Focus turns to Jasmine as Camile leaves spotlight
| • | 'Idol' buzz ... |
| • | 'Idol Chitchat' discussion board |
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
 |
| Jasmine Trias is the last remaining of the three "American Idol" top-32 finalists from Hawai'i.
Fox Viewing parties at 7 tomorrow • Dave & Buster's 'American Idol' 7 to 8 tomorrow (eight compete) 7 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday (one eliminated) Fox (KHON-2) |
For Hawai'i, it painted the most poignant of pictures, capturing the "American Idol" drama and wrapping it up in a big, long-lasting bear hug, similar to the way the state has wrapped its collective arms around the entire competition.
After several weeks of near misses and harsh reviews from judge Simon Cowell, Maui's Camile Velasco saw her "Idol" dreams end last week. And embracing her, sharing the moment, was Jasmine Trias. Two local girls in the bottom two, representing the same small state.
So they held each other when the verdict was announced. And cried. And offered words of encouragement.
"Keep going," Velasco said, her tears streaming. "Do your best."
Trias is now on an island alone in representing Hawai'i.
Neither was permitted to talk following their performances and the hugs last week. Velasco hit the Ryan Seacrest show and the national interview circuit on Thursday. Trias, a bit queasy from the tension at first, returned to the contestants' home and started to regroup for tomorrow's show.
"Emotionally, (Jasmine) is fine now," said Rudy Trias, Jasmine's dad, by phone. "It's been a roller-coaster ride, and she's been up and down. She's able to not show any feeling (of pain or disappointment), which is good. But it's been rough."
Velasco showed grace under pressure in her final appearance, adding a local touch to "Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road" with a brief lyric change to the Elton John song: "I'm going back to Maui and home ..."
So, now the question — especially for Maui fans — is whether Hawai'i voters will shift their support to Trias, the 17-year-old senior at Maryknoll.
"Of course," said Arlene Tanaka, a retired federal worker and avid "Idol" viewer and voter. "I was mostly voting for Camile because I felt she needed the support more than Jasmine, but I'll now vote only for Jasmine. Support our locals."
"It broke my heart, seeing Jasmine and Camile together (at the crossroads)," said Doris Barber, formerly of Hawai'i but a resident of Miami, Fla., since 1967. "I voted for both, (but) I figured Camile needed more votes (last week)."
Velasco's dad, James West, said that while Velasco is out of competition, she is hardly out of the loop.
"We're having meetings with agencies to explore possibilities," he said. "The good thing is that there's no more (on-air) pressure."
West said that Velasco had bonded with finalists Fantasia Barrino, LaToya London and Amy Adams because they roomed together at "The Mansion," where the contestants are ensconced.
"She's leaving the show but she has so many happy memories," said West. "She's hardly a loser."
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
• • •
Sound of movies: The remaining eight "American Idol" contestants focus on movie music in tomorrow. Quentin Tarantino ("Kill Bill") is guest judge.
Clay's Aiken's prediction: 1) Fantasia Barrino, 2) Jasmine Trias, 3) LaToya London, and 4) Jennifer Hudson. Considering he was No. 2 last year, does this portend a great future for Trias or what?
Mystery school? First, it was the "Maryknoll mystery girl," who turned out, of course, to be Jasmine Trias. Now students are wondering if Maryknoll is being made the "mystery school," since footage shot on campus by the show producers has yet to be seen, unlike campus romps with the likes of Diana DeGarmo and John Stevens that accompanied their early TV "packages." Does this mean that the stuff is being saved for later in the run, suggesting that Trias is perceived as a frontrunner who'll make it down to the wire?
— Wayne Harada
