Trias draws
mixed reactions in
performing movie musicThe Mililani teen sings
"When I Fall in Love"
for "American Idol"
Drama ran high, as usual, on "American Idol" as last night's theme was music at the movies.
The show's elite eight, including Mililani's Jasmine Trias, battled their way through another round of competition, while the program's panel of celebrity judges -- Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson -- were joined by filmmaker Quentin Tarantino as guest arbiter.
Due to President Bush's news conference that pre-empted "American Idol" on Tuesday, the show was taped at its usual time but screened nationally last night.
Trias, who had found herself in the bottom three with Maui's Camile Velasco last week, hoped to win back America's confidence with a strong showing.
As the sixth performer to take the stage, the Maryknoll senior, outfitted in jeans and a pink top, elected to go with "When I Fall in Love" from the 1993 romantic comedy "Sleepless in Seattle."
It was another challenging tune for the 17-year-old.
"All right, that was a good performance," Jackson said at the conclusion of her song. "It was all right. You ran out of gas a little bit at the end, but it was good."
Abdul added: "At least you hit that note right at the end -- it was a risky one. You have a real nice tone to your voice, always real pleasant. Good job."
Tarantino then offered his assessment: "In a show full of powerhouses, you're like this delicate powerhouse. I think you own this one thing in this competition. I don't think this was that great of a performance by you, but I'm just such a fan of yours, it almost don't matter to me."
Cowell, true to form, was more incisive, picking apart Trias' performance and comparing her and 16-year-old Diana DeGarmo, of Snellville, Ga., with the rest of the field.
"Jasmine, let me tell you the problem with you and Diana: You are children trying to be adults, and it doesn't connect. This is where you're having a problem in the competition," Cowell said. "If I'm being realistic, I could go to any Sheraton hotel or a resort and hear somebody singing like you, and we'd all have a nice dance, and so what? And that's the problem."
Results of last night's nationwide call-in vote -- which will eliminate one contestant -- will be announced at 7 tonight on Fox affiliate KHON-TV.