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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > March > 07
Friday, March 7, 2008
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.
3/8: Ranking the top 12
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ABOVE: From the top 12 party last Thursday.
I’m going to rank the top 12 based on their performances so far and how I think they’ll finish. Two years ago, at this stage, I predicted Daughtry to win. (Wrong.) And last year, I thought Melinda would pull it off. (Wrong again.)
Here we go from 1 to 12. Given how things change and perceptions change once we get into the top 12,I guarantee this will be wrong and probably wrong by a wide margin. Last year, I only pinned one person down exactly right—Blake Lewis coming in second. Heck, I had Jordin fifth!
1- David Archuleta. This is the obvious pick but obvious doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to win. Remember Justin Guarini, Chris Daughtry and Melinda Doolittle. He has certainly earned the top spot with vocal skills, sincerity, stage presence and Teen Beat friendly poster child. It’s a killer combo. He might strike some as a might bit focused and a tad arrogant but that didn’t hurt Taylor Hicks. Odds to win: 5-4
2- David Cook. He’s not Chris Daughtry in the looks department but as a rocker, he arguably has an even better voice. And thanks partly to fake rocker Robbie Carrico, he came off as far more legit in the rock realm. He has confidence and his last two performances were excellent. I could see him being a solid contrast to David in the final two. Odds to win: 4-1
3- Syesha Mercado. I think I’m getting a bit of Nadia Turner redux because I loved her and she didn’t go as far as I had hoped thanks to poor song choice. I like Syesha almost as much. The show has never had three men in the top before and though the guys have outshone the gals, I think one of the ladies will land in the top 5. Although I wasn’t thrilled by her Whitney imitation, she has some pizzazz, a bit of grit and that great hair. Smart song choices and more interesting interpretations will help her get this far. Odds to win: 7-1
4- Jason Castro. He is the Elliot Yamin of this competition. He is kind of shy in an aw-shucks sort of way with virtually no experience (unlike, say, Carly or Michael.) I hope his nerves don’t get to him if he makes it this far. If he makes wise song choices, his charm, his sweetness and those incredible eyes should land him in the top 4. Odds to win: 8-1
5- David Hernandez. He’s my favorite vocalist in this competition. What a pure voice! He wasn’t at his best during ’80s week but I’ve liked him since the beginning. I think he’ll have the ability to handle a variety of genres with aplomb and I sense the gay stripper stuff won’t hurt him enough to matter. Odds to win 10-1
6- Carly Smithson. She is easily the best singer among the women but she has not totally won me over yet on camera. I loved talking to her and she has a great spirit off stage. But she is awfully internalized on stage, makes these rather unpleasant faces while singing and isn’t connecting fully with the crowd or camera. So I suspect her ability to build a big-enough fan base to get much further than this will be handicapped. Odds to win 12-1
7- Brooke White. She’s got style, maturity and a definite likability. She brings a true singer-songwriter flair to this competition that I appreciate. Her problem, I feel, is she hasn’t given us that truly “wow” performance yet that we all hope she can eventually pull off. If she does, she could finish ahead of Carly. I’m rooting for her. Odds to win: 15-1
8- Michael Johns. Given his local connections, I really want to give Michael a higher ranking right now. I really do. But while I think he has some vocal skills, he isn’t working the cameras well and providing me a truly enjoyable experience. I have yet to be truly blown away by the guy in any instance. His years as a cover band singer shines through, often to his detriment. He might end up doing better but he’s going to have to really step it up. Odds to win: 20-1
9- Amanda Overmyer. She has an incredibly memorable look - you know, Lily from the Munsters. And with that distinctly grainy Bonnie Tyler-type voice, she can pull off an interesting performance when she picks the right song but wow, that Kansas debacle is still ringing in my ears from last week . I anticipate she’s a bit too one-note with her vocals to last much longer than this, that she’ll get tripped up badly by one of the upcoming themes. Odds to win: 35-1
10- Ramiele Malubay. I have to say by seeing Ramiele all the way down here, it is true that there is a reasonable amount of vocal talent here. But I’d take last year’s No. 10 over her any day. And season four’s Jessica Sierra. I do think she’s better than Lisa Tucker, season five. She’s cute and all and has a fine voice but she is just boring on stage. There’s nothing going on. She just sings the song as given and doesn’t give it any depth or genuine emotion. I don’t see that changing anytime soon and she will pay with a relatively early exit. Odds to win: 60-1
11- Chikezie. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with Chikezie. He’s got a great name, a bit of soul, passable looks, a sweet personality with just a whiff of bravado. But I feel like I’ve seen the same routine but better - and more likable. There was George Huff and of course, Ruben. Even Anwar. In the end, nothing he’s done tells me he’s going to be a truly original artist one day who could fill up even small theaters. Odds to win: 100-1
12- Kristy Lee Cook. She really hasn’t earned her stripes to be here. (Remember Melissa McGhee or Julia DeMato or Lindsey Cardinale? Or not.) She has some skills in the country world but she can’t seem to hit the high notes when she needs to. She’s good but not good enough and I’ll be shocked if she makes the top 10 no matter what she does. Odds to win: 50,000-1
Later today, I’ll provide some moments from the elimination interviews. I can’t wait to hear what Danny has to say! Please email me any questions you’d like me to ask any of the four.
Over the weekend, I’ll recount the finale of “Gone Country” On Monday, I’ll list what I think are the best Beatles songs for each person to sing.
