Tweet
Wednesday night's "American Idol" guest star Barry Manilow sang a patriotic "America the Beautiful" medley backed up by some of the contestants. But by the end of the evening, the spotlight fell on the beautiful Jennifer Hudson, who bid a tearful farewell after America voted her off the show.
Judge Simon Cowell had described the competition as "shaping up to be 'The Battle of the Divas'" -- with the divas being Jennifer, Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London. But after the vote, the trio ended up in the bottom three.
After Seacrest's announcement, the in-studio audience awarded Jennifer (who had sung Manilow's "A Weekend in New England" to high marks from the judges) more than one standing ovation, and as judge Randy Jackson observed: "This is definitely not a popularity contest. This is the greatest talent show ever in American history. And as a proud American, I hope that America is out there listening and watching. We want to be proud of whoever wins this. Ruben (Studdard)'s in the house tonight. We were proud when he won. We were proud when Kelly (Clarkson) won. We are proud that Clay (Aiken) came in because they were the greatest talents we could find."
Manilow chimed in with his praise, saying: "In my catalog of songs, it really requires that you, Jennifer, have range. I could really not do what Jennifer is doing. It goes to another place."
Yet as the 22-year-old Jennifer, from Chicago, said before taking her exit: "This show is about versatility. It's been a struggle. It hasn't been easy. But if it's not worth working hard for, it's not worth it at all. So, I'm proud of the struggle that I've been going through. And I'm making it. I'm a survivor."
Judge Simon Cowell had described the competition as "shaping up to be 'The Battle of the Divas'" -- with the divas being Jennifer, Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London. But after the vote, the trio ended up in the bottom three.
After Seacrest's announcement, the in-studio audience awarded Jennifer (who had sung Manilow's "A Weekend in New England" to high marks from the judges) more than one standing ovation, and as judge Randy Jackson observed: "This is definitely not a popularity contest. This is the greatest talent show ever in American history. And as a proud American, I hope that America is out there listening and watching. We want to be proud of whoever wins this. Ruben (Studdard)'s in the house tonight. We were proud when he won. We were proud when Kelly (Clarkson) won. We are proud that Clay (Aiken) came in because they were the greatest talents we could find."
Manilow chimed in with his praise, saying: "In my catalog of songs, it really requires that you, Jennifer, have range. I could really not do what Jennifer is doing. It goes to another place."
Yet as the 22-year-old Jennifer, from Chicago, said before taking her exit: "This show is about versatility. It's been a struggle. It hasn't been easy. But if it's not worth working hard for, it's not worth it at all. So, I'm proud of the struggle that I've been going through. And I'm making it. I'm a survivor."
Comment