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The worst 'American Idol' performances

Aug 8, 2006, 11:26 AM | by Scott Brown

Categories: 'American Idol'

175915__johnstevens_l_1 The "awesomely bad" meta-brand meets the American Idol mega-brand in a brand new list of the Worst American Idol Performances. Here's how hari-kari-bad these covers must've been: I didn't see them. Not one. (Crucify me, but I don't watch AI. Talent shows induce anaphylaxis in me, and kareer karaokists are best confined to small soundproof rooms. Plus, I don't want my heart broken.) Yet, sight unseen, song unheard, I can still smell the awfulness coming off these song stylings.

But even a newbie like me understands this list is meant to enrage: Kellie Pickler appears not once, but twice! John Stevens (pictured) is given the, um, red-headed stepchild treatment. And they even take a shot at poor Tamyra! (Mere proximity to Slezak has given me "phantom opinions" on a show I don't watch.)

Pour out your hearts below, and I'll have a real expert interpret the contents.


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Jeanne Gravin Mon, Jul 9, 2007 at 06:56 PM EST

Anyone who could not hear the talent of 17 year Mikalah Gordon is deaf. She was not the worst. The worst of Season 4 got voted off long after she was gone. Vonzell sang sharp more than once. Anthony, flat sometimes. Anwar, flat sometimes. Even Carrie Underwood hit some clams when she covered Heart's song.

Jaydon Turney Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 05:10 PM EST

George Clooney urges neighbours at his Italian retreat to fight a planned development in the town...

Justin Mon, Aug 21, 2006 at 12:16 AM EST

Kiara Bivins. This girl had the worse yodel in the world! She was also disrespectful to her dad. He was trying to get her to stop using bad language on television-and she pushed him. Her singing coach lied to her.

Nancy Walker Sat, Aug 19, 2006 at 02:52 PM EST

I just remembered the two sisters that were hefty! LL got up and comforted one of them. He laughed at first, but he must have felt bad for her afterwards. The first one was not as bad as the second one. "Summer time" never sounded quite so bad.

Jenny Thu, Aug 17, 2006 at 08:29 AM EST

Lets not forget Nathaniel Golden Junior. He was the boy with the pants ripped on the side with 100 safety pins. He went off on the judges, because they let him know how awful he was. The next Idol show ryan seacrest had on the same outfit, very comical.

Juju Mon, Aug 14, 2006 at 12:31 AM EST

Robert Solomon who sang "dancing in the streets," and Reggie Brown the human goat are good candidates for the worst singers in Idol history.

Just Me Sun, Aug 13, 2006 at 03:33 PM EST

Remember Mary Roach?
She had one of the worst voices of the contestants who tried out, but she was fun. Second prize goes to Keith from Atlanta. He was truly comical.

Just Me Fri, Aug 11, 2006 at 12:42 AM EST

Remember Dino and his brother Desi Yazzi? They were atrocious!

Nancy Walker Wed, Aug 9, 2006 at 08:54 PM EST

American Idol allows lousy singers through because it gets them ratings. John Stevens, Mikalah Gordon, Camille Velasco, and the mediocre Carmen Rasmussen were the absolute worse, but I still say no one is as bad as Mikalah. I can just picture the pie hitting her face and the gong bell ringing. She sounded like she was having a fit.

Stephanie Travitsky Wed, Aug 9, 2006 at 11:04 AM EST

Carms shouted the damn song! I mean what happened? A preganant elephant stepped on her toes? My ears were really hurting when I heard that one. Oooh! How about that girl from season two who sang Billy Joel's song "And So It Goes" as if she was a contestant on the Miss America Pagent? The execuction was horrible!

Nancy Walker Wed, Aug 9, 2006 at 09:07 AM EST

Stephanie:
LOL. Yes, I remember her rendition of "God Bless The Child." It was the pits! I don't remember her getting any offers for a record contract. What do you think about Camille Velasco? She was bad too. Remember when she sang one of Elton John's songs? That was like suicide. Simon said that Elton must have been throwing a television out of a hotel window.

