When Jennifer Hudson was voted off, there was such a public uproar that the question of racism was immediately raised. Even Elton John got involved in the debate, despite the fact that, of the six remaining contestants, at the time, three were black (Fantasia Barrino, La Toya London and George Huff). Ruben Studdard, also African-American, had won the season before. Unfortunately, as is the case with most racial discussions, the two groups involved are usually Caucasians and African-Americans.

Do Other Groups Get Forgotten?

In the uproars and conspiracy theories that have been bestowed upon Idol in these past 6 seasons, one question remains – why have there been no Asian contestants in the top 12? While I definitely had not tapped him to win, I thought Paul Kim was good enough for the top 12. He certainly sang better than Alaina Alexander, Antonella Barba, Leslie Hunt, Nick Pedro and AJ Tabaldo. I guess America didn’t see it that way. Maybe that’s why Sanjaya sticks around. Aside from the fact that he is South Asian, his presence brings diversity to the predictable.

Since writing this post originally, one reader pointed out Jasmine Trias, who I remember being very proud of being Hawaiian (which can consist of any number of cultural backgrounds since Hawaii is known for it’s diverse population) but to the less discerning and vigilant viewer may not have recognized her as being Asian.  If there’s someone else, let me know!

Here are some sites I found this morning after searching the net for others who raised the same question (most were Asian themselves):

• Asian Guy’s American Idol (I’m not even kidding about the name!)
• Yahoo Discussion (wow, was that interesting reading…)
• 8 Asians
• Where Are All the Asians on American Idol (discussion thread)

If anyone finds anything interesting of the subject, send it over!

Source

Post from: Idol Stalker

Time for four more to go home. I’m really read for the narrowing down of contestants and getting to the point where we can see more of the ones that can really sing. Special guest and former idol tonight will be Kellie Pickler.

WOW! Over 32,000,000 votes came in this week. Here are my picks for tonight’s losers:

Guys:

• Sanjaya Malakar
• Brandon Rogers

Girls:

• Alaina Alexander
• Antonella Barba

The group song tonight is “Joy to the World”, not the holiday themed song of the same title either. This is the one about Jeremiah being a bullfrog. These group songs don’t do much for me. Do you all like them? Let me know in the comments.

— Commercial Break —

Time to get rid of one of the guys! Let’s see who it will be???

After a little scare with Jared Cotter being asked to come down to the podium, IT’S NICK PEDRO GOING HOME!!! Another bad choice in my opinion, definitely not the worst singer that should be going home, but best of luck to you Nick for all your future endeavors.

Nick sings his exit song. Can’t stand them making these people sing after they’ve been voted off.

— Commercial Break —

Which of the girls will be going home? Hey! I got one right. Alaina is going home this week for the girls. It had better be Antonella Barba following her out later in the show.

And this is why they shouldn’t be asked to sing. Alaina is totally is emotional and can’t get through the song. It’s just not worth watching again. I’d rather see clips of their journey, including clips of their last song instead of hearing them try to sing it again live. That would be a much better tribute.

— Commercial Break —

Kellie Pickler shows up in a stunning blue dress and short, curly locks and what appears to be some other enhancements, but more on that later. Does a good job singing her song and is totally clicking with the country ballad. Is it just me, or does Kellie look about 15 years older than she did just a year ago? Even in the face, maybe it’s just too much make-up.

— Commercial Break —

Time to get rid of another guy. Although I think it should be Sanjaya, it comes down to him and AJ. Although AJ is a much better singer and performer, I’m not sure he’s going to go from one of the top vote getters last week to bottom of the barrel this week. We’ll see….and the loser is…….. A.J. Tabaldo!!! Sanjaya is totally shocked, along with A.J. and he’s being a great sport. Paula says that it’s a singing competition but tonight doesn’t reflect that.

— Commercial Break —

Ryan is rushing through the women’s results. Antonella, Leslie and Jordin are all asked to stand-up. I’d be okay with Antonella or Leslie going home, definitely not Jordin. Antonella MAKES IT ANOTHER WEEK! CRAP!

