Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox(4); Frank Micelotta/Fox/Pictur
The most exciting development to come out of this week’s American Idol? No, not Naima’s pants. Or Casey’s save. Or even Paul’s sensual back massage for Ryan. Nope — it’s that for the first time in Idol history, it’s clear there is no obvious frontrunner. Think about it: Back in season 1, before she was unceremoniously booted far too soon, Tamyra Gray appeared unstoppable. In season 2, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard jockeyed for frontrunner status throughout the entire season. In season 3, Fantasia rode her audition-day success all the way to the finish. Same with Carrie Underwood in season 4. In season 5, Daughtry rocked Idol voters’ hearts before having to settle for finishing fourth. In season 6, Melinda Doolittle appeared to have the win in the bag before Jordin Sparks found momentum with “I (Who Have Nothing)” on British Invasion night. Season 7 was all about the battle of the Davids. Fans had a “Whole Lotta Love” for Adam Lambert as soon as we heard him sing the first few bars of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” (Are we almost done yet? No? There was a season 9? Can’t we just consider that the 13th Floor of Idol and claim it didn’t exist? No? Then fine.) And, finally, Crystal Bowersox strummed her way into our hearts before eventually losing to Lee DeWyze.
But though many of us had crowned Casey Abrams as Idol‘s season 10 champ before seeing the Top 13 perform, his frontrunner status has gotten quite a bit murkier in the past three weeks. Casey severely misstepped with “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and has never quite returned to the groovy, jazzy guy who had us spellbound during “Georgia On My Mind.” (And after Thursday’s Top 11 results show, things are definitely looking cloudier for Casey.) Lauren Alaina was considered this season’s young, freakish hybrid of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood — but has yet to show us whether or not she could make it on the Billboard charts. Pia Toscano has proved her chops as a flawless vocalist — with beauty queen looks — but hasn’t amped up her polite, mellow personality, which could be her downfall in the often personality-driven competition that usually rejects, well, beauty queen looks. Scotty McCreery has attracted the hearts of hormonal teens (and many of their parents), but how soon until the smirk ‘n’ twang becomes tired? James Durbin has the personality and stage presence to take the prize, but his vocal inconsistency on “Living For the City” makes the title seem far out of reach. Paul McDonald has the unique, recording-ready voice, but, sadly for Paul, “unique” is an acquired taste for Idol voters. Stefano Langone is lucky to have bagged the underdog status, but it seems inevitable that this nice guy who’s a tad out of his league will soon be thrown out of Randy Jackson dawg pound. And Jacob charmed audiences last night with his hug-worthy “You’re All I Need to Get By” — but was it enough to help us forget two previous performances so out of tune, it had many of us reaching for the mute button?
Essentially, only one thing is clear when it comes to Idol‘s season 10 contestants: The folks who won’t win. (You can all spread the money from my entire bank account equally if Naima Adedapo, Thia Megia, or Haley Reinhart bag the crown.)
So the ultimate question, PopWatchers: Who the heck is season 10′s frontrunner? (And how exciting that there might not be one!)
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‘American Idol’: Jacob Lusk earns hugs. Warranted, weird, or both?
Paul’s voice “recording ready?” Would you buy a CD with a voice sounding like his?
I totally agree…..
I already have…and it’s my favorite download so far this season.
I would buy every single one of his cds. He is great without having to be Christina Aguilera and all those other crazy diva singers. I Love his whole Rock vibe. Even the AI vocal coach Debra said his performance sounded like he could make that a single and make it a hit record.
Scotty looks EXACTLY like Alfred E Neuman.
Every time we see his face, my wife and I both chime in “HELLO NEUMAN!!!”
Sometimes Sootty looks like a young George Bush….I hate George Bush….
Have you heard his album on itunes from his band The Grand Magnolias? He most certainly is “recording ready”!
At least Scotty doesn’t look like Obama. I HATE Obama.
I Love Paul and James. Those two have that whole Rock Star vibe!!!!! Good Luck to both of them.
