Alexis Lopez (now Alexis Stone Lopez)

Alexis performed competently starting off semi-final group two, and was invited to the wildcard show for another shot at the finals. The judges seemed to be rooting for her, but both her performances ("I Will Survive" and "Saving All My Love For You") were criticized as "karaoke" by the judges. Since the earlier seasons I think the contestants have gotten a bit savvier about song choices, as no one has performed "I Will Survive" on the show since season 3 (and I can't imagine the tongue-lashing they would receive from the judges if they did).


recent photo

Since Idol, Alexis now goes by Alexis Stone Lopez, and her look has changed from girl-next-door to rocker girl. She has been immersing herself in music, attending the Musicians Institute after high school, touring the US, and recently filled in for the lead singer of the band Landrum. She is now currently working on her own album, release TBD.

Sources:

http://www.myspace.com/alexisstonelopez
http://www.myspace.com/alexisstonelopezmusic

Kelli Glover

Despite turning in two solid performances during Semi-Finals Group 1, one after she was called back for the Wild Card episode, Kelli wasn't able to edge past the competition and make it to the finals. Her emotional reaction to not making the top 10 was major water-cooler talk the next day.

So what is she up to these days? All I am able to glean is that she is still making music. She lent her vocals to "Sunday Morning" by The Infernos Band, and has made appearances at various industry events. If you have any more information about her recent projects, please drop me a line (see Contact Me box on the right).

sources:
www.myspace.com/michellekelli
http://cdbaby.com/cd/infernos6

Justinn Waddell

Justinn was on the receiving end on some rather inconsistent feedback re: his performance of When a Man Loves a Woman. Paula was positive, Randy commented on his outfit (positively? negatively?), then Simon was rather critical before saying "well done". Inconsistent feedback? On American Idol? Good thing that doesn't happen anymore.


promo shot for his album

Justinn certainly didn't slow down after he left the show. Now going by the name Frankee Razor, I could tell you about what he done since then, but since Frankee was kind enough to take the time to tell me about what he's up to, I will let him speak for himself:

Since Idol, I've changed my name to Frankee Razor "ur local Hip Hop Jimi Hendrix". I've tour and performed with Eric Benet, Faith Evans, Jamie Foxx, and a host of others. I'm near completion of my own reality show set to air in 2010.

I am the founder and CEO of Frankee Razor Music, an Entertainment Company specializing in production and distribution of Music, Television, and Film.

Music Wise, I am spearheading the Urban Rock Movement, merging Hip Hop, Soul and Rock. It'd be awesome to tell everyone to Join the Movement by going to www.FrankeeRazor.com and add me as a friend.

Basically, Idol was a blessing beyond measure, Simon was my favorite judge, and Paula gave me some advice that I will hold dear for the rest of my life. Rodesia Eaves, Khaleef Chiles, and Kelli Glover are still my best friends. I see American Idol as a fraternity, that no one can understand unless they experience it. There is a instant solidarity past American Idols have with each other, regardless of season or ranking; as Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia Barrino and I became instant friends when we met for the first time.

Thank you Frankee! Best of luck in all your future endeavors.

Ryan Starr

one of the most talked-about performances of season 1

Originally auditioning under her given name (Tiffany Montgomery), Ryan was definitely one of the more memorable contestants of season 1. Ryan was one of the lucky ones, as she was signed by RCA after her stint on Idol. However, due to her disagreement with RCA regarding the type of music they wanted her to record versus the type that she wanted, she left RCA in 2005.

She ended up releasing a song exclusively through iTunes, "My Religion," which peaked at #1 on the iTunes chart. However, since then she has not followed up with much, except for "My Religion" and two other songs on "Curtain Call: New Songs from Past American Idol Finalists, Vol 1". She has been much more prolific via reality television, with major appearances on "The Surreal Life" and "Gimme My Reality Show!". She has not updated her official website or her MySpace, so I am not sure what she has been doing in the last couple of years. As usual when I find more information I will post it.


2007 magazine cover

sources:

http://www.ryanstarr.us/
myspace

Brad Estrin

The most memorable aspect of Brad Estrin's short stint on American Idol was not his performance, but Simon's critique of his singing as "Chilean karaoke". Seven years and one college degree later, I can't say that I'm quite sure what he meant by it, but it certainly helped Simon solidify his position as the "mean British guy". I feel for many of the contestants whose brief time in the limelight was overtaken by the judges attempting to get some zings in.

Brad lists his current occupation as "Social marketing/event planner...[part-time] singing ninja". He also gave a dishy interview to the East Bay Express shortly after his time on Idol. Some choice quotes:

"There were a lot of phonies in the top thirty," says Estrin. "There was a lot of backstabbing going on." Example? "There was a girl in my group," he confides. "She came up to me about a half-hour before I was to perform and said, 'Oh my God! Did you know that the show's not going to air in your hometown?' It had been preempted by a Giants game. I'm like, 'Yeah ... ?' And she goes, 'Well, maybe that's better because I know you've been struggling with the song all week, and so your family's not going to see it, which'll be a good thing.'"

re: Simon's barb:

"Honestly? It did hurt me, because I'm human. I don't have a lot of respect for Simon in that aspect. Anybody can sit up there and throw out a cheap insult. It's not hard. It takes a bigger man to give somebody constructive criticism."

