The Theory of Elliottivity

"American Idol" has crowned its official winner, Taylor Hicks. But as far as I'm concerned the formula e = ai5 is thus proven. And after watching Elliott tear up the Kodak Theatre during the finale:


To paraphrase Addison DeWitt in "All About Eve" - 'E' of course, was superb. And we Yaminions cheered loudly, lustily and long for 'E'. It wasn't just singing, it was a performance: brilliant, vivid, something made of music and fire!

Anyone who doubted that kid's star presence can eat crow!

He just gets better each time and was so compelling tonight.

Thankfully he did get the best Bacharach song in the medley and he soared into the majesty of it. His reading of "I am not meant to live alone, turn this house into a home" was spectacular! I'm soooo proud of my boy!!!!

I just LOVE him even more.

As for MJ Blige, she may have upstaged him but supposedly that's how the duet with Bono goes as well. He sang the beginning and then let her take the meat of the song and then he joined her. Of course I was waiting for Elliott to join in and wanted more of him, but you know, he was thrilled and happy to be up there sharing the stage with her, so if he was happy then I'm happy.

"I'm so happy you're happy."

I don't know why I'm on this "All About Eve" kick!

And that award Ryan gave to Elliott's dear mother was a sweet measure of justice.

And I loved Elliott's restrained vocal in the beginning of "One" - that may have been his class and grace coming through as well. He's really establishing himself as a nuanced artist. I hope when he records his album he sings something plaintive and quiet, as well as pieces that tear up the place. I think his voice would sound so gorgeous on straight tones as well.

All in all, a good show - but I was there for one reason only - and he delivered.

Isn't it bliss?

I'll miss not having him on TV every week now. He was a lost kid trying to find his way, and we took that journey with him. A rose needs nurturing and time to bloom. And how he's blossomed! And he couldn't have looked more handsome in the finale on Wednesday night. What a glorious crowning moment the night was for him. He was truly the emotional center of the season. He looked like the adored star that he is during "A House Is Not a Home", so passionate and elegant. I found myself, again, moved to tears as my heart filled with pride watching him conquer that room.

And it's only the beginning.

Amazing Grace...

...of a beautiful boy, who once was lost, but now is found...

I think Elliott's send-off will be the most eloquent moment of that show's history. The man is grace, class, humility, and dignity personified. What a moment, one I'll never forget. I started crying during his "homecoming" when I saw his mother slowly taking in the response from the crowd at the stadium - it was poetry. Then it hit me again during his "journey" video as that footage of him being so overwhelmed by just being a part of the show was so moving.

I had prepared myself all day for what I believed was the inevitable, and I believe he and his family did as well. And I had a good cry about it when I got home Wednesday morning and watched the video of the show from Tuesday - there was something so haunting about "Open Arms", I don't know if anybody else picked up on it the way I did. I still hear it in my head right now. He looked and sounded so helpless and vulnerable, I just lost it....

....And I also realized why I was so taken with him on the show, which was so unexpected as I've never been a fan of that show nor will I ever really be, but this unique soul came along and got my attention. The last 12 months have been difficult. A beloved choir I was a member of for four years here in New York was disbanded. Then the one-two punch of the Louisiana hurricanes later that summer was too much to bear. Watching Katrina's decimation of an American city followed by days of its citizens' inhumane suffering while our government stood by was heartbreaking, and swelled up enormous feelings of rage in me. And then four weeks later, my own family suffered at the hands of Rita, which wrought unprecedented destruction on southwest Louisiana. My parents' house was heavily damaged by a sudden and violent storm surge, forcing them to live in their travel trailer for the last seven months while the first floor was completely reconstructed, and my dear grandparents' home was destroyed, forcing them into an assisted-living facility. The remains of their house were finally brought down just last week. Those first two weeks of the aftermath was one of the worst times of my life. My absolute feelings of helplessness because of my inability to get down there led to overwhelming bouts of despair and fear, and made me angry at the whole world.

