7 News Features: Inside Idol

WSVN--From confidentality agreements to iron clad contracts, the Idol producers work hard to make sure their secrets are never revealed.  But tonight, we got the scoop on what happens backstage including what happens when you get the boot.

Call it an obsession or an addiction, American Idol has become America's favorite pastime.

By now, we know who's a little bit country and who's a little bit rock and roll.

Who has a powerful voice and who has star power.

But for as much as we do know, we don't know much about what happens backstage.

And that's because the Idol producers keep everything off camera under lock and key.

In fact, when a contestant is kicked off, they meet with a psychologist to discuss their feelings...

And meet with the show's management to discuss what they can and can't say.

Now, we all know who gets voted off depends on song, style, and stage presence.

For fashion, each singer meets with a consultant.

They're given $450 to spend each week.

But ultimately the Idolists make their own decisions, and sometimes, that can backfire.

Nadia: "I think the mohawk got me fired."

As for the song selection...

The finalists are given about 20 CDs of a specific genre.

They must choose four or five songs in case the producers can't get permission to use them on the show.

That's what happened to Florida's Melissa Mcghee the week she got the boot.

She had to change tunes at the last minute and forgot the words.

By the way, in case you were wondering, getting songs okayed can cost up to six thousand dollars.

Now once a song is selected, we've all seen the Idol wannabes practicing with celebrity coaches.

But you won't see Paula, Randy, or Simon.

They're not around until Tuesday.

Vonzell: "You don't get to talk to the judges or have a conversation at all.  We only see them on show date."

But the Idols do see a lot of each other.

They share an apartment with a laundry service, cleaning service, and chef to make their meals.

The only other person they get to see is Ryan Seacrest.

He does visit but not for long.

On non-Idol nights, Ryan goes to bed at 7:30 to host his radio show -- it starts at 5 in the morning.

By the way, the Idols themselves also have a curfew; on the night before a show, they must be in bed by 10 pm.