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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > March > 16 > Entry
3/16: Whatever happened to… season two, Vanessa Olivarez in “Peachtree Battle”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Courtesy of the USA Today special newsstand-only “Idol” section, I’m reviewing what each year’s finalists are up to. In no particular order:
Carmen Rasmussen (6th) - It took her four years but she finally has a record deal in Nahsville on an indie label and came out with an album last year. (It has sold 4,000 copies). She even published a book last year and got married in 2005.
Rickey Smith (8th) - He’s a bartender at a sports bar in Oklahoma City.
Kimberly Caldwell (7th) — She’s the TV Guide Network’s official correspondent for reality TV and co-hosts “Idol Wrap” and “Reality Chat.” I’ll be interviewing her Tuesday about this season.
Corey Clark (disqualified in what would have been ninth place for not revealing a past criminal charge.) - Neither I, nor USA Today, have heard much from him lately, which is probably a good thing.
Julia DeMato (10th) — She’s a cosmetologist and single mom.
Josh Gracin (4th) He plays at Cowboys frequently. His first CD sold more than 600,000 copies and had three top 20 hits. None of the songs pitched forward onto country radio in recent months have done nearly as well and his sophomore release had been delayed until next month.
Charles Grigsby (11th) - He’s a cable technician in northeast Ohio.
Trenyce (5th) - She’s stayed busy, acting and singing on stage, including Vegas. She’s set to do a tour in Japan later this year.
Clay Aiken (2nd) — We know about him. He’s now doing “Spamalot” on Broadway.
Ruben Studdard (winner) - He’s working on his fourth album and sings the farewell song on “Idol.” He is set to perform in “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” later this year.
Vanessa Olivarez (12th) — She was gypped, gypped, gypped. She has performed in “Hairspray” in Toronto. She has been in two bands, Butterfly Stitch and country band South 70. South 70 and she parted ways last year. She said some members felt she didn’t have the right look for Nashville. I got a copy of her South 70 album and she sounds great. Now she’s performing in the longest-running play in Atlanta history, “Peachtree Battle,” as Candler Habersham, the daughter of the main character Trudy Habersham. Candler has a self-esteem problem fueled by her picky mom. This means frequent dress changes and occasional facial ticks.
Vanessa brings plenty of her Bette Midler moxie to the role, fitting right in with the rest of the cast.
Here are some photos I took from the play Saturday night:
ABOVE: Vanessa (right) with Karen Beyer, who plays drunken grandma Azalea Wieuca.
*ABOVE: Vanessa sandwiched by Scott Serafin (left, playing her brother Ansley) and Stan Gentry (playing her other brother Holcomb)
ABOVE: Vanessa’s character Candler Habersham (right) gets advice from “Hooters” gal Tiffani Storrs (played by Tanya Fraser).
ABOVE: Dan Tucker (left, playing the dad Sherwood) and Vanessa react to something Laura Griffin (playing Trudy Habersham) said.
ABOVE: Stan Gentry (above left), Vanessa and Karen Beyer (below)
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Deirdre
March 16, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Fun stuff to read, Rodney, thanks. I agree about Vanessa….she was sooo much better than at least half of the others. I have no idea why she was eliminated so fast! It seems like the people who were really good that season are still doing something in the business.
I’m taping Idol Rewind as I type this and will watch it in a little bit.
Hope you survived the weather this weekend!
By Deirdre
March 16, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Rodney…don’t know if you’ve noticed or not but this blog is being hit by enormous amounts of spam on the 2/26 entry titled ‘David Archuleta dominates’. You might want to talk to the techies first thing tomorrow.
By x
March 16, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Ha…D is policing her blog all the way back to 3 weeks ago. Keep ‘em high and tight D! Don’t want any unwanted posts up in this here blog up in here in this public blog up in here up in this blog!
By War Eagle
March 16, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
I was wondering what was going on with the 2/26 entry.
I was getting ready to call in flats to clean the place up.
