| A then and now look at Idol contestants from a writer at USA Today...
Kellie then : Cute, endearingly naive, refreshing country influence.
Kellie now : Contrived, unconvincingly naive, about as refreshing as three-day-old calamari.
Paris then : A virtual child prodigy, dazzling vocal chops, pleasantly unassuming attitude.
Paris now : Sings songs that are way too old for her (The Way We Were?), gifted but uneven vocally, little-girl voice makes you want to hit the mute button.
Elliott then : Remarkable voice coming from a plain exterior, pleasant, even-keeled demeanor.
Elliott now : Voice may not be all that remarkable, exterior is certainly plain despite ill-advised attempts on wardrobe people's part to spiff him up, no personality to speak of.
Taylor then : Quirky personality, novel gray hair, refreshing soul-infused style.
Taylor now : Irritating personality tics, hair tamed into dull submission by show's stylists, musical style seems devolved into either dull balladry or mechanical repetition of same timeworn shtick.
Katharine then : Bubbly, attractive, highly impressive vocal skills.
Katharine now : Vapidly giggly, consistently worst-dressed, Ms. Roboto-style onstage demeanor with vocal limitations showing.
Chris then : Wow, an actual rocker; truly nice guy; passion and conviction in his singing.
Chris now : Sometimes rocker, after diving into the Louis Armstrong/Bryan Adams slushpile; when he sings rock songs, it's the same high-intensity angsty approach. Still comes off as a nice guy, though. | |
