Well, SOMEONE had to go and, sadly, one of the two contestants voted off "American Idol" last night was Chris Richardson. Frankly, I'll miss seeing him perform each week. Yeah, he is cute but also so endearing and his final performance tonight I think launched him well on his way to stardom. I see him singing and acting and doing whatever he wants to do. It was so sweet the way the group hugged in the end, they seem to be genuinely close - especially Chris and Blake Lewis who survived to make it into the final four along with Lakisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle and Jordin Sparks. Phil Stacey was also voted off last night, finishing the season in sixth place.
Chris and Blake stood side-by-side on stage and before Seacrest announced which one was going home, Chris noted that they are "best friends" and that "I'd go home for him." Both agreed that it wouldn't matter who was voted off because they would be going on tour together along with the rest of the top 10. I'm just a sucker for cute boys who aren't afraid to express their feelings for each other on live television.
Before singing his last song, Richardson told the audience: "It's worth it...thank you everybody for keeping me in this long." He looked happy and saitisfied with fifth place - and he should be.
As for Phil, I never much warmed to him but I do acknowledge that he put together a string of solid performances in the last three weeks to hang in and it looks like if he focuses on country music, he will do well since that is his strength. He won't be as big a country star as Carrie Underwood, but certainly he will do better than Bucky Covington! And his farewell performance was filled with warmth and emotion. He went out like a winner.
So next week, it's the final quartet. I think it will depend on performance and song choice and since Melinda has been the most consistent on both fronts, I look at her to be one of the fnal two. The other spot is up for grabs!