She blew us all away with her tenacity and grace, but in the end she was facing forces of popularity that she just couldn't touch. Much like Kimberly Locke had to accept her fate in light of the inevitability of a Ruben-Clay finale in Season Two, I think Syesha knew the writing was on the wall as we careened toward next week's David-David collision. You've got to give her credit, though, for not going down without a fight (though one could argue she didn't put up much of one on her last night in the competition). These past several weeks have seen a blooming of talent and presence that have been nothing short of astounding. Perhaps not since Season One's Kelly Clarkson have we had a contestant who kind of muddle around the middle of the pack for awhile and then just started to shoot for the stars (though I can't say they're in the same class vocally--sorry, Sy). In Syesha Mercado's exit interview she even stated that she considers her Top 3 finish a success.
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Her father, who's been struggling with addiction most of Syesha's life, has been inspired to try and stay clean and sober through her successes and achievements week after week on American Idol. Syesha is determined to help her dad keep up this great streak. While she is engaged, she's not yet ready to put a date out for a wedding, but whoever he is, he's one lucky man.
As for future plans she is willing to declare, she's perfectly ready to jump into the studio and record an album in the style of Diary of Alicia Keys or Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics. But she also has those Broadway aspirations so many have said she'd be perfect for, as well as feature film ambitions (hey, she's done commercials so she's seasoned). She'd also like to start a charitable foundation for something and even open a restaurant.
Earlier in the interview, she mentioned possibly writing a book about her father's struggles as well, so I guess maybe she covered everything. Talk show? How about a theme park? Dolly Parton has one. And why not become a comic book superheroine while you're at it, Syesha. You've got the figure for it. You could have the superpower of elasticity. No matter the odds, you always seem to bounce right back into the thick of things. With her brains, talent and beauty I don't predict any problem for Ms. Mercado in making her mark on the entertainment world.
Her Journey in Videos (with some bonuses at the end):
Syesha eliminated and swan song:
Top 3 (producer's choice) - Gia Farrell, "Hit Me Up":
Top 3 (contestant's choice) - Peggy Lee, "Fever":
Top 3 (judge's choice--Randy Jackson) - Alicia Keys, "If I Ain't Got You":
Top 4 - Sam Cooke, "A Change Is Gonna Come":
Top 4 - Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Proud Mary":
Top 5 - Neil Diamond, "Thank the Lord for the Night Time"
Top 5 - Neil Diamond, "Hello Again"
Top 6 - Starlight Express, "One Rock & Roll Too Many"
Top 7 - Mariah Carey, "Vanishing"
Top 8 - Fantasia, "I Believe"
Top 9 - Dolly Parton, "I Will Always Love You"
Top 10 - Stephanie Mills, "If I Were Your Woman"
Top 11 - The Beatles, "Yesterday"
Top 12 - The Beatles, "Got to Get Your Into My Life"
Top 16 - Whitney Houston, "Saving All My Love for You"
Top 20 - Billy Paul, "Me and Mr(s). Jones"
Top 24 - The Nashville Teens, "Tobacco Road"
Hollywood Week:
Initial audition:
Check it out, Syesha had experience doing Ford commercials before Idol:
Syesha don't need no stupid phone card:
I don't remember the KFC Wrap Star in my area!:
Here's a very strange Florida commercial showing some Syesha 'tude we'll say farewell on:
IDOL SEASON 7 FAREWELLS
#4 - Jason Castro
#5 - Brooke White
#6 - Carly Smithson
#7 - Kristy Lee Cook
#8 - Michael Johns
#9 - Ramiele Malubay
#10 - Chikezie
#11 - Amanda Overmyer
#12 - David Hernandez
#13 - Danny Noriega
#14 - Asia'h Epperson
#15 - Luke Menard
#16 - Kady Malloy
#17 - Robbie Carrico
#18 - Alaina Whitaker
#19 - Alexandrea Lushington
#20 - Jason Yeager
#21 - Colton Berry
#22 - Joanne Borgella
#23 - Amy Davis
#24 - Garrett Haley
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-17-2008 @ 11:05PM
Tristan said...
I cant believe she got voted off, she was my favorite!!!!!!
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5-24-2008 @ 7:00PM
BJ said...
I think Syesha is the greatest! Her fan club website is for sale, http://syeshafanclub.com and I would totally buy it if I knew how to run a website! I think she's
going to have a lot of fans for a long time to come once she finds the right person to "produce" her. She didn't need to win Idol to "win." Like your blog!
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