How do you top a season like this one? A live band for every Top 10 performance with vocal coaches like Nellie Furtado, Martina McBride and Tony Bennett? This season Canadian Idol outdid itself week after week and the finale was a perfect ending to a very successful summer. I arrived at the John Bassatt Theatre Sunday night and witnessed ” Idol Fever” first hand. The show was sold out and the crowd was wild. A quick glance around me said the signs for Eva and Craig were pretty much even but what about those signs with “Will you marry me Ben?” I don’t think so!
The show began with the Top 10 group number -Benny & the Jet’s, These Dreams and Freedom. This was an energetic performance and all the Idols sounded great but it certainly reminded that me that both Sarah and Rob were voted off too soon.
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Last year’s Idol – Melissa O’Neil sang Speechless. I love Melissa’s voice and she looked beautiful, however the song was not one of my favourites. I’m confident her sophomore CD out early next year will have stronger material than her first one.
Eva’s hometown of Gatineau and Craig’s hometown Upper Island Cove were shown with enthusiastic crowds for both Idols. The Top 2 were clearly overwhelmed with the support they had received.
Nelly Furtado followed with “Maneater” – she knows how to fill a stage and what a performance. The African Children’s Choir followed with the Idols in a heart wrenching performance of “Easy to be Hard” and “We Belong Together”. Thank goodness Rob was able to help out in the singing – Taylor and Brandon- ouch! The Top 10 sang “Home” which was beautiful. Eva’s performance of Nelly Furtado’s hit “Powerless” from the “Unplugged” episode followed. Craig performed “Danny Boy” and I’m so glad I got to hear this live. It was my favourite Craig performance. The Top 2 sang Sting’s “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You”. I didn’t feel this was as strong as the two previous year’s finale duets.
In addition to winning a BMG record contract Cyndi Lauper will produce a track for the winner’s CD. Martina McBride also invited the winner to join her Canadian tour next March.
Now for the moment of truth and as Eva and Craig held hands in what looks like a true friendship, Ben announces Eva as the new Canadian Idol. After 4 million votes last Monday night and with only a difference of 131,000 for the winner – this was a close race. The newly crowned Eva sings her first single “Meant To Fly” which already sounds like a hit to me. As the confetti falls the Top 10 surround Eva celebrating her win.
No surprises for me – Eva was the strongest contestant week after week. Craig certainly was a strong opponent and I don’t think we’ve heard the last from him.
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Highlights from the press conference-
This was the third time I’ve attended the post-Idol press conference. What was different from previous years was the presence of the Quebec & Latin media.
Ben Mulroney called Eva the “Perfect Canadian Idol” – tri-lingual, daughter of immigrants from South America.
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Judges comments-
Sass said Eva won because she was “By far the Best Singer” this year.
Farley felt that like his favourite Idol, Kalen Porter, Eva will have a long-term success and has the most potential. She’ll have a career in television, film and music.
Jake – she had the toughest first audition of anybody. They told her “You’re used to getting everything you want and that stops here”. He felt they all recognized her huge talent as she became more confident and grew each week. Jake also mentioned that the guest vocal coaches also saw Eva as the clear winner.
Zak felt she was very competitive and has true international potential.
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Craig was very confident with the media – can’t believe he’s only sixteen. He is the youngest Idol ever to reach the finale. His first thought when he heard Eva had won “I’m free, I can go nuts and do what I want”. When asked about returning to finish his grade 12.. he said he wants to do that but thinks he’ll try and get his CD out as soon as possible. Both Eva and Ashley Coulter were Craig’s inspiration each week. He truly was happy for Eva and they seem genuinely fond of each other.
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Melissa O’Neil said she felt really good about passing on her title to Eva – it was a girl and she’s all about girl power. She is very happy to do her own thing now and wants people to associate her face with her music and not Idol. She was not wearing an engagement ring and doesn’t want to get married until she’s about thirty. Melissa has put her dream of being a teacher on hold until she fulfills her music career aspirations. Melissa felt she will have a lot more creative input into her new CD coming out in March 2007.
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Eva charmed the media – what a positively gorgeous girl with a million dollar smile. She handled herself very well- in fact looked like she had been doing this all her life. Eva also talked about how the judges were very hard on her first audition – “they hated me” but said it was a good wake-up call for her. She talked about her past and winning lots of singing contests earlier in her life. Eva said she wanted to win Idol and felt very blessed, honoured and overwhelmed about it. Next week she’ll be in the studio and is looking forward to showing some of her “Peruvian” roots on the CD. One day she would like to do a duet with her Dad who also plays the guitar. When she signed her BMG contract her Mom yelled out “Don’t lose the cheque Eva”. Her Dad closed the interview with “I love you Eva”. Both parents looked very emotional and happy for their daughter – Eva Avila – the 2006 Canadian Idol.
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