Last week, as a shocking elimination, Colton Dixon got sent packing, landing in seventh place on American Idol season 11. He hails from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He said, "I wasn't myself last night." His Wednesday performance of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance"
was roundly criticized by the judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez. Dixon thanked them for
their honest feedback, and assured them he would incorporate it into a
future album. Host Ryan Seacrest described the singer as "a
class act" as he left the stage, and judge Jennifer Lopez shook her head
when Dixon's dismissal was announced.
Dixon was never in the bottom 3 prior to his elimination. He was in the bottom 3 with Elise Testone and Hollie Cavanagh, both of whom had found themselves in danger of elimination in previous weeks. My favorite contestant Jessica Sanchez, who was saved by
judges last week after audiences voted her off the show, received enough
votes to stay out of the bottom three, as did my second favorite contestant Joshua Ledet.
Thursday night's show featured a tribute to the late Dick
Clark, who died of a massive heart attack and who Seacrest cited as an inspiration and a boon to the music
industry. Pop band LMFAO performed its dance hit "Sorry for Party
Rockin,'" and American Idol season 8's Kris Allen took the stage to sing his song
"The Vision of Love."
Michael Colton Dixon was born to Teresa and Michael Dixon on October 19, 1991, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee. He has a younger sister named Schyler Dixon. He graduated from Middle Tennessee Christian School in 2009. He is also a devout Christian.
Dixon originally auditioned for American Idol season 10 alongside his sister Schyler in Nashville, Tennessee, but neither of them advanced to the live shows. After he was cut in the green mile round, Dixon performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 3, 2011.
Dixon returned in season 11, however he did not plan to audition,
initially planning to merely accompany his sister Schyler to her
audition. The judges implored Dixon to audition as well, where he sang David Cook's "Permanent." Both he and Schyler advanced to the Hollywood Round. Schyler was cut yet again during the Las Vegas round, which brought Colton to tears. On February 23, 2012, Dixon was placed in the season 11 Top 25. In the semi-finals, he performed Paramore's "Decode." He advanced to the top 13 by public vote.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Jessica Sanchez gets saved Casey Abrams style
Last week, Jessica Sanchez, my favorite contestant of American Idol season 11, got saved from being eliminated to seventh place by the judges. This is bittersweet news to me. I agree with the judges and Jimmy Iovine that America voted wrong. However, it must be that the results were not based on actual votes, as the results were staged by the powers that be.
American Idol is supposed to be a singing talent contest, not a popularity contest. Sanchez is the wise choice for American Idol winner. deserves to win the competition, not Phillip Phillips or Colton Dixon, who have been getting the frau vote. The frau vote is very unwise, and it comes from young viewers who comprise a small percentage of the American Idol at-home viewing audience and who are AT&T customers who text-vote speedily. The use of the judges' save is probably used to increase American Idol's ratings.
During the results show, American Idol season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson performed a duet with Ne-Yo called "Think Like a Man." Earlier, American Idol season 10's James Durbin performed his first single, "Higher Than Heaven."
Win or lose Sanchez will be the most successful contestant of American Idol season 11. She is already largely popular on YouTube. Let alone, she may even overtake Kelly Clarkson as the most successful American Idol contestant ever.
Tomorrow night, the theme is "Now & Then", meaning that the top 7 will perform two songs, one from the 21st century and one from the 20th century. The judges' save normally culminates in two finalists being sent home, but due to the disqualification of Jermaine Jones, only one finalist be sent home.
To all you who follow the frau vote, such as young female voting viewers: Female American Idol winners are more successful than their male counterparts regardless of race or musical style. Would you rather have an ethnic female American Idol winner like Jessica Sanchez who has a chance of attaining Kelly Clarkson level success or a White guy with a guitar (WGWG) type winner like Phillip Phillips who will go the way of Lee DeWyze?
My predictions on the top 7 are:
Winner: Jessica Sanchez
Runner-up: Colton Dixon
Third Place: Joshua Ledet
Fourth Place: Phillip Phillips
Fifth Place: Skylar Laine
Sixth Place: Elise Testone
Seventh Place: Hollie Cavanagh
American Idol is supposed to be a singing talent contest, not a popularity contest. Sanchez is the wise choice for American Idol winner. deserves to win the competition, not Phillip Phillips or Colton Dixon, who have been getting the frau vote. The frau vote is very unwise, and it comes from young viewers who comprise a small percentage of the American Idol at-home viewing audience and who are AT&T customers who text-vote speedily. The use of the judges' save is probably used to increase American Idol's ratings.
During the results show, American Idol season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson performed a duet with Ne-Yo called "Think Like a Man." Earlier, American Idol season 10's James Durbin performed his first single, "Higher Than Heaven."