Scott is way ahead of the pack according to dialidol.com — WAY AHEAD. I hope it’s Pia, Stefano or thea or casey.
To James, that website dialidol is not accurate. It put Tatynisa Wilson and Julie Zorrilla as the top two on the chart. Even go there and look up the week of top 24. A lot of times it’s way off. Just saying, don’t trust it. Although I do believe Scotty has probably a lot of votes. His fan base on twitter and a bunch of different website blogs is huge. James and Paul also have a huge fan base.
I love Paul’s voice–I think he’s great and I would definitely buy his music.
As for the other Paul who said Scotty looks like Alfred E. Newman!! I’ve been saying the same thing! I would like to see a split screen of the two of them with the caption “Separated at Birth??”
I sent a message to Paul on twitter and recommended music from Five For Fighting. That bands music would be perfect for him. Their songs are so unique and charming. Maybe if there is a Billboard theme there might be Five For Fighting on the list.
To me, Scotty looks like the alter-ego to CLAY AIKEN!
Paul McDonald makes me want to go deaf, he is horrible. The fact that he is the chosen one for Vote For The Worst this year says it all. I hope he goes home quickly.
To Debbie, vote for the worst picked Paul because of his dancing and because of his different type of voice. That website has also picked Jennifer Hudson, Constantine Maroulis, and Kellie Pickler. They like picking contestants that are different, quirky and who stand out.
Paul’s duet rendition of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” was one of my favorite things I’ve heard in 10 seasons of Idol. Yeah, I might buy that.
And that is the reason why Lee won last year. To a lot of the voters the winner doesn’t have to be able to sing at all
Get your uneducated self to iTunes, listen to the Grand Magnolias. It’s incredible and selling like mad there. Yes he is recording ready, when he’s singing americana/rock. Not cover tune schlock.
yes – they are excellent!.
His voice and style of music is not my taste and that is my right- it doesn’t mean that I am UNEDUCATED. I’m sure you’re not a fan of all of the music I like- so do you think that would be fair to say that you are UNEDUCATED because you would have a different opinion than mine? Very childish statement.
Benelli, I think the argument is that his voice isn’t “recording-ready”, not that you have to like his voice. The point others are trying to make is that, even if you don’t care for his style, he has the voice to be a recording star.
Thanks for the heads up about The Grand Magnolias. Just checking them out right now — fierce!
If he’s already got an album, what’s he doing on this show? And if it’s so good, why isn’t he a star already? He’s a one trick pony as far as the AI audience has seen so far.
I love Paul’s album with The Grand Magnolias. I purchased it about a month ago and fell in love with it. Out of everyone, he is the one who is ready to record. Just listen to that album and it’ll make you a believer.
I absolutely would! I love his voice. Jacob Lusk, on the other hand – stop now my ears are bleeding!
Yeah, that dude has a voice, just not the kind of voice I like. Seems like a sweet kid though.
Paul’s voice is NOT studio ready. He sounds like he sucks helium balloons.
Paul is absolutely the WORST of the top 12…. his voice is basically “un-listenable”. Horrible, irritating, schticky.
I think Paul’s got a good raspy voice but I don’t think it would work on mainstream type songs. Rod Stewart is a huge influence on his voice. He’s more of a roots rock singer.
I love Paul. His rendition of Blackbird blew me away and I just love his vibe. Totally agree about jacob – dawg he is so pitchy. there’s a lot of singers who could walk out of the competition with a recording contract but i don’t think jacob is one of them.
I like stefano langone and i dont believe in this poll…. it doesnt really represent the sentiments of the voting populace.
he already has an album out with his band and it’s an mazing album.
every contestant that had competed on American Idol has had an album out and according to his/her fans it is amazing. It is rarely ever amazing
Paul’s Grand Magnolias album really is amazing. It’s one of the first times I actually gave money to iTunes. That’s saying something.
