Majority of 'Idols' fail to inspire high praise

By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

The bad news for Hawai'i's "American Idol" hopefuls Jasmine Trias and Camile Velasco is that they didn't blow away the judges with their performances last night.

VELASCO

TRIAS

The lack of standouts should make for some interesting results in viewers' votes, to be revealed at 7:30 tonight on Fox. The contestant who garnered the least amount of votes after last night's performances will be eliminated.

Hawai'i flooded "American Idol" voting lines with 2.98 million calls last week. The strong voter turnout bodes well for both Velasco, a Maui waitress, and Trias, a Maryknoll senior.

Velasco was the fifth to compete last night. She sat on a stool for most of her performance of the Eagles' "Desperado," seeming more at ease and comfortable this week with a live audience that included former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young and Joshua Gracin, a season two finalist.

But she wasn't comfortable enough, according to Simon Cowell.

"I honestly think your nerves are going to be your problem in this competition," Cowell told the 18-year-old from Ha'iku.

"I wasn't really over the top about it," Randy Jackson said, adding that Velasco's voice sounded "jerky."

Despite the criticism, Velasco felt good about the performance, her father James West said via telephone from Hollywood.

"We thought Camile did great," West said. "She didn't feel nervous at all, so she doesn't know where that's coming from."

Velasco — wearing denim jeans, a green top, off-white jacket and straight hair — showed class, taking the judges' comments with a sincere smile.

There were kind words, as well, mostly from "Idol" sweetheart Paula Abdul.

"I love your voice," Abdul said. "I see the soulfulness coming back. I think you did a great job, and you're beautiful."

Velasco's fans, including 15-year-old Cherisse Mathre of Palolo, still have faith in the International House of Pancakes waitress.

"She did seem a little shaky, but I thought she was good," said Mathre, a Kalani High School freshman who planned to vote for both of the Hawai'i girls.

"Camile thanks all the people for their support, their aloha and all their votes," West said. "She's just really grateful."

Trias looked sultry in a red, ruffled halter dress and her trademark flower, worn behind her right ear. The eighth to perform, she sang Faith Hill's "Breathe."

"I don't think this was your best performance," Jackson said.

Abdul, however, told the 17-year-old Mililani resident not to worry because of her history of strong performances.

"I don't think this is going to hurt you one ounce," Abdul said.

Trias could not be reached for comment.

Trias fan Justine Yoro, wearing a "Jasmine, Hawaii's Idol" T-shirt, watched the show with a group of friends at Eastside Grill.

"She did good, but we know that she could do better," said Yoro, 17, a Campbell High School junior. "She just picked the wrong song."

Before each performance, a montage of the contestants' "early years" were shown to the show's 30 million viewers last night.

Footage for both Trias and Velasco showed photos of the girls growing up and clips of their family members praising them for how far they've come.

"I want to be a star just like Camile," said Divina, Velasco's 7-year-old sister.

Ronal Trias, 15, said he tears up watching his sister perform.

"I'm really proud of her," he said.

Others who could be on the bubble tonight are George Huff, Jon Peter Lewis, Diana DeGarmo, Matthew Rogers, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia Barrino, John Stevens and Amy Adams.

One who should survive, if the judges' critiques are followed, is LaToya London, 25, of Oakland, Calif. The 10th to compete, London sang Garth Brooks' "Ain't Going Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" and earned unanimous praise from the trio.

"That's what I was waiting for," Cowell said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.