It has been a whirlwind few days for me. My computer crashed and if you know me at all, you know that I live online so it has literally been like losing a home. Hopefully my access will be restored soon, but for now I have to use public access computers to keep bringing some Pulse-rrific info for you.
Inside Pulse was awarded media access to the Canadian Idol finale and I covered both the final performance and result show.
When I arrived to the John Bassett theatre inside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, I was not surprised at all to see hundreds of fans lined up outside. The fans that were lined up outside the building were promised an autograph session with the Top 8 contestants. I snapped a few pictures and then made my way inside.
I picked up my ticket and made my way to my seat.
At the final performance show, it was clear to me that the title would be awarded to Kalan Porter.
The crowd was into every performance and I think that he received preferred timing.
While both Theresa Sokyrka and Kalan Porter had to perform the single (that the winner would release immediately after being crowned), Kalan was given the chance to perform “Awake In A Dream” last. This gave him the opportunity to leave the viewing audience with a strong memory of the type of song that they would hear if they voted for him.
By contrast, Theresa Sokyrka performed the “Awake In A Dream” single first. By the end of the show, I was hard pressed to note any differences between her rendition and that of Kalan’s. I am saying this even though I am probably one of her biggest fans. I am sure the case was the same for all of the other Theresa supporters that were in attendance.
In addition, one important point to note is that when judge Farley Flex referred to Kalan as the ‘smartest kid in the competition,’ it was the truth. Kalan selected an amazing balance of songs. He went from the slow and powerful ballad of “Nature Boy” to the high energy “Born To Be Wild.” He also started with the slower song, moved to the up-tempo rock melody and finished up with the single that would be released if he won.
Theresa’s selection differed. She opened with the “Awake In A Dream” single. As I pointed out above, I did not agree with this placement. While I realize that the show wanted to mix up the placement of songs between the two contestants, I think Theresa should have saved this performance for the middle. Oh well. C’est la vie.
She went on to what is widely regarded as her best song during the entire competition. The soul and passion that she displayed while singing “Crusin” is unparalleled.
She ended with another strong performance. She covered Jann Arden’s hit “Good Mother.” Again, while I can appreciate the song, its deep meaning, and its message, I just feel that it went over many of the young fans that were in attendance. While we can argue with it, the fact is that fast songs are what people remember. The type that you can clap your hands to. This has never been Theresa’s style (nor should it be). She is a soul singer and when Zack Werner said that he knows “what record will be in his player,” I knew it as well. I just also knew that the young 17-25 female vote would not share the same opinion. For Theresa to win, she would have had to break into Kalan’s stranglehold on the teenage-girl vote. I just didn’t think that these songs would do it.
At the end of the show, I was left with the same unaswerable questions that I have asked since I started covering Canadian Idol.
Why are Kalan’s eyes always closed?
How important are looks in this competition?
Will Theresa be able to draw the kind of infinite support that Kalan seems to hold?
What are Sass Jordan’s comments supposed to mean?
I pondered these and others as I made my way over to the stage and grabbed a few pictures of the throngs of fans waiting to get autographs.
My gut feeling was the same as it has been since the Top 10 shows started airing. Kalan would win Canadian Idol. It was an unavoidable fact.
Please do not get me wrong.
Kalan is a talented singer. You do not get to the Final 2 performance by not cutting it. My problem is that I just prefer Theresa’s maturity, song selection, and overall voice. It is a personal choice.
Theresa should win Canadian Idol.
Stay tuned for my thoughts on the grand finale, and my notes on the media conference call that I participated in with journalists from all over Canada.
