|
"Idol" underdog Sanjaya voted off show
04/19/2007 12:44 AM, Reuters
Jill Serjeant
Wannabe pop star Sanjaya Malakar,
the "American Idol" contestant best known for his wacky
hairdos, was booted from the hit show on Wednesday,
disappointing a hard core of smart alecks who delighted in
mocking his mediocre singing and extreme hair styles.
Malakar, 17, fighting back tears, said he was "fine" after
the results of the nationwide polling were announced. "It was
an amazing experience," he added.
Host Ryan Seacrest replied, "I can promise you: We won't
soon forget you."
Seacrest said over 38 million votes were cast, a record for
this stage of the show.
Malakar's departure was a relief to the judges. Simon
Cowell, who once threatened to quit if Malakar won, termed his
performance the night before of Bonnie Raitt's Grammy-winning
tune "Something to Talk About" as "utterly horrendous."
Yet, millions of people reveled in Malakar's amiable
mediocrity. Satellite radio DJ Howard Stern urged his listeners
to vote for Malakar in order to ruin the top-rated show.
Malakar had some high-profile fans, though. Former guest
performers Tony Bennett said he was "terrific," while Gwen Stefani marveled at his inner confidence.
"American Idol" is broadcast on Fox, a unit of News Corp.
|
