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‘Idol’ Chatter: Chikezie exit no surprise

By: Karen Nazor Hill
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By: Amy Williams
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Karen Nazor Hill: I’m not surprised that Chikezie Eze was axed last week, though I do think there are a couple of singers who should have gone before him. He’s got a beautiful voice. Still, I agree with Simon Cowell that he chose the wrong songs, with the exception of the Beatles’ “She’s A Woman.” Surely Kristy Lee Cook and Ramiele Malubay will make the bottom two this week. Kristy grabbed the heart of America last week with Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” but I don’t think she’ll pull it off this week. I’m still rooting for Michael Johns, although David Cook is a close second.

Amy O. Williams: I agree, I sort of expected Chikezie to be in the bottom three this week. I was surprised to see Jason Castro there though. Maybe too many weeks of the same old guy-with-a-guitar thing are actually catching up with him. Although the judges loved Kristy Lee Cook’s “God Bless the USA,” I thought it was cheesy. I fully expect her to be voted off very soon along with Ramiele Malubay and Syesha Mercado. Brooke White is still my favorite to win. I think she could hang in there if she keeps picking the right songs. David Cook is definitely showing some star potential by consistently taking big risks — I loved his version of “Billie Jean,” and I think he has really pulled away from the pack in the last few weeks. He may just win it all.

Karen: It won’t hurt my feelings if Kristy Lee Cook is booted this week. I think she has the weakest voice of the finalists. In fact, I was surprised she made it to the finals. (Didn’t she sell her horse to fund her way to American Idol auditions?) I like Brooke White. I love her raspy voice and she comes across as being the All-American girl. But I don’t think she has what it takes to make it to the top. I’m also tiring of Jason Castro. I thought he had a little attitude when he said he was “shocked” to be in the bottom three. I think the young girls are voting for his eyes and hair rather than his voice. But I do think he’ll make it through the next three rounds.

Amy: I think Kristy Lee Cook, like Jason Castro, may make it a little further than they should based on their looks. Jason Castro is all blue eyes and hair, but I still like him. He had me ever since his Jeff Buckley-esque performance “Hallelujah” several weeks ago. Carly Smithson is someone who is starting to get on my nerves. Yeah, she may have a great voice, but her style is just so unappealing. Maybe she knows it too, because she actually seemed to be surprised to not be in the bottom this week. It will be interesting to see how things go in the next few weeks, but I think Brooke White, Michael Johns and David Cook probably will be around to compete in the final rounds.

Karen: Carly Smithson, despite her powerful voice, is getting on my nerves, too. She blamed her poor performance last week on Spanx (the new-age girdle). Since the music of Dolly Parton will be featured this week, I’m curious to see how an Irish rocker pulls it off. Though Kristy Lee Cook prides herself as a country singer, I don’t think she’ll do Dolly justice. It’s going to be an interesting week on American Idol — a true test of the finalists’ voice versatility.

Amy: Dolly Parton’s music should prove to be pretty good challenge for the singers. Ms. Parton has ballads and quick “9-to-5”-style songs, so song choice will be hugely important this week. If Kristy Lee Cook tries too hard, like she did with that awful sped-up version of the Beatles’ “Eight Days A Week,” then she will surely be on the block. Other contestants like Syesha Mercado and Brooke White could do well with a Dolly song if they pick a good one. You’re right about the test for singers’ voices this week — I am eager to see how the rockers like Carly Smithson and David Cook do Dolly songs.

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