After Thursday night’s performance on American Idol the ‘net is abuzz with questions regarding Carrie Underwood’s weight. She has definitely lost weight but is it too much? If the TV “adds ten pounds” like the old adage goes then she’s absolutely underweight. Her arms were like sticks with skin on them, absolutely no fat. Now I’m no doctor but she just didn’t look healthy and the majority of sites out there reporting on the topic agree. You can compare the photos for yourself, big difference there!
In other Idol news people across the United States are now trying to guess who the “cocky SOB” is in the male camp. The most commonly mentioned names are Chris Sligh, Chris Richardson, and Blake Lewis. You already know that my guess is Chris Richardson but I could see why Chris Sligh or Blake Lewis would think so as well. Blake Lewis is getting the best overall review from the judges, has a unique look, and is multi-talented on the microphone. If I found out he’s the “cocky” one I’m going to be disappointed as he seems like he’s relatively laid back. Chris Sligh; yeah I could see him being cocky. Hopefully someone spills the beans!!
Ousted American Idol contestant Antonella Barba was a call-in guest along with Jared “JL” Cotter on a segment of this morning’s Ryan Seacrest radio show. Seacrest commented on Barba’s emotions last night and Barba said “oh it was so hard, I had a gut feeling” then continued on to say that her gut feeling was right. When asked if the controversy caused her to grow up quickly she said “definitely, it was kind of forced, it was kind of unexpected…it was a whirlwind.” I don’t get how it was unexpected though. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that if there is controversy to be made then it will happen. She knew about the pictures she had to have had at least a little clue that they were going to be leaked.
Seacrest continued on the controversial topic and asked her how tough all the “extra noise” was during the competition. “It was unnecessary, it was just hard to deal with, it was an unnecessary distraction, trying to stay off the internet, trying to not listen to everything going on…I tried to get through it.” Thankfully for Barba her family was supportive throughout the entire ordeal reminding her that she was in a competition and that she needed to stay focused. Focused on what? Staying off-key?
In closing Seacrest asked Barba if she was going home and she said she planned to stick around Los Angeles for the next few weeks to “see what types of offers I get…I’d like to continue singing…looking at acting offers, modeling.” I wonder if Hugh Hefner has already picked up the phone to make that offer to pose in Playboy Magazine.
In a non-Antonella note there appears to be some conflict happening behind-the-scenes with regards to an unnamed male contestant who is certain he has the competition in the bag and is being rather egotistical around it. When asked about this Jared very wisely said “I don’t know if we can talk about that.” Sundance Head was interviewed on the show earlier in the day and hinted at the same controversy. So of course everyone is wondering who is this Mr. Ego? The staff at americanidolworship.com has suggested perhaps Chris Sligh. I was thinking Chris Richardson as he seems to be a little cocky since being compared to Justin Timberlake. Whoever it is, I hope someone spills the beans soon – Mr. Ego needs to be shown the proverbial door.
Congratulations to the American Idol season six top twelve contestants.
Melinda Doolittle
Stephanie Edwards
Gina Glocksen
Lakisha Jones
Blake Lewis
Sanjaya Malakar
Chris Richardson
Brandon Rogers
Haley Scarnato
Chris Sligh
Jordin Sparks
Phil Stacy
The four contestants receiving the lowest number of votes and who will be going home were Antonella Barba, Jared Cotter, Sundance Head and Sabrina Sloan. I am surprised that Sabrina Sloan is going home; I think Haley Scarnato is performing at a less than par level and really doesn’t belong in the top twelve. Additionally I don’t think Sanjaya Malakar belongs there either, Jared Cotter has performed much better. Oh well, what do my thoughts matter, right? This is the top twelve and now the real fun begins – we get to see the boys whittled away one by one. *evil laugh*
Back on February 18th I took a guess at who will make the American Idol season six Top 12. Well I didn’t do so hot; I guessed three out of six of the guys (Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, and Chris Sligh) and four out of six of the girls (Melinda Doolittle, Lakisha Jones, Haley Scarnato, and Jordin Sparks). When I was predicting this it was shortly after the top 24 were announced and I wasn’t sure how everyone was going to do during the televised rounds. Had I known I wouldn’t have predicted Sanjaya or Haley making it but hey 7 out of 12 isn’t that bad?
