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American Idol's Syesha Mercado: The Next Dreamgirl
Nathan Hale Williams | Posted March 27, 2008 12:13 AM
Wednesday night Syesha Mercado found herself in the bottom three of American Idol for the second time in the first three episodes with the Top 12. I think Simon and America have gotten it wrong again.
Season three of American Idol boasted a triumvirate of belting African American young women - season winner Fantasia Barrino, sultry LaToya London and big voiced Jennifer Hudson. It was during season three that I watched the show for the first time after stumbling upon Fantasia's performances during the "Top 24" round.
Fantasia, LaToya and the belting voice of Jennifer Hudson captivated me. The tones of Jennifer Holliday, the original Effie White, rang in my ears as I listened to Jennifer Hudson. But American Idol's lead critic/judge, Simon Cowell, didn't get it. In fact, Randy Jackson picked Hudson to the top 12 through a wild card selection.
Not only did Simon Cowell not get it, but also barring a couple of undeniable performances, he often berated her and questioned the extent of her talent. Despite repeatedly delivering amazing performances, Hudson found herself at the bottom of the pack twice within the first three shows of the Top 12. She would ultimately be the sixth contestant eliminated from season three.
It is no secret what became of that untalented Jennifer Hudson. Despite her premature exit and Simon's underestimation of her, Hudson went on to win an Oscar, is recording an album with the legendary Clive Davis, and received a public apology from Britain's most critical export, Simon Cowell.
Fast forward to 2008. Syesha Mercado finds herself in a similar predicament as Jennifer Hudson. In my opinion, she continues to deliver stellar performances that Simon and the American public ignore. Wednesday night she found herself in the bottom three for the second time in the first three episodes of the Top 12. On Tuesday, she performed the classic song, "If I Were Your Woman." Correction: she didn't just perform it...sistah girl SANG that song. In my house, she was by far the best performance of the night. Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul agreed with my family. Simon Cowell did not. He said it was good, but wasn't as good as Paula and Randy thought it was, due largely to his dislike of the song.
Which leads me to my bigger point and why I think Simon and America have gotten it wrong again. After two weeks of listening to the contestants perform the Beatles, I was relieved to hear a rousing rendition of Gladys Knight's powerful song. But obviously Simon and the rest of mainstream America are not familiar with this legendary classic. And when the mainstream doesn't know a song from an African-American contestant, they do not vote for them. Not only did Syesha update the song and make it relevant, she colored it with the virtuoso expression that reminded me of my favorite singer, Whitney Houston.
Now, I am not saying Syesha is as skilled as the young Whitney, but she does possess many of the same qualities. Here is my list of the reasons why Syesha is the best this season: (1) she has amazing range; (2) there is a brightness to her voice (some refer to it as the squillo); (3) her belting voice is huge; (4) she is articulate and personable; (5) there is an innate maturity in her presence and singing that separates her from the rest; and, (5) she is drop dead gorgeous. Needless to say, Syehsa is my absolute favorite this season and is also my favorite African-American competitor since Fantasia. I hope she keeps going in the competition, but even if she doesn't I know that Simon will be apologizing to her too one day soon.
Nathan Hale Williams is the Arts & Entertainment Editor of The Daily Voice.
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Elaine commented on American Idol's Syesha Mercado: The Next Dreamgirl:
The Americans must all be deaf. Voting off, my favourite, Michael Johns(what a beaut and what a beau... -
Brenda Lewis commented on American Idol's Syesha Mercado: The Next Dreamgirl:
David Cook is on his place, can sing and chance song, he must be the winner.... -
sam commented on American Idol's Syesha Mercado: The Next Dreamgirl:
you are the one!... -
hendi commented on American Idol's Syesha Mercado: The Next Dreamgirl:
i really reaaaally loves her when she was sang One rock 'n roll to many, and Thank The Lord For The ... -
hendi commented on American Idol's Syesha Mercado: The Next Dreamgirl:
i really reaaaally loves her when she was sang One rock 'n roll to many, and Thank The Lord For The ...
March 27, 2008 2:51 AM
I agree with you. What is up with the voting system? Sayesha killed it on Tuesday. It made me jump up and down listening to her belt that song out. Not that it matters but I'm a white dude and Sayesha has got it going on bigtime. I can't believe the country chick is still there. That God Bless America was the cheesiest grossest pukefest of a performance. EEWW! Also the tall girl Brooke - she's really sweet and all personality wise, but she just can't sing. I didn't think any of her stuff was good. My top four are Sayesha, Carly, David Archuleta and David Cook.
March 27, 2008 4:57 AM
Syesha is very good. But she is second to small David to me. Small David is a natural singer. I also like the pretty dreadlocks. Though not very talented otherwise. Has that big black dude must go. He embarrasses me and the country girl Carol King or whatever they call her.
Syesha is number 2 this season. She is not more talented than Malinda Do Little. She's much prettier though.
