<p>I didn’t realize it was time to shield my eyes-Fantasia was a Glamour don’t. H said he is afraid to see Chaka. Already read vote for worst.</p>
<p>Well, no surprise to frequenters of this thread that I’m happy it was Phillip.</p>
<p>As to the criticism that he “has no versatility”… why does he need versatility? I’m serious with that question. Lots of very successful musicians have a certain style and are most successful when they write/find material that capitalizes on that style. I don’t want him to sound like CCR one day and then Aerosmith the next and then MoTown after that. That is the way AI competition works (and I’m good with that) but that doesn’t need to be the way a performer builds a career.</p>
<p>Someone in fashion land was pushing unitards last night, but unfortuantely Fantasia’s didn’t quite fit so they had to cut the legs open to get her into it. That was the WORST outfit I’ve ever seen on a celebrity. For me, it actually distracted from the song, but what I liked least is that AI cut to a commercial before I could see the song wrap up.</p>
<p>Jessica did have a strong night vocally … she looked great, sounded great and let loose a bit with Jennifer. (I’m glad there wasn’t yet another unitard, however.)</p>
<p>I also loved so many other performances, other than when 5 or more idols sing a medley. I unfortunately FF through those after I get the gist of it. Some of the ex-contestants I was happy to see and others not-so-much.</p>
<p>My favorite part was the end of course, since I’m a well-established, long-term PP fan. I for some reason love it when they get announced and then try to sing their song and then get overwhelmed by emotion (similar to the winner of an Olympic medal … those tears, too). I loved that he finally gave up and walked straight over to his family and collapsed into their arms. THAT was a beautiful moment. Good luck with your surgery, PP, and I look forward to downloading your first album so I can listen to it while I walk.</p>
<p>glad phil won, my favorite was joshua. never understood the jessica popularity…good singer but not unique to me.</p>
<p>no comments about ace and dianna???</p>
<p>Diana was adorable and is “all grown up”. Ace on the other hand, is a romantic at heart, but gosh he looked WAY different (IMO, not in a good way!) Between the WAY long hair and general unkeptness (?) he just seemed “old” or something.</p>
<p>Personally, I thought the on-air proposal was cheesy. As soon as Ace dropped the name of the jeweler (meaning the ring had been traded for on air advertisement) it stopped being romantic in any way in my eyes. It also seemed so misplaced, like a huge attention grab on someone else’s night.</p>
<p>In post-results interviews, Jessica was very gracious. I think both of them will benefit from not having to sing other peoples’ songs from here out–well, after the tour. Jessica is so young - I hope she’s allowed to take some time to figure out who SHE really wants to be, rather than a rush to something. Carrie Underwood wasn’t an immediate star, and was very thoughtful about who she became. I love PP, his whole vibe and I would listen to his music–like Dave Matthews who sounds “the same” in his songs, he’s doing ok…</p>
<p>Blue, I agree with that - but a lot of that show seems “staged” to me…also awkward to me was the presentation of the Ford cars - awkward when they gave their mentors keys and honestly awkward when Phillip and Jessica got keys (I know they probably know that’s coming, but that was a FLAT reception!!) Can Jessica even drive yet!!!</p>
<p>^True, when you get an invitation from FORD to appear on AI, it has to at least cross your mind that you’re getting a car. It also then seriously deflated giving Phillip and Jessica theirs. Whoever set up that part (as far as who stands where, etc.), it was terrible. All so awkward with not enough room for anyone to move, stay out of the way of the camera shot, etc.</p>
<p>@SJTH - I also think that Jessica will benefit from a couple of years to figure out her style, surround herself with really good people who can guide her, gain a little more confidence moving on stage, etc. She is obviously exceptionally talented. Not being shoved through the AI machine where she has little to no choices on anything may be the best thing that ever happens to her.</p>
<p>^^^ Concur with blue. Jessica will need to put a bit more energy into her stage presence. She seemed almost reticent at times, last night being one of them. </p>
<p>Joshua should have at least been a finalist. He can sing anything from Johnny Mathis to James Brown and put his own spin on it.</p>
