Jasmine faces a new obstacle

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Age has become a factor in "American Idol" performance — with youth more often in trouble than not.

Delayed a day because of President Bush's speech Tuesday night, judge Simon Cowell continued his straight talk, questioning if any of the contestants still in high school are fit to be the next idol. Forthright to a fault, Cowell said Trias is a child trying to be an adult — and it's not working.

The 17-year-old senior at Maryknoll performed "When I Fall in Love," the early Nat "King" Cole hit popularized later by the Lettermen and a few years ago by Celine Dion in the film, "Sleepless in Seattle." Trias collected accolades from three of four judges in last night's movie-theme outing. But as one of four under-20 finalists (the others are Fantasia Barrino, 19; Diana DeGarmo, 16; and John Stevens, 16), she was chastised by Cowell for her age.

Randy Jackson told Trias, "That was a good performance (though) you ran out of gas."

Paula Abdul was supportive, "Good job ... it's always a real pleasure (to hear you)."

Director-actor Quentin Tarantino ("Pulp Fiction," "Kill Bill"), the guest judge, said he's been a Trias fan from the get-go. "You're a delicate powerhouse," he cooed.

Then came Cowell, who likened Trias to contestant DeGarmo: "You are children trying to be adults ... it doesn't connect. I could go to any Sheraton hotel and hear someone who sounds like you."

Ouch.

Before singing, contestants revealed their favorite film, along with a reason why. Trias, dressed in a pink top, white rhinestone-accented blue jeans and her trademark faux flower tucked over her left ear, made good on her mission of spreading the message of Hawai'i to the world. She named "Lilo & Stitch" as her choice, mentioning "'ohana is family and that's what Hawai'i is all about."

Now the question for Trias supporters is not only if she picked up the Maui votes of Camile Velasco, the 18-year-old Maui waitress who was eliminated last week, but also how having the show delayed a day because of the president's address affects the viewership. The show was taped Tuesday but televised last night, with telephone voting for two hours following the show in each time zone.

"I think she did all right," said Rudy Trias, Jasmine's dad, in a long-distance conversation from Hollywood yesterday. "It's getting down to the wire ... and no one knows who's up or down. It's very stressful, especially in the audience. You can't hear all the (judges') comments."

Part of the duress is the dwindling field of competitors. It's getting harder to maintain an edge; one singer is on the descent one week, then soars the next.

George Huff, 24, the New Orleans chef, had a particularly bad night, choosing "Against All Odds" as an emblematic theme to his good fortunes (he won a slot in the final 12 when a contestant was dropped due to DUI charges and thrived as a wild card). "Weakest performance, terrible," said Cowell. "Dude, that was the wrong choice," said Jackson.

Stevens, the redhead from East Amherst, N.Y., was flying high with "As Time Goes By." The old ballad suited his "Rat Pack" style. "Perfect song, perfect rendition," said Jackson, of Stevens' redemption from a week ago. "I'm feeling it tonight," said Abdul of his confident vocal.

Cowell, however, brought out the youth issue again: "The problem you have is that you have no charisma. And your age. And you're beginning to look like (host) Ryan Seacrest."

So of the eight remaining, who might be bottom three tonight? Trias could be there. Huff remains popular, but this was his "off" week. Jon Peter Lewis could find out that personality isn't enough to stay. But DeGarmo seems the most likely to start packing her bags.

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, fax 525-8055, or at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.