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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > February > 06
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
2/6: Best and worst of the rest auditions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hour ten is the leftovers. I’m going to ignore most of the crap singers so this can be a shorter-than-normal blog entry. Off to Hollywood!
The final tally: we saw 60 of the 164 finalists (36.5%) and 18 of the spoiler 24 (75%). Oddly, I think we saw all the women but only half the guys! Is that right? Mike S - can you help out?
After two baddies, we get Amy Davis of Lowell, IN, part of the spoiler 24. She’s adorable and shows some lovely cleavage. Her “Blue Bayou” showed potential and she’s through.
Okay, there’s “Three’s Company.” Ashley has gone out with Chris and Corey Lane. Creepy! The pair from Kernersville, N.C. namecheck the Brittenum twins via a hip-hop bit. But they aren’t nearly as good as the Brittenums. “It was very amateurish,” Simon said. Ashley “Southern Paris HIlton” Lawing from Maiden, N.C. has an adorable dog named Panda but is horrendous taking apart Kellie Pickler’s “Red High Heels.” One of the twins disses her while she’s singing. “We kind of told her her voice was up to par to get her to audition, but she’s not that great,” one of the twins said (I can’t tell which is which.)
Cardin Lee McKinney from Nashville sounds like a pro but is a bit overdramatic. “You come over as a very theatrical singer. I don’t think you’re a contemporary artist,” Simon said. Randy said yes and thinks she can grow. Paula, too. So she’s in. She’s a spoiler 50.
Joanne Borgella of Hoboken, N.J,, one of the spoiler 24 , has a pure voice. She’s not bad looking either as a “plus sized” gal. Randy says her high end sounds a bit weak and Paula questioned the song choice. But both said yes while Simon said no.
Alesha Stelzl of Ontario, Calif. is abysmal but Paula and Randy thinks she sounds like Dolly Parton and gets a second chance. She learns “Islands in the Stream” on the fly and actually does okay with it. I’m still not sure she deserves Hollywood but they give it to her.
Joshua Moreland of West Palm Beach takes the R&B soprano route, Johnny Gill style. He definitely has charisma even if his high notes are a bit off. He sang an original song that Simon hated: “The sparkle, the flowers, the sunglasses, the looking around, it was over the top, corny.” Simon sweeps up the sparkles.
Chikezie Eze of Inglewood, Calif. made it to the finals last year and is trying again. Love that name! He has confidence and a warm voice. Even Simon is smiling! He’s a spoiler 24. Simon isn’t blown away but they make it through again.
We end eight episodes of auditions with our final spoiler 24 of the night, the oddly androgynous Danny Noriega of Azusa, Calif. “More confident this year,” Simon said compared to a year ago. He’s kind of oddlooking but he’s got the vocals to go far after crooning “Proud Mary.”
And take a breath everybody. Watch the three-minute montage and we are out!
2/6: Free stuff! And Constantine gets a gig
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yes, I’m resorting to giving “Idol” stuff away to gain your loyalty. I have received for no particular reason another copy of “Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul,” which features vignettes from Ruben, Clay, Carrie, Jordin, Sanyaya, you name it. Some notable folks not in the book include Taylor, Daughtry and Diana DeGarmo. First person to send me an email at rho@ajc.com explaining why you deserve such a fine prize will get it.
Prize no. 2: an American Idol hoody! Yes, be the envy of your friends and foes by walking around advertising the show! I received one at the Emory party last week. It’s all yours if your email to me (rho@ajc.com) and beg properly. I think it’s XL but might be an L. I’m sorry, I left it at home.
I just received a press release announcing the two new correspondents for Fox Reality TV’s “Idol Extra” show. Bye Bye Mikalah Gordon and Matt Rogers. Hello Gina Glocksen and Constantine Maroulis! The show will debut March 13 at 7 and 10 and will be integrated with the “Idol” studios so they’ll all have close access to the contestants. This is what you call synergy since I don’t recall “Extra” being terribly hardhitting or TMZ cynical, more “Entertainment Tonight” chipper.