There are a couple of interesting tidbits in the news right now and I thought I’d share.
Jennifer Hudson, the most successful former American Idol contestant in my opinion, has turned down a $3 million movie role. Yes, that’s right, $3 million. Warner Bros offered her $3 million for a role in an upcoming movie but it would involve Hudson’s character being involved in a nude scene. Hudson turned it down because she considers herself a role model for aspiring young black women. You go girl!
Nigel Lythgoe sounds off on the Rosie O’Donnell claim that American Idol is a racist show calling her “utterly crazy.” O’Donnell made this claim after Antonella Barba was treated differently than Frenchie Davis for similar indiscretions. O’Donnell felt that the show was racist and also discriminated against Davis because of her weight. In a call to Ryan Seacrest’s radio show earlier today Lythgoe said “Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms O’Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that American Idol is racist and/or weightist.” Lythgoe then went on to say “Look at our past contestants, Ruben (Studdard) for instance, Randy Jackson himself… these are not small people!” Thanks for pointing out the obvious Nigel.
The staff at tmz.com is reporting that Joe Francis, the magic behind the Girls Gone Wild series, has offered Antonella Barba $250,000 to be a celebrity host in a future Girls Gone Wild video. Yup, you heard that right – celebrity host! Antonella Barba has officially reached celebrity status. Of course when she was more searched than Britney Spears she was already there but now someone with some authority in the entertainment industry has officially declared that Antonella Barba is a celebrity.
Francis told the TMZ staff “We have reached out to Antonella Barba through her family and are trying to reach her directly in order to offer her a hosting job for one of our upcoming video projects. Just like the American Idol judges, we at Girls Gone Wild are looking for a girl next door, with sexiness, attitude, a carefree spirit and a presence that will command the attention of the Nation.” Well he’s definitely hit the nail on the head with regards to his description of Barba – she is a girl next door (Catholic girl), she’s shown she can be sexy, she definitely has attitude (think back to the hair flip eye roll geared towards Randy Jackson), and she’s obviously carefree if she’s willing to repeatedly get on stage and make a fool of herself with her crackling, off-key and pitchy voice.
So do you think Barba will host the GGW video or do you think she’ll hold out for an offer from Playboy Magazine? My vote goes to the Playboy Magazine deal.
Okay its no longer American Idol, the new name of the show is “Melinda Doolittle Idol.” Seriously, it should be renamed for the year. No one held a candle to Doolittle tonight, not even the amazing voice of Lakisha Jones. This week Doolittle stepped it up and really shined setting herself head and shoulders above the rest.
Doolittle’s sang “I’m a Woman” and the song was so beautiful – I was stricken with chills. When she finished Randy Jackson enthusiastically said “You’re ready to go in the studio and make a record, you got it going on.” Yup, gonna have to agree with Randy on that one. Paula Abdul felt that Melinda is “so phenomenal, so likable, you’re brilliant on stage, every week I want to see what you’re going to do next.” Never one to be shy, Simon Cowell said “You little tiger, I thought we had a pussycat” then went on to say “a million percent we’ll see you next week.” I concur.
There were a few odd moments in tonight’s show. Now you know me, I’m not one to let an Antonella Barba oops slip and we all know she’s filled with oops’. She did sing a bit better tonight but her lovely conceited attitude came out after the judges had their say. Ryan Seacrest asked if she had a place in the top twelve and she responded “Yeah, I think I have a different style than them.” Yes, that style is called suck-ass singing. Seriously Antonella, are you delusional? Do you not watch the shows after they air? The caliber of your voice is nowhere near up to par.
Another odd moment was after Haley Scarnato’s less then glamorous performance. When it came time for the judges’ comments Simon Cowell bluntly said “I thought it was horrible. I said to Paula halfway through ‘I don’t know your name’.” I couldn’t agree more with Cowell and I don’t see Scarnato making it past tonight’s voting.
Finally we hear from Frenchie Davis who was removed from American Idol for provocative photos found on the Internet after she was already secured for the televised rounds of AI. Everyone has been wondering why Antonella Barba didn’t share the same fate; even Rosie O’Donnell is sounding off on the topic calling American Idol a racist show. Watch the Rosie O’Donnell video here. Rosie aside I’m more interested in what Frenchie (currently performing on Broadway in the hit musical Rent), herself, has to say on the topic.
