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American Idol Will Never Be The Same After Sanjaya |
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Written by Neil Simmons
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Monday, 23 April 2007 |
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This season's American Idol has two distinct eras - the Sanjaya days and the after-Sanjaya days. For the 17-year-old entertainer from Seattle has managed to capture the imagination of youth from all walks of life. Blessed with scanty vocal talent, Sanjaya Malakar made up for the lack of a sweet voice by sporting wacky hairdos that had teenagers swooning on him.
So much so that the American Idol contestant became something of a rage among his Fanjayas. In fact acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell had threatened to abandon Idol, if Sanjaya went all the way. One MySpace.com user identified only as J reportedly went on a hunger strike till Sanjaya was banished from Idol. However poor J was forced to break the fast as the Sanjaya-mania showed no signs of subsiding.
Sanjaya Malakar was also honest. Last week his nervy stance kind of showed he knew his Idol journey was over. When Ryan Seacrest was informing viewers of the record number of votes polled, LaKisha Jones looked heavenward for divine assistance, but Sanjaya had his eyes riveted on Seacrest. Yes, he knew this was it.
"I kinda had a feeling. And then I was kinda in the dumps all day Wednesday…. I kinda knew," he admitted Thursday at the traditional media briefing after the results. However he continued to insist he was in American Idol to win it and not just to make the numbers.
He also dismissed the "support" received from shock jock Howard Stern and votefortheworst.com. "I don't think votefortheworst or Howard Stern had enough people voting for me to make a dent in anything. I think the reason why I'm here is the support of my fans," he said.
Sanjaya's only worthwhile contribution to American Idol, apart from the weird hairstyles, was the well-received "Bésame Mucho" sung on Latin day as J Lo was the guest. Even his most vocal critic, Simon Cowell grudgingly admitted, "Not bad."
But last week he appeared to run out of steam during the country-themed episode. His rendition was bad and his body language nervous.
His journey may be over, but American Idol will never be the same without Sanjaya. Each week, viewers were treated to a fair degree of wackiness and watched in fascination as he made waves. Sanjaya is currently looking to hire a bodyguard…so much has his popularity soared. He will be looking at a career in music as well.
"I feel like I've grown, and I'm more confident because I have this experience. Practice makes perfect, and I'm ready to get out there and sing some more," he said.
Meanwhile votefortheworst.com has chosen a new candidate to offer its support. The (un)lucky person is Phil Stacey, who has flirted with danger on a couple of occasions this season. Good luck Phil!
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