Melinda Doolittle quietly becoming odds-on favorite to win Season 6 title - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-06-2007, 03:01 PM

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Melinda Doolittle is used to singing in the shadows. But the humble backup singer from the Nashville suburbs had better get used to the spotlight — she’s the favorite to become the next “American Idol.”

In a season that’s served up a mostly bland group of contestants, Doolittle stands out thanks to her soulful covers of classics by Donna Summer and Aretha Franklin. Viewers and “Idol”-watchers love her — and so does the prediction market Intrade.com, which lets people wager real money on future events, such as the Academy Awards or presidential elections.

Intrade says pretty conclusively that Doolittle is going to win, although Lakisha Jones, Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks are still in the picture.

“In an opinion poll, some people will say who they think will win, but other people might say who they might like to win,” said John Delaney, CEO of the Dublin, Ireland-based Intrade. But when money is at stake, “you now have a financial incentive to predict who you think will win.

“The predictions are not infallible, but they are historically more accurate than opinion polls,” he said.

The sweet-natured Doolittle, 29, has seemed gracious and flattered by all the praise. Brutally honest judge Simon Cowell noted on the show that singers as talented as Doolittle are usually not as humble as she is.

Those who have worked with Doolittle don’t need convincing she’s going all the way on the top-rated Fox TV show. Sondra Morton-Chaffin, who performed with Doolittle in the musical “Nunsense” in 2004 at the Boiler Room Theater in Franklin, a suburb of Nashville, has kept in touch with her friend by phone since she’s been on “Idol.” Contestants are not allowed to speak to the media while still on the show.

Morton-Chaffin says Doolittle’s been busy, but is having a lot of fun, too.

“As a performer, she’s completely dependable and reliable. As a person, she’s so authentic and genuine. Fame is not going to go to her head. I think part of what keeps her so grounded is her faith.”

Doolittle attended the music program at Belmont University in Nashville, which country stars like Brad Paisley, Trisha Yearwood and Lee Ann Womack have attended.

She was one of the best students in the program, and since graduating in 1999 has come back to judge school music competitions, said Jeff Kirk, director of events administration and coordinator of commercial music at Belmont.

Kirk, who worked with Doolittle when she performed her senior year in a school musical, said she was “quiet and focused,” but when she got on stage she would “explode. She nailed it on the stage every time.”

“She can win this,” he said. “I think the thing in her favor is she’s been working as a backup vocalist. She’s done just about every genre. I don’t think they’re going to throw anything at her that she can’t do. She’s very versatile.”

“There’s no diva attitude there. She loves to sing and perform. Every week I think she gets stronger.”

Gospel artist Martha Munizzi, for whom Doolittle sang backup last year, said Doolittle has performed with a range of artists like CeCe Winans and Aaron Neville. She says Doolittle was in high demand as a backup singer before she made it on “American Idol.”

“For so many years, that’s been her focus,” Munizzi said. “It’s not that you think that you’re not good enough. You just get in that mind-set and think that’s what you are. I think she’s surprised she’s better on her own.”

“I absolutely see her winning this. There’s a lot of great females this year, but as far as the whole package goes and her ability to make the hair stand up on your arms, she’s got it. Her heart just shines through when she sings.”

G-Force Glockstar · 04-06-2007, 03:05 PM

Nooo, I don't want her to win! Am I the only person that doesn't like her???

TVFactFan · 04-06-2007, 04:04 PM

Ether HER orr LAMONSTER will win-lol

PrettyinPink55 · 04-06-2007, 04:28 PM

BLAKE LEWIS WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cactus Jack · 04-06-2007, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girl Meets World

Nooo, I don't want her to win! Am I the only person that doesn't like her???

Yeah

G-Force Glockstar · 04-06-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

Yeah

Thanks for making me feel better!

haha jk

Karen* · 04-06-2007, 07:23 PM

I love Melinda. Now that Gina's gone, she's my favorite girl that's still in the competition. Her voice is flawless and she's been consistent week after week. However, I think she needs to show more versatility in the songs she chooses and if AI is looking for someone to market, I don't think she's the right choice. Blake, Jordin, and Chris R all have what it takes to hit it big in today's music business. Those three are the most current and versatile in the top 8, IMO. I wish Melinda all the best though. I'd love to see her in the finale with Blake.

