‘Idol’ moments

Some American Idol hopefuls have said they auditioned for the sixth season of the popular talent show because they want to become rich and famous doing what they love.

Others said they were just looking to make David Hasselhoff cry.

As the latest season of Fox TV’s singing contest wraps up this week, there have been a number of memorable moments that stood out like the tone-deaf, wanna-be contestants who try out for the show.

Scandals and shockers have rocked this season, throwing some contestants even more into the spotlight beyond simply being an Idol contestant. From racy photos to sexy shorts, a few hopefuls have generated news about more than their singing talents.

Then there are those contestants who can only be mentioned because of their singing gifts — or lack thereof.

Photo
Sanjaya Malakar and his many hairstyles.

Zoom | Photo Reprints
But before finding out whether Blake Lewis or Jordin Sparks will come out on top on Wednesday, let’s take a look back at some of the notable moments of season No. 6:

Shocker of the season: The length of time America allowed Sanjaya Malakar, 17, to stay on the show. He stuck it out until April 18, well after Judge Randy Jackson told him that “I can’t even comment on the vocals anymore, but you’ve turned into a good entertainer.”

Shocker of the season, part two: No one being eliminated during the Idol Gives Back fund raiser to benefit poverty-stricken youth in America and Africa on April 25. Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson were eliminated together the following week because they were the bottom two vote-getters after two weeks worth of votes were tallied.

Bravest performance: Sanjaya crooning “Besame Mucho.” He was the only contestant to tackle a song in Spanish on Latin music week.

Best raw talent: Jordin Sparks. When onstage, the 17-year-old, bubbly contestant with no formal singing training sounds like a pro and looks like she’s been doing it for years.

Most original contestant: Blake Lewis. His beat-boxing is refreshing and fun when he inserts it into well-known songs, and he’s one of the only contestants bold enough to modify the beats to “You Keep Me Hanging On” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” to suit his personal style.

Photo
Melinda Doolittle

Zoom | Photo Reprints
Contestant we’ve been rooting for since the auditions: Melinda Doolittle, who wowed the judges in Memphis. “You are in the top 2 percent of good singers this year,” Judge Simon Cowell told her.

Contestant eliminated before her time: Gina Glocksen. The rocker girl was sent home on April 4 after crooning “Smile,” which Judge Paula Abdul said was “a flawless performance.”

Best entertainer: No contest here — Sanjaya takes the prize. From sporting a pony hawk to rocking out to “You Really Got Me,” he was definitely the most fun contestant to watch — just not to listen to.

Hairstyles we won’t soon forget: Sanjaya’s pony hawk, Sanjaya’s tight curls tied up in a red bandana, Sanjaya’s slicked-back ‘do … you get the picture.

Photo
Haley Scarnato

Zoom | Photo Reprints
Escape artist: Haley Scarnato. She was one of the bottom two vote-getters three weeks in a row before she was eliminated on April 11. She’s also managed to escape wearing anything with more fabric than a one-piece bathing suit throughout much of the season.

Most well-known signature look: The freshly razor-shaven head of Phil Stacey or the brimmed hats he often covers it up with.

Scandal of the season: Racy photographs featuring Antonella Barba that surfaced on the Internet prior to the top 12 contestants being chosen. They apparently didn’t help her singing career, though. She was eliminated on March 8.

No. 1 Sanjaya fan: Ashley Ferl. The 13-year-old is best known to Idol fans as “that girl who bawled her eyes out” while listening to her favorite contestant rock out to “You Really Got Me” on March 20.

No. 1 Sanjaya foe: The 23-year-old woman from New York known as “J.” who vowed to remain on a hunger strike until Sanjaya was voted off the show. It lasted 16 days.

Photo
Blake Lewis

Zoom | Photo Reprints
Fastest way to get voted off the show: Forgetting or stumbling over lyrics. Think Brandon Rogers during “You Can’t Hurry Love,” and Stephanie Edwards and “Love Hangover.” Rogers was gone the day after forgetting several bars of the well-known song and Edwards was eliminated a week after hesitating with some measures.

Best aspect about this season: The $70 million that has been raised for less-fortunate children in Africa and America through the Idol Gives Back fund raiser.

How high can it go?: More than 135 million votes were tallied for the top six contestants between the two weeks they were given a chance to perform. There has not yet been an episode this season where the number of votes has not reached the double-digit million mark.

Photo
Jordin Sparks

Zoom | Photo Reprints
What has yet to be calculated, but should: How many of those votes come from die-hard teenage Idol fans wearing out the speed-dialing function on their cell phones.

Worst criticism to hear after you sang your heart out onstage: Something along the lines of “well, at least you’re attractive,” which was a phrase directed at both Antonella Barba and Haley Scarnato at several points this season. Judge Simon Cowell said it best when he told Scarnato on April 3 that “you’ve got great legs.”

Contestants who deserved a spot in the top 12: Sabrina Sloan. After she was eliminated just shy of the top 12, Judge Randy Jackson was blunt with Idol voters. “Sabrina should be in the top 12,” he said. “I think American got that one wrong.”

ALSO
• See Erika Ray's blog

It's down to the final two singers on American Idol, but only one can win. Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis will battle it out on May 22, but are they the contestants who deserve to be in the finale? Would you rather have seen another contestant in their place? We want to hear from you. Send your comments to eray@theblade.com
Make sure to include your full name, daytime phone number, and city where you live.
Contestant we want to hang out with: Chris Sligh. During his first audition, the hilarious contestant told judges that he was striving “to make David Hasselhoff cry,” which is a reference to the tears the celebrity shed when Taylor Hicks won season No. 5. And who could forget Sligh’s attempt at “bringing chubby back?” Best fan club nickname: The Blaker Girls (and guys) cheering for “Shake n’ Blake” Lewis.