I think casey lost a TON of momentum with smells like teen spirit. It was really bad. Really really bad. Still not sure I like him again yet. He’ll probably be safe next week, but will have to really nail the next two weeks to get back on top
I thought that Casey sounded good on Smells Like Teen Spirit, but it was a little over the top for him. He likes to growl a lot when he sings. But he does need to tone down the histrionics of his voice and not get so carried away when he performs. We know he’s good–show more of the singing and a little less of the decadence.
I didn’t think it was bad, either.
Casey took to big a risk with Smells Like Teen Spirit and it cost him, while Pia has taken no risks so far with only ballads.
Paul has the most experience and it show but I don’t like his voice, while I love Haley’s voice but dislike many of her songs so far, in part to lack of experience and proper training, which is Paul’s strong suit.
I really liked Casey in the beginning, and I feel bad about all his health issues but does anyone else feel like he is too high maintenance to be in this competition? Seems like a whole lot of drama all the time–maybe he can’t deal with the stress but if he really fainted because they used the “save” on him . . .he needs to man up a little.
Yes – it’s called an album by Macy Grey.
I would buy both Paul and Casey and James is growing on me. Though I like her voice, I wouldn’t buy Pia unless she changed the type of songs she sings and became more interesting. Ditto for Naima – I liked her better when she was doing jazzy stuff. You’d have to pay me – a lot – to buy an album from the rest.
I would buy most of the singers’ first albums. They each have their own personal vocal styles which are very good. I’m not too crazy about Haley–she might end up doing an overwrought slick pop album with Mariah-meets-Christina oversinging and overkill. I think that Naima might continue the vibe that Erykah Badu has done for a long time with the neo-soul sound–like her unique voice. I think Pia’s trying to fill the void that Celine and Whitney left off with the big power ballads since both singers are taking breaks between their albums. I like how James does the ’80s heavy metal songs; he could have success in the rock world.
Yes, I would!
In a heart beat. I LOVE his voice!
Yes! In a heartbeat. He’s got that Rod Stewert vibe going, and I love to listen to his voice.
wasn’t Rod Stewart in the 70′s. Not very current as far as I’m concerned.
Sure would.
Rod Stewart on Helium!
Paul, Yes, and I have his recorded music, although casey and james are my other two favs, get rid of the sappy ballad girls
IDOL WORLD HAS GOT TO BE KIDDING THEMSELFS WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANYONE LIKE PAUL,JAMES,SCOTTIE,WHICH WILL ALL BE RECORDING ARTIST REGARDLESS WHO WINS IDOL,FAR AS ME PAUL WAS READY YESTERDAY DA.NOW ON THE OTHER HAND PIA WOW SHE IS BEAUTUFUL MISS AMERICA MATERIAL IN ALL FIELDS,THANK’S FOR LETING US POST
Everyone is SO happy that you are so EXCITED.
Yes Marge I would buy all of Pauls CD’s…
NOOOOOO! I wouldn’t buy one of his CD’s! I hate his voice and can’t figure out why people like him! It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.
I just found Paul on iTunes and purchased some of his songs from Magnolias & Hightide Blues. I love his originality in songwriting and would definitely buy his MP3s.
Totally agree. I love the qualities of his voice and love The Grand Magnolias album.
Yeah. I would.
Don’t we buy Rod Stewart CD’s?
Yeah…already have. The album with his band, The Grand Magnolias, is absolutely fantastic. I think Jimmy Iovine said it best: “Some singers are meant to sing their own songs.” Paul is one of them!
Hell no!
PIA OF COURSE!!! She will win by a mile! Once she starts singing uptempo, she’s going to win more votes for sure. She has the vocal prowess, stability, tone and clarity in her beautiful voice that can record very well. I’ll be buying her CD very soon.
Next is – James! Amaazing rockin vocals! I hope it’ll come down to him and Pia in the Finale!
I agree Pia is talented, but females don’t traditionally win due to the largely female audience.
She very Celine Dion, and we already have one of her. Besides, her style isn’t going to blow away all of the female radio and performing stars out there now.
