Idol brings down the house

    Can you imagine parading around in front of a raging crowd singing your heart out? What about being ridiculed and critiqued by judges? Could you handle the pressure?  Last Friday 10 talented students did, and did well, at the third annual GCSU Idol Competition.
    “It was a rush,” said Kika Caparisos, one of the 10 competitors, about performing in front of the large crowd. “It was great to see my mom, brother and all of my friends out there.”
    The Magnolia Ballroom was packed to the helm as friends and family came out to support their loved ones. People were warned not to leave their seats before the show started by the Idol staff, because someone wanting to come in would quickly fill any empty seat.
    The three judges were Jennifer Flory, assistant professor of music, Phillip Joiner, from Z.97, and Fish Scales, one of the founding members of Nappy Roots. Scales was the Paula Abdul of the group, praising every act. Flory, who is a trained conductor, offered the singers more valuable comments. Joiner, however, was the Simon and harshly criticized every performer.
    Ruel Lee, who lead the competition, was the first to feel Joiners wrath.
    “I think that Phillip should never be able to do this anymore because he made it too personal on everybody,” Lee said. “He didn’t even talk about some peoples songs and he told me I looked like I was from a dumpster.”
    Others were not as offended as Lee.
    “I’ve known (Phillip Joiner) for way too long and I don’t take anything he says seriously anymore,” said Laura Dees, a returning contestant of GCSU Idol.
    Idol judge Fish Scales, who is also a GCSU alum, was excited about the opportunity to help with GCSU Idol.
    “It feels good to be invited to stuff like this (idol),” Scales said.  “It shows that people value my presence.  I love it.”
    The judge’s comments and critiques didn’t seem to damper the spirits of most idol participants.
    “It was awesome.  It was real encouraging to see so many people out there screaming and yelling,” said Kristina Higgins, who was chosen as judge’s favorite.  “It felt really special to be out there on stage.”   
    While contestants prepared themselves inside for the big night, crowds of people stood outside for hours, waiting to be admitted.  
    “I waited about an hour and a half in line outside,” said Molly Tuohy, a junior special education major.  “Waiting outside for that long was definitely worth the wait, everyone did an amazing job.”
    Before the winner was announced, 2006 GCSU Idol winner Nadirah Ross performed. 
    “It was weird actually not competing this year, but I am so proud of all the contestants.  To me, they are my babies and I’m the mom cheering them on,” Ross said.  “I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out this year.”
    After the anticipation built up, the 2007 GCSU Idol winner was announced.  Idol contestant Johan Cronvall, who sang Edwin McCain’s “I’ll Be”, was named GCSU Idol for 2007.  He also received a $1,000 gift card to Best Buy.
    “I was just up here to have fun.  My friends told me I should be a part of (Idol), and they were all very supportive,” Cronvall said.  “It feels great.  I want to thank everyone who voted for me.  I didn’t think I was going to win.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 9 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry