The suspenseful Finale of American Idol Season 7 culminated with a big red carpet event at the Nokia Theatre in downtown, Los Angeles last Wednesday, May 20. The big day saw throngs of fans lined up around the Los Angeles Convention Center as early as 12 noon, eagerly waiting to get good spots. Signs of “no cameras and cell phones” were posted around the theatre. Fortunately, this writer was one of the lucky sixty general press who has given a credential and got invited to cover.
Aside from the 12 contestants and 3 judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell, former idols walked at the arrivals area. Among them were Justin Guarini, Fantasia, Bo Bice, Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle, LaKisha Jones, Sanjaya Malakar, Constantine Maroulis, paris Bennett, Kellie Pickler, Nadia Turner, Gina Glocksen, Ace Young, Jon Peter Lewis, AJ Gil, Kevin Covais, Amy David, Justin Waddell, Jasmine Trias, Carrie Underwood, and many others. Other celebs seen were Joely Fisher, Cat Deeley (“So You Think You Can Dance” host), Thomas Dekker and Summer Glau (“TTSCC”), Camryn Menheim, Jeri Ryan, Teri Hatcher, Gary Marshall, Kat Foster, Arden Myrin, Ashley Tisdale, ZZ Top, among others.
This year’s surprise guests and performances include a video clip of Gladys Knight with back-up singers Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and Robert Downey, Jr.; Donna Summer sang her new released single released “Stomp Your Feet,” and her nostalgic “Last Dance.” Backstage, she stopped by to announce she’s heading for a tour and releasing a new album. ZZ Top did an awesome job as well as icon George Michael. But what was The Jonas Brothers doing there?
After 4 months and 42 episodes, rocker David Cook was announced as the rightful winner, taking 56 percent out of 97.5 million votes against opponent, David Archuleta, who garnered 44 percent. Backstage, after the show, Cook commented about Simon Cowell’s apology to him, “An apology from Simon is a pretty rare gem, but he did not need to do that. I have so much respect for him.” About the announcement, “Last night was never really like a competition to me. It was all having fun and enjoying the moment and being able to share the stage with someone I respect and admire. Nothing more. But basing on the judges comments, I went into thinking David’s going to win. It’s crazy how things turn out.”
On Archuleta, “The respect I have for David (Archuleta) is very much not as a competitor. He has more talent at his age than what I know what to do at 25. To be able to share the stage with him is an honor for me. The fact that I walked out of here as the “next American Idol” is not a testament to me so much as a testament to the other 23 contestants from this season and to everybody behind the scenes. I came here to have fun and just try to do my best, and I know the others had done as well.”
“In August, I stood in line in Omaha, Nebraska where it’s raining. I have no intention of auditioning and I was just accompanying my brother for the AI audition. And now I’m here, with the same people I was with in August. It was a nice bookend,” he said.
David Archuleta with this writer backstage after the show.
David Archuleta came last in the press room. “It’s a big relief after last night. No more performance, no more competition, and no more getting judged…. No, I wasn’t disappointed or upset about the result. I made it to the top two and I feel so good about my performance last night… David (Cook) is a great guy and he’s like a big brother through all this. I’ve learned so much from him. I have a lot of respect for him and he is really a humble and down to earth guy. “ What is more important to him right now? “I really want to make an album and I want to know how it will turn out.” (See more pics at Photo Gallery )
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