One of the great things about the just-wrapped fifth season of American Idol is that — unlike in previous years, where only two, maybe three finalists seemed likely to find post-show success on the Billboard charts — the current (and very deep) crop could yield as many as six or seven potential stars. This, of course, means fans of champ Taylor Hicks, runner-up Katharine McPhee, and also-rans Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Paris Bennett (and maybe even Mandisa and Kellie Pickler, though the latter seems more likely to be the next Kelly Ripa) can keep hopes alive that their favorites will prevail where it really counts — at the sales counter. Taylor’s the only one who’s guaranteed to go platinum, considering all four prior winners did the same, but trying to determine if the other contestants will emulate Clay Aiken or Jasmine Trias is about as tricky as translating a Paula Abdul critique. Not that it’s going to stop me from predicting my top three candidates for long-term music success (sorry, Princess P!):
3. Chris Daughtry: No doubt, the bald-headed dude’s humungous charisma and flawless vocals are going to land him a major-label contract, but his Achilles’ heel, a sometimes questionable taste in music, prevents me from putting him atop this list. Sure, his ”Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” and ”The Letter” were awesome, but those covers of Creed and Shinedown felt a wee bit 2001, no?
2. Taylor Hicks: The anti-Soul Patrol troops say his gray hair and goofy persona will doom him to flash-in-the-pan status. But I say folks who are disenfranchised with today’s shallow, videogenic output are gonna storm their record stores — as long as Taylor doesn’t get saddled down with too many drippy inspirational ballads. Case in point: Last weekend, my brother, who doesn’t own a CD recorded prior to 1975, heard Taylor’s ”Takin It to the Streets” on my Idol Encores CD, and said, ”How come you’re playing a good song?”
1. Elliott Yamin: Much to my delight, I’ve heard fewer and fewer derogatory remarks (and increasingly more raves) about Elliott’s looks with each passing week of the Idol competition. But whether or not the guy submits to the dentist’s chair, who cares? His voice is amazing, and if he taps into the confidence he showed during last night’s results show (and Mary J. Blige duet, pictured), he could bridge a massive market spanning from Michael Bublé to John Legend. A quick listen to Elliott’s ”A Song for You” tells the story: The boy’s a hottie, and soon enough, he’ll have the sales to prove it.
Okay, PopWatchers, you’ve got my post-Idol predictions. Who do you think will be the top three sellers from season 5?
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sorry, but elliot is no clay aiken. No one can pull the runner up thing like clay has..
I just heard Elliott’s song on the radio. People who didn’t watch American Idol are calling in going “who IS this guy?” and, “He WASN’T the winner?–You’re kidding me!”, etc., etc,.
I knew this would happen. His voice is amazing and on the radio, it’s even more phenomenal!
Go Elliott, remember us (who were faithful) when you’re a star!
Chris, Elliott and Taylor, but because they all serve different audiences, its hard to say who will be the biggest seller…but theses will be your top three, yes indeedy…
Damn straight, elliot is no Clay. Clay has a very specific (though large) demographic — mostly preteen girls, and middle-aged ladies. Elliot’s voice and style will, I predict, somewhat transcend demographics. All kinds of people will love him. And based on my friends, I can tell you that he is absolutely slaying the young women. Then again, I guess teenagers have the most disposable income these days?
Clay Aiken, a success?? right…Elliott, unlike Aiken, has a great, soulful voice. Aiken’s voice is too Vegas-esque.
i think mandisa will shine in gospel music, although gospel doesn’t sell, and paris has a lot going for her. but i think she needs to stay closers to the standards and farther away from the hoochie mamas. however, she’s most likely to be the next whitney (when she was good. if whitney wants to make a come-back, she BETTER do it now!!!), with the right songs, she’s a shoo-in for superstar status
ELLIOTT! ELLIOTT! ELLIOTT!
I’ve thought all along Elliott was #1 and would be #1 in music sales, possibly exceeding all previous Idol winners. He truly deserved to win the competition. My second pick for this Idol season is Taylor Hicks, who I believe was the people’s choice. My third choice is Bucky Covington. I can’t wait to hear all of them on the radio.
Elliott, obviously.
I look forward to his second album, after he breaks the chains from 19E and can record better material than Diane Warren and Diane Warren-esque schlock they will undoubtedly make him record when they sign him.
I think that the three guys, Elliott, Taylor, and Chris are gonna come out on the top for this season. Each guy owns his genre but I think Elliott will so the best because after his performance with Mary J (which was the best duet of the night) he will easily top the charts!!
I agree with most comments. He has the greatest appeal and has the best voice out of all. I would buy CD’s of Elliott and Chris and possibly Mandisa, depending upon the kind of music. It should have been Elliott and Chris in the top 2. I only know that I will buy Elliott’s CD, possibly Chris’s, but no one else’s. (Unless Taylor blows me away). Love Elliott’s voice and style….
I was a taylor fan since day one of his audition. I really think he turned some heads when people first heard him sing. Because of that I think that records are going to soar–if not the Idol viewers themselves, then certainally their parents!
As much as I hate to admit it, Kat has a great voice and is going to appeal to just about everyone, whether you’re female and like her singing, or male and like her looks (and singing).
And then there is Chris. We all know he’s got it going on. Enough said.
