Tonight, Diana DeGarmo and Fantasia Barrino took the AI3 stage one last time. At stake: fame, fortune, and a major label recording contract. While both women are unquestionably talented singers, only one can be the next American Idol.
Each of the two finalists had three changes to perform: both sang the Tamyra Gray-penned anthem I Believe as well as two songs of their own choosing from previous episodes.
In front of a 3,000-strong crowd at the Kodak theater, the game was on.
Diana started the evening out on an uneven keel with I Believe. She had a hard time with the lower notes of the song's beginning, but found her mark as the chorus--and the full gospel choir joining her onstage--kicked in. She managed to belt out the song in all the right places, but she seemed to be trying a little bit too hard, almost yelling rather than singing at times. She had a similar problem last week, though she managed to reel herself in a bit better this time around. The real problem came when she had to pull back for a quiet measure before the song's coda. Her transition from loud to soft was so abrupt as to be jarring, and when she ratcheted up the volume again to close the song, it felt almost forced. While Diana has become known for her ability to hit and hold high notes, she totally flubbed the last one. Unfortunately, that is what the audience will remember from this performance.
Fantasia should have had an easy time following this up, but something happened for the first time in this competition tonight: the single mother from North Carolina choked. Her rendition of All My Life was uneven at best, chaotic at worst. Fantasia has done well in this competition because of the changes she's taken in choosing and re-interpreting classic songs, but this was one interpretation that turned out poorly. Her always stellar voice and bravado saved the performance from being a total loss, but after the first round, it seemed that Diana was on top.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Excellent job Scott, I agree totally about Fantasia: you can like, admire, appreciate many other singers but Fantasia you can love. I think her emotionalism of late is an internal thing that stems from a compact with herself to live up to her talent, which she has done more and more.
No need to argue with Simon when she knows she has tapped into something great - which probably feels like it comes from beyond herself - and the nation has responded. Instead of being "fiesty," now she is magnanimous and grateful.
I was a little choked up myself after her final performance, especially after Simon told her she is the greatest contestant the franchise (all countries) has ever had.
I really hope America gets the vote "right" but at this point she could get as much mileage out of NOT winning, a la Clay.
And thanks for all the great network previews as well, Scott, excellent contributions.
2 - Mark Saleski
interesting show last night...and fantasia's last song was amazing.
is it just me, or did it seem like both singers had trouble hearing themselves? though diana had the worst of it, both of them lost the key center occasionally (are they using in-ear monitors? i couldn't see them)
3 - Scott Pepper
I believe there are recessed floor monitors on-stage, but neither of them had an earpiece in. I agree that both singers seemed to have moments of frustration when they apparently couldn't hear themselves. Though I wonder if it was more that the acoustics of the Kodak theater, which must be vastly different than those of the studio they've been performing in, threw them off a bit.
4 - I
Actually I thought the acoustics in that theater hurt the quality of the sound on the show, too. Their voices in a few of the songs sound tinny.
5 - Michelle
i still hope Diana wins, she has the better voice. maybe Fantasia's on key, but her voice sometimes just sounds awful when she screams her songs. Diana has a lot more power in her lungs, Fantasia couldn't sing some of the songs that Diana has performed. they should have made them both sing Don't Cry Out Loud. Fantasia wouldn't have been able to hold the higher notes as long as Diana.
6 - Bob A. Booey
I like how most of these recaps are just recycled version of the judges' comments. Interesting.
Alright, here's some real analysis:
I think Diana was disadvantaged and the show was pulling out all the stops to give Fantasia a chance to overcome some of the factors working against her. Do I care? No. I want Fantasia to win and have a hard time stomaching (no pun intended) Diana.
Having both singers do the Tamira Gray "I Believe" song, which is surprisingly well-written and will be a big hit if Fantasia wins, was an advantage for Fantasia since she comes from a gospel background and can do the call-out portions of the songs with some authority and self-confidence. Anyone else notice that Fantasia sang "Have you ever CATCHED a falling star?" Otherwise, it was a great peformance. I don't know if the girls picked their own song order, but Fantasia made a great move in closing with "I Believe" and the backing gospel behind her.
I was disappointed that the singers relied on so much old material, especially Diana. I understand why she played it safe, but her choice for a second song, the "Enough is enough" disco one that was solid but not spectacular for her the first time she did it, wasn't impressive. It's not a song that will blow anyone away. She did 2 old songs and didn't take any risks to distinguish herself. I don't think this is necessarily the worst thing in the world since her conservative voters like what they're familiar with. I just wish the show had been more of a challenge for the two.
