Fantasia Barrino has been named the newest American Idol tonight, after beating out over 70,000 contestants.
At the beginning of the result show, host Ryan Seacrest announced that there would be two co-hosts that would take care of all the hosting outside, they were Jennifer Love Hewitt and Christina Christian. There was also a helicopter flying around. That was, of course, to show how many people showed up for the finals.
To start the show off, LaToya London performed on the outside stage. She sang "If you don't know me by now", the same song she sings on the American Idol CD for Season Three.
After that they had a small interview with Diana DeGarmo in her dressing room. She looked very relaxed and when Ryan asked if she slept last night she said that she slept like a brick. They went over to a live broadcast from Georgia Dome, in Atlanta, Georgia hosted by Kimberly Caldwell. The governor of Georgia, Sonny Purdue, was there and they talked a little and he said that he bet with the North Carolina Governor who would win the show. The bet involved Georgia Peaches and North Carolina blueberries.
After that it was time for a dressing room interview with Fantasia Barrino, She put some lip gloss on Ryan's lips and Ryan said it tasted good. Fantasia showed a candle that she was sent from Toni Braxton. There was a live broadcast from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. There were over 60.000 people at the coliseum. The host there was Clay Aiken. He interviewed the mayor of Highpoint, but you were unable to hear him because of the screams of the people. Now a nice thing is to wonder, were they screaming for Clay, for Fantasia or for both?
Ryan then said they would go over for the freeloaders arriving, meaning the celebrities. The first one to arrive was Nicole Richie. She said she TIVO'ed American Idol because she never wanted to miss anything. She said she heard from people that they voted for Fantasia, but really didn't know who will win.
George Huff performed his song called 'Me & Mrs. Jones' from the American Idol CD. He did a remarkable performance but did his annoying bouncing around again.
It was time for an interview with Randy and Paula, Ryan said Simon Cowell was late, as usual. Paula Abdul said that it was the best American Idol season with lot of ups and downs. She also said that she feels like a proud parent. Ryan asked if we would see tears tonight and Randy Jackson replied with that he and Simon would probably bawl.
The next celebrity arriving was Ray Romano, he saw the performances last night and said that both did great and that it would be an interesting night. He said that if he'd vote he would have voted for Fantasia but it would have been a close call.
Jasmine performed, doing the "Midnight Train from Georgia" from the AI-CD. It was not her best performance, and that's all I'll say about that.
Simon was interviewed in his dressing room. He was wearing a striped suit, but his top buttons of his shirt were still open, causing curlio to drool. Ryan asked him what the most difficult part of being a judge was. Simon answered that it was not difficult for him as "I am the only one that knows what he's talking about". He added that the other two judges are playing their part in the show.
After that we went to Jennifer she said that that was the interview with Simon in the dressing room and they went on to Christina on the red carpet where Sharon Osbourne arrived. Her favorite is Fantasia and said the show last night was "really, really good".
Coming back to Ryan, trying to sing with (read interrupt) the choir that was warming up to the song "Let It Shine". It showed why Ryan never ever should sing. Luckily he knows that himself.
We went to the home of the oscars where the main results would be made known, Tamyra Gray was singing the National Anthem, a bad version in my opinion. During her performance they showed who was in the audience, Henry Winkler which most people know as "Fonzie" from "Happy Days," Steve Edwards, and Ray Romano. Also they showed the Australian Idol winner: Guy Sebastian was there.
Ryan announced that a new record of number of votes were registered a total of over 65 million votes. Of course this was said like it was some huge amazing feat. Of course there were more votes! You could vote twice as long last night! It stands to reason that there would be a lot more votes!
Randy said that the atmosphere was very hot and if you weren't there you were nowhere.
Then we were treated on a performance of Diana singing 'The Impossible Dream', However Fantasia joined the performance, then Kelly Clarkson joined and then they were joined by Ruben. In the end they all sung the line "The Impossible Dream" one by one, but it sounded like Diana was screaming her line, which made Kelly's singing bad as she tried to get louder than Diana but you could barely hear Kelly.
In a small interview with the final two contestants, Fantasia said she expected a little bit to be in the finals but she added that she worked really hard to get there. Diana said that after a comment that Paula made about her that she would be out within the first few weeks of the competition.
In the live broadcast in North Carolina, Clay Aiken had a small interview with the head of the Fantasia Fan Club and they put a billboard up for Fantasia next to one of the major highways.
In the live broadcast from Georgia, Kimberly Caldwell was interviewing someone of no importance and then interviewed the mayor of Snellville. He said "Diana is gonna win".
Then it was time for the boring highlights of the night before.
Kelly Clarkson sang "Beautiful Disaster" from her double platinum album "Thankful". It was a good performance, but in my opinion a bit boring.
After that it was time for horror, the weekly commercial with the left over contestants, this time it was Diana and Fantasia singing and dancing around a car to the song "Shining Star". If there is something they need to change to American Idol other than the voting system it is those commercials, or at least hire someone with good ideas.
There was a performance with all twelve finalists, where each contestant had their own small solo part. It was a tribute to the guest judges, and a medley of various songs. They showed Paula and Simon having a good time and laughing at the performance.
They showed a small behind the scene from the Barry Manilow week where they told a girl to powder Barry's nose and the girl went to the wrong guy. It was quite funny to see.
