'Idol' a test of local loyalties
• 'Idol' buzz
• 'Idol' schedule
• The 12 contestants ...
• Who do you think will be this year's American Idol? (poll)
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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| Camile Velasco of Maui, left, and Jasmine Trias of Mililani are "American Idol" finalists.
Photo illustration by Greg Taylor • The Honolulu Advertiser Viewing parties Dave & Buster's, Ward Entertainment Complex, hosts viewings from 7 tonight. Doors open at 5. Eastside Grill hosts a satellite-live viewing at 4 p.m. (Midwest feed) and a viewing of the regular telecast at 7 p.m. Players Sports Bar in 'Aiea will host a satellite-live viewing at 4 p.m. (Midwest feed) and viewing of the regular telecast at 7 p.m. |
It shouldn't be about the gray cloud in what otherwise is very sunny picture of Maryknoll School's Jasmine Trias and Maui's Camile Velasco taking center stage on one of the most popular shows of all time.
Why the gray cloud?
In a word: voting.
The big question isn't if Hawai'i will tune in and support the local girls tonight. It's more about how hometowners cast their votes.
Split 'em right down the line? Favor one over the other? Is Hawai'i big enough to support two contestants through the final-12 rounds? Could a split vote knock both out early?
In one corner there's Velasco, 18, a waitress from Ha'iku, Maui. She's shy, loves Lauryn Hill, composes music, used to wait tables at her parents' IHOP (International House of Pancakes) at the Maui Mall. She has the support of the Valley Island and pulled the most Hawai'i votes so far in her week of competition. Clearly, she has statewide appeal.
In the other corner is Trias, 17, a Maryknoll High School senior. She's perky, adores Christina Aguilera music and survived earlier talent competitions in Hawai'i. She has the backing of her school, its alumni and Hawai'i at large. She made it to the elite 12 in a squeaker of a voting finish.
Both are too busy prepping for the showdown to worry about how loyal local folks are going to do their speed-dialing. Both, however, say there's curiosity and concern over how their fans will vote tonight.
"Split votes? Probably ... definitely," said Velasco. "But you never know how people will vote; it's all so unpredictable. The way I look at it, whatever happens, happens. All things work out for the good. ... But I do think Hawai'i has pulled in more votes than ever. The support has been amazing; I feel honored to be representing Hawai'i."
Trias has said she's gratified by the vast support she's had — considering she was a virtual unknown until she finally got camera time, ending her "mystery girl" status. But the notion of split votes doesn't bother her. She's hoping for her share of the call-ins, "but I want people to vote based on performance. It would be nice, though, if the votes are divided up."
Both are of part-Filipino heritage, which could create a dilemma for the Filipino community accustomed to rallying around one of its own.
Hawai'i voted big time in the earlier rounds, getting two of three finalists into the top 12. Jonah Moananu, 22, became a casualty the week he competed.
Verizon Hawai'i, which tracks phone activity for the two-hour voting periods after the competition each Tuesday, said that Velasco pulled in 1.5 million calls from Hawai'i on Verizon when she competed, compared with 1.3 million for Trias. Moananu's tally was 450,000.
Considering that Hawai'i's population is about 1.3 million, according to the Census Bureau, the volume of support is remarkable.
"It appears to be a Hawai'i thing," said Ann Nishida, media relations manager for Verizon Hawai'i, of the practice of pulling for our own. Whenever an Island contestant has been on "Idol," the phones have gone swiftly into busy-signal mode.
When the "wild card" show, which had no kama'aina presence, aired last week, "Idol" calls from Hawai'i on Verizon dropped to 265,000 in the two hours following airtime, Nishida said, while call volume nationwide was up compared to other "Idol" nights.
With the first round of eliminations tonight, phone call volume is expected to be high.
Available tallies do not include AT&T Wireless calls or text-messaging, since the phone company does not release figures because of confidentiality arrangements with FOX and "American Idol." It's conceivable all candidates drew far more than the number of votes reported.
Both Hawai'i contestants are trying not to worry about a possible split vote. They say they're trying to relax, sleep and work on their presentations, while keeping their energy and confidence levels high.
Says Velasco: "Off camera, I'm a naturally shy person, and I like to keep that intact. But on stage, I will try to be different; I want to be the 'American Idol,' so I'm working on that command."
Says Trias: "I'm better in front the cameras now. But working on song choices is a challenge."
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
• • •
Alive 'n' kickin': Unlike the preliminary rounds, when "American Idol" was taped Saturdays for broadcast on Tuesdays, the competition now is being done live, originating in Los Angeles. But it's shown tape-delayed here.
Here come the judges: "Theme" shows will evolve soon, with singer-composers joining the judging panel and contestants singing their songs. Elton John and Barry Manilow are waiting in the wings to take the seat of honor.
Fertile ground: Four of the 12 finalists (Hawai'i's Jasmine Trias and Camile Velasco, Georgia's Diana DeGarmo and Idaho's Jon Peter Lewis) auditioned in Honolulu. Considering as many as 86,000 tried out in five cities, that's quite a coup for us. No wonder Simon Lythgoe, a segment producer, hopes that the search will again come to Honolulu for "American Idol 4."