Fantasia's choice for a new song, "All My Life" didn't quite pay off and may be the reason the contest was decided by only a 1% margin (according to Seacrest Out's show today). It's a good song, but she didn't sing any of the words to the chorus and relied on too many runs and riffs. I agree with Simon that it was a mess. Also, I think the song choice didn't afford her much crossover potential in getting new votes: it's an R & B classic, but I'm not sure white voters who lean toward Diana were going to embrace Fantasia's take on it and Fantasia has soul/R & B fans locked up anyway.
Diana similarly had problems with her finale. I completely disagree that she did as good a job on "Don't Cry Out Loud" this time around. I cringed when I heard her go off-pitch during the song and I'm glad the judges called her out on it instead of sugar-coating it. I think that if she does a better job on this, she wins the contest. Not that she would have deserved to since Fantasia still clearly out-sung her on the last two songs, but she would have won. For what it's worth, I think there's a very good chance she won anyway by that 1%.
It was interesting to watch Jon Benet DeGarmo's politicking the whole night. She really pulled out all the annoying, cutesy tactics: "Miss Paula, Mr. Randy, Mr. Simon" came back (I thought that died after "Mr. Barry"); she had to get the last line of the show with "I love you America!" after "Seacrest Out!"; and she made sure to say "Thank you" after every song numerous times.
Fantasia did a better job on Summertime the first time around, but it was still excellent. She needed to chill with the gospel riffs at the end of emotional songs like Summertime and I Believe, though. It was almost too much and distracted from the quality of her performance.
I also think the seeming finality and coronation of Fantasia by the studio audience, the judges, and her fellow finalists will work against her and give Diana those ever-dreaded sympathy votes. The judges made the contest seem over, the Final 10 was crying, and Fantasia was crying like she'd already won the damn thing. America has proven this year that it doesn't particularly like or care what the judges have to say and often vote in opposition to the "sure things." Paul Anka destroyed any semblance of objectivity with his cheesy banter: "Fantasia nailed it huh folks? She sure did." That probably ticked off Diana fans more than a little. I think people on the fence will be motivated to vote for Diana because Fantasia was fawned over the whole night: "you're the best in this competition ever." Plus, Diana looked sad and depressed after the judges' comments on her last song -- that means sympathy votes from Omaha. I'm not sure whether Fantasia's crying will hurt or help her -- I'd guess it won't help her very much since it seemed like a Miss America coronation situation and like she'd already won. All she needed was the tiara. I don't know if her fans will be as motivated as Diana's McDonald's eating, rural lamoids will be.
I won't even get into how bizarre and lame that "My Way" thing is every year. I don't think they'll do that again. Talk about anti-climactic. I've had enough of Paul and his bad tan and facelifts.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and stick with my original prediction since I don't think America really votes based on performances as much as personality and personal biases. I said Diana was going to win a few weeks ago. I'm sticking with that. She'll win by that 1%. It'll be a huge shock and be all over the news and will make Fantasia an even BIGGER star when she releases her record with Clive Davis. I guarantee you Fantasia's record sales will at least double Diana's. No one really wants to play an updated version of "Don't Cry Out Loud" on Top 40 radio and the only ones buying that kind of music will be people her mom's age or their really young kids if they have no concerns about being cool.
I'm not completely sure of this prediction -- I'd say it's really 50/50 in my mind -- but I think there are a lot of factors working for Diana that I've outlined before that have nothing to do with talent. American Idol has always aimed for the middle and its audience is reluctant to reward the quirky, idiosyncratic, and risk-taking. Always bet on the safe, inoffensive, saccharine and bland (Justin Guarini anyone?). I'm not sure what the fallout will be for the show -- I'm pretty sure Simon will have some interesting comments and I don't know whether it will change the format of the show or if it will turn off viewers next season.
I don't think tonight's finale is worth watching, save the last 30 minutes. I plan on taping the rest since I really don't need to see George Huff and JPL (who apparently makes the girls swoon, according to Paul Anka's gag lyrics) on my screen again. I do hope LaToya blows everyone away and reminds people what the real finale should have been. What a showdown that would have been. I think that just as Tamira has proven she has more longevity than Kelly Clarkston, LaToya will be a bigger star than Diana certainly and perhaps Fantasia as well. I think a Fantasia/LaToya duet single would be cool.
That is all for now, I think. I can't remember any of my other reactions to the show at this moment.
7 - Bob A. Booey
Oh, one other tangential note: I'm such a fan of Superstar USA. I vowed not to watch the show when I saw the commercials, but it's such a great spoof of Idol. THe "McFadden gone" exit is the icing on the cake. It's so snarky, smug, cruel and evil that I'm hooked. Vitamin C is the best. Simon pinpoints the key to Idol's success as being its cruelty. Well, Superstar USA is positively sadistic and I hate to admit I love it. They kicked off some of the wrong freaks, though. The white guy who sang "Born to Be Wild" was too good. He should have been gone in favor of androgynous Ross or fabu-gay Frank. One of you nerds should start a Superstar USA post at my bidding.