Natalie Burge

Natalie performed "Crazy" by Patsy Cline; Randy and Paula enjoyed it, but Simon gave his patented criticism-that-isn't-really-criticism-but-really-is-criticism. Or something.

It doesn't look as if Natalie's official site has been updated recently. It seems that after the show she did some backup singing and dancing as well, and she made an appearance in the movie "Eating Out," so perhaps she struck up a friendship with fellow contestant Jim Verraros?

Also, there is another Natalie Burge out there, who is a blonde 20-something singer, part of the band The Sirens. However, as far as I can tell it is a different Natalie. I will do some more sleuthing and report back.

sources:
http://www.natalieburge.com/resume.htm

Rodesia Eaves

Rodesia's arrangement of Daydream Believer was actually quite promising and original...a soulful take on a bubblegum pop song. Unfortunately her performance...well, I'll let Rodesia's MySpace say it:

she had to sing “Daydream Believer” By the Monkees on T.V which did nothing for her vocally.

Which is putting it nicely. According to her MySpace (she now goes by the name of R.E. Vintage) she is still looking to get her foot in the door of the music industry.

Here she is singing "Bed," a song which suits her much better.



sources:
www.myspace.com/rodesiaeavesvoice
http://www.youtube.com/user/kissanangel55

Adriel Herrera

The name probably doesn't ring any bells for the average Idol fan, but after his audition, Simon labeled him as the one to beat: "If I could choose anyone we’ve seen in this competition, he’s the one ... I promise you." Well, he had a competent semi-final performance, but didn't make it through. He was invited to participate in the Wild Card episode, but turned it down, as he felt that the show didn't give him the artistic freedom he needed. I can only guess, but I am pretty sure had he turned in a decent performance he would have been sent to the finals. Oh well. Hopefully he is at peace with his decision. Idol was definitely cheesy in the earlier seasons, but the past few seasons have seemed to allow the contestants a bit more creative license; Blake Lewis and David Cook in particular have shown that you don't have to sing a generic Motown song or "Against All Odds" (God forbid) every week.

After the show, he was briefly in the band Asphalt Apology from 2003-2005. I'm not sure what he's up to at the moment. If you know (or if you are Adriel!) please drop me a line.


photo credit: Jose Raul Castillo (photo circa 2007-ish)

sources:
http://www.joseraulcastillo.com/surviving-the-fame-machine/
http://www.myspace.com/asphaltapology

Jim Verraros

Very early in the competition, America wasn't used to Simon's barbs, because Jim Verraros was claimed by Simon to have been voted through by the public out of sympathy after Simon blasted his semi-finals performance.

Jim was voted off the first week of the finals, but since has developed a respectable career. He is openly gay (he actually wasn't closeted on the show, but rather they just discouraged him from being completely open about it) and has appeared in the gay-themed "Eating Out" film franchise. He has released two albums with a third (Do Not Disturb) on the way. He is not currently signed with a label.

He also underwent quite a makeover:



He looks terrific. From his MySpace:

Secondly, a lot of people have asked me how I changed my body. Well, I'll let you all in on a little secret: there IS NO SECRET. I've been busting my ass for four months in the gym, weight training 6 days a week, increased my protein intake, and slowed down my cardio. There is no pill, no secret workout video or piece of shit machine that I bought on a late night infomercial--- nothing. Just hard work, and diet.

Why did I decide to change my body? Because for years I've had an awful struggle with my weight, my self image, and I got to the point where I was ready to change my life; because in the end it is a COMPLETE LIFE STYLE CHANGE. The reason why diets don't work for so many people is because they're not willing to commit and go the distance; or they give up too soon when they feel they've reached a plateau or don't see the results they want to see in a week. It takes SO MUCH HARD WORK and commitment. You have to be mentally and physically ready to devote a lot of time to yourself and your body. Plain and simple.

Preach!

Tamyra Gray

Why not start with the woman who started off American Idol...Tamyra Gray.

Tamyra was my favorite contestant throughout the first season, and as corny as it sounds I still remember her first performance. While just about every contestant from season 1 would have struggled to even make Hollywood (in fact, I imagine a few of them may have been highlighted as "bad auditions" had they auditioned in the past few years) but Tamyra was one that would still be able to hold her own even today.

So what happened? Idol was still a baby, and didn't have the infrastructure to promote more than one budding star. They obviously did quite well with Kelly, but it seems that Tamyra was left behind by the producers. Perhaps if she had showed up in a later season there would have been enough capital for them to throw their weight behind her. That said, had Tamyra not been in the first season, there may not have been later seasons (yes, her presence was that critical to the show's success).



So, what has she been up to? She was signed by Simon Fuller after the show, and released her first album, The Dreamer. Unfortunately it didn't move enough copies to please TPTB, and she was dropped. Since then her focus has moved to film and Broadway; she had a recurring role on Boston Public (as a student with a talent for singing, natch), and played Priya in the short-run musical Bombay Dreams and Mimi on the iconic Rent. She made an videotaped appearance on a season 7 elimination show (was it the Andrew lloyd Webber episode? That would make the most sense...) where she spoke about her experience on Broadway. She was also debuting a pretty different hairstyle as well.


photo credit: http://godblessthedreamer.typepad.com/

At the moment, she is recording a new album and looking for a label. As with every post here, as I find more information I will post it.