www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/09/03/tem_local_fans_share.html
Local fans pick their 'Idol'
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Amazing voice and star quality make Kelly the top choice
By John Kiesewetter jkiesewetter@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Who's the first American Idol? Our judges have spoken: Kelly Clarkson, the 20-year-old from Fort Worth with a voice as big as Texas.
Kelly has the absolute best voice and the broadest range, said Dick Mader of Alexandria. She's the totally most talented singer I heard in the competition.
According to an informal Enquirer online poll, Tristate fans of the show overwhelmingly favor Ms. Clarkson over Justin Guarini, 23, from Doylestown, Pa., in the final competition today. Fox's summer hit, American Idol: The Search for a Superstar, airs at 9 p.m. on Channels 19, 45).
Viewers will vote by phone after the show, with the results announced on Fox's two-hour American Idol finale at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The lucky winner, one of 10,000 applicants in the talent search, will receive a recording contract.
Kelly is the most consistent of the finalists. She has been absolutely dazzling every single performance, and I think she has what it takes to go all the way to the top, said Michelle Mormile of Cheviot.
Enquirer readers were asked to judge the finalists in three areas: song selection, performance style and costume. Kelly won all three. And they were very polite in their comments of course! unlike American Idol judge Simon Cowell, the acid-tonged British record producer.
Kelly rocks that stage, and everyones knows it! said Hannah Hasson of Springfield Township. So, Kelly, if Simon says anything negative, just remember, You Are The Best!
Some of Kelly's fans also cited comments from the other two American Idol judges, singer-dancer Paula Abdul and former Columbia Records executive Randy Jackson.
Kelly is versatile and sings like a songbird. I think Paula hit the nail right on the head: We could see her onstage and on the big screen, said Catherine Clay of Hyde Park.
Like Randy said, she could make a telephone book sound good, said Beverley Bass of Fairfield.
Kelly can sing anything you throw at her and sound amazing. She has a presence and star quality that would make her an excellent all-around star, said Brooke MacDonald of Clifton.
Early favorite
American Idol premiered on June 11, introducing the first of 30 semi-finalists who performed each week on a live TV broadcast.
Justin, the Stevie Wonder fan with the big curly hair, emerged as the early front-runner even when most of the attention remained on the judges.
But Justin knew it would be a fight to the finish.
As far as I'm concerned, this competition is going to be a lot closer than people think. There's a lot of talent up here, he said when TV critics met the contestants in July.
Justin's ability to excite the studio audience during his performances made him a crowd favorite.
I believe Justin is the true entertainer, and he seems to be "idolized' by millions already, said Jane DeSelms of Springfield Township.
I like the way he carries himself when he's singing or just listening to the judges tell him how he did, said Erina Harmeyer of Burlington. He seems like an intelligent, caring, and respectable young gentlemen that will go far no matter where his road may lead him.v
The male edge
Enquirer pop music writer Larry Nager and local concert promoter Morrella Raleigh also praised Justin's poise.
Justin presents all the elements of an American idol that kids desire. The crowd really, really seems to feed off him, said Ms. Raleigh, who helped book the 2002 Pepsi Jammin' on Main acts for Clear Channel Entertainment.
Kelly has a wonderful voice, but so does Justin. I think Justin has the edge, she said. She gave Justin higher marks in all three categories, unlike most of our poll participants.
Mr. Nager said Justin seems the most likely winner, mostly because the majority of voters seem to be teenage girls and his mop-top, That '70s Show look, is a crowd favorite. And, as history, from Elvis to 'NSync shows, most teen idols have been male.
But our music critic gave Kelly top scores for performance and song choice.
Kelly is the best singer. She picked Celine Dion's "Think Twice' (last week) and managed to turn it into a pretty good soul song, delivering a raw, emotional performance in stark contrast to the slick, stilted Ms. Dion, he said.
Ms. Clarkson has the one thing that you can't fake actual talent. Her competition isn't even in her league, and if this was a musical competition, she would win without breaking a sweat. But as Madonna and Britney can tell you, pipes have nothing to do with pop idolatry. It's still a very real race, Mr. Nager said.
Mr. Nager liked Justin's clothes better, but Kelly's future manager can figure that out for her, he noted.
Her modest costumes, however, contributed to her appeal to some viewers. I'm going to be me, so I'm going to wear what I want to wear, she told TV critics in July.
Kelly has her own style. She is not trying to be a copy of another entertainer, such as Madonna, Michael Jackson or Mariah Carey,'' said Kathy Richard of White Oak. Her song selections have shown the range of her talent and she can best be described as doing it her way and setting her own standard.
Said Julie Pergrem of Fort Thomas: She is the only one "playing' herself. No pretentious smugness like Justin, and no fake smile plastered on her face like Nikki (McKibbin, eliminated last week).
Kelly is by far the best, said Kim McGucken of West Chester. She is also the most unaffected and genuine of the group, which is a nice complement to her really strong singing voice. You don't get the feeling she would turn in to some kind of prima-donna or diva performer!
Kelly has it all.
Kelly deserves the record contract for many reasons, said Amanda Keller from Blue Ash. Kelly is so sweet and sincere, and that's hard to find. She also is an everyday person, living out her dream. As an American Idol, she has proven to all of our country especially our youth that dreams do come true, and all it takes is hard work and dedication.
Talent like Kelly's is very hard to come by. I would be completely shocked if she does not win this contest, Ms. Keller said. She has everything it takes to become and American Idol and she already has.
