For the past 3 weeks, I’ve not begun to write about the latest installment of this popular reality talent show. What I like about the show is the dramatic music being played every time the contestants are being called safe or bottom 3. For me, this what distinguishes the uniqueness from any other reality shows. The format that Simon Fuller created really intrigued me.
The 11 finalists are finally completed and set to gear up for the spectaculars starting next Friday. Frankly, this year’s finalists are way diversified and balanced comparing to last years. Yes, no one was as good as Jaclyn Victor but hey, let’s face it, at least we have a tough competition on the go. Save for some, at least half of the 11 contestants are giving the show the money to run for. Unlike last year, many of us clearly deduced Jac would obviously be the ultimate winner in the end with her flawless rendition of songs every week. Too predictable, which isn’t too exciting for a reality talent show.
Here’s what I think of the 11 finalists so far;
Atilia – She belted Aretha Franklin’s Natural Woman with power and strength. One of the best for workshop 1 besides Fauzi. Her lacked of exposure during the auditions or even the theatre eliminations wasn’t an obstacle for the viewers to dismiss her talent. Some claimed her sense of dressing looked too much like that of an auntie but for me, I thought she dressed comfortably the way she portrayed herself. Maybe only during the workshop, that attire didn’t quite suit her.
Faizull – The hard rock edge singer of the competition, dubbed the "Orang Kampung" trademark by himself. Can’t deny he has a very strong voice, but the music genre he chooses to sing might not go in favour with half of the viewers. Typically the hard rock songs he sang are pretty ear deafening for they screamed throughout the entire song.
Xerra – The gal in pink (We had Nikki McKibbin in AI 1, Vanessa Olivarez in AI 2 and Amy Adams in AI 3). She looked promising in her audition in KL, despite it, she put on a rather mundane performance in the workshop. I’m hoping to see more of her solid performances later on. Please don’t blow my high hopes, gal.
Ejay – Heard she sang Since You Been Gone during theatre eliminations and it rawked. I am dying to listen to it again in the spectaculars, since a big fan of Kelly Clarkson here J. In workshop 2, she went for another Kelly’s song, The Trouble With Love Is. It turned out all right, though a little pitchy here and there, I understand it wasn’t easy to do that song. She has a big voice, something similar to Kelly but of course on her own unique way. She is one of my current favourites.
Ash – This JB lad sang Kiss From The Rose and it turned out half decent. He seemed withholding his voice, which made him sound weak. The "Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me" duet with Faizull during the theatre eliminations wasn’t that bad. Perhaps of his good looks that the public decided to put him through.
Nita – A crowd favourite from the MI bluehyppo forum. Following the footsteps of Jac, she too makes her living by singing at pubs. Her rendition of "Get Here" during the workshop 2 went easy on the ears. I’m not so convinced she’s that good so far. Am still eager to catch more of her song choices in the spectaculars.
Farah – "I Surrender" is one my favourite songs from Celine Dion, I loved both versions done by Kelly in AI 1 and Anthony Fedorov in AI 4. Though Farah’s version stood nowhere near as good as either both of them, I saluted her for giving an attempt. Songs like these will either make or break them. She certainly didn’t break the song as far as I’ve listened.
Daniel – The ‘pretty’ boy of the comp, where inadvertently the teenybopper’s gal favourite ‘miraculously’ made it through. You can call it a predecessor of Vick from last year. However, Vick looked to be better than him at the overall standing for now.
Trish – Gal with the big voice, she’s one spunky lass, as I’d call her, who is very wise in choosing her songs, kind of a cross between Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliot (notice the thick lips LOL). She is currently the top favourite of my list.
Adam – From what I’ve heard, he used to be a ballet dancer, hence the soft and slithery move on stage. Even then, his vocal was equally impressive, one of the best male voices but the only downside is, he has a rather emotional state which he needs to tone down a little if he intends to go far.
Azam – Know whom the winner of Manhunt: The Search for the Most Gorgeous Male Model was? Jon Johnson rang a bell? Meet his look alike. He’s tall, broad figure guy who might not necessary had one of the strongest voices, but his low register is really flawless and smooth. Most singers seemed to struggle with the low register part, which in turn had to rely on the higher register song to gain attraction. In his case, it’s the other way round. I have strong feeling he might gain a strong fan base soon, contrary to last years judges pick from the wildcard, Sufiah who was voted off on the first week itself.
They aired the Idols’ Journey So Far tonight at 9.30pm which you can call through to ask questions regarding about the show to your Idols or the judges (I tried several attempts but none succeed :[) and beginning from next week, an extra half hour programme called the Idols Diary will be shown a day before the Spectaculars. Something similar to Akademi Fantasia’s diaries, only it’s weekly instead of daily. Looking forward to it.
