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Fan Fare

Entertainment behind the scenes

May 15th, 2008

We have a final two, but Fantasia dominates “Idol” buzz

Posted by: Nichola Groom
Tags: Fan Fare, , , , ,

fantasia2.jpgIt was supposed to be Syesha’s night. After all, it was the axed Floridian’s last chance to shine on “American Idol” after a meteoric rise to third place that no one expected.

But here we are, the top two “American Idol” finalists decided after four intense months, and yet the buzz following Wednesday night’s elimination show centered not around the impending David showdown, or on the ouster of Syesha Mercado, but an over-the-top performance by an “Idol” winner from four years ago.

Fantasia, the passionate, raspy-voiced single mother from North Carolina, to this day is arguably the edgiest “Idol” winner ever (Taylor Hicks and his premature head of gray hair don’t count). Tonight, however, she truly outdid herself, bursting onto the stage with a head of fire engine red hair and three backup dancers and delivering a high-energy performance of her song “Bore Me.”

The performance immediately sparked a lively debate on the Web over whether Fantasia was back to her magnetic self or had completely lost her mind.

“I loved it…it was FUN and CRAAAAZZZY! I was up dancing!” wrote one fan on the “Idol” forums, while another said: “What was all the screaming about? That’s talent? She’s lost it.”

Many viewers commented on Simon Cowell’s slack-jawed stare during Fantasia’s performance, saying he couldn’t have made his feelings any clearer.

On YouTube, where several versions of the performance were posted following the show, one viewer panned the performance, but admitted to being unable stop watching the video.

cowell1.jpg“For some strange reason beyond my own comprehension I can’t stop watching the vid!!! It’s like deep down inside I want to punish myself for all the mistakes I did in my life by watching this freakshow!”

Isn’t that what reality TV is all about?

For more on the elimination show, click here.

82 comments so far

Fantasia Cannot sing! She sounds like a deaf person whose having a cesiure. Or a duck with a mouth full of salty crakers. The ONLY reason she won AI was because of the color of her skin. Its called reverse racism. People for some reason are scared to disagree with black people. It would be like letting a legless man win a foot race, just because he’s disabled. Come on people grow a bakebone!

- Posted by SoIam

I heard so much about Fantasia’s performance that I had to find in on line. Question, what was wrong with her performance? The girl ROCKED! While her hair was strange, in color; we must be mindful that this lady is a SUPERSTAR! She no longer has to adhere to the American Idol rules, or our narrow perceptions. Interesting enough, there is a saying, those that can’t, criticize. When was the last time any of you critical folk sold out auditoriums? Chill out everyone. If we were all to be alike, we would be. Fantasia is an entertainer. Check her out the next time she is in your area.

- Posted by Denise Williams

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