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American Idol 6 – Tale of the Tapesby Donna Reynolds -- 05/15/2007
View Printable version of this article It seems like only yesterday that the Idol stage was packed with 24 finalists, all vying for a spot in the grand finale. It’s been a rough and strange journey, but we have finally arrived at the top three, and all things considered, I believe the viewers actually got it right this time around. It’s funny when you look back at all the Antonella/Sanjaya angst. “Idol is doomed,” some people wrote. It’s good to know that in the end, the strongest contestants survived, and although this season was rather bizarre, the franchise has not self-destructed. As this site’s resident historian, I have had the opportunity to study the events of each season’s corresponding weeks and compare those events to the current season. Nostalgia sometimes blurs reality, and it’s funny how history repeats itself. But it’s also interesting that, in a season some tagged the worst and most boring ever, we have what may be the strongest and most well-matched top three since Season 2 (Ruben, Clay, and Kimberley Locke). 
As in Season 2, we have three distinct candidates for the crown. In fact, the parallels are rather startling. Like Ruben, Melinda has a gospel/R&B foundation and has made excellent song choices. Jordin, who bears a resemblance to Kimberley, has a big voice and connects well with the songs she has chosen. Blake and Clay are nothing alike, but their similarity lies in their being unique in the competition and attracting a distinctive fan base that is separate from the rest of the pack. Let’s examine each of the finalists’ a little more closely. Blake Lewis Bio: Blake was born in Redmond, Washington, on July 21, 1981. He began beat-boxing in high school and performed with KickShaw for four years. In 2002, he went solo under the name BShorty. In addition to singing, Blake plays piano, drums, and guitar, and is also a songwriter. Strengths: Blake is most contemporary artist ever to make the top three. He has a distinctive singing and performing style, and has been innovative in his approach to song selection and presentation. Over the course of the competition, Blake has handled criticism well and seems likeable and approachable. His previous performing experience has readied him for this level of competition, and he appears poised and confident onstage. Blake’s laid-back approach should help him to overcome nerves as he faces off against Melinda and Jordin this week. Weaknesses: Although his beat-boxing has added something fresh to the performance shows, as we saw last week, he has a tendency to overdo it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Every song does not have to be altered, and some of his best performances were on those nights where he left the song alone (“Imagine” for one). This week, his song for the judges’ choice round is “Roxanne,” which, while perfect for his range, could be disastrous if he tries to embellish it too much. Blake does not have the strongest voice in the competition, and must be very careful to stay on pitch. Prediction: If the contest were to be judged on singing ability alone, Blake would finish third. However, as we have seen over and over on American Idol, singing ability is not the only factor. Blake has a great deal of support, and after he appeared to be in the bottom two last week, expect his fans to redouble their effort to keep him in the competition. But, he will only survive if either Jordin or Melinda stumbles badly. After Idol: Blake will be a big hit on the summer tour. He’ll be able to relax and improvise, unconstrained by the restrictions he’s faced on the show. Blake records very well, and will certainly get a recording deal. His first CD will be fresh, innovative, and radio-friendly, and he will have a top ten single. Blake is very marketable, and with the right material and promotion, will have an enduring career. But, like Clay and even Taylor, Blake will not appeal to everyone. This is good for Blake, but may not translate into multi-platinum sales. It’s hard to predict, though, not knowing what type of material he will ultimately record. Jordin Sparks Bio: Jordin was born in Staten Island, New York, on December 22, 1989. Her father is Phillippi Sparks, who played pro football for the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys. In 2003, Jordin auditioned for American Juniors and Star Search, but was not chosen to appear on either show. In 2004, she made two appearances on America’s Most Talented Kid, winning in her first appearance (she sang “A Broken Wing”). She also appeared on a championship edition of the show with six other contestants, but did not win. 
At 13, Jordin recorded a five-track CD entitled For Now. She was also included on a compilation CD, Live at Mr. Lucky’s. In 2004, Jordin competed in the Music in the Rockies competition, placing second. In 2006, she won the Phoenix Torrid search for plus-sized models and appeared in a full-page ad for Torrid in Seventeen magazine. The same year, Jordin won the 2006 Arizona Idol contest, ensuring an audition spot before the Idol judges. Jordin has performed the National Anthem for the Phoenix Suns, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. She has appeared in various festivals, and sung with Alice Cooper and Christian contemporary singer Michael W. Smith. She has also done a number of plays in Phoenix. Strengths: Jordin has a powerful voice, great vocal control, and excellent performing skills. She is confident and connects well with the songs and the audience. She is likeable, and as the youngest contestant in this year’s competition, appeals to the teenage demographic. What’s interesting is that while she’s only 17 years old (a fact Randy feels is necessary to remind us of every week), Jordin possesses a great deal of maturity. This makes her attractive not only to teenagers, but also to older viewers who recognize her talent and potential. 1 2 Next-->View Printable version of this article
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