Final call: Want to win two tickets to the final night of "American Idol"? Old Navy's "Flyaway Game" is under way through April 12. You need to be 16 or older and a U.S. resident to enter the contest. Specifics: www.oldnavy.com/ai.
• • •
On Fox (KHON-2)
- Tonight, 7-9 (12 finalists)
- Tomorrow, 7:30-8:30 p.m., (one eliminated)
- March 23, 7-9 p.m. (11 finalists)
- March 24, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- March 30, 7-8 p.m. (10 finalists)
- March 31, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- April 6, 7-8 p.m. (9 finalists)
- April 7, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- April 13, 7-8 p.m. (8 finalists)
- April 14, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- April 20, 7-8 p.m. (7 finalists)
- April 21, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- April 27, 7-8 p.m. (6 finalists)
- April 28, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- May 4, 7-8 p.m. (5 finalists)
- May 5, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- May 11, 7-8 p.m. (4 finalists)
- May 12, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- May 18, 7-8 p.m. (3 finalists)
- May 19, 7:30-8 p.m. (one eliminated)
- May 25, 7-8 p.m. (2 finalists)
- May 26, 7:30-8 p.m. ("American Idol" named)
• • •
Who do you think will be this year's American Idol? Vote online.
Fantasia Barrino, 19 years old
- Occupation: Student
- Home town: High Point, N.C.
- Auditioned: Atlanta
- Song performed: "Something to Talk About"
- What judge said: "You wouldn't need this competition to be a star." — Simon Cowell
- Memorable traits: Proud of her large lips; wears stud above her upper lip
Diana DeGarmo, 16
- Occupation: Student
- Home town: Snellville, Ga.
- Auditioned: Honolulu
- Song performed: "I've Got the Music in Me"
- What judge said: "Wow ... she bangs!" — Randy Jackson
- Memorable trait: Wears pink
Matthew Rogers, 25
- Occupation: Mortgage banker; ex-football player
- Home town: Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
- Auditioned: L.A.
- Song performed: "What You Won't Do for Love"
- What judge said: "I would give you 3 out of 10." — Cowell
- Memorable trait: Gave Ryan Seacrest a huge bear hug
Camile Velasco, 18
- Occupation: Waitress
- Home town: Ha'iku, Maui
- Auditioned: Honolulu
- Song performed: "One Last Cry"
- What judges said: "Incredible ... mature ... unique" — Paul Abdul; "You've got potential." — Cowell
- Memorable traits: Wears the colors of Jamaica (red, yellow, green) as an homage to Lauryn Hill; very shy
LaToya London, 25
- Occupation: Student
- Home town: Oakland, Calif.
- Auditioned: L.A.
- Song performed: "All by Myself"
- What judge said: "Superb, outstanding performance" — Cowell
- Memorable trait: Dressed "momsy" in early competition
Amy Adams, 24
- Occupation: makeup artist
- Home town: Bakersfield, Calif.
- Auditioned: Atlanta
- Song performed: "Power of Love"
- What judge said: "You're phenomenal ... I love your stage presence." — Abdul
- Memorable trait: A head of pink hair
John Stevens, 16
- Occupation: Student
- Home town: East Amherst, N.Y.
- Auditioned: New York City
- Song performed: "She's Always a Woman"
- What judge said: "You're different ... distinct." — Cowell
- Memorable traits: A redhead who's a throwback to Rat-Pack-type crooner; prefers dark coat/suit
Jasmine Trias, 17
- Occupation: Student at Maryknoll High School
- Home town: Mililani
- Auditioned: Honolulu
- Song performed: "Run to You"
- What judges said: "You have potential." — Jackson; "You're a pro." — Abdul; "Good enough for me" — Cowell.
- Memorable trait: Wears a fake flower over her right ear
Jon Peter Lewis, 24
- Occupation: Student
- Home town: Rexburg, Id.
- Auditioned: Honolulu
- Songs performed: "Tiny Dancer," "A Little Less Conversation" (Wild Cards show)
- What judge said: "Interesting voice ... cartoonish sometimes" — Jackson
- Memorable trait: Dubbed "pen salesman" early on by Cowell
Jennifer Hudson, 22
- Occupation: Singer-actress
- Home town: Chicago
- Auditioned: Atlanta
- Songs performed: "Imagine," "I Believe in You and Me" (Wild Cards show)
- What judges said: "You tell a story with a song." — Abdul; "You're lucky we're not judging you for your outfit." — Cowell
- Memorable trait: Outfits that raise eyebrows of the judges
George Huff, 22
- Occupation: Student
- Home town: New Orleans
- Auditioned: Houston
- Songs performed: "Always and Forever," "Lean on Me" (Wild Cards show)
- What judges said: "Throwback to old Motown" — Abdul; "You are the back line of the Temptations." — Cowell
- Memorable trait: Contagious personality
Leah LaBelle, 17
- Occupation: Student
- Home town: Seattle
- Auditioned: New York City
- Songs performed: "I Have Nothing," "Let's Stay Together" (Wild Cards show)
- What judge said: "You are like a beautiful designer dress ... with a slight rip in the back ... not quite right." — Cowell.
- Memorable trait: Has Bulgarian roots
