'Idol' Insider: What Is The Deal?
Perhaps Judge Randy Jackson said it best: "I
don't know, America. What is the deal?" It was the
question millions of fans and all three judges asked themselves
as Ryan Seacrest announced that America had voted off front-runner
La Toya London.
London was continuously recognized by each
judge as the most talented contestant in the competition, and
the audience erupted in boos when the announcement was made.
Judge Paula Abdul cried throughout La Toya's final song.
The shocking vote left Jasmine Trias in the running to be the
next "Idol" and at least one judge scratching his head. "Can
they not hear that she's good? Do they not like the fact that
she's good?" Jackson wondered. "This show is about
singing isn't it?" "The American public gets to vote. I just
think they completely got it wrong, and I think everyone was
asleep. I don't know what they were thinking."
"Extra" was with La Toya and her family minutes after the announcement,
where La Toya's husband told us, "This is only the beginning.
'American Idol' is not the end for La Toya. She's on her way."
Thursday morning, La Toya told us just what went through her
mind when Seacrest read her name. "'Well, this is it' -- that's
what went through my mind, like 'okay, it's my name,'" London
told us. "Honestly, I told Jasmine earlier, because she thought
it was going to be her, that this show is so unpredictable,
I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't me tonight."
And today Simon came to "Extra" to tell us he wasn't surprised
either: "At the end of the day it is about talent and I think
in the end, the winner will be the right choice."
Ironically, Simon may have played a large role in La Toya's
leaving, when his remarks caused Jasmine to cry after her performance.
"When Jasmine cried, that was worth a million votes," Cowell
insisted. "That is why I've always had a problem about putting
these very, very young contestants in the competition because
people vote because they feel sorry for them."
But nobody is crying today, not even La Toya. She said she won't
let one vote get her down: "I'm positive, and I don't see it
stopping here, so I'm excited." |
