May 13th, 2004
May 13, 2004
In an "American Idol" stunner, viewers issued LA TOYA LONDON her walking papers on last night's results show. It is the biggest upset since JENNIFER HUDSON was voted out the night of her best-ever performance, and once again raises the question: Is this a talent competition or a popularity contest?
Tune in to tonight's ET, and get all the latest "Idol" news from judge and ET special correspondent PAULA ABDUL, who will bring us all the backstage reactions to this stunning outcome and examine the events leading up to it.
"I definitely think this time around SIMON COWELL's horrific comments to JASMINE TRIAS [affected the voting]," Paula says. "The contestants are
used to hearing RANDY JACKSON, then they get to hear me cushion the blow, and then Simon kill them. To get hit right off with, 'You will not be coming back,' I don't think she got over hearing that and I feel she cried genuine tears. All of Hawaii said, 'You are not going to hurt our Jasmine. We are going to show you, Simon. We are going to stand behind her.'"
As for La Toya, Paula says when she walked backstage, for the first time in three seasons, the entire crew applauded the petite singer, who was embarrassed by the attention. La Toya told them, "Thank you so much. I am okay. Everyone stop crying."
RYAN SEACREST doled out the results ever so painfully slowly throughout the hourlong show, building tension throughout the night. DIANA DeGARMO was the first to get the news that she was safe, and she breathed a huge sigh of relief. Next, FANTASIA BARRINO learned she was in the bottom two. When it was their turn, La Toya and JASMINE TRIAS held hands as they listened to the verdict. One of them was safe and the other was in the bottom two. When the happy Hawaiian learned that she was safe, she was ecstatic, but the judges were not happy, and the crowd booed.
"The crowd said it all," commented SIMON COWELL. "Jasmine, you have a lot of thank you letters to write to Hawaii. It is subjective, isn't it? Diana, I can understand that you are [in the top two]. Fantasia, I am surprised. LaToya, it wasn't your best. America will decide who the 'American Idol' is."
Paula was visibly shaken when it was her turn to speak, and she simply commented, "I honestly think that America got this wrong."
As for RANDY JACKSON, he admonished the voters, saying, "Two of the best singers in the bottom two, I don't know what America is listening to. I think it is crazy."
When Ryan turned to La Toya and Fantasia for their reactions, La Toya said she didn't picture this moment, and a tearful Fantasia simply said, "I am still a winner regardless."
The show kicked off last night with psychic KIMBERLY BERG "reading" the final four. Diana wanted to know if Simon Cowell was right and she was an old soul. Kimberly told Diana that it was her previous lives that had brought her to this point in the competition.
As for Jasmine, because she's a Cancer, all the sensitivity that she feels is what makes her what she is. Kimberly feels that Jasmine is able to tap into other people's emotions and that makes her the singer that she is.
As for La Toya, Kimberly said that the "Idol" diva was able to project the future, and that she's a born showgirl.
And finally, Kimberly explained that Fantasia is the most emotional of the group and she is someone who operates from her heart.
Also, the "Idol" hopefuls performed a medley with guest judge DONNA SUMMER, and also sang EARTH, WIND & FIRE's "Fantasy " with last year's runner-up CLAY AIKEN, who kicks off his solo tour in July and is recording a Christmas album.
Clay was very surprised to learn who was in the bottom two. He said, "Fantasia is an amazing performer." Then he went on to critique the rest of the final four: "I was really impressed with Jasmine on Big Band night. I disagree with Simon, I think La Toya has shown a lot of personality, especially on GLORIA ESTEFAN night, but I agree with Simon when he said that Diana is not too young for this, she seems like a seasoned veteran."
Courtesy of ETOnline.
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