You're gonna love her
So by now, everyone in America knows who LaKisha Jones is. And if you don't, you should. She's the stunning talented young woman who OBLITERATED 23 other American Idol hopefuls last night with a powerhouse rendition of "You're Gonna Love Me." Or "I'm Staying." Or "I'm Not Going," or whatever the fuck that song is actually called. Ryan Seacrest introduces her by saying "singing the song that may very well win Jennifer Hudson an Oscar on Sunday..." and I'm like, really? Is she about to sing this song? I mean, you're inviting immediate comparison to Jennifer Hudson, which may not work in your favor. And you're beating an AI classic to death. EVERYONE has sung this song, starting with Tamyra Gray in season one.
But OMG. LaKisha pulled this song out of the ether and blew everyone away. Simon was like, "Um, I am very tempted to tell 23 people to make their plane reservations right now." And the girls were looking surly as hell, hahaha. As well they should. The girls as a whole are lightyears ahead of the guys in talent, and LaKisha Jones is damn near lightyears ahead of those other 11 chicks. I just hope she doesn't fall into the "amazing black female vocalist trap" that has befallen so many other AI hopefuls: Tamyra Gray, LaToya London, Jennifer Hudson, Vonzell Solomon, Mandisa... all heralded singers. All sent home before their time. Well, maybe not Vonzell. She did make it to the number three spot. But she SHOULD have made it to the finale, as Tamyra Gray should have as well. I'm not saying either of them should have won, but think how much more amazing the finale would have been if it were Kelly Clarkson versus Tamyra Gray? Or Bo Bice versus Vonzell Solomon? I haven't been really excited about BOTH singers in a finale since season two, when the irrepressible Ruben Studdard and the unflappable Clay Aiken battled it out. I mean, Taylor vs. Katherine? Boring. Mandisa vs. Chris Daughtry? Best. idol. finale. ever.
I'm just sayin.
But OMG. LaKisha pulled this song out of the ether and blew everyone away. Simon was like, "Um, I am very tempted to tell 23 people to make their plane reservations right now." And the girls were looking surly as hell, hahaha. As well they should. The girls as a whole are lightyears ahead of the guys in talent, and LaKisha Jones is damn near lightyears ahead of those other 11 chicks. I just hope she doesn't fall into the "amazing black female vocalist trap" that has befallen so many other AI hopefuls: Tamyra Gray, LaToya London, Jennifer Hudson, Vonzell Solomon, Mandisa... all heralded singers. All sent home before their time. Well, maybe not Vonzell. She did make it to the number three spot. But she SHOULD have made it to the finale, as Tamyra Gray should have as well. I'm not saying either of them should have won, but think how much more amazing the finale would have been if it were Kelly Clarkson versus Tamyra Gray? Or Bo Bice versus Vonzell Solomon? I haven't been really excited about BOTH singers in a finale since season two, when the irrepressible Ruben Studdard and the unflappable Clay Aiken battled it out. I mean, Taylor vs. Katherine? Boring. Mandisa vs. Chris Daughtry? Best. idol. finale. ever.
I'm just sayin.