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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > March > 07 > Entry
3/7: Exit interviews for Kady, Asia’h, Danny, Luke
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My general impressions of the four eliminated contestants after listening to their exit interviews:
Asia’h Epperson was fairly curt, not terribly fascinating. But she did live in Marietta for four years. She attended Harrison High School, then Marietta High School, from 2001 to 2005. I wasn’t really in a good position on this mass press conference to press her for more details but she said she’d like to come here to possibly record an album or do some other entertainment-related work. Her Beatles song, if she had had the chance, was “Can’t Buy Me Love,” with a bit of hip-hop thrown in. I would have loved to have heard that! She also felt going first was a bad thing, that doing such an upbeat song first hurt her because people are just settling in their seats. I didn’t understand her logic there. And about her strange apostrophe and that extra h in her name, she had no explanation why her parents gave her that.
Kady Malloy surprised us media folks with a pro-gay rights agenda (though she isn’t gay herself.). “You shouldn’t define people by their sexuality,” she said. And as shown in the pre-taped segments on “Idol,” she is also sweet and funny. Why that didn’t translate on stage is a mystery. She sang that Queen song because it’s her favorite song and she’s a huge Freddie Mercury fan. “I went out with a bang,” she said. She did admit “my stage presence is lacking but I haven’t been on stage much.” She has never met Britney, who she does a wicked imitation. But she’d love to! She can do other funny impressions of Cher, Shakira and Christina. Nobody asked her to actually do them, though. Bummer! And she would have sang “Here, There and Everywhere” from the Beatles “Revolver” album if she had survived. That’s not a major hit, but a pretty tune.
Luke Menard, at age 29, was very articulate, very bright. But his song selection this past week was suspect. He picked Wham’s cheesefest 1984 hit “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.” He said he wanted something familiar and upbeat and would fit his high tenor range. He didn’t offer any regrets. His Beatles song would have been “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” done a bit slower. Oddly, his a capella group did lots of jazzier tunes so they never did a Beatles song.
Finally, we got Danny Noriega. He’s exactly who you’d expect him to be - flamboyant and confident like Christian on “Project Runway.” He said that anti-Christmas video rant he did was a character he played. “It’s almost like another person ago,” he said. “I was actually shocked they [TMZ] used that one. There are more interesting ones.” He talked about his relationship with Ramiele, that they were both ADD and had the same interests and personality (though she has yet to really show it on stage.). The two of them, he said, were like Charlie’s Angels. “She’s my little twin and I love her,” he said. Yet when one reporter even alluded to his sexuality, he demurred. “Your personal life and jobs are separate,” he said. “Privacy is really important… it’s pretty sad people will do that- tear down someone’s success.”
And his performance of “Tainted Love”? “I don’t care what anybody said. I had a blast doing it.”
The ratings this week for “Idol” were the closest to year-ago numbers since the season began. Overall, ratings were down only 1 percent (27.7 million for the three episodes, on average, vs. 28 mil in 2007.). Last year, most of the top 12 performance episodes drew 26 to 28 million viewers. I expect that won’t change this time around.
still alto of gas in his tank. mayb eon an FM signal. hidl oldies is prett yold.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By JTesla
March 7, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info. I didn’t think it was possible, but I like Danny even less. Very good point on the logic that Asia’h used. Sounds backwards to me.
By Deirdre
March 7, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the interviews Rodney. Great blog except the last sentence was a little odd. :-)
By JTesla
March 7, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
I was wondering about that sentence myself… hey maybe this entry was really done by a robot and someone forgot to give Robo-Rodney 3000 a good oiling before they left for the weekend!
By War Eagle
March 7, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
JT, I know you are in Oregon but do you have Georgia ties?
How did you find Rondey and flats blog?
By JTesla
March 7, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
WE, no ties. At the beginning of season 5 I did a Google search for “American Idol and blog.” I looked at a few others, but they didn’t have a professional feel. Then I found Rodney’s blog. I didn’t realize that the blog was in Georgia for a while, but I knew that as a journalist he had more professional entries. I also liked that he incorporated first hand information and wasn’t only relying on cutting and pasting from another source. I like dirt from other sources, but I also like the first person account of interviews - like the exit interviews and Chris Sligh etc.
It wasn’t until season 6 that I started looking at the comments. I started out with a few minor posts, but then some guy named Negativo showed up and I jumped in with a vengeance. However, he eventually got me to join the cult of Haley’s legs, so all was good.
By Jenny
March 7, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
There were no surprises but that’s good. I want the top 12 to be the best 12. Now is when it gets fun.
We wait until the 12 and play a game where you have to predict the final 2 over the next couple weeks. It sounds easy but it’s hard. It was pretty hard last year too. There’s a website that actually tracks it so we’re not bothered by managing everyone’s picks. We just created an office pool which is free. The site also offers an open game to the general public where anyone can just join. Dang, I sound like a commercial ; ) Anyway, check it out. It makes watching more fun.
http://www.last2left.com/whatsinplay/american-idol-7
By War Eagle
March 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the testimonial JT. I think that Rodney will be very honored to read your assessment of his work.
I think you fit in very well with us good ole’ southern folk and we are much obliged to have you here.
And I think Haley’s legs might be the key to gaining world peace.
By JT, War Eagle is R HO
March 7, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
Just so you know.
By War Eagle
March 7, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Unless I read that wrong someone just said I was Rodney. LOL
I sure would like to know where that came from.
Thanks, we have a mystery on our hands.
Is War Eagle…………Rodney???
By Songluvr
March 7, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
That’s what they said allright. Not only that, they made it their screenname. Hm.
By War Eagle
March 7, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Hey Songluvr
What is your vote?
Am I Rodney??
Side note……Rodney I am sure you know that I mean no disrespect, I’m just playing along.
And where the hell is my hoodie?
By JTesla
March 7, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
War Eagle I’ve been onto you for a long time. The whole “I’ve got class tonight” while Rodney makes performance night entries is so Clark Kent - Superman, it’s just obvious.
And all the talk about applying at Kia, you know what that means… well… that you applied at Kia. You got me I don’t know what else that means.
;)
By Songluvr
March 7, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Hey WE. I think you are definitely not Rodney. I do, however, know that you are Kevin Federline, and I have the pictures to prove it.
By War Eagle
March 7, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
The gig is up. Now that everyone knows that I am Rodney there is no way that I can retain my job or marriage because of the post that I have made under an assumed name. The bog will officially be shut down tomorrow because I can not continue to live a lie.
It has been a wild ride but all good things must come to an end.
As I bow out I will name my successor
flats this is officially your blog now and I am praying that you can provide the leadership that some of these fools need.
JT, keep an eye on flats. He has come along well but may still need some guidance.
To all I bid farewell,
Rodney
By RK
March 7, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Beatles…what could Amanda do? I was thinking Live and Let Die, but that’s Wings.
By War Eagle
March 7, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Songluvr (i’m noty really Rodney) let’s keep it between us.
By Songluvr
March 7, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
So K-Fed, fill in the blank:
Mike Hampton is _ once again.
Unfrikkinbelievable. No, really it’s not.
By Songluvr
March 7, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Okay then. I guess. But inquiring minds want to know … Does Shar snore?
By War Eagle
March 7, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Songluvr, have you been hitting the sauce? I can’t make any sense of your last two post.
By ,,,=^..^=,,, from home
March 8, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
Yep Songluvr, Mike Hampton (braves pitcher, you know?) is @#$% once again, that man just canNOT stay “whole” for a season, it seems, and sad to say, cuz when he’s good, he’s really REALLY good!
and i believe the other is a KFed reference, LOL!!!
see, it’s not so hard!
By ,,,=^..^=,,, from home
March 8, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this
Rodney, just got thru watchin’ Gone Country. Oh My Goodness. Surprise ending!!!! I was SURE this was just a cover for a Bobby Brown Intervention/Rehap Event … seemed he could do no wrong, even when he was screwing everything up royally.
I won’t say more until you give your recap, LOL! But i will say this… i thought every one of the performances for their “final exam” was really REALLY well done and mostly very country.
but i was STILL totally surprised at the ending!!!
By Songluvr
March 8, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this
Linnie - You got it! Thanks for showing that I’m not (completely) crazy. : )
WE, see Linnie’s post. Kevin Federline’s first baby mama (whom he is with again) is Shar something. In case anyone doesn’t know, he is also Britney’s ex and father of her two kids. That would be the same Britney that Kady impersonated so well. And you no doubt loved Kady.
So see, now it all makes sense. ; )
By TayTay
March 8, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
It just cracks me up that Danny acts so so so flamboyantly flaming gay but gets indignant when asked about it. Please, dude, you are advertising your sexuality with a big neon sign. I mean, come on, you are Ramielle are Charlie’s Angels? what straight guy would say that?
By taytay
March 8, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Why even ask Danny if he is gay? Is that even a honest question anymore? He and Ramille are Charlie’s Angels? Dude, Danny, we all know you are gay….and it’s ok. There are several other reasons people didn’t like you, mostly having to do with your arrogance.
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