By JTesla
March 16, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
The only nice thing about this blog format is being able to see all the latest comments on the front page. I guess not everyone has noticed that yet.
By Deirdre
March 16, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
Thank you x…I can’t begin to tell you how flattering it is that you take such interest in my activities on the blog.
By War Eagle
March 16, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Leave it to JT to find the good in something as decrepit as this blog format.
Good lookin out
By Flats
March 16, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
I’m here Eagle!!!2008 Sec basketball champions..I love how my public blog comment has become such a hit!Keep coming back x!I’m really starting to hate you!
By War Eagle
March 16, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Good job D, you are coming along nicely.
By Deirdre
March 16, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Thanks WE, I’m really trying and it just isn’t that hard! :-)
By War Eagle
March 16, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Congrats to you flats and all the Dawg fans out there. Good luck in the dance
By Interested
March 16, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else wonder why no one has posted all day and then Deirdre, JTesla, War Eagle and Flats all post at the same time. Because they are the same persom.
By War Eagle
March 16, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
persom???
By Deirdre
March 16, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
LOL!!! That’s really funny. Normally there’s hardly ever any posting on the weekend but..my guess is, since I do it myself, that a few people check in to the blog and see if anyone else has posted…then we respond or we don’t depending on a lot of things.
And a question to you. How come you didn’t include ‘x’ in your list of posters? He/she was posting around the same time too. I think I know the answer…but I could be wrong!
By War Eagle
March 16, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Who is this persom you speak of?
By Songluvr
March 16, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Hey guys - I have a question for D or whatever persom feels like answering… Y’all keep talking about a better format this blog used to have. When was that?
I was here for most of the season two years ago, and it seems the same to me. So was it before then, or after and before my time here?
What was so different about it?
By War Eagle
March 16, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Songluvr, I will let D handle your question because she has been around longer than I have and knows the down low on the situation.
But I could give it to you because we are the same “persom” but I wont.
By Deirdre
March 16, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Songluvr, this IS the same format that we had two years ago. Last year, just before Idol started the AJC decided to experiment with a social networking format and picked the American idol blog to participate in the experiment. We could register with a profile. When we did that, no one else could use our names.
On the new format, we could use avatars, post pictures and and be relatively protected from people who would try to imitate us.
When we posted a comment, we would have to type in a code. The purpose of the code was to prevent spamming like we’ve seen on this format today. Once we put in the code, our post would appear instantly. That’s why the delay on this format is so annoying to those of us who used the social networking blog.
In jan. I think, the social networking format was removed and we were forced to continue blogging ‘old style’ which we all HATE!!!!!!!!
By JTesla
March 16, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
War Eagle, we are finally getting some troll lovin!
And when I say “we” I mean me because “we” only exist as a figment of my imagination.
By Deirdre
March 16, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
NO…guys…I was here first so y’all are a figment of MY imagination!
Unless one of you made me up 4 years ago then decided to show up this year as yourself!
Which is it??? Huh???
By War Eagle
March 16, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
JT finally we are getting recoginized. I feel that we are now accepted into Rodney’s(WE’s, D’s) and flats bolg.
By JTesla
March 16, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Deirdre, you have a pretty twisted imagination. I’m just sayin.
By Dave
March 16, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Rodney, you forgot to mention that Clay’s 4th album is being released on May 6th.
By Harmony
March 16, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
I feel like a complete failure, I thought I was talking to multiple persoms!
By Real Lurker
March 16, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
According to TMZ, a band in Seattle claims David C, stole their arrangement of Eleanor Rigby. Has anyone else heard anything about it?
By Harmony
March 16, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
ACCIDENT - Did not intend on using Real Lurker.
By Songluvr
March 16, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info, D. I wonder if they thought the experiment didn’t work and that’s why they changed it back? Sounds like you guys sure liked it. Definitely would be nice to avoid the delaaaaaaaay …
WE, thank you, um, y’all. You could have just told me with your WE idemtity, but I understand you feeling more like being D to amswer that questiom.
