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Mandisa's doing a weekly blog on her MySpace on the AI 6 Contestants, it's really quite interesting reading her perspective. I'll post what she writes each week - comment away!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Top 12 - FROM MANDISA Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Hey everyone!
It is a warm Tuesday night here in "da ville" and I just got done watching tonight's episode of "American Idol". I hope you have been watching and supporting your favorite contestant as I have. Tonight was special because it was the first night of the top 12 which means new stage, new audience, new band, and a whole new set of nerves.
I'll never forget the first time my friends and I stepped out on that gigantic stage after performing on the much smaller set at the CBS studios. It was a bit overwhelming. Last year we kicked off the top 12 by paying tribute to Stevie Wonder. This year it was the songs of Diana Ross (the original Dreamgirl).
While this period of my life is extraordinarily chaotic with recording and performing, I will do my best to keep up with you all about your thoughts as the season rolls on. Because I have experienced what this new crop of Idol hopefuls is now experiencing I will keep my comments positive and not share who I think should be eliminated. I, along with everyone else, have my opinions about who made it to the top 12 but I don't want to defame anyone so I will share with you who I think did the best tonight. Let's dialog about it. One thing I know for sure is that everyone has their favorites. We'll let Ryan announce the bottom three each week. How about you and I just announce our top three picks each week? No bashing. Just building. Sound good? I'd love to hear from you.
Overall, I was impressed with tonight's show. There were several that I saw more potential in than I had originally. Before I get to my three favorites, I want to make an honorable mention to a few.
First honorable mention: Before she forgot her words I was really enjoying Haley. To me, this was her best performance, forgotten words and all. She reminded me of my girl Melissa McGhee from my season. Melissa forgot her words the very same week last year as she sang "Lately" but I still think it was her best performance. Haley looked and sounded beautiful. She was also very likeable which I why I believe she will be safe this week
Second honorable mention: I really think the judges should make up their minds about whether they want a contestant to take a song and make it their own or stay true to the original. Because of this, I think they were too harsh on Chris Sligh. I loved how he took "Endless Love" and made it fit him. It was a totally new song and I am impressed with how he had the foresight to do that.
Last honorable mention: Because the girl can flat out sang . . . Stephanie. I disagreed with the judges that she had been out-sung. I still think she is one of the best vocalists and I liked her version of "Love Hangover". And if she forgot the words like Randy said, she did a great job covering it. I couldn't tell.
Now for my top three picks.
#3 - I can't help it. I love him. Blake! Sure, it was not his strongest vocal performance...and the boy can sing. But what I love about Blake is that I can see him as an artist today. He is so now. He is also a triple threat. I love that he can sing, dance, and beat box. I am also impressed with his musicianship in how he arranged "Set Me Free" to make it more contemporary and to suit his style.
#2 - She's been getting mad props all season long but this was my favorite performance by her . . .Lakisha. She looked and sounded beautiful singing "God Bless the Child". Represent for the big girls Lakisha!
#1 - Am I biased? Possibly. Probably. But regardless of the fact that she is a friend of mine, I still think Melinda is the best! To me, she has been consistently good each week. What I think stands her out from the crowd is that she takes a song and makes it her own every week. You can't ever compare her to the original singer. She is also always spot on vocally, never pitchy. That's my girl!
So what are your thoughts? Please share. And regardless of who you support, please vote (don't get me started on this one)!
I will say this though, even if your favorite gets eliminated tomorrow or the next week, being on "American Idol" is enough of a platform to launch one to an amazing career. I am so proud of my friends from season five because they are all doing such great things. This is just the beginning for many of this season's contestants. I wish them all the best of luck for a very bright future!
The Top 11 Contestants
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
American Idol Top 11 Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
(Pardon me while I represent Tennessee for a minute...)Hey y'all!
I have to admit how proud I am for actually posting a new blog just one week after my last. I'm on a roll! I can't help it. I was just so excited about tonight's show that I couldn't wait to share my thoughts and hear yours. So much to discuss tonight.
As I watched the season 6 contestants perform songs from the 60's British Invasion, I couldn't help but remember that this time last year I, and my remaining 10 contestants were gearing up to sing songs from the 50's. To this day I claim "I Don't Hurt Anymore" as my favorite performance on the show. After tonight's show I think there will be several contestants that will claim this performance as their favorite as well. But before we get to that, there are a couple of things I want to discuss with you. I hope you will join me this week in breaking down your favorites into three categories. Let me explain...
One of this evening's guest mentors was a British artist named Peter Noone. He said something that resonated with me. He said that American Idol "is not a singing competition. It is a voting competition." As the camera shifted to what appeared to be a very miffed Simon, I began to think about his comment. And I must say, I agree. I don't believe that the winner of American Idol has to necessarily be the best singer in the competition. Sometimes the best singers are not the ones who are the most successful. It is not always the best performers that are the most successful either. So what is it? To be honest, I don't know. My initial thought is that the person on American Idol with the most potential for success is the contestant with a clearly defined style and genre he/she can fit into. It also helps if that particular genre is what is popular in music today. I think history has shown that the winner of Idol is not necessarily the one who sells the most records. Some of the more ambiguous former contestants sometimes have a difficult time defining who they are as an artist once they leave the show. Therefore, this first category is who I think could be a successful artist today and sell a lot of records. I have four (but two with a disclaimer):
4. Stephanie - I can see Stephanie as an R&B artist today. She has the look and the voice. My disclaimer is that she is so much like Beyonce that she needs to find something to set her apart. We already have a Beyonce and I'd say she's doing pretty well. We need to see what makes Stephanie different.
3. Chris R - I can see Chris as pop singer with an R&B bent...much like Justin Timberlake. Hence the disclaimer...Chris has been compared to JT since the beginning. He looks like him, sounds like him, even forms his mouth like him when he sings. We need to see what makes him different.
2. Gina - What is cooler than a rocker chick? I know Gina from my audition in Chicago last year. She came out of the room announcing that she had made it to Hollywood as I was walking in the room to audition before the judges. I remember her from the H'wood rounds and the girl can sing. She is also hip and cute and that is a winning combination. I think Gina would rock (literally) fronting her own all girl Rock band.
1. Blake - To me, no matter what place he finishes in, he could sell more records than anyone on this season. Why, you ask? First of all, he can sing. And he reminds me of one of those European singers like Sting. But that is not all. He makes it hip by adding in the beatbox and dance moves. To top it off...he is a cutie pie. All of that makes him unique. Blake could land a pop record deal right now with no problem.
So who do you think has the potential for the most commercial success? I'd love to hear your thoughts. But wait! Before you do that, there's more... I think I am going to adopt Peter Noone's theory that AI is not a singing competition. But if it were, who would be your favorites? Who has the best voices? For this I am going to give no thought to stage presence, performance style, looks, personality, etc. Who can just flat out sing their chops off? Well I'm glad you asked:
4. Phil - The boy blew it out tonight and has consistently shown that he can SING! Tonight he showed his range from the lowest notes with an amazing resonance to the highest of his register which he always delivers with soaring clarity.
3. Lakisha - There is no denying the power KiKi has in her voice but we have also seen her softer side and she delivers that beautifully as well. There were several moments of brilliance tonight.
2. Jordin - Did anyone else get chills tonight as Jordin sang "I Who Have Nothing"? Wow! I must say, 17 or 77, the girl has got skills. This was one of the best performances tonight and in my opinion, her best performance yet. She keeps improving and I keep being impressed more and more with her.
1. Melinda - Should this come as a surprise to anyone? Melinda's voice is flawless to me. I'll let you in on a secret; Melinda has been struggling with her voice this week. She called me yesterday to ask me to pray for her because she was hoarse (I'm guessing from sickness). I did pray. But I also knew that even sick, the girl would sing her hinney off. And she did! That's my girl!
So, who are your favorite singers? Do tell...
Okay, ready for the final category? Reading your comments to my blog last week sparked this one. My top three picks for last week were based on that week's performances. As I read your comments I realized that several people were sharing not who they though did the best, but who they just flat out like. This is an important category as well because likeability is huge in this business. A lot of this is based on personality. Some is based on style and performance. Some could be based on appearance. They may not necessarily be the best singer. They may not sell the most albums. There are several factors that come into play but what it comes down to is, who do you just LIKE?
3. Blake - Wanna know what won me over? Remember a couple of weeks ago when the packages shown before the performances were about what America didn't know about the contestants? Do you remember Blake ducking down and coming back up with his crazy alter ego? Loved it! I know a few people who hated it but it cracked me up. I also just like his stage presence and style.
2. Melinda - I KNOW I am being bias here because I actually KNOW her but Melinda is funny, sweet, and humble. And let me set the record straight about her. No, it is not an act. She really is thankful for how people are responding to her and she really is humbled by it all. It is a strange feeling to come from the back to the front and she is not putting on any act. It is so comical to me that people find her humility hard to believe and therefore question it. I think we are prone to be skeptics because we have seen so much pride and false humility in this industry but please believe me when I tell you, she is the real deal.
1. Chris S - I loved Chris' personality from the audition rounds. I love his sense of humor and hope to see more of it in the weeks to come. He just seems like someone I'd like to know. I know several people who do know him personally and they all say he is a great guy off stage too.
Alrighty, I can't wait to hear your thoughts. Sorry this was such a long blog tonight. I warned you that I had a lot to say. Just for a recap, I want to hear 1) who you think has the potential for the most commercial success 2) who you think has the best voices 3) who you just like! Bring it!
Note to Spree: You will love this from Mandisa -
She knows her stuff, and she's right on target!
Mandisa's Blog - 3.28.07
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
American Idol Top 10-FROM MANDISA Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Okay...so just watched tonight's elimination show and I am not a happy camper! But I don't want to get ahead of myself. Let me back track.
I was in the recording studio until midnight Tuesday so I didn't get a chance to watch the performance show until this afternoon (but you know I had to vote for my girl! I asked Melinda to send me a text message telling me what number she was so I could send a little love her way Tuesday night!) But before I get to the show, mentioning the studio reminds me that several of you have asked about my book and cd. It is a tumultuous time for me right now with recording and traveling for shows but if I can make it to May, I think I'll survive. FYI-there are three dates to remember: June 1st is when my book "Idoleyes-My New Perspective on Faith, Fat, and Fame" will be in stores. Actually, many stores will begin receiving them by the beginning of May but ALL stores should have it by June 1. You can click on that link on my myspace homepage to pre-order it. More than anything, I just wanted to tell my story. A lot of stuff went down during my time on "Idol". That book is my opportunity to share a bit about my experiences on the show and the lessons I learned as a result of it. Ok, ok, I digress. Second date is May 22nd. That is when my sin