No, never in a million years, would I buy UglyVoicePaul. I would definitely buy a James Durbin album.
No. I just don’t get Paul’s appeal. He’s different, but that doesn’t always mean good.
I would love to see Pia and Scotty for the finale. But I vote for Jacob for many different reasons. One being that this show is biased towards women and race.
O yeah the show are soooooo biased towards women and race! I wonder how ruben studdard is doing, I forget isn’t he a black man.
1. Pia Toscano
2. Scott McCreery
3. James Durbin
Done and done!
Paul is already in a band called ‘MAGNOLIAS” CHECK IT ONLINE
1.Paul’s voice is good, not great. He’s fine for two minutes a week, but I wouldn’t spend money to hear him.
2. Isn’t he already signed with his band? Why is he even on this show.
3. He looks like he’s 40, and he doesn’t seem to care about the competition at all, like he thinks he’s too good for it; it would be better if he left so somebody who wants this could have a chance.
You would if you like to listen to someone clear his throat at the start of every single line.
Take a look at Dial Idol. Scotty’s been at the top every week so far. He’s a country boy. He’s clearly the front runner. The American Idol fan base ets him up.
Considering that Idol has implemented online voting for this season, Dial Idol can’t be accurate.
Not only on Dial Idol, but Scotty has the most followers on twitter and on Facebook. Plus Country fans are completely loyal.
I find that country singers who compete on Idol test very well in the followers. I think that Scotty is the complete opposite of what Taylor Swift and her slick sounding country/ pop sound. He’s more on the level of singers like George Strait, Josh Turner and Trace Adkins with his bassy voice.
It would be exciting if there were several people who deserved frontrunner status and it was impossible to pick just one. That nobody is good enough to be declared the frontrunner? That’s just depressing.
Allison M, you must be a glass half empty person. Perhaps the frontrunner is hard to pick because there are so many great singers.
No, I agree. I was thinking the same thing, so far no one seems good enough to be the front runner, except probably Pia. We just need to see more of her. And she was voted the front runner above, which makes me happy! She’s my favorite.
I agree with you Red. Especially this week. There were a no BAD performances.
It was just the audience didn’t appreciate what Casey presented.
And the rest were very good to excellent.
just what i was thinking,must be a glass half empty.As for me Scotty is already the winner.
I agree with Allison. IMO, none of these singers have had a “moment” yet. Which one of these performances would you want to see over and over again? A lot of reviewers declared Jacob turning in the best performance this week. Would you want to hear that over and over again? I sure wouldn’t. Last week, supposedly Stefano had the best performance. I wouldn’t want to see that over and over again. Last year, there were lots of performances I would want to see repeatedly, such as Crystal’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” Lee’s “Treat Her Like A Lady,” Siobhan’s “Paint It Black”–and those were all in the first 3 rounds of the finals!!!
Jacob was what I consider a “moment” in Hollywood, but not since. Emotionally OTT is good only rarely, as a treat.
I have to agree with you. My favorites at this point are James and Pia, but mostly just because I prefer them to the others. This season, they all have their pros but they all also have flaws. There’s no one that seems to really have “the whole package”, and it feels kind of like choosing the lesser of two – er, eleven, in this case – evils.
IT’s a great season ! My front runners are Paul with his one of
a kind voice and Scotty who if you close your eyes, he is already a winner. I think they both should win
i agree paul and scotty are my front runners also they are awesome
Same here…no one has wowed me yet to get get the phone and vote. Maybe, once they sealed their fate in the tour then they will start looking at the prize.
tamyra gray the front runner over kelly? no. maybe over justin guarini, but not over kelly.
she was considered by far the best singer of that group, and is still one of the all-time best…look where that got her. it’s not about just the singing…
I AGREE, SHE WAS NEVER GONNA BEAT KELLY.
Everyone knows Tamyra was robbed. She is still one of the finest singers to ever appear on AI. And as is tradition, the best singer – Jacob – will not win. Though Fantasia is a wonderful exception to the talent not appreciated rule of AI.
