David Archuleta Will Win American Idol 7
6 Comments Ryan Welton on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 10:13 PM.
For the past couple of weeks, when asked who I thought brought it and who left it on American Idol, I've consistently said "the kid" as my pick to beat.
The kid is David Archuleta, and after Tuesday night's rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine," I suspect all those who shrugged when I issued those sentiments will understand why I think he's the favorite to win Idol Season 7.
In fact, I think his performance was not only the first "moment" of the season, I think it was comparable to Carrie Underwood's "Alone" performance in Season 4, the one in which Simon Cowell proclaimed that she would win the title and sell more records than any other Idol in history. It's probably more accurate, spatially, to compare it to LaToya London singing "All By Myself" in Season 3.
Here's the deal with "the kid" though. Not only do I think David Archuleta wins American Idol, I think he becomes the show's first legitimate male pop star.
He'll do Broadway. He'll have a legitimate hit record on mainstream radio. He'll be on TV. He is essentially a perfect pop star, and here's why I think this competition is o-v-e-r.
1. He will dominate the tween and teen vote. Tweens and teens will vote a billion times for him. One look at DialIdol.com tonight, and I saw that David had a 30 share while second place had like a 7. Unless somebody from the girls' side of things picks it up and fast, David is going to build up an insurmountable edge in teenybopper girls.
2. He will win the grandmama vote. Grandmamas like good voices, good personalities and clean-cut kids. The Kid's got it all in that regard.
3. He will at least partially pick up the musician vote. Yes, Jason Castro can play a guitar, although it's unfortunate he's yet been able to tune it. And, yes, David Cook can play the chords from Free's "All Right Now."
However, Idol is still a singer's competition, and David Archuleta is far and away the best male singer. Based on all that I've heard, he's far and away the one singer I'd pick to work with, to record a demo for me, etc.
What's scary is that it's early.
Fact is, the reason Archuleta didn't sing the first verse to "Imagine" is because it referenced the notion that there is no heaven and hell. David's family is uber-religious, and that doesn't bug me one iota, nor does it sway me toward his camp relative to the show.
However, the way he handled the question from the judges was brilliant, focusing on the positive instead of making it a point to preach to 33 million people, which would have been an enormous turn off to voters. So, if I could add a No. 4 to my list, I'd note that David's obviously a savvy kid. He's been in this parade before.
Now, if I didn't review everyone else this week, it's because THE story when you wake up tomorrow will center on Archuleta. And what could make him all the more of a phenomenon this year is that it's not only becoming clear that he's the most talented of this season's Idol crop, but he still looks like an underdog. At his stature, he'll always look like an underdog.
But with that voice, I assure you, he will be crowned Idol champ come May.
Labels: American Idol, carrie underwood, david archuleta, david cook, jason castro, jennifer hudson, latoya london, simon cowell, video, YouTube
I totally agree, subtle things like, judges facial reactions during "Heaven;" also back-up singer getting "misty-eyed." This kid is for real, he is a genuine sweetheart anybody would want to adopt or dream husband for some lucky girl. Simon has given him carte-blanc, already. Its over.
We'll see. I love David Archuleta more than anyone else, but I think that simon giving him the "one the beat" comment so early MAY hurt him. He gave the same thing to Clay in the top 11, and Melinda early on as well, and they both had consistent performances and major talent. I guess the one thing David has that those two didn't is a COMPLETE category that no one else can touch except Alaina and possibly Ramiele, but not enough to do anything. I honestly think it would bein AI's best interest to have him win, and I hope it happens... but right now he's the BEST candidate for the "shocker" of the season.
Adam, I think you're right on about the shocker part of it but only -- right now -- because he's the only one I'd be truly shocked to go. What those previous shockers didn't have was teen girl support.
Chris Daughtry? Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee had it all.
LaToya London? Fantasia and Diana DeGarmo had it all.
Melinda Doolittle? Jordin and Blake had it all.
To me, the most legitimate possibility for a "shocker," as in the yearly Idol shocker, would be for Carly to get ousted in fourth place.
The "one to beat" comment from Simon won't hurt him so long as Cowell eventually crowns him the winner, like he did with Carrie in Season 4. Remember when he made that prediction after she sang "Alone"? She sailed from that point on.
It will be interesting to see what happens. It's weird for me because I typically root for the singer who I think is actually the best vocalist. That has never aligned with the actual winner, so let's hope it does this year.
His performance of "Imagine" gave me goose bumps. The kid has definately got it. If he doesn't win there is something wrong. He has consistently been the best performer. I hope he wins...cute kid!
David is the best, but the best almost never wins. Watch him go home after the top three like Melinda. People will start thinking that he will definately make it, so why vote. I think the top three have to be Ramaele, David Cook and David Archuleta.
Ive got a few predictions on my site.
http://www.who-will-win-american-idol.com/
Let me know what you think :)