'Idol' Viewers Lose Interest in Edwards

Mar 22, 08:08 PM

Current Headlines: By Erika Ray, The Blade, Toledo, Ohio

Mar. 22--Stephanie Edwards will miss the chance to tour the country with the rest of the American Idol top 10 contestants because America decided to send her home last night.

Edwards, 19, of Savannah, Ga., was one of the youngest contestants on the popular Fox reality TV show, and often drew praise from the judges.

But she received compliments only on her outfit Tuesday night, and not on her singing.

Judge Paula Abdul said she loved the strapless blue dress that Edwards donned to croon "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" for British Invasion week on Idol.

But critical judge Simon Cowell said he thought Edwards was losing her soul.

"I think you are losing your edge," he said. "It was a cabaret performance. I wasn't crazy about it."

Judge Randy Jackson agreed that the performance wasn't her best.

"It was a little pitchy for me," he said.

Edwards shed a few tears while watching a clip showing her journey on Idol after finding out that she was headed home.

More than 30 million votes were tallied this week, putting Chris Richardson, 22, of Chesapeake, Va., as the second lowest vote-getter.

However, none of the judges had a single negative comment for Richardson after he crooned "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying."

"I think that was your best performance ever," Cowell said.

Jackson said he was impressed that every note was in tune, and Abdul told him that his performance was sexy and charming.

To help them master the classic songs of the '60s, contestants were mentored by legendary British artists Peter Noone and Lulu.

Both mentors were given the chance to perform last night before the two lowest vote-getters were revealed.

Noone of Herman's Hermits sang "There's a Kind of Hush" before Lulu belted "To Sir, with Love."

Contestants will be sent home one by one each week until a new American Idol is crowned in May.

-----

Copyright (c) 2007, The Blade, Toledo, Ohio

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.