my thoughts on the finalists so far...

Phil - never really liked him much...he had sub-par preformances all the way up to the country week and he really did quite well, but one good night amongst several really uncomfortable ones just won't cut it for me. i also think he looks kinda weird. so he'll get cut in the nest few weeks, maybe tonight on the charity night or next week.

Lakisha - I think she has had very good performances all along, but has never really outshone anyone yet. in comparison to Melinda and Jordin, she always takes a bit of a back seat. she is an average "above-average" soul/gospel singer and she can't translate into pop that well, which makes her common and dull comparably to others on the show, on this season and all the previous seasons. people are getting bored with her i think. but she has a future in the recording industry if she wants one.

Chris - he hasn't always had the best performances, but he always shows feeling and energy that others don't have. it doesn't hurt that he is a young good looking cute guy with sparkly eyes. he needs some disciplined vocal lessons and he could really shine more vocally. but he is more of an overall entertainer and i think he can do well outside of american idol. he won't make the top 2, but he has a career ahead of him for sure.

Blake - he is like Chris in that his performances aren't always the best vocally, but he has more of a darker, mysterious, edge to him. he also can perform well overall. he will have a career outside of idol. he could get into the top 2 depending on the votes from girls that like his prep-punk style, he is damned cute too, and that helps alot. he and chris are vying for the same spot, so one of them is getting in the top 3 and one isn't.

Jordin - the youngest of the bunch, she can really sing. she is not a technically perfect singer, but she shows more heartfelt emotion than anyone else. she can sing upbeat pop songs better than almost any of the other contestants, as well as slower songs. she is pretty but not some kind of super model like the former idols, Antonella and Haley. she also can sing better and with vocal coaching and breathing excersizes, she can be the idol we all want her to be. she is the most natural. she is definitely in the running for the top 2 spots.

Melinda - the most professional and techincally accurate singer in the competition. however, she appears a bit older than she should, and sings more like an older adult, so that might hurt her with the votes since more younger people are voting than adults, and younger people will tend to want to vote for Jordin by a small margin. She definitely deserves a sopt in the top 2, but it could be that she will be the upset this season and get voted out at third place, leaving Blake and Jordin in the top 2 spots. Regardless what happens to her on the show, she has a long and successful career ahead of her, although it may not be one in pop, more likely she will get typecast to do gospel, soul, and broadway. she is the most polished.

I personally hope Jordin wins it. She has the total package, youth, looks, and a great, great voice, not to mention she will get better than she is now and has not fully bloomed yet. She can sing almost anything convincingly. I want her to win. I also hope that Blake can pull it out ahead of Melinda to get into the top 3, although the chances are 50/50 depending on the voting public, and I would not be upset at all if Melinda is in the Top 2, she would certainly deserve it. Chris can get voted off in two weeks and come work with me in my studio. LOL smile

Jeff Cameron - Studio 310