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LA Native, Chikezie, Ousted from American Idol
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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.
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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
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