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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Fantasia was outrageous and totally entertaining. A female James Brown. I smiled the whole time she was up there. You don’t have to love her, or her singing, to appreciate such an energized show. This is HOLLYWOOD, not classic opera. Only the priggish and non-funloving would have not been entertained. WTG Fantasia, you keep being yourself!
- Posted by hamijWOW!! FANTASIA!! WOW!! YOU’RE SMOKIN’ SIZZIN’ SMACKIN’ HAWT!!
- Posted by Accidental TouristI loved fantasia when she was an idol contestant, but last night’s performance was just wierd. It just goes to show that you can take the girl out of the ghetto, but you can’t take the ghetto out of the girl. However, I have to admit I kept rewinding to watch it over and over like slowing down to stare at a car wreck.
- Posted by KimOne more thing, after two weeks of Beatles, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Neal Diamond and the crappy song selections by the producers, I mean who in the hell are they trying to appeal to? Have the producers forgot who their fan base is? They need more stuff like Fantasia and up to date music. There is a reason why Artists don’t make music like they did in the sixties anymore, no one buying music likes that crap. Remember last season with Hermans Hermits, give me a break! Obviously Simon had something to do with that. This is the USA, sign American Artists songs!
- Posted by DeanAs much as I never cared for the girl or any of her music, I thought it was a great performance. I just bought my first Fantasia song. The beat was great and even though I couldn’t understand a thing she was singing, how many songs can you actually understand anyways. As a 44 yr old white male growing up listening to Led Zep, Pink Floyd and the likes, what in the hell were any of them singing about? She entertained, and that’s what it’s all about. ENTERTAINING!
- Posted by DeanIT WAS A HORRIBLE PERFORMANCE. COULD NOT UNDERSTAND ONE WORD SHE SANG/SHOUTED. HER DANCING WAS OVER THE TOP. THE BEST THING OF ALL WAS SIMOS FACE, THAT WAS PRICELESS AND WORTH A MILLION JUST TO SEE HIS FACE.
- Posted by sueWHAT WAS SHE THINKING!!!!!
Sad as it is I always knew performance “enhancing” drugs would one day find there way to the Idol stage. More shocking is that it wasn’t Paula who brought them there!
- Posted by TGOOOmI watch American Idol because my mother is visiting and she likes to watch it. I grew up in the 70’s and my favorite artists were the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, Guy Clark and Carly Simon — very diverse to say the least. I don’t know alot about Fantasia but I know talent when I see it. This lady is a pure entertainer! I was mesmerized. Keep doing what you’re
- Posted by Celiadoing Fantasia . . . not everyone will “get you,” but your unique gifts are noticed and appreciated by many of us!
Fantasia was amazing last night on Idol. She rocked the house - took over the stage and she didn’t miss a note or a dance step. The most amazing thing I have seen since her performance at the Tony Awards. She was as red hot as her hair.
- Posted by Mary AnneShe was amazing — the name Tina Turner also came into my head, as well! You go, go, go, girl!
Simon has to realize that singers aren’t all just pretty song birds. Fantasia represents a wonderful brash American form of crazy showmanship. (show womanship?)
Hey, I couldn’t understand all the words either, but it was the most fun moment of the night!
- Posted by sfrunner70Fantasia was absolutely BLAZING! She is a force of nature! She is taking no prisoners! I liked her before, but now I’m in love!
- Posted by skylightsI loved her!! I didn’t understand every word either but I don’t think they were meant to be. The energy, the moves, her presence - it was all so intense that I am sure I had the same face that Simon did. I think y’all are misinterpreting his reaction to be honest. There was never a moment in which she let the energy drop! Fantasia really did liven up the show regardless if the performance is your cup of tea or not. Fantasia will always be my favorite Idol and she will have a long career. God Bless ‘Tasia!
- Posted by DavioFantasia brought LIFE to that Godforsaken stage! I applaud her for that. It was a very entertaining performance.
- Posted by A.Judging from the look on Simon’s face, I don’t think Fantasia will be invited back anytime soon. I will say that it was the most exciting moment of last night’s show which was a borefest.
- Posted by G-moneyI stayed up late so I could watch Fantasia over and over on Tivo. She was an AFRICAN DANCE GODDESS!!! Tina Turner would be thrilled and flattered to have Fantasia’s performance compared to hers. The musical complexity even reminded me of Frank Zappa’s virtuosity during his live concerts. What I could catch from the words was a song about finally dumping her ladies’ man abusive boyfriend, a total F.U.! The unidentifiable man in black singing from the balcony was no Romeo. He the archetype ladies man that she turned her back on and said, “You BORE ME!” So if you were looking for white bread elevator music for Leo and Kate, you are on the wrong ship. Personally, I thought Cowell’s face was more an expression of drop jawed amazement at Fantasia’s performance. Don’t forget, he named her as his favorite American Idol a few shows back. FANTASTIC FANTASIA!!!!!
- Posted by LaurieFantasia! Fantasia! Fantasia! I am definitely an adamant fan of hers. But last night, I promise you I couldn’t understand a word she was saying. My husband has never been a fan, but I always have and last night I was just disappointed at what I saw and heard! Her hair was a mess, too much makeup, her whole appearance was just a hot, hot, mess! And when I saw Simon’s face I could see he was thinking like millions of others. What is she doing and what has happened to Fantasia? It’s like she’s going through a really bad time or something. But out of all the performances I’ve witnessed, this just didn’t work for me. But I will still always be a fan of Fantasia’s.
- Posted by Patwhy did America vote for Fantasia I do not know,,she cannot sing but she can sure SCREAM!!
- Posted by maryFantasia looked and acted like a giant rooster choking on some bad feed. But at least she wasn’t boring, which is more than can be said for the rest of the show.
- Posted by Steve in CaliFantasia sang? Sorry, didn’t see that part. I did see her up there yelling in between her backup vocal group though. They sounded great!
Certainly it was interesting and strangely entertaining, but she didn’t sing, folks. The backup girls did and they danced and sang much better than she did.
- Posted by pjWOW! I was blown away by her performance! It was unbelievably great! It was too hip and out of the box for the old judges, but she blew the roof off!
- Posted by Chris