Back to Idol: Diana talked too much on stage, by the way. Being feisty is good, I guess. Give the lil weirdo credit for being competitive. She did "come to win," as the judges said.
I couldn't care less about acoustics and nerdy technical details about audio.
That is all.
8 - Bob A. Booey
OK, be warned for those of you on the West Coast that this may be a spoiler. I just saw the finale. So don't read on if you haven't seen it yet.
I've also realized what a geek fan of this show I've become. Of course I'd never admit to it, but I locked myself in my apartment and had to watch it all alone because I actually cared about the outcome. No one should ever know of this and ever will. I'm writing this now while my memory of it is still fresh.
There's justice in the world and America finally got it right. I found this finale actually really dramatic and emotional for once. I think this serves the show well for the future, there's no doubt.
I was wrong in my prediction and I'm so glad I was. Fantasia is a star and, although it questions my masculinity, I definitely would consider buying or at least downloading a copy of that "I Believe" single when it comes out. Those last few moments were really great TV, especially when she broke down crying while she sang the lines "and finally, I believe ..." It's almost as if those words were written for her and her life story, being a single mom who grew up poor with big dreams. It's a great single and kudos to Tamira for co-writing it. I think this is the first time I've ever really felt much genuine emotion coming out of the show and it makes you happy for Fantasia and her family.
My comments about Diana and her mother were perhaps a bit severe. Diana was gracious throughout and even showed her likable side early in the results show when she joked about thinking she'd be eliminated several times. We hadn't really seen that kind of humility and grace before from her. Even her mother was gracious and seemed really proud of her kid after the result was announced -- the only time out of the massive amount of camera time she got over the past few months that I wasn't annoyed by her. It was a sweet, symbolic gesture that Diana said "it's her song" when Ryan announced "your American Idol" Fantasia Barrino singing "her new single, 'I Believe.'" Diana's comments about growing as a person seemed really genuine and I think she's a very powerful singer who deserves any success she can get. I mean, even if she did win the contest and spoil the fairytale ending, you almost wouldn't have begrudged her that because she clearly needed this contest to succeed more than Fantasia did. You hope she can also continue to live a normal, happy life as a kid after this attention.
OK, now back to my usual incisive commentary in random order:
First, I believe Fantasia knew she won before she sang "Dreams." She came out with that look on her face holding onto her stomach and the way Paula looked at her with tears in her eyes during that song, you knew that the judges knew as well. I definitely think someone told her backstage. I initially thought that Fantasia had lost for sure when I saw that. Diana seemed more even-keel so it's hard to know whether she knew or whether she's a much better actor than the others.
I think it's unusual that both of them sang "I Believe" on the final results show, but that was a good hint that Fantasia won because you knew they wouldn't save that song after her rendition of it last night. It also made sense because the only other signature song for Diana was "Don't Cry Out Loud," but I don't think they wanted to put the pressure on her of revisiting that song after her pitch problems last night. The "Never Again" disco song wasn't emotional enough for a last song. You could clearly hear the difference in maturity between the two singers on that song, as great a job as Diana does with it. I do like that they had the finalists sing the same song so you get a sense of their differing talents and styles -- that'd be something worth keeping in future seasons for the final two.
Fantasia's "Dreams" song was well-sung but the song itself is underwhelming.
The ensemble medley was cheesy and illustrated that Camile Velasco was the worst of the final 12. It's interesting that JPL didn't get a solo, really. He and Matt had to settle for brief duets. You almost forget people like Leah Labelle were ever on the show, but she's hot. It was weird seeing and hearing Jennifer Hudson again even though she hasn't been gone that long.
The final duet song with Fantasia and Diana also demonstrated why Fantasia deserved it more. Diana has the stronger voice but Fantasia held that song up and the clearest difference was when they did their vocal riffs and Diana's "soul" wails sounded a bit shrill and girlish.
Ruben's new R & B single was a little bit uncomfortable. I liked his singing and the R Kelly vibe of the song, but the lyrics seemed a bit adult for the Idol audience. "I'm gonna break you off ... i'll take care of it with $4 million." Old Rube's a pimp now apparently. What the hell was that ugly T-shirt and who was on it?
Kelly's new song wasn't that great, even though she showed she's still a great singer in the first group song. She's what Diana should aspire to be vocally.
I love Tamira Gray and give her big props on that new single she helped write, but her version of the Star Spangled Banner was hurtin. She was off-key and as Randawg would say, "pitchy." I know that's one of the hardest songs in the world to song, but you'd think she would have it down by now with all the guest spots in stadiums over the past two years. I do think singing the anthem was weird and made it seem too much like a sporting event. I think the producers are taking the "Super Bowl of Pop" analogy a little too far. Henry Winkler actually mouthed the words. What a trooper. And Steve Edwards from Good Day LA does NOT count as a celebrity.
