By JOHN GEROME, Associated Press Writer Sat May 12, 1:10 PM ET
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The three remaining
American Idol‘ contestants took to the streets Friday — of their rapturous hometowns. Local loyalists showed all day just who they thought should win Fox‘s wildly popular singing contest, which will feature some of the scenes next week.
The tables were turned on Doolittle in a big way when she returned Friday to her alma mater. Hundreds waved signs and shouted encouragement to her: "We love you, Melinda." "You‘re going to win, Melinda." "Doolittle‘s Da Bomb." "Melinda for President."
Doolittle, who arrived waving from the back of a white convertible Mustang, looked — all too characteristically, as "Idol" judge Simon Cowell has scolded her — surprised and overwhelmed.
Doolittle said she was glad to be home, even if just for an afternoon. "I just got some sweet tea, so I‘m happy. Now I need some candied yams and greens and I‘ll be great."
Ironically, her mother, Marguerite Doolittle, said her daughter was tone deaf until about the sixth grade. She couldn‘t carry a tune to save her life.
Doolittle, 29, graduated from Belmont with a music degree in 1999. Everyone in the crowd was certain she‘d prevail over rivals Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis.
Belsante has a daughter at Belmont and a son graduating from nearby Vanderbilt University. She felt a little guilty about it, but she skipped the commencement speech at her son‘s graduation so she could come cheer Doolittle.
"I had to go with Melinda Doolittle."
"Every time you watch
American Idol,‘ you see people that can sing, and that‘s it," Mix-A-Lot said to wild applause. "This cat got real talent. ... He‘s the new king of Sea-town, baby."
Many in the crowd, populated largely by truant teenage girls, screamed and waved signs that read "Blaker Girls" or "We (heart) Blake."
Blaire Ginnever, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, said she was skipping her lunch period and Spanish class at Villa Academy in Seattle.
"Blake es muy bueno," she said.
Ginnever‘s mom, Marilyn, was also in the crowd, and said she didn‘t mind that her daughter was missing school.
"It‘s the end of the year, and this is big for Seattle," she said. "We follow the show. It‘s kind of a family event, and rooting for a hometown boy makes it special."
City Councilwoman Jean Godden, who is old enough to remember a significant chunk of Seattle‘s musical history, read a proclamation declaring Friday "Blake Lewis Day" and placing the "renowned beat-box musician" in a local tradition that includes Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones , Ann and Nancy Wilson , Nirvana, Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie.
Meanwhile, in Glendale, Ariz., an estimated 5,000 fans weathered 100-degree heat to see the 17-year-old Sparks, their hometown fave.
A stage was erected in an outdoor plaza at Westgate City Center and some fans waited up to five hours to see her.
"You guys are crazy but I love you for it," Sparks told the crowd before singing three songs that she has performed on the show — "Give Me One Reason," "Heartbreaker" and "I Who Have Nothing."
"I hope I make you proud next Tuesday," Sparks told the crowd, referring to the upcoming semifinals. The last singer standing will be announced May 23.
Glendale, located just northwest of Phoenix, has been throwing elaborate, outdoor "Idol" viewing parties to show support for Sparks. Since March 20, the city of about 245,000 has seen hundreds of people from all over the state turn out to see "Idol" episodes on two 14-foot TVs. The city also has distributed hundreds of free "Glendale supports Jordin" posters at its visitor center.
Sparks made a grand entrance late Friday afternoon, perched on the back of pink Mustang convertible.
Her father — former Arizona State and NFL player Phillippi Sparks — and other family members followed behind in two other convertibles.
Once on stage, Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs presented Sparks and her family with a special city proclamation.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment