Jasmine in final three

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By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Hawai'i households may not have five phone lines, which judge Simon Cowell said Jasmine Trias would need if she were going to survive last night's cut on "American Idol," but the residents definitely know how to hit redial.

Ryan Yoshida, 10, of 'Aiea, watched the "American Idol" voting results yesterday with his brother Rex, 5, at the Eastside Grill on University Avenue. His reaction to the outcome mirrored that of numerous Hawai'i watchers. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

No, she's not coming to stay yet. Hawai'i's "Idol" hopeful advanced to next week's final three round in shocking fashion. Joining her in advancing are Diana DeGarmo and Fantasia Barrino. Ousted is the judges' favorite — 25-year-old La Toya London of Oakland.

Viewership Tuesday was at the 22.59 million level, the evening's top-rated show. But the numbers that helped Trias advance — and proved Cowell's prediction she would "definitely" be gone this week wrong — are these: There were 5 million attempts and 1.32 million completions from Hawai'i Tuesday night, up 21 percent from the previous week's level, according to Verizon Hawai'i.

That Hawai'i supports Trias isn't surprising. The state has been doing its part since the show started more than two months ago. But even Trias was surprised to see London exit.

"She was shocked, for sure," said dad Rudy, when reached last night in Hollywood. "She didn't expect it (to advance). It would have been a relief (to go). But now, we have next week to look forward to."

When asked by host Ryan Seacrest about his reaction, Cowell simply shrugged, saying, "Jasmine, you have a lot of thank-you letters to write to Hawai'i."

The hint of an upset was evident early on, when Seacrest's opening comment was, "Welcome to the most unpredictable show on TV."

Cowell later repeated a comment he made earlier in the season: that America, not the judges, will determine the next Idol.

He may want to amend that comment: High-voting Hawai'i could determine the next idol.

Trias didn't have stellar peformances Tuesday and was shellacked by judges after both her songs. At one point, Cowell wisecracked, "You better hope that every household in Hawai'i has five telephones."

"I'm glad she won," said a stunned Peter Tuohy of 'Aina Haina, watching the show from Eastside Grill. "But the winner should be the one who was eliminated."

Jasmine Trias, left, made it to the next round. La Toya London was voted off.

Tuohy let out a gasp when the results were announced, expressing joy that the Hawai'i singer still is in the race. It was also disbelief that London, a favored diva, was sent packing. "Maybe the crying (on Tuesday) helped Jasmine," he surmised. "I'd like to see her go all the way, but her string is only so long."

Trias sang "Everlasting Love" and "It's Raining Men," Tuesday, prompting painful putdowns from all the judges that led to her tears after her second song.

Seacrest, who comforted Trias as she cried Tuesday night with a hug, asked her last night how she was feeling before he read her verdict.

"I'm fine," she said.

"You're smiling tonight," Seacrest responded.

Trias looked Idol-esque, in a salmon blouse worn over beige cargo pants. Her crinkled hair from the night before had been straightened; there was no evidence of her flower.

The results started with DeGarmo being announced safe, then Barrino announced as a low-vote getter and Trias and London left holding hands through a tense commercial break.

When Seacrest finally said Trias was "safe," meaning London was a low vote getter and eventually was voted out, tears welled in Trias' eyes. Her family — dad Rudy, mom Nora, siblings and other kinfolk — whooped it up.

"America got this wrong," said Paula Abdul, earning applause from the live studio audience.

"A travesty," Randy Jackson said. "I don't know what America listens to."

"I never pictured myself being here," said London, about rock-bottoming it out.

In Honolulu, things were different.

"I'm glad she's still in," said Ryan Yoshida, a fourth-grader at Punahou School, who attempted 50 calls Tuesday and made two completions. "She's from Hawai'i; we need to support her. So I'm very happy for her, especially since she has been in the bottom three a couple of times."

All four contestants engaged in a group hug. "I will see you again," said London. "Thank you so much ... thank you for believing in me."

Her send-off song? "Don't Rain on My Parade."

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