making a case for...fantasia

Fantasia Barrino.  The American Idol.  Kinda has a ring to it.  Sounds probable.  Even likely.  But before even going for the Idol crown, we need to make a case for Fantasia to make it to the final two.

There's really not much to criticize with this 19-year-old.  She has a unique vocal talent that is nothing short of terrific.  She has phenomenal and innately comfortable stage presence.  And she has an intriguingly-saucy personality.  Of the three remaining contestants, she certainly has the love of the judges and has shown the most consistency throughout the competition.  So score one in Fantasia's column.

I am really looking forward to finding out which songs the judges choose for her.  They clearly adore her, so I would expect two raise-the-roof numbers, which will allow her to show her strongest asset.  It will be just as interesting to discover what she chooses for herself.  She has a comfort zone the size of Rhode Island, so I doubt there is a song out there that she will not chew up and spit out and life will be the better for.

Fantasia's biggest hurdle is her personality.  Some, like me (I admit) find it quirky and fun.  Some find it cocky and disrespectful.  She will have to tone it down Tuesday night.  The LaToya voters are out there, loaded for bear, to avenge their girl's dismissal.  Most of those votes will go to Fantasia, in large part because it was Fantasia, not Diana, that stood next to LaToya in the bottom two last week as Jasmine sat in shock on the sofa.  Fantasia will benefit most from this immediate backlash voting, but Diana has the potential to pick up some of it if Fantasia decides to verbally play with Simon yet again.

There are as many non-Fantasia fans out there as there are Fantasia fans, for reasons too varied to go into.  Many of them might be voting, as I predicted last week, for Jasmine to see a Jasmine/Diana final.  Fantasia needs to forget about them and concentrate on keeping the fans she has and picking up the LaToya fans out there who have not sworn off voting in protest or disgust.

Will she make the final two?  This is too tough to call.  Should she be there?  Without question.  Would I bet the dog?  No way.  This season has shown time after time that the ones that move on do not always do so because of talent.  A strange epidemic has befallen the American Idol voting public.  Amy was a victim.  Jennifer was a victim.  LaToya was a victim.  Fantasia could, unfortunately, be the next.

Let's hope not.  Fantasia and Diana were the first two named to the final twelve.  They should be the last two in the final show.

*photo from idolonfox.com