Speaking of the inappropriate sports rhetoric, the Seacrest video recap was lame in all its boxing talk. I mean, give me a break. It's Idol, the campiest experience ever. It couldn't be more femme. Plus, these are two teenage girls singing karaoke. Uppercuts? On the ropes? Spare me.
It was also interesting that the judges played almost no role in the show. They spoke for less than a minute combined out of two hours. They did dress well, especially Randy and Paula. Paula actually looked hot for once. She's having less of her hot days when the makeup and clothes are working lately as she gets older, but I'll give her credit. The boobs looked big and she had just the right makeup on that aging face to look kinda do-able. It reminds you she used to be pretty damn hot.
It's interesting how they classed it up as well. No talking from the judges, nice clothes, no tight black T-shirts, and even the omni-present red Coke cups filled with water were gone for nicer burgundy cups without a logo. I don't actually remember a SINGLE Coke ad. What's up with that? I'm so used to a million of them per episode ... after the break. Maybe something's going on with the big sponsorship agreement and maybe Coke didn't want to pay the big rates for the finale?
Was it just me or did anyone else kind of expect Simon to maybe get a little misty once Fantasia was singing and crying leaning down on the stage in front of the judges' table? Of course he stayed stoic with that smile throughout. He looked proud, though.
Bad production moment: after Fantasia won, Seacrest motioned over for someone to bring over her kid. The whole family and posse goes over and the security guard blocks them all from going on stage. I'm guessing the producers put the kibosh on that once they saw the brothers and friends and boyfriends or whoever they are in their street gear trying to go up on stage. I don't think Nigel and Simon Fuller and the other proper Brits want any choice words going on air since a conservative image is so valued by AI. I'm sure they had a heart attack screaming into the earpieces to keep the brothas off stage.
I think that's about it.
It was good TV and a great ending to a bizarre season. I'm glad it worked out the way it did because Fantasia deserved it more than even LaToya would have. She had the heart and soul and passion that past Idols lacked.
9 - DeAun
I must agree with you it seemed that Tamira was a little scared up there. But I think out of all the AI this one has been the best. With both girls they really kept you on your toes and wondering who was going to win. I am very happy at the results. Fantasia Rocks!
10 - Kudd45
TO BOB A. BOOEY:
questioning your masculinity? Any man who spends such a ridiculous amount of time pondering over the smallest details of a t.v. show about singing, and then writes such a long piece on it for pure ammusement, is in a very dire need of masculinity questioning.
P.S. TO ALL AMERICAN IDOL FANS:
If you want to hear mediocre singers embelshing bad music..... go to your local music store and but a maria carey album,this should tide you over until the next season of pure crap is put out to give excitement to your useless lives.
11 - Kudd45
sorry but i have to say this...... thats some funny ass sh*t right there
12 - PASTOR RONNIE KAYIGWA
Dear
AMERICAN IDOL
Ronnie and Ruth child care foundation.
P.BOX. 128 Nateete Kampala Uganda East Africa
http://www.thestudentclub.net/careersuccess
E-mail. ronnie_and_ruth@hotmail.com
We are happy to inform you of the successful trip to and from Holland. Our pupils in this children’s
Choir called Kayda Children’s drama troupe wonderfully performed in Holland where they spent a month performing and hence have been once again invited to go back this year 2004. This time they will continue up to U.K and America
The proposal of this email is to request you for a visit to your promises for performing. These are students who are desperate either after loosing all their parents or have one or both parents who are jobless and so poor to the extent of even failing to feed the children
Having limited resources. Our ministry have been struggling with finding a solution to these problems until we learnt of your performs/ visiting programs.
We cordially invite you to visit us at any time you wish. Hence we thought it wise to write to you and see if you could be an answer to this problem. We therefore humbly request you to handle our request with consideration and inform us of the possibility of this assistance the details of the procedure and or advise us accordingly
May the Lord give you the grace in your efforts and bless your ministry.
I remain yours:
Ronnie Kayigwa
MARKETING MANAGER
KAYDA CULTURAL TROUPE
E-mail: ronnie_and_ruth@hotmail.com
Tele: 075976435
13 - Bob A. Booey
Someone find these poor people the address for Fox TV or the studio that produces American Idol so they can get the bad news themselves.
14 - Eric Olsen
Pastor Ronnie, try this press@fremantlemedia.com and see if the show's producers give a fig.
15 - danielle
i love carrie underwood she is my idol i just wish i could hear her sing in your heaven one more time