'Idol' Voters Have Spoken: No Mandate for Melinda

News Source : Washington Post

No, not Melinda. No, no, no, no, no.

Melinda Doolittle, the most polished singer in the history of "American Idol" -- she effortlessly channeled Carmen McRae, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, just name your diva and stand back -- was voted off last night. That leaves Jordin Sparks, a big-voiced but inexperienced teenager from Arizona, and Blake Edwards, a hyperkinetic fashion victim who interrupts his performances with beat-box vocalese, to compete next week in the finals.

Melinda's dismissal stunned even Jordin and Blake -- she was that much better. Melinda had made her living as a backup singer, which meant she had chops. Her command of breath, tone, her phrasing were those of a professional singer. Jordin and Blake, let's face it, probably couldn't spell vibrato, let alone modulate it.

But her departure wasn't entirely unexpected. For all her talent and accomplishment, Melinda had little of the sparkle and fizz that people expect from a pop star. Everything about Jordin and Blake seemed younger -- they are younger, truth be told -- and it's a truism that America worships youth.

In that sense, the result was probably good for the "Idol" franchise. Yes, it's something of a problem when the best-singer-by-a-mile gets booted. But "Idol" needs to appeal to a young demographic. Television isn't about justice; it's about parking the right eyeballs in front of the flat-screen, preferably without a DVR attached.

This is our children's world. We are mere trespassers.

Last night's show was larded with the usual non-nutritional filler. We saw Jordin's whirlwind "Idol"-escorted trip home to Glendale, Ariz. She broke up at being reunited with her best friend -- she's only 17, remember -- and seemed to spend the rest of her stay in tears.

Blake, on the other hand, had a grand old time on his trip home to Puget Sound. It took a flight in a private jet, another flight in a seaplane and a ride in a stretch-limo SUV to get him to his family's doorstep, where his parents awaited. Blake's father then promptly began to weep.

Next came a performance by Elliott Yamin, the angel-voiced, charismatically challenged "Idol" finalist from last season. He was there to sell his eponymous new album. He also got to show off his new clothes, his new hairdo and, most important, his new teeth.

Then we got to see Melinda's trip home to Nashville, where she got something more than the royal treatment. At a minimum, it was the "empress of all she surveys" treatment. The state of Tennessee proclaimed "Melinda Doolittle Day," the city renamed a street "Melinda Doolittle Way," and while the eager throngs did not strew rose petals in her path, they would have if she'd only asked.

After the Melinda Experience, we got a performance by Maroon 5. As Adam Levine crooned the band's new single, Blake stood with the other finalists in the wings and mouthed the words, shadowing Levine's every movement. We have long suspected that Blake imagines himself to be the real Adam Levine. If Adam Levine ever has problems with a stalker, I know where the authorities might start.

Finally, at 9:56 p.m., host Ryan Seacrest read the results. Jordin, despite having given three mediocre performances the night before, was safe. Melinda, unjustly, got the ax. And Blake survived to do his beat-box-boy thing one more time.

News Source : Washington Post

Melinda Doolittle at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

Melinda Doolittle rides in a car through a crowd of fans at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 11, 2007. (AP Photo, Mark Humphrey)

'American Idol' finalists awash in hometown love

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The three remaining 'American Idol' contestants took to the streets Friday -- of their rapturous hometowns. Local loyalists showed all day just who they thought should win the wildly popular singing contest, which will feature some of the scenes next week.

Back before she was an "American Idol" finalist, Melinda Doolittle was a Belmont University mascot. She wore a hot, sweaty bear costume and jumped around in the name of school spirit.

The tables were turned on Doolittle in a big way when she returned Friday to her alma mater. Hundreds waved signs and shouted encouragement to her: "We love you, Melinda." "You're going to win, Melinda." "Doolittle's Da Bomb." "Melinda for President."

The school even named a street after her, unveiling a black iron post with a blue sign that read: "Melinda Doolittle Way."

Doolittle, who arrived waving from the back of a white convertible Mustang, looked -- all too characteristically, as "Idol" judge Simon Cowell has scolded her -- surprised and overwhelmed.

"If I talk too much I'll cry," she said. "You have no idea how much this means to me. ... This is probably one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced."

Doolittle said she was glad to be home, even if just for an afternoon. "I just got some sweet tea, so I'm happy. Now I need some candied yams and greens and I'll be great."

Doolittle, a professional backup singer in Nashville before she became an "Idol" contestant, has a rich, powerful voice that she put to work on two songs Friday. But even stars have off moments, and Doolittle's came during her first number when her microphone kept cutting off. The problem was corrected, and she recovered nicely for the second song.

Ironically, her mother, Marguerite Doolittle, said her daughter was tone deaf until about the sixth grade. She couldn't carry a tune to save her life.

"God really dropped a voice into her in the seventh grade," her mother said. "It's been so exciting watching this, because it was not there before. It's like seeing a miracle, really."

Doolittle, 29, graduated from Belmont with a music degree in 1999. Everyone in the crowd was certain she'd prevail over rivals Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis.