Win or lose Sanchez will be the most successful contestant of American Idol season 11. She is already largely popular on YouTube. Let alone, she may even overtake Kelly Clarkson as the most successful American Idol contestant ever.
Tomorrow night, the theme is "Now & Then", meaning that the top 7 will perform two songs, one from the 21st century and one from the 20th century. The judges' save normally culminates in two finalists being sent home, but due to the disqualification of Jermaine Jones, only one finalist be sent home.
To all you who follow the frau vote, such as young female voting viewers: Female American Idol winners are more successful than their male counterparts regardless of race or musical style. Would you rather have an ethnic female American Idol winner like Jessica Sanchez who has a chance of attaining Kelly Clarkson level success or a White guy with a guitar (WGWG) type winner like Phillip Phillips who will go the way of Lee DeWyze?
My predictions on the top 7 are:
Winner: Jessica Sanchez
Runner-up: Colton Dixon
Third Place: Joshua Ledet
Fourth Place: Phillip Phillips
Fifth Place: Skylar Laine
Sixth Place: Elise Testone
Seventh Place: Hollie Cavanagh
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
DeAndre Brokensick
Last week, the top 8 sang songs from the 1980s, and then the top 8 became top 7 as DeAndre Brackensick got eliminated finishing in eighth place. Jennifer Lopez begged and pleaded with Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler to save him, but they declined, going against the audience's wishes. Brackensick is known for his falsetto. He is the American Idol version of Maxwell.
DeAndre Brackensick was born to Scot and Dawn Brackensick on October 21, 1994. He hails from San Jose, California. He is currently a senior at Oak Grove High School and was elected homecoming king. He is an active participant in Oak Grove High School's Theater Arts program and is the president of the school's Polynesian Club.
Brackensick originally auditioned for American Idol season 10, but he was cut in the green mile round, because the judges felt like he was not ready for the competition and advised him to come back the following season to audition again in San Diego, California. He did return and auditioned for the eleventh season in San Jose, California.
During the semifinal round, Brackensick performed "Reasons" by Earth, Wind & Fire. He was not one of the top five males chosen by America's votes, but was selected as one of six contestants to perform in the wild card round. In this round, he performed "Georgia on My Mind" by Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra and was selected as one of the three wild cards to advance to the top 13 by American Idol judge, Steven Tyler. He was consistently praised by the judges for his performances and one of the live audience's favorites. After his performance of Stevie Wonder's, "Master Blaster" American Idol judge, Randy Jackson told Brackensick out of all the contestants for this season he was the most commercial ready, now. During the top 9 results show, he met his personal idol Eric Benet. On April 5, 2012 Brackensick was in the bottom three and did not receive enough votes to continue in the competition. He then sang for the one save of the season given to the American Idol judges and once again bringing the audience to their feet in enjoyment. Before he was told the judges decision the audience chanted continuously for them to use their save. American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez, wanted to use the seasons save on him but the shows rules dictate that it has to be a unanimous decision among the judges and unfortunately it was not. Brackensick's falsetto has been noted as one of the best in American Idol history. He has an uncanny and near effortless ability to change from his beautiful chest voice into falsetto, and contributes that to the time he spent growing up among the Hawaiian culture as a singer and hula performer. He was the last wild card contestant to be eliminated, finishing in eighth place. Since his elimination he has been busy speaking with press, radio, and appearing on talk shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, LIVE! with Kelly, The Today Show, and Anderson. DeAndre Brackensick will be returning to the American Idol stage for the season eleven finale. He will continue to pursue a career in R&B music, after the completion of American Idol's season eleven top ten finalists concert tour; summer 2012.
Tonight, the top 7 finalists will perform songs of the 2010s, featuring R&B superstar Akon as the guest mentor. The musical guests for tomorrow night's results show are R&B superstar NeYo, American Idol season 3's Jennifer Hudson, and American Idol season 10's James Durbin.
DeAndre Brackensick was born to Scot and Dawn Brackensick on October 21, 1994. He hails from San Jose, California. He is currently a senior at Oak Grove High School and was elected homecoming king. He is an active participant in Oak Grove High School's Theater Arts program and is the president of the school's Polynesian Club.
Brackensick originally auditioned for American Idol season 10, but he was cut in the green mile round, because the judges felt like he was not ready for the competition and advised him to come back the following season to audition again in San Diego, California. He did return and auditioned for the eleventh season in San Jose, California.
