At this point an argument can be made for any of the Top 3 to win the whole thing. In fact, that's just what we're going to do. Now that we've said goodbye to so many other hopefuls we're down to a Final Three every bit as strong as Season Two's Kimberly Locke, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, though drastically different. All three have proven that they have great voices. All three have proven that they have tremendous fan support. And all three seem to tap into a very different fan-base.But who's the most deserving of the win? David Archuleta has wowed the judges and audience week after week with his polished vocals, but lacks a commanding stage presence. Syesha Mercado has played the role of the underdog throughout this competition, but has been coming on strong these past few weeks with passion and conviction. David Cook quickly emerged as a front-runner with his powerful rock vocals and innovative arrangements, but is he too limited to be the next Idol?
Let's just look at each of them, one at a time.
David Archuleta Should Win Because...
the kid can sing! David is adorably cute and incredibly marketable to the younger demographics, as well as grandmothers who want to pinch his cheeks, or maybe his head off and hang it from their rear-view mirrors (*ahem*Paula). Archie has an amazing voice, and like Jordin last year he's still a young singer trying to really find himself as an artist. The Idol machine can thus take complete and total control over his image and presentation without destroying who he is, because he probably doesn't even know yet.
Sure, David's stage presence is lacking a bit, but he's improving and at only seventeen there's only one way to go. His voice is breathtaking and would come across beautifully in a recording studio. American Idol has expanded to where they're no longer about finding a pop star, per se, so David's crooning style should fit the bill. And besides, we've had pop stars that could croon. The kid is ready made for the Disney Channel, and it wouldn't hurt the faltering behemoth to have a champion that appeals to the youngest demographic, after all today's kids are tomorrow's faithful American Idol viewers.
David Cook Should Win Because...
he's a credible artist in his own right. David knows who he is as a musician and knows how to make that work for him. He's proven capable of finding arrangements, or making his own when needed, to fit any theme they've thrown at him. Of the Final Three, David Cook has consistently shown week in and week out that he is a gifted performer and vocalist. And let's face it, losing Daughtry fourth was a kick in the face for the show. If he could have won and then released an album; let's say Idol has learned their lesson and would have allowed him to do that; it would have been tremendous credibility for the show.
American Idol is about discovering the best undiscovered talent in American right now! David is the only competitor remaining with the polish and finesse to walk onto a stage right now and blow an audience away. He's the complete package in a way that David Archuleta hasn't achieved yet, lacking stage presence and performance, and Syesha has shown inconsistency with.
Syesha Mercado Should Win Because...
she has shown the most growth throughout her run on American Idol, akin to first season champion Kelly Clarkson. Syesha has become a beautiful performer, and has begun to reign in her Whitney-aspiring pipes in to sing the rights songs with the right feeling. Of the remaining competitors, no one has shown more personality and pep on-stage than Syesha. She's begun connecting with the audience in a real way to where we care about her as an individual as well as a contestant. That personal connection can carry her on to greater success post-Idol.
As the year of Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks has shown us, it's much easier to market the beautiful, and Syesha is the most classically beautiful contestant remaining. Sure McPhee didn't wind up faring much better than Hicks, but she certainly got a lot more exposure. Syesha's sunny disposition and grace on camera will come across much better in interviews than Cook's aloofness or Archuleta's goofy giggling. Being the American Idol is about presence as much as it is about singing, and Syesha brings more of that to the table than anyone.
Your Turn
Okay, I've laid out my cases, which I'm sure most of you will disagree with. It's your turn to make your case for why your favorite should win.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-08-2008 @ 5:47PM
Rmpr said...
You are waaaaaaay off about Syesha. She's really pretty yes but she screeches, she tries to resemble Whitney and Mariah when clearly she's neither. And all of those comparisons the Civil Rights Movement? The elections? She's very dramatic, she's an actress i cant believe she's top 3!! I can name 3 contenders who are better than her when they are on their A-game from the rest of the top 12. I hope she wins even though I dislike her so much. This year this show has been so mishandled that i hope the judges and the producers get a a slap in the face with her win. 19 will be forced to give her a contract and Archuleta and Cook will just have to deal having participated in such a rigged and scripted show.
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5-08-2008 @ 5:59PM
tpagon said...
David Cook could win it all but I feel his performances bored me lately. In Simon's word, it's too "predictable, I know exactly how you will sing that song". It'll be OK if Cook wins this.
Syesha has gained quite a lot of credibility lately. Her instrument is very strong. Her act was pleasant to watch. It would be a nice surprise to me if she wins.
I don't really have anything to say about Archuleta. I know many people found him charming and whatsoever, but that didn't quite work for me. I know he can sing but I don't really see him as a "star".