"She's very talented, and she's also very sweet and personable," said Susan Belsante of Charlotte, N.C.

Belsante has a daughter at Belmont and a son graduating from nearby Vanderbilt University. She felt a little guilty about it, but she skipped the commencement speech at her son's graduation so she could come cheer Doolittle.

"I went 'Let's see,'" she said, holding up both hands like a scale, "commencement speech or Melinda Doolittle.'

"I had to go with Melinda Doolittle."

This photo from Fox Television shows the 'American Idol' remaining finalists Melinda Doolittle, left, Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks. (AP Photo, Fox Television, Frank Micelotta)

The scene in Seattle

The scene was just as raucous in Seattle, where Lewis, 25, played a free concert before more than a thousand fans at Westlake Park. He was joined onstage by Seattle's own Sir Mix-A-Lot, who sang his hit "Baby Got Back" over what many in the crowd came to see: Lewis' beat-boxing.

"Every time you watch `American Idol,' you see people that can sing, and that's it," Mix-A-Lot said to wild applause. "This cat got real talent. ... He's the new king of Sea-town, baby."

Lewis' homecoming plans included a parade in his suburban hometown of Bothell and a performance of the national anthem at the Mariners-Yankees game Friday night. He looked out on the crowd in the warm midday sunshine and said: "I'm speechless. Thank you guys for all the support."

Many in the crowd, populated largely by truant teenage girls, screamed and waved signs that read "Blaker Girls" or "We (heart) Blake."

Blaire Ginnever, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, said she was skipping her lunch period and Spanish class at Villa Academy in Seattle.

"Blake es muy bueno," she said.

Ginnever's mom, Marilyn, was also in the crowd, and said she didn't mind that her daughter was missing school.

"It's the end of the year, and this is big for Seattle," she said. "We follow the show. It's kind of a family event, and rooting for a hometown boy makes it special."

City Councilwoman Jean Godden, who is old enough to remember a significant chunk of Seattle's musical history, read a proclamation declaring Friday "Blake Lewis Day" and placing the "renowned beat-box musician" in a local tradition that includes Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Nirvana, Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie.

Hot in Arizona

Meanwhile, in Glendale, Ariz., an estimated 5,000 fans weathered 100-degree heat to see the 17-year-old Sparks, their hometown fave.

A stage was erected in an outdoor plaza at Westgate City Center and some fans waited up to five hours to see her.

"You guys are crazy but I love you for it," Sparks told the crowd before singing three songs that she has performed on the show -- "Give Me One Reason," "Heartbreaker" and "I Who Have Nothing."

"I hope I make you proud next Tuesday," Sparks told the crowd, referring to the upcoming semifinals. The last singer standing will be announced May 23.

Glendale, located just northwest of Phoenix, has been throwing elaborate, outdoor "Idol" viewing parties to show support for Sparks. Since March 20, the city of about 245,000 has seen hundreds of people from all over the state turn out to see "Idol" episodes on two 14-foot TVs. The city also has distributed hundreds of free "Glendale supports Jordin" posters at its visitor center.

Sparks made a grand entrance late Friday afternoon, perched on the back of pink Mustang convertible.

Her father -- former Arizona State and NFL player Phillippi Sparks -- and other family members followed behind in two other convertibles.

Once on stage, Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs presented Sparks and her family with a special city proclamation.

Melinda Doolittle

Melinda Doolittle
FAST FACTS

Age: 29

Hometown: Brentwood, TN

Audition City: Memphis

Favorite male pop artists?
Stevie Wonder, Jonny Lang, Donny Hathaway

Favorite female pop artists?
Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight

When did you first start to sing?
7th Grade

Do you have any formal singing training?
Yes – college (Music Major) and vocal lessons ever since

What other talents do you have?
Um… I love to make people laugh.

If you don’t make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do?
Keep traveling and singing

What are your personal goals in life?
To represent Christ well and do everything 150%

What album would your friends be surprised you own?
Tchaikovsky

Who is your AMERICAN IDOL?
My mommy!

Do you have any rituals or things you do each time before you perform?
Pray and warm up

Most embarrassing moments?
Crying EVERY time I advance another round

What has been your proudest moment in life so far?
Actually auditioning for AI

If you couldn’t sing, which talent would you most like to have?
Dancing or gymnastics

What is your definition of an AMERICAN IDOL?
Someone who, when given the platform, represents who they truly are and can convey it in a way that makes the audience want to know more

Who is your favorite judge and why?
Simon! He’s so real with ya – Even when I don’t like it, I love it!

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
[blank]

How has this changed your life?
I’m singing lead now. Who knew?!

Do you have any lucky charms?
My Bible.

Who are your heroes in life?
My mom, dad, my vocal coach (Janet Kenyon)

What’s been your toughest obstacle in life?
Fear

Do you think the audition process was fair?
I think it has, although I have seen some great people go home.

If you win, who will you thank first?
Jesus and my mommy.