During the semifinal round, Brackensick performed "Reasons" by Earth, Wind & Fire. He was not one of the top five males chosen by America's votes, but was selected as one of six contestants to perform in the wild card round. In this round, he performed "Georgia on My Mind" by Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra and was selected as one of the three wild cards to advance to the top 13 by American Idol judge, Steven Tyler. He was consistently praised by the judges for his performances and one of the live audience's favorites. After his performance of Stevie Wonder's, "Master Blaster" American Idol judge, Randy Jackson told Brackensick out of all the contestants for this season he was the most commercial ready, now. During the top 9 results show, he met his personal idol Eric Benet. On April 5, 2012 Brackensick was in the bottom three and did not receive enough votes to continue in the competition. He then sang for the one save of the season given to the American Idol judges and once again bringing the audience to their feet in enjoyment. Before he was told the judges decision the audience chanted continuously for them to use their save. American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez, wanted to use the seasons save on him but the shows rules dictate that it has to be a unanimous decision among the judges and unfortunately it was not. Brackensick's falsetto has been noted as one of the best in American Idol history. He has an uncanny and near effortless ability to change from his beautiful chest voice into falsetto, and contributes that to the time he spent growing up among the Hawaiian culture as a singer and hula performer. He was the last wild card contestant to be eliminated, finishing in eighth place. Since his elimination he has been busy speaking with press, radio, and appearing on talk shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, LIVE! with Kelly, The Today Show, and Anderson. DeAndre Brackensick will be returning to the American Idol stage for the season eleven finale. He will continue to pursue a career in R&B music, after the completion of American Idol's season eleven top ten finalists concert tour; summer 2012.
Tonight, the top 7 finalists will perform songs of the 2010s, featuring R&B superstar Akon as the guest mentor. The musical guests for tomorrow night's results show are R&B superstar NeYo, American Idol season 3's Jennifer Hudson, and American Idol season 10's James Durbin.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
End of the road for Heejun Han
On the night before yesterday, Heejun Han was eliminated from American Idol, finishing in 9th place. He was in the bottom 3 with Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh. He is the first Korean-American to make the finals in American Idol history. On the week of his elimination, he sang "A Song for You", which was originally recorded by Leon Russell and made popular by Donny Hathaway and most notably performed on American Idol by Elliott Yamin.
Heejun Han was born Han Hee Jun on April 20, 1989, in Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea. He and his family migrated to Flushing Queens, New York, during his teenage years. He attended Francis Lewis High School, which was established in 1960 and located in Fresh Meadows, Queens, New York. Before he auditioned for American Idol season 11, he was a non-profit organizer from Mil Al Mission in New York, a missionary school in Rockland, New York, working with children with disabilities and special needs. He has spoken of suffering from emotional depression and credited the children that he worked with for helping him to recover from his illness. He has also said that the children motivated him to audition for American Idol.
Heejun Han was born Han Hee Jun on April 20, 1989, in Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea. He and his family migrated to Flushing Queens, New York, during his teenage years. He attended Francis Lewis High School, which was established in 1960 and located in Fresh Meadows, Queens, New York. Before he auditioned for American Idol season 11, he was a non-profit organizer from Mil Al Mission in New York, a missionary school in Rockland, New York, working with children with disabilities and special needs. He has spoken of suffering from emotional depression and credited the children that he worked with for helping him to recover from his illness. He has also said that the children motivated him to audition for American Idol.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Why I dislike The Biggest Loser 13's Conda Britt
I despise The Biggest Loser season 13's Conda Britt. She is my least favorite Biggest Loser contestant. She is a disgrace to the cast of the 13th season of The Biggest Loser. She intent on destroying the reputation of The Biggest Loser franchise. She made very unwelcome actions, especially her attitude towards Adrian and Daphne Dortch. She made too many complaints about the trainers. She played double agent, thus forming alliances with both teams with the except of Adrian and Daphne Dortch.
Conda Britt was given one thing that most people will never have, which is 15 minutes of fame. That time could have been spent on becoming a role model for millions of obese and overweight American youth. An opportunity to demonstrate that character, sportsmanship, and the spirit of the competition can coexist with each other.
Instead, Conda Britt chose to demonstrate qualities that are, to say the least, far less than stellar. She chose to exhibit qualities that have raised red flags. She chose to demonstrate qualities that have caused the trainers, two of the contestants (Adrian and Daphne Dortch), and the viewers of the show to have negative comments about her. Those qualities chose do not represent fairness and the spirit of The Biggest Loser that viewers have come to expect.
Consequently, red flags have been raised because the viewers have been hurt. Conda Britt has marred a show that viewers have come to love and enjoy, perhaps for future seasons. In the long run, contestants will fade into obscurity, but the qualities that they exhibit to America's youth will live on. The concern must be with America's youth. Is there an answer? Is redemption possible? There is always hope.
Conda Britt was given one thing that most people will never have, which is 15 minutes of fame. That time could have been spent on becoming a role model for millions of obese and overweight American youth. An opportunity to demonstrate that character, sportsmanship, and the spirit of the competition can coexist with each other.