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5-08-2008 @ 6:05PM
Mark said...
Jason, I can not AGREE WITH YOU MORE!!!
Finally someone else out there is hoping for a total upset with a Syesha win. Seriously, I liked her from the start and was soo mad week after week she has gotten little or no praise from the judges and been in the bottom 3 not once, not twice, but 7 TIMES!!! That has to be a record or something, and has been last in the polls every damn week and yet still in it. And I can not tell you how happy I am that she is still in it and has shown such class and charisma and talent these past few weeks. I don't even believe she believes she's in the top 3, you even saw her mother i think in the audience practically collapsing in her seat when she heard she made it to the top 3.
I say bring it on David's, because this girl has what it takes to make one of the biggest upsets in Idol history because everyone knew from the top 10 that the two David's would make it to the final showdown.
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5-08-2008 @ 6:27PM
Rose said...
The guys dress like they just rolled out of bed and picked up the clothes they wore the day before off the floor to appear on national tv!! Give Syesha credit for having some class.
I know this is a song contest, but being dressed inappropriately on the Number One tv show is a turn-off!!
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5-08-2008 @ 7:00PM
Sam said...
Why didn't they do a makeover of Archeleta like they did with Yamin and Aiken? Its like why is he dressing like THAT? He should wear a tuxedo or something and please, can he sing something more upbeat, more pop -- less slow boring ballad. He sings the same week after week and this is from someone who WANTS Archuleta to win from the beginning. He may end up in third place if he doesn't mix up his act and people are too busy voting for number one fave cook and bottom dweller Syesha -- who clearly is the most improved of the three.
5-08-2008 @ 7:18PM
Ryan said...
I will be happy with whoever wins out of this final 3.
Archuleta - He should win, because I'm sure being the frontrunner for most of the competition while competing with experienced and more mature performers was pretty hard to handle. And despite what everyone has said, he's been damn well consistent throughout.
Cook - He should win, because he has given us the best all around singer/performer. Most of his performances are downright classic.
Mercado - She should win, because she has been the underdog of all underdogs and has really delivered in the past few weeks, i.e. where it mattered.
Hell, can we just call it a 3-way tie and be done with it?
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5-08-2008 @ 8:13PM
maureen hallett said...
At least we have three good contestants..if Jason had stayed last night it would have been disgusting...like when Michael Johns and Carly Smithson and others went home before others of less skill.Now at least it is a contest of voices.David A is alittle top Backstreet Boys for my taste but the boy can sing...i would liked to hear something different out of him though other than ballads.
David Cook to me is the best all around.But Seyesha will do well regardless.
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5-08-2008 @ 9:41PM
Tristan said...
Syesha seems to be more easy to connect with in some songs and from the tracks of the the stuido recordings she always blows me away. I would prefer if she won, but I ultimately do want to see her release a CD, if she did I am quite sure I would be the first in line to buy it on release date :). She is my favorite and has come so far.
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5-08-2008 @ 11:57PM
Zach S said...
As long as it isn't Archuleta I'm happy- he's good, no doubt, but he's so cheesy. Ugh- I know, I know, it's American Idol, so I guess I can't really complain, but I like when the performances on the show are more genuine and less cheddar, if you catch my drift. So far, also, he's gotten by almost on his popularity alone (he can sing though).
David Cook I would say should technically win, but I'd actually rather see him sign the inevitable record deal after the show, so that he has more freedom in his career.
Syesha is someone I never really paid attention to, but who seemed to improve every week and is now doing very well. I like her voice a lot, so because of my previous statements, I'd say I'd like her to win.
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5-09-2008 @ 12:20AM
deebopalula said...
They're all very talented - a really great Top Three - but I see David A. winning as he's got the pop sensibility and comes with the demographic that AI pines for. I think David Cook, like Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry, will do better if he DOESN'T win. He'll probably come in second, although I feel his recent performances, while spot on vocally, have been a little lackluster. For that reason, I'd prefer to see Syesha come in 2nd. I could see her having a great career on Broadway. Her performances lately have been on fire!
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5-09-2008 @ 1:50AM
Jimmy said...
I would be fine with Syesha or Cook winning. Since two of their three songs next week will be chosen for them, it should come down to performance instead of song choice (which has been a vulnerability for both of them).
As for Archuleta ... I would be impressed if he could answer one of Ryan's questions with a complete sentence!
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5-09-2008 @ 1:59AM
Jimmy said...
P.S. I'm surprised by the sentiment that Syesha is "the most improved." I would agree that she underachieved once she made it into the top 12, but she blew me away (and was my top pick for the girls) from the beginning -- remember her singing with laryngitis in the Hollywood round? She has been a star from very early on.
