It's Fantasia's night, 'Idol' judges say

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By Bernard McGhee
Associated Press

SNELLVILLE, Ga. — The governor of Georgia amassed hundreds of friends and fans of Diana DeGarmo at the governor's mansion yesterday to support the "American Idol" finalist, but it may not be enough: The last night of the singing contest belonged to her competitor, Fantasia Barrino.

While DeGarmo stumbled in the middle of what had been one of her strongest songs during the series, Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud," Barrino was flawless throughout, and the judges were effusive in their praise.

"The stage is yours — it's your night, my dear, it's your night," Paula Abdul said after Barrino's final song, titled "I Believe."

Barrino seemed to believe, too. Tears streamed down her face and she heaved with sobs.

"I think you are, without question, the best contestant we've had in any competition," Simon Cowell said, comparing her to the approximately 70 singers who've won "Idol" contests in countries around the world.

As for DeGarmo, Cowell said: "I think you had one last chance to come and nail this competition and I don't think you did."

She received some positive remarks, too. Judge Randy Jackson said after DeGarmo finished singing "No More Tears" by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer, "You're singing your face off tonight."

Gov. Sonny Perdue told the 16-year-old from Snellville, Ga., on the phone after the show that he hopes she wins despite Cowell's comments.

"We think you really kicked it tonight, and America's going to show Simon he doesn't know what he's talking about," Perdue said at the governor's mansion in Atlanta. Earlier he had declared yesterday "Dial for Diana DeGarmo Day" in the state, and asked Georgians to support the singer by watching her on the Fox series and voting for her by phone.

The lines were open for four hours last night — twice as long as usual — to allow viewers to choose between DeGarmo and 19-year-old Barrino from High Point, N.C. The winner, who will be announced today in a two-hour finale, receives a recording contract and instant fame.

Each performed three songs last night before a live, nationally televised audience from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, home of the Academy Awards. One of them was "I Believe," written by former "Idol" contestant Tamyra Gray, which the winner will go on to record.

In Barrino's hometown, nearly 1,600 supporters watched the show from Providence Place auditorium. Fans were poised and ready with their cell phones as the show ended.

Similar to Perdue, North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley had urged residents to show support for their "favorite daughter."

"He encourages people to watch the show and vote for the best talent — and that's Fantasia," said Ernie Seneca, a spokesman for Easley, who is a fan of the show.

Easley sent a letter to Barrino last week inviting her to visit him regardless of the outcome of the final "Idol" voting. He described Barrino as an "amazing talent" whose "larger-than-life personality" has made her a star to millions of North Carolina residents.

Associated Press writer Michael Felberbaum contributed to this report from High Point, N.C.