Exclusive: Justin Guarini On American Idol’s Latest Elimination

By Justin Guarini
Fancast American Idol Correspondent Host of Reality Chat: Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight, TV Guide Network

The obligatory group song opens the show, and no matter what, I always get the taste of throw-up in my mouth. That’s just watching it. Imagine how we felt doing it. Remember the first “California Dreaming” group video from my year? We hated doing that cheese. It was cute at the time — I’ll admit that — but all of us thought it was really bad. At least now they have a band and backup singers and choreography…while we had to lipsync sitting around a fire. I might be a little harsh, but it’s probably because I’m a little jealous of the production value that the contestants have now. Either way it rolls off my back like water off of a duck.

The Guys
Nerve racking, but I’m 1 for two. I thought that Jason should go home and he did. His performance was just too corny. What a nice guy, but not the stuff an American Idol winner is made of. I think that Danny made it solely on his personality. It must be so tough to sing your way off of the show. I feel for Jason, but those are the breaks.

I remember being so nervous that I would have to run a few laps around the studio the day of eliminations just to get the nervous energy out of me. It also brought the sweat out of me…so I had to change clothes. The judging days were, understandably the worst days of our lives that Summer. The only way we made it through was to band together and take care of each other. Which is why it’s always nice to see the other contestants give hugs and pats.

The Ladies
Again I was 1 for 2. I guess that makes it 2 for 4. I’ll take 50% any day. Maybe they put the obvious two together and shocked us by only eliminating one. Alexandrea’s Grandmother was so sweet, but not even an angel like her can save a contestant from elimination when they pick the wrong song at the wrong time. In a surprising move David cried over her and it makes you wonder what kind of real relationships (friendly or otherwise…but I meant friendly) these contestants form behind the scenes.

I know that we all were, at some point or another, close. You have to be. Going through this show is like going through a war. I certainly don’t intend to belittle the service our men and women in the armed forces are doing our country, but the correlation is significant. This show takes the life out of you just as much as it gives life to your career. The contestants now get to bring at least 2 people with them to California to keep them company. It’s usually parents, and in the case of minors, it’s mandatory that they bring their parents. Our year, we fended for ourselves and had only each other to provide solace. It was lonely at the best of times, because we were friends, but we were also competitors. There was no way around it.

The Other Girl
As soon as I saw that Amanda was safe.,,a choice I had mixed emotions about due to the fact that I like her, but think she’s proven herself to be a one-trick pony…I guessed, offhand that it would be one of the blondes. It was a shot in the dark, but I guess like Marvin The Martian says “There’s not room enough on this planet for the two of us”…go ahead make fun of me for that one. I kinda cringed when I wrote it, but love it or leave it. Marvin’s theory applied last night and we saw Alaina, in a surprise, go home. I didn’t see that coming at all. She was the “Dark Horse” after all wasn’t she? So young, and devastated. I think that America voted on sex appeal. I don’t agree with it, but it’s my assumption. Even though she was choked up, she sang her way through the song with the beauty, maturity, and professionalism that should have kept her in the game. Will America lash out at the other blonde next week?

The Other Guy
After a very touching Idol Gives Back review, we girded our loins to ditch another guy. I’m so happy to hear that they’re continuing IGB this year, I plan to donate, and I hope that you do too. I thought that Luke and Robbie were ok the night before, and I guess that’s why Robbie got the axe. It’s unfortunate for him that there was a true rocker in the show in the form of David Cook. A few surprises last night but nothing that would rock the boat. At least Robbie has a stunningly beautiful girlfriend!

This next week will be the most demanding and stressful we’ll see so far. The last 12 spots are up for grabs and the competition is tighter than it’s ever been before. I’m a little nervous for the people who found themselves at the bottom of the pile this week…they’ll really have to step it up to prove that they’re worthy to be a part of the coveted Top 12 moniker.

homepage photo credit: Matt Beard