Thursday, May 17, 2007

Ranking the 3rd Place Finishers



Now that we have gotten to the Top 3, these rankings become much more subjective -- all of these contestants were fantastic (well, all of them except Nikki -- really, let's be honest), so ranking them is, above all, a matter of personal taste. Remember, these rankings are determined on American Idol performances only, not on what the contestants have accomplished since their time on the show.

1. Melinda Doolittle (Season 6)
Best Known For: Being a former back-up singer; humble demeanor; remarkably consistent performances
Best Performance: "My Funny Valentine," "I've Got Rythym," "Have a Nice Day," "Nutbush City Limits," and the list goes on
Worst Performance: Not a stinker in the bunch, but if I had to name one I'd go with "I Believe in You and Me"
Post-AI: Hopefully great things...



2. Elliott Yamin (Season 5)
Best Known For: Season 5's underdog; moving backstory -- juvenile diabetes, deaf in one ear
Best Performance: "Song for You," "Trouble"
Worst Performance: Again, not a stinker in the bunch -- if I had to name one, I'd go with "Open Arms" (which I still kinda loved)
Post AI: Released a self-titled CD in March; single "Wait for You" is currently in the Top 30 on the pop chart; national tour begins today



3. Kimberley Locke (Season 2)
Best Known For: Sparring with Simon in her semifinal audition; dueting with Frenchie on "Band of Gold" during Hollywood week; Season 2's underdog
Best Performance: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "New York State of Mind," "Inseparable"
Worst Performance: "Heat Wave"
Post AI: Debut CD spawned a couple of Adult Contemporary hits, including "8th World Wonder"; new CD "Based on a True Story" was released two weeks ago; modeled for Lane Bryant; appearing on Celebrity Fit Clubl; current single "Change" in the Top 10 on the Mainstream AC chart



4. Vonzell Solomon (Season 4)
Best Known For: Being an endlessly cheery postal worker; Season 4's underdog
Best Performance: "I'm Every Woman"
Worst Performance: "Respect"
Post AI: Working on recording an album -- we're waiting Baby V!



5. Jasmine Trias (Season 3)
Best Known For: One of Season 3's two Hawaiian contestants; wearing a flower behind her ear
Best Performance: "Inseparable"
Worst Performance: "Breathe"
Post AI: Released a successful CD in the Phillippines, where she is a huge star



6. Nikki McKibbin (Season 1)
Best Known For: Idol's first-ever "rocker"; outlasting Tamyra Gray
Best Performance: "Mary Jane"
Worst Performance: Most of the others, but the biggest offender is probably "Ben"
Post AI: Has yet to release a CD, but has appeared on several reality shows, including Fear Factor and Battle of the Network Stars

Read more American Idol News/Recaps/Commentary
Read more American Idol Best-Of Lists

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for doing this!
Did you realize that as of now, season 6 is in second place?

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with this order...

Anonymous said...

I'd switch Kim and Elliott due to the former's greater consistency and comfort level onstage from the start.

Anonymous said...

Not the Order I would do it.
Nikki McKibbin is one of my favorite contestants ever I love her orginality(and "Ben" was not her weakest...in fact she was in tune and on pitch the majority of them time...vocally "Always something there to Remind me" was her weakest. People just remember "Ben" for some odd reason.
Anywyas I'd rank them
Nikki, Kim Locke, Elliot Yamin, Jasmine Trias and Vonzell (She's just too bland and I've seen so many other "Diva's" out perform her.

Anonymous said...

As much as I like Melinda Doolittle I would have to switch her with Elliott Yamin. He had some really great performances and the ability to make you root for him.

Anonymous said...

Have to agree you did well with this. Mewlinda on top with the purest of talent and no backstory to use to build momentum. She was a winner from day one. BTW I still don't need to remain "anonymous" for obvious reasons.

Anonymous said...

i totally agree with this list except that i have to switch elliot with melinda and vonzell with jasmine. for me elliot was the best male vocalist since clay. and i love all his songs especially a song for you, that even made paula cry. jasmine on the other hand has something that no other idol contestant has... strong fan base, just kidding (but really a strong fan base she has). she is a delicate powerhouse, as tarantino would put it... she is the only idol that has the most subtle and sweet tone but can give a really mean power note. plus her inseparable is greater than kim locke's