[hockeyfan7]

I couldn't believe last night. There's one lady who is quite large and Simon Cowell had been making fun of her weight. She got into the room with the 3 judges who were going to tell her if she was going on to the final 24 or not. Simon had previously made a comment that if she was going to be in the competition, they would have to get a larger stage.

She walked into the room and first thing said, well, you didn't have to get a larger stage but you could have gotten a larger chair. Then she looked Simon right in the eye and told him he hurt her feelings, she cried, but then she forgave him. She said that if Jesus could die on the cross to forgive her for her shortcomings then she could extend that same grace to Simon to forgive him. She said she didn't need an apology to forgive him.

Wow -- he was speechless! He said something about she made him feel about an inch tall -- which she should have. He did tell her that she was going to have to deal with it some more because she was going on to the next round and then he apologized.

I was knocked over by what she said -- I had to go back and watch it again several times. That was so impressive. And she can sing. If she gets to the point where we start voting, I'll be voting for her for sure.

I find it interesting that Ruben Studdard can win and be fat, but it's not the same for the females.

[Less of Lena]

Class act she was. I only caught bits and pieces while doing other things, but I was impressed. I hope Simon will take her words to heart...

But I doubt he will. His rudeness has paid his bills for far too long for him to change now.

[ABWorldly]

I haven't watched the show but I do see bits and pieces of that jerk. I am glad that woman did that. This man should not be paid for being such a prick. It is just modelling bad behavior to society. I really wish he would get fired or something bad happens to him. I hate to be so mean but he really needs to be taught a lesson.

[Catsgetnhealthy]

Yes I saw it last night and thought she did good. You start voting next week to knock the 24 down to 20 I think and so on.

[Loumomoffour]

Hi Susan,
I watch A.I. but I only saw the last half hour..I missed that part...God Bless her!!!!.I will have to TiVo next week. I am usually trying to get the kids in bed at that time...
Did anyone get the feeling that LOOKS did have a part in the selection of the finalist..it just seemed to me that most of the girls were young, tall and thin...or was it that I only noticed the young tall and thin ones..hmmmm...
Lou

[Less of Lena]

Hehe wouldn't it be lovely to do an American Idol with no visuals? Where you can only hear them sing while watching video of 100s of colorful kites flying on a sunny afternoon or puppies frolicking on the beach? Where the contest would be who's the better singer? Not who's the cutest or sexiest or most outrageous?

I remember seeing a report about some symphony orchestra (maybe all of them do this) that auditions musicians from behind a screen so the judges can't even tell what sex the applicants are! They're judged solely on their ability to play their instrument well.

Talk about pressure!

[bluedevil]

My sister auditioned for American Idol a few years ago and was actually told that her vocals were "outstanding" but that she just didn't "look the part." At the time, she was about a size 12 or 14.

Also, when I was in high school, we had "blind" auditions for all state band and orchestra. As an auditioner, I found it really intimidating!!

[par12199]

Yes I saw it too. I was so proud of her for what she said. I probably wouldn't have been nice at all. Yeah for her!