BTW, I’m taking my real estate final tomorrow night, so y’all plz send good thoughts my way!
By Songluvr
March 16, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Hey Harmony - Luv the name! I didn’t respond to your comment because I thought it might be a fake Real Lurker. I hadn’t heard about all that, but if I find out anything I’ll let ya know.
By JTesla
March 16, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
I’ll admit that it isn’t an area that I know a lot about, but can you copy write an arrangement? I think they are pushing for publicity.
By Harmony
March 16, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Thanks Songlvr. I only heard a little of the David C. story in passing. I really don’t know the details
By Harmony
March 16, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
JT, I didn’t think about that. It would be an opportunity to get some publicity.
By Songluvr
March 17, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
Oops. Sorry JT. I should’ve said you were right. : )
By Toby's mom
March 17, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this
I agree with you. I always thought Vanessa should have gone much further in the competition. She has a great voice and great stage presence. Her early version of “Out Here On My Own” from the movie Fame with just the piano was one of the best ever. Somehow she didn’t connect with the viewers though and was voted off first, I believe. She certainly deserved to stay longer than Ricky, Charles, Carmen, Corey, and Kim C. as far as vocal talent is concerned IMO.
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
Morning mushblogians.
Let’s see…who will I be today. Maybe I could make up a new ‘persom’.
Toby’s mom…I agree that Vanessa was a lot more talented than all those people that year and I’d add Julia DeMato to that list.
By ,,,=^..^=,,, from home
March 17, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
Geez, i’m glad i just went to bed! or else it would have been “me” accused of being the persom!!!!!
morning mushblogians!!! I’m going to be having fun now… not only do i have AI to watch to wind down at the end of two days, starting today DWTS will be back on… it will be interesting indeed to see how this group does!
but for now, work beckons, so i must get dressed … and head out to work!
D-JT-WE-Flats … ‘you’ have a nice day now heah? snickering
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Songluvr…to answer your question from last night, I believe the contract was up with the company that was doing the social networking blog and the ajc decided not to renew it.
So here we sit on this antiquated format while the people at Cox.net(who run it)finish their intermediate education and move on to college. At that point, we may get a more up-to-date format. :-)
By Lara
March 17, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Glad you had a good time at the play, Rodney. And your PeachBuzz write up on Fado’s looks like you had a good time!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!
Now, are we looking forward to another Beatles night?
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
I am, Lara, although I can understand why some would object. The same theme twice might be annoying. I just happen to love the Beatles so I’m not bothered by it.
And a Happy St Paddy’s day to you, too!
By flats
March 17, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Good morning everyone…Dawgs play Thursday @ 12:30 vs Xavier!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Lara, I’m not so much looking forward to it, but only because last week was just so … weird i guess is the best word. No one really seemed totally prepared or into it, and like D, i like the beatles, especially the earlier stuff… maybe it will be better this week now that the first-week jitters are over? i dunno. hoping it turns out to be a good night this week, but not holding my breath. For a group that is so across-the-board “good” this group has not pushed any bars up, imho, and only a couple have really stood out as if they really really cared about it.
Or maybe i’m just getting jaded.
those spam hits over at 2/26’s blog sure seem like some of that computer-generated stuff that JT and WE (or the persom who is JT and WE snicker) were talking about last week.
Happy St. Paddy’s
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Chikezie has a lot to live up to this week. His ‘She’s a Woman’ last week was spectacular! I hope Carly goes a little more soulful this week and Michael sticks with ballads. And I hope Archie remembers the words.