It seemed that the performances were never stopping, it was all performances and then advertising, and then more performances. This time the performance was from Ruben Studdard. To me it was just an O.K. performance. Just before the break they had a small plug for the American Idol tour and that more information is available on idolonfox.com.
After the break there were more performances, this time two performances, one of Diana and one of Fantasia. Diana sang "I Believe", she sang it better than last night. On the background they have a live telecast from Georgia. Fantasia sang "Dreams" with a live telecast from North Carolina. Her performance was great.
Another performance was up, this time Diana and Fantasia together siging "I knew you were waiting". Diana did her annoying "Come on Y'all". They showed a flash of the judges and Randy was sitting relaxed, Paula was sitting up straight and Simon was looking somewhere else.
Final thoughts of the judges were:
Simon: The winner gets what they always wanted Fame, Stardom and a ton of money. American Idol is the best talent show on earth.
Paula said she was very proud to be a part of this season.
Randy said he was proud on both of them because they were the top two of 70.000 people.
Finally at the last moment, Ryan announced that Fantasia Barrino was the winner of American Idol 2004. She cried, and said that she broke her shoe.
Closing out the show, Fantasia sang "I Believe," of course she was crying.
I knew that Fantasia was the winner the second they had Diana sing "I Believe." The winner would obviously close out the show with the new single, so Fantasia had to win.
I enjoyed the show and I thought that the two finalists both sang well. The result was predictable and well earned. I wish them both well in their careers and also the others that get contracts.
I really enjoyed the show tonight, even though it was padded more than a menstruating elephant.
Diana's performance of "I Believe" tonight was the best I have ever seen from her. She has also never looked better.
Fantasia -- what can I say other than great? For her to deliver a performance like that through all the tears when performing was the last thing on her mind is a testament to the fact that she is a deserving winner.
From a guy who's followed this from the beginning, as a DJ, Vocalist and follower of music for years, Barrino has outdone any performance I've EVER seen from new talent. She is the next Aretha, Whitney and Anita Baker all in one.
It was a no brainer who was going to win!!! I always thought that Diana could never compeate with Fantasia. Trust and believe, once all the judges say you have had a bad performance, well...........................then pretty much just consider yourself out; and that was exactly what Diana should have thought.
just watching that girl brings tears to my eyes. Tears of joy, excitement, I don't know what. There is just something about her that touches the spirit. Fantasia is truely gifted.
wow! that was a great show! awesome picks on the two contestant's songs. not even pitchy! whatever that means now.
i loved Fantasia from the start so congrads to her! her voice is sooooo beautiful. I hope she takes her win to the fullest.
Diana has done wonderfully too, and like Clay Aiken, will probably get a recording contract, fame, and fortune. her life in singing is off to a great start!
I knew Fantasia would win she is a true star and i love her style of singing. She is great and she had everyone on her side. The West Side loves Fantasia too. I had to say you "Go Girl" From: Erica Rosser :)
america should also hear the filipino talents.certainly we are capable of producing unique and world-class artist as fantasia barrino!Kyla...will you please show them what i'm talking about!
What was up with that last dress they stuffed Diana into? The one with the little swirly tail thing in the back that she was tripping over as she came down the aisle past Henry Winkler to sing "I Knew you were Waiting."
Fantasia had her own costume malfunctions, but Diana's dress had a mind of its own. Not the best move for her Last Look of the Night, making her fight that thing.
Congrats Fantasia! you are the next Witney , Gladys , Aretha ...........what can I say. you are one of the most talented person I have seen. I wanted Fantasia to win from the very first time i heard her.Fantasia is a star from birth! welllllllll doneeeeeeeeeeeee!
I am not a big fan of American Idol; never have watched it out of the three years it has been on. Still have not watched it; however I wish to say congrats to Fantasia; Through all obstacles, you never gave up. Never forget who has blessed you with your talent; use it to praise Jesus Christ and you will go far!
I believe that the winner was fixed by the Judges in advance. The promoted Fantasia over and over and overly criticized Diana over and over. They mandated a song for her on tuesday and then said she was too young to be singing it. After making her sing it they made fun of her. "Simon said, How Many Rivers Have You Swam?" and "How Many Mountains Have You Climbed?" My Question to Simon is "How Many Songs Have You Sung?" and then I would add the other two questions that he asked Diana. My guess is he has never done any of the three. He would have a heart attack if he did even half a mountain or a river. They were unfair to Diana to repeatedly announce Fantasia had won on every show, over and over, saying "YOU ARE THE AMERICAN IDOL", when the votes had yet to be counted. They unduely influenced the vote to make the one they wanted to win. They conspired against Diana and I wouldn't put it past them to have lied about the actual votes. Who would ever know??? Think about it.
To the person who thinks the judges fixed the show for fantansia - grow up. The very first thing Simon said to Diana was that she sang the song really well. He just didn't think she could relate to it. Simon is a judge and not a producer so he has no control over the songs they make them sing.
The very first thing Simon said to Fantasia was that her song was a horrible mess. Sounds to me like they were giving it to Diana until she messed up her last song.
Stop the conspiracy theories - the best woman won - get over it so that Diana can move on.
Fantasia Barrino has been named the newest American Idol tonight, after beating out over 70,000 contestants.
