Jasmine reveals talent for survival

	Poll: Who's next to leave 'Idol'?
•	'Idol Chitchat' discussion board

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Jasmine Trias' "American Idol" run, by the numbers, becomes more impressive each week.

The 17-year-old Maryknoll senior found herself sweating out the bottom two along with George Huff during the viewer-voting results show last night.

But she's been there, done that. And with Verizon Hawai'i reporting 4.7 million call attempts during the two-hour voting time slot Tuesday night, Trias' home state support once again lifted her into the next round and ended Huff's Idol hopes.

The call attempts mark a new in-state high for the third consecutive week. Verizon Hawai'i also reported that 1.1 million land-line and AT&T Wireless voters whose calls are channeled through the same cable got to the "Idol" voting bank Tuesday night. (Since text-message totals are not revealed by Fox or AT&T, there's no reading of that voting pulse).

Impressive numbers, yes, but maybe not as impressive as these tidbits:

• In October, Trias was merely one of 86,000 Idol hopefuls just hoping to get a chance to sing in front of Simon Cowell and America.
• Last night, her odds of becoming the next "American Idol" went from astronomical eight months ago to a legitimate one-in-four shot starting next week.

In other words: wow.

With Huff out, "American Idol" is now a diva competition. Favorites LaToya London and Fantasia Barrino along with 16-year-old Diana DeGarmo remain in the game.

"At this point, I don't feel pressured and she shouldn't, too," said mom Nora, who hopes to join her daughter and her husband Rudy for the next round of competition Tuesday, when disco music will be the theme.

"Every time I talk to Jaz, I tell her to relax and enjoy the experience now. To be at her level, at this stage of the game ... it's incredible. There's no reason to get nervous; so she's just fine (emotionally)."

Trias advanced after what Cowell dubbed a "pleasant" performance during this week's big band-themed show, where she sang "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Get Happy."

Her performance elicited tepid reviews from the three judges, with Cowell tagging Trias as "vulnerable."

Cowell underestimated Trias' home state support.

"I still think she did better than Fantasia (Barrino)," said Noa Kilinahe, watching last night's results show at Eastside Grill. "I think she could go to the top two — but it depends on her song selection."

"Yeah, I think she can do it," Kaika Curnan agreed.

"I hope she can go to the top," said Kainoa Noguchi. "Diana (DeGarmo) has potential. I think it could eventually be La Toya (London) ... but right now, it's hard to predict."

Both Huff and Trias reprised a song apiece before Huff learned he was getting the boot.

He and Trias embraced each other, exchanging inaudible comments, but Huff was in total control.

He took the news like a gentleman, his flashing bright eyes and Cheshire Cat grin glistening appreciation.

Barrino openly wept, even while Huff did his "What a Wonderful World" encore.

Trias had her hands clenched beneath her chin, listening intently.

Huff's dismissal reinforces the wisdom and, perhaps, the power of Cowell, who said early on that this year's "Idol" would be a she.

While his comments have favored London and Barrino, there could be surprises.

Cowell focused on "the girl with the braces" — Trias, as it turned out — last fall. Trias was earlier tagged "the Maryknoll mystery girl" because the show, for reasons unknown, deliberately maintained a low profile for her.

Now the girl with flower power, already a household name, is poised to make a concerted effort to go full bloom.

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