Hawai'i girls likely to survive tonight's 'Idol'

Poll: Who do you think will be this year's American Idol?

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Rennie West, left, watched daughter Camile Velasco's performance on two screens at the IHOP restaurant on Maui. West was joined by friends Maria and Walter Kanamu and her daughter Divina. Christie Wilson • The Honolulu Advertiser 'American Idol' 7:30-8:30 p.m. today Fox (KHON-2) One of 12 contestants will be eliminated; Clay Aiken performs his "Solitaire" hit tonight

Trias wowed the judges with her rendition of Natalie Cole's "Inseparable."

Velasco saw her survival chances increase not only because each judge urged her to display more self-confidence following her rendition of Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man," but also because Cowell minced no words when critiquing 17-year-old Leah Labelle of Seattle.

"Pack your suitcase," he told LaBelle. "You're going out tonight."

It was by far the harshest comment on a night filled with strong performances. Trias, the 17-year-old senior, did everything right, exhibiting range, power, personality and the aura of an ingenue star in the making.

"I feel relief; it feels great. I'm so proud to be part of this, the best group," Trias said by phone from Hollywood last night. She was the 11th of 12 contestants, so she watched her peers compete, hoping to pick up pointers. "When LaToya (London) went first, she raised the bar," said Trias. "Everybody following her had to set it higher."

Velasco, an 18-year-old waitress, performed fourth and received a lukewarm reception from the judges. From Hai'ku, Maui, she performed with a flavorful gospel feel to align with the evening's "soul" theme.

After her performance Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul each harped on her earlier hip-hop Lauryn Hill posture that was not quite apparent last night. Though she was accomplished and confident, her shy demeanor may have been misconstrued as indifference.

"I was not really nervous ... until the music stopped," Velasco said, also reached by phone last night.

"I was a little shocked (by the comments). And a little disappointed.

"But I've got to move on. Work on it in the weeks ahead."

Vocals aside, Velasco's beach stroll in a bikini easily wins her laurels as the sexiest trouper of the competition, hands down. But sex appeal is not the defining factor of a competition that requires powerful pipes, a dash of charisma and a stage presence that would separate a wannabe from a winner. A few had "it" last night — the three judges kept ranting about "the best 12 finalists we've ever had" — but whether they bloom or wither in the next few weeks is the question.

Cowell, however, was rhapsodic and effusive about Trias' performance, saying: "It was just superb ... it was very, very good."

Jackson added, "You can really sing. This is what it's all about."

Abdul exclaimed, "My favorite performance tonight ... (you have) a beautiful spirit." Abdul then gave Trias a long-stemmed rose.

Trias was sweet, girlish and at ease. The confidence and natural warmth even projected in her "portrait" preceding her vocal performance. She explained to the TV audience the meaning behind the flower she wears behind her right ear: "Right ear, single; left ear, taken." She was shown dancing hula at her Hawaiian Plantation Village class, doing karaoke stints with her family, surfing at White Sands Beach. She likened her "American Idol" experience so far thusly: "It's like riding a wave ... such a rush."

"She has energy," said Matthew Nicholas, 33, who works with AKAL Security at the Hawai'i Convention Center, where Trias appeared recently. "Every stage of the way, she gets better. I'm voting for her."

Velasco's package included footage of her waiting tables at her parents' IHOP restaurant — the International House of Pancakes at the Maui Mall.

She also was shown in an inflatable castle, chilling out at Haleakala, and playing piano at home.

About 100 people crammed the IHOP to watch the show on two screens.

Burly buddies Keith Mueller, 32, of Wailuku Heights, and Colin Matte, 35, of Kihei, have been closely following "American Idol" and joined the crowd at IHOP. Muller said he first heard Velasco sing two years ago. "The thing about Camile is that she's so humble," he said.

Mueller was a little disappointed after Velasco's performance.

"She's very talented but I don't think that was the right song for her. I'd like to see her break out with a little hip-hop and get over her stage fright," he said.

Walter Kanamu, who sat with Velasco's mother, Rennie West, while the Maui singer was on screen, said he didn't entirely agree with the judges' comments.

"I think she can improve. She can do better like they said and work on her stage presence but I think she was on it."

If the judges' votes can sway voters, London, Trias, Velasco, George Huff, Jon Peter Lewis, Diana DeGarmo, Matthew Rogers, and Jennifer Hudson should advance to next week's competition.

John Stevens, the Rat Pack vocalist, remains "different" — great voice, wrong contest — and could soon get knocked off.

Amy Adams, the goofy pink-haired songbird, had mixed reactions (Cowell said she was "just dreary").

But unlike LaBelle, she wasn't told by Cowell to take a hike.

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

Correction: Matthew Nichols said Jasmine Trias appeared at but did not perform recently at the Hawai'i Convention Center, where he works with AKAL security. A previous version of this story mischaracterized her visit.