Comparing present with the past
There’s a lot of anticipation — at least for me — to see what the 172 contestants who got golden tickets will bring to the Hollywood rounds starting next week. I guess I’m looking for someone who stands out. It’s time to start picking a favorite.
There have been several standouts throughout the audition rounds, but the “Rest of the Best” episode just reminded me how much I want to compare anyone who’s good to someone who came before them on the show. It’s hard not to see the gray-haired guy as Taylor Hicks. Or the ditzy blonde as Kellie Pickler.
Lakisha Jones. Could this 26-year-old be the Mandisa of the year?
One of the best singers from tonight was Lakisha Jones, a 26-year-old who performed “Think” by Aretha Franklin. “You’re an old-fashion belter,” Simon told her. I agree. I love that kind of talent. Of course, I can’t stop thinking about how much she reminds me of Mandisa.
Ebony Jointer could be the next Nadia Turner. Or not.
Then there’s another golden ticket-winner, Ebony Jointer. Based on her incredible rendition of “I Believe in You and Me” by Whitney Houston. Of course, before she even started singing, I was thinking about how she easily could be molded into the next Nadia Turner.
Maybe it’s the fact five seasons of the show give us a lot of options for comparisons. Or maybe it’s the fact music lends itself to comparison. Think about how Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera — two totally different talents — have spent their entire careers being compared. It’s just how it works, especially since they both got their first major break on the Mickey Mouse Club.
And it’s not just Lakisha Jones and Ebony Jointer, either. I’ve made plenty of comparisons this year about how Season 6 contestants have reminded me of past finalists.
Coming later, I’ll let you in on my favorites thus far. Of course, it really is too early to determine who even stands a chance. Honestly, did you even remember Kelly Clarkson’s audition before they replayed it? Me neither. And that’s the magic of this show — you just never know.
February 7th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
No, I did not remember Kelly’s audition either. In fact I remember very few of the initial audtions put out by the winners.