At one time, I thought Karen Rodriguez is the dark horse on this season. I think on the female contestants of the group, she is so capable of beating Pia Toscano. But that changes when Pia soared so high on her past two performances. Nevertheless, I think Karen left too soon.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, divas don’t always fare well on Idol. From Jennifer Hudson to Melinda Doolittle to Katharine McPhee, all came close to the crown, but just could not clinch it. Jordin Sparks, however, did, and curiously, Karen Rodriguez actually reminded me of the Season 6 winner a bit — both have that sweet everybody’s-pal disposition and each can certainly handle her ballads. But where Jordin Sparks shined was in the up-tempo numbers – Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker,” No Doubt’s “Hey Baby,” Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money” — and we never got to see that side of Karen.
In fact, the closest the Idol audience came to appreciating Karen’s pop flare was in the borderline horrid group number, a mash-up of Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild” and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” If this is the Glee-ification of Idol, then “Umbrella”/“Singing in the Rain” it was not. But I have to say, the one voice that did stand out, namely because it sounded so close to Gaga’s, was Karen’s. Perhaps had she forgone the Taylor Dayne one-hit wonder and opted for, say, Madonna’s 1989 smash “Express Yourself” (heh), we’d be seeing her again next week. Then again, pitted against Pia, Karen probably wouldn’t have lasted long anyhow, but she might have made the touring Top 10.
As things turned out, her last performance had one too many pitchy notes for this judging panel, but in speaking to reporters the morning after her 12th place elimination, Karen took comfort in having the support of Jennifer Lopez, whom she considers an inspiration. “[Jennifer] was rooting for me,” said Karen. “If it would have been all on her, I know she would have saved me. She told me.”
What other parting words advice did the judges offer? “Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson both gave me hugs and kisses and said, ‘You’re amazing. You’re going to go so far. This is only the beginning,’ ” she recounted. “And that just made me choke up. It was so many emotions, but it was all for good.”
So who will be next on American Idol?
Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.
Comments