Fantasia and Diana
The stage for American Idol's two night finale was set tonight in Hollywood's Kodak Theater. Finalists Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo performed three songs each, two of their own choosing and one called I Believe by Idol I contestant, Tamyra Grey. Tomorrow one of these two teenagers from the South will become the American Idol.
Sixteen year-old, Diana arrived this evening to have a fun time and to give 500% for Snellville, Georgia and all of America. Nineteen year-old, Fantasia also came out to have fun, as well as to "Bo Bo."
In The Audience
In addition to 3,000 cheering fans, many of America's favorite contestants from this season were in the audience tonight. Those in the Top Twelve had aisle seats close to the front of the stage. George Huff was sporting a plaid jacket. JPL sat behind George in a yellow Oxford shirt. Camile Velasco looked like she just stepped off the beach wearing a green bathing suit top. Leah LaBelle had on a bright orange dress. John Stevens looked as dapper as ever. Jennifer Hudson hid behind a light pink hat and black and pink poncho (perhaps in honor of Diana?). Amy Adams came sporting not pink but jet black hair with a light blue camisole. And Matt Rogers was seated behind Amy looking as studly as ever.
The focus of the evening: Diana DeGarmo and Fantasia Barrino.
Diana DeGarmo's Rendition of "I Believe"
Recounting her audition start in Hawaii, Diana achieved goal after goal.
Randy said, "She has the eye of the tiger in her eyes. She is so ambitious and so great at sixteen."
Paula said, "I've seen Diana grow leaps and bounds. She's really coming into her own. And her voice is amazing."
Cowell's statement that she is too young was rescinded once more.
Beginning the evening with Tamyra Grey's I Believe, Diana made us believe in her. With a twenty-seven person choir backing her up, she may have had all of the country's believers believing in her too.
Randy compared her performances to Whitney's, Celine's and Mariah's. "You worked it out tonight, dude," he said.
Paula felt like a proud parent watching Diana growing into an adult. She said, "You gave a stunning performance. You really made that song soar."
Simon also praised her for the way she sang the song. His only problem was that she hasn't climbed the mountains she sang about. Cowell said he would expect a fifty year old to sing this song.
DeGarmo's response: "It's o.k. I still love you, Mr. Simon."
Fantasia Barrino's First Performance
Recounting Fantasia's journey which began in Atlanta, Randy spoke of Fantasia's husky voice as "Mary J. Blige meets Aretha Franklin." "Every American Idol competition needs a Fantasia," said Cowell. "Someone who is willing to take a risk."
In Pasadena, her unique voice launched her into the Top Thirty-Two. All along her path, she referred to "what a blessing it is" to be here. Paula praised her for her electrifying performances. In an attempt to add to the mix, Fantasia chose K-C & JoJo's All My Life as her first song tonight.
Randy said, "I've loved that song written by Hailey Boys." However, he didn't like the arrangement. He called it lackluster. Nonetheless, he said, "You still retained your talent."
Paula said, "This is where you stand out as an outstanding, brilliant artist. You take a mediocre arrangement and you grab the audience in a choke-hold and you say, 'Listen up.'"
Simon was far more critical. He said, "I honestly thought it was a complete mess." He felt she was very lucky that she was singing more than one song tonight.
Graciously, Fantasia thanked Simon despite the slam.
Diana DeGarmo
Diana's Second Performance of The Night
Wearing her trademark pink and black, Diana sang the upbeat No More Tears from Donna Summer's disco-themed competition.
Randy's reaction: "You came to try and win this tonight." He told her she sang her face off, and that he was very proud of her.
Paula simply said, "Ditto. You picked it up."
Simon thought her moves were hideous. Diana admitted she needs to work on that. On a positive note, he agreed with Randy that she came to win tonight.
Fantasia's Second Song
Regardless of whether or not Fantasia wins tomorrow night, one thing is for sure: She could sell millions of copies of Summertime singles. Host Ryan Seacrest referred to Barrino revealing hidden depths with this rendition. Running with a sure thing, Fantasia brought magic into the house, once again.
Jackson said, "Fantasia is back. That was unbelievable" He said, "That's like a master class in singing."
