May 20, 2004 - Aloha Spirit

The one with the least number of votes was Jasmine Trias, the sweet young Hawaiian singer who could use a little seasoning on the stage.

I had been worried for my favorite, Fantasia Barrino, because that day Fox had been showing an ad featuring Simon Cowell, saying that America would be surprised by the result. I guess they did that just to make sure people would watch.

I was also made nervous by The Gryphon, who asked me yesterday afternoon if I was prepared to watch Fantasia go home.

"Why? Have you heard something?" I asked.

He said he hadn't but that it was a possibility, and I should be prepared for it, in case it happened.

Of course, I would have dealt with it. I would have been majorly disappointed, but clearly, there would have still be plenty of opportunities ahead for Fantasia. Only last night, Tamyra Gray, a finalist from the first season, performed two songs, talked about her new album and revealed she'd co-written the single that the two finalists, Fantasia and Diana DeGarmo will compete with next week.

Tamyra Gray was a very talented and wildly popular finalist in year one, which I didn't watch. I understand, though, that there was nationwide shock when she was eliminated, because she'd been considered a favorite to win.

So if it had been Fantasia who was going home, I would have comforted myself with the fact that she would, no doubt, have a good career ahead of her anyway.

Jasmine actually didn't seem phased at all by the results. In fact, she looked relieved. I can only imagine what sort of response she would have faced if she had stayed in the competition, when you consider that last week the announcement that LaToya was going home was met with boos from the audience. I'm sure she had no desire to face that kind of response again.

Next week, Fantasia will have the advantage of performing second. We know this because it was decided on a live coin toss last night. But there's no telling how the votes will come out the final week. In fact, I just saw an online poll that had Fantasia and Diana running neck and neck, well within the margin of error.

I think that many people will wait until they hear next week's performances to make a final decision, so it will be key how they perform.

Fantasia likely benefited today from the fact that LaToya left last week, since she probably picked up most, if not all, of loyal LaToya fans (provided they were still watching). This is why it's extremely possible that if LaToya hadn't been eliminated last week, the final two might still have been Fantasia and Diana, simply because a similar voting base would have most likely been splitting their vote between Fantasia and LaToya.

At this point, at least Fantasia fans can relax. She's no longer in danger of being sent home. And even if Diana manages to pull off a terrific performance and wins, runner up on American Idol is almost as good: just ask Clay Aiken. She'd still have oodles of media attention and record industry potential.

One thing is for sure: regardless of next week's results, Fantasia is my American Idol.

Other Musings by Alyce on American Idol:

American Idol Index

Moral:
It's better to exit gracefully than to win and be booed.