‘Idol' contestant is no surprise in Tulsa
Following in Carrie Underwood's footsteps? Former student loved to sing and be heard, her ex-principal says.
By Matthew Price
Staff Writer
Melinda Doolittle's lauded performances on "American Idol” aren't a surprise to her former classmates at Tulsa Union High School. Principal Dave Stauffer said Doolittle's been known for show-stopping performances since her days at Union.
Stauffer said Doolittle was a "go-to girl” for singing performances in high school.
"Whenever we needed a song sung, whether it was graduation, whether it was the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,' basketball, football game, she was the one we always thought of,” Stauffer said. "People loved to hear her, and she loved to perform for the school and in front of her peers, because they received her so well.”
Doolittle was a mascot at Tulsa Union, and was voted most spirited and most talented by her senior class.
Stauffer said Doolittle performed as a featured singer for a 1995 national student council convention at Tulsa Union.
"We had her on stage during this five-day leadership workshop with 2,000 students and faculty from all over the nation.”
"She was just such a great personality, and loved to work hard,” Stauffer said.
Doolittle now lives in Tennessee.
Judge Paula Abdul gushed about Doolittle's performance of "Home” from the musical "The Wiz” on Tuesday:
"I feel like you're just feeling so much joy, and it's so exciting,” Abdul said. "I feel like one big goosebump. ... You're sailing through.”
Often prickly judge Simon Cowell agreed, comparing Doolittle to a young Gladys Knight.
With no problems in her vocal performances so far, Doolittle told host Ryan Seacrest the hardest part of "American Idol” for her is the high heels and dresses.
"I like my tennis shoes and my sweat pants,” she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment