If you look back to the Birmingham, AL auditions you will remember a very funny standout in contestant Chris Sligh. He won America’s heart by poking fun at David Hasselhoff. Paula Abdul was quite entertained by Sligh’s performance of Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” doing a little girly-dance in her seat and giving him a standing ovation. Something has changed about Sligh’s humor though; I find it to be a bit arrogant and cocky. There can sometimes be a fine line between confidence and cockiness and I think Sligh has crossed over to the latter.
On Tuesday night’s show he performed “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and was warned by Gwen Stefani to pay attention to his tempo. Well he must have either forget it, wasn’t able to do it, or took the advice and filed it away for future use but one thing he didn’t do was pay attention to his tempo. The performance was a wreck. When he was questioned about it for a minute there I thought he was actually going to say it was fine but thankfully the smart Sligh came out and he agreed that his tempo was off and quickly making an excuse. At this stage in the game there are no excuses. Even aside from the tempo issues Simon Cowell felt that the performance was a train-wreck and I have to agree. If I had to guess it would be either Sligh of Phil Stacy who goes home tonight.
Ousted American Idol contestant Alaina Alexander saw what Antonella Barba’s sexy pictures did for her popularity and has decided to put up some revealing pictures of her own. Now these are not in the typical Barba fashion of prancing around in a national monument showing us her best wet t-shirt moves but these were done in much better taste. In my opinion the pictures are fantastic! Alexander is a beautiful, and smart, girl. The pictures are all posted up on Alaina Alexander’s MySpace Page.
So I wonder if the question is now whether Alexander will be getting offers from pornographic video producers to host their videos like Barba did. What about Playboy Magazine? Will Hugh Hefner find talent in Alexander where America didn’t? I’m not sure why these pictures were put up but I’ll tell you what, she’s one smart girl. Her name has faded from the spotlight since her dismissal from the show and guess what – she’s one of the hottest blogged American Idol topics today. I couldn’t read all the stories and pass on it myself. So what do you think – will this get Alaina Alexander the extra oomph she needs to get noticed in the entertainment industry? I think time will be the judge of that.
I’m going to have to give tonight’s best of show award to Jordin Sparks yet again. I think that her youth is going to play out to her advantage. She has a fantastic voice, as do Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones, but Sparks is a bit more upbeat and I think that will appeal to a broader audience. Honestly, I’m getting a bit bored with Doolittle. Her voice is very consistent and fabulous but she has lost any spark (no pun intended) that she may have had. I found myself yawning during her performance tonight.
Back to Jordin Sparks; Gwen Stefani called her “refreshing” and I absolutely have to agree. Her performance tonight was just that – refreshing. Randy Jackson said “that was a very very risky thing to do…you could literally sing anything, you’d be a great recording artist and that was brilliant.” It was definitely a risky song but I think she pulled it off with spunk, charisma, and a nice vocal performance as well. Paula Abdul always mumbles something about her being young and adorable, no epiphanies from Abdul tonight, not surprising. Simon Cowell agreed that it was a good performance “I think you are probably the most improved contestant we’ve seen in terms of the last few weeks.”
Right now I’m really gunning for Jordin Sparks. I think that vocally she can hold her own in this competition but hands down she wins the American Idol Miss Congeniality award. Her enthusiasm for her performances really shows through and that is what Doolittle is missing.
I must say that I was completely shocked to not only see that Stephanie Edwards received the lowest number of votes but Chris Richardson was right there next to her in the bottom two. Seriously, is America not watching the same show that I am? Granted Stephanie Edwards’ performance was a little lackluster but vocally she is definitely one of the strongest in this *singing* competition. Chris Richardson’s performance on Tuesday night was touted as his best yet and I have to agree. Yes the song was a little boring but again vocally it was a very strong performance. I think the tweens of America have united and ensured that the likes of Sanjaya Malakar (who I think is a nice kid) remain in this competition for the long haul.
When you think about it, this is really a bad season for American Idol. They have some of the best vocalists ever but the mockery that is public voting is really doing harm to American Idol. Heck there is even a person on a hunger strike until Sanjaya Malakar is voted out. J, a girl who could stand to lose a few pounds, has taken a vow to hunger strike until Malakar makes his exit. She even has a MySpace page up! This often-watched and often-ridiculed talent competition is going to have to do a lot of work to get past this season. It has been rifled with scandal and its only getting worse.
Jordin Sparks, 17 year-old phenom from Glendale, Arizona, stepped it up a notch in Tuesday night’s performance. Her song of choice was “I Who Have Nothing” by Tom Jones and Sparks’ performance was absolutely moving, sending chills up and down my arms. She has show exactly why she is in this competition and has put herself up there with Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones as the powerhouses of the competition.
Upon completion of the song Randy Jackson, who was amazed by the audience support, said “That was a very tall order for you…you’re 17…one of the best we’re gonna see tonight.” Paula Abdul felt that Sparks is a “wonderful performer” and Simon Cowell said “you sang it beautifully.” Cowell then went on to say he was a bit depressed and felt like jumping off of a bridge but that was because of the song itself and not the performance. If we see more like this from Sparks I think her future is going to sparkle very bright.
In other performances both Haley Scarnato and Sanjaya Malakar stepped it up a notch and had decent performances, a stark contrast from their performances to date. Phil Stacy tried to shake it up with “Tobacco Road” and while he had fun vocally the performance fell flat and Cowell feels he may be in trouble tonight; I tend to agree with Cowell.
