Crooner accepts 'Idol' departure with grace

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By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

It's about time.

Maybe even a bit overdue.

Viewers' words, not ours, as they talked about John Stevens' rollercoaster ride on "American Idol" coming to a close last night.

No, your eyes don't deceive what you read: the carrot-topped crooner who has been constantly ripped by judges — and viewers on "Idol" chatboards — was the low viewer-vote getter last night.

Finally, some would say.

Though he amassed 4 million votes of the 28 million cast Tuesday night, Stevens, 16, somehow became the one contestant "American Idol" fans loved to cheer against, and for. A lightning rod for criticism, he accepted his departure with grace and almost relief.

Which is better than some of the remaining five took his goodbye.

Stevens' axing prompted a river of tears from Hawai'i's Jasmine Trias, 17, who landed in the low-three vote getters alongside George Huff, 22, of New Orleans. Trias, however, was spared immediately and sent back to the bleachers safe to perform another week. Huff, who fell safe, wrapped Stevens in a long bear hug before joining the other finalists.

The camera then focused on Trias, who wept openly for her friend a few times. Because Trias and Stevens are minors, they spend tutorial time with Georgia's Diana DeGarmo, 16, who also wiped back tears. All earlier had been chastised by the judges for being too young for the competition.

Surprisingly, Stevens didn't shed tears, though he had a stunned, even bland, expression. He braved the gratuitous send-off video tribute, then proceeded to reprise his "Music of My Heart" tune from Tuesday's competition.

Asked by host Ryan Seacrest if he were relieved that the stress was over, Stevens said, "Somewhat." Asked what he would miss, he pointed to the final five and uttered, "Them," triggering a kiss of aloha from Trias. And more crying.

"I would not trade this experience for anything in the world," Stevens told the audience.

For viewers, Stevens' departure was not a surprise. It was long overdue.

"It's about time," said Hien Nguyen, 26, a University of Hawai'i-Manoa junior who lives in Kalihi. "He should have gone before Jennifer Hudson. He has no talent."

"The show's more of a popularity contest," said Louie Ramones, 30, of 'Aiea, who works for a computer software consultant firm. "I think it should be that we vote for the person we want to see off the show, rather than stay on. Finally, John's off."

Chris Acker, 22, knew the red-headed crooner's time was up. "I didn't think he was one of the better singers," said Acker, a Chaminade student from Los Angeles, who said he is rooting for fellow Californian LaToya London to go all the way.

Like Acker, Chandelle Kanetoku, 10, wanted Stevens out of the competition a long time ago.

"It's about time," the Kaimuki Christian School student said after watching the results show at Eastside Grill.

Kanetoku has high hopes for Trias, as well as London. Ditto, Nguyen and Ramones, who feel Trias will be around for another two weeks, with London standing alone at the final roll call.

With Stevens' ouster, it's curious to consider where his 4 million votes will go to. Theories abound that his core support comes from giddy teen girls, who have been voting for cuteness instead of vocal prowess.

Hawai'i voters, meanwhile, are still hitting redials with a vengeance, logging in 4.2 million attempts Tuesday night, according to Verizon Hawai'i, which monitors land-line calls.

The tally fell short of last week's record 4.3 million attempts, but still reflects remarkable diligence among those who battle the weekly busy signals. Text-messaged votes are not revealed, so are not part of the totals reported.

Tuesday's theme will be big band music; but Fox also has scheduled a special themed "The Final Five," from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday (on KHON-2), to re-introduce the surviving quintet and to take advantage of the launch of the Nielsen ratings' May sweeps.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055; Zenaida Serrano contributed to this report.