Stephanie Travitsky Wed, Aug 9, 2006 at 08:56 AM EST

Yeah Nancy, and remember her "God Bless the Child"? I swore that I thought she sang "God Bless the Chow"! I was thinking, Oh you've got to be kidding me. As if you mamma does not feed you enough at home. Have you seen yourself lately?

Nancy Walker Wed, Aug 9, 2006 at 12:40 AM EST

The worst singer in Idol history is Mikalah Gordon. She totally demolished "Son-of-a-preacher man." In the finale Babyface looked at her like, how did she ever get on this show? She is really the worst. I thought John Stevens was bad, but Mikalah takes the whole ball of wax. Her good looks is what got her on the show. The judges sometimes pick contestants strictly because of their looks. She is worse than William Hung.

Fallon Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 06:05 PM EST

Wow Rosie.. Dissing Elliot, Fantasia and Tamyra all in one post! I instantly am glad I don't have your record collection

mike Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 02:30 PM EST

I didn't know it was acceptable to say you don't watch AI. If you can have the courage to admit that, then I can say I liked it better when they had a gong.

Greg Arkadin Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 02:30 PM EST

Ryan Starr, or Star, or whatever, singing You Really Got Me, sounding like Edward G. Robinson.

Outdone only by that crazy 1980s-vintage performance-artist freak singing the same song on Supernova. Why hasn't this show, which is 10 times funnier than AI, reached cult status?

Amye Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 02:22 PM EST

While I love John Steven's voice, I do agree that his rendition of "Crocodile Rock" was one of the worst A.I. performances. There are too many left out of this list. Like Constantine's (or as I call him, "Crapenstine") "Kiss From a Rose". THAT was truly bad. I do disagree with Scott Savol's "She's Gone". His high notes were off, but that was it, and his riffs were beautiful. Even Hall & Oates gave him a standing 'O', and they didn't with Anthony's rendition of their song.

Tim Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 02:13 PM EST

There were others far worst singers on AI than John Stevens. Look past the top 10.

Winona Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 02:09 PM EST

Ditto to what Christine said: the first performance I thought of was Camile's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", with held notes so painfully off-key that it even showed on her face. Surprisingly, the Scott Savol performance they cited ("She's Gone") was literally the only one of his I enjoyed.

Doug Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 01:49 PM EST

Enough of the worst...Best "Idol" performance ever...Anthony Callea of Australian Idol "The Prayer". Youtube search it. Why has he not made it to America?

Rosie Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 01:28 PM EST

Sorry, but my vote is anything Fantasia sung. She's the worst idol of all time. I agreed with all the performances on the list, though, especially Carmen Rasmusen. She had the most warbly, shaking voice I've ever heard... oh, except for Elliot Yamin's.
As for the writers' suggestion that Tamyra Gray should've beaten Kelly Clarkson the first season... ha! Why don't we have a list of Best Idol Performances that's topped off by every Kelly performance on the show? She's not so hot now, in my opinion, but on the show, her voice was the ultimate.
Let's face it, most of the singers on this show, with the exception of the winners and second runners-up in every season but three, have all been dismal.

Christina Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 01:00 PM EST

John Stevens "Crocodile Rock" has probably been the worst Idol performance ever. I'm surprised they left off the gems that were Camile Velasco's "Yellow Brick Road", and Josh Gracin's "Celebration." I've never been able to erase those horrible performances from my memory.

serve w Mashed Potatoes Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 12:58 PM EST

My worst Idol performance goes to Meat Loaf.

Stick a fork in him, he's done!

Martha Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 12:05 PM EST

Having only watched AI once (like you, Scott, I seem to be allergic to talent shows), I'm surprised that ALL its contestants aren't on this list. People insist that all the winners or almost-winners have lots of talent, but I just don't see it. And I certainly don't hear it.

Stephanie Travitsky Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 12:03 PM EST

The worst Idol performance goes to Mikahela for her screetchy off key destruction of Taylor Dayne's "Love Will Lead You Back".

Lora Tue, Aug 8, 2006 at 11:11 AM EST

Scott, I love you, but after the red-headed stepchild comment, you're sleeping on the proverbial couch.


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