‘American Idol’: Why Chikezie went home
Chikezie Eze performs after being eliminated Wednesday night from American Idol Season 7.
It’s a case of too little, too late. There’s no way Chikezie Eze was going to last much longer on American Idol. He just didn’t have the following. Or anything that was really interesting enough to set him apart from the pack.
From early on, Chikezie battled to even make it into the Top 24. I was surprised he made it to the Top 12. He just didn’t have a breakout performance. Ever.
Recently, though, the singer did start showing the hidden talent that obviously got him this far. A couple of weeks ago, he mixed things up with a performance of She’s A Woman. And he put a little bluegrass spin on it. It was, without a doubt, his best showing all season long. The last couple of weeks were not as painful as the earlier weeks, but it really was too late. Someone had to go, and it made sense it would be him.
Contestants like Ramiele Malubay and Kristy Lee Cook escaped the bottom three because they have something about them — call it the “it” factor if you must — that makes them really stand out in the minds of Idol voters. So, when they don’t have a strong week, America feels for them and dials in to save them for just one more week. Chikezie didn’t have that going in his favor, which is why his run ended this week.
Chikezie will be known as the contestant with the toughest name to say (at least for Simon) in the history of the show. Other than that, his success may fade at the end of this summer’s American Idols Live tour. Then, again, he may surprise us all …
American Idol, Chikezie Eze, Kristy Lee Cook, Ramiele Malubay
March 27th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
i can not belive that he got eliminated last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O.M.G
March 27th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
You stated: “Contestants like Ramiele Malubay and Kristy Lee Cook escaped the bottom three because they have something about them — call it the “it” factor if you must — that makes them really stand out in the minds of Idol voters.”
I can’t speak for Kristy, but as for Ramiele, I believe it’s not so much the “it” factor as it is her nationality that created her staying power.
I have a daughter-in-law to be that is from the Philippines. Every week here and her HUGE family faithfully call in 3 or 4 votes each (which I’m sure a majority of all that are in the States do).
She is their American Idol Ambassador so to speak. Geesh, their lives revolve around singing (good or bad) and it seems everyone of them owns a Karaoke machine.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Re: Chickezie and the rest:
I find it difficult to continue watching AI - All I hear is shouting - no melody - nothing resembling MUSIC - Whenever someone gives something remotely musical they’re referred to as “old-fashioned” - If they sound like Whitney Houston or Barbara Streisand, they’re “old-fashioned” - What’s going on - IS IT JUST ME?
March 27th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
SIMON: Are you listening? Ypu’re the one who uses the term “old-fashioned” whenever someone sounds anywhere nearly human - or musical. You’re playing THE GAME. Let’s face it - You’re involved with EL DIVO - They look human - very cleancut - sound human. Are they old-fashoned? No. How can you sit there with these fans of the shouting matches - referring to who else but Paula and Randy - who again are so pro Yelling and
Shouting - Get back to being the Simon of the first or second AI - C’mon, Simon - quit the act and be who we know you are; a man of good taste. EL DIVO - remember?
March 27th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I agree with Mindy - What happened to music? Are you listening, Simon? You’re a man of good taste (EL DIVO) - could we hear someone who sounds like WHITNEY HOUSTON and not accuse her of being “old-fashioned”? You use that term constantly in such cases and we know you’re playing THE GAME. C’mon be the Simon of AI first and second season. Stop playing these games.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
There are so many things about AI that I believe would improve it but I would start with finding judges that worked well together but didn’t necessarily agree. At the very least, please, please get rid of that incoherrent, babbling idiot, Paula Abdul. I actually want to turn the show off just because I can’t stand to listen to her stammer, seaching for a word to describe the performance or contestant’s inability to reach the right texture, or how they connected, or whatever other dimwitted comments the dolt can manage to spit out! It’s agonizing every time she opens her mouth. Then, get rid of all the nonsense stuff and just let these people sing. You could do 3 idols a season, if you would just move the program along. There are plenty of commericals, so cut all the gooey stuff and get to the core of why people want to watch and help pick an American Idol!
March 28th, 2008 at 12:55 am
#6 - I agree wholeheartedly with the analysis of Paula Abdul - She is a dimwitted twit - However because I’m so turned off by the calibre of the socalled “musical” talent, and of course I use the term “musical” loosely - whenever I do turn in to AI I’m more amused than irritated by her stammering snd stuttering to find certain words - Let’s face it, she’s been there six years. We all know what she is and so do those in charge . I think she’s kept strictly for laughs and one has to let it go at that. Again, the more important issue is
the noise that passes as music. Simon knows what I’m saying.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Yo Chickezie,don’t take it too hard u wuz doin just fine until the bottom 3!!!In my opinion,you should have been the first one on that sofa!!!!!GO CHICKEZIE!!
March 29th, 2008 at 8:42 am
I cant believe Chikezie got kicked off before Cristy or Ramiele. Oh my god. The girls this year suck. Kristy can not freakin sing. and I completely agree with Gary about how the only reason Ramiele has stayed on so long is because she’s filipino. SHE SUCKS. Actually all the girls suck. Carly is alright, but the rest of them are awful. And that australian guy is pretty bad. WHY ARE THEY STILL HERE!?
We all know its going to come down between the two Davids in the end any way…