I am going to write about American Idol now. Some of you will roll your eyes. Too bad – I don’t get paid to post or put ads on this weblog, and you don’t see me talking about pop culture on VH-1. Who do I look like, Choire?

Now, I just watched the American Idol finale, with Fantasia [keywords: ghetto-fabulous, single mother] and Diana [keywords: bubbly, pink]. Me being the biggest reality television junkie ever, I’ve been scanning a multitude of message boards and websites which says that Diana will most likely come out of this the winner.

To which I say:

HELLO, ARE WE WATCHING THE SAME SHOW? I’m absolutely shocked – gobsmacked – flabbergasted – that no one has brought up the fact that Diana totally went off key in the middle of “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” Like a full on, half-step off, cringe-inducing half note. It was *really* painful, guys. If Diana nailed that song, I was pretty convinced she was going to walk away hands-down with the competition, but now I’m not so sure.

Not to say that Fantasias first song was great (Jodeci?! For the love of god, girl, if you’re trying to win America’s vote you don’t sing *Jodeci*) but at least her ad-lib screeching wasn’t half a note off.

What won me over was Fantasia’s version of “I Believe.” I LOVED IT way more than Diana – Diana sang it well, she held the power notes and she stayed on tune, and that’s fine. But what I love about Fantasia is that she actually emoted the song, felt what she was singing as she song it. “Who’s the more appropriate American Idol” be damned, Fantasia is a much better storyteller, and thus performance artist, hands down.

Now if you excuse me, I have to call and cancel as many Diana votes as possible.

[I'm pretty sure Diana will still win, however.]