EmoJoe · 04-06-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Girl Next Door

I love Melinda. Now that Gina's gone, she's my favorite girl that's still in the competition. Her voice is flawless and she's been consistent week after week. However, I think she needs to show more versatility in the songs she chooses and if AI is looking for someone to market, I don't think she's the right choice. Blake, Jordin, and Chris R all have what it takes to hit it big in today's music business. Those three are the most current and versatile in the top 8, IMO. I wish Melinda all the best though. I'd love to see her in the finale with Blake.

i pretty much agree with that entire post, except for her in the finale with Blake LOL. melinda is alright, but she really will flop if she wins. not to mention she's getting boring with her song choices...she needs to take more risks.

An 80s Guy · 04-06-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girl Meets World

Nooo, I don't want her to win! Am I the only person that doesn't like her???

Why do you not like her?She's my favorite this season.

PrettyinPink55 · 04-07-2007, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Girl Next Door

I love Melinda. Now that Gina's gone, she's my favorite girl that's still in the competition. Her voice is flawless and she's been consistent week after week. However, I think she needs to show more versatility in the songs she chooses and if AI is looking for someone to market, I don't think she's the right choice. Blake, Jordin, and Chris R all have what it takes to hit it big in today's music business. Those three are the most current and versatile in the top 8, IMO. I wish Melinda all the best though. I'd love to see her in the finale with Blake.

Very well said!!!!
Blake, Jordin and Chris R all have some sort of star power and presence that Melinda seems to lack.
Her voice is flawless though, I do admit.

tvreviewer · 04-09-2007, 01:20 PM

I prefere Jordin over Melinda.

Chocoholic · 04-09-2007, 02:58 PM

Sanjaya is going to be the winner. I can feel it. It will be such an insult to those talented singers who were kicked off while he got to remain on.

Melinda does have a great voice and a lovely personality, but I do have to agree with what some of you are saying about star power. She really needs to show that she can sing more current songs and not just the oldies. I still think she, Jordin or Phil should win.

Karen* · 04-09-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

Sanjaya is going to be the winner. I can feel it. It will be such an insult to those talented singers who were kicked off while he got to remain on.

Melinda does have a great voice and a lovely personality, but I do have to agree with what some of you are saying about star power. She really needs to show that she can sing more current songs and not just the oldies. I still think she, Jordin or Phil should win.

Sanjaya won't win, LOL.

G-Force Glockstar · 04-09-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Girl Next Door

Sanjaya won't win, LOL.

It's a scary thought, but you're probably right....Melinda & Lakisha have a MUCH bigger fanbase!! And on dialidol (I know it's not always right....), Melinda usually has the most votes.

EmoJoe · 04-09-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girl Meets World

It's a scary thought, but you're probably right....Melinda & Lakisha have a MUCH bigger fanbase!! And on dialidol (I know it's not always right....), Melinda usually has the most votes.

LaKisha has virtually no fanbase.

i think Melinda is gonna win. or maybe even Blake, he could be the darkhorse.