Local fans pick their 'Idol'
------------------------------------------------------------
Amazing voice and star quality make Kelly the top choice
By John Kiesewetter jkiesewetter@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Who's the first American Idol? Our judges have spoken: Kelly Clarkson, the 20-year-old from Fort Worth with a voice as big as Texas.
Kelly has the absolute best voice and the broadest range, said Dick Mader of Alexandria. She's the totally most talented singer I heard in the competition.
According to an informal Enquirer online poll, Tristate fans of the show overwhelmingly favor Ms. Clarkson over Justin Guarini, 23, from Doylestown, Pa., in the final competition today. Fox's summer hit, American Idol: The Search for a Superstar, airs at 9 p.m. on Channels 19, 45).
Viewers will vote by phone after the show, with the results announced on Fox's two-hour American Idol finale at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The lucky winner, one of 10,000 applicants in the talent search, will receive a recording contract.
Kelly is the most consistent of the finalists. She has been absolutely dazzling every single performance, and I think she has what it takes to go all the way to the top, said Michelle Mormile of Cheviot.
Enquirer readers were asked to judge the finalists in three areas: song selection, performance style and costume. Kelly won all three. And they were very polite in their comments of course! unlike American Idol judge Simon Cowell, the acid-tonged British record producer.
Kelly rocks that stage, and everyones knows it! said Hannah Hasson of Springfield Township. So, Kelly, if Simon says anything negative, just remember, You Are The Best!
Some of Kelly's fans also cited comments from the other two American Idol judges, singer-dancer Paula Abdul and former Columbia Records executive Randy Jackson.
Kelly is versatile and sings like a songbird. I think Paula hit the nail right on the head: We could see her onstage and on the big screen, said Catherine Clay of Hyde Park.
Like Randy said, she could make a telephone book sound good, said Beverley Bass of Fairfield.
Kelly can sing anything you throw at her and sound amazing. She has a presence and star quality that would make her an excellent all-around star, said Brooke MacDonald of Clifton.
Early favorite
American Idol premiered on June 11, introducing the first of 30 semi-finalists who performed each week on a live TV broadcast.
Justin, the Stevie Wonder fan with the big curly hair, emerged as the early front-runner even when most of the attention remained on the judges.
But Justin knew it would be a fight to the finish.
As far as I'm concerned, this competition is going to be a lot closer than people think. There's a lot of talent up here, he said when TV critics met the contestants in July.
Justin's ability to excite the studio audience during his performances made him a crowd favorite.
I believe Justin is the true entertainer, and he seems to be "idolized' by millions already, said Jane DeSelms of Springfield Township.
I like the way he carries himself when he's singing or just listening to the judges tell him how he did, said Erina Harmeyer of Burlington. He seems like an intelligent, caring, and respectable young gentlemen that will go far no matter where his road may lead him.v
The male edge
Enquirer pop music writer Larry Nager and local concert promoter Morrella Raleigh also praised Justin's poise.
Justin presents all the elements of an American idol that kids desire. The crowd really, really seems to feed off him, said Ms. Raleigh, who helped book the 2002 Pepsi Jammin' on Main acts for Clear Channel Entertainment.
Kelly has a wonderful voice, but so does Justin. I think Justin has the edge, she said. She gave Justin higher marks in all three categories, unlike most of our poll participants.
Mr. Nager said Justin seems the most likely winner, mostly because the majority of voters seem to be teenage girls and his mop-top, That '70s Show look, is a crowd favorite. And, as history, from Elvis to 'NSync shows, most teen idols have been male.
But our music critic gave Kelly top scores for performance and song choice.
Kelly is the best singer. She picked Celine Dion's "Think Twice' (last week) and managed to turn it into a pretty good soul song, delivering a raw, emotional performance in stark contrast to the slick, stilted Ms. Dion, he said.
Ms. Clarkson has the one thing that you can't fake actual talent. Her competition isn't even in her league, and if this was a musical competition, she would win without breaking a sweat. But as Madonna and Britney can tell you, pipes have nothing to do with pop idolatry. It's still a very real race, Mr. Nager said.
Mr. Nager liked Justin's clothes better, but Kelly's future manager can figure that out for her, he noted.
Her modest costumes, however, contributed to her appeal to some viewers. I'm going to be me, so I'm going to wear what I want to wear, she told TV critics in July.
Kelly has her own style. She is not trying to be a copy of another entertainer, such as Madonna, Michael Jackson or Mariah Carey,'' said Kathy Richard of White Oak. Her song selections have shown the range of her talent and she can best be described as doing it her way and setting her own standard.
Said Julie Pergrem of Fort Thomas: She is the only one "playing' herself. No pretentious smugness like Justin, and no fake smile plastered on her face like Nikki (McKibbin, eliminated last week).
Kelly is by far the best, said Kim McGucken of West Chester. She is also the most unaffected and genuine of the group, which is a nice complement to her really strong singing voice. You don't get the feeling she would turn in to some kind of prima-donna or diva performer!
Kelly has it all.
Kelly deserves the record contract for many reasons, said Amanda Keller from Blue Ash. Kelly is so sweet and sincere, and that's hard to find. She also is an everyday person, living out her dream. As an American Idol, she has proven to all of our country especially our youth that dreams do come true, and all it takes is hard work and dedication.
Talent like Kelly's is very hard to come by. I would be completely shocked if she does not win this contest, Ms. Keller said. She has everything it takes to become and American Idol and she already has.


