Major Upset On "American Idol"
Voters Did Not Save The Best For Last Episode
67May 17, 2007 | by Judy Faber
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(CBS) Judges' favorite Melinda Doolittle was voted off "American Idol" Wednesdsay night, leaving teen singer Jordin Sparks and beatboxer Blake Lewis to duke it out in next week's finale.
The audience booed and whistled as the news was announced during the last few minutes of the program.
The Brentwood, Tenn. resident seemed just as surprised as the other two contestants when she learned she'd be sent home, but quickly regained her composure and managed a smile.
Simon Cowell had looked annoyed — well, more annoyed than usual — when the announcement was made.
"Congratulations to you two," he said to Sparks and Lewis. "My commiserations, Melinda, because you are one heck of a singer."
A professional backup singer, Doolittle was easily the most versatile contestant on the show, singing the blues, rock, soul and pop classics with equal facility.
"You were the most consistent all season, so be proud," said Randy Jackson.
"If I'm going to award a place in the final for the person who has consistently delivered week after week it's you," Cowell told Doolittle Tuesday night.Photos: "American Idol" Season 6
The top ten finalists of the season will return for the finale and then hit the road together in the summer for the Idols Live! tour.
At the end of the evening, the judges told Doolittle that her career is well on its way. "You've already made it, Melinda, and now it's time to go out and do your career because you're going to be huge," said Paula Abdul.
The "American Idol" finale airs May 22.
By Judy Faber
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Some have alluded to Jordan as being the prettier contestant having more personality, I particularly don't see it.
She is a 17 year old in need of some serious vocal lessons, and as far as physical appearance Melinda is an attractive young woman, maybe the problem lies in how some individuals define attractiveness.
I personally don't see how anyone can make a legitimate argument based on a flawed perception or standard of beauty, which devalues some individuals because they don't possess Eurocentric features.
Both young ladies are attractive and Jordan doesn't have "debs" on attractiveness because she's lighted skinned with less Negroid features.
You people need to come out of the dark ages with this physical degradation discourse towards women who look more ethnic and less Eurocentric.
Both women are equally attractive in their own right, and the real issue is not based on someone's physical attractiveness, but "talent".
That's the problem with the music industry today, it is overshadowed by superficialness and no talent.
A majority of today's singers would not have gotten their foot in the door if they had been around in the 50's, 60's, 70's or 80's, and that includes Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Beyonce, Ashanti, Rhianna, Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland, Kelly Clarkston, Jordan Sparks, etc.....
The fact that Blake Lewis won over Melinda is pathetic. Blake doesn't even come close to singing as good as her. And as far as Jordin goes, she is very good, but I don't like people that are OVER confident and she strikes me as being over confident.
naber1961
"I pull the overweight card..."
Are you kidding me?!! You are saying she is gone because she is overweight? Jordin Sparks is twice the size of her! And I am not talking about her height. Jordin is a BIG girl!
We might hear great versions of the same song done by people with different styles. Not necessarily better or worse than the other.
I would like the final three or four in the future have to sing the same song - I want to see who does it best and I do not think when one person sings rock and the other a ballad, you can get a clear comaparison.
Blake is okay but he kept rappin on every song and didnt show too much of his singing ability other than the rappin style.
Good luck to both anyways.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed her, but I got the goosbumps from Jordin and Lakisha - when they do not screech.
But it should have been girl-girl as Blake is almost as annoying as Sanjaya.
He covers his mouth with the mike and always turns his head to the right and then the beat whatever is not at all enticing so then I channel surf.
Idol has been a platform for young singers, several of them are doing well, even the runner-ups, so it is not a worthless show.