One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
LA Native, Chikezie, Ousted from American Idol
Chikezie Eze was voted off "American Idol" last night, "taking with him 50 percent of this year's Idolette Top-10 personality pool," Lisa de Morales sniped in her Washington Post TV column. For the second week in a row, Chikezie chose to sing a ballad -- “If Only For One Night” by Luther Vandross -- after judges warned him last week that song choice is of the upmost importance at this stage in the contest. Last week, judges were not impressed with his ballad choice of "I've Just Seen A Face," and Tuesday night's performance was called "old school" by Randy and "cheesy" by Simon. The 22-year-old Inglewood native then explained that he did not listen to the judges' advice because his voice coach told him to follow his heart. It obviously didn't work.
Entertainment Weekly live blogged Tuesday's show and said they preferred Chikezie's usual active energy, jumping around stage and being that "country crooner guy" like he was two week's ago when all signs pointed to Chikezie making a turn around. "I thought you were terrific," Simone told him and Randy was so excited, he screamed "Chikeze Smashed It!" moments after he finished a southern version of "She's A Woman" by The Beatles.
Chikezie is an El Camino College student and previously held a job as a TSA screener at LAX. Earlier this month, TMZ got a hold of pictures of him singing in the TSA Choir (they have a choir?!?). Two other California residents are still competing in the show -- Brooke White of Los Angeles via Mesa and from Ireland, Carly Smithson of San Diego.
Bonus Fact for reality TV addicts: Project Runway Season 4 winner Christian Siriano supposedly designed Season 2 "Idol" wannabeen Kimberley Locke's dress for last night's performance
Headshot image of Chikezie
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
