It 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.
“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.
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Wow, that was not dancing, nor singing. Yes she has put some songs together that were really good before, Why did this happen?
- Posted by ElaineI thought she [Fantasia] looked like Nell Carter and sounded like James Brown.
- Posted by Elizabethmy wife and both love fantasia, but we looked at each other and said what is she singing, can she scream any loader, I had to hit the tivo fast forward it was so bad.
really that was the worst proformance I have ever seen her do.
- Posted by davidShe is the next Tina Turner.
- Posted by PamFantasia rocked last night! I don’t get what some of you are talking about. The song was so different and high energy and she never missed a beat! I’m tired of the same old cookie cutter singers. And yeah, who was that person in the balcony? Totally random.
- Posted by AJCFantasia was HORRIBLE!!!! That was the most “NO TALENT” thing I have witnessed in years……It was like she was performing some sort of crazed VooDoo dance while screaming at the top of her lungs. Please, Idol producers……..NEVER AGAIN!
- Posted by DeeDavid Cook has to win!He’s so tallented he can turn any song into his style of music!David A. on the other hand has to go!Not tallented at all.He’s way to limmited.and what he can do is awaful.
- Posted by ShannnonIt was hideous. Music SHOULD be about talent, not how “entertaining” one can be. I’d like to hear some quality vocals for a change. I never thought Fantasia could sing, and now I am sure of it.
- Posted by yuckI totally loved Fantasia last night, too! Her natural and exuberant energy, her performing talent, her originality and stage presence. She was awesome crazy FUN!!! She made the show worth watching. Otherwise, it would have been one of the most boring Idol nights ever. I really think Fantasia saved the show last night and gave everybody a lesson of what a true Idol should be about. I enjoyed every second of her performance!
- Posted by Mariangelathat was a hot mess. tina turner? Please! tina could dance and sing! it was bizarre. weird hair, a bad cat suit that made her look fat, the dance moves were crazy and the song! my god pick a good song. and what was with the guy in the balcony? It was terrible.
- Posted by nopeFantastic. High energy, high soul, she was completely entertaining! I’m a 40 yo white guy, I loved it.
- Posted by rite[...] Source: We have a final two, but Fantasia dominates “Idol” buzz [...]
- Posted by Video: Fantasia on American Idol 7 “Bore Me” 5-14-08 - Shallow NationGo Tasia!!!!
I’m not a big Fantasia fan and I loved this performance. The “critics” need to realize that Fantasia is no longer an American Idol contestant, she is a superstar now with an album and concerts that she has to pull off. Who would go to her concerts if she just stood there like and American Idol contestant? She has to stand out and make it interesting. There’s a difference between being a contestant and an entertainer. She actually reminded me of Tina Turner.
- Posted by petiteladyfantasia is just fun to watch. she’s a compelling force that you can’t ignore. i loved watching her last night and even if i couln’t name that tune it was the livelist 4 minutes of this entire season on american idol. i love her no matter how messy and outta tune and outta step. the girl is on fire and knows how to put on a show. i was smiling the whole time she was up there. and when she left the stage the show went back to sleep!! thanks fantasia for bringing a little excitement back to the show, you are sorely missed.
- Posted by mariaFantasia looked like she was let loose from the jungle The screaming throughout the song was entertaining in a bad way.
- Posted by mdmWhat was wrong with the performance? I thought she did an excellent job entertaining the crowd. Music is not about singing anymore its about entertaining. Half of the people on the radio cant sing.
- Posted by tamIdol audiences have gotten to be so old fashioned, caucasian, and middle of the road conservative. How else can you explain the best singers being voted off so early in the contest and Jason Castro making it to the top 5. Chikezie certainly should have been top 3.
Fantasia rocked! She did a 21st century Tina Turner and entertained the heck of people. Of course Simon wouldn’t understand it, but she’ll sell tickets to that show.
- Posted by tanmackLove the pic of Simon Cowell. Us Brits, we’re so…. dour….
David
- Posted by Adsense StrategistThe Adsense Strategist
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I agree with simon, fantasia’s performance was out there. I couldnt believe that she was on national tv. I was almost embarrassed for her. I always liked her before, what has happened to her? Is it just me that didnt get it or what?
- Posted by kimberi could not understand a word she was saying….even my closed caption couldn’t pick up the words…simon’s look was hillarious
- Posted by ann