So what happened AFTER Idol? If Tamyra Gray was all that she would’ve been a bigger star, but she ain’t sh*t.
Jacob is the best singer? Are you kidding me?!? I cover my ears everytime he comes on…all that screaming and yelling is not attractive at all. You can literally hear the spit coming out of his mouth when he sings. I’m glad you mentioned Fantasia because she is another one who equates screaming with singing. They are both horrible singers.
Stefano Langone is my like to be he next american idol. You Rock stefano.
Nobody is saying that Tamyra was better than Kelly. By frontrunner, we mean that she was the one that, from the beginning, was presumed to be the winner. We all know the best doesn’t usually win. The truth is, Tamyra was heavily featured during auditions and Hollywood (as was Justin), whereas Kelly came from behind. To give a recent example, Tamyra was the Adam Lambert and Kelly was the Kris Allen. Or Tamyra was the David Archuleta and Kelly was the David Cook.
Yes, but Kelly was vocally much closer to Tamyra (arguably, both better and obviously more distinctive), whereas Kris, talented as he is, was neither stronger vocally nor more distinctive than Adam.
I love Kelly and I love Kris. Both were pretty much ignored while another was “pimped” throughout their season. They won over the viewers with their talent and girl/boy next door ways. I liked Tamyra’s voice but something about her personality bugged me and I could not stand Adam’s voice at all.
Yes she was.
Adam Lambert proved he is tops when he was just a runner up last Idol. Glambert Rock on!
I didn’t watch the entire season 1 because Kelly Clarkson was the only singer I could stand to hear sing. I didn’t like any of the rest of them, so I can’t understand why people would think anyone could beat her. There wasn’t any doubt that Kelly would win.
The way I remember it, Tamyra was the frontrunner at this stage in the competition. It wasn’t until she got kicked out that it was thought of as Justin v Kelly showdown (no one showed any love for Nikki, lol)
Ugh, I hate Pia. No wait, that’s not accurate. She might be perfectly nice. I hate her “strategy” thus far, and I hate her song choices. She has repeatedly bored me to tears with week after week of sappy ballads. No, adding a beat behind vocals that are just as slow as in the original song does not make a song “uptempo”; last week was just another ballad with a faster drummer. It was a complete cop-out. Thia doing “Colors of the Freaking Wind” last week was super-annoying and dumb, but at least she picked up the pace and did something different this week. Pia is wildly overrated. Great voice, sure. But boring as plain toast. That’s not how a star is born.
I think you’re talking about Thia, not Pia…
uhhh no I think she’s talking about Pia.
in the middle K refers to thia so K meant pia all along…
Thia is the Boring One.
My problem with Pia is that she’s completely forgettable. She has a great voice but from 1 week to another you not only can’t remember what she sang, you don’t remember she’s a contestant until they announce her name.
I like Pia, but she tends to do the same kinds of ballads with Celine Dion like leanings. It’s fine for a while, but I feel that she’s going to become bored with it and might have to sing something else. She should do more uptempo songs for a few weeks, then shift back to her ballad mode.
So true! I’ve not yet watched Idol this week as I was travelling but I can’t even remember what Pia looks like!
I do NOT understand all the hype about Pia. She has a fantastic voice but guess what? I don’t care!! You want to know why I don’t care?? Because she sings boring, generic ballads, week after week. Every time shes singing I’m thinking I’m watching a beauty pageant performance!
That’s not quite accurate. I remember one note (the high one) from each performance, and it’s just the rest that’s unmemorable.
Deb, I totally agree! I don’t feel that emotional when she sings. I don’t connect with her and her voice, and I think that’s why it’s not memorable for me. And after every performance, she smiles and gives answers like a beauty pageant contestant. It annoys me.
I kind of have to agree. Having a perfect instrument does not an Idol Winner (or successful recording artist) make. You have to do something with that instrument that gets people excited, and so far Pia hasn’t shown that she can do that.
