Hometown Singers’ Hopes Are Crushed in Idol Final

(first published in the Barrhaven Weekender July 15, 2004 & the Kourier July 16, 2004)

Ottawa’s last hopes for a representative in the top ten were dashed last Thursday night when Becky Abbott was not named as a finalist in this year’s Canadian Idol semi-finals, joining Annie, Filomena and Constant on the sidelines to hope for a wildcard spot and a second chance at stardom. Edging past this vocal coach and waitress at Marshy’s Grill in Kanata was teacher Manoah Hartmann from Saskatchewan and Shane Wiebe from British Columbia. The odd coincidence is that last week’s winners; Theresa and Jacob, hail from the same two provinces.

What can I say? Becky rocked the house when she performed and even won over Zack. He told her that she was a ‘serious, serious singer.’ She wowed the judges and the crowd in the studio but it wasn’t enough for the voting public. Becky did not receive enough votes to move on and what a shock that was, both to her fellow competitors and probably to her. It just goes to show that you never know how things will go in showbiz and that an audience can be fickle or have already chosen favourites early on that they will vote for no matter what. This is unfortunate for the other great singers out there.

Finally, at the end of the show, the wildcard competitors are announced live with no one knowing ahead of time if they have made it or not, including those who have already been sent home. Unfortunately, no one from Ottawa will be packing a suitcase for a second chance at fame. The judges have decided who will get a second chance and no one from Ottawa makes the cut.

This competition is certainly shaping up to be a crowd pleaser with lots of strong singers and a few entertainers with personalities that really stand out on stage. With one wildcard round set for this week, it is not long before the top ten finalists will really start competing as they live, eat, practice and sing together on the road to becoming Canada’s next Idol. Stay tuned to Idol on CTV Wednesday nights at 8 p.m.
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