Citation :This Week in American Idol History: The Dreaded Round of Four
by Donna Reynolds -- 05/07/2007
We’ve finally arrived at the top four. In previous years, this round has seen some truly shocking results, including last year’s elimination, which may be the most shocking in the history of the show. But another precedent is being set by top four cast-offs and what they have in common may surprise you. Read on for all the details.
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Historically, the top four round has been the one that has produced the most real shockers! Looking back, what’s interesting is this phenomenon has occurred every other year. This is an “off” year, but that doesn’t mean anyone is safe. As history has taught us, the worst thing Idol fans can do at this point in the game is to become complacent.
Here’s a look back at previous seasons’ rounds of four and those shockers we won’t soon forget!
Season Five: Last season’s top four traveled to Graceland, where they met Pricilla and Lisa Marie Presley, toured the grounds of Elvis’ home, and worked with record producer Tommy Mottola. Taylor sang “Jailhouse Rock,” starting out in the audience and pulling out all the stops. Simon hated it. Chris’ “Suspicious Minds” was hot and Simon called Elliott’s “If I Can Dream” the best of the night. But Katharine stumbled, dropping a lyric on her medley of “Hound Dog” / “All Shook Up,” which Simon called “manic and desperate.”
For his second performance, Taylor chose “In the Ghetto.” He really felt the lyrics and his vocals were right on point. Chris’ “A Little Less Conversation” was not as well-received as his first performance, but Elliott’s “Trouble” really hit the mark. Katharine ended the night with “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” Simon felt this was not a good night for Katharine and that she chose the wrong songs.
Going into the eliminations, it seemed the race was down to Taylor and Chris, and either Katharine or Elliott would be going home. That night, the top four did a medley of Elvis songs, and then Taylor was asked by Rebecca Romijn to do an encore of “Jailhouse Rock.”
After Taylor finished his exuberant performance, Ryan had him step to stage right and called the other three out to join him. He directed Elliott to stand next to Taylor, and Chris and Katharine to stand on his left. One group was the top two and the other the bottom. After the break, Ryan paced back and forth, and finally told Taylor and Elliott they were safe. Simon was stunned.
Then, in what may be the most shocking Idol moment ever, Ryan said to Chris, “A lot of people predicted that you would be the next American Idol,” and then abruptly told him he was going home. I was recapping the show that night, and had to stop typing and cover my mouth with my hand as I watched Chris’ reaction.
Chris was visibly shocked, Paula covered her face with her hands, and Simon was furious. Chris watched his farewell video without showing a bit of emotion, and then sang out with “Suspicious Minds.” It was a truly stunning moment.
Fast forward to 2007. Idol 6 bootees listen to Chris’ single “Home” as they view their farewell video. Chris is touring the country promoting his double-platinum debut CD, Daughtry, which, in its 23rd week, is still in the top ten of the Billboard 200. His single from the album, “It’s Not Over,” has also been solid in the charts, peaking at #4 on the Hot 100. “Home” is moving up the charts and another single from the album, “What I Want,” debuted last week on the Rock chart. All this in less than a year since his elimination.
Chris Daughtry may not have won American Idol 5, but he already ranks as the highest selling non-winner/runner-up in the history of the show. He is expected to finish off this amazing year with a performance of “Home” on May 22 as part of the top two performance show.
Season Four: The fourth season’s top four sang one country song and one from Motown legends Gamble and Huff. Carrie broke out on “Sin Wagon,” but Bo’s "It’s a Great Day to Be Alive" was somewhat lackluster. This was the night that Vonzell fell apart after singing "How Do I Live Without You?" In the end, it was Anthony who won the first round with his tender rendition of “I’m Already There.”
For her second song, Vonzell did much better with “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” and Carrie and Anthony both sang “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.” Interestingly, Anthony’s version was much better received by the judges than Carrie’s. But it was Bo who handily won this round with his amazing performance of “For Love of Money.”
The next night, after a particularly bizarre group rendition of “Islands in the Stream,” Anthony and Vonzell were the bottom two, and ultimately, Anthony Fedorov was sent packing. Carrie was nearly hysterical watching his farewell performance, and some were beginning to think that just maybe, Bo could possibly win this thing!
It took Anthony a while to get his career off the ground, but this month, he finally hit his stride, landing the role of Matt in the off-Broadway revival of The Fantasticks. He’s set to appear in this role until the end of July. Previously, Anthony did his time on the talk show circuit, and last year, was featured on Celebrity Fear Factor with Carmen Rasmusen. He has also been on the TV Guide Channel’s Idol Tonight and MTV’s Little Talent Show – Triple Threat.
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In September 2006, Anthony’s brother Denis passed away after a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer. Anthony has since become the 2007 Official Spokesperson for the Sarcoma Foundation and will perform at the SFA’s Annual Gala to be held May 21 at New York’s Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Season Three: For the first and only time in the series’ history, the final four was all-female. Jasmine, Diana, LaToya, and Fantasia had beaten out the men, and went head to head in a Disco Night sing-off, which featured guest judge Donna Summer. Fantasia blew everyone away with “Knock on Wood,” and Diana came out strong with “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough).” After a rather weak outing on “Everlasting Love,” Jasmine tackled “It’s Raining Men” and lost. She dissolved in tears as the judges gently ripped her to shreds.
LaToya was amazing with her rendition of "Don't Leave Me This Way." She should have been a lock for the top three, but as it turned out, her song was prophetic, and she "left us that way" on results night. Oh yeah, people were shocked, but the way this season was going, no one was particularly surprised. With LaToya’s elimination, the competition lost its edge, and Fantasia was clearly on her way to the title.
After Idol, LaToya signed with Peak Records, but it took nearly a year for her first CD, Love and Life, to be released. Her single, “Appreciate,” which was released in July 2005, did respectably, but the album was not well-promoted and sales were disappointing. She was featured in the touring company of Issues: We all Have ‘Em and appeared with Kimberley Locke, Justin Guarini, and Anwar Robinson in the All-American All-Star Bash.
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