Television News

Blog Chatter

What are tags?

List

ezazbruno on Bush Defends Decision on Olympics Event
tuffyz on Republican Party ad assails Obama on energy
sfsmiami on Democrats Use Bush Impersonator in Ads
srpmsk on Calzaghe drops title to set up fight vs Jones Jr
theyhateamerica on Hard Times Sink American Optimism

Feed

Top stories submitted and voted on from Propeller.

Cook Is Fried as 'Idol' Gets Down to Six

By Chris Michaud,

Reuters

Posted: 2008-04-17 07:18:09

Filed Under: American Idol, TV News, Reality TV

NEW YORK (April 17) - The music of Mariah Carey spelled the downfall for "American Idol" finalist Kristy Lee Cook Wednesday when the hit TV talent show's fans cast the fewest votes for her rendition of the pop diva's "Forever."

Cook, 24, from Selma, Oregon, was sent packing after a season-record total of nearly 36 million votes, based on the finalists' Tuesday performances of Carey tunes.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: Chikezie Eze

Age: 22 | Hometown: Inglewood, Calif.
Background: Chikezie made it to Hollywood in season six but fell short of the Top 24.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: Amanda Overmyer

Age: 23 | Hometown: Mulberry, Ind. Background: The Harley-riding, rock 'n' roll nurse survived a bad car accident after her Atlanta audition.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: David Hernandez

Age: 24 | Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
Background: After suffering from nerves during his San Diego audition, David wowed the judges during Hollywood week with his rendition of 'Love the One You're With.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

David Archuleta

Age: 17 | Hometown: Murray, Utah
Background: David won the junior singer category of 'Star Search' in 2003. He overcame vocal paralysis to audition in San Diego.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Jason Castro

Age: 20 | Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
Background: Jason starred as the love interest of the title character in the MTV series 'Cheyenne.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Brooke White

Age: 24 | Hometown: Mesa, Ariz.
Background: The nanny, who claims to have never seen an R-rated movie released an album, 'Songs From the Attic,' in 2005 and reportedly opened for Phil Vassar on tour.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

David Cook

Age: 25 | Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.
Background: David was a fixture in the Heartland music scene in the bands Midwest Kings and Axium. He released a solo album, 'Analog Heart.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Michael Lee Johns

Age: 29 | Hometown: Los Angeles
Background: The native Australian fronted a band, The Rising, which was once signed to Maverick.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Carly Smithson

Age: 23 | Hometown: San Diego
Background: The native Irish singer tried out for season 5, but visa problems disqualified her. Under her maiden name, Carly Hennessy, she released a record, 'Ultimate High,' for MCA in 2001.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Ramiele Malubay

Age: 20 | Hometown: Miramar, Fla.
Background: The Filipino-American stands only 4'11" and aspires to be the next Jasmine Trias (season 3).

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Syesha Mercado

Age: 21 | Hometown: Sarasota, Fla.
Background: The daughter of a Motown singer, Syesha appeared as a contestant on the short-lived ABC reality competition, 'The One: Making a Music Star.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Kristy Lee Cook

Age: 24 | Hometown: Selma, Ore.
Background: The horseback-riding, cage-fighting country singer was once signed by Arista (and linked to Britney Spears' production company).

"Idol" judge Simon Cowell correctly predicted it would be Cook's week to go when host Ryan Seacrest announced that she, along with Syesha Mercado and Brooke White, made up the bottom three.

"Maybe Kristy, you know, your time's up this time, sweetheart," Cowell said.

Cowell had complained that Cook's version of "Forever" was "a little bit whiny," but added, "You managed with what you could" with a smart choice. Fellow judge Randy Jackson said he "didn't think that (performance) was amazing."

Carey, who performed "Bye Bye" on the show, said Cook's singing had given her chills.

With the field winnowing down, the producers tried to ramp up the live broadcast's suspense by dividing the seven finalists into two groups, without first saying which was safe and which faced elimination. The ploy went so far as to switch another finalist, David Cook, from one group to the other before it was revealed which group was which.

"American Idol" pits singers against one another in a months-long competition. Past winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have gone on to music stardom.

The weekly show draws some 30 million viewers, making it the most-watched program on U.S. television.

The other remaining finalists are early fan favorite David Archuleta, 17, Jason Castro, 20, and Carly Smithson, 24.

The winner of "American Idol"'s seventh season will be announced during the live finale in May.

Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-04-17 07:18:09

Read Related Blogs and Articles

Must Read?

86 %

14 %

30 VOTES

Recent Comments

Post Your Own

1 - 10 of 138

138 comments

mitcheastmeck122 07:50:29 PM Apr 21 2008

Report This!

Kristy lee cook was my favorite on there , she will do good in TN

CntryFront 12:08:39 AM Apr 21 2008

Report This!

syesha is the bomb!!!!!

johnfoxc 05:29:15 AM Apr 20 2008

Report This!

Kristy Lee was voted off more for her attidude than talent. It seems to be an new thing that idol contestants are getting more rude towards the judges. Being a star is not only what you sound and look like, but your attitude to others is important.

aladdinsgurl0789 07:28:16 PM Apr 18 2008

Report This!

Michael Johns should be in it still. Kristie shouldnt have gone - it should have been syiesha, syiesha is going this week!!!!!
David Archuleta is sooooo cute but he probually wont win 1st - he will come in 2nd behind David Cook... it was soooooo cute when David archuleta sat in the middle of the stage when he had 2 choose... sooooo sweet... my whole family just started laughing!!!!!
but my prediction is that syiesha will go this week, then Brook, then Jason Castro, then carley and the top 2 will b david archuleta and david cook... david cook will win and david archuleta will come in second but it is better for both of them if they lose cuz then they wont b stuck with that record company and they could become bigger names

starpatchsam 01:09:00 PM Apr 18 2008

Report This!

DAVID A. WAS ON STAR SEARCH SO HES JUST LIKE ALL THE REST SOME TYPE OF EXPERIENCE... HE DOES NOT DESERVE TO WIN NO PERSONALILTY THE ONLY ONES WORTH WATCHING ARE DAVID COOK OF COURSE AND CARLY!

jackaroo721 11:33:02 AM Apr 18 2008

Report This!

if this remains a singing contest I believe that David Cook should take the tittle this year. The talent is very strong this year though. I have noticed that a lot of the contestants have some profesional or semipro experience. I would love to see David Archaletta win. He is one of the few without any prior singing or band exp (pro)

tobeoridol 11:20:15 AM Apr 18 2008

Report This!

If any one belives that the IDOL voting is NOT MANIPULATED by FOX is paying attention to the pattern that has been consistent for the last 3 years. Alternating each week between men and women. Next week is the mens turn to go. So long Jason.

detkoncp 11:14:01 AM Apr 18 2008

Report This!

Kristy should not have even been in the top 12. Michael Johns departure was so wrong !
Kristy got paid back by Karma for selling her horse. Good riddance. Being pretty isn't what it's all about. Jason is so predictable staying within his realm. Never goes outside the box. Carly, Michael, the two David's and Sayesha have true talent, it will be ashamed that four of them have to lose.