Jasmine Trias impresses 'American Idol' judges

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Jasmine Trias "lost" the trademark flower in her hair last night on "American Idol," but not her ability to coast through a song Barry Manilow originally produced for Dionne Warwick.

Jasmine Trias

To Manilow, sitting to his right on the panel of critics, Cowell wondered out loud: "What did you do to the girls?"

Yes, last night was diva time. All the women pumped new life into Manilow-related tunes, with the composer himself working with the contestants and serving as a judge. He returns tonight to perform with the finalists.

Trias' selection, "I'll Never Love This Way Again," wasn't a Manilow composition; it was a hit he produced for Warwick, but it was written by Will Jennings and Richard Kerr. Songs must have passed through Manilow's life to have been part of the Manilow-themed evening.

Manilow mentioned his arrangement for Warwick and added: "I think you could give her some competition. Great job!"

Paula Abdul concurred. "Such a great job!" she said.

Trias' dad, Rudy, reached in Hollywood last night, was happy and relieved. "I thought Jasmine was fantastic," he said.

As for the flower, it was there — but instead of being tucked in its usual position in Trias' hair over her right ear, it was pinned to her jeans jacket, worn over a white crop top and a pink, tiered skirt.

Trias looked a tad grown-up, with eye shadow and a slightly different hairstyle.

"She had a makeover," Rudy Trias said. The eye blush added glamor; the hair had a gentle bounce.

So is the flower passé? "I believe it comes back (in her hair) next week," Rudy said. "It's still her signature."

As the competition intensifies, the battle likely will involve the women. And Trias is still in the thick of it.

Diana DeGarmo, 16, who has been hot and cold in recent weeks, appears to be back in the race even if Jackson tossed in a "pitchy" comment. Cowell called DeGarmo's performance her best, and Manilow gave the ultimate compliment: "I dreamed this song — I wrote it in a dream — and I imagined someone like you singing it and you did it."

Jennifer Hudson, 22, possibly was the evening's best performer, claiming "Weekend in New England" as her own. "Unbelievable ... you get better every week," Jackson raved. Cowell brought in the diva factor, saying, "You've created the 'Battle of the Divas' which we hadn't had before."

LaToya London, 25, was consistent and consummate with "All the Time." Everyone raved, including Manilow. "You make me proud to be a songwriter," he said. As for Fantasia Barrino, she created another buzz with "It's a Miracle." Said Cowell: "You are very important to this show. You bring excitement. You bring danger. You show your personality."

George Huff, 23, literally lived out his "Trying to Get That Feeling Again," with lukewarm results. "I think you are lucky, George, that you had great performances earlier because tonight wasn't one," Cowell said.

John Stevens, 16, tackled "Mandy" with gallantry, but got less than a dandy response from Cowell. "The problem is, Mandy fell asleep," he said. "It's a love song. It was mechanical." Cowell also got a chuckle when he told Stevens, "I know now who you remind me of: Stan Laurel."

The red-headed singer, clearly not familiar with Laurel & Hardy, simply looked confused — and could finally be destined for the exit door tonight.

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