That’s it. But Fantasia wasn’t quite pop star either, and she was much better than the rest of the competition her year too.
I actually wasn’t all that nuts about her. I’m just Brittany’d out. Melinda had a much more refined quality (which I know isn’t necessary for pop music, but I like it anyway).
There’s so much crap in the early weeks of the contest. I’m waving bye-bye to Antonella. When you put her side-by-side with a real singer, she’s pretty much just a karaoke kid.
I completely agree. I didn’t even post my evaluations. There’s no point in it. I either have to grade on a curve, or give her an A+++++. She’s the real deal, and the comparison to Ella was spot on. That’s the tier she occupies.
Oh, I agree. I think she’s in a class by herself.
I wonder how much influence VFTW has over the final candidate, though. American Idol doesn’t have to go this way:
Week 1: worst voted off
Week 2: 2nd worst voted off
Week 3: 3rd worst voted off
While arguably Latoya London or Jennifer Hudson were better than Fantasia, it’s not like a slouch won AI. There weren’t many howls of protest that Fantasia’s singing wasn’t AI winner material.
Melinda is the only contestant, of either gender, whose album I would buy today if it was released. I’m mildly curious to see what Blake will next, but other than that Melinda has stuck a fork in the entire season.
Melinda is the only Idol contestant who has made me want to watch for the singing, rather than watching to see who gets voted home, or to hear the judges snark on each other, or see who Ryan’s hitting on, whether Paula’s on the planet, etc. etc. I’d buy her album too.
I really HATE the sing out.
Man, Sundance is really emotional.
He seems like a nice guy.
Word.
Does Kellie Pickler think the dumb blonde act is endearing?
So…maybe I’m just really unobservant and late in the game, but Pickler had breast implants?
She looks ridiculous.
Holy WonderBra, Batman!
What’s with the hair and the boobs and the lisping? It’s like she’s trying to be Dolly Parton.
Pickler’s look gives me a chance to use my favorite old joke:
“What’s holding that dress up?”
“The gaze of every young man in the room…”
Sanjaya not only looked shocked, he looked disappointed!
I hear ya, and while it’s not quite the same, I keep waiting for a repeat of one of the coolest moments from season 1.
It wasn’t a sing-out, but when it was down to Justin and Kelly, they had them each sing then announced the winner. Immediately, before Kelly had time to even breathe, they thrust the mic at her and the intro to that moment like this song began and she started singing. She’s looking at the confetti and the screaming audience and crying family members in the audience and Justin trying desperately to smile and Paula looking high and…she lost it. Faltering, tears coming, voice cracking and squeaking and her eyes took on this utterly panicked look as she’s torn between her professionalism and being overwhelmed.
Tamyra simply walked over from where they were standing and clapping along on the couches and did the one-armed embrace and started singing with her. Presumably, since both Kelly and Justin had sang the song in competition, Tamyra learned enough of the lyrics to carry it, giving Kelly enough of a breather to recoup. Justin joined them, along with everyone else for the big teary group hug while they all sang the damn song until Kel got enough air back to belt out the finish.
I was verklempt, I tells ya, and if I’ve screwed up the way it went down, don’t correct me cuz it’s truly one of my favorite idol moments. 
In any case, I was hoping for a rescue like that during the Awful Alaina’s song, but the girls either didn’t know it or just aren’t all super awesome bestest friends, after all.
May those of us in the lefternmost time zones have names please? I’m dying here…
So far Nick, Alaina and AJ.
Heh, good idea with the spoiler box there. :o