Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Well, I finally predicted an American Idol ouster correctly.

And sure wish I hadn’t.

Because in losing Elise Testone, Idol Season 11 also lost one of its top three singers, a finalist capable of giving us an Idol moment every time she stepped on stage.

But I’ve gotta say this.  A week ago, I thought Idol might have played a role in Colton Dixon’s departure.  By forcing him to sing soul the night before he was eliminated. By forcing him to sing country duets twice when he’s anything but a country singer.

I don’t feel the same way about Elise.

If anything, Idol seemed to go out of its way to help her overcome two trends she couldn’t control — voters’ preference for male performers and voters’ preference for younger performers.

Think back.

Early on in the finals, Ryan brought two of Elise’s young female vocal students on stage.   The message to viewers:  It’s OK for young girls to like Elise.

Think back.

When the duets were part of the performance shows, Elise got to sing with Phillip twice and once with Colton and Phillip.  The message to viewers:  You should consider her a front-runner, too.

And think back to the week Stevie Nicks served as mentor.

Elise was 28, a fine age to enjoy success on the music charts for the first time, Jimmy Iovine said.  After all, he reminded us that Stevie didn’t have her first hit until she was 26.

Oh, Elise certainly did her part too.

That performance of “Whole Lotta Love” will rank among the finest from Season 11, regardless of what happens from this point on.

“One and Only” and “You and I” were great performances, too, and I loved her “Somebody That I Used to Know” duet with Phillip.

Unfortunately, the Idol moments were mixed with misfires.

And, in the end, that probably spelled her doom.

That and the fact that she’s a 28-year-old female.

On a show that has had just three females 26 or older advance past the semifinals in the past five years.

Put in that perspective, a sixth-place finish isn’t bad at all.

Editor’s Note: For a look back at all of Elise’s Idol performances, head here.