I disagree to an extent. She was the only one to get a standing ovation from the judges for I’ll Stand By You when it was the top 12 girls, so you could say she had that moment. I remember her because she is hot, but I agree she needs to take that next step to show she is different and can step away from the pack. If she can pull off some upbeat songs, then she has a shot.
I agree that it takes more than being able to hit the notes well to be successful, but for me, you have to be able to do at least that; the rest – star power, a distinctive style, stage presence, etc. – comes after. What bothers me about this year is when the judges or whoever say that it doesn’t matter when a contestant is out-of-tune. But I agree Pia needs to do something uptempo, and after getting the criticism from the judges, I think she will attempt it next week.
They are all so good this year. I think not having the pressure of a jerk like Simon is actually helping them be more relaxed and therefore sing better! Stefano is a little out of his league and I’m not so in love with Naima anymore. I love Jacob though and Pia, Casey and James are also awesome! Tough one this season…I like the change though…
yes! I totally agree Simon actually made things worse last season. Insiders agreed that the contestants were beat down emotionally by the critiques led by Simon. More relaxed and better singing this season by far.
I don’t agree. The only one who gives constructive criticism is sometimes Randy. I think Stephen Tyler is funny but all he really says is “that was great.” It was more entertaining when Simon was there and it meant a lot when he said he liked a performance.
I disagree with chargermom. If Simon was still there, we would definitely have a lot better performances. Since the finals started, we have had a lot of horrible performances that none of the judges called the singers out on, such as Jacob and Naima singing out of key, Casey growling for the past two weeks, Stefano’s terrible phrasing, etc. I really doubt Casey would’ve gotten eliminated this week if Simon was still there. (He would not have continued growling.) In a way, Casey reminds me of Anoop from Season 8. Simon ripped Anoop’s performance of “Beat It.” And what did we get from Anoop the following week–one of his best performances of the season: “Always On My Mind.” I think the quality of performances (not voices) have gone down so far this season because SIMON ISN’T THERE.
I completely agree with Lee. The “judges” are simply not doing their jobs. I see very little constructive criticism this season.
I agree with Chargermom – the Cowell-Dioguardi beatdowns and conflicting advice hurt performances enough that the band leader Ricky Minor, Simon Fuller, and several reviewers like Slexak said it was a real problem hurting performances and the ratings. Minor noted that 8 of the Top 10 last year were typically great in rehearsal then had the life drained out of them when going into the Pit of Negativity. And the Season 9 and much of Season 8 were doubly screwed by Cowell and Dioguardio when they started the Tour with a stigma of being bad singers and performers tied to them.
This year is better. I think the judges, especially Tyler, need to stop praising middling or off performances. But better than Cowell reading off insult lines writen for him by his publicist.
I actually like that there’s no frontrunner.
Almost anyone can win and it keeps me from getting my hopes up too high for any one contestant. Jacob, Pia, and Stefano have the most technically impressive voices, but I’m not exactly rallying for any of them. Jacob has the histrionics of 10 divas, Pia always belts her way through Celine-y ballads, and Stefano sings his heart out with his eyes closed. Boring.
I like James and his giant screech (yes, that was a Roald Dahl reference.) and Haley’s bluesy floozy growl.
lol u too much lol
Hehe, thanks!
I like your comments, but it’s weird that you think that Jacob has a great technical voice when he has a hard time staying on key and not screeching. He has an enthusiastic voice for sure (kind of the opposite of PIa), but he doesn’t always know what he’s doing with it.
That’s a good point. You’re right. Perhaps I thought he had he had a great technical voice at first (singing “God Bless the Child”, for example) and then he just got completely carried away. Or, he knows what he’s doing with it and intends to sing like a raving lunatic at the musical funny farm.
Pia has a good voice but screams too much.
I think you’re talking about Jacob.
Obviously, the winner won’t be a female. Frenzied teen girls texting will see to that. So, James will win, but Scotty will have the more successful career.
