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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > October > 22 > Entry
10/22: Idol’s biggest trainwrecks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Nikki McKibbin and her coke habit on display onVH’1s “Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew” debuting Thursday at 10 p.m., I figure I’ll post my top 5 biggest “Idol” trainwrecks so far. (I’m not talking about individual trainwreck performances. That’s for another blog. These are just trainwrecks in general.)
1- Jessica Sierra — Her time on the show was relatively indistinguished though I found her oddly appealing. Basically she was a trashier version of Carrie Underwood, which barely got her in the top 10. Afterwards, she never quite got her career in gear and dabbled in cocaine, landing in jail for possession. She then did VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab,” but it didn’t stick because late last year, she was arrested again for disorderly intoxication. Last reported, she was still in a rehab facility in California. She also had a saucy sex tape that’s floating around on the Web.
2- Corey Clark — It’s hard to find anything likable about this guy. On the show, Sideshow Corey with his Justin Guarini wannabe hair came across as arrogant, his singing Justin Timberlake lite. And he is the only guy disqualified from the show for not revealing an arrest ahead of time. Oh, and he claimed he hooked up with a certain “Idol” judge, who denied it. Class act!
3-Paula Abdul — She’s a trainwreck not for any arrest record but for her general history of loopiness, punctuated this past season by her ability to critique a song before it was even sung! Whether med-induced or not, her unpredictability makes for great TV. Unfortunately, her crappy short-lived reality show on Bravo “Hey Paula” revealed that her so-called best friends seem to be hired help, a sad state of affairs.
4-Nikki McKibbin — The drinking, the cocaine, the mom who died of a drug overdose, her depression driven deeper by Simon Cowell’s comments. (Boo hoo!) Hmmm… I wonder why she hasn’t been able to carve out much of a post-“Idol” career, eh?
5-Sanjaya Malakar — The most polarizing contestant in “Idol” history, he often seemed more concerned with his hair than his singing. And his own ability to generate buzz was both brilliant and bizarre. Long after we’ve forgotten who LaKisha Jones and Blake Lewis are, Sanjaya will remain our generation’s Tiny Tim.
Any others you’d like to add?
-Any surprise Toni Braxton went home yesterday on “Dancing With the Stars”? She was a very good dancer but she didn’t have the fan bases of Susan Lucci, Lance Bass or Cloris Leachman. She lacks the sparking personality of Warren Sapp. And she wasn’t as good as Brooke Burke. I tried to get an interview with her since she used to live in Atlanta, but ABC said she’s too busy.
Comments
By Deirdre
October 22, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
I would nominate Fantasia for that awful performance she did on Idol…the loud squeaky one with the purple/red hair and the skintight outfit.
By JTesla
October 22, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
I would nominate the Brittenum twins, train wreak central. However even they couldn’t top the 5 you have listed. Also let’s not forget Scott Savol, I’d place him at 7 or higher. He was rather forgettable, and his train wreck seemed to happen prior to Idol. The same could be said of Antonella Barba, a little potential that went into meltdown mode right before our very eyes.
Since I mentioned two contestants with issues prior to Idol I have to throw in Frenchie. Probably the most over-hyped person to never make it on Idol, she is remembered due to her past work experience and the hoopla it created.
By flats
October 22, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
1ST!!!!!!!!WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!DAWGS WILL BANG THE TIGERS BALLS IN 4 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!
By Deirdre
October 22, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
JT…good choices…I was trying to remember Scott Savol’s name to nominate him. Wish I’d thought of the Brittenum twins! I’m surprised that Rodney didn’t.
By Lara
October 22, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Oh, I like the topic of train wreck performances - can’t wait for that one!!!
By kellyfan
October 22, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Interesting topic…and a bit of an Idol quiz. Hmm, what about Trenyce? (Shoplifting, I recall). She attempted to be the poor man’s Tamyra and fail…horribly. Oh, and there was the Idol arrested with a gun at the airport. Can’t remember her name? Vonzell? She was actually good, though I was rooting for Carrie. Figures, I know… ;)
By flats
October 22, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Rod…your on the ball man!!!!!!!!JT,keep pumping the funnies and all that man!!!!!I liked all the people yall are talking about!!!!!!!!!dawg balls!!!!!
By Deirdre
October 22, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
This might annoy some people but, for me, Josiah Leming was the biggest emotional train wreck that Idol ever had.
By JTesla
October 22, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Yes he was Deirdre. The only way your bringing it up annoys me is that I was almost to the point of forgetting all about him, thanks.
By Deirdre
October 22, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
mjsbigblog(linked on the left, has an article about Josiah and a link to his music. It’s actually VERY good although his Beatles-esque Liverpool accent while singing is still present and a bit weird coming from a Canadian(at least, I think he was Canadian)
By kellyfan
October 22, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
D, actually, I thought he was from Tennessee?
By Harmony
October 22, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
I nominate whats his name (chicken little). To me , he was totally out of place on idol , it was evident that he had no shot at winning.
I remember- Kevin Covais, I don’t believe he was a trainwreck though.
I have nothing against Lacey, but I wanted Lance to be banished from DWTS.
By JTesla
October 22, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Oh he was a trainwreck Harmony. He ended up leaching off Ace’s rejects, yuck. I can’t even fathom Ace getting something halfway decent.
By Nana
October 23, 2008 5:05 AM | Link to this
Good Morning! Hope ya’ll had a good night.
Not much going on here yesterday. I didn’t get to post, but I did get a chance to peek in a couple of times.
Time to hit the pavement. Ya’ll be safe and drive careful. Catch up later this morning.
By Nana
October 23, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Speaking of former idols, there are a few I would like to hear some news about. Rodney can you help me out?
