Fan Fare

Scary news from the usually-closely guarded “American Idol”  camp.

Seems front-runner Crystal Bowersox — the only contestant this season to get consistently rave reviews from both the judges and the viewing public — had a bit of a meltdown a couple of weeks ago and was persuaded against quitting the show only by the wisdom of “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest.

Seacrest, whose busy career also includes presenting a celebrity news TV show for E!, confirmed a TMZ report on Friday that he had talked the dreadlocked young mom into staying in the competition in a parking lot showdown after she said she hated the attention  and missed her family too much to continue.

“The greatest thing I ever did was make enough money so I could buy my mom a house,” he told her, according to E! online. “You can buy your mom a house.”

As we all know, it worked and Bowersox, 24,  was back wowing the judges and audiences in Elvis-themed week.

Without directly commenting on the reports, Bowersox posted a Facebook message on Friday that said:  “We all have moments of doubt. As much as I miss my kid, the big picture is this: im doing this for him and my fans. I’m having the time of my life!”

But it doesn’t bode too well for Bowersox as the pressure increases towards the May finale, in which her place had previously looked assured. And in an “Idol”  season that has so far been less-than-stellar, that can’t be a good thing for  anyone.