Then on the evening of March 1, I decided on a whim to see what was going on with "American Idol" and this off-beat looking kid with a toothy grin, sweet and sincere disposition, and beautiful blue eyes stepped forward and sang "Moody's Mood For Love."

And the rest is history.

So it was fitting for him to sing that song tonight, I felt we came full circle, and it was magnificent.

I said several weeks ago, he makes me smile when he sings. And I realized I hadn't really, truly smiled in a long time. And he made me rediscover my own love of singing. And I will always be grateful for that.

We all just needed something nice, something good, and something inspirational to happen. This nation is in a rather precarious state right now. Elliott Yamin filled that void for me.

And, somehow, he just makes me want to try to be a better person.

Rg

e = F3

A shocking curveball was thrown into the American Idol competition on Wednesday night when Chris Daughtry, the rocker who was predicted early on to be the winner, was sent home after receiving the lowest amount of votes.


This pits my Idol Elliott Yamin against Taylor Hicks and Katherine McPhee.

We're getting closer, and I really think he's going to win this.

And e = ai5, will be proven as the Theory of Elliottivity!

Rite of Passage

Today is going to be a little tough.

My grandparents' house in Henry, Louisiana, that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Rita over seven months ago, will be brought down today.

My mother was crying when she told me the other day that the demolition was scheduled for Thursday. This was inevitable but now reality is settling in, knowing my grandparents will never return to their home.

Suddenly I'm back in that house, as I was on the last day of my trip during the Christmas holidays, standing alone amongst the remains and visualizing what happened there and contemplating what is to become of Louisiana, and all of us in general - especially with the current course our nation seems to be on.

Be safe.

Rg

Elliott a la King

Sheer Perfection!!!!!!!!!!

This definitely was his best night, though "A Song For You" comes close. But I was particularly impressed with how Elliott built the first song, "If I Can Dream". Like I've said in my vocal analysis, he fulfills the artistry of singing a song. He established the character, set up the conflict, and sought a resolution. He began the lead melody smoothly and slowly layered himself into the passion and hope that the music suggests. His phrasing was clear, concise, and he carried the vocal boldly out to the end of each line, and his runs were clean and solid. He constucted a marble statue and polished it to a shining beacon.

"Trouble" was the perfect contrasting choice, and displayed his sense of humor, along with a frisky confidence. His bluesy, cheeky and driving delivery was palpitating enough to crumble reinforced concrete.

He was also the one performer tonight who I felt truly invoked the spirit of Elvis, while making those pieces his own. His husky tenor recalled Elvis' passionate rocking drawl and fit seamlessly into the frames of his song choices.

All he needed was a bunch of scarves drenched in his sweat to throw out to everybody!!!

Astounding job tonight Elliott!!!

Have Now Exhaled

Ok, things are calming down in the WP center. I actually have some time to myself.

I figured Elliott and Paris were the bottom two because of the seating order. So of course I was holding my breath. But all those Blasphemers failed to prevail!!











What WAS that group song they did.....??? Wasn't liking that too much.

I love the notion of an Elvis theme, since I was an Elvis geek (I'm serious - my first 45 rpm was "Heartbreak Hotel") before becoming a musical theatre geek, but coaching by Tommy Mottola???!!!! Lord help them! What the heck does he know about Elvis? He only pays attention to sleek, young starlets. Katherine, watch out!

So, what should my man sing? You know what I want him to sing......but it wouldn't work as a show-stopper, or have that "hook" or "wow" factor for Simon - but who cares what he thinks!

"Oh let me be....your Teddy Bear...."

I WILL!! I WILL!! I WILL!!

Seriously though, how CUTE would he be singing that song??? But he should go with something else.

Too bad for Paris, but rather her than Yam(ee)n the Machine!

OH!!! And funny to see my old drinking buddy Melissa Gilbert in the crowd!

So am I TWO degrees of Elliott????

All right, enough frivolity and delirium.

Slowly, but surely...

A milestone has been achieved. With new carpeting being laid today, for the first time in over seven months, since Hurricane Rita, my parents will be sleeping in their own bedroom tonight.

The rest of the house is still coming along.

Rg

National Treasure

Oh my....