March 28, 2008 8:58 AM
Syesha,
My girl! I had second pick in our office for this years American Idol and I picked you! Come on America vote for this girl! She is beautiful and can sing. America did get it wrong with last weeks voting. She's the real deal, I love her hair and just her natural beauty.
She does need to step it up and go for the gusto, girl! Belt it out Tina Turner style! That's what's missing.
Simon said "you had the whole package" it took to be American Idol. Maybe not his exact words, but he said something like that.
March 28, 2008 9:00 AM
Syesha is an excellant singer/performer, but she is lacking a fan base. She certainly did not belong in the bottom three, but Rami did.
Rami has a huge fan base in the Philipino community and that is the ONLY reason she is still in.
David A. (the little boy) belongs on the Mickey MoUSA club with the country chick - who sooooooooo needs to go - , but he has a huge fan base with thousands of little girls.
Little girls and Philipinos vote...and they vote often. We need to get behind Syesha and spend our 50 cents to keep her from being in the bottom three. A place she does not belong.
BYW, I am a 52 yr old white woman :-)
March 30, 2008 10:50 AM
Ok this article gets me mad. LITERALLY the ONLY time Simon had something bad to say about Jennifer Hudson was country week. Every other week he thought she was good! I have a transcript of the exact exchanges between him & Jennifer after EACH of her performances. If you want to see it just ask me for it, I'd be glad to send it to you. So no, he did NOT "often" berate her... sheesh!
That being said I too love Syesha; I think that she has a ton of potential. The one thing I think she needs to do is to veer away from Whitney-esque songs and have more FUN with her performances, sort of like how Vonzell Solomon did in Season 4.
April 2, 2008 1:01 AM
Syesha is a good singer, but not a great singer. She is definitely not a belter, which hurts her, and other AA female singers, because that is what people expect from them. When she tried to belt out songs earlier in the round of 24, and sang songs that were not in her range, she sounded horrible. She doesn't have as good a voice as Carly or David A., nor is she as talented a performer as David Cook.
And please don't bring race into this. You have no proof that she was in the bottom three because people didn't know the song. She didn't belong there last week, but everyone winner, except for Taylor Hicks, was in the bottom three at least once during their run on the show.
As Paul said, it is a lie that Simon put down Jennifer or said she didn't have talent. Jennifer was very raw during her time on the show. She often relied on screaming too much, and the resut was that she was often out of tune. Jennifer should be applauded for her success, but we don't need to re-write history, or start yelling racism. It seems to me that if this was the case, Jennifer, Fantasia, Latoya (who didn't recieve votes because she lacked personality, and because she pretty much had an air that she didn't want to be there), and countless other AA performers wouldn't have made it as far as they did.
April 2, 2008 3:07 AM
The article reads like a Keith Boykin lament. I really dont think race has anything to do with Syesha. During the frist ever pop idol in the UK, a brilliant white female singer called ROSIE was booted off because she had a stand-off-ish attitude. People want to see you bleed to vote for you. That's what Fantasia did, she just acted really desparate plus she could shout. So did Jordin, she cried a few times while singing and won.
People want to see your heart, tears and blood to crown you. Same ole same ole.
April 29, 2008 8:35 PM
I agree syesha completely killed it tuesday! great job syesha!
April 29, 2008 8:39 PM
Syesha your my next American idol i love you!
May 1, 2008 3:59 PM
I don't get it. Syesha has what I see as star quality. She is amazing. Her power, tone quality, pitch, control, stage presence, audience rapport, beauty, and sensuality are world class, to say the least. How is it that she resides in the bottom on a regular basis? She is too good for that. Are the fans just assuming that she is safe and not voting, or do they not like her? I don't know, but I'm making sure that I will vote for her heavily.
I see great things in Syesha's future. She has amazing talent. It hurts me to see how everyone seems so indifferent to such an amazing young lady.
May 7, 2008 2:14 AM
i really reaaaally loves her when she was sang One rock 'n roll to many, and Thank The Lord For The Night Time....god! shes takin the lead, i hearded many times on my mp3 player, god i wish she could be the winner on this season at least she could be to the top 2, i has voted her many times LOL :D
May 7, 2008 2:18 AM
i really reaaaally loves her when she was sang One rock 'n roll to many, and Thank The Lord For The Night Time....god! shes takin the lead, i hearded many times on my mp3 player, god i wish she could be the winner on this season at least she could be to the top 2, i has voted her many times LOL :D
May 7, 2008 10:57 AM
you are the one!
May 13, 2008 12:49 PM
David Cook is on his place, can sing and chance song, he must be the winner.
May 14, 2008 2:15 AM
The Americans must all be deaf. Voting off, my favourite, Michael Johns(what a beaut and what a beautiful voice he has), Carly Smithson, Brooke and Christi Lee Cook and leaving Syesha. What is wrong with you people?. Sorry, Syesha, but you can not sing, you scream. Screaming doesn't do it for me. It will be between David Cook and David Archuleta. David Archuleta, you are a star and my bet is on you. Simon Cowell, I love you to bits. You are the best. Straight forward and to the point you do not beat around the bush, and don't apologise for saying sorry.