04-06-2007, 03:01 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Melinda Doolittle quietly becoming odds-on favorite to win Season 6 title FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Melinda Doolittle is used to singing in the shadows. But the humble backup singer from the Nashville suburbs had better get used to the spotlight — she’s the favorite to become the next “American Idol.” In a season that’s served up a mostly bland group of contestants, Doolittle stands out thanks to her soulful covers of classics by Donna Summer and Aretha Franklin. Viewers and “Idol”-watchers love her — and so does the prediction market Intrade.com, which lets people wager real money on future events, such as the Academy Awards or presidential elections. Intrade says pretty conclusively that Doolittle is going to win, although Lakisha Jones, Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks are still in the picture. “In an opinion poll, some people will say who they think will win, but other people might say who they might like to win,” said John Delaney, CEO of the Dublin, Ireland-based Intrade. But when money is at stake, “you now have a financial incentive to predict who you think will win. “The predictions are not infallible, but they are historically more accurate than opinion polls,” he said. The sweet-natured Doolittle, 29, has seemed gracious and flattered by all the praise. Brutally honest judge Simon Cowell noted on the show that singers as talented as Doolittle are usually not as humble as she is. Those who have worked with Doolittle don’t need convincing she’s going all the way on the top-rated Fox TV show. Sondra Morton-Chaffin, who performed with Doolittle in the musical “Nunsense” in 2004 at the Boiler Room Theater in Franklin, a suburb of Nashville, has kept in touch with her friend by phone since she’s been on “Idol.” Contestants are not allowed to speak to the media while still on the show. Morton-Chaffin says Doolittle’s been busy, but is having a lot of fun, too. “As a performer, she’s completely dependable and reliable. As a person, she’s so authentic and genuine. Fame is not going to go to her head. I think part of what keeps her so grounded is her faith.” Doolittle attended the music program at Belmont University in Nashville, which country stars like Brad Paisley, Trisha Yearwood and Lee Ann Womack have attended. She was one of the best students in the program, and since graduating in 1999 has come back to judge school music competitions, said Jeff Kirk, director of events administration and coordinator of commercial music at Belmont. Kirk, who worked with Doolittle when she performed her senior year in a school musical, said she was “quiet and focused,” but when she got on stage she would “explode. She nailed it on the stage every time.” “She can win this,” he said. “I think the thing in her favor is she’s been working as a backup vocalist. She’s done just about every genre. I don’t think they’re going to throw anything at her that she can’t do. She’s very versatile.” “There’s no diva attitude there. She loves to sing and perform. Every week I think she gets stronger.” Gospel artist Martha Munizzi, for whom Doolittle sang backup last year, said Doolittle has performed with a range of artists like CeCe Winans and Aaron Neville. She says Doolittle was in high demand as a backup singer before she made it on “American Idol.” “For so many years, that’s been her focus,” Munizzi said. “It’s not that you think that you’re not good enough. You just get in that mind-set and think that’s what you are. I think she’s surprised she’s better on her own.” “I absolutely see her winning this. There’s a lot of great females this year, but as far as the whole package goes and her ability to make the hair stand up on your arms, she’s got it. Her heart just shines through when she sings.”
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

04-06-2007, 03:05 PM	#2
G-Force Glockstar Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Nov 22, 2003 Posts: 21,770	Nooo, I don't want her to win! Am I the only person that doesn't like her???
	__________________ Formally, FullHouseFan8795, CamdenGirl89, Lana Lang, Ruthie Lang, CravinForCarrie, and Girl Meets World.

04-06-2007, 04:28 PM	#4
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	BLAKE LEWIS WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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04-06-2007, 07:23 PM	#7
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	I love Melinda. Now that Gina's gone, she's my favorite girl that's still in the competition. Her voice is flawless and she's been consistent week after week. However, I think she needs to show more versatility in the songs she chooses and if AI is looking for someone to market, I don't think she's the right choice. Blake, Jordin, and Chris R all have what it takes to hit it big in today's music business. Those three are the most current and versatile in the top 8, IMO. I wish Melinda all the best though. I'd love to see her in the finale with Blake.
	__________________ karen on \| twitter \| tumblr

04-06-2007, 04:04 PM	#3
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,113	Ether HER orr LAMONSTER will win-lol

04-09-2007, 01:20 PM	#11
tvreviewer Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 01, 2005 Posts: 115	I prefere Jordin over Melinda.

04-09-2007, 02:58 PM	#12
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Sanjaya is going to be the winner. I can feel it. It will be such an insult to those talented singers who were kicked off while he got to remain on. Melinda does have a great voice and a lovely personality, but I do have to agree with what some of you are saying about star power. She really needs to show that she can sing more current songs and not just the oldies. I still think she, Jordin or Phil should win.