'American Idol': Jasmine's most devoted cheerleader
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Advertiser library photos
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By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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| Rudy Trias is taking unpaid leave to see his daughter through "Idol."
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser 'American Idol' 7 to 8 tonight (five compete) 7:30 to 8 p.m. tomorrow (one eliminated) Fox (KHON-2) |
Always in the background, but always there.
For Rudy Trias, father of Hawai'i's remaining "American Idol" hopeful, the smiling and cheering and revving up the enthusiasm are the easy part. The hard part: hours of waiting. It's a life of uncertainty while waiting for the votes that keep Jasmine in or out. Planning two weeks out? Unthinkable.
Whenever Jasmine needs him, he's there.
As his daughter gets ready to sing in tonight's final-five round, Rudy Trias will tell you it's been an experience.
A lot of laughs, some tears. Tense moments, eye-popping meetings with icons ... Rudy has been at his daughter's side throughout.
He has emerged as a familiar face for the "Idol" gang and their fans.
"Some people recognize me when I go to the mall, to the post office or the studio," Rudy Trias said. "But I'm not into that celebrity thing."
We've been watching Jasmine on the show, twice a week. Tuesday, contestants compete. Wednesday, the results are announced. Rudy's there, in the background.
One week passes, another starts. No rest. Little time to celebrate. It's a whirlwind, Hollywood style.
Rudy's role? Mostly waiting. While Jasmine goes through her daily three-hour tutorial — at 17, and as a senior at Maryknoll High School, she's still a minor and is required to get in studies — he waits.
Why? Because Jasmine, like other minor-age contestants, has to have a parent or guardian with her all the time. So it's dad. John Stevens' mom had been with him throughout the journey; ditto Diana DeGarmo's. Minors and parents room together. A contestant over 18 (such as Camile Velasco) doesn't need a guardian; "adult" singers room and board together.
For those with a minor in tow, there's a lot of down time.
While Jasmine rehearses her weekly song, or conducts production meetings with "Idol" producers, directors, groomers, Rudy waits.
Just as Jasmine lives on the edge, not knowing whether there's a "next week," Rudy has an uncertain life by her side.
Does he extend his stay another week? Does he invite relatives and friends to sit with him on the Fox show two weeks out? Will she have a meltdown? Is her cough the hint of a cold, which might affect her singing?
"You constantly hope she'll advance, but you never know, particularly in the last few weeks," said Rudy. "There have been stressful moments."
He is now on leave without pay from his federal job as an engineering technician, where he works on the submarines at the Pearl Harbor naval shipyard.
"I used up all my vacation, all my leave, and they've been most understanding and helpful," said Rudy. "And the job is there for me when this is all over."
But even when it's over — whether Jasmine wins or gets bumped off before the May 25-26 finale — Rudy plans to take time off between July and September, when all 12 finalists will go on an "American Idol 3" tour.
So what's a typical day for Rudy?
"We get picked up and dropped off at the studio," he said.
"Then I wait ... till she's done."
Rudy and Jasmine are staying at quarters called The Mansion, fancy digs where "Idol" contestants eat, live and have some fun together. It is isolated and away from the glitz of Hollywood.
All meals are provided. There are refrigerators and a pantry loaded with food and snacks.
And there's no charge.
Occasionally, a chef will arrive to prepare a special meal.
The waiting, though, means Rudy needs a lot of patience.
"I watch TV, stuff like that, or go to the post office or, sometimes, shopping," Rudy said.
"But you can't just walk away and disappear; you have to tell them (the "Idol" crew) just in case they need you."
Without a weekly paycheck, Trias said he relies on plastic to cover any expenses he may incur while away from The Mansion.
"But Jasmine gets a weekly check from the show," he said. "I help her cash it, and she's given me some money. My daughter has money, would you believe?" It's a weekly talent fee — amount not disclosed — for all contestants for appearing on the Fox series.
With all the guest stars this season (Gloria Estefan, Elton John, Barry Manilow), Rudy gets as excited as the contestants, even engaging in an occasional photo op. Like judge Paula Abdul, he has nothing but kind words for the stars. "They're all nice. Very nice," he said.
He misses two things: his family (his wife, Nora, and their son and younger daughter) and surfing.
"I usually surf at Pop's (Popular's), in front of the Sheraton Waikiki," he said. "A lot of guys know me there, since it's my favorite spot. I'm there with my longboard."
He calls the family daily, and other family members have joined Jasmine and Rudy in California a couple of times. Rudy acknowledged that the costs do add up.
As for Jasmine, Rudy said the long, emotional weeks have been jammed with activities, so she's rarely idle, with little time to agonize over the pressures of the show.
"We're at the halfway point now, and when you go this far, you go for it," said Trias. "From now on, I don't know how this thing will go; she tries her best every week."
Because Rudy has relatives in the Los Angeles area, he doesn't hunger for "local" food. "We've eaten at Filipino restaurants," he said.
Jasmine usually enjoys instant saimin for breakfast, so there's always a stash at hand.
"Yes, we miss home, and we want to go home, but we can't quit now. Not yet," said Rudy. He also says, "I think ... (Jasmine) misses her friends most."
Jasmine displays her love for Hawai'i in the form of a flower. But she was criticized by "Idol" judges for wearing the trademark faux flower in her hair, and in recent shows, it's been on her jacket, or pinned to her pants.
"There's always some kind of flower; whether it's one she brought from home, or something new she bought while here," Rudy notes. It's all part of the game.
The adrenaline pumps in right after the results show on Wednesdays, when preparations start for the following Tuesday competition.
"She's always busy," said Trias.
And he's always there.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
• • •
Camile's father chauffeured her around
James West, father of Camile Velasco of Ha'iku, Maui, said his "American Idol" experience from the sidelines "was all good, no sadness, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
For much of his two-month stay in Los Angeles, West — who owns and operates the International House of Pancakes at Maui Mall with his wife, Rennie — provided moral support and chauffeur services for Camile.
"She doesn't have a driver's license, so Camile otherwise wouldn't be able to get around," said West. "Because she's 18, she didn't need a parent or guardian like the others who were 16 or 17, but I was happy to have been there for her. Mostly, to drive around."
Yes, the vigil — will she or won't she move on? — impeded his at-home business, but because IHOP headquarters are in Los Angeles, he was able to tend to some work-related duties while there.
The extended stay did put a pinch in his pocketbook, because he had to cough up airfare and lodging fees. His wife and their younger daughter flew to Hollywood to watch Velasco compete on a couple of occasions, adding to the cost.
"I rented an apartment for $2,500 a month, but we stayed six weeks," said West. Camile roomed with Fantasia Barrino, La Toya London and Amy Adams at The Mansion, "so for the older girls, it was like a sorority thing," said West.
Besides the room rental, he had to cover costs for a car, gasoline and most meals.
"Our lives will never be the same," said West. "Camile is recognized everywhere. It's all good stuff, and great opportunities await Camile after her 'Idol' commitments (which include a July-through-September concert tour involving all 12 finalists). Everyone has shown a lot of support, a lot of aloha."
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'Idol' buzz ...
Strike up the band: Big-band sounds will be the theme of tonight's show. It would have been a perfect format for redhead John Stevens, whose vocal style is tailor-made for this genre. But he was booted off the show last Wednesday.
Tube talk: No, you weren't watching the wrong station if you caught "American Idol" loyalists talking up Jasmine Trias at Maryknoll High School's weekly Tuesday viewing party on campus a week ago. KHNL, the NBC affiliate, opted to cover the "Idol" story now that it's in the final countdown mode.
KHON, the Fox station that carries "Idol," still is the place with the most visible coverage, including the Wednesday morning patter — Jordan Segundo joins Tannya Boyd and Kirk Matthews, who also plug into a radio link with Billy V, Lina Girl and Pipi from KCCN-FM.
Fame game: Because Jasmine Trias is a past Road to Fame contest winner on Oceanic 16, she has been getting a lot of mileage on this season's promo and hype. Hey, why not? The competition was an indicator that she had the goods to move on — and move she has.
MIA: How rude! With two Island contestants in the final 12, you'd think the 2004 "Idol" tour would include Hawai'i. The tour starts July 14 in Salt Lake City, but there's no pause in paradise. An add-on, maybe?
