Reality Show Updates
Reality Show Updates March, 2005
By RealityStars
Mar 17, 2005, 06:50

 Fantasia Barrino is the 2004 American Idol - It was a star-studded gala for the finale of American Idol 3.  From the finalists performing on an outdoor stage with host Jennifer Love Hewitt to Christina Christian interviewing the likes of Ray Romano on the red carpet, Fox put on an extravaganza only rivalled by the Oscars.  It was down to two, North Carolina's Fantasia Barrino and Georgia's Diana DeGarmo.  Also on the two-hour card was Clay Aiken in North Carolina and Kim Caldwell at the Georgia Dome where thousands of fans gathered to hear the results.

Previous winners Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard, plus the other finalists from this season, performed to raise the frenzy one more notch.  There is no doubt it was a class act production and the staff at Fox should be proud.  The only glitch might have been the piece of ticker tape stuck to Ryan's forehead as the show wrapped up.  Of course the three judges pointing it out didn't help.  In the end, after 70,000 submissions and 65 million votes for the final competition, the viewers voted Fantasia Barrino the 2004 American Idol.

The one factor that ruled the success of the show was the geniune friendship and maturity of the two teenage finalists.  It left all the questionable votes and controversy behind and focused on the celebration as a new star was born. Throughout the presentation a cloud hovered over Diana DeGarmo and her chances of winning but it didn't phase her one bit and she performed and acted like a professional despite her young years of 16.  And Fantasia hugged and supported her competitor despite the fierce competition.  You can say these two girls are true role models.  Not to take anything away from them but the other finalists were just as professional despite their desire to be the last one standing.

You had to laugh as Ryan asked Simon if the evening was about him or the two girls.  He conceded it was aboutt them. Then Ryan gave away Simon's trademark black T-shirts, numbering in the dozens, to the production crew.  It was all light-hearted and made the months of hard work in putting the show together a reason to feel good about the results.  Once again our congratulations to the Idol production staff, their creativity and ability to dream of the perfect finale.  Congratulations to Fantasia on winning the competition, and Diana on her well earned placement as runner-up.  Watch for the release today of Fantasia's first single "I Believe." 

Fantasia and Diana Face The Reality of Winning and Losing - On Tuesday night Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo changed venues to put in their final performances on American Idol 3.  Wearing a Wayne Newton White Knight outfit Ryan Seacrest welcomed the finalists to the Kodak Theater and 3,000 screaming fans.  The two girls performed three songs each, two of their choice and a song written by American Idol 1 finalist Tamyra Gray.

Diana opened up with the "I Believe" Gray song backed by a full choir and live orchestra.  Despite her power and range she seemed to be trying to rise above all the other noise to be heard.  Her second song was No More Tears and it looked like she was going to launch a coup and defeat the judges who seemed ready to crown Fantasia even before she performed.  Diana's final song had some serious slips as she fell out of tune part way through the performance rattled by the judges desire to discard her as not fit to wear the crown.

Fantasia started off with a song that embodied her old style, a little bit of gospel for an audience looking for pop tunes.  Her second song "Summertime" was a repeat of an earlier performance of a movie tune which displayed her ability to do a broadway musical with all the drama nornally reserved for "Roots."  Her final song was the Gray tune and it seems to lack the power to match the force of the choir behind her.  Still it was well done and demonstrated her ability to wow the crowd.  The tears from the audience applause and the judges heaping praise on her was touching.

Now for the judges who didn't seem prepared to give Diana a fair assessment, as they drooled over being on side with a winner, Fantasia.  You had to feel sorry for Diana because the judges seemed to close their minds to her becoming the American Idol.  She could have performed flawlessly and it wouldn't have made any difference.  This time the judges comments were over the top.  Simon, who earlier said Fantasia's first performance was a mess, couldn't stop kissing her butt in the final performances and took some joy in degrading Diana. 

Diana is only 16 years old and stood quietly against the criticism from all three judges.  The judges seemed like they were judging the Olympics rather than a talent contest.  Cameo interviews with the judges shot before the show clearly indicated their choice was Fantasia.  So how can they sit and judge when their minds are made up.  With four hours to vote the viewers may just surprise them all and give the nod to Diana, more out of sympathy for the treatment she received from the judges than her performances.

It's unfortunate the judges weren't there to just judge but instead try and influence the voting viewers.  There is no doubt Fantasia has been not only consistent but very polished in her performances.  But her song choices were not universal and Diana put out what she thought the viewers wanted to hear.  In the end they both did extremely well and deserve the praise of the audience.  We may have to bring Jasmine back to flip a coin to see who wins.