TV Series Lounge

After the double elimination ousting Thia Megia and Naima Adedapo, one thing is sure, the female finalists are definitely in danger. Why? Because of the so-called “teenybopper” votes.

TV Squad: And though the girls were incredibly gracious about their eliminations, noting the top-notch competition they faced from their season 10 peers, Naima and Thia both acknowledged the power of the “teenybopper” vote, in deciding their fates.

“We sort of figured that since there are more females watching the show, the votes would be more for the guys,” said Thia. “It’s not only that, because the guys are also incredible, but we were a bit worried about that. We were a bit intimidated by all the girls watching the show and just knowing that their votes would be going to the guys.” Thia, by the way, happens to be a 16-year-old, herself.Asked about her appeal to ‘Idol’s’ power voters, Naima echoed Thia, to some extent.

“More than 50 percent of the audience is little teenage girls, and once they get a crush, we’re done! They dominate and that’s all right,” said the young Milwaukee mother.

Naima also remarked on her appeal to an older crowd, who might not have been as technologically hip to ‘Idol’s’ text/Facebook voting options. That, coupled with Naima’s left-of-center approach to her performances, may have hindered her ‘Idol’ run.

“I think sometimes people didn’t know where to place me or I felt like maybe they didn’t understand me sometimes. But honestly, the reactions I got from people have still been positive. They were like ‘Hmm, I don’t know about you but I kinda like you.’ I definitely struck people in a different kind of way and I think that because it was kind of hard to place me in a certain category, that did have an effect on how people voted and how they perceived me.”

As for Thia, the cry for less ballads and more upbeat songs did not go unheard by the young yet very experienced performer.

“I do regret not choosing more upbeat songs but the last performance that I did (Elton John’s “Daniel”), I don’t regret at all because I dedicated that song to my brother and I poured all the emotion that I had inside of me into that song and I don’t regret a bit of it. But for the previous weeks, I would have chosen more upbeat songs,” said Thia.

Naima also stood firm on her choice to go with reggae-infused performances. “I just wanted to really show every piece of me. That’s what I’ve been trying to do. I’ve been trying to take opportunities every time to show a new thing, show something different about me and I hadn’t really gone roots reggae (before “Elton John night”) and that’s a big part of me. I love and connect to it,” said Naima.

Both also touched on their respective relationships with Lauren Alaina, who was visibly shaken by the departure of the two, last night. While Thia bonded with Lauren during their four-hour school sessions, Naima took more of a maternal role with the young Georgian.

Said Naima, “I think it was very hard for her (Lauren) because not only was it me, going – I’ve been a mother figure a little bit, I’ve told her to have confidence and believe in herself and that she’s beautiful – but I think even more so it was Thia, that was her ace.”

The next week’s theme is Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Night. Lets see how will Pia, Lauren and Haley handle such. Can we finally expect an Elvis performance from Scotty? How about Jacob, will he cry while singing a rock n’ roll song? I am also excited to see Casey’s sexy beast performance!

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

James Durbin is now involved in a controversy concerning his Pepsi joke after his Elton John performance. So what happened?

During his performance, Durbin had set a piano on fire while he rocked to his rendition of Elton John’s “Saturday Night Is Alright for Fighting.” After his performance, Ryan Seacrest, the well-known host of the show, asked him about the potential dangers behind the pyrotechnics. He then responded, “I have a lot of hairspray in my hair to keep it from jumping around so much–so the one thing I was worried about was having a ‘Pepsi moment’!”

The so-called “Pepsi moment” was an event that happened nearly 25 years ago when Michael Jackson’s hair and scalp caught on fire while filming a Pepsi commercial. This adversely affected his life as it triggered his drug addiction to prescription medications.

He said this in a joking manner, thinking that the worst that would happen is a drink (as American Idol is sponsored by Coca Cola) feud; however, this little joke may have cost him his good favor with the music industry. After having heard the comment, Michael Jackson’s family was insulted by this, stating that the injuries that MJ sustained were enough to fuel his years of drug abuse.

So do you think Jackson family overreacted on this one? Or they have the right to be offended?

James Durbin fans, what can you say?

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

Naima Adedapo was eliminated last Thursday on American Idol maybe because she was just too wacky for a teenage-rich American idol voters. But indeed, she will not be forgotten as her story is so inspirational and her talent is simply exceptional.

Below is the exit interview of Naima with Zap2It.

About the female contestants having a harder time:

“When it comes down to it, the reality is that more than 50% of the audience is teenage girls and once they get a crush, we’re done. They dominate and that’s alright, ya know? I feel like the girls didn’t really have too many conversations about it because we were all pretty confident in our work. It is the reality of the situation and the teenyboppers, once they fall in love … my audience is the older crowd, not necessarily as technology-savvy sometimes. I would get people saying, ‘Yeah, I voted for you three times!’ and it’s like well, you could vote 500 [laughs] … that’s just the reality of the situation.”

