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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DAVE,,,That has got to be the most stupid comment ever….She can’t sing?? What…In fact..what the hell? Fantasia is the best singer of “her” generation. So you “think” she had a bad performance, so now, all of a sudden the girl can’t sing… Thats phony and so are you! recognize!!
- Posted by DaveFantasia has lost her singing ability. Now all she can do is scream/shake her booty and hire backup singers as the main singing component. Call her a performer and NOT as a singer.
- Posted by DaveI LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE…MAN FANTASIA IS HOTT!!! SHE IS ONE OF THE BEST… AND I AM SHOCKED AND IN DISBELIEF AT THE AMOUNT OF HATERS….YA’LL NEED TO REALIZE THAT THIS GIRL IS BLESSED AND ANNOITED..SHE WILL STILL BE HERE TOMORROW DOING HER THING WHILE ALL YOU HATERS ARE SPEAKING THE SAME HATE….. SIMON,,, ITS TIME FOR YOU TO SIT DOWN ANYWAY,,,, FANTASIA MADE ME EVEN WATCH IDOL…. IT TOTALLY SUCKS NOW… WHEN I SAW HER DOING HER THING I WAS GLUED TO THE SCREEN… SHE WORKED IT OUT AND I AM LOOKING FOR MORE OF THAT. GOOD JOB TASIA….
- Posted by JacobUnfortunately I was out of town and missed A.I. and only found out 3 days later that Fantasia was on the show. I happen to catch the look on Simon’s face and wondered what the song sounded like, or did she perform some lewd act or what. I read comments, and most of them were great and I finally googled the performance. I agree with one writer that Fantasia is not on A.I., she is a singer and performer. She’s always performed with zest, and since she’s doing what she’s always loved to do, she makes sure she entertains. True, some of James Brown’s words you couldn’t understand, but he was definitely “Godfather of Soul”. Tina Turner and her dancers were energetic as well. I love Fantasia and while watching the performance I had to say “You Go Girl”.
- Posted by Berlena StatonI don’t even watch AI anymore so I had no idea about Fantasia’s amazing performance! I was just pondering on why I stopped watching the show–it just hasn’t been the same since Fantasia won. She really set the bar high as far as the type of TRUE entertainment Americans are yearning for.
When they announced this year’s finalists, I shut off the TV in disgust. Nowadays, it’s all about looks and teenie boppers. Talent is simply an afterthought. Not to mention, the producers continue to place weak minority contenders on to soften the competition.
Anyway, thanks for posting the link
- Posted by SoniaFantasia singing??????? o my God, this girl scared the daylights out of me and my husband, running around the stage like she was possessed and screaming on top of her lungs, please —never again
- Posted by Yola94I keep telling people she reminds me of chris tucker in drag. Like his role in that movie with bruce willis called the fith element I think. That performsnce on Idol just reinforced my thoughts
- Posted by bmrI LOVE FANTASIA…..
- Posted by cd hudsonSHE IS BETTER THAN 2 FINALIST…
The viewers got what they deserve. Just because you can scream or hold a note for 10 minutes does not mean you are a great singer.
- Posted by BenFantasia was amazing. Made me think of James Brown - same kind of raw energy.
- Posted by lisaHey, I totally agree with papah! In fact, wind back your tape to where Fantasia is working the audience and she passes near Simon. There’s a shot of the side of his head and you can see his bulging, smiling face cheeks. Jeez, can we form our own opinion whether or not Simon approves anyway? The producers got their money shot, I’m telling you.
- Posted by EllieAwesome performance. You bashers ‘don’t get it’ as stated above. Simon loved it. You should love it.
- Posted by AveryzHow come everyone says “I agree with Simon”…we don’t know what he was thinking. They caught some shots of him with a weird face…but they also showed a clip of him smiling and clapping at the end of the performance. I think this whole “Simon” looks disgusted…is just for what it is…to get everyone talking.
- Posted by papahFantasia did not sing, she screamed/mumbled every so often. Her back-up singers should have won IDOL.
That had to be the worst performance on American Idol ever!
Actually Fantasia has always had the most grating voice, and her win - well!!
Syesha, Carly and every girl/guy in the top 10 for the last 2 years YOU all walk on this rubbish.
- Posted by coralie broadhurstFantastia’s dreadful performance of “Summertime”, won her IDOL. What a shame so many American’s have not seen/heard this classic, actually sung, NOT screamed.
Fantasia and I have alot in common. She has and always will be my girl no matter what. There is nothing wrong with trying new things. Simmon was looking like that because he probaly was shocked by her hair color. He was expecting a more touching performance from Fantasia. He really believes in her. Fantasia keep up the good work, reguardless of what folk think of you! You got money now, use it how you see fit.
- Posted by Jada HowardThat was one great performance. Those that didn’t get it. Too bad, because that was homeage to James Brown, reminicent of Janis Joplin. So refreshing not to have the same cookie cutter performer . I was totally entertained , we haven’t had that in a long time. Long live James Brown!!
- Posted by caroleThank God for Fantasia. Always watchable, entertaining and never boring
- Posted by Daniel Limhey y’all!!!! The only time that I got so excited over Idol this season was Fantasia’s performance. My entire family was so blown away and I must say that she really made a big impression. That was the most awesome performance ever by an Idol!!!! Period. She may not be skinny and pretty and not a Mariah Carey but her big personality on stage made her a true star. She made a very sincere performance and the energy that she put into it made every viewer so important and special. She made me feel so good after her performance that I wanted more from Fantasia. Now that’s the show…. not all the mediocre craziness that’s happening so much lately with the not so talented idol contestants. This season actually made me look dumb.. still curious who’s gonna win… but I can only hope and pray that the deserving contestant wins! More Fantasia please!!!
- Posted by Luisa MarshallI’m in the LOVED IT category! I watched it back three times. I loved her dancing, and the backup girls! It was way more entertaining to watch than this season’s contestants are.
- Posted by TiffanyHell, that was awful! I liked her when she was on Idol, but I had no clue what she was singing, really. I think Simon’s face said it all. He must’ve been thinking, “THAT won this show?!”
- Posted by Sarah