Jordin vs. Leslie…. and Leslie is going home tonight. Gina Glocksen is really torn up! I think they were very good friends and it shows.

The comments by the judges seem to be saying to the audience that they need to remember it’s a SINGING competition and that you need to vote for the people you want to keep hearing perform.

Hey look at that! They’re showing clips of all four people going home. Would have been much better to highlight each one of them individually after their votes.

Here are the results for those going home in Week #2:

Nick Pedro, A.J. Tabaldo, Alaina Alexander, Leslie Hunt

Post from: Idol Stalker

Phil Stacey: 29 from Jacksonville, FL
Phil Stacey sings “I Ain’t Missing You At All” by John Waite. I still think this guy is one of the top voices in the contest, still not sure about how far he’ll go, but I’d say he’s got at least 2 or 3 weeks left. He’s really doing a great performance of this song. He’s definitely got it together tonight, but he wasn’t too bad last week in my opinion.

• Randy – that was hot, showing everyond his power
• Paula – likes his tone and says she can hear him right now on the radio
• Simon – very popular, but completely “unoriginal” voice. He’s really looking for something unique, not a “very good karoake singer”

— Commercial Break — 

Interviewing in the “red” room, Sundance says his friends told him to be less “crappy”. I agree, he really needs to turn it on and show us what he did in the original auditions.

Jared Cotter: 25 from Long Island, NY
Singing a little Marvin Gaye and coming out strong with “Let’s Get It On”. I can’t hear this song without immediately thinking of an episode of “The King of Queens”. If you watch it, you’ll know what I mean. Jared’s taking a step up this week. It’s good to see the guys starting off stronger than last week. Not sure if Simon’s going to like it though, and he said to be a littler riskier from last week. He’s doing a good job though.

• Randy – little pitchy, but liked the face move
• Paula – good looking guy, Paula is losing it, too much innuendo
• Simon – appreciates the attempt, but reminded him of the “Love Boat”, as a cabaret singer (Jared follows it up with “That would have been a great love boat man”)

A.J. Tabaldo: 22 from Santa Maria, CA
Dedicating his song to his mom and dad and singing Michael Buble’s version of “Feeling Good”. I like Buble, and A.J. isn’t doing too badly of a version, but is cracking on a few areas moving across his range. We’ll see

• Randy - so much better than last week, proves he’s got skills
• Paula – real, real, real, real good voice. Like’s seeing the change
• Simon – actually “nearly, very good”. Tuning problems. Made himself different and stand-out with some personality

— Commercial Break —

Sanjaya Malakar: 17 from Seattle, WA
He’s dedicating his performance to his grandfather who died when he was five and wears his wedding ring on stage. Singing “Steppin’ Out” with a little jazz, swing kick. Not sure he’s doing enough. Still can’t believe he was won of the top guys in votes last week. Not sure what he’s going on. He’s not bad, just not in the same league with the majority of the other guys in the group this year. Strong voice, but Simon will say he’s “forgettable”.

• Randy – nice kid, really weird, bad high school talent show. Really didn’t work for him.
• Paula – sang on pitch, sounded good, old soul, but needs to pick songs that celebrate his youth
• Simon – some ghastly lunch where the parents asked the children to sing. Very weak. A little weird and absolutely no impact.  

He picked the song to dedicate it to his grandfather, just may not have been the best decision.

— Commercial Break —

Chris Sligh: 28 from Greenville, SC
Dedicates it to his wife who has supported him through all the times he’s wanted to give-up and quit. Singing “Trouble”, and I’m not sure who sings it (Lindsey Buckingham, remade by Coldplay?). He’s doing a great job. I just love his personality and attitude. We’ll see what the judges say though.

• Randy – even better than last week, big voice, he’s got skills, good song choice
• Paula – watch your pitch, getting ahead of the music
• Simon – tonight he was a “very good singer” which is why they put him through

Ryan reminded me that Taylor Hicks did that song last season. Definitely a song that would fit Taylor’s Soul Patrol style.

