings "I'm Not Going There," Simon said, "let's start with the positive. You are a sweetheart. And I like you. You're a nice person."

The cuts-like-a-knife Cowell lets her down gently. "The not-so-good news: You're not a great singer, sweetheart."

The nasty was gone, also an "Idol" rarity.

Paula and Randy, who both gave her "no" votes, repeatedly say "don't be sad, don't be sad" as tears roll down her face.

They give her a massive group hug and before they walk her back to her parents, Paula tells her, "It'll be OK."

From where Temptresse Browne is standing today, getting support from high-profile life coaches, Paula may be right. *