Judges bring
Jasmine to tears
It was an emotional evening for Jasmine Trias and her supporters last night, as the Mililani songbird tried to advance into "American Idol's" top three.
With disco as the evening's theme, the Maryknoll senior was first to sing and chose "Everlasting Love" as her first of two songs. Trias trotted across the stage, navigating through the uptempo number.
She was the only contestant of the four to receive unfavorable comments from all the judges.
"Jasmine, I think you know how vulnerable you are this week -- probably the one most likely to go out," Simon Cowell said. "After that performance, you are definitely going to leave the competition. Seriously, I thought it was like a really average karaoke performance."
Guest judge Donna Summer said, "I thought it was pretty good. I thought there were some pitch problems a little bit here and there, but that's to be expected when you're singing in front of so many people."
"There were some pitch problems in the beginning," judge Paula Abdul said. "You kind of fell into your groove midway through. I'm looking forward to your next performance."
"I'd just like to say that for once, I must really agree with Simon," said Randy Jackson. "I don't think it was that good. You hit the high notes, but that's about it. The rest of it, you felt very unsure of yourself."
Trias thanked the judges and returned later to attempt the Weather Girls' "It's Raining Men," which also failed to generate much enthusiasm.
"Jasmine, you'd better hope that every household in Hawaii has at least five telephones, because you're going to need all the support you can get tonight," said Cowell. "You can't do the Weather Girls. You can't. Didn't work."
Abdul added. "I think you got thrown off because you forgot the lyrics. Having said that, I think that all of Hawaii, of course, loves you and I think that all of America does love you and I think they'll forgive you for this."
Trias cried as host Ryan Seacrest presented her to the American viewers following her appraisal. "I love everybody, thank you so much," she said as Seacrest gave her a hug.
The judges' critical comments were booed heartily by a crowd of about five dozen gathered at Maryknoll's Rogers Hall to watch the show last night.
"I don't agree with Simon," said Maryknoll Music Ministry Director Gayle Brodie. "I thought Jasmine did very well. She brought back some energy that we probably haven't seen in the last couple of weeks. She hit her high notes and I got goose bumps again."
"I think the judges already have their favorites," added senior Kristin Tomita. "So in their minds, it's kind of set who's going to win."
Results of last night's nationwide call-in vote will be revealed tonight at 8:00 on KHON.