Song choice fells 'Idol' hopeful

4/14/2005

A possible strategic error in choosing a song could have kept Nadia Turner from being the next American Idol. She was the latest contestant voted off the hit show last night.

Turner, 28, of Miami performed "When I Dream" during Tuesday's show. The night's theme was celebrating songs from the year the contestants were born.

Judge Simon Cowell said Turner made an "appalling" choice of song and judge Randy Jackson said, "I don't even know what song that is."

Turner said she didn't regret her choice and told viewers at the show's end: "The journey has just begun; so watch out baby!"

Host Ryan Seacrest promised at the onset of the show that it would be a shocker. It proved true when the bottom three vote-getters included Scott Savol and Bo Bice, a singer judge Paula Abdul predicted would make it to the finals.

More than 34 million votes were cast by viewers, who opted to knock Turner off the show. A bartender/waitress, Turner studied advertising and psychology at Florida International University. Seven singers remain.

Last night's show was expanded to a hour, pitting it against NBC's miniseries Revelations. Live performances by each of the bottom three singers helped fill out the longer time slot.

Two finalists will battle it out live from Hollywood on May 24. The new American Idol will be crowned on May 25.