Season 1: Christina Christian and Ryan Starr
Season 2: Julia DeMato and Ricky Smith
Season 3: Camile Velasco and Matt Rogers
Season 4: Anthony Fedorov and Amwar Robinson
Season 5: Kevin Covais and Lisa Tucker
Season 6: Stephanie Edwards and Haley Scarnato
I don’t think any of these were train wrecks, but I would like to know what they have been doing and where they are today in the music field.
By Deirdre
October 23, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Morning!
Rodney I posted about a 1/2 dozen comments yesterday that did not post. The sooner we switch to a new system, the better! If this is happening on other ajc blogs then people are going to get frustrated and find somewhere else to vent.
This is my favorite night on tv and, therefore, my dvr will be working overtime. The Office, Grey’s Anatomy and the final season of ER are must-see-tv for me.
By harrietth
October 23, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Good morning! I am with you, Nana, on ricky Smith especially. He was my favorite who never made the finals. I loved his Brian McKnight-like voice. I think being among stronger personalities hurt him.
By Lara
October 23, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. Boy was it chilly out this morning - love the colder weather!! Go Dawgs!!!
By harrietth
October 23, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Not trying to bring folks down this morning, but I couldn’t let it pass without saying something. Folks, if your mother/father are still with you, go find them and tell them how much they mean to you. Today is the 11th anniversary of my own mother’s death, and it is always with me—even after all this time. I am reminded of how many are still fortunate enough to have theirs with them, even under some mighty trying circumstances at times. I am consoled by the fact that I was a loyal and loving daughter and that I took care of her to the end. But, I still miss her. I am not sad—just reflective.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
October 23, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
harrietth, amen, honey. my mom’s been gone for 4 and a half years now, and i’m like you… i reflect on her life and hope i reflect her upbringing of me well. i miss her! i’m 500 miles from my dad, but we try to talk a lot, and visit as much as possible (never enough)
no AI related comments from me this morning, too sleepy (i overslept!) so i’ll wave buh-bye now and see ya later!
meeee-OUT!
By kellyfan
October 23, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Mornin’ y’all! :)
Um, did I just read that right? New format???? Oh, pleeeeease let it be true.
Great message Harrietth, my mom is still around and, while she can drive me crazy at times, I know I’m blessed.
Nana, I like your list. I’ll share what I know: I believe Julia DeMato and Christina Christian got married…(not to each other, of course!), Matt Rodgers is now a high school football coach in CA, I believe Anthony and Anwar are doing theater, and Kevin Covais was just in some movie called College (I think).
Oh, and can I add a few names to that list? I’d really love to know where that cute Texan named Kelly is these days, same goes for the pretty country singer, Carrie Under-something. Oh, and “pick me, Pick Pickler!” She was a riot. ;)
Hope y’all have a great day.
By Nana
October 23, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
harrietth, I can certainly sympathize with you. I lost my Mother in 1977. She died at the age of 56 from a massive stroke. There are days when I would give my right arm to have just five more minutes with her. When she passed, I lost my best friend. I am still very fortunate to still have my dad, who is 93. So to all of you that still have your parent(s), call and tell them that you love them.
KF: Thanks for the update. I do appreciate it. It’s always good to know what some of your favorites are doing.
By kellyfan
October 23, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
NP, nana, I agree.
Oh, here’s another where are they now: Kady Malloy and Alaina Whitaker. Refresher: Top 24 this past season. Kady was the one who did the impressions and sang like Britney, while Alaina was the Carrie look and sound-a-like. Anyway, they have formed a country trio with Alaina’s sister, called Whitaker Malloy. Haven’t heard a lot from them, but I believe they are workin’ the pavement.
By Nana
October 23, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Whitaker Malloy, huh? That may be a interesting concept. If they are going country, they just may hit it. I will certainly listen for them. I liked them both. Wasn’t Alaina another of the 16 year olds?
By Nana
October 23, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Alright, my last two posts were eaten by the internet bug.
I was responding to KF about Whitaker Malloy. If they formed a country trio, they just might be in the right genre. I will certainly listen out for them.
By Deirdre
October 23, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
kf, some of the ajc blogs have already been moved to Wordpress which is an excellent system. We are do to go sometime before the next Idol season starts…if they don’t change their minds by then.
My dad has been gone for nearly 4 years. Seems like yesterday.
I’m signing off for awhile. I need to go visit mom and get some work done in the house. Be back in a couple of hours.
By Deirdre
October 23, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
“due” to move…not “do” to move…:-)
By Nana
October 23, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Since I didn’t get to post yesterday, here are a few Kids say the darnest Things that I was gonna post:
3 year old Reese: “Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is his name.”
A little boy was overheard praying, “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it. I’m having a real good time like I am.”
One particular 4 year old prayed, ” And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, “Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus.”
Hope I put a smile on your face.
By kellyfan
October 23, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Aw, D, that would be so great. I can’t wait. :)
By harrietth
October 23, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Hey, bloggers, I will be out of the office with work-related stuff the rest of the day. Have a great one.
By flats
October 23, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
GOOD MORNING ALL!!!!!!!3 DAYS TIL THE DAWGS BALLS BANG THE TIGERS BALLS!!!!!GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODAAAAAAAAAAAWGS!!!!yORODNEY HOOK US UP WITH SOME NEW JUUCE!!!
By Deirdre
October 23, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
kf…if you want a sample of the new format..go to ajc’s pet blog.
By JTesla
October 23, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
Wait a minute… a blog about pets gets the new format before us? We’ve been trumped by a dog in a pig costume! Rodney, what did you do to make us suffer like this?
By Nana
October 23, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
You bloggers keep the conversation going. I’m off here for the remainder of the day.
Catch up later……………..
By Bobby
October 23, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
dumb story
By Bobby
October 23, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
dumb story