On Lauren Alaina taking it hard when Naima and Thia were eliminated:

“She cried a little bit, but that’s a natural thing. It’s alright to do that. I think it was very hard for her because not only was it like me kind been a mother figure a bit, telling her to have confidence in herself and telling her she’s beautiful, but I think even more so it was Thia. That was like her age, they were in school together all the time. They were really close and really tight. It really is like losing a best friend. I had my moment saying see you later to Jacob, that’s been my ace, so you get emotionally attached to these people, you start to learn their stories, you start to learn their personalities, and it hurts to see people go.”

What was her favorite part of the experience:

“Shopping! [laughs] I think that was like one of the biggest, best parts for me. Performing is everything, but when you get to shop and you get to do the accessories and the shoes, oh my god, I get such a kick out of that … That was my release time. It was great to kind of co-create things with [Soyon An, the ‘Idol’ stylist]. She knew my style. She would have stuff hanging on the rack before we even went shopping. That was one of the best parts for me.”

On her dancing background:

“I have been part of many dance troupes actually. I used to do hip-hop, but for most of my life it’s been African dance. Any African dance company that you name in Milwaukee, I’ve been a part of. Dancing has always been a part of my life, since I was young, just playing around on the streets in Chicago. I did go to college and study dance, I got a BFA in dance, so I know all different forms of dance. I could’ve tapped on some ballet if I wanted to, but it’s not necessarily my realm [laughs] would’ve looked a little weird doing pirouettes in a reggae song, but dance is something I’m really connected to. I’ve always incorporated dance into my performances. I had a reggae band back home with my husband and we always move on stage, it’s a natural for us. You have to dance, you have to move, you have to physically be engaged in order to fully connect with the audience.”

On the unique style she brought to “American Idol”:

“For me, I’m really about staying true to myself. Once I have my mind set on something, I just kind of go out there and do it. I did what I did and I have no regrets about anything I’ve done on the show and I’m happy to have shown that side of me. I think sometimes people just didn’t know where to place me. I felt like maybe they didn’t understand me sometimes, but honestly, the reactions that I’ve gotten from people have still been positive. It’s like, ‘I don’t know about you but I still kinda like you.’ I definitely struck people in a different kind of way. I think ’cause it was hard to place me in a certain category, that did have an effect on how people voted or how they perceived me.”

What can you say about Naima after her exit?

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

Last week, Casey Abrams was saved by the judges thus resulting to a double elimination night this week.

In my opinion this week’s elimination night did not result in the same kind of surprise we experienced seven nights ago. Instead, we really saw this one coming.

Thia Megia and Naima Adedapo, a pair of contestants that never fully clicked with fans, were sent home. The former couldn’t separate herself from the pack at any point, while the latter may have tried too hard to do so, alienating viewers who weren’t prepared for reggae versions of classic singles.

Last thought, if Haley will pull out another fantastic performance next week, the next elimination night will surely be a shocker.

What do you think?

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

This week’s American Idol is Elton John performances night.

One observation on last night’s episode is that our friend “pitchy” was all over the place again. So who’s the best last night?

First, Haley Reinhart surprised us by closing the show, an honor typically given to a contestant that has generated more buzz than the young woman many believed would be eliminated last week.

But Haley proved worthy of the concluding spot, bringing the sexy with a cover of “Bennie and the Jets” that started with her lounging on a piano. Randy called it the best of the night.

Lauren Alaina, meanwhile, was up to the challenge of John’s classic Lady Diana ballad, “Candle in the Wind.” She made the single her own by infusing it with some country twang.

James Durbin brought the heat to his cover of “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.” Literally! He jumped off the piano and rocked out on stage just as the instrument caught fire.

Pia Toscano didn’t leave her comfort zone with “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” but would you if you could belt out a ballad in such an impressive manner?

Casey Abrams justified his save last night with a toned down, tender version of “Your Song.” Casey didn’t shout that much in his performance but he still made the song so-Casey.

Finally, I don’t like how the judges treat Thia. I mean they are always saying that the Fil-Am singer  is playing safe as she always sing ballad. But what about Pia’s almost-all-ballad performances, James’ shouting over-and-over again, and Jacob’s dramatic performances every week. Well, what I’m trying to point out here is that each candidate has their own forte and if you observe Thia’s voice, the same is fit for those ballad that she was singing.

The last time Thia gambled leaving her ballad genre, she ended down on the lowest three.

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

After Casey Abrams was voted out and saved last Thursday on American Idol, reports say that he began hyperventilating and then fell to the floor in the hallway.

TMZ.com: We’re told “A.I.” staffers helped Casey up and put him in a chair so he could calm down.

Ironically, his song choice Thursday was “I Don’t Need No Doctor.”

Our “Idol” spies tell us … Casey felt horrible that the judges used their save for him, saying “I feel really bad that other contestants might have to go home now because they [the judges] used the save on me.”

Casey had a rough day Thursday.  He got a blood transfusion in the morning because of ongoing problems with internal bleeding.