On the David C.controversy. This happened with Daughtry’s version of Walk the Line. He didn’t give credit to the original version of that arrangement. I think he lost a few people because of it and ended up coming in 4th.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Has anyone actually HEARD the arrangement by the band that makes the claim? In Daughtry’s case, i think it was known … but gracious, throughout history how many times have people put out songs that sound amazingly alike… there’s only so much you can do with a song, lol!
and, as a reminder… perhaps you’ve heard someone do a song a way you like, so you do it that way… ok… but remember who it is that puts the ‘credits’ on the screen, and who edits what the public actually sees and hears… DC could have given credit and the editors didn’t think that sentence or paragraph or moment was worthy of air time…
again i say… a LOT of what we DO and DON’T get to ‘know’ about a contestant is purely subjective to the editor/director … sometimes to the detriment of a contestant’s standings, sometimes greatly enhancing (and sometimes undeservedly so) their standings…
may be the true story is on the ‘cutting room floor’, as it were.
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
I think, after the problem with Daughtry, if DC had given credit, the editors would have left it in.
I’m hearing rumors of a big ‘surprise’ coming on Idol. Something different than the way they’ve done things before.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
hmmmm they’ve tried a few things… for instance, in the past 6 years, did more than the “departee” sing out on results night? that was kind of weird, to me. Hubby asked me if they’d changed the format to what SYTYCD did (lowest 2 or 3 had to “dance for their lives” to stay on the show at the JUDGES’ discretion) … i told him i didn’t think THESE judges should be doing that, lol! and of course, they weren’t.
makes you wonder, tho… are the powers-that-be tinkering trying to find a majik button that will allow the show to “revive” for another long spell? usually those efforts fall flat, so i guess we’ll just have to wait and see or whatever.
Rodney, any news-rumors-flashes-whatevers in your ear on this????
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
That obviously was not me. The powers that be have been notified.
By DAWGS
March 17, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By LeftWingLoon
March 17, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Good Lord. Who cares? I can’t believe I read that.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
erm. we’re on the virtual front page. figures.
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
I’ve heard everything from bringing someone who’s been eliminated back to having the rejectees sing duets with the continuing contenders. Weird!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
didn’t they bring someone back once? or was that in my imagination? because they had to send someone away? was that the corey year? it’s all becoming a blur!!!
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Charles Grigsby was brought back when Corey was eliminated…I think…I know what you mean about the ‘blur’!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
yeah, that’s the one i was thinking of.
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Thank you powers that be for taking out the trash! :-)
By Lara
March 17, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
I am not really that excited about another Beatles night just because I am ready for something different. I did read that one of the Clark Brothers (From the little seen and not posted about much Next Great American Band show) was going to be on idol this week - he is playing that special guitar (adoro or something) for one of the contestents.
Maybe Archie should sing something where the words are easy to remember….Love love me do, you know I love you…..
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
She Loves you, yeah yeah yeah….would be another great song for Archie. Maybe not…too many words.
By JTesla
March 17, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
I’m with Linny and Lara, move on to something else. Unless of course someone does “I am the Walrus,” them I fully support the Beatles for one more week.
By Lara
March 17, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
Koo koo ca choo!!! I am all for a rocked out version of this. Lets just hope someone comes up with something tonight that wows us all.
I still say they need an 80s hair band night, hee hee.
By War Eagle
March 17, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Hello all
Lara I would like to see a hair band night too.
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
WE has been hoping for an 80’s hair band theme for months!!!!
By Menana
March 17, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Hello to all my blogger friends and Happy Paddy’s Day. Does anyone remember “Yellow Submarine”? I sincerely hope that none of the contestants happen upon that one. Has to be one of the worst Beatle songs of all time. Oh speaking of the Beatles, CNN just announced that Paul has to give Mills $48.6 mil. How about that for a short lived marriage!!!!! Now on to more AI chat. Has anyone besides me ever noticed that Jason Castro looks like a young John Travolta and Kristy looks like a young Sybil Shepard? If not, check them out tomorrow night and post your comment.Let me know what you all think. To WE: How did your job interview go last Friday? Well I hope.
By kd
March 17, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
where is #3, you only have 11 posted?
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Even more important question, Menana: How did the handshake go?
kd, Rodney did a piece on Kimberly Locke awhile back. Look in the archives, you might find it there.
