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That’s pretty much my reaction to last night’s show. The episode didn’t come alive until Taylor Hicks arrived to shake things up. :). Simon made the argument that Taylor wasn’t right for the show. Though I didn’t agree with his statement that Taylor is “a background singer” I agree that he may not be right for Idol. He’s too quirky, idiosyncratic and ADULT for the show. I’m having a hard time picturing him competing against contestants who will appear so much younger and greener. Taylor has a world-weariness, and dare I say, a bit of an arrogant edge that I believe will ultimately clash with the vanilla tone of the show. We know that he probably made the Top 24, but I predict a rather swift demise after that. If he manages to make the Top 12, he’ll be done in by theme nights and the rigid confines of the competition. I think Taylor will resist any attempts by the producers to mold him, or put him into a box. Contestants who don’t fit in, attempt to be original or buck the system usually meet an early demise. See: Maroulis, Constantine, Turner, Nadia, and even Lewis, Jon Peter.
I know, I’m talking like he’s already lost. I’m such a pessimist. Seriously, though, best of luck to Taylor, I hope he does well in the competition, and at the very least, I hope that Idol provides the exposure that his talent deserves. Sidenote: Thanks to one of my homeboard homegurls for digging up this article on Taylor.
Only 11 contestants made it through to Hollywood. Uhhhm, well only 10 ’cause even though Tora was featured in the “Going to Hollywood” montage, she didn’t actually go. In fact, I hear from sources that her bags were packed and that she had dropped quite a few dollars on audition clothes and vocal lessons. Four days before the rounds started, the producers called to say she’d been cut, and refused to say why. Background checks were concluded 6 weeks beforehand and any issues Tora had were discussed with the producers after she got her Golden Ticket in Las Vegas. So, at this point, her early dismissal continues to be a great mystery. In the meantime, she’s lead singer for a band called Heartfelt Confessions and is moving on…
Anybody else out there a victim of a pre-Hollywood telephone cut? I’d love to hear about it…
Some Hollywood contestants identified. These folks auditioned in Greensboro. Thanks to Jennifer for these. :).
Cory Sellers. Here’s his website. Corey is a Christian singer/songwriter.
Laura Wright. I mentioned her previously here.
I believe this is actually Kinnik, rather than Kaneik Tune
Thanks anyway C…yer more often right than wrong…
I’ll be posting a full re-cap of the Las Vegas auditions tonight.