Now, I feel Casey. I’m sure he will return next week with a crazy sexy beast performance!

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

Last night’s American Idol served of a genuine shocker. Why? Read below.

First, Thia Megia and Casey Abrams found themselves in the bottom three along with Stefano Langone. Once Megia was sent back to the safe zone, it came down to the latter wild card entry and the former unique crooner, who has taken more risks than any contestant to date.

But they appeared to fail Casey this week, as Ryan announced he had been voted out.

Hoping to remain alive, Casey brought back his original audition song, “I Don’t Need No Doctor.” But Abrams only made it through a few lines when Randy Jackson stopped him… because the panel voted to save him!

Two finalists will be eliminated next week, as Jennifer Lopez tole the stunned Casey: “We just want you to get back to being the musician that you are. No more antics… You deserve to be here.”

We understand that Casey is not a Motown guy, and we expect that next week he’ll show us more of what he really is. Prepare for more stunning performances next week!

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

The Motown episode last night of American Idol shows us that this season can really be unpredictable. Well, most of the top 11 deserves the title of being the American Idol, now, it’s just a matter of who connects more to the audience.

TV Fanatic: The theme of Motown brought out the best in almost every finalist, as it’s difficult to even determine the top performer of the night.

Was it James Durbin, who danced around on stage to a Stevie Wonder classic and even crooned directly to bassist Bob Babbitt on stage, earning a wild ovation and praise such as “incredible” and “unbelievable” from the judges?

Perhaps it was Jacob Lusk, who told viewers he can only sing songs with “meaning” and proceeded to deliver another soulful rendition, this time of Marvin Gaye’s “You’re All I Need to Get By.”

Other finalists that stood out and will make this one of the most challenging eliminating episodes to date:

• Pia Toscano, criticized a bit for performing another ballad, but certainly not for anything vocal on “All in Love Is Fair.”
• Naima Adedapo, who surrounded herself with horns and background singers, but turned it up and made “Dancing in the Street” into her own.
• Lauren Alaina, who sang right at Randy during “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” earning praise from the judge that she has her “swagger on.”
• The true sign it was an impressive evening all around? Casey Abrams, our favorite up until now, easily put on the worst audition of the night. But no way he goes home… right?

If there is one reason why Karen Rodriguez should be happy despite being eliminated on American Idol, then it would be the surprise of Nick Jonas to her.

Nick Jonas surprised American Idol eliminee Karen Rodriguez during a recent appearance on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show.

The contestant had previously admitted that a major reason she auditioned for the show was because her sister Karol thought she might be able to meet Jonas through the experience.

While detailing her sister’s love for Jonas on KIIS-FM’s On Air With Ryan Seacrest on Monday morning, the singer was stunned to turn around and see the youngest Jonas Brother standing behind her.

Jonas explained that he had been attending SXSW in Texas when he heard what Rodriguez had said about him so decided to get on a plane back to Los Angeles to meet her. Rodriguez then told him that she had wanted to sing ‘Burnin’ Up’ on the show.

“I think this tops my American Idol experience!” she added. “This is all my sister wanted. I’m so glad I can make her dream come true by trying to make mine come true.”

Jonas then called Karen’s sister live on air to serenade her with ‘When I Look You in the Eyes’, before saying she would be a guest at the next Jonas Brothers concert in LA.

Well, at least Karen is happy and I hope she’ll have a very fruitful career. The competition continues on American Idol this Wednesday with their Motown tracks performances.

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.

Talk about getting support from her fellow Cabalen, the Sanggunian of Angeles City has passed a resolution commending the feat of Filipino-American Thia Megia who ended up as one of the finalists in this year’s season of American Idol.

Thia was found to have roots in the city as her mother- Cynthia Lising Megia hails from Barangay Sta. Teresita.

Councilor Edu Pamintuan, who sponsored the resolution, explained that Thia has made the city proud of her achievement in the international competition and she serves as an inspiration to the Angeleños and the Filipinos.

“In the process of exhibiting such exceptional talent, every Filipino, in general, and every Angeleño, in particular, beamed with pride as a Kababayan, and a fellow Angeleño accomplished the feat of putting Angeles City and the Philippines on the entertainment map by besting others who tried, but failed, in making it to the American Idol Finals,” Pamintuan said.

She last visited the country when she was 3 years old and since then she liked to sing, according to her mother’s aunt, who is also Thia’s godmother, Nolanda Marquez.

In one of her interviews, Thia revealed that her favorite Filipino foods are sinigang, adobo and pancit. “There’s more but I just can’t remember their names,” she admitted and then smiled.

She revealed that she could speak a little bit of Tagalog and could understand it. “I am trying to learn more,” she confessed. As for Kapampangan, she said, yes she could understand it.

Her only wish right now is that her Filipino fans will continue to support her. “Filipino pride!” she shouted.

So it is now confirmed that Thia is really a Kapampangan! Nevertheless, she is now representing the entire nation on American Idol Season 10.

Make sure to check the latest American Idol news and join the poll HERE.