It's Fantasia.
While there were more than a few bumps in the road, the final show of the season ended exactly the way it should. All the cries of alleged racism, all of the complaints about jammed phone lines, all of the outrage over power-dialing Hawaiians can be put to rest.
One thing became very clear through the parade of the other finalists tonight. While some are immensely talented and some less so, none of them really had the whole package. The voice, the power, the soul — only one singer in the competition this year had it all. And that person won.
It's Fantasia.
And, in the end, didn't we all really know it would be?
Article comments
1 - sandra smallson
Nope. I didn't. I preferred Latoya London. Had there not been total outrage in the dismissal of Jen Hudson and Latoya London, let me assure you that Miss Barrino would not have won that show.
2 - 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.
3 - boomcrashbaby
My fav is still LaToya. I think Diana has a great career ahead of her and I'm sure she will only continue to grow as a performer. Sometimes her voice when loud can get irritating though. But I always thought that of Mariah Carey (not that they are similiar), and apparently millions don't seem to mind, so there's still a career there.
It's good that Fantasia won, we all knew she would. Reading comments about her, not only on this site but in editorials and on newscasts, etc. one would think Fantasia is absolute perfection. She has personality, charisma, can keep on key 90% of the time, can belt it out and has mastered her vocal chords. Since there is no room for perfection, unless she constantly pushes herself with daring songs (something she also seems to be good at), then most all of her songs will sound the same. 10 years from now, it'll be the same voice. The same chords. The same style. The same everything. Can't get any better. Can't change. This is it. There you go. Song after song. Same could be said for a lot of singers though, to be fair.
It's uniqueness that makes one a star, I guess. That's why Robin Williams became a successful comediene. Where is he now career-wise? Uniqueness put Cyndi Lauper on the map. Where is she now? Uniqueness got John Stevens on the show. But when that's all you have, where does it take you? Uniqueness put Madonna on the map, however she's stayed up on top by constantly re-inventing herself. Let's hope Fantasia takes a cue from that, she does seem inclined to, but only time will tell.
4 - Eric Olsen
Bob, very insightful comments devoid of the usual smug self-satisfaction (I'm channeling Simon), which confirms my suspicions that it's mostly an act. Good. I feel you feeling Fantasia and that makes you real.
I thought it was a good show overall too, and I'm deeply satisfied Fantasia won for the reasons Bob well states. Who can say what direction her career will take but I disagree with BCB who thinks what you see is what you get: she displayed all kinds of variety and shading in her various performances so I don't fear for her stagnation or sameyness any more than I do for any other artist.
The group medley reemphasized what an odd, misshapen group they were, with George the only strong male and only the three divas and Diana strong among the women - Jasmine has really faded of late, her performances were just grim last night, maybe she's just tired, though, as earlier in the series she had some pretty good ones.
A comforting aspect of the show also is what an image-challenged bunch the winners and runner-ups are: Fantasia is attractive but hardly elegant or classically beautiful. Diana is a girlish pudge, Ruben is even fatter than when he was on the show and almost croaked on the way down the stairs, Clay has cleaned up pretty well but is still a skinny, big-eared, vaguely effeminate dork, Kelly is bloated again and has never been more than cute (that no-chest, fat-ass look doesn't work on J-Lo either, but at least she's in shape). So you know the winners aren't getting there on image, which is a reasonably good sign.
5 - boomcrashbaby
I'm hoping Fantasia will prove me wrong, Eric!
6 - TDavid
Image is definitely not a factor, Eric. What was up with JPL's striped shirt last night? That guy just seems way out of place in the top 12. I think this was the weakest top group to date, talent-wise. I just don't see the idol contestants having similar commercial success coming out of this like with the past show contestants.
We'll see.
7 - Natalie Davis
"...[K]eep the brothas off stage"?
What in hell is that, Scott?
8 - TDavid
You mean, "Bob" don't you Natalie? Don't see where Scott ever said that, but do see Bob posting that towards the end of #2.
Though I would have used different words to describe the situation, the moment he described in the show was an odd production-technical moment. I'm not sure why the producers panned to that image.
Ryan motioning the family to come up on stage. Cut to image of bodyguards waving no to the family at the edge of the stage. Kind of sad that they couldn't join her for her special moment, but then she still had to sing the last song.
9 - Natalie Davis
Oops, my bad. Sorry, Scott.
What in hell is that, Mr. Booey?
10 - boomcrashbaby
That was my take on it, TDavid. They immediately went into Fantasia singing, and her family on stage, around her would have looked awkward bumping into the choir.
I certainly didn't see it as racism on the producers part, as they showed her family each and every time Idol was focusing on Fantasia (whether talking or singing). I think they just thought there wasn't enough time for a family hug before the end of the show, and that Ryan was in error.
11 - Natalie Davis
Seacrest. Out.
12 - Praycious Anjel
After watching these girls for so long, I feel a bond for them both. I felt proud of Fantasia's win, and disappointed at Diana's lost. I hope they both become highly successful divas. May they both make the best of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Good luck ladies!!!
13 - Bob A. Booey
Natalie: what the hell is up with what?
It did occur to me later after I wrote the comment about production that she had another song to sing. I still think it was a glitch. I also noticed her family didn't come on stage with her at the end. I'm not going to speculate on the producers' motives beyond that because they did have a legitimate reason not to let them on stage (at least before "I Believe"). I've already talked about the subtext in the way the show has treated Fantasia's image and her associates in previous comments, so I'll keep my post short for once lest I be lumped in with the paranoid wing of this site.
Booey ... OUT.
14 - Ariana
Umm.... well first of all I'd like to congratulate Fantasia on the tremendous winning last week... Even though I'm in Australia it goes to show that I have alot of respect for the americans... American Idol should stand proud of what they show to the world. Seriously I have never seen anyone with such beautiful talent then what ive seen on American Idol... To be honest Australian Idol here is crap and this country is so up themselves that we were even lucky enuff to broadcast The american idol show over here so great respects to anyone who reads this... well i hope that Fantasia achieves her dream ands extends them further in the years to come. As for Diana, well i was never a fan but maybe i could be a little sympathetic and show her respect too, being how young she is and having a big talent like that is also amazing... I expected Latoya London to be in the final 2 i believed she was the "TRUE" Winner of this years season, but maybe she has moved on to finding herself a career with the help of others... good luck to anyone out there who has talent, dont be afraid to show people what youve got koz it beats listening to these stupid aussie wannabes.... stand proud of your nation and farewell...
Signing off
An american FAN
15 - Stefanie
American Idol is fixed! It is soooo obvious that Simon choses who stays and who goes. Why do the judges comment about re-watching the performances...why does it matter? why do the judges even have a say in their performances, now that America is suppose to be voting? Simon has plotted to kick Ace off ever since he found out Ace had an agent (and soap opera offer)...he kicked Lisa Tucker too because he found out she had appeared on Broadway in the Lion King..Simon wants "raw' talent that he can make a star on his own...Simon himself has said "one bad performance at this stage in the competition can cause you to pack our bags"...and then Kelli doesn't even get in the bottom 3? Give me a break! Just because Simon likes her. Simon already told his favs on Letterman: Chris, Kelli and Taylor...if you don't believe me that it is fixed...let's wait and see how well they do....well, we won't be watching anymore...THE JIG IS UP!...we are boycotting the show because we aren't as stupid as Simon would like us to be.