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<p>Agree with this! Last year, Lauren Alaina’s duet with Carrie Underwood just showed how far Lauren Alaina had to go. I thought Skylar held her own with Reba.</p>
<p>I thought Jessica actually sang well last night…maybe not having the pressure of competition really helped. Her duet with Jennifer Holliday was amazing–maybe Jessica belongs on Broadway. </p>
<p>I like the numbers where the Idols get to sing with an artist that they’ve grown up idolizing (Mantasia and Fantasia, Jessica and Jennifer, etc.). Even if you don’t take anything else away from your Idol journey, that would make it all worthwhile!</p>
<p>The final four: </p>
<p>Hollie was the 4th best and left at the right time but she is beautiful and has a great voice and I hope we see more of her in the future. </p>
<p>Joshua has an amazing voice, but everything he sang was 40 or 50 years old (yikes!). I’d really like to see what he’d do with some original, contemporary music. Will he break out and find a viable career?</p>
<p>Jessica was my favorite to win all along, but the more I watched her the more I thought that while she had the most incredible voice, she needed a little more time to develop her stage presence.</p>
<p>Phillip was one I really did NOT like, but he won me over last week with his final song. I don’t think he’ll fill auditoriums, but - IF he can write his own material - he can make a career of it.</p>
<p>All in all, it was a fun season to watch, but my favorites of all time did NOT win: Adam and especially Katherine. I religiously watched Smash on NBC just to see her. The older she gets, the more beautiful she gets.</p>
<p>I agree about Katherine. I remember reading that she was actually relieved not to win, although who knows how true these things are. I have wondered if it was a blessing that she wasn’t subjected to the AI machine and all that entails given the health issues she has battled. She seems to be doing really well now, were as we all know winning doesn’t always bring great success.</p>
<p>I only watched last night’s episode, and if that was the best they could come up, all I can say is that I am thrilled to have avoided this mess. Is that really the best we can find in the United States? If the two finalists are barely decent --and that Joshua a bit better-- the rest of the bunch they showcased last night was plain horrible, especially the male cohort. </p>
<p>If there were a few good performers on X-factor, and one or two not-that-mediocre-winners on TheVoice, this AI did not have anybody. </p>
<p>Thankfully, there is America Got Talent, and dancing dogs. Enough of those singing dogs!</p>
<p>If you’re wondering what’s up with AI finalists…the link below is on slide 52/Brooke White talking about PIT (Post-Idol trauma).</p>
<p>[?American</a> Idol? Finalists: From Sanjaya to Taylor Hicks, Where Are They Now? [PHOTOS] - The Daily Beast](<a href=“‘American Idol’ Finalists: From Sanjaya to Taylor Hicks, Where Are They Now? [PHOTOS]”>‘American Idol’ Finalists: From Sanjaya to Taylor Hicks, Where Are They Now? [PHOTOS])</p>
<p>I’ve only watched two seasons of AI. I’ve known 2 of the finalists and those are the seasons I’ve watched. One I knew fairly well, one I hung out with for a few months and barely remembered until I heard his name. </p>
<p>I can’t get in to reality shows. I’ve never been able to. They have always just seemed so FAKE it’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>@romani You’re not really missing much when you don’t watch reality shows. But I do like to watch certain reality shows while I’m doing some chores so I don’t get bored with my chore (for example, chopping and slicing ingredients for a meal, folding clothes, entering my receipts into Quicken). Maybe you enjoyed one of these reality shows: Amazing Race, Dog Whisperer, Chopped, American Pickers, Project Runway and SYTYCD?</p>
<p>Someone mentioned maybe Jessica belongs on Broadway–I told my daughter several weeks ago that if there is ever a revival of Miss Saigon, she could do it.</p>
<p>I thought Hollie outsang Jordin last night, and Skylar looked really comfortable singing with Reba. I missed the first 15-20 minutes of the show and was busy doing other things so I did not give it my full attention. I did see Neil Diamond and the “boys” and thought Neil was a real trooper trying to talk/sing his song. Then Ryan said he was about to go out on a 1-year tour! Really.</p>
<p>
I did think Hollie shined last night. My comment to DH was it was so classy of Jordin not to overpower Hollie and really let her be the star, have her moment.</p>
<p>I too had to shake my head when Ryan announced Neil Diamond was going on a one year tour! Oh goodness!</p>