"Idol" Cuts 4, Keeps The Irish Professional

NEW YORK — Carly Smithson progressed on "American Idol" Thursday amid controversy over her professional past. Smithson, 24, has made headlines for having a pre-"Idol" career: The Irish crooner recorded a debut album, 2001's "Ultimate High," for MCA Records. It flopped _ after the label spent more than $2 million trying to sell it.

The show's gimmick has always been to pluck talented young hopefuls from obscurity and make them into recording artists.

Besides Smithson, several of this year's semifinalists are not exactly rookies in the world of music. Kristy Lee Cook once had a deal with Arista Nashville, and rocker Robbie Carrico was part of the pop group Boyz N Girlz United.

"If they hadn't already tried to make a name for themselves, then they don't deserve to be in (the) competition," said judge Paula Abdul, defending the contestants' real-world experience.

Abdul added that Kelly Clarkson had pursued a recording career before her "Idol" win.

Now for the losers: Garrett Haley, Amy Davis, Joanne Borgella and Colton Berry were eliminated by viewers getting their first chance to vote in the top-rated talent contest's seventh season.

Haley, who sang "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," was the first one booted. Simon Cowell said Tuesday that the Elida, Ohio, resident looked like he had been locked in his bedroom for a month and needed some fresh air.

"I haven't gone tanning, so I'm being myself," the 17-year-old said before exiting the stage.

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Abdul told the telegenic Davis, 25, from Lowell, Ind., that she needed more experience. "You're a beautiful, talented girl," she reassured.

Borgella, a 25-year-old plus-size model from Hoboken, N.J., failed to impress Cowell with her somewhat shrill rendition of "I Say a Little Prayer."

"It was a horrible song choice, and it wasn't a great performance," the acerbic judge said.

"I know I sing better than that," responded Borgella.

Cowell was especially harsh toward the 18-year-old Berry: "I would say get a good job, and enjoy singing. Because I don't think you'll make a successful career out of it."

Berry, from Staunton, Va., took the bad news in stride and closed the show with a spirited cover of "Suspicious Minds."

Thursday's show also featured a presentation of the music video for Abdul's new single, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow." It drew a warm reception from the studio audience _ and a smile and kiss on the cheek from Cowell.

"American Idol," now running three times a week, will return to a twice-weekly schedule March 11 for the elimination of the final dozen. The decision-making finale will be held in May.

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On the Net:

http://www.americanidol.com/

Comments

[auramac]

I just hope the Irush girl keeps her boyfriend off the show and her arm covered up- those tattoos hurt my eyes more than Sanjaya hurt my ears.

[ObamaRama7]

LOL Stoned College girl stages HUNGER strike rofl:

http://digitalfuntown.squarespace.com/dft-blog/2008/2/21/bloomington-series-hunger-strike.html

[Changeling]

Other contestants have had record deals...even ones in the current crop.

Fantasia had an album before Idol and she WON the freaking thing.

Much ado about squat.

[ChiGuy]

Smithson's album, "Ultimate High", failed because the supposed $2 million MCA spent went into the pockets of cronies, not where it should have been spent.

Can anyone remember her appearing on ANY show here in the U.S.? Can anyone remember seeing promotional materials for her album at music stores? Can anyone remember hearing her name on radio?

Perhaps MCA should be looking into who exactly cleaned their clock for the money.

[LoRiseAntlers]

I don't watch this crap.Not any Butters.If it had Butters,I would watch it,but it will never have Butters,so I will never watch it.

Butters!

[kellygrrrl]

anyone who is writing off Idol as past its prime is really missing out this year. The talent is worthy. And somehow they managed to find all good-looking kids. I think they may have auditioned on a little something other than just singing. BUT they can sing. There are a few very young contestants that I'm excited to watch over the next couple of months.

[Lemeritus]

No, no, no, no! Melinda Doolittle was the best, hands-down, no questions asked contestant they ever had! And she got screwed... by someone or other (who was it?) I said then I wasn't going to watch it again and I'm not! Me and my AI 12 step program meet regularly if you ever need to join.

... Oh yeah, Jordan Sparks! Did you vote to Jordan Sparks, kellugrrrl? I wanna know who's responsible! :)

[kellygrrrl]

no, I didn't. I voted for Melinda the whole way through. She's amazing. i wonder what she's up to now. But there are some very talented singers this year, and already perfectly packaged to throw out to the market. I don't know where they found these kids, but they are really good and fun to watch. I'm looking forward to this season!