Idol moments: 'Doolittle did a lot' on 'Idol'

Idol moments: 'Doolittle did a lot' on 'Idol'
By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer
2/22/2007

A year ago around this time, "American Idol" contestant Melinda Doolittle thought she might try out for the No. 1 show in America -- as a background singer, the former Tulsan said on Wednesday night's episode.

Well, 12 months later, the 29-year-old professional background singer found herself on the Idol stage with background singers of her own, as she performed Aretha Franklin's "Since You've Been Gone," as if she were the Queen of Soul herself.

From the crowd and judges reactions, it could be said Doolittle is certainly a frontrunner to become America's next monarch.

What our judges said:

Hank Charles, owner of the Broken Arrow recording studio Valcour Sound, said, "Melinda started very confident with great stage presence. Her pitch was dead-on throughout. She never let up until her performance was over, and completely won over the crowd and the judges. What made it even better for me was her sweetness and humility after the song was over. I predict that she could go all the way. Doolittle did a lot!"

Rochelle Chambers, a popular local R&B and blues singer, said, "She's the frontrunner. She's definitely, in my eyes, so far, the shoo-in for the 'American Idol.' She blew me away, I'm like, 'Now that's
how you bring it. That's what you're supposed to do.' She did exactly what she was supposed to do: she brought it tonight."

What the Idol judges said:

Randy Jackson began, "This is what I keep saying, 'If you've got it, show it, prove it. You came out there, sang, blew it out the box. You were hot. All you need is to have confidence and believe in yourself because you've got the natural gift. That was the bomb."

Paula Abdul said, "No more background singing. You are a front-runner. And you're a firecracker, too. Big, big performance."

Then Simon Cowell, who's been an outspoken Doolittle supporter thus far, once again praised the gospel singer when he said, "You know, it's interesting, over two nights I have seen people come out here with little talent and a huge amount of arrogance, and you're the opposite. You are an incredible singer. You have a fantastic story. You're a fantastic person. I really hope you do well."

Before Doolittle's performance, she told millions of viewers, "You would think that the six feet between, like, the background mike and the front mike is not really a long walk, but it can be a scary one."

After Wednesday night's performance, it seems Doolittle won't ever have to make that scary walk again. She'll just stay out front where she belongs.

Thursday night on Fox, the two male and two female contestants with the fewest votes will be eliminated during the live results show.