Post from: Idol Stalker

Up first is Blake Lewis, the beat-boxer, I like him I just want to hear more of his voice. He says he’s going to highlight his voice and only break-out the beat boxing “here and there”. He’s definitely doing that. His tone is so great on this song, which I’m not sure about the title of right now. Not a single sound effect out of his mouth at all except for his clean and smooth voice.

Randy said he “dug” it. Paula said his vocals were dead on. Simon didn’t think it was the “best” vocal but that the difference was he was the first person that sounded like he was in 2007. I believe he’s right. Simon agrees that he was 100% right coming out without the beat boxing. Simon says best performance tonight.

Sanjaya Malakar will be up first after the break.

— Commercial Break —

Sanjaya talks about his sister and says she’s absolutely supportive and that she picked out the song he’s singing.

Singing a crooner song, Steve Wonder I believe, which I think fits his vocal style, tone and personality very well. Nothing special in general.

Randy says it was a horrible song choice for him. I think he did very well with it. As you can tell from my previous comments I usually get pretty close to what the judges think. Not this time. Paula thinks he was hesitant. Simon said it was the most dreary performance all night. With the judges stating all of this it’s killing his chance for coming back. I don’t think it was that bad. We’ll see.

— Commercial Break —

Five hours of American Idol this week. With the two night male and female first nights along with the 1-hour results show.

Up next is Chris Sligh. I love this guy. His personality is just great! Excellent sense of humor and HEY he can sing too! Doing a great job I think. Lots of energy in the chorus of his song, but balances it out in the verses with strong and accurate vocals. He’s really working the audience as well. I’m curious as to what the judges will think about the performance.

Randy says voice was on point and he’s a “Chris fan”. Paula believes the song choice was great and that he was ahead of the chorus. I didn’t catch it though. Simon likes him with a fantastic personality, but felt he was at some weird student gig. Chris responds and takes a shot at Simon which was pretty funny.

— Commercial Break —

Jared Cotter, we find out he was a waiter, but got fired for trying out for American Idol. Jared is another one of the contestants that has snuck up on me in the competition. He’s got a solid voice and comfortable stage presence as well. He singing a Brian McKnight song “Back at One”. His voice seems to quiver a little bit at the ends of the phrases and hits a little pitchy areas as well.

Randy says it was pretty good, but didn’t like the ending. Paula likes him singing the more up-tempo songs. Simon agrees with Paula but the performance sounded a bit nasal but un-adventureous.

A J Tabaldo is up next. He’s tried out for American Idol five times to get to this point so it’s been a long hard road for him to get here. Let’s hope he can capitalize on it now that he’s here.

AJ picks up the pace a little bit with “All My Love” or “1,000 Kisses”. Nothing spectacular for me.

Randy said it looked like he was having a blast. Vocally it was good. Didn’t bring anything new. Paula agrees that AJ can definitely sing. He needs to go for it more. Simon says it was good, but nothing great or terrible. Simon classifies it as a “theme park” performance. Simon ended with saying that maybe AJ was better than he originally thought.

My pick for winning it all will wrap up the men’s night, it’s Phil Stacey after the break.

— Commercial Break —

Phil Stacey, the man that reminds of Harry Connick, Jr. a little bit. Nice and strong vocally. He missed the birth of his daughter. The Harry Connick Jr reference was definitely because of the “When A Man Loves a Woman” performance for Hollywood week. He’s starting off very non-stellar though. It’s picking up a little bit, but I’m not sure “How Could I Ask For More” is the best song choice for him. The chorus he’s really rockin’ it out now, but not sure if the judges will like it or not. The high note he just hit reminded me of Clay Aiken’s voice power.

Randy said the song was a little rough. Randy said it was the best vocal of the night. In tune, rich, full. Paula said when he went into the chorus it really opened up. Simon said it was okay, but not the “best” vocal and said it was just “okay”.

Ryan said Phil is going with the Britney Spears haircut which was perfect.

Here’s my predictions for the two going home this week:

• Rudy Cardenas
• Sanjaya Malakar

We’ll see you tomorrow night for the ladies and again on Thursday night for the results show.

Post from: Idol Stalker