“I don’t necessarily think that (it’s racism), but I can certainly look at this and understand why people would draw that conclusion.” Its hard to say whether or not its racism or if American Idol has changed their rules on risqué photographs of contestants but like Frenchie said I understand why people would draw that conclusion. Frenchie still appears to be hurt over the issue (understandably so) and went on to say that while she would like a “public apology” on the matter she feels she is owed more for “the manner in which I was humiliated and the manner in which Antonella was defended and protected by the same people who humiliated me.” I agree 100%. Frenchie Davis was publicly ridiculed for her photographs where Antonella Barba is being supported by her Fantonellas as evidenced by her continuation on the show despite less than ideal vocal performances.
ABCnews.com has a great story – for more information on this topic check it out.
The following quotes pretty much sum up the top eight males.
Randy Jackson – “It wasn’t the best night for the boys.”
Simon Cowell – “Overall it’s been a very disappointing night tonight”
I really couldn’t say it any better. Overall the talent tonight was just mediocre at best. I mentioned earlier today that Sanjaya Malakar and Sundance Head needed to pick it up to make it to the top twelve overall and they weren’t able to do that. They’re both pretty popular so they might make it through but it won’t be based on tonight’s vocals.
Blake Lewis was up first and sang a tune that no one recognized (for the record the song is “All Mixed Up” by 311 from 1995) but he did a good job with it. Randy Jackson said “Didn’t recognize the song but I love it.” Even Simon Cowell was drawn in by the performance saying “You’re current…100% you’ll be here next week.” Simon, I concur!
Chris Richardson was up fourth and sang a Keith Urban tune. Richardson’s voice was a little off but overall it was a good performance. Jackson was excited about the performance; “You put the boys on blast…dude I like this…this kid is in it to win it.” While Simon liked the performance he was “not jumping out “ of his chair. Honestly Simon, I don’t think you’ve ever jumped out of your chair.
Antonella Barba’s name has already been the topic of discussion at the Playboy Mansion and has already graced the lips of head honcho Hugh Hefner. She’s already showed us that she’s up to snuff as far as her looks and evidently willing to show some skin so I’ve been wondering if she’ll get an offer to pose in Playboy and whether or not she’ll take it. I think it depends on how far she goes in Idol. Naturally if she wins (that *Is* a possibility) she probably won’t pose right away but if she loses will she take that offer? What about her college career – she is a student at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. – I wonder if they have any clauses about losing your student eligibility status if you pose. However this could launch her career since its likely that her voice won’t.
So I decided to snoop around a bit and found a website dedicated to just this topic – getting Antonella Barba a Playboy Magazine spread. The site is aptly named www.antonellabarbaplayboy.com and while it has some of her pictures up it doesn’t have any of the racier ones from the fountain. I wonder how this campaign is going to work – it might just get her that many more votes in American Idol and keep her around a few more weeks. Oh joy.
It’s Tuesday and that means tonight the remaining eight males will perform hoping to continue on to the top twelve overall. So what can we expect from tonight? Let’s start with Sanjaya Malakar – he was instructed to do something more youthful and stop channeling his old soul. I predict that he will actually take the judges suggestion and act on them picking a song that is more youthful as well as one that suits his soft voice. Please Sanjaya, do me a favor, do a fantastic job tonight! I loved you in the audition and Hollywood rounds but quite frankly since them I’ve been embarrassed to admit I’m a fan. Prove me wrong tonight baby!
Next up – Sundance Head; Sundance needs to bring out a performance that is even better than his “Mustang Sally” rendition from last week. Like Simon said, Sundance can do better. It was good enough to keep him in but right now I’d guess that he’s on the bubble and really needs to pick the perfect song and give a perfect performance.
How about Brandon Rogers? I thought Brandon Rogers was in trouble last week but I was wrong. His voice is good but not as strong as I have heard in the past. He really needs a better song choice and needs to execute on that. I think that song choice is going to make or break him this week as he’s probably on the bubble as well.
Well there you have it, my not so professional opinion on what to expect tonight. Let’s see if I’m right or wrong, check back tonight after the show and I’ll have a follow-up written.