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5-09-2008 @ 10:29AM
MikLamb said...
The main question: Who would you rather pay to see at a full concert or buy a CD from? To me, David Cook, hands down. I would look forward to seeing and hearing his full range of talent on display. Syesha and David A. have their own specific styles and very good voices, but seem to be more limited to only those styles. I have enjoyed all of the past AI winners, but I must admit that I haven't bought any CDs from any of them, and I am actually looking forward to buying something from DaviD Cook.
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5-09-2008 @ 11:29AM
Wintermute said...
MikLamb: Trick question. While I agree that I'm more likely to buy David C's CD when it comes out, I don't know if it will be as good if he's forced to change into something he's not. I fear that an AI win for him would do more harm than good. Best all-around package, but probably better off if he doesn't win.
David A does ballads very well. In the few cases that he has done something else, he's had to rely on his popularity to get him through. But he's exactly what AI is looking for: someone with talent that they can mold into what they want.
Syesha is a good looking girl with a big voice, but I'm not buying into the whole "underdog" thing. She's made some bad song choices (in most cases, not the songs themselves but how she decided to arrange them) and doesn't have the fan base. But she's got talent, and, as an actress, she should be able to fit any mold AI wants to put her in.
Out of the three, I think David A should win, though David C is better overall.
'mute
5-09-2008 @ 10:39AM
Bob Mc said...
He may not win, but Cook will be the winner in the long run. Archuleta and Syesha are too bland to make any money at singing. At this point, all three are likely to be signed to a singing contract, so there is a winner in title only.
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5-09-2008 @ 11:18AM
Nathan said...
How about a post telling why each shouldn't win...?
David A. -- c'mon, he already has his chance with Star Search.
David C. -- original? mostly ripped-off arrangements (although he gives credit). Truthfully, like Daughtry, winning AI may not be in his best interest. I believe he'll have more street cred and creative freedom if he finishes 2nd.
Syesha -- she's come a long way, but she is far from the best female vocal to grace that stage (e.g. Jennifer Hudson). I don't see her having any longevity in a strictly singing career.
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5-09-2008 @ 11:44AM
idolfan said...
For the most part, I agree with this article, but I don't agree with the statement that David Cook is aloof. He seems to be a nice, personable kid to me; and he has done everything they have asked of him. As someone said a few weeks ago, he even goes along with dorking out in the group performances. I don't think he acts like he's above it all. I think he seems gracious.
Maybe it is obvious that Cookie is my favorite. He is the one I would go to see perform and I'd buy his CDs.
However, I'm actually torn between Cook and Syesha. Syesha really can sing and she does have class. I'm also angry that I have now heard Simon say twice that she can't win. That makes me want her to win. The problem I have with that though is, yes, I like her singing a lot, but I like Cook's style more.
I have to admit that I enjoyed David A.'s "Stand By Me" performance. He can sing and he seems to be a good kid. But I am far more entertained by Cook and Syesha.
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5-09-2008 @ 9:38PM
Jessie said...
I couldn't have said it better myself!
5-09-2008 @ 2:50PM
Kim said...
I think that David C should win as he is the best all around performer. He's the total package. I think that AI has learned its lesson with Chris Daughtry and will not try to force David C to record pop crap that he would obviously not be good at. If they have pop songs already waiting in the cue they can give them to Archuletta. Archie is not my cup of tea but I think there's a market for him at least until he hits adulthood. Then I think he'll fade into the woodwork like so many other teen stars. Syesha has a great voice (the best voice of the competition). So what if she aspires to be like Whitney or Celine? Is that a bad thing? There are so many female recording artists today that have no range and no power (they look good in music videos). Syesha would be a welcome change on the radio.
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5-09-2008 @ 3:37PM
Jean said...
Frankly, I hope Syesha goes this week. Unlike the other two, there is nothing genuine about her. Above all things, she is an actress. (Remember her ridiculous milking of the "I lost my voice" thing in the early auditions as she held up cue cards for herself?) Nothing she does comes off as heartfelt or believable. Her "sudden" realization that a little something called the Civil Rights Movement happened and the "spontaneous" tears last week were entirely staged. Her heart is not in this at all. She might as well be standing up there wearing a "Hey, Oprah! Hire me for The Color Purple on Broadway!" sandwich board. The two Davids are the real deal, in different ways. I love David Cook, and for that reason, I don't want him to win. He is much better off not being tied to the Idol label and being forced to conform to its marketing machine. Then again, the final, original song always is about ponies and unicorns and rainbows and chasing dreams and winning a singing contest, and that will cater much more to Archuleta's voice and style, so he'll win anyway. And that will work out in everyone's best interest.
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