Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Random reflections on the American Idol semifinals …

1. Did the semifinal contestants seem surprisingly self-assured on the Idol stage this week?

I thought so.

I mean,  I remember back to Season 8 when a bad case of stage fright clearly spelled the demise of Stevie Wright and some of that season’s other teen contestants.

And I remember last year when the affliction spread beyond the teens. Just check out the semifinal performances of Janell Wheeler and John Park. I could plug several other names in there as well.

This year, I sensed little of that. And was particularly impressed by how composed the wild card contenders were in a sing-for-your-life situation.Ashthon Jones, Stefano Langone and Kendra Chantelle in particular. Only Naima Adedapo seemed clearly affected by the pressure.

Could the absence of Simon Cowell in a judges’ seat have been partly responsible?

Don’t underestimate the added pressure of singing for someone who would delight in ridiculing your performance in front of millions of viewers.

2. What, no disqualifications?

I don’t know if it occurred to anyone else, but this marked the first time since season seven that Idol survived the semifinals — or the day after the Green Mile episode, for that matter — without a disqualification.

In season eight, it was Joanna Pacitti who got the Idol boot the morning after being introduced as a finalist. In season nine, Chris Golightly disappeared from the Green Miles episode and Tim Urban suddenly showed up in his place.

Personally, I prefer a season with no such nonsense. Seems to me Idol should have plenty of time to determine whether a contestant meets its qualifications long before the semifinals arrive. The auditions take place the previous summer, for crying out loud.

3. Fashion statements

Clearly, Jennifer Lopez is going to bring fashion to Idol like no judge before her.

But what was that school-girl-reminiscent getup she wore to the Top 13 party?

Someone needs to remind J-Lo she’s not one of the contestants. And that the focus is supposed to be on them.

Meanwhile, someone needs to steer Steven Tyler to the correct dressing room.

With that ruffled fuchsia shirt he was wearing Thursday night, it sure looked like he stumbled into J-Lo’s by mistake.

If you missed the photo gallery, featuring all the finalist at the Top 13 Party, go here.

4. Musical diversity

The thing I love most about this Season 10 cast is its musical diversity.

I mean, we have a singer-songwriter type (Paul McDonald), a rocker (James Durbin), a comedian who plays bass (Casey Abrams), an R&B diva (Ashthon Jones), a gospel singer (Jacob Lusk),  a bluesy lady (Haley Reinhart) and an exotic flower (Naima Adedapo).

Heck, we even have not one, but two country singers (Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina).  Go ahead, cringe, Simon Cowell.

The only thing we’re missing is the red apple … or the candy-coated cookie … or whatever Brett Loewenstern happens to be calling himself today.

But, seriously, this is worlds better than … oh, say Season 8 … when Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, Matt Giraud, Anoop Desai and Scott MacIntyre all wanted to sing about the same type of music. Maybe Jorge Nunez, too, but he didn’t hang around long enough for us to find out.

5. Deserves to be disappointed

If anyone deserves to be disappointed by not making the finals, it’s Kendra Chantelle.

She’s the one contestant who sang like she belonged. Not once, but twice. And still missed out.

Personally, I would have put her in the spot occupied by Thia Megia or Karen Rodriguez.

But I’m not sure she displayed the charisma necessary to take the Idol crown. And that might have spelled her downfall.

As a consolation price, here’s a wonderful video of Kendra doing a duet with finalist Paul McDonald.

And you can check out more pre-Idol music from Kendra and other Idol semifinalists and finalists by going here.