Sligh's Sky High on Sanjaya

Mar 30, 04:37 AM

Current Headlines: By Mark Washburn, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

Mar. 30--Rising to the defense of fellow contestant Sanjaya Malakar on Thursday was ousted "American Idol" finalist Chris Sligh of Greenville, S.C.

For starters, Malakar's pony-hawk hair-do this week was killer, said the curly-mopped Sligh. "I could never pull that off. I give Sanjaya props for pulling that off."

In a telephone conference call with reporters a day after getting voted off the show, Sligh said the public underestimates Malakar.

"I think Sanjaya is actually a very good vocalist. He's 17 years old. When I was 17 years old, I didn't know how to sing in an audience situation."

Sligh said Malakar -- whose performances have been widely mocked and whose continued success has become the focus of buzz this season -- is handling the pressure well, particularly for a teenager. "He's a sweet kid."

Sligh, 28, said frustration with the kinds of songs the program wanted drove him to consider quitting two days after he was named to the final 12. But he said he's happy he decided to stick it out, and that he made the top 10 so he can go on the "American Idol" tour this summer.

Sligh also explained his aside Wednesday night to fellow contestant Phil Stacey about a $50 wager. After getting withering reviews by the judges, he said he told Stacey, "I'm going home, dude. I bet you 50 bucks I'm going home. And he took me up on it."

And, Sligh said, Stacey has paid up.

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