Paula Abdul sat down with TV Guide magazine for an interview and of course her relationship with Simon Cowell came up. On air the two seem to bicker and often take pot shots at each other. It’s hard to tell if this is just playful banter or if they are seriously jabbing at each other. This past week Abdul set the record straight saying “Simon and I actually get along great. We have cultivated a fun relationship. He’s actually become a really good friend.” Well that’s good to know; she likened their relationship to a brother-sister type relationship as Cowell jabs at her while she’s trying to formulate her critiques.
In the interview she was also asked how she rates her performance as a judge this season and she feels “like this is my best so far.” Wow, that’s a far cry from what the fan base has said this year. She received more critique for her off-the-wall behavior this season than any seasons past. I know next year will trump this year. Aside from the odd behavior she basically says the same things – she’s the bubblegum judge as I call her. She won’t tell it like it is. I know Cowell is there for that but if I have to hear Abdul say “how lovely” someone looks one more time I will pull my hair out.
Tomorrow night the top eleven perform. Rumor has it that this week is “British Invasion” week – this should be interesting indeed.
Brandon Rogers, once a backup singer, received the lowest number of votes last week and was sent home. This doesn’t come as a surprise to me because I actually predicted it after watching the performances on Tuesday night. Rogers was one of many contestants that forgot his words. His vocals were OK but he has continually lacked the stage presence that is needed to do well in this competition. Another former backup singer, Melinda Doolittle, has taken over the stage and made it her own. Had Brandon Rogers been able to follow in Doolittle’s footsteps he may not have been voted off this past week.
Starry Constellation Magazine nabbed Rogers for an exclusive interview. Rogers felt at “peace with the decision” as he saw it coming. A lot of conversation was had about his song choice; at season six contestants should know that the song choice will make or break you. Pick a song that showcases YOU and make it yours (but don’t terrorize it like Chris Sligh did) and chances are you’ll perform better. Heck even the judges agreed that Rogers went home because of his song choice assuring him that it wasn’t his vocal performance or his singing ability that sealed the deal.
Read the entire Brandon Rogers interview at Starry Constellation Magazine.
The American Idol top twelve performed tonight and overall I can sum it up with one word – yawn. Seriously, the night was a wreck. Out of the twelve performances only three were noteworthy. Several people forgot their words, can you believe that? Tonight was Diana Ross night, Diana Ross people – she’s been around for decades and you go and forget her words or even worse butcher the song with a horrible arrangement, what are you thinking? The only three performers that did well were Melinda Doolittle, Lakisha Jones, and Jordin Sparks. Sparks did so well that Randy Jackson said “tonight you made it a three-girl race” referring to her being up there with Doolittle and Jones. Simon Cowell agreed with Jackson; maybe his battle of the divas will be Doolittle, Jones, and Sparks in the place of Stephanie Edwards.
Chris Sligh and Blake Lewis butchered their respective songs trying to bring a contemporary sound to the classic Motown sound. With regards to Sligh’s performance, Randy Jackson said “it was a mess for me” and Paula Abdul was concerned that he was “trying ultra-hard to be ultra-hip and cool” and Simon Cowell suggested he put his glasses back on for next week.
Sanjaya Malakar’s performance was typical for him and I honestly don’t see how he will get the votes needed to say. He was a wreck and his performance had Randy Jackson thanking God for the background singers. Haley Scarnato, who many believe should not have made the top twelve, actually had a few good moments in her song even though she forgot the words. There were little bits and pieces of a nice voice breaking through and Simon Cowell took notice; “you may do better than I thought you were gonna do.”
Overall tonight’s show as very boring to me, hence the yawns. Although Sanjaya Malakar should be the one to go home I’m guessing it will be Brandon Rogers.
It’s that time again; American Idol night! I swear I’m like a junkie; the time between Thursday night’s result show to tonight’s performance has seemed to just drag on. I can’t wait to see the train wreck that is Sanjaya Malakar perform. Remember I like the guy and thought he did great in his initial audition and in what they showed from Hollywood but egad has he been a train wreck since. I really don’t know if he can be saved at this point even though he is adorable. It will be refreshing for him to come out and perform like he did in the auditions though, maybe being in the top twelve will be enough of a kick in the butt for him to get it in gear!
I’m also curious how the battle of the divas is going to go. Unlike Simon Cowell I don’t put Stephanie Edwards in the same category as Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones. Out of the past three shows the score is Doolittle 2 and Jones 1. I am wondering if Jones recognizes that Doolittle took it above and beyond last week and plans on a big belter song for tonight. I certainly hope so!
Simon Cowell has threatened to quit American Idol if Sanjaya Malakar is the ultimate winner in season six. Never one for mincing words he simply said “He’s not going to win. I won’t be back if he does!” Now I know Cowell is harsh but wow that was really harsh. Sure Malakar isn’t the best voice in the competition but he’s a nice kid and deserves a little respect in my opinion. That was downright rude and disrespectful; I don’t know why I’d expect anything less from Cowell.
In other American Idol top twelve news, MTV News is reporting that Cowell is hoping for a “battle of the divas” with the top three being Melinda Doolittle, Lakisha Jones, and Stephanie Edwards. Who does he pick of those three to win? It’s not surprising that he’s chosen Melinda Doolittle to edge out the other two. I don’t think the final three will be women, the teenage girls of America will get sores on their text messaging fingers ensuring that at least one of the boys make it in. I do think the final two will be female though. I guess I’ll just have to check back in a bit and see if I was right with this guess. Hey, I’ve been known to be wrong before.