The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE AMERICAN Idol journey ended for Long Island’s own Mathenee Treco last week when he was eliminated during the sudden death round of competition. The Bahamian artist assured his fans, “Idol may have let me go, but I’m not going anywhere, God bless”.

After his elimination Mathenee’s supporters offered words of encouragement.

“Mathenee, you are a star. It’s not your talent, it’s a producers thang. You sang circles around two of the boys that were chosen but they had tragic stories of overcoming that they can milk over the season. You are talented, working in the entertainment industry, well adjusted with an awesome family. Take this national exposure and run with it. Just ask JHud,” said one fan.

Another follower said: “Dude, I’m not sure what happened. I thought you chose the perfect song, seriously. I was rockin’ out, you had the crowd amped up, I got chills. I cannot believe MC (Mariah Carey) has never heard that song. What a joke! I thought you showed a lot of talent in that song. You were definitely way better than any of the guys last week for sure. Last week was a joke and you should be on one of the stools. So sorry, Mathenee. You are the bomb and I love listening to you.”

During last season’s American Idol Mathenee was also eliminated after progressing through several of the rounds. Last week he took on Elvis Presley’s A Little Less Conversation”. The judges Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Randy Jackson gave Mathenee mixed reviews.

Keith said: “You have a huge range vocally, as we just saw and heard. You got immense power too as a singer, so for me those things right there are really strong. I love the fact that you want to entertain.”

Nicki added: “Yes you have a strong voice, but a lot of it seemed more like trying to please the judges. You don’t have to please people. It didn’t feel current, it felt very cheesy and karaoke, but that’s just me.”

Randy disagreed with the song choice and told Mathenee it made him question what kind of artist he wants to be.

Mariah said: “I’ve always liked you and I’ve always felt like you were a person who I would invite over to my house and talk to, and have fun with. There is a quality in you, like a real person. It isn’t put on, that’s what I like about you.”

Mathenee told the judges he is heavily influenced by classic rock and a lot of Hip Hop. “I just try to entertain and I hope I did that,” he said.

Gurpreet Singh Sarin, Josh Holiday, David Willis and Bryant Tadeo were also eliminated with Mathenee.

Contestants Burnell Taylor, Nick Boddington, Cortez Shaw, Lazaro Arbos and Vincent Powell moved on and joined the top 20.

For the female contestants, Zoanette made Nicki teary eyed with her rendition of “Circle of Life”. She advanced; however, contestants Cristabel Clack, Rachel Hale, Juliana Chahayed, Jett Hermano and Melinda Ademi were not so lucky.

When Zoanette began singing the Lion King’s “ Circle of Life,” everyone knew right there and then a show was about to be put on.

Nicki told the 20 year old: “You just served it. Listen Zoanette, the reason you make me so emotional is because when I think of you coming from Liberia, and all of those siblings. The fact that they are going to get a chance to see you on this show, I am so proud of you. I don’t care what people say about you, you are the person that we are going to remember after tonight. I love you because that song was such a smart choice, because it matches who you are and where you are about to be.”

This week on American Idol, Zoanette, along with the contestants that make the top 20 will sing for America’s votes.

American Idol

Top 20:

Girls

Zoanette Johnson

Aubrey Cleland

Teena Torres

Amber Holcomb

Candice Glover

Kree Harrison

Angela Miller

Adriana Latonio

Breanna Steer

Janelle Arthur

Guys

Burnell Taylor

Elijah Liu

Lazaro Arbos

Devin Velez

Curtis Finch Jr.

Charlie Askew

Vincent Powell

Nick Boddington

Cortez Shaw

Paul Jolley