Instead, Conda Britt chose to demonstrate qualities that are, to say the least, far less than stellar. She chose to exhibit qualities that have raised red flags. She chose to demonstrate qualities that have caused the trainers, two of the contestants (Adrian and Daphne Dortch), and the viewers of the show to have negative comments about her. Those qualities chose do not represent fairness and the spirit of The Biggest Loser that viewers have come to expect.
Consequently, red flags have been raised because the viewers have been hurt. Conda Britt has marred a show that viewers have come to love and enjoy, perhaps for future seasons. In the long run, contestants will fade into obscurity, but the qualities that they exhibit to America's youth will live on. The concern must be with America's youth. Is there an answer? Is redemption possible? There is always hope.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Erika Van Pelt goes home after a makeover
Last week, my least favorite American Idol season 11 contestant Erika Van Pelt, who was chosen as a Wild Card by Randy Jackson, got eliminated at number 10 after getting a makeover to "Little Nicky" hairstyle courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger. She performed "New York State of Mind". She was in the bottom 3 with Wild Card DeAndre Brackensick and Vote for the Worst pick Heejun Han. She was confused by the American Idol judges' advice.
Van Pelt was born on December 12, 1985, in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2002, she relocated to South Kingstown, Rhode Island. She sang at church in the children's choir and at the age of seven was singing solos with the adult choir. She attended South Kingstown High School and joined the vocal jazz ensemble and chorus and was involved in musical theatre. She was in groups that received first places at the Rhode Island All State Jazz Choir, Rhode Island All-State Chorus, All New England Chorus and All-Eastern Chorus competitions. She was one of the original members of a cappella group known as SoundCheck. Van Pelt attended Community College of Rhode Island and Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and studied rock, pop, jazz, and soul alongside production and engineering.
After college, in 2005, Van Pelt launched her own company, VP Entertainment, a full-service mobile DJ company, and became an independent contractor with Kaleidoscope Kabaret, performing throughout New England at major venues including Foxwoods Resorts Casino and Mohegan Sun. She performs part-time with The Sultans of Swing, and is a performing partner of Fairhaven Entertainment and Boston Swing.
Tonight, the top 9 perform songs by their personal idols. That theme was previously used for top 13 week last season.
Van Pelt was born on December 12, 1985, in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2002, she relocated to South Kingstown, Rhode Island. She sang at church in the children's choir and at the age of seven was singing solos with the adult choir. She attended South Kingstown High School and joined the vocal jazz ensemble and chorus and was involved in musical theatre. She was in groups that received first places at the Rhode Island All State Jazz Choir, Rhode Island All-State Chorus, All New England Chorus and All-Eastern Chorus competitions. She was one of the original members of a cappella group known as SoundCheck. Van Pelt attended Community College of Rhode Island and Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and studied rock, pop, jazz, and soul alongside production and engineering.
After college, in 2005, Van Pelt launched her own company, VP Entertainment, a full-service mobile DJ company, and became an independent contractor with Kaleidoscope Kabaret, performing throughout New England at major venues including Foxwoods Resorts Casino and Mohegan Sun. She performs part-time with The Sultans of Swing, and is a performing partner of Fairhaven Entertainment and Boston Swing.
Tonight, the top 9 perform songs by their personal idols. That theme was previously used for top 13 week last season.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
No "Sweet Day" for Shannon Magrane; the top 10 sings Billy Joel
Last week, there were 12 then 11, and now there are 10, as Jermaine Jones got disqualified and Shannon Magrane got voted off American Idol, landing in 11th place, despite being praised by the judges. She performed "One Sweet Day" by Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey. She was in the bottom 3 with Elise Testone and Erika Van Pelt. She was previously one of the bottom 3 girls on top 13 week after performing "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston.
Magrane was born on October 21, 1995, in Tampa, Florida. She is the daughter of Joe Magrane, a former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher and current Tampa Bay Rays broadcaster. As of now, she attends Howard W. Blake High School.
Magrane auditioned in Savannah, Georgia, with the song "Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Etta James, who is recently dead, and "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida. In the Sing for Your Life and Green Mile round, she performed "The Trouble with Love Is" by Kelly Clarkson. In the semi-finals, she performed "Go Light Your World" by Kathy Troccoli.
The 10 remaining contestants will participate in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012. Tonight, they will perform songs from Billy Joel's song catalog.
Magrane was born on October 21, 1995, in Tampa, Florida. She is the daughter of Joe Magrane, a former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher and current Tampa Bay Rays broadcaster. As of now, she attends Howard W. Blake High School.
Magrane auditioned in Savannah, Georgia, with the song "Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Etta James, who is recently dead, and "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida. In the Sing for Your Life and Green Mile round, she performed "The Trouble with Love Is" by Kelly Clarkson. In the semi-finals, she performed "Go Light Your World" by Kathy Troccoli.
The 10 remaining contestants will participate in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012. Tonight, they will perform songs from Billy Joel's song catalog.
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