Abdul's reaction: "You just showed another talent as a true artist but reinventing yourself. You'll never bore an audience."
Simon went on to make not just the statement of the season, but the statement of three.
He was looking for an opportunity to let it be known that he believes Fantasia Barrino is not only the best contestant of American Idol III, but of any contestant in thirty countries performed around the world.
Diana DeGarmo's Third Song of The Evening
Diana selected the same song that Clive Davis chose for her last week. Dressed in a sophisticated black suit with a light pink top, she sang Don't Cry Out Loud.
Unfortunately, DeGarmo started out the evening with her strongest performance and ended with her weakest. Singing the lyrics "learn how to hide your feelings," she should have hid those seven notes. Hopefully, she won't be crying out loud tomorrow night. Save this one fumble, the rest of tonight's performances were stellar.
Randy Jackson referred to her performance as "pitchy," though he couldn't put his finger on what happened.
"It must be surreal being up there," said Paula. "Something happened in the middle of the song. Oh, well. You're still wonderful," she added.
"The last time you sang this song it was sensational." Simon said.
"You had one last chance to nail this competition, and I don't think you did," Simon stated.
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia's Rendition of "I Believe"
This time it was Fantasia's opportunity to call upon the choir and her Gospel roots to back her up. Dressed in a beautiful green dress, she sang Tamyra Grey's When You Believe with passion and soul.
After Simon's previous compliment, she clearly took it and had fun with her last performance of the night. The song was sung to near perfection.
Fantasia was brought to tears. As were Amy Adams and Camile Velasco. Jennifer Hudson was a tough read. Matt Rogers wiped his brow as a sign of hot Fantasia was.
Randy and Paula gave her a standing ovation. As did every other guest in the theater.
Randy called her performance brilliant.
Paula claimed, "Fantasia, this is your night."
Simon said, "That was your acceptance speech. Congratulations!" Paula concurred, "Yes, it was."
Paul Anka recapped the season and completed the evening by singing a custom rendition of My Way in honor of the finalists and many of the other contestants, including tone-deaf Will Hung.
He sang:
Yes, it's clear. The time is here. Diana dear and Sweet Fantasia. You're blessed for those less than best. Simon suggests "euthanasia." With pride, so many tried to make that ride up stardom's stairway. They came in throngs to sing their songs. They sang them their way.
Yes, girls fell for JPL but we won't dwell; the phone lines annoy ya. And then, by Jas by Jen, we'll hear again from Miss LaToya. And Fox. Paula sure rocks with great lip locks. Judges made contact. Of all who sung tone deaf Will Hung, he landed a contract.
Host Ryan Seacrest, here's to him. And Randy looks buff, and bypass the gym. A diva darling will fly far growing from starling into a star. You've got our vote. Just one more note. Keep singing my way.
1-866-IDOLS-01 or 02
In this household, there are five voters. Two girls, who are Idol's direct target audience, choose Diana, hands down.
The nineteen year-old in our house said, "If this was the only performance I had ever heard from the two contestants, I would choose Fantasia. However, because I have seen and heard Diana over the past number of months, I will cast my vote in DeGarmo's camp."
Tim's comment: "People always remember the last thing you did. Fantasia's strongest song was her last while Diana's was her first."
That said, we went back and listened to both performances of I Believe.
Tim's reaction after listening to them again: "Diana's performance sent chills down my spine. I got goose bumps. Fantasia did a great job, but I just didn't have the same reaction."
I guess that leaves me odd-person-out. 4-to-1. Four votes for Diana. One vote for Fantasia.
Personally, as much as I adore Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, and Diana DeGarmo, Fantasia is the artist I would pay money to hear.
If Fantasia is interested in reaching an older audience, count me in. At nineteen years of age, imagine where she will be in thirty years when our kids are our age.
Now, if we can just get through to 1-866-IDOLS-01 for Diana and 1-866-IDOLS-02 for Fantasia!
The good news: America gets four hours tonight to cast their vote. One more hour to go and all votes will be in here on the west coast!!
Still dialing...
Until tomorrow night!
Inspire & Be Inspired.
~Jennifer King
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