Here’s my prediction:
1. Chris
2. Taylor
3. Kat
Kat is a beautiful girl. I think her dream is to be in the movies, as per what she has been saying in her post show interviews. I think her album with be bleh because she just doesn’t have the passion for music like Elliott and Taylor do. I agree, Elliott is going to be very successful, that voice is like BUTAH!!
Slezak,
We must be kindred souls because your critiques are always right on point with me. No doubt Elliott stands head and shoulders above the others in the competition. Chris is a star, but he doesn’t sing the type of music that I prefer to listen to. Elliott on the other hand, has filled my Luther, Donnie, and Marvin void. Early in the competition, it bewildered me as to why so many people didn’t see how great this guy is. I was beginning to feel like I was alone in a vaccuum. Then finally…everyone else began to see the light. I find myself almost giddy when it comes to hearing him sing. And I am so not the “fanatic” type.
ELLIOTT all the way!!!
Micheal, you pretty much nailed it with this list. It’s crazy how very, very deep this Top 12 was. I have to say it again, this is the best AI season ever because of the sheer talent that infested our screens for the past 4 months.
Are the general public really going to care who Elliot Yamin is this time next year? I’m betting that most people won’t.
The most commercial from this season will be Chris and Kat. Kat it might not be with music though. Steven Spielberg has alredy booked a meeting with her.
I REALLY like Elliot. I would buy his cd, definitley. I think the guys HAVE to find a market that will work. If they choose pop…they get a bland Bo Bice cd. If they chose rock, they will NEVER have the credibility in that market because of the AI association. I think an adult contemporary/R&B cd COULD be sucessful if there are great songs on there.
If you would analyze their talents and versatility. Elliott would be the most marketable and versatile. Check out his performances he can sing any song from country, ballad, R&B, rock nroll, jazz, pop, etc. I think even rap and hip hop I saw him sang I don’t wanna be and he gave a very nice version of it. As long as Elliott will sing the songs in his own version he could definitly nail it. The nice thing about him is that he is not a mimic or copy cut. If you here his song in the radio you can distinguish that it’s Elliott’s singing. That makes him so special and with his versatility he can re-invent his-self anytime.
elliott will definitely be the topseller of all the idols. he has a very distinct and soulful voice and he owns it. there’s no doubt he’ll make it big in the music industry. ‘mmfl’ amd ‘if you really love me’ are his best. id love listening to all of his idol songs over and over. he’s humble and he knows how to appreciate the good things that happened to him.
GO ELLIOTT!! GO ELLIOTT!!
Taylor who? Chris who? Katherine who? Actually, I’m sure they’ll all have success, but Elliott, Oye Vey, I LOVE HIM!!!!!
Tired is a good word to describe how I feel when I turn on the radio in my car every day. The same useless drivel never wanders to far from the tired over used formulas sung or ‘talked’ by not very talented ‘artists’.
Ladies & Gentlemen let me introduce to you the tonic to cure all your ills cuased by the toxic noise that is poisoning the radio airwaves…it is one Elliott Yamin to be drank daily in large amts.
Mmm…white chocolate.
I agree with the author. Elliott will outsell them all. He has that unique ability to cross genres, to appeal to all types of people, and to gain new fans every time his music plays on the radio. My girlfriend and I whisper and giggle about him like we’re back in high school, and we’re in our 40s! I know a 16-year-old who thinks he’s “hot.” He is going to sell all across all types of barriers. AI let the best thing that ever came their way slip through their hands. I’m glad. He’ll do much, much better with different management and a different label. Way to go, Elliott!
I tell anyone that will listen that Elliott is a true talent, and this is just the beginning!!
elliott, indeed, is destined for greatness. a very welcome breath of fresh air in a time where recycled pop and shallow crappy music is starting to grate on too many ears.
and jamal, yes, he’s no clay aiken. he doesn’t need to emulate anyone. he’s an entirely different artist on his own and he will be just as big if not bigger.
OK, kids. Here’s the deal. How man Idol also rans have become big stars? Or for that matter been on the radio? Not that many. I’m afraid Taylor won’t make it in the mainstream. I’m a Katharine fan and I think with the right producers and the right song her album could be huge. I really don’t listen to anything Slezak says because honestly he flip flops more than a politician. The sad fact is Taylor and Kat will have their albums out before the end of the year and the other also rans will fade into oblivion. You’ll see them in the audience and think, oh remember them. And then you’ll focus on the contestants. Sad, but true.
I’ve been saying this all season long, the only record I will actually buy and the only perfomer I will actually see live is Elliot, and in the end isn’t that what counts?
“sorry, but elliot is no clay aiken. No one can pull the runner up thing like clay has..”
we’ll just have to wait and see about that
I agree with the list – except I’d flip Chris and Taylor – 1) Elliott 2)Chris 3)Taylor. Elliott’s voice was what captivated me to watch this season of A.I. I gave all the past seasons a miss – but happened upon him singing I don’t wanna be in the early rounds. And he just grew on me. Just purchased my ticket to watch the A.I. tour – cost me $77 for ONE ticket. But it’s worth it to show my support for him. He’s the only Idol that I will buy CDs of. I listen to his songs and watch his video every day since he got bumped off – and wonder he didn’t even make it to the top 2. I would pay for a bootleg CD of his now if that’s available.
Elliott!
Truely an American Icon in the making.
Voice that melts. Clay is great but he’s too broadway cheese you know. E is more hip, contemporary, trancends all genres and has fans from all walks of life.