I watched Idol Rewind last night. Kim Locke’s version of New York State of Mind is still excellent. I wasn’t all that crazy about Ruben’s Just the Way You Are. Kim Caldwell’s song was a disaster!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Oh! The quiet one, Lara??? I just adored the Clark Brothers!!!! Although frankly I thought SixWire should have won the show, they’re more marketable! (in an Eagles kind of way) …
ok … went to the Clark Brothers page, according to their own words: “We are performing on American Idol Gives Back! The show airs April 9th! We will give it everything we’ve got.” I saw a reference to Austin appearing this Tuesday night by a blogger there..
and re the guitar, could you mean “Dobro”? (the guitar shaped instrument with the metal front?)
By War Eagle
March 17, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
The interview went well. I was complimented on my solid backgroud.
As for the handshake, the interview was with two dudes so I was not able to try Linny’s erotic pump and snatch method.
By Menana
March 17, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Oh, you are so right D about the handshake. Come on WE fess up. How did it go?. Did any of you catch Kimberly on Et a few weeks ago? Rememeber the 16 year old that had the audition for her Mother, who is in wheelchair and obese? ET (Entertainment Tonight) is doing a makeover on her and Kimberly is helping her go through a weight loss program and is being her mentor. I can’t remember the girl’s name (senior moment) but all of you should know which one I am speaking of, in fact, she was also way overweight. Anyway, Kimberly looks great. Also, did any of you know that Kellie Pickler is up for best female new comer on the CMA awards to be aired April 14th? She may be slow in the brains department (Are your smarter than a 5th Grader), but I guess country music sees something in her. I do like her alot and even voted for her. However, don’t think she will do near what Carrie Underwood has done.
By Menana
March 17, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
WE: Just read your post about the handshake so disregard my last post to you.
By idolbeat
March 17, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
I love the Clark Brothers! Austin is an incredible dobro player. I can’t wait to see who he is accompanying.
Re: Alexandrea Lushington. She is receiving a proclamation from Mayor Franklin at the City Hall at 1:00 pm today. Congratulations Alex, you deserve it! There is also a rumor flying around the internet about a record deal for her.
By flats
March 17, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Eagle….I just filled out my bracket,I got UGA beating Duke in the sweet 16!
By Lara
March 17, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Yes, Austin with the Dobro (thanks, I couldn’t remember what it was called). They put out a post on their MySpace page about him being on AI this week. I really liked tham and thought it was down to the 2 best bands in that competition. But you are right, Linny, 6wire is more marketable. I really liked Dot Dot Dot - in an emo sort of way.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
wishful thinking, flats, LOL!
By flats
March 17, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Linny…you heard it first…DAWGS MAKE THE ELITE 8!!!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
March 17, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
funny, Lara, i never liked … but i guess that’s because it’s never been a genre/style i’ve liked. i did see some good licks by the two gals, and saw some potential, but i think the “look” put me off a little too much. I thoroughly enjoyed the kids… that one young guitar player has the possibility of being the next generation’s GREAT guitarist … and they were just good fun … i never thought they were ‘their parents’ dreams’ or gimicky … just young kids who love to play, lol. and Franklin Bridge was incredible—but not ‘popular’ enough … all in all, i enjoyed NGAB, but unfortunately i doubt we’ll ever see another season of that.
Back to the Clark Brothers… i thought all of them were quite talented and quite entertaining, individually and as a group. i hope that they do well… and am also looking forward to tomorrow night to see who they’re with!
By War Eagle
March 17, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
flats, I have a print out but haven’t really looked at it yet.I hope the championship stays in the SEC.
By Deirdre
March 17, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
A Clark Bro on idol! Very Nice!
And the news is also good that they will be appearing on Idol Gives Back.
By flats
March 17, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
EAGLE…U need to go to cbssportsline.com and sighn up for the march madness package,watch all the games for free.
By Crunchy
March 18, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
AJC should hire an 8th grader to proofread Rodney Ho’s articles before they are posted.
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March 30, 2008 3:07 AM | Link to this
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