Can you imagine the backlash from the Glamberts if James wins? I really hope the Idol Glambassador’s fans don’t lose it if that happens. Adam didn’t need to win to make it and he’s proven that.
I might lose it…
Stefano can be a Glee material. he is cute and with a good voice also.
I agree with who will not win. I dont get jacob. I dont think he is good. For me he is an oversinger. I havent liked anyone enough to call since matt giraud
Jacob gets carried away even when he holds back! I’m not a fan of the way he screws up his face when he sings and even his low notes don’t feel natural to me.
It’s like he undermines his own vocal range by exaggerating it. He actually has something in common with Casey in that respect.
PLEASE PLEASE GET RID OF CASEY he hasn’t got the talent to be a star.
are you serious? He’s a VERY talented singer and an even more talented musician. Far more so than nearly anyone else in the group.
I actually don’t think you believe in what you wrote because it’s so totally off base. You probably just wanted an arguement. well good job.
I love love R&B and Soul music. However my pick and favorite idol this season is Scotty. He is interesting. (with Jacob a close second)
Aaa! Shannon overload! Just when you think you’re name is rare… I’m the Shannon that doesn’t care much for Jacob’s vocal adrenaline (it’s late and I felt like a Glee reference).
I guess that makes it easy.
Nice to meet you, Shannon!
It’s hard not to like Scotty, actually. He’s got notes in loww places.
I really don’t care much for country music at all (more of an indie / Brit rock chick), but I do have to confess that Scotty’s voice does things to me…
Ya, seriously. I want him OUT!
Even though I am not really a fan of his, I believe Scotty has this in the bag
I can see him having a very successful career in the country biz. His name sounds totally country, too. Perfect!
::sigh:: He’s a folksy white male, so you’re probably right.
Each of them has different problems in terms of becoming recording artist and live performer. Pia has the problem of Katherine Mcphee syndrome, a bold voice but does not how to use it properly even when she sings ballads. Let’s face it, she can never be Leona Lewis as far as pure vocal ability as concerned. Even if she wins, she is going to be another Idol winner without having any potentials being a star. Besides, she is a semi-professional singing in bars for a number of years. So, she reaches her limits. Scott is only 17 and sky is the limit. He can grow much further. A poor performance yesterday does not deny the fact that he could become a star one day. He has good sense of melody lines which is THE most important quality for an aspiring singer. James can get into hard rock, but can he compose? That is the key. Thia has bright potentials in another 3 years if she gets developed “right”. At the end of the day, if you can’t compose, your natural vocal quality counts the most. Yes, many people such as EW’s Annie hate Thia. But no one can’t take away her natural vocal quality. Stage craft or whatever acts matter in this show can come later. IDOL stage is the beginning for aspiring singers, not the end.
“Pia has the problem of Katherine McPhee syndrome”..totally agree, but Kath has carved out a nice niche for herself as a ‘singers singer’ and will be around for many years, as I’m sure Pia will do as well; just not as a ‘superstar’.
now that i think about it Katherine has been on TV more than any AI girl this past year..those great PBS specials..on talk shows promoting her wonderful X-Mas album..on a New Years Eve show..now she’s doing a solo show w/ full orch. at the local concert hall. She’s “AI” for adults.
Who even knows what Katherine McFee does now???? NOT ME
Katherine McPhee will be starring in the new Steven Spielberg series based around a musical opening on Broadway. I think she’s doing just fine.
I agree with Michael’s post. I think Annie is way too hard on Thia. I think Thia has the potential to become another Norah Jones, Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae type of artists.
She does have potential, but it won’t come soon enough for this competition.
Well said. I think most of this year’s contestants have their pluses, but none of them have quite what it takes for them to become the superstars the show wants them to be. I also think Annie and some others are too hard on Thia; yes, she’s pageanty and a bit boring at times, but at least she can actually sing, unlike some of the others (*cough* Hayley & Naima *cough*)
THIA can really sing far better than Paul!