Ever get the feeling that you've seen this season of American Idol before? Or maybe not the season as a whole, maybe there is just one particular person who makes you think "GOD you so remind me of so-and-so". For me that's happened a lot this season, and I've been able to pair up each of this season's contestants (top 12) with a past contestant who reminds me of them for whatever reason: sometimes it's vocally, physically, personality-wise, etc. I tried my best to make it so there was more than one thing that linked the two. I'll explain each of my pairs too. Hope you guys enjoy.. it's not that long haha.
And remember that this is just my opinion.
Amanda Overmyer and Nikki McKibbin (AI1)
It's a pretty obvious comparison to me. Both were rock girls, they both sang similar songs on Idol, and they both gave off that kind of bad girl, white trash-y vibe. Amanda less on the white trash than Nikki, who was a stripper. They also were both very polarizing: people either hated or loved Amanda and Nikki, which was unfortunate for Nikki who somehow made it all the way to third.
And on another note, I'm looking at that picture and holy stretch marks, Nikki. She would never have been allowed to go on stage like that now.
Brooke White and Carmen Rasmusen (AI2)
Both Mormons. Both blond. Both have sunny cheerful personalities. Both are total sweethearts through and through. And both had voices on the weaker side of the rest of the contestants their season. Carmen is country and Brooke opened for Phil Vassar pre-Idol, so she's got some country in there, though we haven't seen it a whole ton this season.
Carly Smithson and Kelly Clarkson (AI1)
This is why I don't understand how Carly came in sixth. She doesn't have Kelly's personality, that's probably what hurt her. But she certainly has Kelly's voice. Many times when I listen to Carly's Idol recordings, if I didn't know better I would say it was Kelly singing them. Very very similar, vocally. Also they're both a "real" size, aka not anorexic supermodels.
Chikezie and Taylor Hicks (AI5)
Kind of an odd pairing but Chikezie drew comparisons to Taylor during his two Beatles performances where he played harmonica, let out a little country-type soul, and moved around the stage in a way typical of Taylor's antics. Then he played it straight one week, was back to boring, and got kicked off. That was Taylor's problem too. I said that people only voted for him for his stage antics, and that that couldn't be transfered over to a CD. And lo and behold his CD didn't do that well lol.
David Archuleta and Clay Aiken (AI2)
Uncanny is really the only word to use here. Watching David is like watching what Clay must have been like at 16. Granted I think Clay does and did have more personality than David does, there's the voice, the overwhelming presence of Jesus in the ballads they sing, the awkwardness, and the fanbase. Oh boy is there ever the fanbase. If the ArchAngels aren't one step away from the Claymates, I don't know what fanbase is.
David Cook and Chris Daughtry (AI5)
Some people have said Constantine and that makes me sick honestly. Constantine was smarmy, like he was always trying to pick you up. David's a sweetheart. He and Chris share that sexy confidence (*arrogance*, if you must) and a similar style of rock. Constantine's rock was... i don't even know. Glam, I guess. David has more of a personality than Chris.. he seems like more of a goofball, so that adds to the appeal for me.
David Hernandez and Elliott Yamin (AI5)
Both David and Elliott came out of NOWHERE in Hollywood and the semis. Both gave outstanding performances that got them unquestioning spots in the top 12. You look and both of them and say "damn, who knew he could sing like THAT?". Unfortunately for David, his gay stripper scandal got him booted in a highly undeserved 12th place, otherwise I feel he should have ended up somewhere closer to where Elliott did during Season 5.
Jason Castro and Jon Peter Lewis (AI3)
Jason was hard to place but I finally settled on JPL. They both are kind of hippie-dippy: strange and unique in their own ways. Neither of them have very strong voices. And both of them have a sex appeal that I don't understand at all, meaning girls think they're hot and I don't get it lol.
Kristy Lee Cook and Katharine McPhee (AI5)
Finally one that made you say wtf, right? Kristy was hard to place. I wasn't going to place her with Kellie, because their personalities don't fit at all (and I love Kellie, I'm never comparing her to freaking KLC lol). I thought about Carrie for a while, but Carrie really annihilates her vocally and was NEVER as obnoxious as Kristy was. And so, Katharine McPhee. This match is based nearly entirely on personality. These are the two most fake girls I have ever seen on Idol. Both pretend to be sweet and lovely and neither are. I've expressed how I feel about both of them on different occasions, and I don't want to draw this out, so in a nutshell, they're birds of a feather personality-wise.
Michael Johns and Ace Young (AI5)
Michael was hard to place also. I thought about Chris Richardson for a bit, but Ace seemed to fit more, even though I can't STAND Ace. I love me some Michael, but he and Ace share that "original heartthrob of the season" connection and penchant for mediocre performances. Luckily for Michael he was able to step it up and win it back. I continue to dislike Ace greatly lol. Plus if David C is Chris D then it's only fitting that David's buddy Michael be Chris's buddy Ace.
Ramiele Malubay and Jasmine Trias (AI3)
A no duh comparison lol. Both are Asian, obviously. Both strong support from their ethnic communities (Jasmine's support took her to an extremely undeserved third). Both had good voices and gave bad performances. In Ramiele's case, she made some shitty song choices ("Alone"? Really, Ramiele?).
Syesha Mercado and LaToya London (AI3)
Went through a lot of people for Syesha. I almost picked Nadia Turner because they both have that big bushy hair (and they're both from Miami, haha), but I saw that picture of LaToya and said "that's it". Unlike Nadia, Syesha and LaToya have that flawless voice. Oh yes, that flawless voice with zero personality. They both have the power to give completely perfect performances that seriously bring the boring. LaToya didn't find much success post-Idol and to me the outlook is grim for Syesha too (hint: do musical theater honey).
Comments? Disputes? Please do! Just be nice haha.
