Expect red-hot 'American Idol' finale
Advertiser News Services
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| Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson battle it out for the "Idol" title.
• • • 'American Idol' • 8 p.m. Tuesday, 7 p.m. Wednesday • Fox |
In the world of "American Idol: The Search For a Superstar" this is the big week.
That's a world of loose hair, tight stomachs and soaring voices. It started with thousands of young singers, then began sifting.
Tuesday on Fox, the final two will sing live. Then viewers will vote by phone. In a two-hour special on. Wednesday, the winner will be announced and subsequently land a record deal.
All of this has caused a swirl of attention.
"I definitely didn't expect it to be the hit of the summer," says R.J. Helton, 21, the morning after being ousted from the final five.
As the competition grew he was startled by the reaction.
"People in Hollywood are used to stars," Helton says. "But when they came up to us, they'd freak out."
"Idol" grabbed them with a formula of strong voices, sweet-faced optimism and nasty pressure.
The voices didn't surprise Randy Jackson, a music-industry veteran who is one of the three judges.
"In any city you could find great talent," Jackson says. "In every gospel service there is one phenomenal singer."
The world also has a lot of bad singers who don't realize it.
"We've been stunned at the people who think they can sing," says Nigel Lythgoe, one of the Englishmen producing the show.
Often singers were told that bluntly by Simon Cowell, the one Englishman on the panel of judges (with Jackson and Paula Abdul).
Cowell's snipes were defended by many of the singers.
"He's just being honest," says Justin Guarini, 23. "He says what's on his mind."
Helton admits his emotions were bruised by Cowell.
"He was cold to me ... I had to let that go. I had to think, 'He's not America; he's not even American."'
The other judges argued that Cowell sometimes went too far — especially when he told a talented but overweight singer that she just didn't fit the image.
"She had tears initially," Abdul says. "We talked for a really long time (afterward). I told her that success comes in all shapes and sizes. There are many women singers that have big careers and are not skinny Minnies."
Cowell defends his approach.
"We first devised the show (to reflect) what the music business is really like," he says. "Which is illogical, sexist, all the things."
By coincidence or not, five women in the final 10 fit the look of a Britney Spears era.
"I'll admit to checking out Ryan Starr's body," co-host Ryan Seacrest, 27, says. "She has one of the best stomachs in the world."
Starr, 19, created her own flashy, belly-baring costumes. "I always want to stand out as much as I can, clothing-wise," she says.
So did Nikki McKibbin, 23, who dyed her hair red and chose clothes similar to Starr's. "We actually had to get together every morning and pick colors, so we (didn't) dress exactly alike," McKibbin says.
Of the final four, three of the women were attractive Britney-shaped people. That included McKibbin; Tamyra Gray, 22; and Kelly Clarkson, 20. The one guy, Guarini, also has a pop-star look, starting with his wildly curly hair.
"When I dance around on stage, I kind of look like Sideshow Bob," he says, referring to a "Simpsons" character.
He also has a great grin and was pegged early as a likely winner.
"The majority of (viewers) are female and enjoying his beautiful face," says Christina Christian, 21. "If he does become the winner, I think the females on the show are talented enough to go on and do very, very well."
Lythgoe agrees that they'll do well. In the English version, he said, five of the final 10 landed major record deals; the top two both had songs reach No. 1.
Tamyra Gray, 23, may have been cut Aug. 21, but she got a vote of confidence from one of the show's production companies: It picked up an option to manage the singer.
Gray's ouster may have shocked fans and judges who considered her one of "Idol's" best performers, but it didn't surprise her.
"I felt like it was my time to go home. But I was OK with that," says Gray, adding it was the first time she had that feeling. "Everybody has their opinion," she says. "The only thing I will say is that everything is legit (with the telephone voting). My performance Tuesday night wasn't the best."
Gray's elimination drew a huge response. On the show's Web site (www.idolonfox.com), she received more e-mail after her ouster than any previous finalist, Fox says.
Under contractual agreements with all 10 finalists, 19 Entertainment has three months after "American Idol's" Sept. 4 finale to decide whether to manage any of their careers. Gray's option is the first to be exercised, although others, including that of the winner, will follow, says Tom Ennis of 19 Entertainment.
In the United States, all of the top 10 will be part of a concert tour. That includes the final four plus Helton; Christian; Starr; A.J. Gil, 18; Ejay Day, 20; and Jim Verraros, 19.
For all of them, this has been part of a swirling change.
Before the contest began, Helton lived in Cumming, Ga., working as a YMCA fitness and dance instructor. Now show business dominates.
"There have been some amazing offers," he said after being ousted. "This has been a great experience."
