And then there were 5...
Season 8 of
American Idol has brought about it’s usual suspects: While there are the doubters, some haters, and a whole lot of naysayers, this season’s crop of would-be singers has seen some of the best talent since Kelly Clarkson belted her way to victory in 2002.
Even still, there were obvious cuts to be made from this year’s bakers dozen—Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre and Anoop Desai, we won’t miss you!
And now that the epitome of clueless-- Lil Rounds—has been shown the door and most certainly (and hopefully!) never to be heard from again, the competition can really begin.
In all honesty, any of this year’s Top 5 could be in the final, and would most certainly wipe the Idol floor with many a finalist of Idol’s past— Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken (2003)? Taylor Hicks and Kathryn McPhee (2006)? Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis (2007)? A most certain and easy slaying...
That being said, I of course have my favourites, and my predictions. I would say forgive my bias for a certain guyliner-wearing, nail-polish using, could-have-been incredible 80’s front man...but that would imply my bias is in some way in the wrong. Here’s the way I see it all playing out…
5th—Matt Giraud
While I personally feel his groove, it’s too bad the music biz already has embraced his doppelganger, Justin Timberlake. While the guy can sing, bust a move, AND look hot in a fedora, it’s hard not to think of JT whilst he does his thing. And although the judges utilized their one and only ‘save’ to spare him elimination 2 weeks ago, his previous record of bottom-three placements foretell a dim future.
4th—Allison Iraheta
Carrying the torch for rocker-chicks everywhere, it’s hard to believe a voice like that belongs to a 16-year-old girl! Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and Taylor Swift should be shaking in their designer boots. While she is the only female left in the competition, it’s hard to compete when you’re up against...
3rd—Danny Gokey
The very first week, I pegged Danny and Adam [Lambert] for the finals. But for me, the last couple weeks has seen Danny Gokey’s stock take a bit of a dip. While no one denies the killer voice and the obvious good guy that he is, his star is starting to be eclipsed by a certain guitar-wielding heart throb. And while we ALL know by now that Danny tragically lost his wife less than a year ago (Ok, how can you not be emotionally sucker-punched by his look to the heavens during his rendition
of Rascal Flatt’s What Hurts the Most,sniff...), a kabosh needs to be put on any and all future sob-story pimping, as the backlash could be right around the corner. (In Danny’s defence, I think
Idol is pimping out that particular fact more than Danny would like, and it is most definitely a part of his appeal—his emotion obviously comes from a place of both love and grief.) Speaking of love...
2nd—Kris Allen
How can you NOT love this guy? I just want to pinch his cheeks, touch his hair, and have him sheepishly
and impishly smile at me forever....
1st—Adam Lambert
Yes, I could probably share both my make-up and hair products, (and some of my clothes) with him, but the clear fact is this guy is INCREDIBLE! While some contestants think artistry is inserting a couple runs and/or pitch changes into a song (yes, I’m talking to you Lil Rounds!), Adam is the show’s one and only maverick.
His comfort on stage an obvious by-product of his professional theatre history, he’s probably the only contestant I would never dare fast-forward. His choices are bold, never-been-done, and deliciously outrageous. What other contestant can both thrill an audience and visibly horrify country legend Randy Travis with his Indian sytar-flavoured
interpretation of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire? (Now, that’s entertainment!)
What other contestant dare take on Michael Jackson and The Rolling Stones without so much as a bat of his mascara-ed eyelash? And what other contestant can bring the overly-grizzled Simon Cowell to his feet in appreciation? Only Adam. And most-deservedly so. Just try and find me something better than
his take on the Tears for Fears classic Mad World.