Melinda Doolittle: The Girl Can Sing!

A somewhat shy Melinda Doolittle, a 28 year-old hailing from Brentwood, TN, stepped onto the American Idol audition floor in Memphis jittery with nerves. She’s used to being on stage but not in the limelight. She has been performing backup vocals for years for many well-known gospel acts including the talented CeCe Winans. A quote from Melinda Doolittle’s MySpace page gives us a little insight into her personality, “I think you have to have an amazing sense of humor to be in this wonderful and ever changing music business or you’re in for a rude awakening.” Once she started in with Stevie Wonder’s “For Once in My Life” the judges were in her front pocket. Her voice was absolutely powerful unlike anything I’ve seen on Idols past. Some reviewers are going so far as to compare her to Jennifer Hudson. Now Hudson wasn’t an AI winner but she has won in much bigger ways.

When her performance was finished Simon Cowell said “…you are a brilliant singer,” but went on to show concern for her lack of confidence. Paula Abdul said “You’re really good, you gotta believe.” “Sensational, one of the best auditions ever vocally” chimed in Randy Jackson. With a “one million percent yes” vote from Cowell and two very quick yes votes from Abdul and Jackson, Doolittle was given her ticket to Hollywood. Doolittle definitely needs to get herself a boost of confidence; with the right amount of bravado and stage-presence I really think she is going to be unstoppable.