REALITY BYTES

Last night, American Idol went live with the first round of contestants. When the smoke clears and votes are in for everyone, only 12 competitors will be standing for this season’s marathon run to find the American Idol for this year. I am sure that many of last night’s viewers, did not expect Tatiana Del Toro to make it through her number without a lot of added drama. Did anyone really even expect Tatiana to sing as well as she did?

Last night’s American Idol was two hours of Idol contestants, singing songs they chose to kick off their careers with. Randy, Kara, Paula; and especially Simon, were not impressed by several of the performances. Simon Cowell was his usual out-spoken self, crucifying more than a few of the singers. Simon actually told a couple of contestants, they blew their chances to move forward.

As American Idol has moved forward, the judges are now critiquing on a total package the contestant brings to the table; more than ever before. Personality, vocals, finding their personal  niche and attractiveness. Unfortunately, vocals might actually be a secondary consideration to become top contenders for American Idol.

The truth is: America will vote for those that they decide to root for. Audience appeal is not based on the American Idol contestant can actually sing the best. This is not a singing competition.

The Idol judge’s main gripe last night, was over the contestants song choices. I would have to agree. It was very uncomfortable watching a few of the performances, when clearly they were trying to make it through songs that hurt them.

Watching Casey Carlson perform a “Police” classic had me yelling at my TV, “Wrong, wrong, wrong! No, don’t go there!” Very painful to watch someone committing American Idol suicide on a live broadcast.

If the producers of American Idol really want to give any direction to help contestants, it is to hire better advisors in song selections for these competitors.

Last night’s song choices for several of these hopefuls, took them out of the game.

There were a few good standouts. Alexis Grace and Danny Gokey managed to impress all four judges with their performances. Yet, it was Tatiana Del Toro that probably surprised all four judges the most; even though they didn’t applaud her.

I yelled for my wife to get in and watch one of these Idol contestants butcher a song and argue with Simon, as Tatiana came out on the Idol stage. I was so wrong! Tatiana Del Toro took on “Saving All My Love For You”, a Whitney Houston classic and really did quite well. In fact, Tatiana floored me with her vocals and control. Very professional. The judges were almost speechless, because they did not expect this good of a performance from her either. Who would have thought?

Tatiana has a history with being a real drama queen and breaking down in tears at the slightest emotion. The judges do have their issues with this diva, yet she did make it through the American Idol tryouts; only by a nose.

After Tatiana’s performance, she did get a standing ovation from the audience, yet not from the panel. Randy, Kara and Paula stumbled around for the right words to say about her. Randy was rather dumb struck and surprised that Tatiana had it in her. In the end, they did not know where Tatiana was trying to find her niche to sell herself.

Simon Cowell, cool as a cucumber, called her a drama queen. Then Simon said, he did not know what to think. “This makes me nervous.”

If I had to make a prediction, Tatiana Del Toro will get enough votes from America to keep her in American Idol. Last night, she proved she has the pipes. She is already a real character. She may not end up going the distance, but America is not ready to see her leave American Idol this soon, either. Will Tatiana Del Toro have enough time to find herself and her audience?

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